Football Northwest, the entity formed by Paul Allen to study the potential purchase of the Seahawks, has expressed interest in renovating Husky Stadium to host at least 10 Seahawks home games per year. Football Northwest, headed by former Sonic GM Bob Whitsitt, and the Kingdome Renovation Task force have jointly commissioned a study of alternative home fields for the Seahawks. Husky Stadium is one of the alternatives being considered.

In an August 29, 1996 letter to Football Northwest, University of Washington Executive Vice President Weldon Ihrig identified "a number of issues that must be evaluated and considered" and which "pose serious potential impediments to using Husky Stadium."

Ihrig stated that "the most visible impact would be the disruption to the University and the surrounding communities, including Montlake,

Laurelhurst, the University District, Ravenna-Bryant, Roanoke, Wallingford and Roosevelt."

We agree. At its September business meeting, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Board of Directors voted to oppose the Seahawks' use of Husky Stadium, and sent a strongly worded letter to University President Richard McCormick. The letter points out the tremendous gridlock and congestion that results from large crowds using Husky Stadium. It also points out that area hospitals would become inaccessible.

Use of Husky Stadium would require the approval of the University and the Seattle City Council. Rumors have circulated that Football Northwest intends to have a bill passed in the legislature requiring the use of Husky Stadium for Seahawks games.

We urge you to contact the UW Board of Regents (543-1633), the Seattle City Council (684-8888; fax 684-8587), or your state legislators to express your opposition to the Seahawks use of Husky Stadium and the paralysis of our neighborhood that would go with it!!

Election of New Officers, Board Members at Fall Membership Meeting

The agenda for our fall membership meeting includes a number of issues that effect our community. Among the agenda items is the annual election of Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Officers and Board Members for 1996-1997. At its September business meeting, the Board made the following nominations: President - Eileen Farley; Vice-President - Jorgen Bader; Treasurer- Al Rasmussen; Secretary - Barbara Holya; and Board Members - Emily Easton, Pete

Fiddler, Kit O'Neill, Brian Peyton and Johnna Rae. As always, nominations will be accepted from the floor for any position.

Also on the agenda are the latest on the Ravenna Creek daylighting and the City's plans for the former Sand Point Navy facility. We'll also have a presentation on the Regional Transit Authority proposal. We've invited the two candidates for the open City council seat, Bob Rohan and Charlie Chong. We hope to see you there!

A Message from the Departing President:

The election of a new President on October 21 marks the end of my three year tenure as President of RBCA. During that time I have never had a regular "column" in the newsletter, but I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have helped me, taught me and inspired me during my time as President. From the battles in 1993 and '94 over the Comprehensive Plan to preserve our residential neighborhoods until today, I have enjoyed working with all the volunteers and neighborhood residents who have given their time, energy and money to make our neighborhood a better place to live. I look forward to new projects as a Board member, and to working with incoming President Eileen Farley. I hope all of you in our community will keep up your good work as volunteers, activists, and concerned citizens. Your efforts are crucial in keeping our neighborhood a wonderful place to live. -- Brian Peyton.

For the Ravenna Creek Daylighting Project, the past few months have been very busy. The Engineering Feasibility Study of the daylighting project is nearing completion. The study and its findings will be the subject of a public meeting some time this fall, most likely some time in October. Contact the Ravenna Creek Alliance at 525-3004 for more information about the study results and the scheduled date for the meeting.

The recent Open Space Bond Issue, which contained funding for the daylighting project, failed to collect the 60% voter approval required for its passage. Ravenna Creek Alliance volunteers were active in the bond issue campaign. The open space measure may be resubmitted to the voters in the future. On a positive note, the open space measure did receive greater than the 60% vote required in

the two legislative districts through which the daylighted creek would flow -- the 43rd and 46th.

The exact route of the daylighted creek remains an open question. University Village management has raised a number of issues regarding the routing of the creek through the shopping center. In its Fall 1996 "In the Village" publication, it is stated that "the routes METRO was studying ran into technical problems and the Village is working with METRO to find a better route. University Village will keep you informed."

Next time you shop in the Village, keep them informed of your support for the creek project and its importance to the community. Tell the merchants you patronize what an asset the creek would be to the Village.

TREE PLANTING PROJECTS KEEP RAVENNA-BRYANT GREEN

A number of Ravenna-Bryant residents have organized efforts to plant street trees throughout the community. Bryant resident Carl Johnson has organized an effort to plant trees between the east edge of Calvary Cemetery and 35th Avenue NE. Johnson has arranged for the donation of most of the cost of the trees, which will be made available to the community at $25 per tree. The cemetery has agreed to plant them this fall when the community obtains them. If you would like to help with the effort, call Carl Johnson at 525-8412.

Several other residents will plant trees on their blocks, courtesy of a City of Seattle program that provides trees to neighborhoods willing to plant and care for them. Mary Ann Helferty obtained 18 trees for 5700 block of 38th Avenue NE. Paul Julin obtained 14 trees for 28th Avenue NE between NE 55th and NE 60th Streets. Dick Anderson obtained trees for 27th Avenue NE between NE 54th Street and NE Blakeley. All these trees will be planted on Saturday morning, October 12. Stop by if you'd like to help.

Community Groups Comment on City's Sand Point Plan

A number of Northeast communities, including Ravenna-Bryant, have recently voiced their objection to plans announced by the City of Seattle for disposition of the former Navy base at Sand Point. The plans announced by the City would include commercial and industrial uses not consistent with a vision of Sand Point as a park and recreational facility. The rezoning and use of various parts of Sand Point for warehouses, commercial ventures, dormitories and educational institutions would reduce the portion of the facility available for park use.

University Village Ponders Parking Alternatives

In April of this year, University Village issued a memo to all merchants stating that all Village employees would be required to park off site on weekends. Employees were urged to consider "street parking," that is to say, parking in the surrounding neighborhood. A later memo noted that nearby residents were concerned about employees parking in their neighborhoods, and announced a meeting of the "Merchants Association Parking Task Force" "to develop a strategy for future employee parking needs and guidelines." For more information about what strategies might have been developed, contact University Village at 523-0622

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:

Community Policing Roundtable at Ravenna-Eckstein Center

The Seattle Police Department is holding a roundtable discussion on Community Policing on Saturday, November 2, 1996 from 9:00 AM to noon at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE. The purpose of the roundtable is to give area residents and merchants an opportunity to help design and implement the way police services are delivered in Seattle. The information received will be used in formulating the Police Department's five year strategic plan.

Everyone in our community is invited to attend. If interested, the Police Department asks that you call the Crime Prevention Unit at 684-0159 to reserve a spot at the meeting.

Beware of Construction Along Burke-Gilman Trail

Construction has begun on a building project at the former Pioneer Oil site on NE Blakeley Street near NE 51st Street, near Blakeley Manor. Construction will require that trucks and other heavy equipment cross the trail. When walking, running or bicycling in that area, please proceed with caution!! If you see equipment or vehicles crossing the trail without warning signs or a flagger, or parked or placed permanently on the trail, you can report tha activity to 684-5111 or 684-5098.

Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Wants You

to help us with our work. As you can see, there are a number of issues, large and small, that impact our community. RBCA only exists because of the work of its volunteers. We want 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 526-2301. We are in particular need of people to distribute our newsletter and other announcements on their blocks 3 to 4 times per month.

If you're reading this, and you're not a member, consider joining, for the LOW LOW price of $10. If you haven't paid your dues for a while, please renew. Our budget gets awfully tight, and there are a number of current issues (Husky Stadium, for example) that need our attention. Consider it an investment in your community's future.

RAVENNA-BRYANT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Ravenna Eckstein Community Center

6535 Ravenna Avenue NE

Seattle, WA 98115

FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING -- MONDAY, OCTOBER 21 -- 7:30 p.m.