The Road to Two-Way Mercer Street

As neighbors in the South Lake Union community know well, the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Mercer Corridor Project has been under major construction since mid-2010. Coming in late summer or early fall of 2012, this major roadway improvement project will reach a huge milestone: the opening of two-way traffic on Mercer Street between Fairview Avenue N and Dexter Avenue N. A tremendous amount of construction work and coordination has been completed in preparation for this milestone. Major roadway and utility improvements have been completed already, including the replacement of a nearly 100-year old line beneath 9th Avenue N, extensive undergrounding of electrical utility lines, water system and storm drain system replacements, and the construction of the new lanes of Mercer Street north of the original lanes, along with sidewalks along the north side of Mercer Street.

Crews are currently working to complete construction of underground utilities and then rebuild the old lanes of Mercer Street in preparation for two-way traffic. Once the two-way traffic section of Mercer Street is open, drivers exiting I-5 will have the option to continue straight westbound and avoid existing circuitous one-way routing onto Fairview Avenue N and Valley Street. Route maps for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians will be provided prior to this major traffic change.

In addition to traffic flow changes, travelers through the area will continue to see other improvements between today and project completion of the east phase of construction in mid-2013. The Mercer Corridor Project incorporates improved signal timing, new pavement and sidewalks, as well as other innovative design and construction methods that have earned the project the highest score of any “Greenroads” pilot project, which is a certification process similar to LEED certification for buildings.

For a preview of what comes after two-way Mercer Street milestone, check out Stages 3 and 4 of the project schedule. Work on the west phase of the project, between 9th Avenue N and Elliott Avenue W, is planned to begin in 2013. For questions about the Mercer Corridor Project construction, contact the project team at mercerinfo@seattle.gov or 206-419-5818.

SLUCC Board Elections 2012

SLUCC NEEDS YOU! We currently have two open positions on the SLUCC board (one is board appointed and one is community appointed) and we would welcome your energy and talent!  All members of the SLU community that would like to be an active part of the future of our neighborhood are encouraged to apply.   Board members participate in monthly meetings and committees to carry out the SLUCC mission to:

•  conduct or support activities exclusively for the benefit of or to carry out the purposes of the South Lake Union neighborhood plan;

•  serve as the combined voice of stakeholders of South Lake Union on public policy issues, development issues;

• act as a communication and educational vehicle to the neighborhood; and

• promote community involvement in decisions, guidance, and neighborhood improvement projects.

 Does this sound like you?  Then apply and join us!

 About the SLUCC Board Elections

Date/Location:  Elections will be held at the Annual Meeting held this year on June 4, 2012 from 4-6pm at Morningside Academy located at 201 Westlake Ave N.  The deadline for application for a board position is due June 1, 2012.

Board Member Responsibilities:  Responsibilities of a Board Member include attendance at monthly meetings which are held the first Tuesday of each month from 4-6PM and a commitment to the full three-year term. Additional opportunities for community engagement are available through committee participation and community outreach.

Candidate Eligibility:  Candidates must be South Lake Union community stakeholders.  Stakeholders are specifically defined as residents, business and property owners (or their representatives), or employees within the South Lake Union neighborhood boundaries.

Board Election Process:   Candidates interested in a SLUCC Board position need to submit a Letter of Interest and CLEARLY STATE WHETHER YOU’RE INTERESTED IN A BOARD-APPOINTED POSITION, A COMMUNITY-ELECTED POSITION, OR BOTH.

The Letter of Interest should outline the candidate’s motivation for becoming SLUCC Board Member, background in South Lake Union, and the strengths brought to the Board.  Letter s of Interest should be limited to 200 words or less, and will appear on the SLUCC website and during the Annual board meeting.

Letters of Interest can be submitted by mail or electronically  (please clearly state on the envelope, or email header “SLUCC BOARD ELECTIONS”)   to:

 Dawn Oliver,

Morningside Academy

201 Westlake Ave N

Seattle, WA 98109

dawn@morningsideacademy.org

Final EIS Released

A milestone has been reached! The final South Lake Union Height and Density Environmental Impact Statement was released by the Department of Planning and Development for the City of Seattle on April 4, 2012. The Final EIS includes the draft and final studies, as well as all public comments submitted and all of the City’s responses to those public comments. The EIS was not appealed and this means that the process of defining the zoning ordinance can move forward.

James Holmes, Senior Urban Planner for the City of Seattle, said that they are currently developing the city’s recommendations that will be based on what was learned through the EIS, and through input from the community.  The EIS outlines growth alternatives 1-4 and Holmes said that the city will not necessarily pick a particular proposal, but rather will propose a solution that falls into the range of growth outlined by the EIS. Holmes said that the recommendations will be released in mid-June and that there will be an open house at that time to present the results.

The city council will vote on the recommendations this summer, turning the ordinance into law, and the new zoning will be in effect after that. Holmes says the SLU area is booming and development ideas are stirring. “We get calls all the time – a number of projects are waiting to see what the recommendations will be,” Holmes said.

The SLU CC reported on the EIS draft proposal last year – see blog post: Environmental Impact Statement Released.

CWB Opens Workshop and Warehouse

The Center for Wooden Boats has announced the May 4^th & 5^th opening of the North Lake Union Workshop and Warehouse. The facility is land-based at this time, but the CWB hopes to build public access to the water in the future, to complete their vision for the Northlake Community Wharf. Help the CWB celebrate at the opening ceremony and tours on May 4^th from 5:30pm – 7pm.  Community tours are also available on May 5^th from 10am – 2pm.  For more information contact Dan Leach at The Center for Wooden Boats, 206-382-2628 x31 or dleach@cwb.org

Welcome to our New Blog Format

Welcome to the new format of the South Lake Union Community Council news!  The change is indicative of our goal to bring you neighborhood relevant news in a timely manner. Instead of issuing three  newsletters per year, we will post articles at least every month with this blog format.  As the official stewards of the neighborhood plan, we continue to strive to engage South Lake Union stakeholders on neighborhood development issues.  Please help us reach out to the community by signing up to receive email updates and by sharing this blog with a friend!

In case you missed our previous newsletters, here is what your SLU Community Council board has been working on lately:

• Improving transportation connections to and through SLU. SLUCC worked on a Mobility Plan which gave recommendations on reconnecting the street grid, increase transit service, and improve infrastructure for biking and walking.
• Providing feedback to the City on upcoming neighborhood-wide zoning changes.
• Reviewing proposed development projects and provide community feedback to developersSharing information about neighborhood events and news to engage community

And in the coming months, we encourage you to join us as we look forward to he highly-anticipated Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scheduled to be released in April addressing topics including building heights, density and the mitigation of impacts.

We will send out more information as soon as the City of Seattle announce public meetings dates in April to review the EIS .

We hope you like our new direction and stay connected with us… Better yet, check out our discussion topics and join us at our meeting next month!

Improving Communication for Non-Profits

South Lake Union is known as a home base for biotech, online retailers and global health. It also is home to over 40 non-profits—both large and small. Approximately 70 representatives from these organizations recently met for a networking forum, which provided an opportunity for the more established non-profits to share best practices and experiences with those that have fewer resources.

"I really enjoyed the information that was shared and I enjoyed the structure of the event," said Cyrus Khambatta, artistic director of Khambatta Dance Company. "I felt like I got to know the community of non-profits in South Lake Union."

The Improving Communication forum was delivered through an interactive peer-to-peer learning environment—as opposed to a formal structure of a speaker addressing the audience. Each table had a particular subject matter, guided by a non-profit expert. After the brainstorming session, a representative from each table reported their discussion to the entire group. Attendees agreed that the format created a supportive environment in which organizations could problem solve as a group and individuals could gather information that was tailor fit for their situation.

For those who were unable to attend the forum, the highlights from each table group follows:

Your Road Map: Crafting a Simple Communications Plan. Define the audience that you want to communicate to and identify tactics to use to reach that audience. Make a plan on who will do what and assign deadlines for that work.

Hyper Local: Delivering Your Message to a Highly Focused Audience. Start local when promoting; and remember the importance of person to person marketing.

Business and Underwriting Support: Communicating Support Opportunities to Your Audience. Craft a good elevator speech to define your organization and its mission.

Storytelling: Delivering Your Message in 30 Seconds. Tell a human-interest story—don’t just report the facts. Use every medium—written, video, audio and distribute items that are done for you. (for instance, when you are mentioned in the media)

Social Media: Simple Social Media Strategies Engage Your Audience. Develop a social media strategy to build the brand; and develop a social media policy. Focus on person to person connections.

Your Communication Toolbox: Tools for Presenting Your Organization Professionally. Prepare a toolkit that contains branded letterhead, annual report and hand outs.

Identifying Skilled Volunteers: They're out there, but where? Write a job description for each volunteer role; remember to thank volunteers.

Moderator Lee Schoentrup, Director of Communications at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute and also a Communications Instructor at UW Extension, left the group with some suggestions for future thought.

• Always present your organization in a professional manner
• Maintain consistent messaging and branding
• Know your audience
• Have a plan, stick to it, evaluate it, measure it, adjust it
• Manage expectations—be realistic about possibilities
• Be prepared—practice prior to speaking opportunities

The SLU Non-Profit Network was founded by Mike McQuaid and Pearl Leung, both of whom also serve as South Lake Union Community Council Board Members. To receive the latest information and to continue the conversation, join the SLU Non-Profit Network Facebook group.

Jackie Durbin, Director of Marketing & Communications at MOHAI, shares information with the attendees as Cyrus Khambatta, of Khambatta Dance Company, looks on.

Photos by Lifestring Photography

ARTcade -- Takin' to the Streets

Public art is a good way to energize a neighborhood and to draw people out on the street to interact with the community that they live and work in. That is the belief of Dominick A. Lucia, principal organizer of ARTcade – a multidisciplinary South Lake Union art walk, held the third Thursday of each month from 5PM to 8PM.

Lucia, along with co-curator Allegra Searle LeBel, envisions the SLU neighborhood as the canvas onto which the art can be made. The venues are various storefronts, lobbies, loading docks and parking garages that highlight a business and cultural district within one of the SLU neighborhoods. Lucia is also planning future unexpected, surprise locations including open rooftops, open houses and open businesses."I want to breathe life into other places, beyond art in galleries and in coffee shops," he said.

ARTcade made its debut on October 20, with offerings including visual art, dance, spoken word, live music, video projection and a giant interactive Jenga game. The goal of the future

community art events is to engage business owners, workers, community organizations, residents, artists and performers, in order to promote SLU as a more inviting, culturally active and engaged community.

"I love South Lake Union," said Lucia. "I like places that are emerging, that are changing and evolving." His goal with ARTcade is to celebrate life and get people out on the street.

The next monthly art walk is December 15.  Refer to www.sluARTcade.com for more information.