University Community Urban Center
Sounding Board----------------------
Meeting Notes
University Heights Center for the Community
Thursday, March 15th, 2001, 5:30-7:15 p.m.Attendees: Peter Staten (Montlake), Bruce Balick (Montlake), Larry Sinnott (RBCA), Susan Freccia (UW), Patty Whisler (UDCC, Ave Group), Fred Hart (La Tienda, GUCC), Joe Waldmann (P&J, GUCC), Jon Layzer (City SPO), Karen Ko (City UNSC), Julian Saucedo (Councilmember Compton), Jorgen Bader (RBCA), Al Rasmussen, John Deeter. ----------------------
Announcements
Patty Whisler informed us that the Mayor has decided to try to start work on the Ave project next year (2002), rather than waiting until 2004 (or later) when Federal funds become available. She thanked everyone who has lobbied City officials for the early start. However, we still have to lobby the City Council for their approval as well. There will be a meeting of the Ave Group next Monday (3/19), where John Owen will present the consultant's suggestions for artistic and thematic elements of the project.
Roger Wagoner (by e-mail) informed us that the Parks-for-All Advisory Committee has started its work. It will prepare criteria for doling out the uncommitted $10 million "Opportunity Fund" from the recent parks levy, and Roger recommended that the Sounding Board get involved in an effort to acquire money from this fund for the UCUC.
Roger recently got a letter from Councilmember Steinbrueck inviting us to come and talk with him about progress/issues in implementing the UCUC Plan. No one at the meeting knew anything more about this invitation, but Karen Ko reminded us that the City Council Neighborhoods, Sustainability & Community Development Committee (chaired by Councilmember Conlin) has scheduled a meeting at the University Public Library on March 27th at 7 pm. Councilmember Conlin will be available for individual meetings prior to the Committee meeting (4 to 5:30 pm), and you may call 684-8618 to make an appointment.
Jon Layzer handed out information regarding Station Area Overlay Zones, the City's Car Smart Community Grants, and Flex-Car (a car sharing program that will soon be available in the U District). Susan Freccia remarked that she has been enrolled in the Flex-Car program for several months, and is quite happy with it.
Jon also gave us a brief update on the progress of the U District Parking Study Group, which is just now putting together its recommendations. These will include a number of small but significant short-term actions but also identify some longer-term policy issues that Jon hopes to take up in the UATS.
Jon also informed us that the 50th street reconstruction project is now underway, and will include replacement of signal controllers. A brief discussion then ensued about eliminating push buttons at most intersections, to ensure that pedestrians get a crossing opportunity every signal cycle. There was also a short discussion about police vans parking on the Ave, including the observation that their presence was intimidating for some people.
University Area Transportation Study
Jon Layzer (City SPO) took over the chair for the UATS portion of the meeting. The major topic for tonight's meeting was a review of problem areas in the study area. Jon observed that in dealing with transportation problems, people often jump to conclusions (solutions) and then work back to identify the actual problem. At this meeting he intended to focus on "general" problem areas and not get very specific.
Before Jon started his review, there was a discussion largely focussed on the impacts of UW traffic and parking on adjacent communities (such as Montlake) as one of the major problems that needed to be addressed. Jon promised that he would invite Peter Dewey (UW) (who missed this meeting) to discuss the UW's Transportation Management Program at a future meeting.
There was also a short discussion of University Village's proposed expansion, and a request that the City require an independent transportation study. It was further suggested that SPO ought to intervene in the DCLU review process to request an EIS. Jon said that DCLU was currently reviewing U. Village's traffic study to decide whether to require a full SEPA analysis. Jon clarified that the City's role as administered by DCLU is regulatory and non-political, but he encouraged impacted neighborhoods to comment or participate in the City's ongoing review process.
Jon then led the group in a discussion of University Area transportation problems, as identified by the UATS consultants.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Problem Areas:
Discussion: Need to evaluate cross-impact between bicycle and pedestrian improvements. 42nd, 43rd, and 47th streets were designated "green streets" in the community plan, and should be considered priority pedestrian corridors. Bicycle routes at present are not clearly delineated.
- I-5 is a major barrier between U. District and Wallingford
- Difficult crossing of Roosevelt Way at 42nd and 43rd Streets
- Conflicts at the intersection of Roosevelt and Campus Parkway
- Difficult pedestrian crossings near the triangle intersection of Pacific St. with Montlake Blvd.
- Lack of connections between University Village and upland U. District
- Inadequate sidewalks near University Village
- Lack of amenities on University Way (being addressed south of 50th St. by Ave Plan)
Transit Problem Areas:
Discussion: Excessive delay turning from Campus Parkway onto University Way. Encourage campus-oriented traffic to use existing lots and access campus by bus shuttle. Students coming late to campus find Snohomish County park-and-ride lots full and are therefore unable to use express bus service to campus.
- Transit facilities too dispersed
- Low transit speeds across Montlake bridge
- Little transit service on Montlake Blvd. north of Pacific St.
- Low transit speeds on 15th Avenue
- Difficult turns on 15th Ave., and excessive delays turning left onto 45th St.
Roadway and Intersection Problem Areas:
Discussion: There should be signals at 45th St. and 9th Ave, and at Cowen Place and 15th Ave. Back-up on Montlake Blvd. north of Pacific St. due to restricted access to SR-520. Back-up for left-turn from 15th Ave. to 45th St. (signal timing problem?). Back-up on University Way due to bus zones. Question: is seismic retrofit of 45th St. viaduct finished? Yes, but the bridge might still need major maintenance.
- Backup on I-5 access ramps at 45th and 50th Streets; left-turn lanes are too short; signals are not coordinated
- Delays at the five way intersection at 40th St. and 7th Ave. (all-way stops without 3-color signal lights)
- Excessive weaving on I-5 bridge to access exit lanes
- Back-ups at the I-5/SR-520 interchange
- Constricted capacity at Montlake bridge
- Excessive delays on 65th St. during non-peak periods, at Roosevelt, 12th, 15th, and 25th avenues. (But note that NE 65th St. is due for reconstruction in 2003.)
- Lack of signal coordination on 45th St.
Jon wrapped up the meeting by referring to the time-line for UATS activities, now scheduled to be completed in December 2001. The first public open house is scheduled for June. Jon urged the group to send him their comments about problems and solutions, or bring them to the next meeting. The next meeting will focus on the framework and criteria for evaluating improvements.
Next meeting
Thursday, April 19th, 5:30 p.m.
University Heights Center for the Community, room 110Notes by J. Deeter.