Admiral Neighborhood Assoc. kicks off 2009 with lots of updates

By Julia Ugarte
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

admiralogo.jpgThe Admiral Neighborhood Association met Tuesday night for its first meeting of 2009. With about a dozen in attendance, including some new faces, the ANA gathered at Admiral Congregational Church, ready to start planning the year ahead.

Lots of updates emerged throughout the meeting – first, two items of news, including the latest on a controversial park proposal:

CALIFORNIA PLACE PARK: Ann Limbaugh and Matthew Slye from Friends and Neighbors of North Admiral relayed that Karen Kiest Landscape Architecture has been selected as the architect for the process of designing potential improvements to the park (read more about that here). Currently, project members are working on scheduling dates and locations for upcoming planning meetings. As soon as scheduling is final, information will be posted on the California Place Park website (and you’ll see it here on WSB).

ADOPT-A-STREET: The Adopt-A-Street date for first quarter has been moved from Saturday, January 24th to Saturday, January 31st. The event lasts from 9 am to noon, and drinks and other refreshments are provided. ANA members strongly encourage everyone to participate; just meet the group at Metropolitan Market that morning at 9.

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: ANA Vice President Jim Del Ciello circulated the minutes from last Wednesday’s SWDC, and outlined details of four major ongoing transportation and traffic projects: the RapidRide (RR) bus route, new Metro Route 50, Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, and the Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Many of those details were reported in WSB coverage of last week’s SWDC meeting (read it here). A few more details on RapidRide — West Seattle’s first RR, the C Line, is, “slated to be out for bid in July/August” of this year, and could start as soon as Spring 2010. A second RR line, along Delridge, is part of the Viaduct replacement plan announced by the state, county, and city yesterday, and the Viaduct was part of the next update:

ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT PROJECT: Much of what Chas Redmond reported on the Bored Tunnel Hybrid Alternative has already been published here on WSB (Tuesday coverage here and here), but a few key facts were reinforced in the discussion during his report. One major concern raised in the meeting was the repair of the nearby seawall. Redmond explained that now that the Seawall is its own project, it can be fixed independently of the viaduct, which means more easily and more quickly. Also, for those interested in giving input regarding the Bored Tunnel Hybrid Alternative project, he said public-involvement opportunities are likely to be announced in March-April, so look for updates then.

One concern is the lack of access points or on/off ramps at any point other that the entrance and exit of the tunnel. He raised the idea of a public transit component for the route and perhaps public access down to the tunnel from a surface level midpoint along the underground route. Overall, however, Redmond felt that the West Seattle organizations were happy with the decision. “Our biggest concerns,” he said, “with the other alternatives [were] that we were going to be isolated for either a very long time, or we were going to wind up with the short end of the stick…right now it looks like the viaduct will stay up through the construction period” which seems to have been the major concern of many West Seattlelites.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: The radio test discussed at the last meeting was successfully carried out in December, ANA Secretary Dave Weitzel reported. (WSB coverage from last month is here.) The test involved 10 reporting stations across the West Seattle neighborhoods. With newer, more powerful radios, there was moderate success in stations reaching each other and the base station, and it was deemed a viable way to communicate with other neighborhoods should there be a state of emergency.

Also, the collection of supplies for the neighborhood Emergency Bag is scheduled for next month’s ANA meeting. If you have items around the house, or would like to contribute to the neighborhood’s emergency kit, please bring items to next month’s meeting. [Click here to see a complete list of supplies.]

2009 ANA MEETING GUEST ORGANIZATIONS: ANA President Mark Wainwright asked for discussion of which organizations or groups Admiral residents and ANA members would like to invite to future ANA meetings. Suggestions ranged from reps from city planning and utilities departments, as well as the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and perhaps joint meetings with other neighborhood associations like the Alki Community Council.

Also at last night’s meeting, lots of information about upcoming events:

GATHERING OF NEIGHBORS: The first Gathering of Neighbors event in more than a year is being planned this year by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association and is set for April 4th. Wainwright described events past as a “community resource fair” and a “rich community event.” It is an occasion to meet neighbors from across West Seattle, with numerous city and neighborhood associations on hand to distribute information. No location chosen yet.

NEIGHBOR APPRECIATION DAY: The 15th Annual Neighbor Appreciation Day is February 7th. Neighbor Appreciation Day is a grassroots celebration first started by Phinney Ridge activist Judith Wood. Celebrations are encouraged all over Seattle and past examples have included block parties, potluck dinners, and mini-awards ceremonies. Click here for more information While there is no official Admiral Neighbor Appreciation Day celebration planned, Wainwright encouraged anyone interested to spearhead an event.

REMINDERS: Two reminders of events coming up this Thursday, as previously reported here: Mayor Nickels’ open house for feedback on snowstorm response, 6:30 pm at Southwest Community Center; the informational meeting about upcoming changes to the Seacrest dock to facilitate year-round Elliott Bay Water Taxi service, 7 pm, Alki Community Center.

NEXT ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING: February 10th, 7 pm, Admiral Church, all welcome!

3 Replies to "Admiral Neighborhood Assoc. kicks off 2009 with lots of updates"

  • KSJ January 14, 2009 (5:08 pm)

    Is there more info online or elsewhere about the Adopt a Street event?

  • WSB January 14, 2009 (5:11 pm)

    It’s usually, meet at Metro Market at 9 am. I will doublecheck with Mark. (added later) Yes, 9 am at Metropolitan Market. I’ll add that to the story.

  • Mark January 14, 2009 (9:47 pm)

    Way to go Julia – thanks for the great report!
    -Mark

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