by Kirby Lindsay, posted 5 February 2014
The monthly Fremont Neighborhood Council (FNC) meeting contained many reports, including an introduction to Brady Walkinshaw, the newly-appointed 43rd Legislative District State Representative. However, this highlight focuses on the majority of the reports which concerned pedestrian safety and improvements – with a few other, additional notes thrown in for good measure.
N 41st & Stone Way Crosswalk
At its last meeting, in November, the FNC submitted a letter – along with other community groups – voicing support of pedestrian improvements for the intersection of N 41st St on Stone Way. Mike Morris-Lent, of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT,) responded with a letter promising installation of a marked crosswalk, stop bars in advance of the intersection, and some ‘stop for pedestrians’ signs at the crosswalk, all by the end of February. The letter also promised a study, by April, of the possibility of placing a pedestrian-activated traffic signal at this intersection.
Pending Park Improvements
David Graves, with the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation, then presented very preliminary information on soil remediation at Gas Works Park, for Kite Hill and part of the play area. This will require closing access to those parts of the park for all users between Labor Day of 2014 and Memorial Day of 2015. FNC Board Member Toby Thaler asked about plans for refurbishing the sun dial installation on Kite Hill, and Graves answered that they try not to disturb it at all. A resident asked about a suggestion for a dog park in the farthest western field of Gas Works, and Graves admitted hadn’t heard of this proposal, or any consideration going on about it. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce representative Jessica Vets asked about plans for the increase in truck traffic. Graves acknowledged that the project will require substantial truck movement, but only for a short time. However, at the same time, another nearby property may be under construction as well as the North Seattle Transfer Station rebuild.
N 43rd & Fremont Avenue Crosswalk
Brian Dougherty, of SDOT, came to respond in person to the on-going FNC request for a crosswalk at N 43rd St on Fremont Ave. He reported that SDOT studies have shown that the intersection doesn’t meet the threshold for installation of a traffic signal or four-way stop, however it does qualify for a marked crosswalk – at the northern crossing of the southern leg (from Caffé Vita to Dot’s Delicatessen) SDOT studies showed that as the point of most pedestrian crossings, and that is where they will place the crosswalk.
Installation of a crosswalk will require removal of two street parking spaces, but Dougherty to minimize this as much as possible. Curb ramps must be installed when the City marks a crosswalk, and these will be the most disruptive of the installation. Dougherty promised to meet with affected businesses in that area, and do any mitigation that they can on this project. When asked by Board Member Norma Jones, Doughtery estimated that the crosswalk will be installed by the end of this coming summer.
Other Business – MLK Day
The FNC sponsored Fremont MLK Day again this year, and organizers Sarah & Ralph Weathers presented a report on its success. The FNC had a table at the event, and distributed information on membership to residents. More importantly, perhaps, over 150 volunteers helped assemble emergency hygiene kits to be distributed by the Church World Service following disasters world-wide and clean trash from Fremont’s streets and icons. The event move to Fremont Baptist Church this year in part to provide more space, but volunteers still crowded in to be able to help on community projects.
Other Business – Seattle Districts
The January meeting actually began with a presentation by Vets of the Fremont Chamber to FNC Board Member Toby Thaler. He accepted the Hammering Man award for the work he and other volunteers did on the Seattle Districts Now campaign last fall. Later in the meeting, Thaler explained that the successful passage of Charter Amendment 19, which divides the Seattle City Council into districts, has caused “lots of churning in the water,” among the council and in Seattle politics in general. Current councilmembers, and others, have already begun strategizing and positioning themselves for the election of a district-based council.
Other Business – Volunteers Needed
Finally, FNC Treasurer (and Board Member) Kevin McClane confirmed his resignation, since he is moving back to Australia. FNC Board President Stephanie Pure voiced gratitude felt by all for McClane’s service. The FNC will need a new treasurer, and Pure later pointed out that the group also needs a chair person for the safety committee. Currently, the only safety concern brought up was the darkness along Fremont Avenue at B.F. Day School, although one neighbor asked that it remain for reasons of nature. The neighborhood has few chronic conerns at this time, Pure acknowledged, but a chair would give the organization a stronger voice for the future.
Other issues did get addressed, including the current membership drive. Those interested in learning more about this organization can attend the next meeting – on Monday, February 24th at 7p at Doric Lodge #92. Come learn much, much more about what is going on, far beyond the highlights!
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