Archives for June 17, 2011

Mayor meets with DPD, writes letter to Roosevelt neighborhood

June 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Mayor Mike McGinn met with Department of Planning and Development (DPD) Director Diane Sugimura today, to talk about the Roosevelt Neighborhood Legislative Rezone.

The question hanging in the air since last week — when letters to the DPD from the Mayor, Councilmember Tim Burgess, and a petition from 25 primarily pro-density people and organizations — was “Will the Roosevelt Legislative Rezone move forward at this time?”

The answer: YES, with some potential tweaking.

Here’s Mayor McGinn’s letter to the Roosevelt neighborhood, sent out this afternoon via email (emphasis mine):

Dear Roosevelt Neighbors and Friends,

Thank you for sharing with me your high hopes for your neighborhood, your interest in and support for light rail, and your insights into the rezoning effort that is currently underway for the station area. I appreciate the effort you put into developing a thoughtful proposal and the excitement so many of you expressed about light rail coming to Roosevelt. You are to be commended for the good work.

I agree that we should not slow down the process. I have, however, asked the Department of Planning and Development to take a closer look at some of the heights proposed for this station area. With the significant investment in light rail, long-vacant properties ripe for reuse, and the potential for good neighborhood-scale development, I believe it is appropriate to look at heights of up to 65 or 85 feet for some areas. These modest changes are consistent with the spirit of the original proposal and will help ensure we make the most of the new light rail and create new housing and jobs that support the area. I have asked that towers – buildings above 85 feet – be taken off the table entirely. I do not believe they are consistent with good planning for this neighborhood. In addition, I have asked that this analysis be done quickly so this legislation can move to Council for their consideration within the coming month.

Thank you again for writing. I look forward to working with you as we finalize my recommendations to Council.

Sincerely,

Mike McGinn
Mayor of Seattle

This may be a good time to mention that the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association‘s next Land Use Committee meeting is next Tuesday, June 21, from 7-9 PM, at Calvary Christian Assembly (6801 Roosevelt Way NE).

You can bet that committee chair, Jim O’Halloran, will give an update about the Roosevelt Rezone at this meeting. Also, Sound Transit’s North Link Light Rail Program Manager, Ron Endlich, will be there to answer questions.

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Significant chunk of 15th Ave NE to be closed on Saturday

June 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

The second phase of the 15th Avenue NE Reconstruction has begun, and that means the action is heading further north.

Tomorrow, Saturday, June 18, a significant portion of 15th Avenue NE will be closed. Traffic headed east-west will have one lane each way on NE 50th St, and north-south traffic will detour to University Way NE.


View 15th Avenue NE closure on Saturday, June 18 in a larger map

The SDOT Traffic Advisory:

A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation will close 15th Avenue NE between NE 45th Street and NE Ravenna Boulevard on Saturday, June 18, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for street improvements. General traffic and buses will be detoured to University Way NE. One lane in each direction will be maintained on NE 50th Street. The closure will allow the contractor to install new drainage facilities in this area.

Beginning next week, the contractor will begin removing and replacing the pavement on 15th Avenue NE between NE 50th Street and NE 55th Street. One lane for each direction of traffic will remain open.

This work is part of the second phase of the 15th Avenue NE Reconstruction Project, between NE 45th Street and NE 55th Street.

For more project information, please visit the project website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_15thavene.htm

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Summer session openings at Ravenna’s Roaring Mouse Arts Studio

June 17, 2011 by Leave a Comment

With the end of the school year just around the corner, some of you may be on the hunt for some summer activities for your kids.

Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio (7526 20th Ave NE) here in Ravenna starts their summer session on July 5, and they have some openings left in some of their summer offerings:

SPACE AVAILABLE in Select Summer Classes at Roaring Mouse Creative Arts Studio in Ravenna

Creative Arts – Ages 2 1/2 – 5
A playful exploration of creativity.
9:00 AM -12:00 PM, M-F (choose up to 3 days)
July (7/5-29) & August (8/1-26) Sessions
Cost varies depending on days selected.

Summer Palette Mini-Day Camps – Ages 4-8
Give your child an adventurous summer with these exciting mini-day camps! Each week focuses on a different blend of the arts. Sign up for one week or more!
1:00 – 4:00 PM. $140 for one week, or $135 each week for two or more weeks.

    July 25 – July 28: Scribe Tribe – Puppets
    Using found objects, paper, and natural materials, we will build puppets and stories to create a magical performance of wonder and delight. There will be a half-hour show for parents at 3:30 PM on Thursday, July 28.
    This class has one opening.

    August 22 – August 25: Animals
    Each day we’ll travel through different regions of our world, discovering animals in their homes. As children investigate animals and their habitats through art and play they will forge the variety of shapes textures and colors that make our animal friends so unique!

For more information, please visit RoaringMouse.org, or call 206.522.1187.

Thanks to Allisa at Roaring Mouse for the info!

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