Illuminated sign at Madison? Committee meets Monday

The years-old proposal for an illuminated, digital sign on the east facade of the Madison Middle School gym hasn’t been settled yet. Tomorrow night, neighbor Claudia informs us, there’s a committee meeting that will include public comments on the proposal, which would require approval of a zoning “departure.” She writes:

Neighbors in the community are very worried that the departure will be accepted and that Seattle Public Schools will add a digital reader board on the Madison Middle School gym. As I’m sure you know, the intersection of 45th Avenue SW and Spokane is a very dangerous corner. We have seen countless automobile accidents (including roll-overs) and many near misses with pedestrians and bicyclists. We do not want to add to driver distraction. This is a very residential neighborhood and we would like to keep it beautiful and safe. Neighbors are currently signing a petition.

Here’s the official public notice for the meeting, which is at 6:30 pm Monday in the Madison library. P.S. We last wrote about the same proposal almost three years ago – at which time a commenter noted that “money for (the sign board) was raised by parents” and said that the proposal already had been in the works for some time by then. West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS both have illuminated digital signs of varying sizes, but unlike Madison, the signs aren’t facing single-family-home neighborhoods.

Marty June 25, 2012 (8:14 am)

I can’t believe that there isn’t a better way to spend the money. This is the same school district that continually whines about lack of funds.

ganative June 25, 2012 (8:51 am)

The Neighbors should petition to make intersections at the 4 corners around Madison 4-way stops. That will cut down on the accidents.

star 55 June 25, 2012 (10:31 am)

When the building was remodled the committee tried to make both corners four way stops, it was in the initial proposal but the city stated that there were not enough accidents to put in four way stops.
Reader boards are a great way to let the community know of upcoming events.

next door neighbor June 25, 2012 (10:59 am)

Less than helf the money was raised by parents (three years ago). The rest is supposed to come from a Dept of Neighborhoods grant and a gift from Dow Constantine. In total, $30K.

The thousand$ the PTA raised could go instead towards new software, books, music and art etc etc.

dbsea June 25, 2012 (12:20 pm)

A sign on the building should hardly make the neighborhood or intersection unsafe, that’s a bit of a reach. Stop signs are a good idea if that’s a bad intersection.

But I also don’t see the value in such a sign board. As others have said, that money could go to actual educational expenses (I’ve a child at Madison so I’m biased that way).

Satchel June 25, 2012 (1:35 pm)

An ‘illuminated digital sign board’? This isn’t Aurora Avenue, or even California Avenue. It’s a single home residential neighborhood. This type of sign has no place here, and is completely out of character with the neighborhood.

CHughes June 25, 2012 (2:00 pm)

I live across the street from where the sign will be placed. Do I want to look out my front window to see this thing? No. They “asked” the community 3 years ago if they would be okay with this sign. As far as I can tell no one who lives near the school said yes. Did they listen? No. Great process. This ridiculous use of funds is being rammed down the community’s throat. The electronic reader board debacle has revealed an entire lack of respect for the neighborhood.

WSB June 25, 2012 (2:05 pm)

CHughes – or anyone else – I invite anybody who can spare a few minutes to recount the background either here or in e-mail to us, to do so … I was surprised, after getting Claudia’s note, to find our archive mention of the committee convening three years ago – with apparently nothing happening in the interim, and here it is again, so I’m trying to track down the backstory. – Tracy (editor@westseattleblog.com)

dave June 25, 2012 (6:17 pm)

What is the big need for a middle school to have a readerboard anyways? Especially for a school in the middle of a neighborhood!! Get REAL Seattle School District. Ridiculous.

Madison Parent June 25, 2012 (6:25 pm)

Us Madison Parents came up with the money for this, we also came up with a lot of money for other things to support the school, blinds in the class rooms, books, curriculum, software, ipads, supplies for classrooms we want the sign to bring our community together more. Before my kids went to Madison we were just neighbors (live 5 houses from Madison) we used the grounds to play soccer, basketball etc. we cleaned up trash that others left behind. I would of liked have attended more events to be involved but information is not easily found. West Seattle High has one and we have attended some of the events there due to knowing about them via the electronic board. The sign is not going to be bright it is going to be turned off at night (WSHS does not). If you are not part of the school why should it matter to you how we spend the money we raised for this sign. If you are part of the school where have you been during our PTSA meeting for the past years we started raising this money over three years ago.

wondering June 25, 2012 (10:58 pm)

Madison Parent, I’ve been at some of those meetings and the support is lukewarm at best. At this stage it’s more like, oh well , we’ve invested this much so far, for expediency’s sake let’s keep going. It is clear that neighbor opposition will stop this thing, but those in support hope that does not arise.

neighbor June 26, 2012 (9:56 pm)

Wondering, I wish we would have known that support has been lukewarm at best. You’d never have known that was the case by being at the meeting. Every neighbor within eye shot and many around are opposed. However, the committee consisted of 3 direct neighbors who were able to vote. After being denied a second meeting, the group ended with 5 supporting and 3 opposing. Devastating. I only hope the city does not allow the departure now. Madison would be the first public middle school departure accepted that was not part of a remodel or part of a building attached to a high school. Denny is the only other middle school in the city with an electronic reader board. Way to keep the city beautiful West Seattle – we’re really paving the way for the rest of the neighborhoods.

wondering June 26, 2012 (10:44 pm)

Submit your written comments to:

Steve Sheppard
Department of Neighborhoods
700 5th Avenue, Suite 1700
P.O. Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

For more information, call:
Steve Sheppard at 684-0302, or e-mail steve.sheppard@seattle.gov

As a fairly astute citizen on these matters, I did not learn of this meeting until Sunday night. There is a degree of cronyism and influence that we local neighbors must challenge.

wondering June 27, 2012 (10:09 am)

Proponents are well-connected with DPD staff, including Sam Sheppard. The deck is stacked. Point out the flawed process and cc: the city council. This is how you fight back.