TO: Jeanne Krikawa, Sound Transit.
FROM: Phil Harrison, Seattle Transportation.
DATE: December 23, 1999.
RE: Bicycle, Pedestrian and Street Improvements

This memorandum follows a series of meetings between Sound Transit and City of Seattle staff on the topic of bicycle, pedestrian and street improvements in Link Light Rail station areas. Our recommendations are in direct response to the Sound Transit Board's commitment to fund priority access improvements within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of station areas.

Attached is a list of high priority circulation improvements. These are accompanied by marked up copies of maps showing the locations of our recommended additions to the improvements Sound Transit proposed earlier this fall. While we are all sensitive to completing the project within budget, we believe that these improvements are essential to meeting our mutual goals of providing maximum access to transit service and ensuring high ridership. In all cases, we are committed to working with Sound Transit on implementing these recommendations.

In addition to our specific comments, there are several system-wide issues.

Sound Transit must use ADA guidelines to complete an assessment of existing sidewalk conditions within 1/4 mile of station entrances. This should be used to identify deficiencies and measures for correction along sidewalks in conformance with ADA guidelines.

The City would like Sound Transit to improve pedestrian areas on key streets to be 17 feet in width within 300 feet of each station. If right of way limitations prevent this, we request that Sound Transit consider comparable investments that provide an optimal pedestrian environment. The City's objectives and recommendations are contained in a May 17, 1999 memorandum. A copy is attached.

There are several street improvement projects near stations for which the City has an interest in leading planning and conceptual design. These projects are central to implementing neighborhood plans. We believe the City taking an active role in conceptual design would result in greater City and community ownership of the projects. We look forward to discussing this proposal in greater detail.

Sound Transit should use the City recommendations for bicycle parking for 2006 and 2020. Our recommendations use demand based analysis. The recommendations are contained in a paper provided to Sound Transit titled, Bike Parking Need at Sound Transit Stations: Seattle Transportation Bicycle Program Evaluation. A copy is attached.

Sound Transit should commit to monitoring circulation and bike parking demand around station areas over time, and to fund agree to fund appropriate measures to address deficiencies.

We look forward to discussing our proposals with you. We suggest the following next steps:

  • Meet and review our proposals: City staff presents proposal to Sound Transit and discuss process for reaching agreement. Station Area Planning staff will coordinate these meetings.
  • Conduct analysis and conceptual design of selected streets: We expect that in many cases where the 17 foot sidewalks are proposed, we will need to work together to determine what is feasible and cost effective given existing conditions. We suggest working together on a few examples to identify possible improvements.
  • Review budget implications: The conceptual/planning designs will allow Sound Transit to determine the costs of feasible improvements. This will provide the City and Sound Transit with a better understanding of budget implications.
  • Agree on feasible improvements: Staff highlight which improvements are mutually agreed to and where differences remain. Issues are elevated as needed for resolution.

Please call me at 684-5184 if you have any questions.

CC: Ron Lewis, Sound Transit
Daryl Grigsby, Director SEATRAN
Robert Gorman, SEATRAN
Jared Smith, SPO
Stephen Antupit, SPO
Carla Main, SPO

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Capitol Improvements Associated with the Development
of Light rail in Seattle

City of Seattle Proposals

The following matrix identifies the City's proposal for desired improvements to the circulation improvements in the station area. The first column indicates the desired outcome. The second indicates what Sound Transit has committed to do to date. The second column is a placeholder for costs. Costs will need to be developed with Sound Transit. The third major column indicates the City's proposal after reviewing Sound Transit's existing commitment. The final column indicates the corresponding sidewalk segment on the maps showing Sound Transit's proposed improvement.

Desired Outcome Cost Sound Transit Commitment to Date City Proposal for Project Completion Sidewalk Segment
University District
15th Ave NE from NE 50th St. to NE Pacific St - A, B, C, D, E
Complete street and sidewalk improvements to provide an optimal balance of pedestrian, bus and car usage. Special attention should be paid to: EIS commitment to restore road surfaces to original condition     Proposal: Sound Transit should fund the development of a street improvement plan, and fund improvements within 300 feet of station entrances to achieve 17 foot sidewalks or the equivalent improvements. The design of improvements along 15th Ave NE requires a comprehensive approach incorporating urban design and engineering concerns. The plan would address the following elements.
Reconstruct sidewalks to optimal (17 feet) width to accommodate pedestrian and bus riders Install street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities.   Commitment to minimal improvements and to restore existing sidewalk widths Proposal - Sound Transit fund reconstruction of sidewalk on east side of 15th Ave. NE from NE 45th St. to NE 43rd St. to optimal (17 feet) width in front of and between station entrances. This should be completed in conjunction with reconstruction of the wall along 15th.  
Specialized at-grade crossing of 15th Ave NE at NE 43rd St. such as paving and lighting.   Committed to making improvements on 43rd between Ave and station. Proposal - Sound Transit fund construction of crosswalk special crossing treatment and improvements.  
Street reconstruction and associated utility work   Unsure of commitment Proposal - Sound Transit fund reconstruction of affected areas. City will be making signal upgrades  
Specialized at-grade crossing of 15th Ave NE near north entrance of Pacific St. Station such as paving and lighting.   No improvements Proposal - Sound Transit and UW jointly fund crossing. Need special crossing treatment. University suggesting grade separated crossing. City should define preferred crossing ASAP  
Analyze bus stop configuration   Proposes paratransit pull out at NE 45th St. Station Proposal - Sound Transit should work with City and KC Metro to define bus stop locations.  
Evaluate bus layover   Not applicable Proposal - City work with KC Metro to define layover facilities in the event that the off-street layover facility isn’t constructed  
Specialized at-grade crossing improvements at the intersection on NE 45th St. and 15th Ave NE. such as paving and lighting.   No improvements Proposal - Sound Transit fund improvements as part of 15th Ave NE design and reconstruction. Need commitment to improving pedestrian crossing safety. Sound Transit should fund improvements or monitoring plan and commitment if impacts exceed expectations.  
Specialized at-grade crossing of 15th Ave NE near south entrance of Pacific St. Station   No improvements Proposal - Sound Transit and UW implement identify and implement needed improvements.  
Bicycle facilities - N A 7 I
Provide adequate bicycle parking and associated facilities to meet area demand & City recommended minimums at NE 45th St. (155 spaces in 2006; 228 spaces in 2020) NE Pacific St. station (137 spaces in 2006; 273 spaces in 2020)   Bike station in association with the Pacific St. station.
Consider bike route connections to 17th Ave NE, 20th Ave. NE and Brooklyn Ave. NE 		Proposal - Sound Transit adopt City recommendations on bike parking space. Sound Transit fund acquisition and development of bike parking space. City work with Sound Transit and UW to fund and develop bike station Sound Transit should work with UW to develop a bike station at Burke Trail location, but not at the expense of sufficient bike parking. City will implement bike route connections.
NE 43rd St - 5, 7
Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Ave. NE and station to enhance pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include: pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities.   Sound transit has proposed making minimal improvements between The Ave and 15th Ave. NE. Proposal - Sound Transit should fund design and construction of Type B sidewalk improvements where possible between Brooklyn and 15th.
NE 45th St. - 1, 3, 4
Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Ave. NE and 20th Ave NE to enhance pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include pedestrian crossings, sidewalks street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities. Coordinate design with The Ave project. See neighborhood plan for preliminary concepts.   No improvements Proposal - Sound Transit Provide City's recommended 17 foot sidewalks, or the equivalent investment within 300 feet of the station entrance.
NE 47th St. - Not on Map
Complete street and sidewalk improvements between Roosevelt Ave. NE and station to enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections to the station. Elements include pedestrian crossings, sidewalks street trees, lighting and other pedestrian facilities.   No improvements Proposal - Review conditions and make necessary ADA improvements.