Quick Three-Question Survey of Eastlake Residents About Preserving Fairview

The Eastlake Community Council would like to gauge your level of interest in preserving Fairview Avenue East's current pedestrian orientation and other unique qualities. Three questions follow a short three-paragraph intro about why Fairview matters. It will take less than 5 minutes to complete. Please complete by 5 p.m., April 21.

Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/cJEK5bUuEstZxSUB6

The Seattle Department of Transportation has started implementation of their changes to on-street parking near Eastlake Ave E. You can follow the final plan and updates here: https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/permits-and-services/permits/parking-permits/rpz-current-and-past-changes#eastlake

See the final plan document here: https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/SDOT/ParkingProgram/rpz/RPZ8_Eastlake_Decision_Folded_Mailer_fn.pdf

The Eastlake News Spring Edition for 2024 has arrived: read it here.

If you’d like to check out any other editions of the Eastlake News (going back to the 70s!) check out our Eastlake News archive page.

The Rapid Ride transit project for Eastlake has been approved for federal funding, as reported by the Seattle Times. Eastlake Community Council President Shane Hope says that ECC will continue working with local agencies and partners to help the project best serve the neighborhood.

To read more: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/feds-award-64-million-to-start-new-rapidride-bus-project-in-seattle/

Upcoming Park Improvement Meetings

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Eastlake Community Council are improving public access and shoreline habitat at the E Martin St shoreline street end, also known as “Good Turn Park”, located at 3201 Fairview Ave E. This site is a part of SDOT’s Shoreline Street Ends Program, which aims to enhance public access to shorelines at over 140 locations where Seattle streets end at water bodies.

Improvements at Good Turn Park will focus on stormwater management, improving ADA accessibility, providing seating, and enhancing public access to the water. Construction is scheduled for the fall of 2024.

Please join us at our upcoming open house events:

• Online Open House
  Tuesday, January 24, 2024
  6:00PM – 7:00PM
  Join the meeting using Microsoft Teams and this link: http://tinyurl.com/Goodturnpark

• In-person Open House
  Pocock Rowing Center
  3320 Fuhrman Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102
  Thursday, January 25, 2024
  6:45PM – 7:45PM

Park Location: Good Turn Park, 3201 Fairview Ave E

To request accessibility accommodations or for more information on this project contact: Omar Akkari, PLA, Shoreline Street Ends Program Coordinator Omar.Akkari@seattle.gov 206-233-5114

For more information about the shoreline street ends program please visit: www.seattle.gov/transportation/stuse_stends.htm

Eastlake Emergency Communications Hub Invitation
Virtual Disaster Preparedness Classes

Jan 10 - Feb 21
Wednesday Evenings from 7 pm – 7:30 pm

A series of 30-minute classes (2 topics each) breaks down preparedness into manageable steps. Increase your peace-of-mind by starting 2024 better prepared. The classes are free, held via zoom and take place on Wednesday evenings from 7pm to 7:30pm. The schedule is below and you can register here (https://signup.com/go/PPUBXVt).

• Jan 10: Seattle's hazards and why we prepare -and- What are the odds of a big earthquake?

• Jan 17: What to do when the earth shakes -and- Smartphone apps to download now

• Jan 24: Water and what you need to know -and- Power outage lights

• Jan 31: Managing utilities after a disaster -and- Sanitation

• Feb 7: Communicating after a quake -and- Early earthquake warning system

• Feb 14: Making a Plan -and- Building a "Get Home" bag

• Feb 21: Working with Neighbors -and- Organizing with Community

If you want additional information contact Eastlake.hub@gmail.com

The Eastlake News Winter Edition for 2023 has arrived: read it here.

If you’d like to check out any other editions of the Eastlake News (going back to the 70s!) check out our Eastlake News archive page.

As we enter the final stretch of 2023, it is time to become a member or renew your existing ECC membership for 2024! We have sent out emails to everybody, but in case you missed it or are not yet a member, you can become one here:

Join, Donate, or Volunteer in 2024!

From our Membership Coordinator, Peter Haley:

Hello! I'm optimistic that 2024 might be a good year.

The pandemic is mostly over, and we still have the privilege of living in Eastlake. Cozy, slightly funky, scenic, and wonderfully accessible Eastlake.

What do we want for 2024? Getting out and about more? Less mess in our parks, sidewalks and shoreline?

This we can do. So please help the neighborhood stay active and connected by becoming member in the Eastlake Community Council.

Join, Donate, or Volunteer in 2024!

If you do that, the ECC will uphold our end of the bargain by keeping you in-the-know as we publish and deliver the Eastlake News with its affordable advertising space for our local businesses.

And we'll continue to create online content:

• Eastlake Community Council

• News Blog

• Facebook

Last year we took the lead in keeping Eastlake undivided by the city council redistricting process, we initiated a multi-year rehabilitation of Good Turn Park, we put on the Summer Sounds concert, and we made our section of town better in other ways.

With you joining us we'll continue to stay on top of Rapid Ride J Line and the Fairview Green Street designation, we'll mount neighborhood clean-ups, and organize some fun stuff, too.

Memberships are $35 for individuals, $75 for businesses, and $10 for senior/student/low income.

And there's another option: Group Registration. Those living in condos, houseboat moorages and apartments can join the ECC en masse. It's easier than everyone joining singly.

If that might work for you and your close neighbors, call me for the details.

Thanks for caring about Eastlake and making it a great place to live, work, and play! 

Peter Haley
ECC Membership Coordinator
206-713-5115

WSDOT will construct a noise wall along I5 from East Edgar Street to East Gwinn Place beginning this Fall.

Note that although the posting says construction will begin in Summer of 2023 it will begin in Fall of 2023.

See the WSDOT link for details.

We will be updating as more information is available. 

The Eastlake News Fall Edition for 2023 has arrived: read it here.

If you’d like to check out any other editions of the Eastlake News (going back to the 70s!) check out our Eastlake News archive page.

Click here to read this letter in PDF format.

Eastlake Community Council
117 E. Louisa #1
Seattle, WA 98102-3203

August 14, 2023

Mayor Bruce Harrell
600 4th Ave, Seattle, WA, 7th Floor
Seattle, WA, 98104 

CC:
Seattle City Council
Susan Fletcher, Acting Administrator, FTA, Region 10
Greg Spotts, Director, SDOT
Jenifer Chao, Director, DON
Rico Quirindongo, Director, OPCD
Lyle Bicknell, Urban Planner, OPCD
Adiam Emery, Deputy Mayor
Girmay Zahilav, King County Council
Rachel Berkson, Deputy Chief of Staff, Pramila Jayapal

Re: Rapid Ride J Line – For Equity, relocate redundant J line dollars to South Seattle

Dear Mayor Harrell:

I am writing to you on behalf of the Eastlake Community Council to ask that you redirect the federal funding for the RR-J line to another more appropriate project in Seattle that would address fairness and equity.

We appreciate the effort that the RR-J team has made over the last few years.  They have provided current information as it became available and worked collaboratively with us to address pedestrian and cyclist safety, negative impact on neighborhood businesses and the elimination of parking on Eastlake Ave.  There have been revisions, compromises and adjustments.  CM Pedersen, Transportation Chair, has been part of several of our meetings.  Ultimately, the use of funds to build a project that is outdated and inappropriate for Eastlake Ave. is simply not a wise use of public funds.  We understand that SDOT has limited power to reverse a decision by a previous administration.  We need your support to reverse this now redundant project.

Specifically, the project is misaligned with both City and community goals in a number of significant ways:

1. The data which drove the Rapid Ride J line project is out of date. The opening of light rail at Roosevelt and the University District to downtown significantly affected commuting options.  The Covid pandemic altered commuting patterns to downtown that we continue to assess.  Those wanting fast service to downtown will choose light rail. There is uncertainty with the longevity of any transportation system so providing one with flexibility is important. The hardscape construction of the RR-J is expensive and leaves little room for adaptation.
   The proposed design radically contradicts the recommended principles of neighborhood street design as documented in the City of Seattle ROW manual, and the goals for the Eastlake Urban Village as outlined in its neighborhood plan and the City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan, introducing changes that would negatively impact our neighborhood business district.

2. The safety of cyclists on a narrow street shared with Rapid Ride that also has turn lanes to support on and off access to I5 and several buildings with turn-in parking mid-block is a major concern. During peak traffic times, safety concerns will multiply and there will be nothing rapid about a Rapid Ride bus on Eastlake Ave.

3. From an equity standpoint, Federal resources which have been allocated to this project would be better used in neighborhoods which are not as well-served by existing transit resources. This would be consistent with King County’s equitable decision to focus on other rapid lines in the region.

To elaborate:

The Rapid Ride J line project requires a comprehensive reassessment of its premises and objectives. The cost-benefit analysis which justified this project was completed prior to the opening of the Roosevelt and University District light rail stations in 2021 and the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first altered commuting options permanently and the second presented another reason for flexibility.

Furthermore, the proposed design violates several key principles that drive the street design goals illustrated in the City of Seattle Right of Way (ROW) manual. It is deeply concerning that the Rapid Ride J line project seeks a deviation that would shrink the width of the sidewalks adjacent to some proposed stations to less than 7.5 feet, which is below minimum standards for any city street, let alone a neighborhood main street. This falls significantly below the city code requirement of 12 feet. [1][2][3] Note that this deviation also entails removing many existing mature street trees at a time when council has passed a new ordinance to protect our tree canopy.

By compromising our pedestrian space, we risk limiting the accessibility and safety of pedestrians, particularly those with mobility challenges or individuals who rely on strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility aids.  In addition, our local businesses rely heavily on pedestrian infrastructure for their success and such a deviation would be a fatal blow to many of our longest-tenured and most-loved businesses in Eastlake.

The following diagram shows SDOT’s proposed RR-J design at Eastlake Avenue and Lynn Street, which is effectively the “Main & Main” of the Eastlake Urban Village. The shadowed outlines show where existing curb lines and trees would be removed.  Please compare this to the next diagram which shows the City’s own recommended design for Urban Village Main Streets.  This design accommodates both bike lanes and bus service, while maintaining street trees, adequate sidewalks, seating areas for small business as well as loading and parking in some locations.

Eastlake Avenue is designated an Urban Village Main Street with minimum widths of 6’ for the pedestrian clear zone and 6’ for the landscape/furniture zone (6’ + 6’ = 12’ minimum) as depicted above.  The Rapid Ride J project requires a reduction to 8.5’ combined for these two zones. (Source: Seattle Right-Of-Way Improvements Manual)

Additionally, we believe that the project's current design is misaligned with the City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan which recognizes Eastlake’s status as a historically established neighborhood and an urban village and calls for Eastlake to “increase the development of neighborhood-serving businesses at street-level”. The Eastlake Community Council is currently working with OPCD to further clarify and elaborate on this goal to create the best possible environment for pedestrian-oriented small business. To be clear, Eastlake would welcome protected bicycle lanes and more frequent headways on the #70 bus line, to the extent achievable with our current infrastructure, but not if it comes at an existential cost to our small businesses and our pedestrian environment. To summarize this point, a cycle thoroughfare and a bus rapid transit line don't belong in the same urban village main street because they simply don't fit, and the deviant design is a result of this basic fact.

What we do need is a resurfaced Eastlake Ave. and a 50 year old water line replaced. We need safe bike lanes and an efficient bus service which the current #70 provides.

Lastly, we question the allocation of budgetary resources to the Rapid Ride J line project, particularly in relation to considerations of need, fairness and equity. Our neighborhood is being asked to accept a questionable design and now unnecessary Rapid Ride project while many neighborhoods are in need of more adequate transit service and federal funding to close their budget gaps. We urge SDOT, in collaboration with the Federal Transit Authority, to explore alternative uses of the Rapid Ride J funds that could address pressing equity concerns in less advantaged areas of Seattle, and/or fill the gap on projects that would help to revitalize downtown.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and would welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns further. We have more than fulfilled our obligations pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan by adding substantial housing density to the Eastlake neighborhood. With the Rapid Ride J line project, the City is reneging on its obligations to us for all the above-mentioned reasons. The Eastlake Community Council stands ready to collaborate with the City and SDOT to ensure that any transportation project in our community upholds the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and equity.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Detra Segar
President, Eastlake Community Council

[1] “2.8 Urban Village Main,” Seattle Right-of-Way Improvements Manual, Seattle.gov.

[2] “Seattle Roadway Classification,” City of Seattle GIS.

[3] “Street Type Standards,” Seattle Right-of-Way Improvements Manual, Seattle.gov.

Survey Deadline: August 18, 2023

The City of Seattle Department of Transportation is conducting a planning study for the University Bridge. They are requesting survey feedback from the community.

• Click here for more information on the planning study

• Click here to go directly to the survey

This summer the East Howe Steps Plaza (EHSP), which is located at the Howe Street End and Fairview Ave E, just south of 1910 Fairview Ave E, was opened. We are pleased that this plaza and the first leg of the stair climb are being enjoyed by many Eastlake residents and visitors.

The agreement with the city is that this space is available for public events 12 times a year. To hold an event you must request a permit through the city and notify the building that is maintaining it.

Please visit the ECC website at to find instructions on how to request an permit for event use for the EHSP: https://www.eastlakeseattle.org/land-use (or you can visit the website and navigate to Resources > Land Use).

The Seattle Park’s Department has announced that they will be resurfacing Rogers Playground over the summer. The anticipated closure is the week of July 2 with reopening on Sept 5.

During this time period, the tennis courts, restrooms and kids’ play area will be available. However, the baseball field and large lawn will be fenced off and signs posted.

A reminder that the neighborhood has an off-leash dog area at The Colonnade.

Updated information on Rogers Field Renovation

• Week of July 3: Fencing and staging/delivery of Materials (Holiday week)

• Week of July 10: Heavy Equipment will spread the new soil, compact it as needed, and seed; district gardener will set irrigation schedule appropriate for new growth

• Week of July 17- September 3: Rest and rehabilitation period to allow new growth to establish

• Week of September 4-5: Breakdown and Remove fencing for start of School

Due to off-leash dog damage and irrigation challenges, Seattle Parks and Recreation is undergoing a significant grass rehabilitation and regrowth project at Rogers Playground this summer. The grass area will be fenced off beginning the week of July 3rd, and crews will distribute new soil and seed across the playfield. The children’s playground and the bathrooms will remain open during this project. The intent of this project is to provide a safer playing surface for the kids of the adjacent school, and community user groups that rent the field for practices and games. We kindly ask that neighborhood dog owners utilize the nearest designated off-leash dog park moving forward, so the grass improvements made by way of this project are not quickly undone. As a reminder, dogs are not allowed on SPR athletic playfields, as dogs can damage the field, making unsafe playing conditions for those that use the field for its intended use.

The Eastlake News Summer Edition for 2023 has arrived: read it here.

If you’d like to check out any other editions of the Eastlake News (going back to the 70s!) check out our Eastlake News archive page.