by Kirby Lindsay, posted 3 April 2013
The March 25th meeting of the Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC,) like the February meeting, spent a lot of time on transportation related issues. Yet the FNC Board also conducted business on parks, and its own upcoming election.
First, Transportation Matters
The ‘Seattle Subway’ update, given by Keith Kyle, officially came under announcements. Kyle reported that the effort to install a subway system throughout Seattle – from Jackson Park to White Center – continues to move forward. “We feel Seattle voters are very excited about voting for transit,” Kyle said. They have a map now for voters that he described as a mash-up of vital routes identified in the Seattle Transit Master Plan and by Sound Transit.
Seattle Subway volunteers have been busy with outreach, and they welcome opportunities to speak with other interested groups. They’ve also identified goals for the project for 2013 and 2014, and been encouraged by proposals for construction of another bridge, or tunnel, across the Ship Canal or Lake Union, that could potentially support a subway or other form of transit.
The actual guest speaker for the FNC meeting, Dongho Chang, a City Traffic Engineer with the Seattle Department of Transportation, arrived a little late – and a lot shaken. He came directly, he reported, from the tragic scene of an accident involving four pedestrians struck by a pick-up truck. Despite his obvious distress, Chang spoke about proposed pedestrian safety improvements (with a noticeable emphasis on ‘safety’) for Fremont Avenue North at North 43rd Street.
He supported the need to improve traffic flow in the area, to make turning easier for METRO buses, and possibly slow the vehicles. He stated that every block corner operates as a legal crosswalk, but allowed that most people don’t realize this fact. In this area, there are multiple corners that do not match the opposite block face. Chang encouraged the FNC leadership to pursue this effort, and look at several SDOT change options – narrow the corridor, remove parking (to increase the visibility of the pedestrians,) and lower speeds.
The discussion then shifted to the recommended location of the crosswalk. A recent meeting of area business people that FNC President Matt Gasparich attended, at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center, reached consensus for a crosswalk at the most northern corner of N 43rd (at the Abbey.) Yet, the southern corner – or the entire intersection of the western leg of N 43rd with Fremont Avenue – was declared “more natural,” as a location by Gasparich. Another attendee recommended a signal or signage, at the intersection, to stop traffic for pedestrians and the buses. Chang explained that this would require removal of all parking in the intersection along Fremont Avenue, but it could allow the sidewalk to be widened, and allow at least one restaurant an outdoor dining area.
While it hardly rates as transportation, Gasparich also mentioned a potential 10 signal boxes may be submitted for permit for painting by Urban ArtWorks. Yet, only three boxes will be funded immediately, and the FNC Board voted – among 21 potential signal boxes – which one they want art-ed first. The first-place winner was the signal box at North 36th Street & Fremont Avenue North. Second place had a three-way tie:
- N 39th Street & Leary Way
- N 46th Street & Fremont Avenue
- N 39th Street & Fremont Avenue
Second, Fremont Forest
Gasparich started a bit of a controversy on the FNC Facebook page when he reported that the City of Seattle rented property it purchased for a park to Chase Bank for its construction. Adjacent to Slippery Slope/Ernst Park, the FNC has pursued getting the property planted or designed for a park.
Gasparich suggested the community begin developing a design to push forward improvement. Donna Hartman-Miller, of the Parks & Green Space Committee, attended the meeting and described this property as, “being land banked,” for future use. She strongly suggested delaying a design until Parks explains what it would accept as a design process – or else the entire process would need to be repeated. She also restated what Gasparich has previously noted – that Parks needs a maintenance funding agreement for the property rather than a design.
Upcoming Board Elections
On April 22nd, the FNC will hold its annual membership meeting, and elections to the Board.
While discussing the possible candidates, the decision by Dic Selin to retire from the Board, after decades of service, was reported. Also, a meeting attendee – Matt McCauley – volunteered to serve on the Board. The Board elected him, although he will run for reelection on April 22nd, with the other candidates:
- Toby Thaler
- Erik Pihl
- Stephanie Pure
- Judy Clarridge
- Elfrida Noble
- Shawn Mulanix
- Matt Gasparich
- Norma Jones
- Linda Clifton
- Kevin McClane
Provided everyone wins election, the Board assembled a slate of Officers for 2013/14:
- President – Stephanie Pure (currently serving as Vice-President)
- Vice-President – Toby Thaler
- Secretary – Judy Clarridge (incumbent)
- Treasurer – Kevin McClane
Please attend the Annual General Meeting on April 22nd at Doric Temple 92 at 7p. Only paid members will be allowed to vote, but everyone can show their support with their presence – and their interest in Fremont residential issues. Come express that interest, and learn more about the work of the FNC.
Related Articles
- FNC Highlight Reel: Community Building & Celebrating
- by Kirby Lindsay, April 27, 2012
- FNC Highlight Reel: Transport Concerns
- by Kirby Lindsay, March 4, 2013
- Urban ArtWorks Converts A Signal Box Into An Art Canvas
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 20, 2012
©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.