University Community Urban Center
Approval and Adoption Matrix

I. Key Strategies

Each Key Strategy consists of activities for a single complex project or theme that the neighborhood considers critical to achieving its vision for the future. While the Key Strategies are high priorities for the neighborhood, they are also part of a twenty-year plan, so the specific activities within each Key Strategy may be implemented over the span of many years.

A. SOUTHWEST QUADRANT

Description

The Southwest Quadrant, lying south of NE 45th St. between I-5 and Roosevelt Ave. NE, was nicknamed "WORO" (west of Roosevelt) by planning participants because it is somewhat separated from the rest of the University community by the Roosevelt commercial corridor an d the University Bridge.

The area consists of low-rise apartments and single-family homes to the Burke-Gilman Trail, with older industrial uses being re placed by newer office and light industrial uses to the south. The vision for this quadrant is that both areas become more attractive and better conne cted to surrounding services and amenities. Rather than a major shift in land use pattern, the plan envisions a continuation of existing trends, with additi onal capital improvements to upgrade the physical setting.

Integrated Executive Response

The vision for this quadrant is one where existing trends will continue. The plan calls for aesthetic improvement and better c onnections to surroundings; this approach is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. This strategy consists of relatively small projects that could be implemented incrementally; individual recommendations are not dependent on one another.

Department responses included below: DCLU, SEATRAN, DPR, DON, Fire. Compiled by SPO.

Lead Department: DON

Participating Departments: SEATRAN, DCLU, DPR

Activities Already Underway:

  1. DPR is currently working with citizens to form an Adopt-A-Park Group for the area around the Burke-Gilman Trail near the Univer sity Bridge.

Tasks to be Undertaken in 1998-2000

  1. Feasibility Evaluation Tasks:
    1. Investigate ownership of property proposed for public open space (e.g., vacant triangles at NE 41st St. and 11th Ave. NE).
    2. Prepare scopes of work and preliminary cost estimates for recommended physical improvements for transportation and open spa ce.
    3. Based on preliminary project budget, identify which elements of the proposal (e.g., pedestrian improvements on NE 42nd and 43rd Sts., creation of new parks, or upgrading and enhancement of existing parks) would be good candidates for a neighborhood bond or levy.
    4. Identify alternative funding sources.
    5. Prioritize with strategies from other neighborhood plans.
  2. Coordinate with Sound Transit station area planning and City's station area planning (1998-1999).
  3. Identify next steps for continued implementation.

Specific Activities Associated with Key Strategy

A. Southwest Quadrant
# Activity Priority Time Frame Cost Estimate Implementor Executive Response
Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Urban Design Features
D7 Create a small park at the 7th Ave. NE street end at Lake Union, perhaps with environmental restoration, hand-held boat launch, and a small seating area. High   Apply for Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account (ALEA) and Interagency Committee (IAC) (State) grants. (Note: This would also be a great place to use off-site environ- mental mitigation funds when needed for other Lake Union shoreline projects.) Washington State funds, DPR Several potential fund sources for street end/public access may be applicable to this project. DPR is developing an equitable method of distribution for a small amount of SPIF funds that have not been allocated. Other potential sources include ALEA funds or the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC). Note, however, that most open space fund sources are very competitive and a local match would have to be identified. The community should consider applying for a Neighborhood Matching Fund grant for design.
D8 Improve NE 42nd and 43rd Sts. from I-5 to the campus as green streets. Focus special attention on sections between the Ave and the campus. (See Activities B6, B7, and B9.) High Sound Transit station develop- ment. Undetermined; depends on the scope of the improvements. SEATRAN, Sound Transit, KC/Metro, UW. Both NE 42nd and 43rd Sts. are designated as key pedestrian streets in Seattle's Comprehensive Transporta- tion Program. Designation of a street as a "green street" or "key pedestrian street" does not automatically mean that physical changes to the street will occur. The next steps are: a detailed streetscape plan has to be developed. Design is usually a community-initiated task. Other neighborhoods have used Neighborhood Matching Grant funds for this purpose. Second, funding has to be identified either from new private development, a public agency, or a Local Improvement District for installation of improvements. If the strategy is to rely on new development to provide the improvements, they may not be contiguous or extensive.
D15 Enhance gateway along 11th Ave. NE north of Campus Parkway. Improve the vacant triangles at NE 41st St. and 11th Ave. NE. Construct gateway features (perhaps significant trees, lights, or signs). Also upgrade bus stop. High   Approximately $100K to $200K. SEATRAN, Community, KC/Metro. This project would be a good candidate for the Neighborhood Matching Fund.
D23 Upgrade the area around the Burke-Gilman Trail near the University Bridge, I-5 bridge, and Peace Park. Improve the landscaping and paths. Add security lighting where needed.   As funding is available. Parks maintenance funds. DPR, Adopt-a-Park program. The Adopt-A-Park coordinator may be able to help the group identify fund sources for minor improvements or direct them to a grant source. For additional street or alley lights, the neighborhood or Adopt-A-Park group is encouraged to develop a lighting plan by working with Seattle City Light's North Service Center. SEATRAN has jurisdiction for lighting on arterials. The plan should include location of lights, type of lighting fixtures and lighting calculations.
D25 Improve 7th and 8th Aves. NE north of the Burke-Gilman Trail to improve residential conditions.     Undetermined; depends on the amount of self- help. SEATRAN and property owners. The City will work with the neighborhood to clarify this recommendation.
D27 Require sidewalks and street trees for all new development south of the Burke-Gilman Trail and east of the University Bridge.     Mitigation for new development. SEATRAN, Community; developers. The neighborhood should first determine the street classification in this area (see Seattle Comprehensive Transportation Program). The design standards for each classification set the requirements for street improvements, including trees and sidewalks, with new developments. If no new development occurs, street tree plantings can be a good community-based activity, often funded by the Neighborhood Matching Fund. Technical assistance is available from the SEATRAN Arborist's Office or the Seattle City Light Urban Tree Replacement Program.

A. Southwest Quadrant - Council Action Taken:

Approve Exec.'s Recommended Action with following additions:

1. The Executive shall review its policy regarding security lighting on streets and alleys and shall provide the Council with a report, analysis and recommendations by June 1999.

2. City departments that own vacant parcels within the planning area should work together with the community to identify parcels that might be usable, on a temporary or permanent basis, for open space purposes identified by the community, and should include Parks and DON as an implementors.

MUNI13.DOC