West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions Neighborhood Forums Summaries May 16, 2018

Transcription

1 West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensins Neighbrhd Frums Summaries May 16, 2018 Overview Sund Transit held a series f neighbrhd frums during the Level 1 alternatives develpment phase f the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensins Prject t share and slicit input n the Level 1 alternatives. These frums served t educate and engage cmmunities, prvide participants with an pprtunity t wrk with their neighbrs t identify pririties specific t their neighbrhds, and discuss prject issues and cncerns. Neighbrhd frums were held in the fllwing neighbrhds: Chinatwn/Internatinal District, Suth Lake Unin/Seattle Center, Dwntwn, West Seattle, SODO/Stadium and Ballard/Interbay/Smith Cve. In ttal, ver the six events, 300 peple attended the first rund f neighbrhd frums. Purpse, Prcess and Outcmes The first series f neighbrhd frums was cmpleted between April and May This series was aimed at prviding an pprtunity fr cmmunity members t share their pririties, visin and values as they relate t the Link light rail system expansin in their respective neighbrhds. Each neighbrhd frum began with a presentatin cvering prject verview and timeline. Fllwing the presentatin attendees engaged in a cnversatin with five t 10 f their peers fcused n current neighbrhd values. Prject staff then prvided a presentatin detailing what it means t bring light rail t a cmmunity. Fllwing the secnd presentatin, attendees discussed the Level 1 alternatives in relatin t their neighbrhd values. The cnversatin fcused n pprtunities and cncerns abut the varius alternatives. After the secnd small grup discussin, each table shared a shrt reprt ut n the key themes frm their grup r visited ther tables t view and share the key themes, depending n the size f the meeting. Fllwing each neighbrhd frum, prject staff synthesized the ntes frm each small grup discussin, cmpiled key themes and distributed the summaries and ntes t the technical team. Additinal series f neighbrhd frums are planned fr Level 2 (summer 2018) and Level 3 (fall 2018). Ntificatins Ntificatins fr the neighbrhd frums included: Online display ads n the Seattle Transit Blg (April 14 - May 13) and MyBallard (April 28 - May 13). Cmmunity calendar event pstings n 58 Seattle-wide and neighbrhd-specific websites. Cmmunity liaisns were utilized in Chinatwn-Internatinal District t invite and encurage residents and business wners t attend. They handed ut translated flyers and spke Vietnamese and Chinese. Stakehlder phne calls t invite businesses in the SODO area t the May 9 neighbrhd frum. updates t the prject listserv n the fllwing dates: March 9 Updated 5/15/ Sund Transit West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensins DRAFT Neighbrhd Frums Brief Summaries

2 March 27 April 16 (reminder) May 1 (reminder) Reminder s t cnfirmed RSVPs tw days prir t each event. Scial media events fr each neighbrhd frum. Neighbrhd Frums Schedule Event Lcatin Schedule Chinatwn/Internatinal District Bush-Asia Center Saturday, 4/21, 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Suth Lake Unin/Seattle Center thinkspace Seattle Mnday, 4/23, 5:30 8 p.m. Dwntwn Central Library Wednesday, 5/2, 5:30 8 p.m. West Seattle Alki Masnic Center Saturday, 5/5, 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. SODO/Stadium Metrplist Wednesday, 5/9, 4 6:30 p.m. Ballard/Interbay/Smith Cve Ballard VFW Saturday, 5/12, 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Chinatwn-Internatinal District Date and time: April 21, 2018 frm 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Key takeaway what we heard: Must be inclusive f all vices and acknwledge the neighbrhd s histry, nting that past develpments such as Unin Statin and I-5 were dne t the cmmunity rather than fr the cmmunity Chinatwn-Internatinal District Values: cultural vibrancy; accessibility; cultural/racial histry Opprtunities: activating key lcatins (e.g. plaza; King Street Statin; Unin Statin); making safety imprvements; sptlighting small businesses; increasing cnnectivity; utilizing existing resurces Challenges: alienating cmmunity with infrmatin verlad, technical language and less understd mde f transit; disrupting cmmunities and small businesses; serving nly a prtin f the neighbrhd by using 5th Avenue S; educating the public (especially the elderly in this cmmunity) abut transit services Number f sign-ins: 16 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: King Cunty Cuncilmember Je McDermtt; Planning Cmmissiners Grace Kim and Michael Austin SAG members: Larry Yk Suth Lake Unin/Seattle Center Date and time: April 23, 2018 frm 5:30 8 p.m. Key takeaway what we heard: In these rapidly grwing and changing neighbrhds, light rail shuldbe built t serve what will exist in 2035, nt what exists tday Suth Lake Unin Values: majr business and tech center; variety f dining ptins; walkable neighbrhd 2

3 Opprtunities: prviding reliable transit ptins fr the fastest-grwing jbs center in Seattle; imprving access t the neighbrhd utside f business hurs; prviding easy transfers t heavily-used bus rutes n Aurra Avenue N Challenges: planning fr what will exist when the line ges nline, nt fr what is there nw; prviding transit access fr residents and businesses in nrth Dwntwn and Belltwn; bike netwrk is limited, and many streets feel unsafe; intimidating pedestrian crssings at Mercer Street and Denny Way Seattle Center / Key Arena Values: Seattle Center fr events; vibrant and dense neighbrhd centered arund Mercer Street and Queen Anne Avenue N intersectin Opprtunities: serving bth the Seattle Center and Uptwn neighbrhds; imprving pedestrian mvements at Denny Way and Mercer Street with statin entrances at all fur crners Challenges: balancing need t serve Seattle Center fr events versus need t serve businesses and residents nrth f Mercer Street Number f sign-ins: 23 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: Nne SAG members: Rbert Cardna Dwntwn Date and time: May 2, 2018 frm 5:30 8 p.m. Key takeaways what we heard: Transit-dependent neighbrhd that values the active dwntwn cre and the prximity f key destinatins and amenities; desire fr seamless transfer pints between transit lines, and shallwer (rather than deeper) statins Westlake/Midtwn Values: walkability; variety f transprtatin ptins; key destinatins like the waterfrnt, mvie theaters, Twn Hall, Westlake Park, Cnventin Center and Pineer Square Opprtunities: incrprating retail space at statins; imprving cnnectins t Cnventin Center; making transfer pints as seamless as pssible by prviding frequent service and gd pedestrian navigatin/wayfinding; building statin entrances/exits n streets with less vehicle traffic, better bike and pedestrian facilities, and nicer streetscapes Challenges: managing increased cngestin nce buses mve ut f dwntwn Seattle transit tunnel; ensuring 5th Avenue alternative is nt redundant f existing light rail line; currently less 24-hur activity in midtwn, s nt ideal fr a statin First Hill Values: walkability; prximity t Dwntwn; recreatin; hspitals; religius institutins Opprtunities: cnnecting light rail with high-density area that will cntinue t grw, as well as future Madisn Street BRT and hspitals; cnnecting First Hill t ther 3

4 neighbrhds (feels islated tday); ptentially reaching mre ridership than a Midtwn statin; crdinating light rail imprvements with Interstate 5 lid prject Challenges: tunneling under I-5 twice; making statin access wrk fr all users including senirs and disabled persns, given the tpgraphy Number f sign-ins: 42 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: King Cunty Cuncilmember Je McDermtt SAG members: Nne West Seattle Date and time: May 5, 2018 frm 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Key takeaways what we heard: Vibrant mix f character-rich neighbrhd centers surrunded by density and single-family hmes. With light rail n the way, it will be imprtant t maintain a balance f the existing character and feel f West Seattle with the demand fr additinal density, as well as mitigate cnstructin impacts. Supprt fr an undergrund alignment, especially near and thrugh the Junctin. Delridge Values: diversity; cmmunity; prximity; recreatin; views; nature; pprtunity; singlefamily hmes; restaurants and cafes; key destinatins such as Nucr Steel, West Seattle Glf Curse, Delridge Playfield and Cmmunity Center, Camp Lng Opprtunities: redevelpment in statin areas t include new amenities such as a grcery stre; imprving access t the statins fr peple walking and riding bikes; ptentially reducing the size f the West Seattle Glf Curse and using part f that land fr light rail and new develpment Challenges: Preserving neighbrhd feel and views; ptential impacts t pen space and recreatin areas; ptential impacts t Prt f Seattle prperty and prt peratins; impacts f an elevated alignment t hmes, businesses and traffic Avaln Values: cnnectivity; cmmunity; single-family hmes; histry; new develpment; key destinatins like Camp Lng, Yungstwn, Delridge Playfield and Cmmunity Center Opprtunities: Ensuring seamless transit cnnectins between the statins and neighbrhds; building statins in the denser parts f neighbrhds Challenges: nise impacts f an elevated alignment; hide-and-ride parking in the statin area; traffic impacts during cnstructin n heavily-traveled rads and at existing chkepints; steep grades making pedestrian and bike access difficult The Junctin Values: walkability; cnvenience; small shps; farmers market; histry; safety; family friendliness; key destinatins like businesses alng Califrnia Avenue SW, Trader Je s, West Seattle High Schl and the intersectin f Califrnia Avenue SW and SW Alaska Street Opprtunities: serving the future urban village, businesses and apartments near the Junctin and the surrunding single-family neighbrhd; building the statin fr future 4

5 light rail extensin t the suth; imprving access t and visibility f small, lcal businesses, especially alng Califrnia Avenue SW Challenges: mitigating prperty, nise, visual, traffic and cnstructin impacts f an elevated structure near the Junctin; maintaining a safe envirnment fr peple walking when there is additinal car and pedestrian traffic arund the statins; impacting histric buildings in the Junctin Number f sign-ins: 140 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: King Cunty Cuncilmember Je McDermtt; Seattle City Cuncilmember Lisa Herbld; Planning Cmmissiners Amy Shumann and Rick Mhler SAG members: Deb Barker, Brian King, Walter Reese SODO/Stadium Date and time: May 9, 2018 frm 4 6:30 p.m. Key takeaways what we heard: SODO is a busy, diverse and evlving neighbrhd that is ften under-understd. Large numbers f emplyees wrk atypical schedules, cntributing t a higher rate f single-ccupancy drivers and parking issues. Attendees preferred alternatives that included statins at bth SODO and Stadium, and encuraged Sund Transit t explre creative ptins beynd the alternatives presented that wuld encurage the use f alternative transprtatin ptins and cntribute t a mre vibrant and safe neighbrhd. SODO & Stadium Values: multi-mdal transprtatin; pcket park at S Spkane Street/5th Avenue S; SODO and Ellitt Bay trails fr biking and walking; key destinatins include Starbucks Headquarters, Prt f Seattle, stadiums, Living Cmputers Museum, Evergreen Treatment Center, varius ffice spaces, Seattle Public Schls building, aut dealerships Opprtunities: Taking advantage f a 100-year pprtunity t create smething different in SODO (nt just a new line next t the existing line); increasing ped/bike infrastructure; adding new develpment (including residential) that wuld increase density, activate the neighbrhd and make it feel safer; adding a new elevated pedestrian walkway at Stadium statin; imprving cnnectins t emplyment hubs; crdinating Sund Transit and Metr services during and after cnstructin; building grade-separated radways where apprpriate Challenges: current neighbrhd zning makes the area feel unsafe at night and n weekends; ptentially cntaminated sils; tunneling near I-90; building a secnd line next t an existing line; displacing bike lanes and buses during cnstructin (and pssibly afterwards); clsing S Ryal Brugham Way; maintaining ADA accessibility t stadiums; activating and cnnecting the area between the Stadium statin and the stadiums; creating mre cnnectivity between SODO and the Dwntwn cre Number f sign-ins: 24 5

6 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: King Cunty Cuncilmember Je McDermtt; Seattle Planning Cmmissiners Michael Austin and David Gldberg SAG members: Erin Gdman, Rbert Cardna Ballard/Interbay/Smith Cve Date and time: May 12, 2018 frm 10 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Key takeaways what we heard: Smith Cve, Interbay and Ballard have unique pprtunities and challenges due t the vibrant mix f industrial, cmmercial and residential uses. The neighbrhds gal is t strike a balance between facilitating cnnectins t the dense and develping neighbrhds n and adjacent t statins, while limiting impacts t freight, traffic, business and industry during and after cnstructin. Many attendees were in favr f an undergrund alignment, especially near Fishermen s Terminal and under Salmn Bay int Ballard, while ther attendees favred a bridge crssing f Salmn Bay and were eager t learn mre abut the trade-ffs between elevated and undergrund alternatives. Smith Cve Values: freight; turism; jbs; bike cnnectins; industry; key destinatins such as the future Expedia headquarters, Kinnear Park, Kerry Park, Terminal 91 Opprtunities: imprving bike cnnectins t the Ellitt Bay trail; prviding transit access t future emplyees and residents Challenges: steep grades between the statin and density in Queen Anne; cnstructin impacts fr traffic and freight n Ellitt Avenue W and 15th Avenue W Interbay Values: affrdability; density; future develpment; recreatin; key destinatins such as Interbay Glf Center, Interbay P-Patch, Interbay Athletic Cmplex, Whle Fds, pet hspital Opprtunities: imprving intermdal access alng W Dravus Street t Interbay statin; facilitating bus-t-rail cnnectins near 15th Avenue W and W Dravus Street; siting a statin near ptential future develpment alng Thrndyke Avenue W nrth f the Interbay Glf Curse; prviding bus cnnectins frm Magnlia t the Interbay statin Challenges: cnstructin impacts n 15th Avenue W; weighing the benefits and csts f a statin clser t Queen Anne and ne clser t Magnlia; limited east-west cnnectins acrss the BNSF railyard Ballard Values: vibrant; walkability; night life; diversity; small scale; maritime industry; mix f industrial, residential and cmmercial uses; key destinatins such as businesses and restaurants alng Ballard Avenue and NW Market Street, Ballard Farmers Market, Ballard Cmmns Park, library, Ballard Lcks, Burke-Gilman Trail, Ballard High Schl, Safeway Opprtunities: rienting the Ballard statin t facilitate a future nrtheast r east light rail extensin; siting the statin between 15th Avenue NW and 20th Avenue NW, near Ballard s central hub; facilitating bus-t-rail cnnectins alng Market Street and 15th Avenue NW; facilitating cnnectins t the neighbrhd greenway n 17th Avenue 6

7 NW and the Burke Gilman Trail; future transit-riented develpment pprtunities arund the Ballard statin; views ffered by an elevated alignment and bridge crssing Challenges: mitigating nise, visual, traffic and cnstructin impacts due t an elevated structure and bridge near Fishermen s Terminal and acrss Salmn Bay; creating slivers f prperty that are difficult t redevelp; reliability impacts due t mvable bridge penings; pedestrian safety near 15th Avenue NW; prperty requirements t site a bridge landing; impacting and/r displacing industrial uses that require freshwater dcks Number f sign-ins: 55 Elected fficials/cmmissiners: Seattle City Cuncilmember Mike O Brien; Seattle Planning Cmmissiners Kelly Rider, Rick Mhler and David Gldberg SAG members: Rbert Cardna, Larry Yk 7