On Monday, July 1st, at the Lake Union District Council (LUDC) monthly meeting, the members of this representative organization discussed funding for specific roadway improvements in our area.
Earlier this year, LUDC members (who each represent organizations around the Lake Union district,) voted in favor of roadway improvement projects under the Neighborhood Parks & Street Fund (NPSF) and the Neighborhood Streets Fund (NSF.) The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) did cost analysis and returned the proposals this month to the LUDC for prioritizing.
Under the NPSF, the City of Seattle provides $1.25M citywide to fund small scale road improvements, with each of 13 districts allowed approximately $90K to spend on proposals submitted by citizens. In April, the LUDC chose to fund the installation of a pedestrian crossing in the Eastlake neighborhood (across Eastlake Ave N at E Allison) as its first priority, which SDOT estimated at $90,000. Essentially, this project could take the entire fund for this year. The two other projects they voted on – lighting at the Cascade P-Patch, Cascade People’s Center and the YMCA, and building a median in Green Lake Way N (to create a cyclist and pedestrian safe zone,) – were considered equally important. However, the LUDC had chosen the Eastlake crosswalk as first priority in part because Eastlake has been asking for this improvement for many years.
According to the SDOT figures, the lights for the Cascade Centers would cost $2,750, and LUDC members wanted to authorize the improvement rather than have the entire fund spent on one project. The meridian improvements were projected at $36,250. The Eastlake representative agreed to putting the lighting as the new first priority, and he also pointed out that the cost analysis added curb cuts to the project at a cost of $10,000. The LUDC voted to put the lighting as its first priority, with the Eastlake crosswalk in second position – with the hope that both would be done.
The discussion of priorities for the NSF was more complex, but the outcome didn’t require a vote. This money comes from the 2006 Bridging the Gap Levy, and constitutes the third (and possibly last) opportunity for citizens to recommend projects under this $4.5M citywide fund.
In January, the LUDC chose to fund a pedestrian access traffic signal across N 40th St at Sunnyside Ave N, a pedestrian walkway/sidewalk/access on N Northlake Way going east from Stone Way, and a pedestrian crossing signal across Westlake Ave at 8th Ave N. The SDOT cost analysis came back with many details the original citizen proposals didn’t include.
The Wallingford Community Council, which has strongly supported the pedestrian crossing for N 40th St, voted first priority for the N Northlake Way sidewalk because the cost analysis details didn’t accomplish what the citizens wanted for the N 40th St crossing.
The Westlake pedestrian crossing came back with a cost estimate of $750,000. (The traffic signal for N 40th was $220,000 and the Eastlake pedestrian crossing costs $90,000.) The Westlake representative expressed concern over details included in the SDOT plan, specifically the cycle tracks and removal of some Kenmore Air parking spaces.
After much discussion – and a strong request to LUDC City Staffer Rob Mattson that SDOT be encouraged to talk with citizens about what they want N 40th St – LUDC members voted by consensus to fully support funding the N. Northlake pedestrian walkway only (this plan included traffic changes not requested under the original proposal.) Mattson was asked to request the remaining funds be allocated to the median improvements for Green Lake Way N.
The LUDC members also asked for an SDOT representative to come speak on the cycle tracks program – which many admitted to not understanding. The LUDC will not meet in August, as is traditional, and the September meeting will take place on the 9th (it is usually the first Monday.) At that meeting, the members hope to learn more about cycle tracks, and hear from scheduled guest speaker City Council Member Tim Burgess.
At this meeting, the agenda had listed Mattson giving a report on the draft Seattle Bicycle Master Plan, just released. Instead, Mattson recommended members review it individually. A public meeting will be held on it, hosted by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, on July 10th at 8a at History House.
For more information on the LUDC, and how their upcoming meetings, contact Rob Mattson at 206/684-4051 or rob.mattson@seattle.gov