University Community Urban Center
Sounding Board----------------------
Meeting Notes
University Heights Center for the Community
Thursday, January 18th, 2001, 5:30-7:30 p.m.Attendees: Jeannie Hale (Laurelhurst), Chris Leman (Eastlake), Hans Aschenbach (RNA), Jon Layzer (City SPO), Calvin Chow (City SAP), Julian Saucedo (Compton, City Council), Nancy Bocek (RNA), Patty Whisler (Ave Group, UDCC), Roger Wagoner, Greg Hill (Wallingford), Karen Ko (City UNSC), Jack Whisner, Larry Sinnott (RBCA), Jorgen Bader (RBCA), Peter Dewey (UW), Rodger Kohn (RBCA), John Deeter. ----------------------
ICT in the 45th Street Corridor
Hans Aschenbach informed us that Roosevelt Neighbors' Alliance is preparing a statement on intermediate capacity transit (ICT) on 45th Street, in response to the City's currently ongoing ICT study for improved transit in several corridors. RNA does not believe that fixed-guideway transit (trams or monorail) is appropriate for the 45th St. corridor, and would prefer that the City and Metro try to improve existing bus service. There was some discussion on improving the No. 44 route in particular, upgrading service with low-floor buses, more frequent service, and signal pre-emption. The ICT study also has considered bus rapid transit (BRT) in this corridor, perhaps not on 45th Street but on a parallel street. RNA doesn't at this time have a position on BRT. Chris Leman remarked that Metro should consider acquiring more non-diesel buses, powered by electricity or natural gas.
University Area Transportation Study
Jon Layzer (City SPO) reviewed the status of the UATS, which will evaluate current transportation conditions in the University Area, look at a range of strategies to improve mobility in the area, and then develop a transportation plan that will include specific actions. This study is partly in response to a request in the the UCUC neighborhood plan for an area-wide transportation study and to the City Council's call for a study of the Montlake corridor. The study area is bounded by I-5, 65th St., 35th Ave., Union Bay, SR 520, and Portage Bay (i.e., including Montlake Blvd. south to the SR 520 interchange). The City has selected Mirai Associates as the prime consultant for the study, and their team further includes a number of subconsultants. The target date for completing the study is December 2001. There was some discussion about the boundaries of the study area, and whether University Bridge (in addition to Montlake Bridge) should be included in the study.
Community Participation in the UATS
The work plan for the UATS envisions community participation at two levels: frequent discussions with existing community groups in and adjacent to the study area, and a couple of open houses directed to the general public. Jon didn't feel it was appropriate to set up an advisory committee just for the study, and suggested that two or three specified community organizations act as hosts for community discussions about the study. There was a pretty strong consensus that all of the organized groups would be reluctant to do this, but that the Sounding Board was set up more-or-less to handle community-wide discussions. The Sounding Board has a list-serv already set up to notify many of interested community groups of its meeting agendas and this mechanism could readily be adapted to meet the needs of the UATS.
It was suggested that the Sounding Board meeting agendas, starting in February, could be adjusted to accommodate the UATS. The first half hour could be devoted to other matters, perhaps updates from community groups of their activities that might interest the wider community. The remainder of the meeting could then be turned over to Jon and the UATS. There was some discussion of changing moving the starting time up to 5:00 p.m. (rather than 5:30) but no decision was reached.
Next meeting
Thursday, February 15th, 5:30 p.m.
University Heights Center for the Community, room 110Notes by J. Deeter.