ALKI POINT ‘HEALTHY STREET’: Open houses set for next steps

(WSB file photo)

As reported here two weeks ago, SDOT says the Alki Point “Healthy Street” is permanent – Alki Avenue SW west of 63rd SW, and Beach Drive SW north of 63rd SW. The city says it will become a Neighborhood Greenway, and that the next step is to talk with the community about its design. So they’ve set two events for that – an in-person open house 6:30-7:45 pm Wednesday, November 9, at Alki Bathhouse (2701 Alki SW), and an online open house noon- 1 pm Tuesday, November 15 (no link yet). In both cases, SDOT says it’ll show the “early design” concept, answer questions, and take comments. (Here’s how last year’s survey turned out.) Possible “traffic-calming” elements, according to a project update that’s going out today, include a raised crosswalk and traffic circle. If you can’t make it to either event, they’ll be taking comments by email/phone until December 9th – alkikeepmovingstreet@seattle.gov or 206-727-3565. The project was also mentioned recently by the Alki Community Council as an agenda item at their next meeting (7 pm Thursday, November 17).

42 Replies to "ALKI POINT 'HEALTHY STREET': Open houses set for next steps"

  • sushisource October 27, 2022 (2:07 pm)

    Awesome, great news. The last post was filled with comments griping about not being able to drive through it, or openly admitting they’ll simply ignore the signage, as if it’s literally inconceivable to these people to drive a whole extra quarter mile to avoid the closed portion. Meanwhile, I run on this street multiple times a week and having more space for pedestrians and bikes would be lovely. An extension of the already-existing separated bike lane on most of Alki Ave. If you are one of those commenters who simply cannot tolerate the outrageous inconvenience of turning on 63rd, or parking and walking a few hundred feet… Well, you must live a very angry life.

    • Rhonda October 27, 2022 (2:58 pm)

      Look up what a neighborhood greenway is. It’s not a closed street. It’s a street with painted bicycle signage and large speed bumps every few hundred feet. Sorry if you’re lusting for a closed street only accessible by the vehicles of privileged residents, but that’s not what we’re getting.

      • back the blue October 27, 2022 (4:26 pm)

        Sorry if you’re lusting for a closed street only accessible by the vehicles of privileged residents, but that’s not what we’re getting.”

        Indeed, that’s never what the city has ever suggested, proposed, hinted at, etc., etc. 

        But I am interested in your assertions from the last thread that the Healthy Streets violate the City Charter.  I hope you show up and ask your questions–I’m sure the City will be very surprised to hear what they’re doing is illegal… 

        • Rhonda October 27, 2022 (6:20 pm)

          I NEVER said the SHS program violated the City Charter. I said CLOSING PUBLIC STREETS to thru vehicular traffic and curb parking violates the City Charter. This is precisely why SDOT/Murray’s office didn’t bar thru traffic and curb parking in any SHS debacle. I DID say that the signage stating the streets are closed is misleading, untrue, and is a violation of the public trust. The streets are in no way closed and should not be labeled as such. As far as I know, no one has taken legal action because no one has ever been cited for entering a SHS zone. No damages can be claimed because there’s nothing illegal about driving into or parking in one. But there’s no way to count the number of drivers who have wrongly believed the signage and avoided driving on any SHS.

      • sushisource October 28, 2022 (9:55 am)

        I get that, but many people in the post I linked to interpreted it that way. I’m addressing them. The point applies regardless of if it’s closed completely or changed to calm traffic.

  • Rarely John October 27, 2022 (2:48 pm)

    Hopefully preempting some of the howls anytime Safe Streets are proposed.  
    The “street closures” that riles people are not street closures in the sense that cars and motor vehicles are banned, but in reality they are streets with signage that say “Street Closed” as on the barricade in the photo.  
    What does that mean?  
    It is confusing for those who do not have experience with them.
    Motor vehicles are still allowed.  
    All people can still access them and park their vehicles.  
    Disabled  people with and without State placards or plates can still drive up where they can park and enjoy the view from the safety of their  vehicles.
    And for those claiming it is an instant $100,000  giveaway to homeowners, it is not.  
    The values of million dollar view homes existed prior to the temporary ban and currently remain similar after the Street Closure signs went in two years ago.  If anything the closures have led to more use by cars, pedestrians, cyclists and tourists hunting instagram fodder.  Just ask those who live there (and I am not among them).  
    I regularly biked, walked and driven it during the  street closure.  
    The street can not be truly closed off because people would lose all traditional established access to their homes.  
    The designated parking lane between the active street, the bike path and  the sidewalk on the Alki Ave stretch has remained the same layout.  
    It is a crude embodiment of one of the two overwhelmingly favored responses to the survey.   It has become a good spot to find parking on busier days for Alki Beach visits.  
    There continues to be loud rowdy individuals on motorcycles and performance cars doing burnouts, wheelies and aggressive driving, particularly along the Beach Drive frontage.  
    This will not stop for either of the two likely options.  
    This area is an unique gem of the Seattle shorelines for its rocky beach which is a favorite for low tide explorations, bird watchers and sea mammal sightings.  
    The point affords a better view of the South Sound and Mt Rainier than any other in Seattle.  
    It is a precious few blocks that merit special protections, even without actually closing the street.

    • The King October 27, 2022 (5:33 pm)

      When a sign says street closed, most of us don’t go down it. Most I say, because now the confusion is leading to people not knowing it’s a “safe street” and they drive down another at night into a 10 foot deep sewer project.  Either way, good for the people who got these signs on their roads to fend off other taxpayers. The new Seattle is about me, myself and I. Big win for these select elites. 

      • Foop October 28, 2022 (3:48 pm)

        Fend off other taxpayers? You’ll find me on this street more than ever! I love cycling through it, it’s a lovely reprieve after beach drive from Lincoln park. I love taking people there who are not comfortable riding in traffic. Yes, I drive my car with a bike rack, park and we go ride to Alki and back. 

      • RarelyJohn October 29, 2022 (7:33 am)

        Street closures for construction or hazards are different.  
        They involve complete barricades such as those blocking entrance to the WS Bridge for the las two years.  
        Additionally, the signage includes more than just “Street Closed”  one as visible in the photograph.
        The two additional signs – “Local Access Only”  and the graphic symbol one with vehicle, pedestrian, wheel chair, bicycle, dog walker etc. further define this type of ‘street closure.’

  • mem October 27, 2022 (3:24 pm)

    Not a comment on Alki, but on another street still under consideration for permanent closure….PLEASE reopen Trenton St!!!  It has never been utilized like Alki.  The city initially closed off 21st St near Sanislo Elem but quickly reopened that section due to community input. However, the city has totally ignored the residents of Highland Park, South Delridge and Riverview who have advocated (through emails, petitions, community input during HPAC meetings etc) to reopen this vital street for our community use. Not only do we use this street  to access Highland Park Elem but it is the route we take to get to Westwood Village, the post office, the library and destinations within these 3 neighborhoods such as the HPIC building, the dog park, Riverview Park etc. PLEASE REOPEN TRENTON STREET.

    • Highland Park neighbor October 27, 2022 (4:19 pm)

      I completely agree! I am in Highland Park and use Trenton SW all the time, especially from 16th Ave Sw to Delridge, but often also from 9th SW to 16th SW. I have written about reopening Trenton and how it is ridiculous to have 4 traffic calming measures in one block on Trenton SW (Local traffic sign, stop sign, speed bumps, AND a roundabout) between 16th SW and 17th SW. There is no traffic speeding through there!I also have written to SDOT, filled out the questionnaires about the Safe Streets in my area, written to Ms. Herbold, given impact statements on how the Bridge closure impacted my area especially by making any usage of non-arterials dangerous, and I feel completely ignored. I am frustrated.

      • T October 27, 2022 (10:54 pm)

        Totally agree, as a Trenton resident. I often go straight down trenton or turn left onto it from 16th. It is a hazard to try to turn onto the wrong side of the street as it is often impossible to see cars approaching and then you are stuck half turned and in danger of getting t-boned.As to the alki one, proper signage would be helpful. The mean mugs and comments that are sometimes directed at cars that rightfully want to use the street to access that block are ridiculous. Having to drive around families of four-two kids on bikes spread out across the street is dangerous (or toddlers driving RC cars) and yes I do so with elderly and/or disabled family members in the vehicle. Clear signage would help all understand and hopefully cut down on the self righteous bullies, yes I know, if they bother to read the sign

    • 1994 October 27, 2022 (8:11 pm)

      Trenton is a vital east – west connector road and needs to be 100% accessible for people 100% of the time.

    • Rhonda October 27, 2022 (11:38 pm)

      Trenton is 100% open no matter what the signs say.

    • Kyle October 28, 2022 (9:26 am)

      Agreed this has been brought up many times over the 2+ years and they fail to listen to the feedback about Trenton and how errands work in the neighborhood. 

  • Tax Payer October 27, 2022 (4:16 pm)

    After this became permanent, I make sure to drive that road every time I go down Alki and instead of cutting left at Cactus, I drive my new private loop back to Beach Drive. I’ll do it more and more. 

    • back the blue October 27, 2022 (4:51 pm)

      This is a weird thing to brag about.

      Are you also less likely to clean up your dog’s poop when there are signs asking you to do so?

    • notajerk October 27, 2022 (4:52 pm)

      Good for you! Hope you sleep better at night! 

    • Peter October 27, 2022 (5:13 pm)

      Being a jerk for the sake of being a jerk. I hope it helps you feel better that all decent people hate you. 

      • Monetmonetmonet October 28, 2022 (9:33 am)

        He’s a jerk for driving down a street his tax dollars pay for? How’s that work? 

        • RarelyJohn October 29, 2022 (7:42 am)

          Right-on Monet,That is my reasoning for driving down the wrong side of the street, after all I pay taxes for both sides.

      • Wseattleite October 30, 2022 (1:30 pm)

        Peter. Decent people do not go around hating other people.  

    • smoosh October 28, 2022 (12:00 am)

      Your mother must be proud.

  • Olive October 27, 2022 (4:52 pm)

    When I have elderly guests staying, or people from other lands who have never been to Seattle, I love to take them on house and garden tours, on all the lovely winding and scenic byways of our lovely West Seattle. This includes all the roads that hug Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

    This street is always on the itinerary. And it will continue to be. I will continue to drive very slowly. It’s too beautiful to do otherwise. It’s always the highlight. Sometimes they like to get out of the car and sit on the bench.

    • Scarlett October 30, 2022 (9:27 pm)

      Great comment.  Keep doing what you do.  

  • Boop October 27, 2022 (4:58 pm)

    Great news!  Where do I apply to have our road closed too?

  • Olive October 27, 2022 (6:18 pm)

    The photo heading this thread says it all. It’s disgusting. It’s ugly. And it’s wrong.

  • Scarlett October 27, 2022 (7:22 pm)

    “Healthy Streets” are a solution to a non-existent problem.  

  • Rick October 27, 2022 (7:33 pm)

    Kinda like un ringing a bell.

  • Grateful October 27, 2022 (8:15 pm)

    Nobody needs to drive down that street unless they live there as there are other options to get around that are shorter in distance.  The only caveat would be for someone disabled that had no other means of accessing the area.  I don’t live there but walk down there all the time.  It’s so much more pleasant now than before that street was turned into a “Healthy Street.”  Cars used to park on both sides and then there were massive jams when 2 cars were trying to go in opposite directions and had no place to pull over and often so many people were sitting in their cars smoking pot or vaping that the whole place just reeked.  Now walking down there is wonderful.  There are less people smoking and stinking the place up, it’s quieter, and all the people walking, riding bikes, etc have space to enjoy it.  As a taxpayer, I don’t feel anything has been taken away.  This is an improvement.

    • Scarlett October 30, 2022 (9:22 pm)

      Straw man argument. Most people don’t use this road when they want to simply get from point A to point B, just bicyclists don’t use this stretch of road when their purpose is to get from point A to point B.  

  • WSRes October 27, 2022 (9:22 pm)

    As a resident that cycles that street 4-5 days a week I find it frustrating to ride through that section. The current situation looks chaotic to me. Every time I ride that section I see plenty of pedestrian traffic occupying what used to be auto only area with auto traffic trying to navigate through and around the pedestrians. There’s still a high volume of nonresident traffic driving in and through. Great idea but poor execution. It just seems like a stretch of road where people walk out in traffic, so the name “healthy street” seems to miss its mark. 

  • Ice October 28, 2022 (1:25 am)

    They should just make the road impassible to cars in front of 3350 Beach Dr SW (maybe have a small p-patch where the pavement is now. and then install bollards and handicap parking spaces where beach drive de meets 63rd. If they did that, they could get rid of the closed signs while still maintaining the much better experience for pedestrians that has been gained.

    • Rarely John October 28, 2022 (9:16 am)

      I liked ICE’s suggestion at first.
      But such a plan would eliminate access to 4 apartment buildings  from 3300-3318 Beach Drive.  

  • Rick October 28, 2022 (4:34 am)

    Yeah, they should do that in front of my house too.

  • StuckInWestSeattle October 28, 2022 (8:38 am)

    I am not a fan of most of the safe street closures. The one that annoys me the most is 21st ave SW. What that street desperately needs are sidewalks installed so you can safely walk. People ignore that closed sign anyways.

  • Robert J Schmidt October 28, 2022 (11:15 am)

    Another city view accessable to the privileged and healthy only.

    • back the blue October 28, 2022 (4:02 pm)

      Your comment makes it look like you have no idea at all what’s going on.

      Maybe try re-reading the situation here Bob?

  • GreenLakesLover October 28, 2022 (1:57 pm)

    Thank goodness for thoughtful and reasonable comments like the one Grateful made. Reducing traffic to all but residential and deliveries is about SAFETY. Fewer cars means greater safety for pedestrians, disabled, small wheels and bike users.  Those who insist they must be able to drive on the street because it’s their “right” or those who have a misguided perception that the steet closure is a form of privatization for residents are missing this simple yet very important point. Frequent users like myself who have seen far too many close calls between vehicles and people understand this. One chilling memory is of a truck bearing down behind a young child learning to roller skate. The kid wasn’t aware the truck was there and it was far too close to avoid running over her if she fell down. I’ve also noticed fewer wheelchair and walker users. Over all there used to be many more people using the street instead of the sidewalk than now and I believe that’s because more and more vehicles are driving on the street making it unsafe for everyone.  Also cars detract  from the experience this special  place has to offer. It’s a unique and peaceful get-away in a dense urban environment and we need to recognize this rather than chase the wrong  ball with claims of citizen right away to the roads and false statements  about the street closure being a big win for select elites—HOGWASH!  It’s still a public space, no individual person is  barred from going there—they  just shouldn’t bring their car along and for good reasons. But guess what, there’s a ton of convenient side street parking very close by, some of it just steps away with handicapped parking directly on Beach Dr.  Bottom line the Stay Healthy Street designation has made Alki Point more open than ever before because it’s a safer and more inviting place for EVERYONE.

    • Scarlett October 28, 2022 (6:42 pm)

      You do realize there is a dedicated spacious bike and pedestrian encircling most of  peninsula, right?  What you are telling people is this:  I want to enjoy this stretch of beach my way, and tough luck for you.  

      • Ice October 30, 2022 (4:22 pm)

        Comments like this amount to people believing that what they doesn’t have a negative effect on anyone else. ‘It’s my right to drive, therefore, if it degrades the enjoyability of a public space, causes noise pollution, air pollution, and endangers people’s lives, it’s not my problem because I don’t have to enjoy things on your terms.”

  • Diane Bond October 28, 2022 (2:12 pm)

    Wondering why we can’t get any traffic calming on the 9000 block of 10th SW without paying for it ourselves (as per SDOT). No one else is asked to pay for speed bumps, etc. What a load of _____! We pay taxes here too and can’t get any help even though we sure could use it.

Sorry, comment time is over.