Children’s 70^th & Sand Point Way Building Opening January 2003

Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center will move into its Sand Point Ooffice cCenter located at 70^th and Sand Point Way beginning in January of 2003 property. The new facility will house Children’s staff, fulfilling largely administrative functions, including: human resources, data systems, the hospital foundation, development (should we be more specific about “development”?), education and training, and a daycare for Children’s staff. (should we include daycare for Children’s staff?). The facility will provide one location for Children’s staff who are presently housed off-site at offices in Lake City, and Northgate.

As you have likely seen, the new building is two stories, incorporates brick to reflect the historical Sand Point Magnuson site, and is in keeping with the surrounding residential neighborhood. Landscaping and design features in the two northern corners of the property will provide points of interest and sanctuary to passersby. Children’s will develop the site with ample vegetation, incorporating some native trees from the original lot.

The majority of Children’s staff will begin moving into the building during January and February 2003. Staggered moves will occur every weekend starting January 10^th through the month of February, for a total of approximately 300 staff. A small number of Children’s staff (about fifteen staff) will be moving into the building during November and December of 2002, to staff the hospital’s data center.

Children’s employee daycare will open in April 2003, providing full-time daycare to 80 infants and children.  An additional twenty drop-in spots will be available in the daycare for employees needing care during school holidays.

Traffic will increase to this area, but we are confident the impact will be manageable. We anticipate the new traffic signal and crosswalks at the intersection of 70^th and Sand Point Way will be operational by the third week in January 2003.

Children’s has an award winning transportation management program to encourage alternative modes of transportation for employees. Children’s monitors staff commute modes, and consistently meets its goal of 50% non-single-occupancy participation. Staff who drive alone are charged about thirty dollars a month to park, while staff who carpool, vanpool, bus, or bike are paid about thirty dollars a month. Children’s provides bus passes, vanpools, and ride-matching, as well as covered bike racks and showers. Children’s staff who drive are required to park in Children’s parking lots; neighborhood parking is prohibited and is closely monitored by security staff. A Children’s shuttle will run regularly between 70^th and Sand Point Way and the main hospital campus to transport staff between locations for meetings or other business.

Weekly construction updates are available on a sign at the Northwest end of the property, near the Burke Gilman Trail.  A neighborhood advisory group meets to discussabout the site development meetsplan on an ongoing basis.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the construction or coming facility, please contact Sarah Erickson of Children’s at (206) 527-3881 or sarah.erickson@seattlechildrens.org

Neighborhood Identification Signs

The community approved the addition of View Ridge identification signs to five areas of our neighborhood.  Working with the Seattle City Department of Neighborhoods, the VRCC approved an expenditure of $600 to purchase the signs.  The DON will more than match our cost with an additional $900.  The signs are in the design stage at this point which is being done by the Seattle Department of Transportation.  We have asked them to incorporate our new header design as a background for the signs.  Shown above is a design we may consider; however, the Trustees will make the final design approval.  It should also be noted that it will be in color, not black & white.

As mentioned previously, the signs will be located at NE 75^th, NE 70^th and NE 65^th at 40^th NE and NE 70th and NE 65^th at Sand Point Way NE.  Look for them around the spring of next year.

501(c)(3) Tax Status

In the last View Ridger it was mentioned that the VRCC had filed for a 501(c)(3) IRS tax-exempt status.  We have received verbal approval and should have written approval by the time you receive this newsletter.

What this means is that your contributions to the VRCC will now be fully tax deductible if you use the long form income tax return.  This also means, with Trustee approval, we can offer our services to other organizations as their fiscal agent in order for their contributors have this tax deductible benefit.

Board of Trustees Meeting Highlights
September 17, 2002

The meeting called to order at 7pm.

Sarah McCurran gave a presentation on "Chinook in the City

Reginald Ball, a Lt. with the Fire Department presented information on the overall reduction in force and the removal of Green Lake Engine Co. 16.  Recommended that E-mails be sent to the Mayor opposing this cut and support for keeping Engine Co. 16.

Minutes of June 18, 2002 were ratified.

Treasurer-current balance is $5987.24.

Correspondence:

Letter from Peter Steinbruck on SPMP sports field lighting suggesting a more equitable plan for all concerned.

Letter regarding feeding the pigeons. “Please do not feed the pigeons in View Ridge.”

Notice of Community Forum on Civil Rights at Seattle Central Community College.

Letter from Sand Point Community Housing requesting a representative for Phase II housing.  Sue Wallace volunteered

Committee Reports:

Dick Hillmann reported re. the Police Dept.  Staff reductions of 47.  Will no longer be a gang unit downtown, the personnel will be moved to 4 precincts. 

(Continued on Page 4)

(Continued from Page 3)

Block Watch personnel have been relieved.  Dept. will be reduced to 1200 people from 1250, 1965 levels.  Recommended that we send a letter to the Mayor encouraging him to find a way to keep police and fire staff at current levels with no cuts in personnel.

Neighborhood signs-second vote to contribute $750 toward VR neighborhood signs was approved.

NEDC:  Neale Weaver reported that the NEDC recommended that the Street Fund be used for sidewalk improvement at Roanoke and 10th E.; a pedestrian crossing at NE 68 and 35th NE and resurfacing of the tennis courts at 9th NE and NE 50.

Alec Stevens, Fletcher Shives and personnel from the Department of Transportation cleared and trimmed brush along 58th NE on the way to NE 77th.  Recommended that VRCC support stop signs at 58th NE and NE 77th and see if the city will supply them.

Old Business:

IRS 501 (c)(3):  Bob Lucas has filed the proper forms with the IRS and will contact them as to our status

New Business:

The Sand Point Community Housing has requested representation on VRCC.  They are not within the VR boundaries, therefore not eligible.

Friends of Magnuson Park:  Fletcher Shives gave a report on this new organization whose President is Bruce Firestone.  An attorney has been retained to file an appeal on the FEIS regarding Magnuson Park.  Monies are being raised in the community for such an effort.  It was moved and seconded that VRCC contribute $2000 to Friends of Magnuson Park.  Bob Lucas introduced an amendment reducing the amount to $1000 with the proviso that an additional $1000 be given in November; $2000 is a lot to take from our treasury.  The amendment failed.  The initial motion passed.  This will be voted on again next month per our bylaws.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm

Friends of Magnuson Park

Friends of Magnuson Park (FMP) is a group of concerned citizens working to preserve, protect and enhance the natural beauty and habitats of Magnuson Park.  We are opposed to the city plan to build a giant sports field complex with artificial turf and artificial lighting, which will adversely impact the surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife areas.

FMP is one of two groups challenging the Final Environmental Impact statement (FEIS) required for this park project.  The FEIS inadequately addresses and fails to mitigate the negative impacts of traffic, glare and noise on the surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife habitats.  We have hired an attorney and we are also working with an acoustic and lighting expert from the University of Washington; both will give testimony at the appeal hearing.  The hearing with the city examiner is scheduled for Nov. 4th and 5th, 2002.

Recently the Seattle City Council adopted resolution 30530 relating to use and improvement of Seattle's athletic field system. This resolution sponsored by president Peter Steinbrueck requires the Park department to recognize potential impacts on neighborhoods near athletic fields and to provide mitigation where necessary. 

(Continued on Page 5)

(Continued from Page 4)

Other points in the resolution were the requirement of public hearings and a "no lights" policy for Sunday evening.  Also, the council decided to review separately the Athletic Field Development Plan proposed for Magnuson park.

Many people contacted the council to urge them to support these changes.  FMP has learned however that Mayor Nickels must approve this resolution. He has not signed it.  The battle is not won, and once again we need to contact the Mayor's office and urge him to approve this resolution.

The View Ridge Community Council and the Hawthorne Hills Community Club have generously supported Friends of Magnuson Park .  Other groups such as Dark Skies Northwest, the Seattle Audubon Society , Seattle Astronomical Society and Citizens Sand Point Planning Association also share our goals.

Our success with this appeal depends solely on the financial support of the many people who value the park and share our goals in wanting to protect our neighborhood.  We simply cannot allow the city to place 15 lighted sports fields with 640,000 watts of light (60%of Safeco Field lighting) near wetlands and residential neighborhoods.

To become involved with FMP, or to receive our newsletter, call our voice mail 206-526-0506, or check our website www.saveourpark.org.  Donations of any amount are welcome.  Please send your contribution to:

Friends of Magnuson Park

P.O.Box 51223

Seattle, WA

Sand Point Magnuson Park

Events Fall/Winter 2002-03

November

Monday November 11, Veterans' Day, Sand Point Magnuson Park offices closed in observance.

Friday-Sunday, November 22-24.

Best of the Northwest Craft Show, Hanger 27

Admission fee.  Friday, 10 am-7 pm, Saturday. 10 am-7 pm, Sunday, 10 am-7 pm.  The Northwest's premier art fair returns with over 200 artisans from the region that will display and sell their arts and crafts.  Food booths and entertainment throughout the day.  Contact Kathleen Miller at 360-221-1274, e-mail: info@bestnwcrafts.com  Website: http://www.bestnwcrafts.com

Thursday-Friday, November 28-29. Thanksgiving Day Sand Point Magnuson Park offices closed in observance.

December

Sunday, December 1.

Annual Holiday Ship Visit, Magnuson Beach South Shore.  5:35-6:05 p.m. moored off of Magnuson Beach.  Seattle Girls Choir-Cantamus will be singing.  Community Group contributions, youth groups, families and volunteer groups needed for refreshments, setting up and lighting luminaries.  Great volunteer opportunity for school community involvement. For additional information please contact Malcolm Boyles at 206-684-8832 or e-mail at malcolm.boyles@ci.seattle.wa.us Website http://www.argosycruises.com/specialevents/xmas.htm

Wednesday, December 25, Christmas Day.  Sand Point Magnuson Park offices closed in observance.