by Kirby Lindsay, posted 27 January 2012
On January 23rd, the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) held the first of its monthly meetings for 2012. The Board of Directors caught up on several projects from 2011, and set in motion plans to address them – and some new ones – in the coming year.
Farewell Good Friend!
During opening announcements, Norma Jones reported that local resident and architect George Heideman – a member of the FNC and the Fremont Chamber since the beginnings of each organization – tendered his resignation from the Board. Jones estimated that Heideman has served 30 years with this group. The group discussed a small, short farewell celebration for Heideman, to take place before an upcoming meeting, to be scheduled based on when his health might allow him to attend.
Welcome Possible Amenities?
Toby Thaler mentioned that legal action against the City of Seattle over the remodel of the North Seattle Transfer Station has netted the plaintiffs some unspecified civic improvements to be installed during the remodel, and after. The form of these improvements – each of which could cost as much as $30,000 – will be decided among the plaintiffs which includes the FNC. The Board discussed holding a public meeting soon to possibly take suggestions and settle on a mutually agreeable plan.
Proposed Bus Route Changes for Sept. 2012
Board Vice-President Stephanie Pure brought up the dramatic changes proposed for METRO bus routes through Fremont, in September 2012. The Board reviewed some basic information on these changes, as found in the METRO website and a January 20th Fremocentrist.com column:
- #5 – reroute through Downtown Fremont, across the Fremont Bridge
- #16 – more frequent service
- #17 – eliminate local service, retain express
- #18 – replace the #17 local with service through Downtown Fremont
- #26 – eliminate local service, with express going across the Aurora Bridge using Bridge Way (no Downtown Fremont service)
- #28 – eliminate local service, with express going across the Aurora Bridge using N. 39th (no Downtown Fremont service)
- #30 – eliminated
- #31 & #32 (similar to #26 local) – replace #30 with service between U-District & Downtown Seattle through Fremont and Queen Anne
A survey and other information about these changes can be found on the METRO website.
The FNC Board agreed to invite a METRO representative for the February 26th meeting for better, more thorough information. Tim Durkan, of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, promised to help schedule this.
Land Use Frustrations
Toby Thaler commented that fellow FNC Board Member Erik Pihl could not attend this meeting due to a conflict with the Design Review Meeting on a development proposed for 3635 Woodland Park Ave N. Thaler has previously requested the City address this frustrating scheduling conflict to no effect.
He then read a letter the FNC received on the Fire Station #9 remodel, which reported that bids would go out for contractors soon. Also, the letter explained that demolition of the 1921 substation/annex building would be done after ‘citizen testimony was not heard at either City Council hearing.’ This upset FNC Board Members who had attended private meetings with City representatives, and wrote correspondence on behalf of the organization asking for preservation of the building. FNC representatives did not attend the City Council hearings, but after several conferences and exchanges of correspondence, they understood it would do no good. The Board authorized Thaler to write a response, not contradicting the letter but reaffirming the FNC position in favor of preservation.
Thaler also promised to respond to a Fremont citizen who contacted the FNC about concerns over new development on his block, and asked for advice on protecting views.
Aurora Developments
Several people mentioned the Early Design Review Guidance meeting scheduled for Monday, January 30th at 6:30p in the Ballard High School Library for the proposed development by Catholic Community Services (CCS) of 4251 Aurora Avenue North. The development would replace the former Fremont Inn/Thunderbird Motel building on Aurora Avenue North. According to the Seattle Department of Planning & Development notice, the current design calls for a four-story building with 71-residential units and 5,600 square feet of commercial space. Also, the public will be allowed to speak at this meeting about the proposal, and siting of a development on this subject site.
Linda Clifton, who resides near Aurora Avenue, reported that residents have grown concerned about vandalism, break-ins and fire hazards at the boarded up motels – specifically the Isabella and Italia, located south of the Thunderbird. They’ve also spoken with the property owner who has reported speaking with three different developers about the properties.
Clifton asked about the FNC gathering together groups, residents and business owners for a summit on the potential of Aurora Avenue, and improvements that development and transit could bring. Board President Matt Gasparich mentioned how the Jersey barrier through the center of the highway inhibits movement and keeps the two sides separate. Clifton would like to help develop a community plan for the area, but she admitted that her work with the Aurora Avenue Safety Project showed that no money exists to implement a plan.
When discussion returned to proposed development of the Thunderbird site, Dan Wise mentioned that CCS now owns the property, and it has a security patrol that monitors the property regularly. City policy delays demolition until issuance of construction permits, but CCS has asked about an expedited process. The FNC Board immediately voted, unanimously, to send a letter/e-mail of support for demolition of the standing building as a neighborhood hazard. Wise admitted that demolition could take only a few weeks once the permit is issued, particularly as she already has five willing recipients waiting to hear if they will be the lucky winner of the Thunderbird sign.
A Pass On The Fair
Discussion about staffing a booth at the Fremont Street Fair this June ended with the decision to forego it this year. Board members who have staffed the booth before couldn’t see that the hours spent gained the FNC new members, or even increased awareness among Fremont residents. A few want to see the Neighborhood Council represented at the Fremont Fair, without a product to sell or an issue to address with attendees, the booth lacks any real meaning. Also, most agreed that the percentage of Fremonsters walking through the Fair is low. Clifton suggested, if the FNC does need to reach locals, a booth at the Fremont Sunday Market might be more effective.
The group also discussed the new website, and the new information being added to it regularly. The website is a good way to keep up with the FNC, but the best way remains attending the monthly meetings, which are open to the public. The next meeting will be on February 27th, at 7p at the Doric Lodge #92, and should have plenty for attendees to see and learn!
Related Articles
- FNC Highlight Reel: Motions & Progress Made
- by Kirby Lindsay, December 7, 2011
- Affordable Housing Aspirations
- by Kirby Lindsay, October 2, 2008 in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
- Homeless Housing Plans Move Forward For CCS
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 21, 2011
- Ready Or Not, Transit Analysis & Energy Benchmarking For Fremont
- by Kirby Lindsay, January 20, 2012
- How To Make Aurora Safer
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- A Remodel For Fremont’s Fire Station #9
- by Kirby Lindsay, May 3, 2010
©2012 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.