THE AURORA AVE PROJECT SURVEY IS NOW OPEN

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Posted: July 26, 2022

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.

Take the survey now

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?

  1. They allow everyone – people walking, biking, using a wheelchair, or pushing a stroller – a safe and easy way to cross the highway
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. Delays to transit can be minimized using the electronic system that gives buses a head-start at stoplights
  5. Coordinating bus stops with new crossings can improve transit riders’ experience and encourage ridership

 

Hot weather safety

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Posted: July 23, 2022

Hot weather is expected in the Seattle area next week. Higher temperatures can lead to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent becoming ill from too much heat.

Too much heat and sun can overwhelm anyone but those most at risk from heat exhaustion and heat stroke include older adults, young children, and people who work or exercise outdoors.

Signs of heat exhaustion include:

  • Sweating
  • Pale, ashen or moist skin
  • Muscle cramps (especially for those working or exercising outdoors in high temperatures)
  • Fatigue, weakness or exhaustion
  • Headache, dizziness or fainting
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rapid heart rate

Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke if proper steps are not taken to reduce overheating.

Heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body reaches a temperature of 104 degrees or higher. It is usually a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures or physical exertion in high temperatures.

In addition to the above heat exhaustion symptoms, heatstroke symptoms can include:

  • Confusion
  • Altered speech
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rapid breathing and a racing heartbeat, among other symptoms.

Call 9-1-1 immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

Stay Safe in the Heat

  • NEVER leave children, pets, or people with limited mobility in a parked car, not even for a minute! Cars get dangerously hot in seconds!
  • Drinking water and other fluids often is important. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty!
  • Check on family and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to heat.
  • Children can also have heat exhaustion because they are so active and forget to drink water.
  • Keep children out of the direct sun during the hottest part of the day.
  • People who work outside should take frequent breaks to cool off.

How to Cool Down 

  • Play in fountains and sprinklers, go to the swimming pool, and stay in the shade.
  • Try to go somewhere with air conditioning on a hot day or visit one of the cooling centers in King County
  • Continue to hydrate

For more information:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Safety Council

Seattle-King County Public Health heat safety tips

Download the “Stay Safe in the Heat” comic strip in multiple languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

by  on July 22, 2022

12th Ave NW Basin Drainage Improvement – July project update

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Posted: July 16, 2022

From Seattle Public Utilities 

Last month, we reached out with an update on the 12th Ave NW Basin Drainage Improvement project to share that the design for the underground detention pipe and conveyance project elements had been completed and a contractor had been selected. We are now excited to share that construction of the pipe and conveyance elements will begin in late July or early August 2022, and potentially as early as July 25, 2022.

We expect construction to last approximately 6 months, with work taking place Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5pm. The underground work is expected to be complete in 2022, but this is subject to change due to weather and other factors. Final paving is weather dependent and planned for early 2023.

This work will be done in the public right-of-way along 11th Ave NW between NW 120th and NW 122nd St, 10th Ave NW between NW 122nd and NW 125th St, and along NW 125th St from 10th to 6th Ave NW. See highlighted area on the map below. The contractor expects to start installing underground pipe on 10th Ave NW and proceed north and east along NW 125th Street. Afterward, they will start at the south end of 11th Ave NW and proceed north to their starting point. Tree trimming in the right-of way will take place before underground construction can start.

There is no update on the natural drainage systems element of the project, as it is still being designed and construction has been rescheduled.

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

Contact Us

Direct replies to GovDelivery email messages will not be received by the project team. 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

Where should Seattle build homes for newcomers?

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Posted: July 8, 2022

From KUOW, Joshsua McNichols

The City of Seattle is planning for more growth and it wants your input.

Should the city keep funneling newcomers into dense neighborhoods known as “urban villages” — or should it spread density out across more parts of the city, including neighborhoods dominated by older homes?

caption: A single-family home in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood with infill housing in the backyard.

Seattle doesn’t get to choose whether it grows or not. Companies keep adding jobs, which means more people will come.

But the city can plan for where it puts those new arrivals. In fact, it has to, according to Washington state’s Growth Management Act.

Seattle has somewhere around three-quarters of a million people right now. Despite a slowdown in growth during the pandemic, it’s expecting to add another quarter million — about the population of Spokane — by the year 2044. That would bring the population of Seattle to one million.

Right now, most of the new homes being built in Seattle are in “urban villages.” They feature dense clusters of apartment buildings clustered around good transit and townhomes in the splash zones on their peripheries.

The city’s considering five alternatives, as it works on updating its comprehensive plan.

See the full article here.

Happy 4th of July!

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Posted: July 4, 2022

From Dunn Gardens

Independence Day, the celebration of all things American! A time to get together with friends, share barbecue, light a sparkler or two, and slice into the first good watermelon of the season.

So, what does the 4th of July, democracy, and public gardens have to do with one another? As you most likely know, 2022 is the bicentennial birthday year of Frederick Law Olmsted — author, journalist, public official, urban planner and founder of American landscape architecture. Olmsted and his successor firms designed thousands of landscape projects across the country, including Dunn Gardens. It may be hard for us to understand how radical his ideas were at the time now that he is seen as such an establishment figure. Yet at the heart of all that was a then crazy idea: He wanted to create and preserve natural spaces to temper the urbanization of America at a time when new rail lines and tall buildings were replacing natural spaces and farms. And more importantly, he wanted to create public spaces to serve as crossroads for all strata of society to interact in a pastoral setting. He believed mingling outside the realm of the workplace could bring out the best in humanity. This was quite a revolutionary concept. In the Victorian era most gardens were private, and primarily reserved and enjoyed by the elite. His vision of public parks as egalitarian spaces making our democracy stronger is just as important today.

For more information, here is a thoughtful and provocative essay provided by the National Association of Olmsted Parks: Do Beautiful Parks Strengthen Democracy

The Danger of Foxtail Grass… Especially for Dogs

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Posted: June 28, 2022

From Dunn Gardens

Keep your eye out for Foxtail Grass, a real risk for your pets. The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes, and inside the ears, eyes, and mouth. They can even dig directly into a patch of skin. The danger of foxtails goes beyond simple irritation. Because these tough seeds don’t break down inside the body, an embedded foxtail can lead to serious infection and can even lead to death if left untreated. The plant is a grass-like weed resembling the tail of a fox. They are harmless in the winter months, spread very quickly after a wet spring, and are a real pest from April through autumn, when the seeds dry and snag on fur. These grasses thrive in a variety of environments and especially in open areas such as roadsides, parks, trails, and fields. Remove any you find. Pull them out or spray the plants with vinegar on a hot day.

Click for more information about danger for dogs here.

How to stay safe, cool and energy-efficient during the heat wave

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Posted: June 25, 2022

by  on June 23, 2022
 

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through Monday night with temperatures reaching the 90s in some areas. While the heat may be a welcomed change for some, it can also turn from uncomfortable to dangerous in a matter of minutes. We have a list of tips to help keep your family cool and safe.

Trap cold air in the morning
Before the day starts to heat up, close your windows and draw the blinds on windows that are exposed to the sun. Try to keep windows or doors shut when it’s cooler inside than outside.

Install window treatments 
Energy-efficient windows or coverings such as blinds, shades and films greatly reduce heat in your home when temperatures rise.  

Avoid heating your home with appliances  
Large appliances like ovens and ranges can heat up more than just your food; they can also heat up your home! Try recipes that require minimal cooking or use appliances like microwaves, electric pressure cookers or even cook outside on a grill. 

Replace air filters 
If your home’s heating/cooling system has an air filtration system, be sure to change out your filters. Changing out your air filters not only improves the air quality in your home, it also makes your home more energy-efficient.  

Get efficient 
While this is our first heat wave of the summer, it will most likely not be the last. Now is a great time to replace or upgrade an old heating system with new, efficient heat pump technology. City Light offers instant discounts to contractors purchasing high-efficiency heat pumps through various local distributors.

Know the signs of heat illness
Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. Signs of heat exhaustion include dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness. If someone is exhibiting these symptoms, move them to a cooler area and have them sip cool water. Seek medical attention if the symptoms don’t improve or worsen.

The rivers and the lakes will still be cold!  
The heat wave will continue to melt mountain snow, causing rivers and waterways to be colder and move faster. Lake and river temperatures will still be colder than expected which can be dangerous. Use extreme caution, wear a life jacket and keep a close eye on children.

Visit our website for more tips and ideas to help conserve energy around your home. 

Fireworks

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Updated: June 25, 2022

Fireworks are banned in Seattle and now King County. Every year the Fire Department responds to many preventable fires and injuries caused by fireworks. Please do your part in keeping our community safe.

The Fire Department has been willing to visit known locations of fireworks to discourage unsafe behavior.   This has allowed the Fire Department to visit these locations as time allows on July 4 and the days leading up to July 4.  If you have a specific location that you’d like me to pass on to Seattle Fire Department, please let me know.

Updated Bike Guide with the latest information

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Updated: June 25, 2022

Seattle Department of Transportation has published an updated, refreshed 2022 bike guide to help new and experienced cyclists prepare themselves to travel safely and efficiently through the city.  

Image of two adults and three children riding bikes around a traffic circle on a cloudy day.

Family biking is one of the few new sections added that includes recommendations on how to introduce children of various ages to riding a bike, and highlights programs offered for Seattle students. With our work on Safe Routes to School, we fund the “Let’s Go” program and encourage alternative transportation options for getting to school such as starting a bike train or using Safe Route maps to find routes that travel along Stay Healthy Streets and Neighborhood Greenways. 

The full article is at this link.

As NE 130th Station Opening Slips to 2026, SDOT Moves to Improve Station Access

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Posted: June 16, 2022

From The Urbanist

Months after the Sound Transit board voted to accelerate the construction of Sound Transit’s NE 130th Street light rail station from 2031 to 2025, Sound Transit has announced that the earliest the infill station between Northgate and Shoreline South Stations will open is 2026. The delay was announced last week at Sound Transit’s system expansion committee meeting, where board members were told that the agency was now working toward a station opening in the second quarter of 2026, just short of two years after the currently scheduled start date for the rest of the Lynnwood Link extension.

The delay is not unexpected, with many major projects across the region still recovering from the monthslong work stoppage caused by the concrete worker’s strike. While disappointing, the added delay in opening what will be Seattle’s northernmost light rail station and its last new station until the 2030s could give the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) a greater head’s start on ensuring that 130th Station, which suffers from considerable station access issues, is more accessible to riders by the time it opens for service.

In early 2021, SDOT released a study on how station access could be improved for people accessing it from all directions, ranking the projects that would do the most to improve access. Now, the department is seeking a federal grant through the Puget Sound Regional Council to construct a slate of projects that it says would start construction in 2025, completing not far from the 2026 opening date for the station if all goes according to plan.

Of the 3,400 daily riders expected at NE 130th Street Station, Sound Transit expects just 10% to arrive by personal car in large part because the station won’t have a parking garage, unlike the nearby Shoreline South Station at 148th Street. The remaining passengers are anticipated to be roughly split between bus transfers and direct walk or bike trips. Currently no buses serve the area where 130th Street station will be, and biking facilities in the area are not robust.

In the next few years, Metro will plan a restructure of the bus routes in the area, where at a minimum Route 75 will be rerouted to provide direct service between Lake City and the light rail station. Metro’s long range plan envisions frequent service along 130th and 125th connecting the light rail station with other north-south transit options on Lake City Way and Aurora Avenue N.

For more details go to The Urbanist article.

 

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