Stories for January 2019

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Thursday, January 31

Ridwell offers Seattle a fourth bin

Service collects miscellaneous items for repurposing, recycling

While many people are looking around their homes for things to get rid of that just don’t spark joy, Ridwell founder Ryan Metzger hopes people will use his service to make sure those items don’t simply wind up in a landfill.  

Montlake Market preservation plan emerges

Contractor works out preliminary design for SR 520 project that could spare neighborhood grocer

It will take longer and cost more money to save Montlake Market during construction of the Montlake phase of the State Route 520 Bridge Replacement Project, but residents at a January WSDOT meeting remained steadfast in their desire to keep their small neighborhood grocer.

Wednesday, January 30

Vintage winery in Madrona

Wilridge Winery has been in neighborhood for 20 years; owner hosting white wine, oyster tasting on Feb. 8

It’s possible to walk Madrona’s business corridor many times and still miss one of Seattle’s oldest wineries. Tip: Look down to find the Wilridge Winery sign on 34th Avenue.

Monday, January 28

Group narrowing in on environmental education center site preference

Two locations deemed too costly, Duck Bay option raises safety concerns for young children in Washington Park Arboretum

A Master Plan Implementation Group will present a preferred option for building a new environmental education center in the Washington Park Arboretum in mid-February.

Thursday, January 24

District 3 Councilmember Kshama Sawant announces bid for third term

Socialist Alternative member pledges to fight for people, against corporate interests

Among the accomplishments the District 3 councilmember listed during her re-election campaign announcement was championing a $15 minimum wage in Seattle and advancing legislation capping move-in fees for renters, which a King County Superior Court judge upheld last September.

Tuesday, January 22

Sawant to formally announce re-election campaign

Seattle District 3 Councilmember Kshama Sawant is planning to formally announce her re-election campaign on Thursday.

Counting down the Trump presidency

New Leschi homeowners maintain former resident's countdown sign

Former Leschi resident John Holt has spent the last two years counting the days until Donald Trump’s presidency ends. Those passing his old house on the corner of 31st Avenue South and South Jackson Street know exactly when that will be, thanks to a homemade sign above the garage.

Monday, January 21

Bringing shorelines to the public

SDOT, Friends of Street Ends work to improve access to right-of-ways

Most of Seattle's shoreline street ends have either been improved for public access or are leased to private property owners, with SDOT using those funds to open up even more public spaces with greater amenities. At the heart of this effort are neighborhood volunteers dedicated to the ongoing maintenance of these public shoreline spaces.

Friday, January 18

WSDOT finds contaminated soil on Montlake Market site

Public meeting Jan. 30 to address study, market preservation options, SR 520 construction

Following December soil testing that found petroleum-related contaminants on the Montlake Market property and in the groundwater, WSDOT is hosting an informational meeting about ongoing efforts to preserve the site on Jan. 30.

Wednesday, January 16

Neighbors appealing Holy Names Academy underground parking garage decision

Residents worry about increased traffic, congestion, pollution

Capitol Hill residents living near Holy Names Academy are appealing a decision to allow the private school to construct five levels of below-grade parking on its campus.  

Tuesday, January 15

SPU offering Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant

Seattle Public Utilities is accepting applications through March 22 for the Waste-Free Communities Matching Grant, which funds community-based waste-prevention projects.

Monday, January 14

Madison BRT nearing 90-percent design

SDOT, Metro scrap electric trolleybuses for diesel-hybrids

SDOT expects to have its designs for the long-awaited Madison Bus Rapid Transit project at 90 percent by the end of the first quarter of 2019. Construction of bus platforms and other infrastructure along Madison Street for the new RapidRide G line is slated to start early next year.

Thursday, January 10

Seattle Public Schools answer levy replacement questions

Just three meetings taking place this month to address $1.5 billion in requested funding

Seattle Public School administrators spent Tuesday evening explaining to parents, teachers and other interested parties how the two proposed levies on the February ballot would benefit students across the expansive district.

WSDOT issues Montlake Project contractor notice to proceed

Graham Contracting starts initial work ahead of SR 520 bridge replacement

The Washington State Department of Transportation on Monday gave contractor Graham Contracting LTD its notice to proceed with its design-build of the State Route 520 Montlake Project.

Monday, January 7

Council wants nonprofit to have Central Area Senior Center property

Mayor still assessing options despite lack of development potential

The Seattle City Council passed a budget last year that includes a resolution calling for the transfer of several municipal properties to nonprofits using them to the benefit of residents. Among those properties is the Central Area Senior Center, operated by Sound Generations in Leschi.

Thursday, January 3

Midtown Center post office closing on Jan. 12

USPS having little luck finding temporary space in Central Area

The East Union Post Office at Midtown Center in the Central District will close when its lease expires on Saturday, Jan. 12, as 23rd and Union readies for another major redevelopment.  

SDOT director finalist gets new gig with city

Mayor appoints Worden as citywide mobility operations coordination director

A retired Air Force major general passed up for the job as Seattle’s transportation director has been hired by Mayor Jenny Durkan to serve in the newly created position of Director of Citywide Mobility Operations Coordination.