STAY HEALTHY STREETS: Next briefing this Wednesday

(WSB photo, December)

The creation of no-through-traffic “Stay Healthy Streets“ was a hot topic here on WSB in 2020, taking two spots on our list of the year’s 10 most-commented stories. West Seattle has three stretches – one in High Point/Sunrise Heights (map), one in Highland Park/Puget Ridge (map), and one around Alki Point (map), technically a “Keep Moving Street” because much of it is adjacent to a park. That stretch’s future is to be determined this year; if you’re interested, the next major city briefing is coming up Wednesday (January 6th). It’s a joint meeting of the city Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Boards, online at 6 pm; the “Stay Healthy Streets” briefing is expected to start around 6:30 pm. The meeting includes public-comment periods at the beginning and end, as you can see on the agenda, which includes information on how to attend via videoconferencing or phone.

Paul January 2, 2021 (5:47 pm)

Most folks don’t want the area in the section of Myrtle in Puget Ridge. This is a critical access corridor for people who _live_ in the area. There is nearly a mile between any east west corridors. For westerly trips this is you only opportunity to avoid the mess created by the bridge detour at 16th and Holden and then Delridge. I suspect that this is the reason that the closed street signs disappear within hours of the city putting them up. Cheers to the hero or heroin that removes them. Closing this street makes no sense!

Ryan Packer January 2, 2021 (7:49 pm)

The street is not closed, it’s local access only, so no one who lives in the area is being denied access.
- Winniegirl January 2, 2021 (11:09 pm)
  
  That is true. But, because mapping apps show that the roads are closed it makes it difficult for deliveries and ride share apps. Some people still need access to those services. I keep waiting for an overzealous resident (or non-resident) or god forbid a police officer, to pull me over and harass me when I’m just trying to get to an area that is accessible no other way.

Col Hogan January 2, 2021 (6:47 pm)

The single-block of east-west closure on Thistle St between 16th & 17th ave is asinine. That’s been a direct through-lane from 16th to westwood village since forever. The barricade gives us the option of ignoring it and steering around it or taking a longer, more dangerous detour through identical neighboring residential streets. Not only that but the “closure” is not marked on the opposite end of the block, resulting in constant through traffic from the west. Take It Down!

Patience January 3, 2021 (8:42 am)

I believe you mean Trenton as the east-west route to Westwood (not Thistle). It is crazy how SDOT has blocked off folks from heading west off 16th, but if you are heading east on Trenton from Westwood, there are no street closure signs. BTW – I still use this route daily (at different times of the day) and have NEVER encountered a pedestrian or a bicyclist.
- Kyle January 3, 2021 (1:00 pm)
  
  Please email the stay healthy streets people to give them your feedback. I agree this one block closure makes no sense and is used by residents to reach the light that crosses Delridge at Trenton. The block has only 4 houses, sidewalks, and traffic calming speed humps. The SHS folks have said they haven’t gotten enough feedback on this section of road to make a change.

Twp January 2, 2021 (7:03 pm)

The area around alki needs to come down, and remove the private encampment of homes or tax them appropriately

Walnut Ave January 2, 2021 (8:42 pm)

No. I don’t live on that street, yet I am free to bike/run/walk on it daily, not “private” at all.
- SlimJim January 3, 2021 (7:16 am)
  
  When people who live there are allowed to drive on a public street but the rest of us aren’t, that’s at least semi-private. Let’s call a spade a spade.

Kevlar January 2, 2021 (7:44 pm)

All Stay Healthy | Keep Moving Streets need to be made permanent, especially the Alki Point one!! Just my good natured, honest and generous perspective.

bb7 January 2, 2021 (9:11 pm)

ok kevlar
West Seattle Mad Sci Guy January 2, 2021 (9:13 pm)

Could you elaborate why this street should get special treatment? I have no strong opinion on the matter as I’ve only accessed this street by foot or bike. But I don’t understand why this street should be treated differently than any other street post-pandemic. It actually seems a little tone deaf to be giving well off folks with good views in expensive houses white glove treatment.
- Matt January 3, 2021 (5:19 pm)
  
  I don’t live on that street, but as a runner it’s much better/safer when it’s closed to vehicles. That area gets slammed with traffic despite the fact that 63rd Ave. is much more appropriate as a thoroughfare. As it stands today, I can safely enjoy it no matter the activity. When I want to drive there (to watch the orcas), I can easily park outside the closed area and walk in. They even placed some handicapped parking near the entrance.
- Alki Local January 3, 2021 (9:25 pm)
  
  The Parks Dept picked the Alki Ave/ Beach Drive area to be a Keep Moving Street. One day the signs just appeared. Also, the Parks Dept is responsible for providing the signage and what is written on them. Their website offers some insite on the criteria used in their selection process. I don’t recall reading that it should be placed in an area where people are well off with expensive homes.
  - WSB January 3, 2021 (9:33 pm)
    
    Parks had some input, as noted here
    https://westseattleblog.com/2020/05/stay-healthy-streets-explained-discussed-seattle-pedestrian-advisory-board/
    but SDOT has driven the process (pardon the pun), as we’ve reported/documented along the way (the mayor too).
    https://westseattleblog.com/2020/05/stay-healthy-streets-mayor-announces-first-20-miles-will-be-permanent-also-expanding-this-weekend-to-include-north-end-of-beach-drive/
    https://westseattleblog.com/2020/05/followup-south-alki-stay-healthy-street-expanded/
    - West Seattle Mad Sci Guy January 3, 2021 (11:37 pm)
      
      I strenuously approve of all puns! To the rest of the message and messages, thanks for the perspectives.

Safe - and Open - Streets January 2, 2021 (7:58 pm)

I honestly have never seen these “healthy” streets in use as hoped, even in warm weather, so I would appreciate having these obstacles to safe traffic removed.

Patience January 3, 2021 (9:09 am)

One of these “healthy streets” is in Puget Ridge on 21st Ave S.W. from SW Dawson to SW Myrtle. for those that are unfamiliar to this area, Sanislo Elementry is on the corner of 21st and Myrtle. If you live on this road, there are no east=west options between Dawson and Myrtle except for Brandon that connects 21st and 17th.There are 100’s of homes on this 1.3 mile stretch of “healthy streets” road. Most of these homes own at least one car. How healthy/safe can this road be for pedestrians AND cars if everyone is carelessly: walking in the middle of the road, walking on the wrong side of the road, folks are riding bikes without staying on proper side of road, groups of people not walking single file when cars are approaching, kids playing in the road . . . by “closing” this street, this “Healthy Streets” movement has given people a false sense of safety as these 1.3 miles worth of homeowners still use their cars. I walk this neighborhood daily – if you truly want to make this stretch of road “safe”, install sidewalks.
- Kyle January 3, 2021 (1:06 pm)
  
  Those residents can still use their cars. This is about cut through traffic. Honestly, before the closure I wouldn’t walk that section of road after dark because there are no sidewalks and drivers speed through instead of using 16th, often not even looking for peds on the side of the road. Although, with the bridge out cut thru traffic is temporarily down IMO. Agree sidewalks would be better, but absent that $, making the street local access is a good idea for this stretch with a parallel arterial only 4 blocks over.
Jason January 3, 2021 (8:12 pm)

“Safe – and open – streets” – I live on one of these streets. Your statement that you’ve never seen them used as intended even in warm weather is the height of ignorance. They are heavily used as intended and were so especially during the summer. There are several other comments here about their implementation, impact on other adjacent streets, etc that are important to consider. I really appreciate these viewpoints. I would love to live on one of these street permanently but I’ve also witnessed the downside: the ****** who purposely ignore the signs and deliberately drive aggressively down the streets as way of giving their middle finger to the concept when my 2 year old and I (and tons of other kids and neighbors that “safe – and open – streets” has never seen) are using the street. Their attitude only makes the streets more dangerous, not less.

namercury January 3, 2021 (12:25 am)

This making of streets in to a
park/recreation areas is unconstitutional.
Article 2, Section 40 of the Washington State Constitution quite
clearly forbids (SDOT) using any highway/street funding to make a street into
a park/recreation area. This is a terrible program; in effect turning
large areas of Seattle into semi-gated communities largely for the benefit of the
few that live in the restricted area. It effectively closes-off one of
the most scenic areas of Seattle (Alki Av & 63rd thru Beach
& 63rd) to residents and tourists doing a casual tour and to many
people with disabilities.

RCS January 5, 2021 (12:37 pm)

Agree 1000000% that this is a terrible program. It’s enough that we are choked with road diets, slower driving, and no West Seattle bridge. To turn out streets into playgrounds and jogging paths for the privileged is ridiculous. As someone who is also a jogger and bicyclist, you can bet I will continue to drive my car through these streets..

Don_Brubeck January 3, 2021 (8:22 am)

The streets at the Alki Point have designated parking for people with disabilities. These streets are not closed off. They are open for local access by car and for delivery trucks as well as for people on foot or bikes, scooters and skate. Really popular for people to visit and take a walk or ride without through car traffic.

Denden January 3, 2021 (8:32 am)

Thank you NAMERCURY that is the best information I have seen on this site. How do they not understand that. You got my vote. Besides the fact that my mother taught me NOT to play in the street!

WS Resident January 3, 2021 (10:01 am)

The safe streets are a thing because of the disdain for neighborhoods, cyclist and pedestrians many drivers have. Comments above mention “white glove treatment,” and “heroes” for taking them down. The stay safe streets exist in non-arterial side-streets where it should be obvious already that people will be exiting cars, walking around, or simply enjoying their neighborhood. Any particular driver’s slight inconvenience in making it from A to B should not warrant the total end to a program that tries to improve the quality of life for West Seattleites. Take the arterial and steer clear of people around their homes.

Alf January 3, 2021 (10:57 am)

I have seen increase speeding and diversion off California Sw on my street, which are single family homes, should not the same logic of folks staying on the arterial staying clear of folks and their homes be applied., love for city to close 44th sw from the junction to charleston. Don’t think our tax bracket would get the same attention, how many of you, be honest who want beach drive closed off live on the street or nearby, I’m guessing but imagine the vast majority do, its focused on the wealthy and a city that is all about ( sarcasm) of social justice to implement this is really wrong
- WalnutAve January 3, 2021 (1:11 pm)
  
  I live on Walnut Ave just south of west Seattle high school, and I want to see Beach Drive permanently closed off, so your theory is bogus.
  - Alf January 3, 2021 (2:54 pm)
    
    Hardly bogus. Just one comment of the many who read this, so your cooment is bogusand again why should my street not considered for the same privlidged of being closed, we have absorbed speeders and increase volumn with folks diverting off California especially to charleston to go west to alkimy street is as worthy as rich folks on beach drive. 44th has become dangerous
    - Lbalm January 3, 2021 (6:38 pm)
      
      Put in a request to the Parks Dept for your street to become a Stay Healthy Street, too. I believe they’re looking to expand the program.
- Kathy January 3, 2021 (7:06 pm)
  
  44th and 42nd have been planned as neighborhood greenways for many years, so far we keep asking for safety improvements, but nothing has materialized other than some roundabout gardens. Meanwhile, there are no bike lanes on California Ave SW and a bicyclist got severely injured by a hit and run driver there recently. As stated on the SLOG, the “war on cars” is in its 135th year. Seems like the cars are still winning this “war”. Meanwhile, you could apply for a Stay Health Block permit to close one block on 44th Ave SW. That might discurage some of the cut through traffic. https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/permits-and-services/permits/stay-healthy-blocks
  - heartless January 3, 2021 (7:27 pm)
    
    44th between Madison and Lafayette, so between Lander and Hinds, roughly, would make a lot of sense.

namercury January 3, 2021 (10:37 am)

Mr. Brubeck, there seems to be a tendency to interpret this program to suit ones purpose. You say: These streets are not closed off. ” How can you say that when the entrance is a big “Street Closed” sign? the designated handicap parking areas are outside the zone essentially limiting access to persons with serious walking disabilities. This program is for the privileged few and unnecessarily limiting to 95 % of Seattle citizens who pay many taxes and fees to use the streets.

Lbalm January 3, 2021 (3:08 pm)

There is handicap parking on Beach Dr at Benton Pl. A second designated spot seems to have disappeared that was on Beach Dr closer to 63rd and should be reported to the Parks Dept. Also, there is parking available 64th Ave SW by Beach Dr, just across the street from the water, great spot to bring out of town guests so you can park close and stroll over for the great views (look it up on a map). I just went for a walk along Alki Ave and Beach Dr, dozens of people walking, biking, and jogging, and all the parking spots on Alki Ave SW between 64th Pl and 63rd by Alki Park are full of visitors even though this section is in the “closed” zone. Everyone seemed happy, come on down and join them.

sf January 3, 2021 (10:47 am)

I’d like to add another vote for support of these safe streets. There should be more streets closed to through traffic. In fact, there should be more streets closed to car traffic period. There should be parking available close by, but safe neighborhood streets and more commercial streets that are closed to car traffic would be beautiful. We all survive the Farmer’s Market closure of California Avenue. Let’s make it full time and make that section of California Ave a pedestrian plaza.

Driveability should not be the measure of a town, Liveability should. There will never be 100% accessibility and yes, some parking spots will be too far for some folks. We should do our best with curb cuts and other mitigations.

Reality Chick January 3, 2021 (10:47 am)

“Take the arterial and steer clear of people around their
homes.”

The disproportionate impacts to people around their homes on neighborhood streets adjacent to the ones that
are closed must be considered. As a resident of a neighborhood street that is
not an arterial, but which is now seeing not only pre-existing traffic but the
added traffic the nearby street closure has caused is frustrating and
maddening. Such “leaf blowing” attempts are not really a solution at
all. Street calming measures are known and used the around the world and are a
much more effective and all-inclusive way to address neighborhood traffic.

Kyle January 3, 2021 (1:11 pm)

In general, these routes should have been designated, debated, and decided with more community input. Obviously there are competing priorities on our streets and a public discussion should have occured before the permanent designations. It’s awkward to now go back and have residents need to prove why changes were needed, when no input was gathered in the first place.

Ryan Packer January 3, 2021 (1:30 pm)

This is exactly what will be discussed at this meeting?
- Kyle January 3, 2021 (2:13 pm)
  
  SHS routes were designated permanent back in May without community input. I guess it’s good we get a 10 minute chance to comment before and after the meeting 7 months later….
  - WSB January 3, 2021 (3:18 pm)
    
    As previously reported here, while at one point the “permanent” status was announced – NOT including the “Keep Moving” sections (such as Alki/Beach) – the city’s online update seems to have somewhat walked that back, so whether anything is officially “permanent” so far is not clear. Perhaps the Wednesday meeting will clarify where things stand and what’s next. – TR

Flivver January 3, 2021 (1:48 pm)

These streets are NOT closed. Residents and their guests use them freely. The goal is to keep “outsiders” out.

Alf January 3, 2021 (2:57 pm)

Wow to keep taxpayers i.e. Outsiders outdo you hear yourself, that’s the voice of privlidged and elitism incrediable comment
Hannah January 3, 2021 (3:05 pm)

I think this comment about keeping “outsiders” out and available for residents and guests is exactly the concern folks are expressing this is a wealthy area, and the attitudes this is their area/street is horrible, tax payers pay for this, and unless homes are heavily taxed and they pay for the private street it should be totally and unemcumbered access to all all the time. My taxes should not support this endeavor and this comment is most likely the attitude of most in this area. Give you credit for being honest with your arrogant pompous comment.

Pessoa January 3, 2021 (2:23 pm)

My first impression of the street closures, fresh after moving here from LA, and not approaching it from any particular ideological perspective? Silly. It seems to a nice idea with square corners forced into a round box, a feel-good idea that isn’t supported by actual interest or usage from the public. .

Flivver January 3, 2021 (4:17 pm)

Alf. Read comments from MANY happy residents in these closed off areas praising the closure. I’m quite certain resident’s and their families and friends are NOT parking and walking in. So explain to us who exactly is exhibiting entitlement.

Alf January 3, 2021 (6:28 pm)

The comment that residents and their guests ok to use the street and the intent to keep outsiders out , in your way of thinking is not entitlement. Really?

Auntie January 3, 2021 (7:09 pm)

SF: lots of us “survive the Farmers Market” that closes down the streets in the Junction by staying away. I can’t remember the last time I tried going anywhere near the Junction on a Sunday. So, yes I’m surviving it.