Light Rail Station Area Planning NE Pacific St./NE 45th St.
Station Area Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Summary of the November 2, 1999 Meeting (prepared by David Goldberg, SPO)

Attendees: David Goldberg, Michelle Briody, Bridgett Chandler, Susan Freccia, Patti Whisler, Larry Fogdall, John Deeter, Peter Dewey, Clayton Young

Terminus Report - David discussed that he had forwarded the Committees questions to Ron Endlich of Sound Transit. The Committee commented that they continued to be concerned that, in spite of Sound Transit's assertions, impacts from increased busses and cars attempting to park in the University District would have substantial negative impacts. Committee member asked how these impacts would be mitigated if they occurred. David responded that the city had an agreement with Sound Transit to monitor and address parking impacts. The City had also indicated a strong concern about the function of the intersection of NE 45th and 15th Ave NE and had communicated to Sound Transit their desire to have Sound Transit work with the City to monitor and mitigate impacts to that intersection. Last, David mentioned that the City would likely enter into memorandum of agreements for mitigation prior to the issuance of final permits.

Station Design - David distributed drafts of the comments received by Sound Transit at their Station Design Workshop held on October 5th. The groups reviewed comments and stressed the following points:

• Stations located on the UW should be welcoming to users, but should clearly indicate to users that they are on UW property and should behave accordingly.
• Restrooms, if provided, should ensure safety of the user. The European automatic toilets are the preferred type.
• The plaza at NE 43rd should orient people toward the Ave business district, and should be accompanied by improvements to facilitate easy access to the business district.
• Make sure that the entrance design and the activities around the 45th entrance enhances the safety in the area. Consider promoting retail and housing development around the intersection.
• Sound Transit needs to carefully examine and address pedestrians safety at the intersection of NE 45th and 15th Ave NE, and NE 43rd and 15th Ave NE.
• Consider using signal timing or other devices to make sure drivers in the area of the station are aware of the increased pedestrian activity.
• Station design needs to reflect and meet the quality of design and materials used elsewhere on the UW campus. Consider bike access across NE45th as well as along the north edge of campus.
• Include consideration of the potential for a water taxi at the Pacific St. station.

3. Potential P Designation - David briefly described an option for designating the portion of NE 43rd St between Brooklyn and 15th Ave as a principle pedestrian street and expand the P overlay to parcels fronting on this street. The Advisory Committee requested that David assess how the P designation would affect a potential project such as the U Bookstore expansion.

4. Additional Materials - Copies of other materials were also available at the meeting. These included:

• Roger Wagoner's Comments - Roger was unable to attend the meeting but had some comments (via email) on where the group may be most effective. He listed developing an urban center transportation plan, expanding the Ave Project, coordinating/managing development projects, and "psyching the political will" as key roles.
• Friends of Brooklyn Comments - A copy of Friends of Brooklyn's comments to the DDWS participants was available. The letter describes FOB's mission, membership, and involvement in the University District, and lists a number of concerns and comments regarding light rail and station area planning.
• Community Letter to Sound Transit Board - A copy of a letter to the Sound Transit Board from several of the SAAC members and others was available. The letter asks for a thorough analysis of a West of 15th alignment alternative.
• Notes from the July 20th SAAC Meeting

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