39 Replies to ""Open letter to the City Council""

• s November 7, 2007 (7:50 am)

  I think a commercial area w/grocery store is already planned for high point?

• old timer November 7, 2007 (8:51 am)

  IMO, it’s time for a continuous shuttle service to serve the entire West Seattle peninsula.
  Active from around 6:30 a.m., to around 10:30 p.m., it could provide all of us with quick convenient ways to make those just too far to walk trips to all the places we need to go: the post office, the bank, the grocery, the pharmacy, the video rental places, a quick burrito or pizza. There isn’t enough space or population density to support clusters of these destinations within a walkable 1/4 to 1/3 mile as in, for example, New York City.
  When we crank up the car to go for stamps or milk or a DVD, we get on the road with all the others who are doing the same thing.
  I think Saturday has the heaviest traffic of the week on 35th and California.
  I guess when gasoline gets to $7.50 a gal, we might take ‘public transit’ seriously.

• Agen November 7, 2007 (8:52 am)

  Amen to that. Perhaps all the density that is being added to West Seattle (in particular Highpoint and the Delridge neighborhoods) will convince a grocery store that this is viable territory.

• Anne November 7, 2007 (9:04 am)

  I’m sorry you’re finding it so inconvenient living in the new High Point development.I really think that in time there will be a grocery store there(maybe close to the new library?)If green was one of your priorities then taking the bus should fit in with that.The 128 runs down Morgan St.from your area which would take you to Thriftway-oops-“expensiveway”.Yes it does cost more to shop there than at Safeway-but there are plenty of bargains as well.You could take the bus to Westwood Village where you can find Target,Qfc,Marshalls,Bed Bath & Beyond,Rite Aid etc.I’m older than you are,but when the weather isn’t too bad I regularly walk from Morgan St. to the Junction-Safeway,Bartells-soon you’ll have a Qfc & a Whole Foods(which I hear is expensive too).Truly-if being within walking distance to shopping was a main concern-maybe you should have checked it out before your move?I’m impressed with everything that’s happenin in High Point and I think in time-the number of residents will mandate the kind of conveniences you want.

• Pete November 7, 2007 (9:18 am)

  All I can say is that if these things are of this big of a concern to you it would seem that you would have checked them out prior to buying your home and moving to High Point. It seems like you gave a lot of thought to the house it self but very little thought went into the rest of your life style when making your decision. There are many transportation options using public transit with a number of buses running on Sylvan Way and on 35th Ave…so choose the bus and you can leave your gas burner at your house.

• Al November 7, 2007 (9:36 am)

  I live a couple blocks from High Point and walk/bus/bike almost exclusively. As someone else pointed out, you can take the bus (21) directly to the Target/QFC and the 128 to Thriftway (love this place, avoid the gourmet goods to save $, and they have great sales on Saturdays and sometimes, saving time is worth a slightly higher cost). You can easily WALK to Thriftway, to the library, to Walgreens, to the Mailboxes West for post, there’s a bank at the Corner of Fauntleroy/Cali and a kiosk for BCU at the gas station. No healthy restaurants? You’ve got Korkoras, Abbodanza, the little teriyaki joint, Thriftway deli for food. And a short bus to the Alaska Junction takes you to multitudes more. Sign up for FlexCar or maybe advocate for a Flexcar (or whomever bought them) location at your area. While it would be nice to have more services there, why don’t you get out and explore your neighborhood more? It’s a nice place.

• Keith November 7, 2007 (10:08 am)

  We want to preserve the precious nature around us, so please put a supermarket, a post office, banks and hey how about a Quiznos in the nearest empty parcel of land. Ugh.

  High Point could definitely use a neighborhood food/dining source of some sort, but it’s hardly the middle of nowhere; this woman sounds like she’s missing the point of sustainable/environmentally responsible living. She can find it by bus.

• Cami November 7, 2007 (10:33 am)

  Can you throw in an Alki Market while you’re at it?

• WestSeattleMom November 7, 2007 (10:37 am)

  I like the idea of a West Seattle Shuttle. Even better, bring back the trolley on California between Morgan Junction and Alaska Junction. Fun and functional!

• R.P. Hill November 7, 2007 (10:48 am)

  Audrey, your observation is so accurate. I also moved to High Point from Lake City and sorely miss being six blocks from Fred Meyer, but I do not miss the horrendous daily traffic on Lake City Way, or the half hour to downtown Seattle on the southbound, I-5 parking lot.
  It is not difficult to understand why there is so little major retail here in West Seattle – access and population density. Major retailers locate where they can sell the greatest amount of merchandise, close to intersecting freeways and major arterials. My decision to move to West Seattle was greatly influenced by my desire to distance myself from the incredible congestion that is occuring almost everywhere else in Seattle and the surrounding areas.
  The reason that there is so little retail in West Seattle is also the reason that there is so much less congestion in West Seattle. You can’t have one without the other.

  Why focus on the minimal piece of undeveloped land at 35thSW and Graham, designated for future High Point retail, that can not support much more than the pathetic convenience store that already exists a couple blocks down at Morgan? There are plenty of unused and faltering business spaces at that intersection, that I believe can only improve with the High Point, Phase II development. Do we really need a large U-Haul facility in a residential neighborhood, that seems to be more suited for Lake City Way or Aurora? City Hall and real estate developers are not the ones who operate the businesses you and I long for.
  When the customers are ready, the businesses will appear. In the mean time, let’s enjoy the tranquility of our little piece, in the middle of nowhere.

• Christopher Boffoli November 7, 2007 (11:20 am)

  Audrey very adroitly points out what I have been thinking all along as High Point has received all sorts of “green” accolades: They built a neighborhood in a very antiquated model that clumps all residential buildings in one area without integrating any commercial buildings. The problem with the lack of mixed use construction is that you need cars to run even the simplest errand. From my house near the Junction I can walk to the Post Office, bank, dry cleaners, bakery, supermarket, restaurants, cafes, farmer’s market, etc. I have a car but I also have a bicycle and am close to bus lines. Building in this “new urbanist” way gives residents more transportation choices, is a more sensible use of energy resources, and provides a better standard of living.

• Mrs. L November 7, 2007 (11:22 am)

  My husband and I live at High Point too and have been enjoying walking around the neighborhood. Just last Sunday we walked to the Alaska Junction for dinner. It was a good 30 min walk one way but it is doable. A shuttle is a fantastic idea! As far as the retail space at High Point, it didn’t look like a grocery store was in the works from the latest pamphlet we received in the mail about the latest developments. So we’ll likely keep shopping on our way home from work to minimize the number of car trips we make.

• Mike Dady November 7, 2007 (11:31 am)

  A circulator, Water Taxi sized shuttle van(s) like Old Timers post suggests seems reasonable. Run it/them on 15 minute intervals. At least try it, and if it doesn’t work fold it up and go back to the drawing board.

• Vincent November 7, 2007 (11:57 am)

  so basically you want a walmart for highpoint?

• Insider November 7, 2007 (12:02 pm)

  I have heard from reliable sources that SHA encouraged and courted all grocery chains to build upon the land at High Point that was set aside for retail.

  They could not convince the chains to move into the neighborhood beacuse the chains did not think that they could be profitable to the level that they desired.

  The neighborhood might want to organize to convincce their favorite chain to move in.

• Huindekmi November 7, 2007 (12:39 pm)

  What I don’t understand is why the Seattle City Council should give a rip about whether the nearest grocery store to the Highpoint neighborhood is a 5 min walk or 20 minute walk away. What are they supposed to do about it? Force Safeway to open a new store specifically to serve the needs of one neighborhood? Since when did they have control over free enterprise?

• west seattle golfer November 7, 2007 (1:23 pm)

  SHA spent two years trying to attract a grocery chain for that site. The end result was that the pad size was not large enough to accomodate a grocery that carries fresh vegetables and a meat counter.

• s November 7, 2007 (1:40 pm)

  If you go to the High Point web site and click “At High Point,” it says “Future mixed-use retail center with grocery, shops and conveniences.” I wonder if the High Point developers conveniently forgot to take that down after being unable to court a grocery chain? If true, it sounds like deceptive advertising to me. But regardless, I agree with previous posters that taking a long walk or getting on the bus is a simple solution. After all, the vast majority of West Seattlites are NOT super close to conveniences, but many still get by with a bike, bus, or long walk.

• Katherine November 7, 2007 (2:55 pm)

  A West Seattle shuttle is just what we need. Do you suppose Dow Constantine could work on this?

• Huindekmi November 7, 2007 (3:48 pm)

  Nah. I don’t think Dow has a chauffeur’s license.

• CM November 7, 2007 (3:56 pm)

  Does anybody know of any other neighborhoods that have shuttles? I’m not sure if the charter between King County Metro and City of Seattle would allow anything other than another Metro route.

• Indaknow November 7, 2007 (3:58 pm)

  Back in the ’70s that UHaul property was a Safeway store. It was closed down because the store LOST money because of all of the shoplifting that happened at that store (a relative worked there at the time). Don’t give up hope, though, Westwood didn’t have half of what it has now 15 years-ago. As the populations in our neighborhoods increase, we will also become more desirable to merchants.

• Suits are not boring November 7, 2007 (4:09 pm)

  Well, the 51 basically serves as a shuttle from Admiral to the Junction and circles about every hour. You do have to pay, but with all the costs facing transportation in this city right now, a free shuttle will not be able to happen.

  Also, it hasn’t been mentioned that the Admiral area has 3 grocery stores and lots of other amenities in walking distance. I find it more convenient then Maple Leaf, where I used to live.

• m November 7, 2007 (4:33 pm)

  I’ve thought the exact same thing as Audrey; I don’t know what you guys are buying at the grocery store, but I am strong and fit and certainly can’t lug 2 gallons of milk plus all of my other groceries up Morgan for a half hour walk home (unless I were to steal a grocery cart). I don’t have 2 hours to dedicate to grocery shopping and it doesn’t sound like Audrey does either since she has two young children. Oh yeah, she’d have to lug them up the hill too. What a treat that would be in the rain and cold with two little kids…

  A small local grocery store like Red Apple Market would do well in that neighborhood and makes SENSE.

• Cruiser November 7, 2007 (5:56 pm)

  So open one then ya big pussy:)

• RS November 7, 2007 (7:01 pm)

  A free shuttle? HAHAHAHAHA! Sorry, but you really think that the city will pay for a free shuttle for west seattle? Because there are so many other free shuttles throughout the city helping fit and able people get to the store? Because they want to take revenue away from the public transportation system which has so much money to burn?

  I agree with Christopher, this is a problem with the developers and lack of mixed-use vision. Not a problem the city council is going to swoop in and fix.

• M November 7, 2007 (7:32 pm)

  Meow. Meow. A Trader Joe’s would work well too on 35th.

• Jan November 7, 2007 (8:00 pm)

  Suits ANB….I’ve lived in the Admiral District since 1999, behind the Admiral Safeway. Three grocery stores within walking distance, restaurants, a theater, bus stops, parks, coffee, Baskin/Robbins..and I work at hope. I couldn’t ask for more.

  Mr. Cruiser. I defy you to take 2 small children, walk from Highpoint to Morgan Thriftway, buy 75 bucks worth of groceries, and take said children back up that hill to Highpoint with groceries in tow, too. Oh, and give birth to those kids , too…then we’ll see who’s the pussy ;-)

• Jan November 7, 2007 (8:02 pm)

  Audrey…maybe consider ordering your groceries online from Safeway. If you’re home with kids during the day, it’ll only cost 5 buck extra…you don’t tip, and sometimes you get postcards for free delivery…

• ms_f November 7, 2007 (8:46 pm)

  I agree — I’ve ordered groceries online from Safeway when my husband was really sick and I couldn’t leave him. It was very convenient and easy. Although I am only a couple blocks from Safeway, I STILL have to drive so I can lug all my groceries home. It doesn’t seem like having a grocery store a couple blocks away rather than 5-10 minutes away is a huge a deal.

• miws November 7, 2007 (10:14 pm)

  To those who say the residents of Highpoint should have taken into consideration the lack of nearby amenities, that’s a somewhat valid point.

  However, there may be many that moved there, or will move there, that can’t afford to buy/rent in the areas closer to all of the amenities, and may be unable to walk great distances, especially up hill, and especially with a heavy load of groceries.

  I like the idea of a shuttle, but I doubt a free one will happen, unless some of the businesses that Highpointians would shop at, would pick up the tab.

  I would caution, all interested, should a person or group start lobbying METRO for a shuttle, or if METRO actually starts making noises like they might start one, that they lobby for an actual shuttle run, as opposed to a “Circulator”, such as the 51, or the 53 which covers part of Route 37 during non-peak, weekdays.

  A Shuttle, will run back and forth, between points “A” & “B” & back to “A” again, for the most part in opposite directions, on the same road(s). A Circulator, however, starts at point “A” pretty much makes a loop, then returns to point “A”, without there actually being a point “B”.

  Once the Circulator gets back to point “A”, it will usually have something like a 10-20 minute layover. The problem that arises, is for example someone gets onto the 51 at 55th & Charlestown, and wants to shop at the Met Market in Admiral. They would board at the stop nearest their home, get off at the stop nearest Met Market, do their shopping, the reboard the 51, at the same stop.

  Only problem is, the 51 will have that layover in the Junction. This is the time for the Driver to relax, and unwind a little. Now granted, the 51 is more of a boring route as opposed to being a stressful one, but it is also their chance to grab a quick coffee or bite to eat, or make a quick bathroom trip. Therefore, the Driver may not be to keen on having passengers sitting on the coach during this time, and may ask passnegers to leave the coach. So there’s that issue, plus the delay in getting back home due to the layover.

  The 128 serves the south edge of Highpoint, Morgan Thriftway, and on up to the Junction, then to Admiral, however, on Sunday, it only runs once an hour, and doesn’t serve Admiral.

  As far as Westwood Village goes, only the 22 & 54 serve it. The 21 has it’s layover nearby, but I don’t know if passenger are allowed to board/deboard at that location, so ther again, is the issue of having to walk several blocks from the bus stop.

  On a Shuttle, a rider would usually catch the bus back home across the street in most cases, from where they got off. The Shuttle would have it’s layover when it reaches either point “A”, or point “B” at some point, and then head back the opposite direction on it’s route.

  Mike

• lgs November 7, 2007 (11:16 pm)

  Delridge Neighorhood Development Association is in the early planning/vision stages for a proposal to build a mixed use commercial site on Delridge. It would include 75,000-to-80,000 sq. feet of retail and 400+ housing units at Seattle School district’s interim school site, the Louisa Boren building.

  DNDA is working with the developer of Crossroads in Bellevue. Plans include a mix of housing, retail space, restaurants, a grocery store and a movie theater. The goal for a grocery store is for a small supermarket, either a chain or something local, such as Uwajimaya. DNDA wants to preserve as much open space as is possible and preserve existing housing. It would provide more options for High Point-area and other West Seattle neighbors to get their groceries, perhaps buy the latest bestseller and see a movie, too. One can always dream.

  Here is a link to an article about it in the West Seattle Herald from Tuesday, October 16, 2007: .

• lgs November 7, 2007 (11:18 pm)

  Here’s that link to the West Seattle Herald article on plans by DNDA for the Louisa Boren site:
  http://www.westseattleherald.com/articles/2007/10/16/news/local_news/news01.txt

• Karen November 8, 2007 (5:31 am)

  I am happy to hear that there is talk about a grocery store in the Delridge area. I really miss Food Giant, it was wonderful to have full size place to shop rather that all of the mini-marts that are up and down Delridge.

• WSB November 8, 2007 (5:55 am)

  The Boren plan’s been out there a while. We reported on it here on WSB back in May
  https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=1561
  after it appeared in a city Neighborhoods Newsletter.

• moe November 8, 2007 (7:17 am)

  Change the u haul back into a store. Trader Joe’s would be nice there.

• old timer November 8, 2007 (8:34 am)

  You’d better ask U-Haul first!
  They have big bucks tied up in that sign.

  BTW, I have heard that the area does not have the ‘proper demographics’ for a Trader Joe’s.’

• Christopher Boffoli November 8, 2007 (12:50 pm)

  Amazon’s new grocery delivery service has been a huge hit in the Seattle neighborhoods where trials are underway. I’m not sure when it will be coming to West Seattle but it probably is not far off. I’m excited at the prospect of bringing something like New York City’s Fresh Direct to the area. Just what is the big deal with Trader Joe’s? I realize people in WS have been wanting one for a long time but o me they hardly seem worth the hype. What sounds more exciting to me are the new Fresh and Easy supermarkets (from the British owners of Tesco) that are rolling out across the West. They might give the dull local chains a run for their money.

• Mr.T November 12, 2007 (11:27 pm)

  I moved in High Point not long ago. I don’t see any people without children lugging all those groceries, gallons of milk up these hills, let alone with children. I tried to take the bus to Westwood villege with two kids, but it didn’t work very well — the bus didn’t come for an hour and half because the ball game in downtown. I had to drag and carry my kids running. Good thing I didn’t have to lug groceries. Sure makes one want to drive your gas burner. Green neighborhood is great, but it should be completely green. Like others said mix-use of retail and high desity housing. Why not have some houses on top of retails like the Safeway in Alaska Junction? Some people or orgnazition, like Sierra Club just believe we can solve globel warming by taxing people to death to drive, like congestion tax. But people will still have to drive if we don’t have proper neighborhood development, unless you want them to starve.

Sorry, comment time is over.