State Rep. Brady Walkinshaw talks light rail, priorities with SLU Community Council

SOUTH LAKE UNION – Locations of LINK Light Rail stops serving South Lake Union’s workforce and residential population of some 50,000 along with the technology and health science hub’s community priorities were among the topics covered by Washington State Representative Brady Walkinshaw (D-43rd) at the August meeting of the South Lake Union Community Council. The SLU Community Council also discussed the City of Seattle’s proposed vacation of some 60,000 square feet of public right-of-way along the neighborhood's Broad Street corridor, voting unanimously to not support the City's proposed public benefits associated with the vacation, while identifying public benefits in line with the  SLU Urban Design Framework as both near and long-term objectives for its community.

"The Urban Design Framework identified (the Broad Street site) for potential redevelopment as a civic heart," South Lake Union Community Council President Mike McQuaid said in a letter to City officials.  "Because the majority of the block will no longer be available for public use we request that the City provide both off-site and on site public benefits commensurate with the wishes of the community."

Some 20 residents and leaders of the South Lake Union and Cascade neighborhoods in attendance for the regular community conversation, Tuesday, at the Museum of History and Industry at Lake Union Park.

Walkinshaw was  among a number of prominent state, county and city elected officials to join the South Lake Union Community Council’s general meetings, committee meetings and walking tours in the past year including Washington State Representative Gael Tarleton, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, King County Council Chair Larry Phillips, Seattle City Councilmembers Sally Bagshaw and Tom Rasmussen and Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole.

The South Lake Union Community Council next meets Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Museum of History and Industry at Lake Union Park.

Photo:  Washington State Representative Brady Walkinshaw (fourth from left) joins members of the South Lake Union Community Council at its regular meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Museum of History and Industry.  (from left to right:  board members John Pehrson (Cascade Resident), Phil Fujii (Vulcan, Inc.), Lloyd Douglas (Cascade Resident), Walkinshaw, Mike McQuaid (SLU Community Council President), Kyle Ducey (W.G. Clark), Ben Grace (Amazon.com / Hines), Josh Barrows (Starbucks), Erin Maher (Rowhouse Café), Leonard Garfield (Museum of History and Industry), Jim Goodspeed (SLU Resident / Goodspeed Architecture).  Photo Credit:  Tim Durkan.