The 35th Ave Committee, a citizen group comprised of residents from Wedgwood, Ravenna-Bryant, and View Ridge have received a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to develop streetscape guidelines (designs that influence the pedestrian environment) and prepare zoning recommendations. RBCA board members are members of the 35th Ave Committee.
The 35th Ave Committee has gathered data from the users of the 35th Ave NE Business District through a survey they held in 2013. Over the coming months they will host 3 public workshops to gather more information from users, residents, landowners, and business owners on the type of pedestrian environment the community wants. These workshops will result in recommendations on ways to improve the zoning along 35th Ave NE to support the conditions that the community wants to see from its business district.
All public workshops will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 5th Avenue NE.
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has posted a notice of Administrative Design Review for the project at 5515 40th Avenue NE as well as the Early Design Guidance Pack prepared by CAST architecture (click on Documents and then “Design Proposal: ADR Proposal #2”). Note the preferred scheme can be found starting on Page 17 (here as a PDF:page 17 ) .
The Design Review Process is intended to address site planning and design issues of a project – the EDG pack also contains a history of the zoning of the area. This summary can be found on page four and five and reviews how the Low Rise Zone on the West Side of 40th Ave N was planned to align with the Commercial zone on the North side of NE 55th St. These diagrams illustrate how the North edge of the proposed rezone to LR1 would align to the north edge of the fire station per the original area planning and provide a more gradual transition between the LR2 to the South and SF5000 to the North. You can find an explanation for the LR1, LR2, SF5000 zoning codes here.
Page 17 of the Proposal
The Director will accept written comments to assist in the preparation of the Early Design Guidance through April 2, 2014. You are invited to offer comments regarding important site planning and design issues which you believe should be addressed in the design. Comments can be sent to PRC@seattle.gov.
The owners of the Theodora, just south of the NE Library on 35th AVE NE, have responded to the concerns that the board of Ravenna-Bryant Community Association had about the sale of their building to Goodman Real Estate. The sale of the Theodora has been in the news recently (here and here), so we’ve asked Volunteers of America to explain the rationale behind closing this historic building. This is their response to us:
Dear Ravenna-Bryant Community Association:
Thank you for your recent letter and opportunity to respond and provide some background and facts related the sale and closing of The Theodora.
As owner of The Theodora, we’ve been proud to be part of the Wedgwood neighborhood for more than 50 years. In addition to providing low-income housing, we provide services in six counties locally through a wide range of programs that focus on serving people and communities in need. Through our Basic Needs Services, Personal Support Services, Child & Youth Services, Conflict Resolution Services, Behavioral Health Services, Volunteer Services responds to 350,000 requests for assistance each year.
The Theodora: Transitioning the Building & Our Residents
The building is a unique housing model– it’s comprised of 114 single-room apartments (about 200 sq. ft. or smaller) with shared cafeteria and kitchen. Meals are prepared onsite for residents. While this model worked well decades ago, it has become antiquated and does not address the needs of today’s elderly and disabled.
The outdated building configuration, which is not comparable to or competitive even with other HUD 202 buildings in Seattle, has been an increasing impediment to retaining residents.
We first looked at options for VOA to redevelop the Theodora, but after review by two independent consultants, the results were not viable for us.
We first marketed the Theodora via CBRE brokerage firm to nearly 75 local and national non-profit developers, including names given to us by the Office of Housing. Through many conversations had by our team and our broker, non-profits told us because of the building’s age and current configuration, they could not afford to acquire and operate the building as low-income housing.
We then took the Theodora to the private market and received several bids. We could have easily maximized our profits and sold to a developer who would have razed the building and built expensive homes.
Instead, we found a developer willing to invest in and keep this historic building, as well as keep the housing affordable – at the exact levels the city is trying so hard to increase (about 60-80% area median income).
At this point, Volunteers of America entered into a good faith contract with Goodman Real Estate, which will conclude with a sale of the building this fall. Both parties have spent significant capital moving toward this closing.
VOA has operated the Theodora at a significant financial loss for years, and we cannot continue to sustain the building. Regardless if we would have found a buyer, the Theodora will close in February 2015.
Relocation Process: A Thoughtful Commitment to Resident’s Well-Being
We are deeply committed to our residents during this time of transition and our goal is to go above and beyond for them wherever possible.
Here is a summary of the work we are beginning:
We will work with Seattle Housing Authority and HUD early and often to make sure all Section 8 residents and non Section 8 residents find new homes that fully suit their needs.
We’ve retained a relocation specialist to work one-on-one with each resident and their families to help them find new low-income housing that fits their budget and health needs.
VOA and Goodman Real Estate (buyer) will provide $5,000 to each resident. In addition, all residents who qualify for City of Seattle relocation assistance will receive $3,184 to help with their transition. This means each resident could receive about $8,184.
ALL residents with a Section 8 voucher will retain their voucher. A portable voucher allows them the freedom to find a home that better meets their needs. We’ll work closely with Seattle Housing Authority on this transition and our relocation specialist will be closely involved to make sure everyone transitions well and all vouchers are maintained.
Affordability in Seattle is a complex topic. And while the Theodora is economically no longer a viable building for VOA to operate, we will continue investing in our North Seattle/Greenwood location as well as other new low-income housing in and around Seattle – as we have done for nearly 100 years.
We invite each of you to tour the property and learn more about the building, as well as our commitment to residents during this transition.
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
Polygon Homes has provided a response to the NE Design Review Board’s comments from the January 13th meeting for their project at 3300 NE 65th. The file (click on Documents and then Design Proposal EDG #2 Proposal), while large, is well worth the download as it provides details and fascinating visuals about how the project will look and fit into the neighborhood. Of note is the fact that although not all the trees on the property have been deemed healthy, the larger trees deep inside the lot are worth saving, and have a significant impact of the layout of the development.
The next Early Design Guidance meeting is Monday March 3rd at 8 p.m. at University Heights Center on NE 50th and University Way. If you can’t make it, comments can be sent to PRC@seattle.gov.
On Wednesday February 19th, RBCA President Tony Provine and Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) President Dirk Farrell met with City Attorney Pete Holmes regarding the City’s enforcement actions on the Sisley properties. It appears that the City Attorney’s Office is resolute in their desire to deal with this matter firmly and without delay. Mr. Holmes expressed no desire to seek any less than full and immediate compliance and is not interested in seeking a compromise or settlement agreement. Mr. Holmes was very receptive to RBCA and RNA recommendations for appropriate compensation to our neighborhoods for bearing the brunt of damaging impacts from Sisley’s blighted properties. The fines to date levied against these properties total nearly $3 million. Mr. Holmes said he appreciated our communities’ involvement and support and he agreed to communicate any updates as they develop.
City Attorney, Pete Holmes has agreed to speak to our community on May 6, 2014 on the Sisley Case and will bring with him other City officials to share information about the case.
The Roosevelt reservoir is undergoing an approximately 2-year test to determine whether it will be needed by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for future use as a reservoir. The test began in March 2013, so the latest a decision would be made about whether to decommission the reservoir would be at the end of March 2015.
If SPU decides to de-commission the reservoir, an assessment would be made about whether it may be needed for any other “utility” purpose. If not, the assessment could be declared surplus. This decision would be internal to SPU and could happen within a few months upon conclusion of the reservoir testing.
If the reservoir is declared surplus, the asset would be subject to the “review and decision” process for all surplus City of Seattle assets, as depicted in the attached chart.
There are typically three points of public comment in a typical, “simple” surplusing process: first, at the time the asset is declared surplus; second, after the City analyzes alternative uses and recommends the criteria for evaluation the disposition of the asset; and third, prior to completion/closing of the sale or lease of the asset.
A note on Fair Market Value (FMV): State Law requires that the utility must receive FMV for the asset. So even if the property ends up under the ownership of a public agency, such as another City of Seattle Department, other local government, or even a non-profit, SPU would need to receive fair market compensation for the property. Given funding challenges at all levels of local government, funding strategies for non-income generating uses that might be contemplated for the site would likely need to be put in place prior to the notice of disposition to be deemed competitive in a FMV context. However, given the size and location of the reservoir, it seems highly likely that a mixture of uses – both civic and private – may be possible. Thus, the scale of required funding would be proportionate to the amount of the asset needed to accommodate the desired public uses.
RBCA has written a letter to the Parks Department asking that they consider making the Roosevelt Reservoir into a park.
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:
Almost a year and half after their first Early Design Guidance meeting in August of 2012, the Roosevelt Development Group (RDG) will be back at the University Heights Center at 6:30 on February 3rd, 2014 to present their plans to the Northeast Design Review Board. The meeting will also have a public comment portion, should community members have input for the board or for RDG. Issues of zoning or parking, however, are not within the board’s purview and should instead be directed to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD).
Because the site is within the transit overlay for the new Sound Transit’s Roosevelt Light Rail Station, set to open in less than 8 years, parking is actually not required at all. It’s up to the developers, therefore, to decide if their building will include parking or not. (The ST station will not have parking for cars, just for bicycles). Also, the notice states that it will be a 7-story building, in the newly rezoned 6 story portion of Roosevelt. This, however, is just to accommodate for the slope of the parcel, and the zoning is indeed still at 65′.
This is the preferred design
Should you want to learn more about the rezone process in Roosevelt, you could read more on our site here, or on Ravenna Blog’s site here.
Unlike the developer for the project further east on NE 65th between 32nd NE and 34th NE, RDG has not shared any new information on the package to be presented at the Design Review Board meeting on February 3rd. There is, however, a *large* file from their August 2012 meeting that is still available. Their preferred “Option 3” gained support from the board at that time, so we can expect to see more about this “double l” design at the February 3rd, 2014 meeting.
The properties around Roosevelt High School have been in the news recently, and the RBCA and the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) will be working with the City to ensure that the more than $2 million dollars of fines get put to good use. This will be on our agenda for our February 4th board meeting at Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 7-8:45 P.M.
After the November 14th hit-and- run on NE 55th, the RBCA board asked the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to come to our December 2013 board meeting to discuss traffic speed and volumes, as well as pedestrian crossings, along NE 55th.
SDOT has agreed to conduct a speed and traffic volume evaluation along NE 55th sometime in January 2014. Should 85% or more of the vehicles travel more than 5-7 mph over the 30 mph limit, traffic calming measures *might* be installed (such as speed cushions). A trailer with a speed radar sign will be on NE 55th at some point its January, as well, so that drivers’ can be conscious of exactly how fast they do travel up and down this corridor.
In addition to the traffic volume and speed, the City will also be looking at the number of pedestrians that cross NE 55th on a daily basis, especially at 27th NE and 30th NE. Should the numbers warrant it, crosswalks might be installed there, but SDOT warned us that crosswalks provide s false sense of security for pedestrians and are not always useful in preventing the kind of incident that happened to our neighbor in November. Regardless, pulling the parking back from the corners at 27th and 30th seems likely.
Check back on our website (or follow us on Facebook or Twitter) for the results from the traffic study.
** UPDATE The file for the Early Design Guidance meeting on Monday January 13th can be seen here. It’s an enormous file, so start the download and then go give the dog a bath.**
*UPDATE: A Notice of Revised Streamlined Design Review has been released, and the comment period for the townhome portion of this project has been extended to January 15th, 2014.*
Polygon Homes, and Johnston Architects, are preparing for the Early Design Guidance Meeting (January 13th, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. University Heights room 209) for their project along NE 65th between 32nd and 34th Avenue NE. You can read more about the sale of the Children’s Home Society here and here and read the Notice of Early Design Guidance here.
Preliminary Sketches of the Single Family homes, to be located on NE 68th.
RBCA has been provided with preliminary images for all three portions of this project, as seen above. Here are the Concept Images for “Bryant Heights”
The EDG meeting on January 13th 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at University Heights room 209 will be a great opportunity for community members to learn more about *just* the NC1-30 portion of the project along NE 65th. The City of Seattle’s design review process for new commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects can be seen here . A different review process is involved for the LR2 townhome portion of the project. You can learn more about that process here There is no formal design review process for the 14 single family homes on the north side of the property, but Polygon has said they are “working on the houses to make sure the houses fit contextually both in the neighborhood and within the overall block.”
Residents within 300 feet of the site recently received notices from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) about the “Streamlined Design Review process” for the townhomes. Townhomes, zoned LR2, do not go through as rigorous a process as the commercial portion of the project , but do still have a design review process. DPD sent notices to residents within 300 feet of the project notifying them of the commencement of the streamlined process, but incorrectly used the address for the single family portion of the site (the default address for the entire project). The RBCA Land Use Committee notified Polygon, and DPD will be reissuing the notices for the LR2 (townhome) portion of the site. It is not clear if this will affect the timeline for this portion of the project. Again, you can learn more about the Streamlined Design Review process here .
You can see the Bryant Heights Preliminary Project Schedule here. Polygon aims to complete the entire project by early Summer 2016, with Master Use Permits for the commercial/condo part of the project along NE 65th and townhome portion along 34th Avenue NE in hand by the end of 2014. Demolition of the single family homes along NE 68th may happen by the 3rd quarter of 2014, and the developer would like to install underground power for the single family homes before the construction of the commercial and townhome portions are started. Check back with ravennabryant.org, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter, to receive updates.
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.
