It has been nearly one year since a drunk driving crash in Seattle’s Wedgwood neighborhood took the lives of Judy and Dennis Schulte and seriously injured their 10-day-old grandson, Elias, and daughter-in-law, Karina Ulriksen-Schulte. On March 25th, the Wedgwood Community Council and Ravenna-Bryant Community Association will hold a memorial walk and rally to mark the one year anniversary of this tragic event. Members of the community are encouraged to participate.
The memorial walk will begin at Top Pot Donuts at 6855 35th Ave NE and end at the crash site at NE 75th Street and 33rd Ave NE. A moment of silence will be held at approximately 4 p.m. to remember Judy and Dennis Schulte – the crash happened shortly after 4 pm last year.
The March 25th event will also kick off “Safe Roads Awareness Week,” a week-long series of events designed to raise awareness of dangers facing drivers and pedestrians on our roadways. In honor of the Schulte family, March 25th will focus on raising awareness of the need for DUI prevention and stricter DUI laws.
WHO:
Dan Schulte, Father, Husband and Son of Wedgwood crash victims
Marilyn Schulte, Daughter of Judy and Dennis Schulte, Aunt to Elias and Sister-in-law to Karina
Darrin Grondel, Director, Washington Traffic Safety Commission
Senator David Frockt, (D) 46th Legislative District
The Theodora, located at 6559 35th Ave NE, is a large apartment building for low-income seniors with a range of need for supportive services. The property has been owned by Volunteers of America (VOA) since 1914. VOA is a private nonprofit association that is nationally recognized for its work in affordable housing and the provision of human services. The existing building was built in 1965 and has 114 units, including 22 that receive project-based Section 8 vouchers. Recently, VOA announced their intention to sell the Theodora to Goodman Real Estate (GRE), a for-profit development company. The sale of the property to GRE makes it highly unlikely that a private developer will continue to offer affordable rents to the current residents.
The residents who remain in the Theodora have organized the Theodora Rescue Committee (www.savethetheodora.wordpress.com) with the help of the Tenants Union to petition both VOA and GRE to retain the affordability of the apartments. Residents are asking that VOA withdraw from the purchase and sale agreement and seek a nonprofit provider of low-income housing to preserve the building for low-income tenants. Additionally, they are asking that VOA utilize their existing HUD mortgage to trigger vouchers for Theodora tenants whose rents are regulated by the mortgage.
The Theodora Rescue Committee is asking community members to visit their website and sign their on-line petition. A rally is planned for March 11th from 12 to 2 pm at Goodman Real Estate’s corporate office, Pier 70, 2801 Alaskan Way in Seattle, just south of the Olympic Sculpture Park. More information here and here.
On March 4th, the Board of the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA) voted to send a letter to VOA urging that organization to withdraw from its agreement with GRE and transfer the property instead to a nonprofit organization. RBCA noted that the Theodora’s 114 units represent over 20% of the existing HUD Section 202 housing units in the entire City of Seattle, and that once lost would likely never be replaced. See RBCA’s letter to VOA below.
March 7, 2014
Michael King, President and CEO
Volunteers of America
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
RE: Theodora Purchase of Sale Agreement
Dear Mr. King:
On behalf of the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA), I am writing to express our concern with the proposed sale of the Theodora property to Goodman Real Estate (GRE). The site which the Theodora occupies has served people in need in our community for over 100 years and is home to seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. The Volunteers of America (VOA) have been serving low income individuals and families at that site for the past five decades. The sale of the property to GRE makes it highly unlikely that a private developer will continue to offer affordable rents to the current residents.
We urge the Volunteers of America to withdraw from the purchase and sale agreement to Goodman Real Estate and to transfer the Theodora to a non-profit organization that will preserve the building for low income tenants. The Theodora’s 114 units represent over 20% of the existing HUD Section 202 housing units in the entire City of Seattle. 22 of those Theodora units are project-based Section 8, serving the most vulnerable tenants. Due to the critical shortage of low income rental units, it is especially important for those in the non-profit housing sector to take every step possible to preserve buildings under their ownership that serve residents earning below 50% Area Median Income (AMI).
On behalf of the residents remaining at the Theodora who have formed the Theodora Rescue Committee, RBCA requests that you pursue alternatives to maintain their housing at levels affordable to current tenants. We understand that a private developer like GRE may offer more compensation to VOA for this property, but we believe that your organization’s mission to help the most vulnerable, and your responsibility to those tenants who have relied on the Theodora, requires VOA to make a concerted effort to protect their interests and assure the continuation of the Theodora’s legacy.
We look forward to your response and your willingness to help keep the Theodora’s residents from losing their homes.
Sincerely,
Tony Provine
President
cc:
Seattle City Council
Mayor Ed Murray
Dawn Batts, Board Chair – Volunteers of America
Jack Jones, Senior Asset Manager – Volunteers of America
Phil Smith, President and CEO, Volunteers of America of Western WA
The Seattle Department of Planning & Development (DPD) is evaluating neighborhood retail areas to determine where to suggest adding to existing pedestrian retail areas (pedestrian zones). They will map these areas and apply rules to protect and promote pedestrian retail. They are also considering modifications to current regulations that would apply to existing and new pedestrian zones. Pedestrian retail areas are meant to serve neighborhood residents’ daily needs. They play a key role in creating safe neighborhoods where you would want to live, work, and shop.
DPD has reviewed areas around Seattle and prepared preliminary recommendations to kick-off a discussion with the community. They will prepare final recommendations after receiving your feedback. Please review preliminary recommendations and take a survey by February 28.
Pedestrian retail areas in the Ravenna-Bryant community include:
What will Seattle be like 20 years from now? By the year 2035, Seattle will add 120,000 people and 115,000 jobs – an increase of 20% population and a 23% in jobs over today. How can we plan the future of Seattle?
Seattle 2035 is a citywide conversation about how Seattle should grow to accommodate the expected population and job increases, resulting in an update to Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan. Seattle’s comprehensive plan is a 20-year vision and roadmap to shape Seattle’s growth in a way that builds on our strengths and character as a city. It guides important decisions on where housing and employment growth will happen, how we can improve our transportation system, and where we will need investment in utilities, sidewalks, and libraries. The comprehensive plan is the framework for most of Seattle’s big-picture decisions on how to grow while preserving and improving our neighborhoods.
The Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood will change between now and 2035. The Children’s Home Society property will soon be developed to include more housing. Our neighboring Roosevelt community will soon have a light rail station and an increase in housing. It’s important for community members to have their voices heard so that big-picture decisions include the needs of Ravenna-Bryant as we grow.
Seattle 2035 is hosting several public meetings, including one on February 20 at the Central Library, to gain input from community members. Neighbors can stay informed by signing up for emails, Tweets, and Facebook posts on the Seattle 2035 website. Here are some supporting documents:
The Mayor’s Office is looking to name a new Police Chief by April 2014 and is seeking community input. As part of their search process, they are using input received through the Community Police Commission and its outreach in October 2013 and are seeking additional input from citizens.
To provide input regarding a new Police Chief, citizens may:
During last night’s Seattle Police Department North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC) meeting, a representative from the Washington State Liquor Control Board’s Enforcement & Education Division provided information about their marijuana enforcement priorities. Click here to access the handout that includes an overview of planned enforcement activities along with a summary of the new marijuana industry rules.
Police shared safety tips for the holiday season. Some are posted on the SPD website and include the following tips about shopping:
If you take your children shopping, teach them to go to a police officer or a store security guard if they get separated or lost.
Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.
Be aware of your surroundings when using ATM’s. Also, do not keep your PIN on your person.
Avoid carrying a large amount of cash. Use credit cards or checks and carry your Washington State Drivers License or ID card with you.
Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. Criminals may try to distract and confuse you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
Don’t leave anything of value in your car. Packages and shopping bags should be hidden way from sight. Don’t just cover them with a coat or blanket.
Park in a lighted area and lock your vehicle doors.
Earlier this year, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA) conducted an online survey about the NE 65th Street corridor that runs through our community from 15th Avenue NE to 40th Avenue NE. During last night’s RBCA Board meeting, results were discussed.
Who responded?
Of the people who responded, half reported living less than 5 blocks (about one-quarter mile) from NE 65th Street. Twenty-five percent live 5-10 blocks away and another 25% live more than 10 blocks away. Among respondents, 39% reported living in Ravenna and 34% reported living in Bryant. (The remaining respondents mostly live in nearby neighborhoods and/or work in Ravenna-Bryant.)
How do people get to NE 65th Street?
Driving alone is the most common (42%) way that people report accessing businesses on NE 65th Street. Among those who drive alone, 39% live within 5 blocks. Community members who drive alone primarily access businesses on NE 65th Street for consuming food or beverages. Groceries/shopping was also among the top reasons for going to NE 65th Street.
Walking is the second most common (28%) way of getting to NE 65th Street and less than 20% of respondents reported carpooling or biking. Among those who typically walk, 76% said they live less than 5 blocks away.
Safety
The vast majority (91%) of people said they think NE 65th Street is safe for driving, parking, and using public transportation. Eighty-eight percent say it’s safe for walking and only 43% say it’s safe for biking. Cyclists themselves report that biking is not safe on this street with only 22% agreeing that it is safe for biking. People who drive were the most likely group to say that biking is safe on NE 65th Street, though less than 50% report this.
Development
Among Ravenna-Bryant residents, 64% are comfortable with more development along NE 65th Street. Those who are both for and against more development hold many similar concerns with traffic and congestion being the primary concern, by far. Pedestrian and bike safety; poor planning and design; parking; and crime are also common concerns.
Many of those who are comfortable with additional development say that an increase in businesses along NE 65th Street would enable them to leave their cars at home instead of having to drive to businesses outside of the neighborhood. Many of those who are not comfortable with more development say that it will lead to an increase in the number of people driving cars and overwhelm limited parking capacity. More than two-thirds of survey respondents said that development is good if the area becomes more walkable and the streetscape is improved.
Light Rail Impact
Most Ravenna-Bryant neighbors plan to use Light Rail when the Roosevelt Station opens – 63% of Bryant neighbors and 82% of Ravenna neighbors.
The need to maintain or increase bus service in our community is evident since the #1 way that Bryant residents say they plan to get to the Roosevelt Station is by taking the bus. The second and third most common ways they plan to get to the station is by walking or biking.
The need to improve pedestrian and bike infrastructure in our community is evident with 54% of potential Ravenna Light Rail users planning to walk and 19% planning to bike.
You can learn more about why service must be cut and how you may be affected at a public meeting at North Seattle Community College this week. We’re also inviting you to help us understand the affects these cuts will have on you.
Public meeting in North Seattle
Thursday, Dec. 5
North Seattle Community College
9600 College Way N, Seattle – C1161 and North Star rooms (map)
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. – open house
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. – optional presentation and small group discussion
The Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Board will meet Tuesday, December 3, 7:00 p.m. at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center. All meetings are open to the public.
In addition to reports from the land use and transportation committees, agenda items include:
NE 55th Street Traffic Safety — John Marek, SDOT Neighborhood Traffic Operations Supervisor
JCM Northlink LLC, Sound Transit’s excavation and tunneling contractor, will start work in the NE 65th Street area on Tuesday, December 3, 2013. JCM will be stabilizing the ground to prepare for the launch of the tunneling boring machines from the Roosevelt Station site.
This work will take about 3 months. Please note that underground utility work in 2014 will also affect NE 65th St.
How will this affect traffic?
North half of NE 65th Street will be closed west of 12th Ave NE for about half a block.
One lane of traffic will remain open on NE 65th St in both directions.
Eastbound on NE 65th St: no left turn onto 12th Ave NE. Detour to NE 64th St to access north-bound 12th Ave NE.
How will this affect my bus stop?
King County Metro bus stops on NE 65th St just east of 12th Ave NE will move temporarily farther east down the block. This affects the eastbound and westbound stops.
How will this affect parking?
Street parking will be closed on NE 65th St in the immediate vicinity of work.
How will this affect sidewalks?
Sidewalk will be closed on north side of NE 65th St adjacent to Sound Transit’s construction site.
Crosswalk on east side of the intersection of NE 65th St and 12th Ave NE will be closed intermittently.
Construction of the Roosevelt Light Rail Station is underway and development in the surrounding neighborhoods is picking up as well. The Ravenna Bryant Community Association conducted an online survey to find out what people who live, work, drive, bike, walk, and shop on the NE 65th Street, between 15th NE and 40th NE, think about this area. The survey results will assist the Community Association plan for the future of this important part of our neighborhood. Some response summary highlights are below.
Six hundred and ten residents submitted responses to the survey and 86% said they lived near the business district, 75% within 10 blocks. Twenty percent visit the businesses daily and 32% visit 2-4 times per week. Twenty-five percent indicated they work near the business district. Seventy-four percent anticipate using the Roosevelt Light Rail Station when it opens with 86% of those planning to walk, bike, or bus to the station.
Fifty-nine percent said they “somewhat” or “strongly” disagreed with the statement that this is their primary business district. Of those who disagreed, 55% attributed this to “not enough variety” and 32% simply “prefer to shop elsewhere.”
Almost 40% drove alone to visit businesses and another 30% walked. While between 88 and 90% responded they felt the district was safe for visiting by foot, car or bus, 57% felt it was unsafe to visit by bike.
Sixty-nine percent responded that they would be comfortable with increased housing and business development if it “improves street scape and walkability.” Fifty-nine percent would be comfortable as long as the development “is well designed.” Thirteen percent indicated they would prefer “no more development.”
Thirty-three percent “somewhat” or “strongly” agreed that this is their primary business district and a majority of those said this was because they live nearby. When indicating their top three reasons for visiting the business district, 67% came to visit a restaurant, 50% to shop, and 45% for coffee. When specifically asked if they would like to see greater diversity of businesses along NE 65th, almost a full 80% responded “yes.”
Nearly 300 respondents included specific feedback in the survey when asked what additional types of businesses they would LIKE TO SEE along NE 65th Street, The following represent some common responses:
“The QFC gone from Roosevelt leaves a gaping hole – should be replaced.”
“If it’s necessary to build at all–small grocery store/pharmacy, coffee shop, bookstore, park or green space, small hardware.”
“Overall more businesses that cater to middle income folks (not high end like U Village). Need hardware store, a good bakery, bookstore/cafe, ethnic grocery store.”
“Eclectic mix of pedestrian-friendly retail, restaurants and cafes with sidewalk tables in front, bookstores, etc.”
“Clothing, owner-operated retail, incubator spaces, art exhibits, more restaurants and cafes, art gallery, health & fitness businesses, ceramics or pottery studio, performance space.”
“Basic services such as shoe repair, dry cleaning, key maker, etc. Perhaps clothing – SMALL boutique- like shops. Art gallery, art supply store, bakery, etc Small locally owned businesses in particular.”
“French bakery, high quality coffee, specialty foods/prepared foods shop, gastropub, ice cream shop, children’s toy and clothing store, stationery/housewares/gift store.”
“Anything that isn’t a chain.”
Comments indicating what types of businesses they would NOT LIKE TO SEE in the business district included:
“Marijuana dispensary, night club, gas station, mini-mart.”
“An auto parts store; payday loans and check cashing places; chain restaurants; anything that’s set back from the street, strip-mall style.”
“Banks, Drug stores, Pet stores, appliance stores, chains. Get rid of Pizza Hut.”
“Anything in the realm of “adult” businesses.”
“More carpet places, exclusive wine shops, collectable toy businesses.”
“Liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries, non-retail businesses (i.e. more doctor/dental offices, lawyers, etc).”
“Please no more yoga studios, massage therapists, nail salons, soap sellers, accountants, financial planners, etc. I’d like to see retail businesses that cater to local neighbors who walk and bike to district.”
“No more large housing developments.”
CONCERNS about increased development included:
“More traffic/increased risk for cyclists and pedestrians.”
“Increased traffic, lack of parking. Bike lane would complicate street traffic, and bike lanes now exist on 75th so not needed on 65th.”
“Buildings that are too tall, increased traffic, nowhere to park, reduced walkability and green space.”
“Adding to already over-crowded schools and no talk of increasing other service such as police, fire, etc.”
“Losing the character of the neighborhood by putting in the same cookie-cutter townhouses and mixed- use retail/apt development that are going up in the CD, Ballard, Cap Hill, etc. And on top of that, of the development pricing out fabulous established businesses and restaurant.”
“That businesses will remain vacant.”
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The survey was included as a link in blog posts as well as posted as flyers on community bulletin boards and on neighborhood utility poles. More detailed survey data can be found here: 65th Street Survey Results – Full Content
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is hosting an open house about four alternatives being considered for the final draft bicycle network map for the Northeast 65th Street corridor and surrounding streets.
Based on public input, SDOT developed alternatives for bicycle infrastructure through the Ravenna-Bryant community that include different combinations of neighborhood greenways (bicycle facilities on residential streets) and cycle tracks (bicycle facilities on arterials that are separated and protected from adjoining traffic).
To comment online on which of the four alternatives you prefer, please see http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PBDKX6B. This online survey will be available until 5:30 pm, October 17th.
After a review of survey responses and comments received during the open house, the mayor’s office and SDOT will finalize the draft Bicycle Master Plan, which will be transmitted to City Council for review later this fall. Council will then hold a public hearing and will ultimately adopt an updated Bicycle Master Plan. Plans for constructing bicycle improvements in this area may be some time out since this is a long-range plan.
On October 7, the City Council adopted a land use and zoning ordinance that restricts where marijuana businesses may be located in Seattle. The new ordinance, coupled with state law that does not allow marijuana businesses within 1,000 feet of a school, library, park, or other location where children congregate, means that the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood is off-limits for marijuana businesses. In northeast Seattle, large areas of land at the intersection of I-5 and Northgate Way, a few different areas along Lake City Way, and along Aurora Avenue are zoned for marijuana businesses. It also appears as if a small area of land in Wedgwood, along 35th Avenue NE, is zoned appropriately for pot shops.
The ordinance also includes a provision that states that all marijuana businesses – it does not differentiate between “recreational” and “medical” marijuana businesses – must be licensed by the state by January 2015. No licensing system exists right now for medical marijuana businesses. Therefore, these businesses must either gain recreational marijuana business licenses or the state will need to create a system for licensing medical marijuana businesses. The state legislature is expected to take up the issue of how the two marijuana systems will interact during the upcoming session.
In the City of Seattle, the Liquor Control Board expects to issue 21 licenses for businesses to sell marijuana products. This is similar to the number of liquor stores in Seattle prior to the passage of the liquor privatization initiative. The Seattle City Attorney asked the Liquor Control Board to consider licensing more retailers if it turns out that the 21 stores cannot meet the demand for marijuana products in Seattle. The City Council wrote a letter to the Liquor Control Board expressing concerns about the potential clustering of marijuana stores in certain neighborhoods.
While the proposed Liquor Control Board rules restrict marijuana advertising, the restrictions do not include a ban on mass media advertising. As long as advertising is not within 1,000 feet of a school, library, park, or other place where children congregate, or on public property, it will be allowed. This means that we could start seeing recreational marijuana advertisements on billboards, in magazines and newspapers, online, and in broadcast media within the next year.
The Liquor Control Board votes on the proposed rules on October 16 and, if adopted, they go into effect November 16. They will then accept applications for all types of marijuana licenses – for growing, processing, and selling marijuana and marijuana products. It is expected that marijuana retail stores will open late spring or early summer next year. For more information about the implementation of I-502, visit the Liquor Control Board’s website: http://www.liq.wa.gov/marijuana/I-502.
Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Avenue N
Learn about the site selection process for the recommended site of the new North Precinct Police Station, how the site meets SPD’s operational needs, the development schedule, and future opportunities for public comment.
This week, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that they will make the following changes to Northeast 75th Street between 15th Avenue Northeast and 35th Avenue Northeast:
Provide one general purpose motor vehicle travel lane in each direction.
Install a two-way center left turn lane.
Add a new marked crosswalk at 28th Avenue Northeast.
Stripe bicycle travel lanes in both directions.
Remove on-street parking on Northeast 75th Street, except at Nathan Eckstein Middle School where parking will be maintained for school buses and general parking.
Add photo enforcement cameras for the Nathan Eckstein school zone.
SDOT will begin implementing these changes the week of August 26th. It is their goal to complete the new roadway striping in time for the start of the school year on September 4th.
The changes were identified and approved after SDOT held five public meetings, read more than 300 letters and emails about the project, made numerous on-site observations, and reviewed traffic data.
According to SDOT, the goal of this project is to create streets that operate safely and efficiently for everyone. Since 2009 there have been 114 collisions reported along this one mile long corridor. Data shows that speeding is a problem on the roadway and that collisions involving left turning vehicles are common. With this project SDOT believes that speeds will drop and the number of collisions will be reduced. SDOT will monitor the conditions after the project is complete and make operational changes if necessary.
Recent discussions about NE 65th Street have prompted the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Board to endeavor to find out what people who live, work, drive, bike, walk, and shop on the street, between 15th NE and 40th NE, think about this area. Click here to take the survey and tell all your neighbors to do the same.
What is learned from the survey will assist the Community Association plan for the future of this important part of our neighborhood.
For those of you who missed last night’s Town Hall Meeting with the Mayor about bike lanes on NE 65th Street, the Ravenna Blog has a summary.
The meeting will start with a brief presentation about the Bicycle Master Plan Update from the Seattle Department of Transportation. To better understand concerns, the mayor will then listen to community members and field questions. For more information contact Rebecca Deehr at Rebecca.Deehr@Seattle.gov.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be a police officer? The Seattle Police Department is taking applications for the fall eleven-week Community Police Academy that begins Thursday, September 12, 2013. Classes are held once a week for eleven-weeks from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Community Police Academy provides community members with an opportunity to learn firsthand about the job of a police officer and how the Seattle Police Department works. Classes focus on patrol procedures and operations, criminal law, arrest procedures, search and seizure, the criminal justice process, crime scene investigation, bias crimes, narcotics, SWAT, use of force, defensive tactics, firearms/mock scenes, domestic violence, elder abuse, and arrest procedures.
The deadline to submit your application is Friday, July 26, 2013.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) recently posted the draft Seattle Bicycle Master Plan to their website and are now seeking public comment until July 26. It includes the City’s vision of making “riding a bicycle a comfortable and integral part of daily life in Seattle for people of all ages and abilities.” According to the City, the improvements and actions identified in the plan are to not only make bicycling a viable form of transportation for Seattle residents, workers and visitors, but also help the City achieve its goals relating to climate change, economic vitality and community livability.
The draft includes an updated policy framework; a network plan map (showing the location and type of new bicycle facilities throughout the city); a bicycle facilities visual glossary; recommendations for end-of-trip facilities and programs; and a prioritization framework for how new projects will be evaluated.
SDOT will host an open house about the plan on June 13 at Roosevelt High School in the lunchroom, 1410 NE 66th Street. It will occur from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (presentation scheduled at 6:30 p.m.).
The draft bike master plan website contains a map of plans for NE Seattle. Below is part of the map that shows the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood.
One of the changes that is proposed is a “cycle track” along NE 65th Street from Green Lake to Magnuson Park. A PowerPoint presentation that is also posted on the SDOT website provides an illustration of proposed cycling infrastructure, including cycle tracks.
