Author: Inga Manskopf

Update: RBCA Board meets with CHSW staff about their property on NE 65th Street

On May 21, two representatives from Ravenna-Bryant Community Association’s (RBCA) board and three neighbors of Children’s Home Society of Washington (CSHW) met with CHSW President Sharon Osborne, Vice President of Administration/Chief Financial Officer Heather Ritts and two brokers from the real estate firm handling the sale, Heartland, to discuss the sale of the 3.7-acre property on 65th Street between 32nd and 34th Avenue Northeast.

CHSW, a 115 year-old organization, aims to “develop healthy children, create strong families, build engaged communities, and speak and advocate for children.” Their core program services have shifted slightly in recent years reflecting changing needs among the children and families they serve. As Osborne explained, they have moved away from running residential facilities such as those located on the Ravenna property, and now focus more on in-home services.

CHSW retained Heartland more than five years ago to help review the organization’s overall real estate, including the Ravenna site.  However, the organization still provided residential services on 65th Street site, and in addition to the “economic tsunami” of 2008, it didn’t make sense for them to sell any of their properties at the bottom of the market. Also, CHSW has a strong connection to the site, which has lasted more than 100 years, and the agency wanted to retain the property because of its historical significance. However, developers expressed strong interest in buying the site as the economy turned and the residential program closed in 2010, so they have decided to explore the possibility of a sale. The deadline to submit offers was May 17.

During the meeting, Osborne explained that CHSW consists of two nonprofits; the first runs programs and services, and a second one manages their real estate and other assets. CHSW has a total of seven properties across Washington state. Both of these 501c3s have boards, and both of these boards will need to review offers on the property before they can make a final decision regarding a sale.  The boards meet quarterly and “don’t sit on things for very long.” It’s anticipated that a decision in consideration of the offers would be made relatively soon.

The CHSW made it clear that they are not excited to be selling this location, and they will be sad to go. However, it does not make sense for them to keep such a valuable piece of property that they are not using fully, especially when the proceeds from a sale such as this could enable them to provide services for the children and families whom they serve for many years to come. They have assured us that they will let us know if and when an offer goes under contract as soon as they know. We will, in turn, let the community know.

Take a survey about the 35th Ave NE business district!

What is in store for the business district on 35th Avenue NE, which straddles the Ravenna-Bryant and Wedgwood neighborhoods?

Take an online survey to help the two neighborhoods determine who is using the business district and how it is being used.  The information will be used to establish a plan for the future development of this important part of our community.

You may link to the survey at:  www.surveymonkey.com/s/35thAveSurvey.

More information about the survey and the development of a community plan visit: http://35thneighborhoodplan.blogspot.com.

What’s going on at U-Village?

From the Puget Sound Business Journal: 

The city of Seattle last week approved QFC’s plan to expand at University Village, where the grocer will build not only a larger store but a two-level garage.

The QFC garage is in addition to a six-story garage that University Village is building next door. Together, the additions will add around 1,270 structured parking stalls, and more than 100,000 square feet of commercial space, including a Virginia Mason Medical Center clinic.

But what does that have to do with the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood?  To answer that question, let’s look at a few things the RBCA has been working on in the general U-Village area.

2012 Neighborhood Street Fund Application: In December of 2012, RBCA submitted to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) a Neighborhood Street Funds (NSF) application for a sidewalk installation project for the north side of NE 50th St., spanning 30th Ave NE to 35th Ave NE.  The project was ranked third by the Northeast District Council and is currently being reviewed by SDOT for feasibility and cost estimate.   The additional NSF projects selected by NEDC came in much higher in their ranking, thus it is unlikely that this project will be recommended for funding by NEDC.

In March of 2013, RBCA learned from U-Village management that they were looking for a project to fund through the required mitigation for their Phase I expansion.  (The Phase 1 expansion included the building currently being erected along NE 45th Street which includes a parking garage.)  The 50th St. NE sidewalk project was identified by RBCA as a potential option.  A few weeks following, RBCA learned that SDOT identified a project from the University Area Transportation Plan to be funded with mitigation dollars, to install an Intelligent Transportation System along Montlake Boulevard.

University of Washington Student Urban Design Project:  The RBCA is currently working with two UW classes: Urban Design and Planning 300: Introduction to Urban Planning and Civil and Environmental Engineering 563: Transportation Choices.  Students recently put forth recommendations for design elements that would improve the pedestrian experience in this area.  A full report by student groups is expected by June 10th, but initial ideas include:

  • Pedestrian friendly parallel parking as opposed to perpendicular or angled parking
  • Pocket parks with movable furniture and signage at either end of the corridor and at the intersection with the trail
  • Narrow the street and include a four way stop at the intersection with the trail
  • Brand corridor as home repair/kitchen shopping area and “shop local”

Union Bay Pedestrian Improvement Project: A pedestrian improvement project along the Union Bay Place was identified as one of the priorities in Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan.  Initial costs for sidewalk installation and drainage infrastructure improvement projects were estimated to be $1mil.   SDOT is planning to apply intermediate pedestrian safety treatments along the corridor that will define the walking area on both sides of the street.  Improvements will more clearly define how motorists should park along the corridor, construct limited asphalt paving for the walkway and install wheel stops to prevent encroachment into the walkway area.  Outreach will be conducted this year with the improvements scheduled to be implemented in 2014.

25th Ave NE & Blakely Bicycle Improvement Project: Funded by University Village Phase I mitigation dollars, SDOT is planning to make the following improvements to the intersection of 25th Ave NE and Blakely Ave:

  • Install bicycle detection/push button,
  • Install bicycle signal head,
  • Advance pedestrian/bike interval,
  • Control right turning traffic by installing a right turn phase and a no turn on red,
  • Add cross-bike markings next to the crosswalk.

This project is slated to begin in spring of 2014.  There will be an opportunity for public input before any treatments are added.

Want more information?

An analysis of QFC’s land use application is available at: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/AttachmentProject3009681ID51823009681decision.pdf.  The Notice of Decision may be viewed at: http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=816&NID=15284.

With so many changes planned for U-Village and the surrounding area, the RBCA wants to ensure the area is a neighborhood-friendly place that positively impacts our community.  This and other Ravenna-Bryant land use issues will be discussed during tomorrow night’s Board meeting — 7:00 p.m. at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center.  All meetings are open to the public.

Get RainWise May 13

Rain falling on our roofs, driveways, or compacted soil rushes off quickly to the nearest drain or stream. In big storms, this excess “storm water” can cause sewer backups, or pollute and erode our streams. We can all help reduce runoff and pollution with simple RainWise practices.

What: Sustainable Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways are hosting an information session/open house about rain gardens.

When: May 13 at 6:30pm, Doors open at 6pm

Where: Center for Spiritual Living, 5801 Sand Point Way NE

Neighbors in Ravenna, Bryant, Laurelhurst, and Windermere are getting reimbursements from Seattle Public Utilities for installing beautiful and functional landscape features in their yard!  Learn the steps to installing a RainWise rain garden or cistern, hear why homeowners in Ballard and Northeast Seattle decided to go RainWise, and have a chance to talk to the contractors that install rain gardens!

Resources from April 2 community meeting

During last night’s community meeting that focused on driving under the influence, traffic, and pedestrian safety in our community, many resources were shared.  Below are links to handouts and websites to some of the resources.

Seattle Police Department

Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center

Seattle Department of Transportation “Be Super Safe” campaign

Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board

Washington State House Bill 1482, modifying provisions that address impaired driving

Page 2 of the meeting agenda contains contact information for most of the people who spoke during the meeting.

Read a summary of the meeting over at the Ravenna Blog where she live blogged during the meeting.

Information about recent purse snatching shared during Precinct Advisory Council meeting

During the March North Precinct Advisory Council (NPAC) meeting, Captain Robin Clark provided information about the arrest of the purse snatcher who recently robbed a few people in the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood.  He is a “known burglar” and was caught with the help of several bystanders who pointed which way he was running after snatching his last purse.  Deputy Prosecutor David Baker from the King County Prosecutor’s Office reported that the purse snatcher was charged with robbery in the second degree with bail was set at $250K.

Mr. Baker also reported that in response to a high recidivism rate in King County (40% of people released from prison return to prison within three years) the Prosecutor’s Office recently released a report about the problem: http://www.kingcounty.gov/Prosecutor/news/2013/february/reentry.aspx,

A few other meeting highlights include:

  • In 2012, 164 burglars were arrested in the North Precinct.  Citizens are encouraged to call 911 if they see suspicious behavior.
  • Judy Lewis from the Liquor Control Board noted that theft of liquor from grocery stores is still a problem but more stores are locking it up.
  • City Councilmember Nick Licata spoke about a variety of issues facing the City.

A summary of the Councilmember’s remarks appear in the March NPAC minutes.  (NPAC minutes are posted monthly in the Crime Prevention section of this website.)

Tactical urbanism in the Ravenna Bryant neighborhood

Last week, the RBCA Board heard about “tactical urbanism” from Alon Bassok, Affiliate Assistant Professor in Department of Urban Design and Planning at the University of Washington.  Tactical urbanism is a term used to describe  installations that encourage safe pedestrian use of an area.   A group of Professor Bassok’s students recently completed a project for improving the pedestrian and bicycling environment along the NE 40th Street corridor in the University District.  Their report may be viewed by clicking here.

Members of the RBCA Board are now working with Professor Bassok to have a similar project completed along NE Blakely Street and Union Bay Place NE.

Examples of tactical urbanism:

"Curb bulb" from the City of Redmond
Photo from Public Space Fanatic Facebook page
Photo courtesy of Tactical Urbanism Salon
Image from Walk Your City

New connection to Burke-Gilman Trail planned

Seattle Children’s Hospital is preparing to build a connection between the Burke-Gilman Trail and Sand Point Way NE near the intersection with 40th Avenue NE, behind the Hartmann Building.

Here are the two design options:

The "long bridge" option.
The "winding path" option.

In a letter to the community, Seattle Children’s Director of Transportation and Sustainability provides information about the options.

Seattle Children’s has been required to build a connection to the Burke-Gilman Trail through our Hartman property.  This project will provide a valuable connection to the trail. We expect that our neighborhood will benefit greatly by this improvement. Below you will find some information about the project.

Background

  • Suggested by Citizen’s Advisory Group during the Major Institution CAC process for Children’s proposed Master Plan
  • City Council included the connection as a requirement to Seattle Children’s  Master Plan adopted in April 2010
  •   The Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) also weighed in at this time and recommended that this connection to the Trail be built as part of Phase 1 of hospital construction
  • The location of this connection has always been targeted within the setback along the northern boundary of Children’s Hartmann property. 
  • It has always contemplated a slope that would allow easy pedestrian and bicycle access between Sand Point Way NE and the Trail. 
  • Reviewed by Seattle City Council Transportation Committee, the Seattle Design Commission, and our Citizens Advisory Committee
  • The design of the Connection has been subjected to extensive public review and comment, which is still ongoing.
Read the entire letter here.  It includes details about both options.