Council to reject funding for Walk Bike Ride

November 6, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 11:38 am - 1 Comment

The mayor’s proposed budget, which includes funding for pedestrian projects through additional parking fees and taxes, is being reworked by the City Council. PubliCola covered the council’s discussion and decisions to reject funding for these projects.

The council agreed to raise parking rates, but not as high as the mayor had requested, and without parking fees on Sunday. The council also agreed to raise the commercial parking tax, but not nearly as high as the mayor had requested. The decisions by the council were not unanimous and some council members fought for maintaining the Walk Bike Ride program funding in the budget:

“If we accept these cuts, we will be pushing back [the pedestrian and bike master plans] even further,” Licata said. “I would encourage council members to think again about whether the [parking tax] could be nudged up a bit to take into account some of these really pressing needs.” O’Brien added that viewed in the context of a $300 million-plus transportation budget, the $20 million proposed for pedestrian and biking programs “is really just a drop in the bucket. … It’s hard to tell the public that these are our top priorities.”

After the council agreed to cut the commercial parking tax, the mayor released a list of projects that would have to be cut. Funding for the pedestrian master plan would be totally cut, as well as for the complete streets program, and red light cameras, along with numerous other transportation projects and services.

Share
1 Comment. Tags: , , , . politics

Neighborhood Walk & Talk this Saturday

November 4, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 10:59 am - Closed

Feet First is conducting a neighborhood walk & talk this Saturday in Laurelhurst

We’ll provide the maps, clipboards and cameras all you need to bring are your ideas. You are only limited by your own creativity!

Seattle Children’s Hospital has designated $2 million towards bike and pedestrian projects; it’s your turn to weigh in on the projects and ideas. This is a family event…all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend this audit.

This two-hour walk and talk from 10am to 12pm will explore proposed new pedestrian signals that are designed to make it easier to access the Burke-Gilman.

We’ll take a look at necessary signage to go by foot easier and physical to around Seattle Children’s and new curb ramp improvements. We’ll also take a look at the new configuration to reduce the number of crashes at 25th and Blakeley Street.

Your pictures, ideas, recommendations will be shared at the Livable Streets Workshop on November 13th. More details about that event here.

Neighborhood Walk & Talk
Saturday, November 6, 2010
10am-12pm
Meet at the “Giraffe” Entrance at Seattle Children’s at 4800 Sand Point Way NE

If you would like to be a part of this Walk & Talk, please contact:

Lisa Quinn
Feet First
lisa@feetfirst.info
206-652-2310

Share
Closed. Tags: , , , . events

Help SDOT decide how to spread the word about safety

November 3, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:13 am - 1 Comment

From SDOT:

With the onset of winter weather, vehicle and pedestrian collisions are at their highest, so it’s important to make drivers and walkers more aware of their surroundings. This holiday season, the Seattle Department of Transportation is looking to raise awareness and greatly reduce the number of vehicle and pedestrian collisions with its Center City Pedestrian Safety Campaign. Take a short survey and help us figure out the best way to spread the word.

The survey questions are largely about last year’s campaign (which I don’t recall). But even if you don’t remember, you can still offer your feedback to guide this year’s Center City Holiday Pedestrian Safety Campaign.

Share
1 Comment. Tags: , . events

Driver who struck five people in SoDo was 4x over legal limit

November 2, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 10:16 am - Closed

From the Seattle Times:

A West Seattle woman had a blood-alcohol level nearly four times the legal limit when she drove her pickup into five pedestrians Thursday night outside Seattle’s Showbox SoDo, police said.

Juanita Wright, 43, also known as Juanita Carpenter and Juanita Mars, was arrested after police say she struck a group of people in the 1700 block of First Avenue South before 11 p.m. The victims had just left the nightclub.

Four of the victims were hospitalized after the crash. On Monday, two remained in serious condition in the intensive-care unit at Harborview Medical Center, and a third was listed in satisfactory condition, said Susan Gregg-Hanson, Harborview spokeswoman.

One of the injured pedestrians has been released from the hospital, Gregg-Hanson said.

Wright told police that the pedestrians crossed in front of her pickup, and she agreed to take a field sobriety test, police booking paperwork said. Wright’s blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.30 percent, police said, well above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Wright consulted with a lawyer and was briefly hospitalized, police said. According to the police booking report, Wright is an unemployed teacher.

Wright is being held in King County Jail for investigation of vehicular assault in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Share
Closed. Tags: , . information

Mobility planning kickoff

November 2, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:01 am - Closed

Neighbohood groups in South Lake Union and Lower Queen Anne are holding a mobility planning kickoff meeting this Thursday. The mobility plan will integrate the various studies and current projects in these areas to create an overall transportation plan.

Join Mayor Mike McGinn, City Council Transportation Chair Tom Rasmussen & City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw at the Kick-Off Open House for the SLU and Uptown Queen Anne Mobility Plan, Thursday Nov. 4; Seattle Center Northwest Rooms, 4:30 p.m.

The organizers are seeking input from the community on connecting the two neighborhoods, planning for a multi-modal transportation system and growing the transit options, as well as enhancing the street experience. You can find more and RSVP at the meeting’s facebook page.

There will also be an opportunity to review and comment on the Thomas Street green street proposal. Here’s an editorial from Publicola on the deficiencies in the design of the green street.

Share
Closed. Tags: , , , . events

Improvements at 1st Ave S & S Massachusetts St

November 1, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:10 am - Closed

In preparation for the replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, SDOT is upgrading the intersection between 1st Ave S & S Massachusetts Street. This is near the Showbox SoDo where 5 pedestrians were struck last Thursday night.


View Larger Map

This work includes restoring the sidewalk and installing pedestrian signal poles. During construction, there will be some sidewalk closures and detours for walkers in the area. The project is expected to be substantially complete by November 15.

Share
Closed. Tags: , , . construction

Walk & Talk with Nick Licata in Yesler Terrace

October 31, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 11:19 am - Closed

Feet First is hosting another Walk & Talk, this time with council member Nick Licata in the neighborhood of Yesler Terrace.

Community leaders will lead a short walk, stopping at three locations to illustrate Yesler Terrace’s future redevelopment opportunities, specifically with regard to walkability, connectivity and access to area amenities.

Feet First Walk & Talk events are designed to showcase area redevelopment that incorporates features to promote walking and to make people more aware of the importance of walkable communities.

Walk & Talk participants will have the unique opportunity to learn how the Yesler Terrace neighborhood will be transformed into a more walkable and livable area. The walk will end with a reception.

Tickets are $10 for members or $15 for non-members. Sign-in begins this Tuesday at 5 pm at the Yesler Community Center at 917 E Yesler Way and the walk will last from 5:30 to 6:30 with a reception afterward.

Share
Closed. Tags: , . events

Five People hit crossing 1st Ave S

October 29, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 1:33 pm - Closed

A group of five people who were leaving a show at the Showbox SoDo at 1st Ave S near S Massachusetts St were struck by an impaired driver last night. There is coverage of the incident here, here, here, and here. 1 person is still in critical condition. It’s unclear whether the pedestrians were crossing along the unmarked crosswalk, however SDOT is currently doing a project to upgrade the intersection in this area.

Share
Closed. Tags: . pedestrian collision

The longest walk

October 29, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 7:11 am - 4 Comments

[poll id=”3″]

Share
4 Comments. Tags: . blog

Keep your sidewalks walkable

October 28, 2010: published by Troy Heerwagen at 6:55 am - Closed

Property owners, take note – a tip from this month’s Way to Go newsletter:

Nearly everyone, regardless of age or ability, is a potential sidewalk user. Did you know that Seattle property owners have the responsibility to keep the “Walkable Zone” on the sidewalk near their property clear? Think of the Walkable Zone as a box six feet wide by eight feet tall that extends all the way down the sidewalk. Property owners are responsible to keep the Walkable Zone free of obstacles such as parked cars, recycling bins, plants, ice and leaf litter, and to fix cracks in sidewalks along their property. By keeping this area clear and maintained, we can all help to make Seattle America’s most walkable city.

Share
Closed. Tags: , , , . issues