The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is gearing up to start implementing safety improvements to NE 65th Street this summer. This Vision Zero project is the result of advocacy activities lead by the Fix 65th Coalition, a collaboration between RBCA, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association, and NE Seattle Greenways in response to the many people walking, biking, and driving cars who have been injured and killed on NE 65th Street.
RBCA Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 17, 2018, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Seattle Public Library, NE Branch
All RBCA meetings are open to everyone and neighbors are encouraged to participate.
AGENDA
6:30 Welcome & Introductions
6:35 Executive Committee Reports
Secretary’s Report: June meeting minutes
Treasurer’s Report: Bank balance
Vice-President’s Report: CM Johnson D4 meeting re: homeless services
President’s Report: No August meeting; board vacancies; social media & website content.
6:45 Transportation Committee: NE 50th Street sidewalks
7:00 Land Use Committee
University Prep expansion
25th Avenue developments
7:30 Sharing & Announcements
NE 65th Street businesses public nuisance complaints
City University Community Advisory Council
Northeast District Council
Ravenna-Eckstein Advisory Board
Friends of Ravenna-Cowen
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
• Listen to what others are saying.
• Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
• Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
• Hear and respect minority opinions.
• Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
Night Out is a national event promoted locally by Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention. It is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities. To participate in Night Out and to have your street closed, you must officially register your Night Out event with the City of Seattle. Registration is open until August 6.
Most Ravenna-Bryant neighbors plan to use the Roosevelt light rail station when it opens, according to a 2013 RBCA survey. To learn about the transit-oriented development project planned for the light rail station area, neighbors are invited to an open house at Roosevelt High School next week.
All RBCA meetings are open to everyone and neighbors are encouraged to participate.
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
Listen to what others are saying.
Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
Hear and respect minority opinions.
Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
The Your Voice Your Choice (YVYC) program collects ideas for small-scale park and street improvement projects from Seattle residents and then asks people to vote on which ones should be implemented. In 2018, $3 million has been allocated for chosen projects.
Ideas were collected in January and the ones identified by community members as top priorities during a project development phase are now going through a feasibility review, scoping, and design by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR).
In the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood, four project ideas are currently under review. All have to do with creating a safer environment for people either by reducing the number of people driving too fast or by installing painted crosswalks.
Map of four proposed 2018 Your Voice Your Choice projects in the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood.
1. 20th Ave NE between 65th and Lake City Way: Speed bumps to slow traffic. “Cars drive over the speed limit and there is no check of their speed or stops between the traffic lights to calm traffic. This street is lined with homes and is in constant use by pedestrians and bicyclists. Something needs to calm traffic from just racing through from north to south and vice versa as pedestrians/bicyclists try to use (cross) the street. All community members who use NE 20th Ave [would benefit]. Drivers will be more safe and pedestrians/cyclists will be more safe.”
2. 20th Ave NE from NE 65th to Lake City Way: Crossing improvements at 20th Ave NE & NE 68th, NE 70th and/or NE 82nd. “To improve traffic conditions on 20th Ave NE: lower speed limit to 25; paint crosswalks; add stop signs at NE 70th & maybe NE 82nd; add radar speed sign; possibly add flashing ped lights. Vehicle speeds are dangerously high; peds are at risk, esp children near Community Center – also people entering parked vehicles on drivers’ side. All residents on 20th NE (200 households); children accessing Ravenna Eckstein Community Center & Playground; parishioners at Reformed Presbyterian Church” would benefit.
3. Intersection of 21st Ave NE & NE 77th St: Traffic circle to prevent drivers from speeding. “This is a very dangerous intersection with the hill.” It is a “very dangerous uncontrolled intersection with commuters speeding through to get to 75th. Multiple car accidents there over the years. Residents, children in the area [would benefit]. Also commuters unfamiliar with the intersection who are less cautious and at risk of getting into an accident.”
4. NE 77th St and 25 Ave NE: Crossing improvements. “Despite the presence of a park directly intended for children, there is only one [painted] crosswalk adjacent to the playfield. Neighborhood residents should not have to choose between crossing a busy street at a corner with no [painted] crosswalk or walking the long way around (a double block up and then back down through the park to the playground) in order to access the park. Children and parents walking from the Ravenna neighborhood to Dahl Playfield” would benefit.
Voting for top priorities will take place in June and July.
Earlier this year, one of our neighbor’s YVYC project idea was implemented: a painted crosswalk at 30th Ave NE and NE 55th Street. Like projects proposed in 2018, the goal of the painted crosswalk is to provide a safer street crossing for pedestrians.
A crosswalk was recently painted at 30th Ave NE and NE 55th Street at the northwest corner of Calvary Cemetery.
The concerns reflected in the YVYC project ideas are the same as concerns expressed by neighbors in a survey RBCA conducted in 2016. The survey indicated that the top mobility concerns among neighbors have to do with drivers speeding and not yielding to people crossing the street. Since NE 65th Street was identified as particularly unsafe, RBCA joined with the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association and NE Seattle Greenways to advocate for traffic calming and a safer pedestrian environment on NE 65th Street.
8:15 Reports from associated community groups
• Children’s Sitting Advisory Council
• City University Community Advisory Council
• North Precinct Advisory Council
• Northeast District Council
• Ravenna-Eckstein Advisory Board
All RBCA meetings are open to all. Neighbors are encouraged to participate.
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
• Listen to what others are saying.
• Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
• Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
• Hear and respect minority opinions.
• Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
A guest speaker from Seattle Public Utilities will provide information about their Sharps Collection Pilot Program during the May 1 RBCA board meeting. Join us at 6:30 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center to learn more.
A few years ago, RBCA board members adopted a vision to guide our work. In ten years, what do we want Ravenna-Bryant to be like?
Ravenna-Bryant is a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood.
This vision is integrated into each year’s workplan. Below is the RBCA workplan for 2018 which focuses on activities related to realizing our long-term vision.
Outreach activities – Creating a welcoming & connected community.
1. Host annual general membership meeting. (RBCA’s annual meeting was held April 1.)
2. Maintain a website and social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.
3. Post flyers about RBCA meetings throughout the neighborhood.
4. Email meeting agendas to neighbors signed up for e-news.
5. Host “Ravennafest” to increase awareness of RBCA and increase connections between neighbors, community groups, and businesses. (Save the date: July 14!)
6. Recruit new board members who reflect the diversity of the community including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, age, gender, income, and residence type.
7. Revise bylaws so that new board members may be elected throughout the year. (Completed during April annual meeting.)
RBCA’s annual general membership meeting on April 1, 2018 provided neighbors the opportunity to connect with community groups. Photo courtesy of Katherine Mackinnon.
Land use activities – Creating a thriving & diverse community.
1. Monitor neighborhood land use projects including, but not limited to, University Village, University Prep, Trailside on 25th & Burke-Gilman Trail, Union Bay Place, and UW Campus Master Plan. Provide comments about projects to design review board. Educate neighbors about plans for new buildings.
2. Monitor changes to land use policy affecting the neighborhood. Continue to monitor and educate neighbors about proposed changes to City policy including Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).
3. Develop a NE 55th Street Plan. In anticipation of new development projects along NE 55th Street, develop a neighborhood streetscape plan.
4. Monitor implementation of the Future of 35th Avenue NE Plan. In partnership with Wedgwood Community Council, continue advocacy for the implementation of this neighborhood plan for a thriving and pedestrian-friendly business district on 35th Ave NE.
Transportation activities – Creating a safe & thriving community.
1. Monitor neighborhood transportation projects. Continue to educate neighbors about projects related to the Roosevelt light rail station, 520 replacement, Husky Stadium Transit Master Plan, and other projects as they arise.
Maintain representation in other community organizations – Creating a connected community.
Representatives from the RBCA board will participate in the City University Community Advisory Council (CUCAC); Seattle Children’s Standing Advisory Council; NE District Council (NEDC); North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC); and the Ravenna-Eckstein Advisory Council.
Opportunities for involvement: The RBCA board is always seeking neighbors to become involved with any of the activities outlined in the workplan. Attend a board meeting (first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center) or send us a message through the Contact Us page to learn how to become involved.
All of these activities largely reflect the interests of current RBCA board members. Neighbors who want to work on issues or projects not included in this workplan are encouraged to attend RBCA board meetings and become involved.
Funding for sidewalks on NE 50th Street is in jeopardy!
Contact Mayor Durkan today and let her know that sidewalks are vital for neighborhood safety!
What’s the problem?
NE 50th Street between 30th and 33nd Avenues (south of Calvary Cemetery) does not have sidewalks. Without sidewalks, this street will remain unsafe for people walking in the neighborhood including to school, to University Village, and to access the Burke-Gilman Trail. The Seattle Department of Transportation studied this stretch of NE 50th Street and determined that almost 2,000 cars use it per day and regularly drive above the speed limit, some in excess of 55 mph!
The Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA) has been advocating for sidewalks on NE 50th Street for more than 15 years. In 2015, in partnership with RBCA, University Village requested that funds they paid to the City of Seattle to mitigate impacts on the local neighborhood associated with increased development within the mall be used to pay for sidewalks on NE 50th Street. Since the funds were not enough to pay for the entire project, RBCA has continued activities to identify money to make up the difference.
Last year, in partnership with RBCA, University Village again requested that mitigation funds associated with the soon to be built west garage be used to fund sidewalks on NE 50th Street, a vital connector to their businesses for Ravenna-Bryant neighbors. (The request letter appears at the end of this post.) However, RBCA was told last week that the funds will instead be used to put in an electronic traffic advisory sign (Intelligent Transit System or ITS) on 25th Avenue NE, similar to the one installed on NE 45th Street by the south entrance to University Village.
What you can do.
Contact Mayor Jenny Durkan and Nathan Torgelson, Director of Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, and tell them to maintain support for this public-private partnership for funding for sidewalks on NE 50th Street.
Your message could look something like this:
Dear Mayor Durkan and Director Torgelson,
Please ensure that University Village mitigation funds be used to build sidewalks on NE 50th Street and not for an ITS on 25th Avenue NE. This is what both the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood and University Village have requested.
Background: NE 50th Street between 30th Avenue NE and 33rd Avenue NE, just east of University Village (U-Village), does not have a sidewalk and suffers from excessive speed and high vehicular traffic. The street is used for school bus stops, a direct pedestrian corridor between Children’s Hospital on the east and University Village to the west, and University of Washington family housing to the east. Nearby University Village is a growing urban center and NE 50th Street is impacted by this growth.
Community advocacy for NE 50th Street sidewalks has been going on for at least 15 years. This work was originally identified in the 2002 University Area Transportation Study and as Action Strategy Project #31 in the 2008 University Area Transportation Action Strategy Report.
Over the years, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association has pursued two neighborhood grants to fund sidewalks. SDOT has conducted studies on vehicular speed and volume counts and developed plans and action reports. All of these indicate the need for a sidewalk and traffic calming measures on NE 50th Street.
Most recently, the NE 50th Street sidewalk project was included in the Pedestrian Master Plan and installment of sidewalks is included in SDOT’s short-term implementation plan.
Problem: In 2015, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association partnered with University Village and successfully negotiated mitigation funds from their Master Use Permits (MUPs) to be assigned to NE 50th Street. Though University Village in 2017 asked that the mitigation funds for the upcoming West Garage expansion be earmarked for the NE 50th Street sidewalk project, last week RBCA learned that SDCI plans to use the funds for the installation of a traffic information sign on 25th Avenue NE.
Request: We request that the University Village mitigation funds from the West Garage development be used for the NE 50th Street sidewalk project, not another electronic traffic information sign (ITS). With increased development in the University Village area it is vital that funds be used to mitigate neighborhood safety problems associated with increased traffic.
Sincerely,
NE Seattle Neighbor
Send messages to:
Jenny Durkan, Mayor: Jenny.Durkan@seattle.gov
Nathan Torgelson, Director Seattle DCI: Nathan.Torgelson@seattle.gov
Copy:
D4 Councilmember Rob Johnson – Rob.Johnson@seattle.gov
Deputy Mayor Ranganathan — Shefali.Ranganathan@seattle.gov
“What’s Happening in Ravenna-Bryant” Monday, April 2, 2018 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave NE
Agenda
6:30: Welcome & RBCA business
Election of 2018-19 board members
Slate of Nominees:
Sharon Alper
Jorgen Bader
Scott Campbell
Garrett Cobarr
Michelle Chen
Chris Fiori
Oralea Howard
David Katz
Katherine Mackinnon
Inga Manskopf
Andrew Sang
Sarah Swanberg
Josephine Pompey
David Ward
Vote – Bylaws Amendment
Proposed change: Eligible new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting.
6:40: Guest speaker – Assistant Police Chief Steve Wilske
In the community center gym, it is difficult to hear people providing a formal presentation if others are talking. Therefore, we request that from 6:30-7:15 participants join in the formal meeting and sit with all other participants or take conversations out into the community center lobby.
7:15: Open house – visit tables
Participating groups:
Councilmember Rob Johnson’s office
D4 Neighborhood Action Council
Friends of Ravenna-Cowen
King County RainWise
NE Seattle Equity & Social Justice Council
NE Seattle Greenways
NE Seattle Together
NE Seattle Tool Library
Prevention Works in Seattle
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
Ravenwood United
Roosevelt & Ravenna for Everyone
Sand Point Naval Air Station Historic District
Safe 35th Avenue NE
Save 35th Avenue NE
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Seattle Department of Transportation
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Library, NE Branch
U District Moblity
University of Washington
Find out what’s being built:
6600 Roosevelt Project – Bellwether Housing, Mercy Housing Northwest
Aegis Five Corners – Aegis Senior Communities
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
Listen to what others are saying.
Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
Hear and respect minority opinions.
Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
More organizations confirmed their participation in the meeting over the past week. An updated list appears below.
“What’s Happening in Ravenna-Bryant”
Monday, April 2, 2018
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave NE
Agenda
6:30: Welcome & RBCA business
• Election of 2018-19 board members
• Vote – Bylaws Amendment
Proposed change: Eligible new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting.
6:40: Guest speaker – SPD Assistant Chief Steve Wilske
7:15: Open house – visit tables
Participating Groups (as of 3/18/18)
Councilmember Rob Johnson’s office
D4 Neighborhood Action Council
Friends of Ravenna-Cowen
NE Seattle Equity & Social Justice Council
NE Seattle Greenways
NE Seattle Together
NE Seattle Tool Library
Prevention Works in Seattle
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
Ravenwood United
Roosevelt & Ravenna for Everyone
Sand Point Naval Air Station Historic District
Safe 35th Avenue NE
Save 35th Avenue NE
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Seattle Department of Transportation
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Library, NE Branch
University of Washington
Find out what’s being built:
6600 Roosevelt Project – Bellwether Housing, Mercy Housing Northwest
Aegis Five Corners – Aegis Senior Communities
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
Listen to what others are saying.
Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
Hear and respect minority opinions.
Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
(Adapted from: Ground Rules for Meetings from the NE District Council)
Proposed change: Eligible new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting.
6:40: Guest speaker – Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief Steve Wilske
7:15: Open house – visit tables staffed by participating groups
Participating Groups (as of 3/12)
Councilmember Rob Johnson’s office
D4 Neighborhood Action Council
Friends of Ravenna-Cowen
NE Seattle Equity & Social Justice Council
NE Seattle Greenways
NE Seattle Together
NE Seattle Tool Library
Prevention Works in Seattle
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
Ravenwood United
Roosevelt & Ravenna for Everyone
Sand Point Naval Air Station Historic District
Safe 35th Avenue NE
Save 35th Avenue NE
Seattle Department of Transportation
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Library, NE Branch
University of Washington
Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:
Listen to what others are saying.
Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.
Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.
Hear and respect minority opinions.
Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.
Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.
(Adapted from: Ground Rules for Meetings from the NE District Council)
After attending the Seattle Department of Transportation’s December drop-in sessions to learn about planned safety-related changes to be made as part of the NE 65th Street Vision Zero project, RBCA board members agreed that not enough is planned for increasing pedestrian safety. Following is a letter RBCA sent to SDOT regarding our primary concerns.
Poster shared at SDOT drop-in session at Broadcast Coffee in December outlining changes planned to make NE 65th Street safer for all who use it.
Goran Sparrman Interim Director Seattle Department of Transportation
Dear Mr. Sparrman:
We were encouraged to preview some much-needed and overdue safety improvements to the NE 65th Street corridor at SDOT’s NE 65th Street Vision Zero drop-in sessions last month. But pedestrian safety at intersections and a lack of crosswalks, two of the neighborhood’s greatest concerns as determined in surveys by RBCA and SDOT alike, are not sufficiently addressed in the current proposal.
While the numbers of pedestrians counted crossing NE 65th Street between signalized intersections may not warrant the addition of marked crosswalks, SDOT’s 2017 survey data found that 85% of respondents considered lack of safe crossings a barrier to walking in the area. RBCA’s 2016 mobility survey collected similar feedback from residents. With additional crosswalks and curb bulbs, we will see an increase in pedestrians and with this increase will come greater safety.
Data included in the 2017 Vision Zero Progress report indicated that 60% of pedestrians killed in the last three years were 55 years of age or older and 80% of pedestrian collisions occur within or near our urban villages. Ravenna’s business district is within one block of two facilities that house close to 150 of our most vulnerable neighbors. A resident of one of those facilities was killed by a left-turning vehicle at 20th Ave NE and yet significant safety issues related to pedestrian visibility and right-of-way are not addressed in the current proposal.
In working toward our shared Vision Zero goals and to address pedestrian safety on NE 65th Street, we ask that SDOT consider the following:
• Painted crosswalk and curb bulbs at or near 21st Ave NE to emphasize common pedestrian crossing point for neighborhood businesses as well as the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center. • Curb bulbs at NE 20th Street and No Right on Red signage to address severely limited visibility of pedestrians entering the crosswalk as well as signal to drivers to not enter the crosswalk, as they commonly do now. • Left turn lights at intersections to reduce dangerous conflicts, particularly at 15th and 25th Avenues NE.
In addition, without left turn lights we are concerned that resulting backups will decrease pedestrian safety on side streets as a result of diverted traffic.
We would be happy to discuss these significant and widely-held safety concerns with you further if needed.
Respectfully, Transportation Committee Ravenna-Bryant Community Association
Two years ago, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA) adopted a vision to guide our activities: Ravenna-Bryant is a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Those descriptors help board members think about proposed changes affecting the neighborhood and what we want to do so that the vision becomes reality.
In 2017, the RBCA board conducted many activities to promote our vision. Following are a few highlights. The summary doesn’t capture everything, but provides an overview of activities that have been ongoing for years, activities that were specific to 2017, and activities that will continue into the new year and, possibly, years to come.
Annual meeting: In April, RBCA’s annual general meeting featured a speaker from the Seattle Office of Emergency Management who provided important information about preparing for an earthquake and other emergencies. This educational forum culminated a year-long emergency preparedness campaign conducted by RBCA, Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, and community members that included community conversations and a “Task A Month” emails about items needed to build an emergency preparedness kit.
Neighbors gathered to learn about how to prepare for an emergency during RBCA’s annual membership meeting in April. Photo by Oralea Howard.
University Village garage: In June, the RBCA Land Use Committee held a community meeting to provide neighbors with an update about University Village’s plans for a 7-story garage on 25th Avenue NE and the opportunity for neighbors to give the developers input about the garage design. In September, the RBCA Land Use Committee submitted its second comment letter on the project to the Design Review Board (a first round of comments were made in December 2016). Two RBCA board members attended the September early design guidance meeting and gave public comments for the Design Review Board to consider. The comments focused on pedestrian and bicycle safety along 25th Ave NE and the need for developers in the area along 25th Ave NE to work together to make the connections between the neighborhoods and the Burke-Gilman Trail safer.
Drawing of planned University Village garage on 25th Avenue NE from the perspective of people walking south. Image from design review documents, Project 3025629.
#Fix65th Coalition: In February, the Seattle Department of Transportation launched a collaborative process to review street safety conditions along NE 65th Street. The NE 65th Street Vision Zero project was started in response to safety concerns highlighted by the #Fix65th Coalition, a collaboration between RBCA, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association, and NE Seattle Greenways starting in 2016. In a mobility safety survey conducted by RBCA in 2016, speeding cars and difficulties crossing streets were top concerns among Ravenna-Bryant neighbors with NE 65th Street being mentioned most often as particularly dangerous for pedestrians.
After gaining public input about safety problems, SDOT implemented some quick improvements and shared with community members possible future safety improvements in May. After learning about SDOT’s plans, RBCA shared concerns in June and continued to highlight safety problems through recent drop-in sessions, communication with SDOT staff, advocacy with Councilmember Johnson, and awareness activities including participation in recent World Day of Remembrance events and ongoing posts to #Fix65th on Twitter.
In 2017, minor safety-related changes to NE 65th Street included re-painting crosswalk stripes at the corner of 20th Avenue NE, where an 89 year-old woman was killed in February. Photo by Oralea Howard.
Cell phone tower on NE 65th Street: A group of neighbors approached RBCA in the spring with concerns about an application by T-Mobile to affix a communication utility for cell phones on a Seattle City Light utility pole at the corner of NE 65th Street and 32nd Avenue NE, across the street from Assumption St. Bridget School. RBCA supported efforts made by Councilmember Johnson to increase transparency and forethought by public agencies such as City Light when notifying neighbors of proposed changes and seeking public comments.
Later in the year, RBCA advocated against Senate Bill 5711, an act relating to telecommunication services, and other bills restricting the power of municipalities to regulate in the public interest the location of telecommunication towers and facilities.
NE 50th Street sidewalks: For more than 15 years, RBCA has been advocating for sidewalks on NE 50th Street south of the Calvary Cemetery. Despite mitigation funds from University Village that they requested be used by SDOT for sidewalks on NE 50th Street; despite two Neighborhood Street Fund applications submitted by RBCA for the project; despite studies conducted by SDOT that show that people driving cars speed on this stretch of road; and despite ongoing advocacy by RBCA and community members, the neighborhood is still waiting for sidewalks.
This year, it came to RBCA’s attention that the sidewalk funds from University Village were to be diverted to another SDOT project. RBCA advocated with SDOT and Councilmember Johnson to ensure the funds remained earmarked for the project. RBCA board members testified during a City Council transportation committee meeting for the inclusion of sidewalks in the City of Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan. Most recently, RBCA has been working with University Village to secure additional funding to fully fund the cost of installing sidewalks on 50th since current earmarked funds only cover about half of the project cost. RBCA plans to continue our advocacy efforts until there are sidewalks along this busy stretch of road that connects the University Village area to the Byrant neighborhood.
In 2016, the Seattle Department of Transportation developed this plan for adding sidewalks to NE 50th Street. In 2017, RBCA continued advocacy activities to make the plan a reality.
Outreach: RBCA board members continued to reach people through social media (Facebook, Twitter), our website, monthly emails, and flyers posted throughout the community. One of the goals of RBCA’s social media and website is to share information about what is happening in the neighborhood. Following are the posts that got the most attention in 2017.
Website: Plans for the University Village garage on 25th Avenue NE were of most interest to people who visited the RBCA website this past year. The top five most viewed posts in 2017 were:
A four-story indoor sports recreation center (Center of Physical Arts) is being proposed at 2510 NE Blakeley, September 2017
Guests from the University of Washington will discuss the Husky Stadium Transportation Master Plan during the RBCA board meeting on Tuesday, November 2017
RBCA requests new U-Village garage be designed with community, pedestrians in mind, January 2017
What’s being proposed at the corner of NE 65th Street and 15th Avenue NE? A new apartment with 131 units and street-level retail, April 2017
D4 Public Safety Open House flyer, August 2017
RBCA’s top tweets 2017 show how powerful a hashtag (in this case #Fix65th) can be:
Remembering the 89 year-old woman struck by a pick-up truck & killed as she walked in the crosswalk at corner of NE 65th & 20th Ave NE 2/4/17. #WDR2017sea #WDoR2017 #Fix65th, November 2017
Here’s a map of changes @seattledot is planning to #Fix65th. While improvements to existing painted crosswalks are welcome, neighbors are still concerned about pedestrian safety at unpainted crosswalks @CMRobJohnson., December 2017
And again #Fix65th. (tweet included photo of the aftermath of the collision that killed the pedestrian in the crosswalk at 20th Ave NE), February 2017
Unable to attend the @seattledot #Fix65th community forum last month? Take their online survey by tomorrow (3/14), March 2017
It’s been great seeing so many neighbors engaged in the #Fix65th process! Couldn’t make it tonight? There will be another @seattledot drop-in session Thursday, 7-9am. Thanks @broadcastcoffee for hosting!, December 2017
Bylaws update: The RBCA board updated the association’s bylaws early in 2017. Changes include clarification regarding the role of the board and the role of the association as a whole; membership; the duties of the board; voting; and the role of committees.
RBCA is a volunteer-run organization with no paid staff. The RBCA board is always looking for people to participate in our monthly meetings, join committees, and pro-actively work on issues of concern in the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood. The board will continue to meet the first Tuesday of the month, 6:30 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center. Anyone interested in sustaining a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood is encouraged to participate. Like our wider community, RBCA is strongest when neighbors come together and pro-actively work towards a common vision.
RBCA Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 2, 2018, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
Though this is a board meeting, all neighbors are welcome!
AGENDA
6:30 Welcome & Introductions
6:35 Seattle Workers for Justice Coalition
6:50 Executive Committee Reports
Secretary’s Report
Treasurer’s Report
President’s Report: 2018 Workplan
7:10 Annual Meeting
7:25 Bylaws Update
7:40 Land Use Committee
• UW Campus Master Plan
7:50 Transportation Committee
• #Fix65th
• NE 50th Street sidewalks
8:10 Reports from associated community groups
• City University Community Advisory Council – CUCAC
• Ravenna-Eckstein Advisory Board
• Northeast District Council – NEDC
• North Precinct Advisory Council – NPAC
