Link to PDF Version of Broaderview
Sustainability, Community, and Gross National Happiness
September 21 Broadview
Community Council Meeting
Cecile Andrews, author ofLess Is More,Slow Is Beautiful,Circle of Simplicity, and active in Sustainable Greenwood Phinney, will speak.
Many Broadview residents are interested in sustainability. Our speaker will share her knowledge and experience.
Come and learn more!
Sept. 13 Bitter Lake P-Patch Community Design Workshop 7 PM Compare, rank and refine alternative designs. Luther Memorial Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave. N. Information 206-615-1787.
Sept. 16 Broadview Historical Society 12:30 PM Broadview Library, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N. Information 206-363-7295.
Sept. 18 4Annual Festival of Fruit at Carkeek Park 10 AM 2 PM. 950 NW Carkeek Park Road. Information 206-684-0877 or www.pipersorchard.org
Sept. 21 Broadview Community Council Social Time at 6:00 PM, meeting starts at 6:30 PM Luther Memorial Church. Information 206-362-2980.
Sept. 24, 25, 26 Bite of Broadview Live music, food, carnival rides, crafts,kid zone. 9/24 4-10 PM, 9/25 10 AM -10 PM, 9/26 10 AM 4 PM. Christ the King Catholic hurch, 405 N 117 St. Information 206-362-1545.
Sept. 27 Carkeek Park Advisory Council, 7 9 PM, Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Road. Information 206-684-0877.
Oct. 7, Haller Lake Community Club Candidates Night 7 PM, Meet the candidates for public office. 12579 Densmore Ave. N. Information 206-226-5679.
Parks Levy Update
Starting in February a team of Broadview Community Council members has been working toward obtaining Parks Levy Opportunity Funds for enhancing our open space around the Bitter Lake Reservoir. Because of the significantly increased density in the Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village, we consider it important to get some useable amenities installed for the benefit of those living in the newly developed high rise apartments and condominiums in this area. We are asking for development of a basketball hoop area, a skatedot, an improved plaza area with appropriate outdoor seating, and the P-patch that is underway due to support from the Department of Neighborhoods.
Board member Pat McCoy has been our contact person with City government on this project and has monitored its progress through the process within the City's Department of Parks and Recreation. She has attended all Oversight Committee meetings since proposal submission.
An Open House was held a few months ago and our team developed information and presented it to members of the Parks Levy Oversight Committee. We especially are asking for re-evaluation in that the analysts didn't award points for our Bitter Lake Hub Urban Village being considered an "underserved community." We continue to argue that it is indeed underserved in terms of providing activity space for residents, especially those across the street from the Reservoir--the 474 Tressa apartments.
At its July 26 meeting, members of the Oversight Committee voted to include a visit to our site along with the list of sites that were recommended for funding by the Parks and Recreation staff. During September there will be two van tours, on September 11 and September 25 at which time Oversight Committee members can see where we are proposing that these amenities be added. In the meantime, we are sending a "letter of clarification" to each Oversight Committee member emphasizing what we believe to be a discrepancy in the awarding of points. We hope to gain funding at some point during the extensive approval process which culminates in City Council and Mayoral decisions.
As a side note, the Acquisitions Manager for the Parks Levy is working with Seattle Public Schools and the Department of Planning and Development to acquire additional park space on the northwest corner of Bitter Lake. We don't know the outcome on this project but will continue to monitor it as it moves along.
Aurora Ave. N and N 130 St. Crosswalk
Last year as part of the Aurora Ave. N Traffic Safety Project the City agreed to install a crosswalk on the north side of the intersection at Aurora Ave. N and N 130 St. Currently there is an elevated walk way there, but it is not accessible for those with limited mobility. This forces such pedestrians to cross three ways instead of one, at a noisy, unsafe intersection.
According to Jim Curtin from the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) the work is waiting for Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) approval, since Aurora is a state highway.Once WSDOT has completed review of the plans and accepted the designs, SDOT will start construction of the curb ramps and installation of the pedestrian countdown signals at 130 and Aurora.SDOT expects to hear from WSDOT any day now.
Our Improved Broadview Blog
We invite you to connect to our Broadview neighborhood blog. We have made improvements to our old blog, such as adding a calendar of events, a fresh look, and a new web address. Take a look and subscribe at http://www.broadviewseattle.org/
Many communities in Seattle have developed a blog about local neighborhood topics and events. A community blog is the equivalent of the local coffee shop in a small town, or the water cooler at work a place where people gather to learn what is going on, to comment, to connect. Our goal is to be that vital place for Broadview.
The blog supplements our Community Council newsletter. It has current news added when it happens, unlike the newsletter. We will have a steady flow of news contributions from our contributors, and a calendar of events that will inform you of things going on, including but not limited to civic, school, volunteer and cultural events.
Call for Nominations to BCC Board
Elections for the BCC Board will be held at the end of this year. We are seeking nominations for board positions. If you are interested let one of our board members know (see phone numbers on the first page of the newsletter).
Bitter Lake P-Patch Design Workshops
Landscape Architects, Winterbottom Design Inc., will be facilitating three public workshops to design the garden that best suits our Broadview community. Everyone is welcome, come share ideas and make choices for what your neighborhood needs! (The P-Patch will be part of the Bitter Lake Reservoir Park at N 143rd & Linden Ave. N.)
WHEN:
7 pm, Thursday, Aug. 26th: Idea generation, preferences
7 pm, Monday, Sept. 13th: Compare & rank alternative schematic plans
7 pm, Monday, Sept. 20th: Presentation of final schematic plan
WHERE:
Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, 13047 Greenwood Ave. N, 98133
Interested? Subscribe to the Bitter Lake P-Patch Community Garden LISTSERV or contact Laura Raymond at the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods [Laura.Raymond@seattle.gov or 206-615-1787] to be included in the e-mail discussion and/or add your name to the waiting list. (Your volunteer hours during planning will get you at the top of the waiting list for a garden plot.)
Coming: New Traffic Signal for Bike Route
The Seattle Department of Transportation will install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Fremont Avenue North and North 105 Street to serve the Interurban North signed bicycle route.Bicyclists and pedestrians on Fremont Avenue North will be allowed to continue straight through the intersection (when the light is green) but vehicles on Fremont Avenue North will be required to turn right or left onto 105 Street. The purpose of the restriction is to prevent excessive cut throughtraffic on Fremont Avenue North.
The Interurban North signed bicycle route connects downtown Seattle to Everett. Similar signalized crossings have already been installed on Fremont Avenue North at North 80 and North 85 streets.
This work is part of SDOTs implementation of the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan and is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in 2006.
Neighborhood Plan Update Update
Members of the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) have been chosen. Subsequent to the group interview process, recommendations were made to the directors of the Department of Neighborhoods (DoN) and the Department of Planning and Development (DPD). The final decision has been made to select Eleven NAC members and three alternates. It was also determined to hold open four NAC memberships and two alternate positions in order to further diversity the committee. The final configuration of the NAC will include 15 seated members and 5 alternates, representing the full breadth of the neighborhoods diversity.
The schedule for the community meeting kick-off has changed. This meeting is now scheduled for spring 2011. In the interest of making effective use of community members' time, we decided to these couple of months to pull together materials and background information. This includes setting up the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) and the Planning Outreach Liaisons (POLs) to help us through the updating process.
In the meantime, people are encouraged to become engaged as this project moves forward. Folks can contact DoN or DPD through the website, (http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Neighborhood_Planning/Overview/), where they can sign up for the listserv or email the project managers. People can also attend upcoming community meetings and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee meetings. Information will be posted on the Facebook site and the website.
Dunn Gardens News
By Sue Nevler, Executive Director
The Dunn Gardens continue to be a lovely historic neighborhood jewel shining in many directions. July brought the first neighborhood Fourth of July parade circling from the gardens through Northshire and Sherman Roads. The "mayor" of Northshire led a band of spirited patriotically bedecked bikers to a traditional picnic and watermelon eating contest. Good fun.
Curators Charles Price and Glenn Withey, featured in a recent Seattle Times article by Val Easton, continue to guide the color in the gardens. This year the curators' cottage has been repainted bringing a fresh look to an aging residence.
Local Ballard beekeeper Corky Luster is bringing hives to the gardens. With bee populations threatened nationally, the gardens hope to build our "green" resources in creative (and tasty) ways. Watch for more information about the "bee patch", and watch the bees help our new local Pea Patch.
The gardens were honored to receive a de-accessioned work of art from the Seattle Art Museum this year. The piece is being restored onsite by artist conservator David Jacobson and will be situated for viewing tied to upcoming 2012 Seattle World Fair celebrations.
Preservation efforts continue in many ways, as the board of trustees look to the historic trees, strive to keep the aging irrigation systems operating, and plan for the replacement of the decrepit garage. To fuel all this activity, fundraising continues, this year with the first offsite fundraiser on Sept. 30th at the Seattle Golf Club. Look to the website www.dunngardens.com for more on this exciting evening featuring Steve Lorton, ex Sunset Magazine Editor; Susan Robinson, jazz singer; and fantastic garden photos by Douglas Houck.
And on another note, June featured the traditional NW Seattle Estate Garden Tour with musicians in each Highlands estate on the tour as well as at the Dunn Garden finish. We are were deeply saddened by the recent tragic death of George Shangrow who brought members of his Orchestra Seattle/ Seattle Chamber Singers to play two years ago on the tour. George played the harpsichord in the Dunn Gardens in one of the most elegantly memorable afternoons we've ever experienced. Sadly, we will remember him well.
The Dunn Gardens continue to shine brightly in our neighborhood. Please lend your support and pay a visit soon. Tours continue through October, with the traditional member thank you Fall Foliage Festival on October 10th, Sunday 2-4pm. For information check the Dunn Gardens website at http://www.dunngardens.org/
Electronic Tolling is Coming to the SR 520 Bridge
In the spring of 2011, all-electronic tolling will begin on the SR 520 Bridge to help pay for the construction of a new, safer bridge. Good To Go! electronic tollinguses technology to keep traffic moving with no toll booths, no stopping, and no slowing down.
Be among the first to sign up for a Good to Go! Pass in mid-January 2011 by joining the interest list at www.goodtogo520.org. Subscribers will also receive regular updates about rates, account options, special offers and customer service resources.
Linden Design Update
On August 20 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) project team for the Linden Avenue N Complete Street project held an open house at the Bitter Lake Community Center to update the community on the latest version of the design for the street improvements. Project manager Connie Zimmerman and project design engineer David Vijarro described changes added to the project based on feedback from the design open house in 2009.
The changes include:
* Placed both bicycle lanes on the east side of the street, buffered from traffic. This is new to Seattle but is used successfully in other cities.
* Added a sidewalk on the west side of Linden between N 128 St. and N 130 St., for better access to the Interurban Trail at N 128 St.
* Added a crosswalk between the Bitter Lake Community Center and the east side of Linden at N 131 St, for access to the stores in the shopping area east of Linden.
* Added a sidewalk on the west side of Linden north of N137th St., for a more direct route than the current sidewalk.
* In addition, the design pictures included more detail about landscaping with street trees, and parking for cars.
Connie Zimmerman explained the funding situation. Currently there is enough funding in the budget to construct the improvements from N 130 St. to N 135 St., approximately $4.8 million. The current project schedule would finish constructing that segment by the end of 2012. Construction of the other segments would depend on when funding became available it is estimated that the cost to construct the remaining blocks would be $7.5 million. During the question and answer period the point was made that right now the 2011-2012 City budget is being put together, and if you want the rest of Linden improvements constructed now is the time to contact the mayor and city council members urging that.
To get up to date information on the project visit http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/linden.htm You can also subscribe to e-mail updates at this site.
Proposed Changes to Tree Ordinance
The Department of Planning and Development is undertaking a comprehensive update of private property tree regulations for the first time since the creation of the Tree Protection code (SMC 25.11) in 2001.More information on the proposal is available at www.seattle.gov/dpd/planning/trees
Several community members, as well as the Seattle Urban Forestry Commission, have objected to certain of the proposed changes. You can read the Commissions letter at http://www.cityofseattle.net/trees/UFcommission.htm
The City of Seattle will be hosting an Urban Forestry Open House. Tuesday, September 21City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room - 600 4th Avenue 5:30-7:30 . The Open House is an opportunity to hear about the Citys efforts to expand and enhance Seattles urban forest, including proposals to revise existing regulations for private property and street trees
Broadview Sewer Study
After the big storm on December 3, 2007 that resulted in sewage backups in many Broadview residents basements Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) did a study of causes and possible solutions to the problem. The final report has now been published on SPUs web site. Here is a link to the study and related documents.
http://www.seattle.gov/util/About_SPU/Drainage_&_Sewer_System/Reports/BroadviewSewerInvestigation/index.htm
Click on the links toward the bottom of the page to go to the study and other documents. Thanks to the members of our Broadview Task Force on Sewer Overflows for commenting on the drafts of the study.
Festival of Fruit at Carkeek Park
Friends of Pipers Orchard,2:00pm. The festival will be held at Carkeek Parks Environmental Learning Center and in Pipers Orchard, weather permitting. See Community Calendar entry for location details.
* Bring an apple pie (or other fruit treat) for the apple pie contest
* Taste the varieties of apples available in the orchard
* Drink freshly made apple cider
* Buy apple pie, cider and other treats
* Learn from Dr. Bob Norton about making hard apple cider
* Visit the displays to learn more about growing your own trees and local organizations
* Bring apples from your trees to determine their variety
* Hear live music
* Tour the 119 year old orchard
*Learn about orchard history, grapes in the orchard, pest management, permaculture
* Kids can enjoy crafts
Proposed Change to Broaderview Schedule
The BCC Board recently discussed how the new Our Broadview Neighborhood blog would relate to the Broaderview newsletter. The blog will have up to date information as it becomes available. The newsletter contains some of the same information but is not as current.
A way to balance the capabilities of the blog and the newsletter would be to send out the newsletter quarterly, with an enlarged number of pages, similar to the 5 pages of content in the current issue of the Broaderview. The content of the newsletter could include some of the posts in the blog.
A change would not be made until 2011. Were interested in your opinion of this proposed change. You can e-mail us at broadview.communitycouncil@gmail.com.