The Ravenna Creek daylighting project is currently being studied to determine the feasibility of the project. The purpose of the study, being conducted by Metro, is to examine what would be required to complete the project as conceived in the Master Plan prepared by the Ravenna Creek Alliance.

The study will examine such things as the cost of the project and the adequacy of water flow through the creek during the dry summer months. The study will attempt to identify issues that have not yet identified that might effect the success of the project. The study is an important step toward getting the creek back to the surface and flowing into Lake Washington again.

An obstacle has developed with regard to the route of the creek and proposed park east of the Silver Cloud Inn. At the time the project was under review for approval, the owners of the Silver Cloud, Jim Weymouth and partners, promised the community that they would sell the east 60 feet of the property to the City of Seattle for a park and the creek right

of way. After the motel permit was approved, an appraisal was conducted, and Open Space bond funds were set aside to purchase the property. The park planned for this site is a key feature of the daylighting project.

The owners of the Silver Cloud have now stated that they are no longer interested in selling the property for the price at which it has been appraised. Rather than sell the property as earlier promised, the owners now plan to build 36 additional motel rooms on the property.

Another appraisal will be conducted, to arrive at the value of the land, taking into consideration the potential revenue the 36 additional rooms might generate. However, an appraisal may result in a price which exceeds the amount of Open Space bond money originally set aside for the purchase at the time the original promise was made. It would be unfortunate to have a broken promise block a project as valuable as the daylighting project. Negotiations are continuing.

Newly elected City Council member Tina Podlodowski will be a special guest at the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association's Winter Membership Meeting, on Wednesday, February 21, at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Come out and welcome her to the neighborhood.

Councilmember Podlodowski was elected last November to the City Council seat vacated by Jim Street. She was recently named chair of the Council's new Neighborhoods and Neighborhood Planning Committee. This committee will have an important role in issues of concern to neighborhood residents, activists, and planners.

Councilmember Podlodowski will also chair a council committee on the use of technology. She is

well suited for this task; prior to entering public life, she had a successful career at Microsoft.

The winter meeting will also feature Kathy Kolarsick, Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator. Ms. Kolarsick coordinates block watch and crime prevention efforts for North Seattle. She will discuss issues regarding the current state of crime and crime prevention in our neighborhood. For further information on Block Watch, or to obtain information on making your house safer, call Ms. Kolarsick at 684- 4636.

You'll also hear updates regarding ongoing projects in the neighborhood such as Ravenna Creek, the proposed new Ram Restaurant, and the YouthCare housing proposal for the Deluxe II site. We hope to see you there. For more information, call Brian Peyton at 729-1049

YouthCare, a private non-profit agency for youth, is proposing the development of a four story building housing its offices and housing at the site of the former Deluxe II Restaurant, 5401 26th Avenue Northeast. The proposed building is currently undergoing design review by the Department of Construction and Land Use (DCLU).

The first floor of the proposed building will contain the YouthCare administrative offices. The second floor will provide 21 beds of transitional and shelter care housing for youth. YouthCare will own the building, and manage the first two floors. The youth housing will have 24 hour awake staff, and no youth with a history of violent behavior will be accepted.

The top two floors will contain ten two bedroom apartments for small families in need of low priced housing. The Low Income Housing Institute will manage the top two floors of apartments. The project includes 18 underground parking stalls.

YouthCare has been operating residential facilities for youth for 21 years. It operates Straley House in

the University District, and a similar facility in Rainier Valley.

YouthCare is purchasing the property from the owners of the former Deluxe II, who in 1991-92 proposed to construct a building of similar size. That proposal caused neighborhood concerns about the height and scale of the building and the amount of traffic the building would generate. A single family residential neighborhood is located on three sides of the site.

The city's design review process allows the public to comment on the design and siting of a proposed building. A pre-design meeting was held on February 5, 1996, and was attended by neighborhood residents. Issues raised included transition between commercial and residential zones, increased setbacks, landscaping and open space, and the building's scale.

Review of the proposed project is proceeding (Application Number 9505397). For more information, contact Kit O'Neill at 523-4523, or Patrick Doherty of DCLU at 233-3852.

Ram International, operator of the Ram cafe in University Village, is exploring the possibility of constructing a new restaurant at a site at the corner of NE 50th Street and 30th Avenue NE, at the southwest corner of Calvary Cemetery.

University Village will not renew the lease for the Ram Cafe when it expires. Ram International is interested in remaining in the area. A two story 6500 square foot building would be constructed at the front of the triangular lot. Representatives of Wahl & Associates, the developer of the site, and Ram met with 25 residents at the January RBCA business meeting to discuss the project. Residents

of the area expressed concern about existing traffic, parking, and congestion in the area, and the danger to pedestrians walking in the area, which has no sidewalks and curbs. Residents also identified problems with poor drainage, cooking odors, and the presence of people who have been drinking at the restaurant. Suggestions for traffic diversion measures were well-received.

The status of the project is now uncertain. The developers have met with DCLU to discuss the project. Apparently, DCLU raised concerns about certain aspects of the project. The developers will consult with Ram to determine whether to proceed with the project.

University Urban Center Continues Neighborhood Planning

The University District Urban Center continues on with its neighborhood planning effort. Phase I is drawing to a close. That portion of the planning effort has involved identifying and communicating with interested stakeholder groups, and writing a "vision statement." A planning committee for the next steps was elected at a public meeting on January 17. The scope of work for the planning effort will be formulated, and the real details of planning for the area will begin. RBCA will continue to monitor and participate in the planning process, especially as it concerns portions of Ravenna-Bryant.

RTA to Formulate New Transit Plan

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is in the process of developing a new mass transit plan, to be

placed on the ballot in the fall. It has released a "hypothetical example" which involves about half the cost of the original plan, and has much less light rail. The new plan will still contain light rail through the University District and the Roosevelt District, but as in the last plan, the rail line will not run on the surface streets. It will run underground in a tunnel, or elevated, from the University District to Northgate.

RBCA and its members work hard on issues important to you, such as preserving our residential neighborhoods. We want new members, and need volunteers to distribute the Newsletter and work on a variety of projects. Annual dues are only $10.00. Your dues allow us to continue distributing this Newsletter and keep you informed. Return this form with your dues to: Ravenna-Bryant Community Association, Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115. You'll receive the newsletter and other special mailings, and know that you've made a contribution to help your community.

NAME __________________________________________________

ADDRESS ________________________________________ PHONE _____________________

AREAS OF INTEREST OR CONCERN:

City Council Proposes Six Year Capital Spending Plan

The City Council has released a draft plan for allocating $660 million in capital spending over the next six years. The draft plan identifies projects in the areas of Culture and Recreation ($300 million); Transportation ($120 million); Major Maintenance ($120 million); Economic Development ($40 million); and City Government Buildings ($80 million). When adopted, the plan will set the Council's strategy for spending on major projects.

The plan includes $100 million to implement as yet unidentified improvements identified by neighborhood planning. The money for the projects would be raised from councilmanic bonds; voter approved bonds and levies; the City general fund; and a new source of transportation funding to replace the recently invalidated street utility tax.

A public meeting on the plan will be held on February 12, 1996 at the Fidalgo Room, Seattle

Center, at 6:00 p.m. A public hearing will take place on February 22, 1996 at the City Council Chambers, 11th floor, 600 Fourth Avenue, at 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact the office of Councilmembers Martha Choe (684-8802) or Tom Weeks (684-8805).

Budget Conference Examines City Maintenance Priorities

Nearly 150 people gathered at the Broadway Performance Hall on January 27 to discuss the City's major maintenance needs and how to address them. City government has identified $395 million of major maintenance projects in the City's parks, streets, libraries and other facilities. The participants were asked to consider which of these projects should be funded in the upcoming budget, which sets aside only $20 -25 million per year for major maintenance.

Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Wants You

to help us continue our work. As you can see, there are a number of issues, large and small, that impact our community and its future. RBCA only exists because of the work of its volunteer. We need you to get involved. If you have only a couple hours a month, we can use them. Our Board meets every month, on the second Wednesday of the month. If you are interested in newsletter distribution, Board membership, or have an issue that you feel strongly about, let us know. Call Brian Peyton at 729-1049.

RAVENNA-BRYANT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Ravenna Eckstein Community Center

6535 Ravenna Avenue NE

Seattle, WA 98115

WINTER MEMBERSHIP MEETING -- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 -- 7:30 p.m.