City Council to get West Seattle Junction development briefing

(Updated version of WSB clickable Junction/Triangle development map)
Heard about this after last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting (full report on that is still in the works), and it’s just been confirmed by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen: Toward the widely voiced concern that the Junction and Triangle areas be looked at in a “big picture” sense while so much development roars forward, Rasmussen is asking Junction developers (here’s our report on their West Seattle Chamber of Commerce appearance yesterday) and leaders of the Chamber and the West Seattle Junction Association to be at the September 22nd City Council “briefing” session. Also invited: along Representatives of city agencies including SDOT (transportation) and DPD (planning). Rasmussen staffer Brian Hawksford explains, “The purpose would be to have the developers describe their projects to the Council in an informal setting and to explain how they hope the city can be helpful in the overall improvement to the streetscape.” Rasmussen himself elaborates:

I see all of the development that is being planned in the Junction area as a tremendous opportunity to create one of the greatest residential and commercial neighborhoods in the City. For that to happen it is important for the developers and the City to work together to insure that design of the buildings, landscaping, transit planning, traffic management, parking and pedestrian walkways are all coordinated and complementary. The City can play a major role to insure that the coordination occurs. Recently I met with representatives of the Fairmount Community Council and they too see this potential. I would like as many people who are interested to participate.

I know it may be difficult for the public to attend this meeting during a weekday here at City Hall. The meeting is planned to be held here … because I would like the Council to understand the importance of this effort. It will be televised and can be viewed online as well. If people would like more meetings to be held, we can do so in West Seattle.

The meeting’s at 9:30 am September 22nd at City Council chambers downtown. It will be shown live, as are all such council sessions, by the Seattle Channel — channel 21 on cable, or seattlechannel.org online.

J September 11, 2008 (3:57 pm)

“If people would like more meetings to be held, we can do so in West Seattle.”

I think this would be a good idea, given the magnitude of all these changes for West Seattle. I can’t go downtown (or anywhere) for a weekday meeting in the morning. I realize our council members work long hours–but this might be a very useful forum if held in WS and after working hours.

credmond September 11, 2008 (4:23 pm)

Another consideration which has received zero press (and consequently zero interest) is the complete re-building of California Avenue SW from Alaska to Morgan Junctions. SDOT has put this work off so they could coordinate with KCMetro for their RapidRide “C” route (the newly rechristened 54). This has to occur in advance of the 2011 deployment of the West Seattle RapidRide and is not listed on any city “outage” or “scheduled work” site. The work is required for the RapidRide to operate – curb bulbs, embedded fiber optic, upgrading the roadbed for heavier vehicles (yes, the double-truck RapidRide buses are even heavier than the existing fleet of double-trucks). So, one thing we need to ask is what impacts this will bring and what is the schedule and where is the money?

WSB September 11, 2008 (4:48 pm)

Well, I’m always embarrassed to admit weaknesses and omissions (but I’ll admit them anyway when pointed out) … as the “press” around here who’s been writing about transportation practically daily lately, and having attended a skabillion of these briefings, I don’t recall having heard of something quite like that, put in quite those terms, though certainly it makes sense knowing they do have to add those features. Will ask a few sources.

credmond September 11, 2008 (6:07 pm)

It first came up last fall during the middle rounds of the RapidRide advisory group meetings. At the time the “board” consisted of KC Metro types, SDOT types, and lots of technical expertise. We looked at concrete street types, radii of corners and intersections, foundation level depth and all sorts of things. SDOT is definitely on top of this and they mentioned that Calif. south was “put off” from the usual re-paving schedule pending the outcome of the county’s RapidRide funding and the actual technical and route requirements – as was being determined at the time the advisory group convened. There were 18 or so other members who were on the panel who probably read this blog, maybe they’d like to chime in, too. And, like I said, not one word from anyone since then and yet it’s a requirement.

credmond September 11, 2008 (6:11 pm)

oh, and don’t feel bad about not knowing it – it was relevant to RapidRide in West Seattle and not much else at the time. But, since RapidRide is arriving here in 2011 and remembering that it took about 9 months for them to re-build, pave, stripe and whatever for the northern stretch, I’m imagining an equal period of 9 months here at the south end of California occurring sometime between now and late 2011. Cindi’s timeline is what reminded me since this, too, was going to muck with our lives here in good ole WS.

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