Attend the Urban Survival Skills Fair October 15th
Learn how to deal with weather and earthquake emergencies. Attend the Urban Survival Skills Fair in front of Broadview-Thomson K-8 School on Saturday October 15th from 9 am to Noon.
A Community News Website for Broadview
Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccination, including all primary series doses and boosters for their age group.
The new bi-valent boosters are designed to provide protection against earlier and more recent variants of SCOVID-19. Information about who should get vaccinated when is at this CDC site.
You can find vaccination locations near you using this site.
413 Apartments Proposed in Bitter Lake
From The Urbanist
For full article see at this site.
Plans for “first significant residential development” on N 135th near Aurora Avenue
Big box stores surrounded by large surface parking lots currently dominate the area near N 135th Street and Aurora Avenue N. However, a new proposal from Madison Development Group could be the beginning of a very different future for this suburban stretch of the Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village.
Madison Development Group tapped Johnson Oaklief Architecture and Planning to design a seven-story apartment building on a site which currently hosts a large LA Fitness gym and parking lot. In its place would go 413 homes, office space, and 206 structured (but above ground) parking stalls. The parking ratio is 50%.
We see the subject site as something of a unique opportunity to introduce residential population in a location that provides amenity at a significant scale where the project can create its own community. As much as we would hope that the project might be a forerunner for a future residential community, we are of the opinion that that future may be 10-20 years out.
Early Design Guidance Application, 1215 North 135th Street, Seattle
Reasons why the developer is counting on a bright urban future for residential development in this area of the Aurora Avenue N corridor include the RapidRide E Line, which provides frequent transit service on Aurora, close proximity to grocery stores and other shopping amenities, and a proposed bicycle commuting trail on N 135th Street connecting to the Interurban Trail on Linden Avenue N. So far, Aurora Avenue N itself hasn’t seen much residential development in Bitter Lake, but as Linden and Stone Avenues fill in nearby, the leap to Aurora, Seattle’s deadliest stroad, could be next, especially if a proposed redesign tames the street, reducing speeding, crashes, and all around bleakness while promoting walkability.
The design packet states that project would also take advantage of a new zoning designation in Seattle that allows for “significant residential in a commercial area,” and it would be the first mid-rise development in the area to advance under this zoning code.
MHA requirements will apply to the project, which is projected to be just over 484,000 square feet of gross floor area. If the developer selects the in-lieu payment option, the project would generate roughly $4 million for Seattle’s affordable housing trust fund. Otherwise, the building would need to provide 20 affordable homes (at 60% of area median income) on site based on the 5% inclusionary zoning requirement in the area.
Learn more about this ambitious plan to reimagine an area currently dominated by big box retailers (and some empty commercial buildings and storefronts) as a mixed-use neighborhood at the upcoming September 12th early design guidance meeting. The project is seeking one design departure, which the developer argues would facilitate transitioning Stone Avenue N to a green street.
12th Ave NW Basin Drainage Improvement Project Update
Below is the most recent project update from Seattle Public Utilities.
Project Update, August 2022
Last month, we reached out with an update on the 12th Ave NW Basin Drainage Improvement project to share that the construction of the pipe and conveyance elements was slated to begin in late July or early August 2022. Since then, construction has begun, and the contractor has completed the following tasks:
- Replaced sanitary sewer maintenance holes
- Pruned trees to make room for construction equipment
- Staged materials along the street to expedite installation
- Checked for underground utility conflicts on NW 125th St
The contractor started the underground work at the intersection of 10th Ave NW and NW 125th St, and their plan is to continue working eastward along NW 125th St until reaching 6th Ave NW. Following that, they will relocate to 11th Ave NW, moving northward along 11th Ave NW between NW 120th St and NW 122nd St. They will then work along NW 122nd St between 11th and 10th Ave NW. The last leg of construction will then take place along 10th Ave NW, between NW 122nd St and NW 125th St. Please see the highlighted area on the map below for the work areas.
Due to an unforeseen conflict with a water main and the proposed storm pipe, the current work along NW 125th took a temporary pause. The contractor’s work is expected to resume today, August 31. You might have seen the contractor doing minor work in other parts of the project area during this pause. SPU crews plan to resolve the water main conflict on September 1, and properties that will experience water service interruptions have been notified.
The contractor will soon be staging two large water treatment tanks within the project area’s right-of-way, most likely along NW 122nd St. These tanks will minimize project-related sediment pollution by removing sediment from water used during construction before the water is discharged into the system. We will reach out directly to homes that are near where the tanks will be staged.
The underground work is expected to be complete in 2022. Final paving is weather dependent and planned for early 2023. Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7am to 4pm.
Map showing underground pipe and conveyance work area
Anticipated Impacts
During construction you can expect:
- Construction-related noise, dust, vibrations
- Restricted street parking near work zones
- Partial lane closures
- Equipment being stored in the right of way
- Temporary access restrictions and limited access to some driveways during daytime working hours
Pedestrian access and access for essential services (such as emergency vehicles, mail delivery and garbage pickup) will always be maintained.
Any temporary access limitations to driveways will be communicated in advance by the construction management team.
Construction Safety is Everyone’s Job, check out some top safety tips at: www.seattle.gov/utilities/constructionsafety
Natural Drainage System Project Update
The project team is close to reaching 90% design completion on the Natural Drainage System (NDS) project elements. The project team will be reaching out to residents in the immediate project area in the next month, and will be providing opportunities for the broader community to learn more about the NDS project in the upcoming months.
Looking ahead
We will continue sending monthly email updates with the latest information about the anticipated project schedule, construction progress, and impacts. Please encourage your neighbors to sign up by visiting our project website.
If you live near the Natural Drainage System portion of the project, please keep an eye out for a mailer or email update with opportunities to connect with the project team and learn more about the upcoming NDS construction.
Thank you!
We want to thank you for your patience during construction. We know construction can be disruptive, and we appreciate your understanding as we work to complete this necessary upgrade to your neighborhood’s drainage system. We always strive to make our projects as easy on the community as possible.
As always, if you have a question about the project, please feel free to contact the project manager directly by emailing Sierra.Gawlowski@seattle.gov
Best,
Broadview Project Team
Candidates Forum at the Haller Lake Community Club on September 8th
The Broadview-Bitterlake Community Council is co-sponsoring a Candidates forum with the Haller Lake Commynity Club again. It will be live at the Haller Lake Community Club or on zoom. The list of candidates is below. Please submit questions ahead of time. You can use this email for questions. Make sure to identify which candidate the question is for.
Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 at 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Topic: Candidates’ Night
Come hear from candidates running in Haller Lake and Bitter Lake. The following candidates have confirmed attendance:
- Cliff Moon US Congressional District 7
- Julie Anderson Secretary of State
- Patricia Weber State Senate District 32
- Cindy Ryu (remotely) State Rep. District 32 Position 1
- Lauren Davis State Rep. District 32 Position 2
- Mathew Gross State Senate District 46
- Javier Valdez (through campaign manager) State Senate District 46
- Gerry Pollet State Rep. District 46 Position 1
- Darya Farivar State Rep. District 46 Position 2
- Lelach Rave State Rep. District 46 Position 2
There will be cookies for in-person attendees outside from 6:45 to 6:55. Meeting starts at 7:00 sharp inside, masks highly recommended.
Open to all.
Where: Haller Lake Community Club and Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84789477952?pwd=MHJrUUZyM2U3NGJRRFJDRE85bmtCdz09
Broadview-Bitter Lake Community Council
Our NEW Website: www.broadviewbitterlake.org
Our NEW Email: BroadviewBitterLakeCC@gmail.com
Like US on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/broadviewbitterlake/
School Starts September 7th, Get to School Safely
School returns next Tuesday, September 7! We all have a role to play in keeping students and each other safe. Drivers, please be aware of kids traveling to and from school, and keep an eye out for students crossing the street. Please drive the speed limit, obey signs, and expect more students and families on streets and sidewalks.
This article tells how to get to school safely.
Transit, Cameras and Maps to Help Your Travel
When you ride public transit Metro Transit or Sound Transit do the driving for you. Use transit for your travel whenever possible. But if you for some reason need to drive there are ways to be time and fuel (pollution) efficient.
Many drivers use some kind of traffic information to help plan and manage their trips. Here are a couple online sites that give real time travel information.
The Washington State Department of Transportation has a map showing travel alerts. This time of year. road construction is often a reason for traffic delays. The Travel Center Map site covers the whole of the state.
The Seattle Department of Transportation has a travelers map showing web cameras and other links like traffic incidents and travel times.
Remember that how you travel has an impact on you and everyone else.
Seattle Redistricting Commission seeks public comment on draft map of new City Council Districts
The Seattle Redistricting Commission is currently in the process of redrawing the boundaries of Seattle’s seven City Council Districts. Over the past five months, the Commission has hosted or participated in more than 50 community information sessions, a community survey, and seven public forums to gather feedback from the public about the redistricting process and its potential impact on neighborhoods. This process has resulted in the Commission adopting a draft map of new City Council District boundaries. Members of the public are invited to submit comments on the draft map and its proposed district boundaries.
“For the first time in Seattle’s history, we are engaged in redrawing the lines of the seven City Council districts,” said Greg Nickels, Seattle Redistricting Commission Chair. “My fellow commissioners and I are taking great care to listen to the public as we are doing our work. Adopting a draft map is a big step forward in that process.”
The Commission’s draft map was generated at an open public meeting of the Seattle Redistricting Commission on August 2 and was informed by the public comments submitted over the last five months. The map follows City Charter and state-mandated criteria using geographic information system (GIS) expertise and 2020 Census data to draw new boundaries and establish districts that are compact, contiguous, and approximately equal in population. The map also accounts for additional factors such as, to the extent practical, following existing district boundaries, recognizing waterways and geographic boundaries, and to the extent possible, preserving Seattle’s existing communities and neighborhoods.
Public Comment
A discussion of the final draft map will now begin and both public comment and participation are requested by the Seattle Redistricting Commission. Members of the public can review the final draft map and offer feedback at https://www.seattle.gov/redistricting/how-to-participate.
The designated public comment period is open from August 3, 2022 until the date the Commission files the final district plan, which is currently scheduled to be November 8, 2022, and shall be no later than November 15, 2022.
If you would like to obtain a physical copy of the draft map, please contact Logan Drummond at Logan.Drummond@seattle.gov. You can also find a copy at the customer service desk in Seattle City Hall, located at 600 Fourth Avenue.
Public comment can be made:
- In-person at one of three Public Forums
- Public Forum #1: Tuesday, August 9th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Physical Location: Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, Boards & Commissions Room L280
Virtual Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84697105761 - Public Forum #2: September – date and time TBD
- Public Forum #3: October – date and time TBD
- Public Forum #1: Tuesday, August 9th, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- In-person at any regularly scheduled Seattle Redistricting Commission meeting. Check the Seattle Redistricting Commission website for dates and times.
- In writing using the Seattle Redistricting Commission’s public comment submission form.
For more information, or to request interpretation services for any of the public forums, please contact Elsa Batres-Boni at Elsa.Batres-Boni@seattle.gov or (206) 256-6198.
For more information about the Seattle Redistricting Commission, visit http://www.seattle.gov/redistricting.
Broadview Historical Society Meeting August 11
The Broadview Historical Society will be held at the Broadview Branch of Seattle Public Library on Thursday, August 11 from 12:30pm-1:30pm. Vicki Stiles will be hosting the meeting. Want to learn more about Broadview history? Come and meet others with the same interest!
THE AURORA AVE PROJECT SURVEY IS NOW OPEN
The Seattle Department of Transportation is seeking community input to understand the challenges that people face traveling along the corridor. In addition to pedestrian and bike safety, the survey asks about transit ridership along Aurora and how you use the E-Line.
This is your first official chance to share what is unsafe about Aurora. The survey unfairly asks you to rank* several much-needed safety improvements. We need sidewalks AND signalized crossings!
A great deal of nuance is avoided in this survey. Nevertheless, it’s important to take a minute and remind SDOT that we need an Aurora Avenue that puts people first.
*Be careful when ordering these rankings – the higher numbers are sometimes “most needed/important” and sometimes the lower numbers are.
The survey also doesn’t leave much room to share your thoughts on the many other problems that are directly connected to Aurora: crime, land use, climate impacts, personal safety, etc.
The Aurora Reimagined Coalition is committed to advancing these issues and addressing the corridor holistically. Send us a message if you’d like to get involved.
For more information about suggested responses see at this link.
WHY DO WE NEED MORE SIGNALIZED, STREET-LEVEL CROSSWALKS?
- They allow everyone – people walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or pushing a stroller – a safe and easy way to cross the highway
- Additional signals at key locations will change people’s perception of Aurora as a through-highway into a more dense urban main street, which will significantly change traffic behavior (notice the difference in speed and driver behavior between the Fremont section and the Licton Springs section of Aurora)
- An additional crossing near a busy or dangerous intersection can give people walking, biking, and rolling a safer option, which will reduce the load on that major intersection (an example of this is N 92nd Street)
- Delays to transit can be minimized using the electronic system that gives buses a head-start at stoplights
- Coordinating bus stops with new crossings can improve transit riders’ experience and encourage ridership