South Lake Union Public Safety Update

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Join the South Lake Community Council and Sergeant Paul Gracy of the Seattle Police Department's West Precinct Community Police Team for a neighborhood public safety conversation during our regular meeting, at 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 5 at the Museum of History and Industry in Lake Union Park. This is an opportunity for to weigh in on public safety in the neighborhood and ask questions about how you can play an active role in crime prevention and keeping your South Lake Union neighborhood safe.

What: South Lake Union Public Safety Update Where: South Lake Union Community Council Regular Meeting at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) When: Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014 (4 p.m.) Who: Sgt. Paul Gracy, Seattle Police Department Community Police Team, South Lake Union Community Council, South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce Why: Meet you Seattle Police Department – West Precinct Community Police Team / Weigh in on public safety concerns / Learn how you can play an active role in keeping your South Lake Union neighborhood safe.

Learn More: South Lake Union Community Council

SLU Community Council News - May 2014

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Submitted by: Lisa Moore, Executive Director, Queen Anne Helpline

As we work, live, and play in our South Lake Union neighborhood we’re surrounded by rapid upscale development. In sharp contrast is what we often don't see - neighbors in need. The Queen Anne Helpline is all too aware of this need because every year, as a neighborhood social service non-profit, we provide financial and other basic needs assistance to thousands of residents living in South Lake Union, Queen Anne and Magnolia. Residents including seniors living on fixed incomes, working families struggling to make ends meet, and many others who lack a safety net during times of hardship. These are people we shop with, sit next to in the coffee shop and attend church with.

Over 30 years ago Dick Rhodes, who owned the Queen Anne Thriftway, saw seniors were coming into his store and purchasing pet food because they could not afford anything else. His shocking discovery and realization that there are people in need in our relatively affluent neighborhoods led to the creation of the Queen Anne Helpline in 1982. Thirty-two years later the Helpline continues to provide critically needed aid to our most vulnerable neighbors.

Every day at the Helpline we see how unexpected events like losing a job or a medical emergency can undermine the stability of local residents. Residents like Barbara, a 76 year old widow, who after living in the same apartment for 30 years found herself unable to pay rent after an unexpected increase. Or Gail, who after a life-threatening illness was forced to make a choice between paying medical bills or her utility bill. Partnering with other local agencies to leverage resources and maximize our impact, we work closely with clients to provide targeted, short-term assistance.

The Queen Anne Helpline's programs prevent 300 evictions every year through our rental assistance, ensures people stay warm through our utility assistance, provides 240 meals every weekend to feed hungry children in our public schools, supports individuals in continuing education or job training, and much more. We look forward to working together to continue making the South Lake Union community a vibrant and a humaneneighborhood. For more information please visit: www.QueenAnneHelpline.org.

Westlake Avenue North Cycle Track

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Seattle Department of Transportation has announced a project open house for the Westlake Avenue North Cycle Track project to be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. This is the second of three planned open houses for the cycle track project and will focus on the design and potential alignment of the project. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the open house to review the work to date and provide input on design options. We at the South Lake Union community council will have a representative at the open house, and encourage all those interested to participate as an individual or through the community council.

The Westlake Cycle Track project will be a positive step in realizing South Lake Union Mobility Plan's goal to support biking throughout the neighborhood. The project will also help to improve the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop Trail for all types of recreation and highlight the bustling South Lake Union neighborhood.

The goal of the Westlake Cycle Track project is to design and build a protected bike lake along Westlake Avenue North. Protected bike lanes are separated from both pedestrian traffic and motor vehicle traffic in order to improve safety and connectivity for all Seattle bicycle users. More details on the project can be found on the City's Website by clicking on the following link: www.seattle.gov/transportation/wct.htm

Next Meeting:

  • WHAT: South Lake Union Community Council Monthly Meeting
  • DATE: Tuesday, May 6, 2014 TIME: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • WHERE: Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) 860 Terry Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109
  • GETTING THERE: Walk, pedal or ride the Seattle Streetcar to the Lake Union Park stop. Public parking available through City of Seattle paid street-side parking.
  • MORE INFO: www.SLUCommunityCouncil.org

Seattle Department of Transportation Launches New Construction Hub Coordination Team

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With all of the ongoing construction in South Lake Union, have you ever been frustrated by a traffic lane closure when it looks like nothing is taking place there? Or when walking, found yourself at an intersection and unable to cross the street because of a crosswalk closure? Or while on your bicycle, seeing the bike lane suddenly blocked with heavy equipment and a sign saying "Bikes Merge With Traffic" without much notice? Wouldn't it be nice if projects were coordinated and managed to minimize mobility impacts on our community? I think so!

The Seattle Department of Transportation thinks so, too. SDOT recently announced its new Construction Hub Coordination Team to work with communities to actively manage and minimize cumulative impacts: www.seattle.gov/transportation/hub.htm. South Lake Union is one of these identified construction hubs according to Brian DePlace, SDOT Right of Way Manager. DePlace presented to the SLU Community Council last month and shared some of the team's 2014 objectives including:

  • Providing resources via a Hub Coordination website
  • Coordinated construction maps of hub areas
  • Fact sheets with updated construction schedules
  • Education to prepare travelers
  • Collaboration with business owners, community members and other stakeholders to ensure the best mobility possible.

South Lake Union's site coordinator, Ken Ewalt, encouraged community members to contact him each time they see an issue so he can document and address the concern. You can reach him at ken.ewalt@seattle.gov.

SLU Community Council Welcomes Netherlands American Chamber Director

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South Lake Union has been garnering attention from around the globe in recent years due to its revitalization efforts, rapid growth, and the public process of bringing voices together to help shape its outcome.

One of our most recent visitors was Patrick Mikkelsen, executive director of the Netherlands American Chamber of Commerce. He was in Seattle early February as a part of a U.S. State Department professional exchange program exploring urban planning and design practices, and urban renewal efforts in America.

He and his team joined the South Lake Union Community Council  Policy and Planning Committee at the SLU architectural offices of Weber Thompson. We had a spirited conversation about everything from low income housing, to corporate anchors, the biotech hub, and to our public/private urban spaces. Patrick was inquisitive, enthusiastic, and had a lot to offer by allowing us to see ourselves through a European perspective.

The community council's Planning and Policy Committee meets monthly and reviews neighborhood planning, infrastructure, as well as development projects slated in South Lake Union.

To learn more about this committee and our work, please join us at the upcoming South Lake Union Community Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 from 4 p.m. To 6 p.m. at the Museum of History and Industry at Lake Union Park.

~ Jim Goodspeed is a board member of the South Lake Union Community Council, neighborhood resident and Principal of Goodspeed Architecture.

Next Meeting:

WHAT: South Lake Union Community Council Monthly Meeting DATE: Tuesday, March 4, 2014 TIME: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. WHERE: Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) 860 Terry Ave. North, Seattle, WA  98109 GETTING THERE: Walk, pedal or ride the Seattle Streetcar to the Lake Union Park stop. Public parking available through City of Seattle paid street-side parking. MORE INFO: www.SLUCommunityCouncil.org