Monthly Archive for August, 2010

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Sidewalk improvements for Safe Routes to School

August 18, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 10:46 am - Closed

SDOT is adding sidewalks or otherwise encouraging kids to walk to school at 5 elementary schools this summer. The schools include:

B. F. Day Elementary in Fremont
Roxhill Elementary near White Center
Olympic Hills Elementary in Olympic Hills in North Seattle
Dearborn Park Elementary in Rainier Valley
Thurgood Marshall Elementary in Judkins Park near I-90

The Safe Routes to School program is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative. The program works closely with school staff, students and parents to identify barriers and solutions to make walking and biking safer and more accessible.

Over the past three years, the Safe Routes to School Program has made improvements at 14 schools across the city. … Over the life of the nine-year levy, SDOT anticipates making improvements at 30 schools across the city as part of the program.

Closed. Tags: construction, Fremont, Judkins Park, North Seattle, Olympic Hills, Rainier Valley, Roxhill, Safe Routes to School, SDOT, sidewalks, South Seattle, West Seattle, White Center. improvements

New green street: Terry Avenue

August 17, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 8:32 pm - Closed

SDOT is transforming a one-block-long section of Terry Avenue in the Denny Triangle into a green street.

SDOT will narrow the roadway and remove 35 on-street parking spaces, replacing them with landscaping (including 13 trees) and wider sidewalks. Three granite slab benches will be added. The total cost is approximately $500,000, funded primarily by a Federal Transit Administration grant with additional money from local grants.

The street has not been very heavily used by pedestrians or by vehicle traffic. It’s not a particularly enjoyable street to walk along, though this project won’t do anything about the poor streetscape created by the buildings on this block. Still, it’s nice to see another street made more pleasant for walking on.

Closed. Tags: construction, Denny Triangle, green street, SDOT, sidewalks, South Lake Union, urban. improvements

Testing another way to repair sidewalks

August 16, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 12:38 pm - Closed

SDOT is testing a different method for repairing sidewalks in a sample area in Capitol Hill. Capitol Hill Seattle interviews SDOT for details on this process:

The work on Broadway near Roy is a trial effort for repairing sidewalks. Instead of using asphalt to fill gaps, this approach sawcuts lifted areas of concrete using a patented process. The approach could allow us to create walkway fixes that looks great and meet ADA standards for walkways.

We are testing it as a technique for sidewalk repair on three blocks on Broadway and will determine if it is a cost effective solution for maintaining walkways.

It’s good to see that different ideas are being explored in order to bring us pedestrians safer and smoother sidewalks. Visit Capitol Hill Seattle for photos.

Closed. Tags: construction, SDOT, sidewalks. improvements

Sheraton streetscape makeover

August 14, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 10:55 am - Closed

The Puget Sound Business Journal reports on a revamp of one of the most bland and uninspired streetscapes in the city:

The Sheraton Seattle will spend $2 million to build a landscaped pedestrian walkway at its downtown hotel location.

Sheraton officials said the “Garden Walk” will be built along Seventh Avenue and will include vine-covered walls, large mirrors, water features and sculptures. Construction will begin Aug. 14 and is expected to be completed by spring 2011.

The building currently affronts the street with a block-long white wall, so this revitalized streetscape sounds like a big improvement. SeattleScape has some cynicism, however, about the sustainability of this garden walk.

Again, actual street-level tenant space, with doors and windows, could last the lifetime of the building with a changing array of establishments naturally responding to their street-level location with appropriate displays and accessibility. Yet the placement of mirrors seems so impermanent. Does the Sheraton Hotel management really intend to maintain and likely replace those mirrors essentially ad perptuum?

Even if the answer is no, doing something to upgrade the streetscape is better than nothing.

Closed. Tags: downtown, streetscape. improvements

Ballard bridge sidewalk closed for painting

August 13, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 3:55 pm - Closed

Sidewalks on the Ballard Bridge will be closed over the next several weeks as work is done to repair and paint the handrails.

The sidewalk on the east side of the bridge is now closed through August 30th. On August 31, or shortly thereafter, the sidewalk on the west side will close for three weeks. The sidewalks will be closed around the clock, Monday through Friday, and will reopen for weekends.

The public stairway is partially closed. Access to the west sidewalk is open, but access to the east sidewalk is closed. This situation will reverse when the contractor moves the handrail painting to the west side of the bridge.

Detour signs direct pedestrians to the side not being painted.

Bicyclists are encouraged to use one of the alternate detour routes being provided; either the Ballard Locks or the Fremont Bridge. Alternately, if using a detour route is a hardship, bicyclists may use the sidewalk not being painted. However, due to the narrowness of the sidewalks and the contra-flow bike traffic, bicyclists will be required to dismount and walk their bikes across the bridge.

Closed. Tags: Ballard, bridge, sidewalk. construction

More Ballard ped improvements

August 13, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 6:48 am - Closed

Ballard is getting another improvement to its pedestrian experience.

View Larger Map

SDOT’s crews will install a curb between NW 56th and 57th on both sides of the street and the one-half block just south of 56th Street on the eastside of the street. The curb will provide a better walking environment by creating a buffer between the sidewalk and the street, and will provide a protected area for landscaping by preventing cars from parking on the planting strip area. This fall, trees will be planted on both sides of the street.

Closed. Tags: Ballard, curb bulb, safety, SDOT, sidewalks. improvements

Smoother sidewalks on Rizal Bridge

August 12, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:48 pm - Closed

The Jose B Rizal bridge, which links Beacon Hill to the International District, has been made over to help extend the life of the bridge. The SDOT Blog profiles this project:

The extensive rehabilitation project included repairing concrete spallings on the bridge deck; installing a new sidewalk concrete overlay; repairing and sealing cracks in the concrete; and repairing or replacing deteriorating expansion joints and a concrete girder. This critical work will extend the life of the bridge for many decades to come.

Photos on the SDOT blog show the smooth new sidewalk.

Closed. Tags: Beacon Hill, bridge, International District, SDOT, sidewalk. improvements

Greenwood/Phinney Summer Streets

August 11, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 4:49 pm - Closed

This Friday, August 13 from 6-9, Greenwood/Phinney Avenues are open to people:

On Friday, August 13 Greenwood Avenue/Phinney Avenue from N 87th Street to N 65th Street is being opened up from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Greenwood/Phinney Chamber of Commerce has partnered with us to make this a great event.

It’s everybody’s street. Imagine the possibilities. This event is being held during the monthly Art Up Art Walk. Come out and enjoy great food, mingle with your neighbors, look at great art and support local businesses. The Gumshoe 5K starts the same day and Seattle Children’s is sponsoring a kid’s obstacle course and there will be skateboard demos with free helmet give-aways. Everyone is invited.

Additionally, Mayor McGinn will be giving out prizes from the Walk Bike Ride challenge at the intersection of 74th Street and Greenwood Avenue.

Closed. Tags: Greenwood, Phinney Ridge, Walk Bike Ride. events

Walk & Talk with Councilmember Rasmussen

August 10, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 9:21 pm - Closed

Feet First, the Seattle walkability advocacy organization, is hosting a walk and talk with City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen in West Seattle.

Take a short walk (1.5miles) and learn how walking and transit are becoming a key part of supporting health, economy, and vivrancy of this area. Thie ‘Triangle’ is in the heart of the West Seattle peninsula and soon will be home to West Seattle’s first Bus Rapid Ride network.

Find out how the City of Seattle is creating a more pedestrian friendly future, which retains locally-owned small businesses. Senior Planner, Susan McLain from the Department of Planning and Development will be on hand to answer your questions.

Enjoy meeting and chatting with new people and also browsing small local businesses along California Ave SW! The Walk & Talk will end with an evening deck reception overlooking the Puget Sound at a local sustainable urban farm in West Seattle.

The event is on Tuesday, August 31, at 6 pm and there is a cost of $15 for non-members ($10 for members).

You can RSVP via the facebook invitation.

Closed. Tags: City Council, organization, West Seattle. events

Wedgwood Rock Walk

August 9, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:12 am - Closed

This Tuesday evening, there will be a walking tour of Wedgwood – specifically a “rock walk”. From the Wedgwood View:

An upcoming walk promises to reveal some of Wedgwood’s hidden pedestrian staircases. A one hour “Rock Walk” takes place next Tuesday, August 10 showcasing unique gems of Wedgwood including Dahl Park and those hidden staircases. The walk be led by Feet First Walking Ambassador Joan Burton. Wedgwood Historian Valarie Bunn will also be at the Wedgwood Rock to talk about its history. You’re asked to meet at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center at 6:00pm.

The walk will also stop at the Picardo P-Patch.

Closed. Tags: walking tour, Wedgwood. events