by Kirby Lindsay, posted 1 February 2013
The January 2013 meeting of the Fremont Neighborhood Council, our residential advocacy organization, considered projects, plans and proposals for right now and for the year to come.
The meeting also gave attention to membership renewals. FNC members join for one year, starting in January. Now is the time to join, or renew, as a Fremont resident (and a voting member,) or as a supporter/non-Fremont resident (a non-voting member.)
Membership Renewal
Past FNC President (and Board Member) Norma Jones planned to distribute a renewal request by e-mail, including information gathered in an FNC brochure distributed at the recent Martin Luther King Jr. event at Doric Lodge 92. The brochures gave a list of current, active FNC committees, the dates of FNC meetings in 2013, and a list of the organization’s accomplishments from 2012.
The FNC Board agreed to send out two e-mail requests, and then a mailer to non-responding residents, perhaps in late February. They also talked about distributing left-over brochures, and perhaps printing more. Another handout, also distributed at the MLK event, gained equal praise – for its information on FNC projects, other Fremont organizations, and upcoming Fremont events.
In addition, the January FNC meeting had a good attendance, with a few people introducing themselves as new members signed up since MLK Day. For those interested in joining, it is possible to do so through the FNC website.
Street Improvements, And The LUDC
During opening announcements, Robert Vets introduced his proposal to the City of Seattle for pedestrian improvements at Waterway 22 and along North Northlake Way to Gas Works Park. He has a letter of support for the proposal from the Wallingford Community Council, and the Lake Union District Council (LUDC) recently recommended it for study and funding under the Neighborhood Street Fund. Vets came to ask for a letter of support from the FNC, which the Board voted to send.
Later in the meeting, FNC Board President Matt Gasparich brought up the need for a crosswalk on Fremont Avenue North at North 43rd Street. The City of Seattle has surveyed pedestrian usage and found the numbers close enough to consider the application. As a result, Gasparich submitted this project for funding under the Neighborhood Park & Street Fund.
The FNC Board discussed where the crosswalk would go – which corners it would connect. They considered hosting a field-trip meeting, to allow a gathering of the FNC and area stakeholders for consideration of the issue. This crosswalk will require removal of some street parking, and that may influence the decision of the neighbors of the site.
Jenny Frankl, of the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, acknowledged that this project will be up for consideration – and recommendation – by the LUDC at its March 4th meeting (at 5p at History House.) The FNC is eligible to vote at this meeting for which projects get recommended, if the organization submits its formal application stating who its representative is. Dic Selin has been the rep, but he has not attended FNC Board meetings lately. The Board agreed to ask Selin about his availability, and they voted for Toby Thaler as the alternate.
Finally, Frankl addressed another on-going pedestrian crossing issue – on North 39th Street, between Leary Way and Fremont Avenue. A campaign has started to influence behavior change – asking pedestrians to cross at Phinney Avenue North. Thaler reported that cyclists most often use Greenwood Avenue North. Stephanie Pure, another Board Member, lives on North 39th and said that she wants to see more done to slow traffic on this street.
Signal Control Box Art
A discussion began on using FNC money to fund local projects. Jessica Vets then gave information on the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Community Grants program. Finally, the group talked about a potential program to paint the City’s Signal Control Boxes, in partnership with Urban Art Works.
In 2012, Urban Art Works introduced this idea, which remains viable if a volunteer Project Coordinator can be found for it. The know-how, and the sweat equity, plus assistance with requests for artists’ proposals and grant funds can come from Urban Art Works. The thing missing is someone in Fremont ready to reach out to property owners, local artists, and potential donors.
Photos of Fremont signal boxes, taken in the summer of 2012, can be seen on the Fremocentrist.com Facebook page.
MLK Re-cap
The FNC Board asked for a recap of the Martin Luther King Jr Day of Service event that they supported. New members Ralph and Sarah Weathers gave the recap, and organized the event, which apparently went very, very well.
They also voiced some willingness to repeat the effort next year, with improvements. For instance, the turnout was so large that many attendees had nothing to do, particularly some with elementary school aged children, so more projects will be sought for next time.
Ralph Weathers also acknowledged that he created this project as one of his efforts as Worshipful Master of the Lodge this year. The incoming Worshipful Master, for 2014, may not want to continue the effort. If the Doric doesn’t want it, however, Sarah Weathers said that the Fremont Baptist Church may play host.
The January FNC meeting contained other information, including a testimonial for Solarize Seattle and its upcoming workshop on Saturday, April 6th from 10a – 11:30a at Solid Ground. To find out more, attend an upcoming FNC meeting. The next one takes place on February 25th at 7p at Doric Lodge #92. See you there?
Related Articles
- FNC Highlight Reel: Doing For Others
- by Kirby Lindsay, November 30, 2012
- Urban ArtWorks Converts A Signal Box Into An Art Canvas
- by Kirby Lindsay, June 20, 2012
- Doric Hosts First Ever Fremont MLK Day Of Service
- by Kirby Lindsay, January 14, 2013
- LUDC Votes On Street Improvement Projects
- by Kirby Lindsay, January 21, 2013
©2013 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.