FOLLOWUP: SDOT says Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’ is permanent

While some pandemic-related government actions are about to sunset, some are becoming permanent. Among them, a network of closed-to-through-traffic “Healthy Streets,” per this map published this week by SDOT:

What the city had called “Stay Healthy Streets” or “Keep Moving Streets,” originally implemented to create more room for socially distanced riding/walking/rolling, are now simply “Healthy Streets.” Most notable on the map is the declaration that the Alki Point stretch is now permanent, a status it hadn’t had until now. It was created in May 2020 – first the city announced it would close the northernmost end of Beach Drive to through traffic, then almost immediately, it added the westernmost end of Alki Avenue. Over the ensuing months and years, there have been surveys and petition drives, but never until now a final decision on its status. The city has long hinted, however, that it would be permanent, and solicited feedback on a “permanent design.” That too has been (mostly) decided, according to SDOT’s update, which refers to the design survey it circulated a year ago:

The design we’re moving forward with for public engagement is Option 1 from the survey: Stay Healthy Street + Neighborhood Greenway.

This design will upgrade the street to a Neighborhood Greenway and include additional elements of a Healthy Street. As part of the larger Healthy Streets program, we’ve also updated the name of the project to “Alki Point Healthy Street.”

In coming days, we’ll share information about public engagement events in November 2022. We’ll be hosting in-person and virtual events, so that the community has more than one option for attending and giving feedback on the Alki Point Healthy Street design.

If you have a request for our public engagement events in November, please email us at AlkiKeepMovingStreet@seattle.gov.

This is not West Seattle’s only Stay Healthy Street, but it was the one that generated the most discussion/controversy. The plans for the others are in links you’ll find here.

W/S Native October 14, 2022 (12:18 pm)

Many thanks for the solicited feedback. It really made me feel good to participate in that. Thanks to SDOT and thanks to the former mayor. Congratulations on all that benefit from the increased property values as well. The encampments are on the way. Thanks for nothing.

Kyle October 14, 2022 (12:19 pm)

Lol this is why folks don’t believe the government when they say something will be temporary.

smoosh October 15, 2022 (1:06 am)

Everything is temporary Kyle. It was temporary, until it was made permanent. Our brand of government is designed with inherent temporal restrictions to itself even. If you didnt like it you could have voiced your concern. Having that street limited though makes perfect sense though so……
- Kyle October 15, 2022 (2:16 pm)
  
  I did voice my concern and so did many others. Why do you think I didn’t? There was no vote, no democratic process for this change. We were told it was temporary to give folks more space during COVID. Now it’s made permanent to the benefit of a few rich homeowners who didn’t like car clubs congregating on the public street on nice weekends.

Return Our Streets October 14, 2022 (12:23 pm)

So these public right of ways which the city seized (illegally under normal city law, using the temporary auspices of emergency conditions), are not going to be returned to public use now that those emergency conditions are no longer in effect?

neighbor October 14, 2022 (1:14 pm)

It’s still available to the public. I was just walking there and saw quite a few other members of the public using it for walking, biking, and skating. So nothing has been “seized” or removed from the public’s use. This stretch was never a through street anyway- the arterial goes from Alki to 63rd to Beach- so I’m not sure what you feel has been taken away.
Jort October 14, 2022 (1:36 pm)

“public right of ways which the city seized” … my god. Come on, dude. Come on.
Paul October 14, 2022 (2:07 pm)

It’s still for public use though, not just cars!Drive around it’s not that hard.
- Jerf October 14, 2022 (3:28 pm)
  
  There is no consequence for driving through. Have you ever seen a ‘no thru traffic’ law actually being enforced?it would be funny if the RV encampments moved to the streets. Since the police don’t do anything about those, either!
Peter October 14, 2022 (5:18 pm)

So the city “seized” city property, huh? Oh the outrage.

THOMAS LAXTON October 14, 2022 (12:25 pm)

until the citizen actually votes on this it is not legal per the city charter and charges under the charter must be initiated against the cities mayor and council also since this is a park these rules are ignoring our rights to drive down this street those people who live there know what it was like before they moved there leave the street open period

cwit October 14, 2022 (2:50 pm)

Holy run-on sentence, Batman!

Rhonda October 14, 2022 (12:44 pm)

Then I’ll permanently ignore the signs as these PUBLIC streets belong to all of us, not just those who reside off of them.

Back the Blue October 14, 2022 (2:02 pm)

So much for supporting law and order.
- Rhonda October 14, 2022 (3:27 pm)
  
  Law and order isn’t SDOT violating the Seattle City Charter to declare a public street private. It’s also perfectly legal to drive through or park in any Stay Healthy Street/Keep Moving Street.
  - back the blue October 15, 2022 (12:58 pm)
    
    1. What part of the Seattle City Charter does this violate?2. If you feel it’s perfectly legal to drive through and park on these streets, then why the hell are you complaining so much about not being able to drive or park on them? (e.g., when you wrote “There are millions of injured like her who deserve the same vehicle access to the Alki Point waterfront as those who live there in gorgeous view homes.”)3. No matter how to try to wriggle out of it, it is absolutely you flouting law and order if you insist on using these streets as through streets. The city has designated them as not for through-traffic, and if you ignore that rule you are absolutely doing something wrong, and you should and will be shamed.
    - Rhonda October 15, 2022 (11:05 pm)
      
      Please provide evidence that the SHS sections cannot legally be driven through. Take all the time you need as no such statute exists, but the search will do you some good.
    - back the blue October 16, 2022 (7:44 am)
      
      Lol, Rhonda, no. That’s not how it works.
      
      You wrote the Healthy Street was ” violating the Seattle City Charter ”
      
      So I ask you again, what part of the Seattle City Charter does it violate?
      
      Don’t give me a garbage reply where you squirm and turn around and ask me a random question.
      
      You made a claim, back it up or everyone here will think you’re just flat out lying.
      
      It’s that simple.
    - Rhonda October 16, 2022 (2:04 pm)
      
      This issue was addressed here on the WSB many months ago deep into the SHS program. Someone residing in the Sunrise Heights area was leaving notes on the windshields of parked, non-resident vehicles on 34th Avenue SW. announcing it was illegal for them to drive on and park there. SPD investigated the situation and the note-leaving behavior ceased. It is ABSOLUTELY legal for a licensed driver of any legal vehicle to drive through and/or park in any SHS section anywhere in Seattle. Elected Seattle City officials do not have the authority to close any public residential street unless it’s for a permitted event, construction, fire or other emergency, or law enforcement investigation. The State RCW allows municipalities to prevent certain types of vehicles over a determined weight or size from using roadways if they pose a hazard to the physical structure of a particular roadway. Closures are also allowed for roadways or bridges that are determined to be unsafe by municipal transportation agencies. Posted are links to the Seattle City Charter: https://www.seattle.gov/cityclerk/legislation-and-research/seattle-municipal-code-and-city-charter
    - back the blue October 17, 2022 (7:59 pm)
      
      “Elected Seattle City officials do not have the authority to close any public residential street unless it’s for a permitted event, construction, fire or other emergency, or law enforcement investigation.”
      
      Okay. So where in the Seattle City Charter does it say that?
Healthy and Happy October 14, 2022 (2:09 pm)

They do belong to all of us. Just get out of your car and enjoy it. Fresh air. Exercise. It’s the best medicine for a negative attitude.
- Rhonda October 14, 2022 (2:24 pm)
  
  I’m lucky enough to have 100% mobility. Many aren’t, however, and have lingering injuries and trouble getting around, like my 85 year-old mother with two knee replacements and an artificial hip. She doesn’t qualify for a handicapped placard but can’t walk a couple hundred yards from a parked car to the waterfront without pain and discomfort. There are millions of injured like her who deserve the same vehicle access to the Alki Point waterfront as those who live there in gorgeous view homes.
  - Jay October 14, 2022 (3:00 pm)
    
    You’re being dramatic. It’s closed to through traffic, you can still drive there and park to enjoy Alki Point. None of the Stay Healthy Streets are closed off to people driving to a destination there.
  - Lagartija Nick October 14, 2022 (5:21 pm)
    
    Rhonda, there are only about 800,000 people in Seattle, so there aren’t “millions” of anyone here let alone the mobility impaired wanting to use that park. Plus, literally everyone, including the mobility impaired can still drive on that strret and park there to enjoy the shoreline.
    - Rhonda October 14, 2022 (5:50 pm)
      
      There are 7.7 million Washington State residents who have legal access to EVERY public road they pay taxes for. Alki is one of the most-visited locations not only in Seattle but in Washington State…..and there’s been millions over the decades.
    - WestSeattleBadTakes October 15, 2022 (3:42 am)
      
      Mobility concerns raised here are almost universally invoked insincerely.
      
      There are many things inaccessible to many that these folks don’t actually care about. This is just a tool to setup a straw man and skip past any actual discussion. Painting you as a bad person for not caring about mobility, when it is fact the exact opposite.
  - Sue H October 14, 2022 (6:19 pm)
    
    Why would she not qualify for a disabled placard? Is she in Washington state? One or both of these on the application would probably apply to her: “Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest or must use assistive device” or “Walking severely limited due to arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic condition.” Sounds like a doctor could sign her off easily based on those questions alone. (Speaking as someone with mobility issues who qualified.)
    - Rhonda October 14, 2022 (7:11 pm)
      
      People shouldn’t require a doctor-authorized disabled placard to park on a public street with hundreds of feet of bare curb space. People of all abilities have been parking there over a dozen decades. The disabled spaces will be limited, anyway, and many will have to park further away or abandon their plans.
North Delridge October 14, 2022 (3:10 pm)

I mean you’re more than welcome to, as you’re probably aware there’s no enforcement and also the city said anyone can use them to access the publicly available parking (which obviously this strip has a lot for a busy area).
- photon October 14, 2022 (8:52 pm)
  
  the city said anyone can use them to access the publicly available parking
  
  Can you tell me where you found this information?
  - back the blue October 15, 2022 (7:59 am)
    
    Photon:
    
    These streets have only ever been ‘closed’ to through traffic. They have always been open for delivery drivers, people visiting friends or going to restaurants, parking so they can go for a walk, etc. They are JUST asking people who are driving through to use a different route. That’s all it is, and all it’s ever been.
    
    It’s always been this way, which is why so many people are outright laughing at Rhonda and others who are crying about how they won’t be able to drive there anymore. These people have the reading comprehension of chimps, in addition to an outright disrespect for law and order. It’s a disturbing (but not surprising, sadly) combination.
    - Rhonda October 15, 2022 (12:48 pm)
      
      You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, back the blue. The posted signs read STREET CLOSED, something even “chimps” can comprehend. Yet, under the law, they AREN’T closed. SDOT or our former Mayor didn’t have the authority under our City Charter to prevent anyone from driving through and parking in the SHS sections. That’s why thousands of drivers each day legally drive in and out of Alki Point and ignore the STREET CLOSED signs….because it isn’t. Those signs shouldn’t exist because countless people see the official signs and assume the street is actually closed. Unless the City actually closes the street for all vehicles (which they can’t as long as there’s residences there) then it’s open for all, period. All SDOT can legally do is restrict parking in the section which will limit access.
    - back the blue October 15, 2022 (1:46 pm)
      
      “The posted signs read STREET CLOSED”
      
      You’re ALMOST there. Now just go one step further–closed to what?
      
      Are they closed to pedestrians? Nope.
      
      Are they closed to squirrels? Nope. Are they maybe closed to bicyclists? Nope.
      
      They are, in fact, CLOSED TO THROUGH-TRAFFIC. So when you and your 85 year old mother want to go and park there, guess what? Feel free!
      
      And in response to your boo-hoo crying about how the city can’t close it to through-traffic… um, they did. And if you have a problem with that, throwing a tantrum and breaking the rules is not a reasonable response–that’s a child’s response. A reasonable response is writing to your representatives and taking political action to get the rules changed.

Jort October 14, 2022 (12:51 pm)

Once again SDOT prefers virtue-signaling a policy that’s meant to look like a big benefit to non-car public space users, but in reality these street “closures” are merely road signs that motorists frequently ignore and continue to intentionally intimidate and threaten non-car street users on. A woman 30 weeks pregnant with twins, walking in a crosswalk with another infant was hit by a car going an estimated 50 miles per hour — right in the middle of a “Stay Healthy Street” that also happens to be a “Neighborhood Greenway.” Until they install physical alterations to the street to physically prevent dangerous car driver behavior, like traffic diverters, SDOT will continue to be a virtue-signaling city department committed primarily to the expeditious movement of private vehicles at the expense of nearly any other concern, up to and including human lives. City streets are public land, just as much as a city park. We can choose whether we want this land to be used to protect lives or to endanger them. It’s as simple as that. https://westseattleblog.com/2022/07/west-seattle-crime-watch-pregnant-woman-remains-in-hospital-4-days-after-hit-run/

Blbl October 14, 2022 (3:16 pm)

I certainly know I’ll ignore the signs and continue to drive on them.
- Reed October 14, 2022 (8:13 pm)
  
  Don’t expect any of us running, walking or biking on it to move out of the way.
  - Marina October 14, 2022 (8:22 pm)
    
    That does not seem like a good survival strategy (speaking as a runner).
  - Blbl October 14, 2022 (9:13 pm)
    
    Not surprisingly, on all the healthy streets I’ve driven on, I’ve never run into any of those. Only other drivers.
  - Drivey McDriverson October 15, 2022 (2:32 pm)
    
    That’s what horns are for. The signage says “share the road”, not be an entitled jerk.
- back the blue October 15, 2022 (11:18 am)
  
  BLBL…
  “I certainly know I’ll ignore the signs and continue to drive on them.”
  
  Fun! Now tell us how you feel about people who ignore the signs and bring their dogs into grocery stores and coffee shops.
  
  Go on. I’ll wait.

Lamont October 14, 2022 (1:00 pm)

Is there any description anywhere of what exactly “Option 1” is? The survey is long closed, there’s only busted links off of the SDOT update page.

WSB October 14, 2022 (1:07 pm)

Unfortunately, while I try to pull graphics like that out of surveys for the permanent record, as far as I can tell, I didn’t with this one; still looking in the archives, though.
- Ryan Packer October 14, 2022 (1:55 pm)
  
  FYI you can fix those links by removing the .xml tag at the end.

937 October 14, 2022 (1:11 pm)

I will continue to use this, and ALL public roadways for their intended use.

1311 – 10/14

smoosh October 15, 2022 (1:10 am)

Did you time stamp your timestamped comment? Bizarre dude. What a patriot you are standing up to the oppression of your fellow neighbor. LOL.
back the blue October 15, 2022 (11:16 am)

That’s great! Reminder: the intended use for this public roadway is now for local traffic only.

Thanks for your support in following the rules of society. You’re a good person.

Jort October 14, 2022 (1:27 pm)

Good lord the reactions to this are so over-the-top hysterical. People accuse me of being dramatic, but look at some of these. “This is illegal!” “This violates the city charter!” “I will ignore the law and do what I want because I’m special and laws don’t apply to me!” Absolutely over-the-top, like the city is forcibly taking away your first-born. Good lord, just so histrionic. They’re stupid street signs on 0.0000001% of the city’s streets and people react like fascists have fully taken over. Further proof that people think cars — literally cars — have more rights than human beings and that even the smallest, slightest, minor threat to them is nearly as catastrophic as detonating 100 nuclear bombs over every neighborhood in the city. Just unreal.

Rhonda October 14, 2022 (4:29 pm)

Human beings drive cars. Ergo; it’s against human rights to restrict where humans can drive their cars.
- neighbor October 14, 2022 (4:37 pm)
  
  Thank you for a satirical response that totally proves Jort’s point!
- Jort October 14, 2022 (4:45 pm)
  
  This is satire, right? You can not possibly be serious, right?
- Lagartija Nick October 14, 2022 (5:24 pm)
  
  Hahahahahaha! Rhonda, I think you’ve just Jumped the Shark.
- Ice October 15, 2022 (3:15 am)
  
  This is an amazing post
Scarlett October 15, 2022 (9:57 am)

Jort: Your comment is a classic example of psychological “projection.” No one here is hysterical except you.

Ktrapp October 14, 2022 (1:33 pm)

I remember filling out at least one survey, with all the options for what to do next being variations of keeping the street closed. The only way you could express the opinion that the street should revert to the prior configuration was to mention it in various “other” comment fields. I found it interesting that SDOT was too afraid to even list it as an option.

Drivey McDriverson October 15, 2022 (2:12 pm)

“Community input” by Seattle government is designed to get the desired outcome of the department that is proposing the change. That, and the use of “neighborhood activists” who are the people with the most time on their hands who can yell the loudest and longest.

Fiz October 14, 2022 (2:36 pm)

Doggone, wish I owned one of those properties that just went up a quarter mil in value. Hello, hello! King County Assessor, did you see this?

The King October 14, 2022 (4:02 pm)

No kidding, can someone tell us the secret handshake on how to get my road shut down so I can keep the peons from “threatening my democracy”, lol
- smoosh October 15, 2022 (1:12 am)
  
  You can literally petition the city to turn your side street into a safe street from links on the cities homepage.
Kathy October 15, 2022 (11:46 am)

It was a residential street being used as an arterial during good weather outside of work hours. The people living on the street could literally not get out of their own neighborhood due to the car parades and traffic backups. Alki is a magnet for cruising and noisy modified street cars. Let the cars parade on the arterials where they belong. I live on one of those arterials and we bear the brunt of the noisy cars at times, but now at least we can escape to the relative calm of the Point. If you have problems with cars racing on your residential street, you should round up your neighbors with a petition and apply to the city for a street closure. Many people, not just residents, signed the petition for the Alki Healthy Street.
back the blue October 15, 2022 (2:28 pm)

“Doggone, wish I owned one of those properties that just went up a quarter mil in value.”

https://westseattleblog.com/2022/08/heres-how-much-west-seattle-residential-property-values-have-risen-according-to-the-king-county-assessors-office/

Hmmm…

Shawn October 14, 2022 (3:19 pm)

I love driving around the Alki area, and I really think this is fine, probably even a good thing! It’s a entire 7 minutes / .3 mile from 63rd & Alki to the lighthouse, which is probably the furthest walk this will cause. There wouldn’t even need to be any roads there at all, except for the fact that people actually live there and need to be able to access their garages. If you built a big parking structure somewhere nearby and granted the owners a permanent spot, you could tear those roads up and really make something out of the area, but I admit that’s kind of assertive and there might be problems with that vs. emergency vehicles.As other have mentioned, this isn’t like some kind of gated community that we can’t access, the only thing banned is cars. As my dad use to say, what’s at the end of your legs? Feet? Well then use them.I like cars; I’m relatively pro-car for a transit nerd. But they aren’t the only way to get around.

Jon October 14, 2022 (3:34 pm)

Such misplaced hysteria.
Cars can and do still drive through this whole section.
I’ve even had aggresive Alki cruisers honk and speed around me while biking.
I also called out a “shame on you!” to the middle age man who drove in his newish Honda SUV, parked, popped the tailgate to retrieve large trash bags and attempt to shove them into the park trash cans. He had to pull the lid off to stuff them in. His defense. “It’s better than most people throwing their trash on the beach.”
Clearly he had drive up access and easy parking in this “Closed” section of Beach Drive.
I’ve also witnessed block long motorcycle wheelies and car tire burnouts on this closed street.
Those expressing such outrage are clearly not familiar with this “closure.”

Nick October 14, 2022 (3:48 pm)

This should trigger a reassessment of all lands bordering the street, the people living there advocated for this knowing their asset values would rise immediately, thus they should pay the increase in taxes.

smoosh October 15, 2022 (1:14 am)

They will. Everyone gets their property tax assessment every year. Take a deep breath dude.

WestSeattle October 14, 2022 (3:54 pm)

I’m going to drive down any paved road in the city that my taxes pay to maintain. There are plenty of green spaces, parks, bike lanes, trails and places for people to be healthy and enjoy. This seems like an appeasing option for anyone wealthy enough to live in the area, and not for anyone else. There’s literally an entire beach, 2 sidewalks a wide street, 2 baseball fields and the entire Alki beach walk. Smitz park. This is ridiculous and someone with deep pockets probably helped motivate the city to do this. “Health street” I’ve just about heard it all seattle government. This could be a TV show at this point

Quiz October 14, 2022 (4:17 pm)

OMG. I can’t believe this is real. How is this even legal?

Sillygoose October 14, 2022 (6:37 pm)

Such BS I can’t even get a speed bump or patrol for cars that are air borne on my street but this block can close. I’m appalled at the arrogance.

Adam October 14, 2022 (7:26 pm)

Personally, I think they’re great. I used to have trouble getting to Alki, but now there’s a street damn near always open for me to drive right through.

Marina October 14, 2022 (8:26 pm)

Agreed.

Scarlett October 14, 2022 (7:38 pm)

What is SDOT trying to accomplish? Technically, Alki Point will not be closed off to motorists – only through traffic – producing a potentially confusing, unpoliced, situation where motorists are sharing the road with pedestrians and bicyclists, each bringing their angry vendetta’s and misunderstanding of what is allowed. Being that bikers and pedestrians have access to path that circumnavigates the peninsula, this is a totally unnecessary complication that benefits no one, except perhaps homeowners – even they might get bored with the quiet.

Shadowtripper October 14, 2022 (8:56 pm)

Personally I enjoy the lack of traffic on the area around the lighthouse. On the other hand I find it interesting that the people that will benefit the most from less traffic turn a blind eye to the park system along that route. In one section nearly all of the Rugosa roses were eliminated by the park department leaving a 3′ x 5′ high clump of blackberry brush to grow. (Recently someone did remove the blackberry bramble and cover the ground with cardboard in an attempt to disrupt weeds). Other sections are over growing the sidewalk.It’s a shame that whoever is in charge of this area of parks lacks the knowledge to recognize the Rugosa rose as drought tolerant requiring minimal service… and blooms roses! Organizing a neighborhood cleanup is long overdue along that stretch. Obviously the park department has no interest or knowledge of the difference between a rose and blackberry. I’d love to see those residents putting in the labor to make those sections look as good as their homes. Show some pride!

On Graham October 14, 2022 (10:48 pm)

If I recall correctly, the Healthy Streets program was intended to create safe walking spaces during the pandemic in neighborhoods that lacked proximity to parks and green spaces. A good idea that that I support. However, the Alki Point Healthy Street never actually fit that criteria, and looks like an anomaly relative to any of the other streets chosen. I would love my busy street to be closed permanently to traffic, too. Can any street apply for this designation? I think that’s why the Alki point Healthy Street sticks in my craw a bit…they are inconsistently applying the program and in this case providing significant benefit to a neighborhood that already has healthy walking options in abundance.

Nearby October 15, 2022 (12:22 am)

Every time this issue comes up, it strikes me how unfamiliar most of the critics seem to be with the actual rules and the streets involved. Have they even been down there? The only reasons to drive that road are (a) you live there or are visiting/delivering to a home, or (b) you simply prefer it because it’s prettier than 63rd. Yes it is – no argument there. But the primary purpose of a car is to get you from point A to point B, and 63rd clearly accomplishes that more efficiently than the Stay Healthy street. The city simply chose to prioritize NON-drivers’ use and enjoyment of the “scenic route” over DRIVERS’ use of the “scenic route” – that’s all. Especially given the layout of the roads, proximity to the arterial (63rd), narrow sidewalks, and heavy recreational use, I think it is a great decision. It offers the most benefit to the greatest number of people. To those who consider themselves exempt from traffic laws because they “pay taxes and it’s a public street,” I wonder if they are also entitled to drive the wrong direction down a one-way road? They paid taxes for that street, after all, so this car-hating city can’t take away their right to use half of it! What if the city prohibits them from driving down their favorite block for a week while a water main is being replaced? They paid taxes for that street too; screw the people who have no water until the pipe is fixed! And crosswalks? That is THEIR ROAD that they paid for … the city can’t tell them they have to yield to pedestrians at every corner!!Seriously, people.I don’t live on the Stay Healthy street. I love my car and use it heavily. I am critical of Seattle and its government. But the complaints about this one are just ignorant and ridiculous. Come enjoy the park or die mad, I guess.

💡 October 15, 2022 (12:59 am)

Well said!! By some of the comments made, it appears the writer hasn’t even been to Alki Point during the past 2-1/2 years since these changes were decided upon and made by SDOT–and, for clarification, not at the request of the local residents. I will echo your sentiment, to come enjoy the park or die mad.
- Scarlett October 15, 2022 (9:49 am)
  
  So if someone disagrees with you, they are just “angry?”
Scarlett October 15, 2022 (6:57 am)

Again, I’ll pose the same question to you, “Nearby”: Why this designate this stretch of roadway as a “Healthy Street,” when motorists, bicyclists, and others have been enjoying it for deccades – together? Motorists, bicyclists, and others can already determine when it is the best time for them individually to visit and enjoy this area based on traffic patterns – we don’t need government oversight prioritizing one group over another. And, we don’t need the silly hectoring about “being angry,” or unsubstantiated statements about this benefiting the most people – it’s simply not true.
- Nearby October 15, 2022 (12:25 pm)
  
  @Scarlett,- Because with a wall of cars parked along the water side of the street, pedestrians are pinned on a narrow sidewalk – it’s not even wide enough for two people walking dogs to pass each other comfortably, much less functioning as a “park.” – Because the walkers/runners/bikers/skaters who chose to use the street have definitely NOT been happily coexisting with the cars. Sharing a road with a car is not a relaxing experience, especially when pushing a stroller or walking a dog or accompanying a little one on a bike or scooter.– Because the euphemistically named “car clubs” that congregated along Constellation Park every summer night, smoking and drinking and blasting music and blocking the sidewalks and peeling out, no longer abuse this stretch of road now that it’s a Stay Healthy Street. – Because the ONLY effect of this designation is to prevent scenic drives along the road. That’s it. Nothing else. As far as providing the greatest benefit provided to the greatest number of people, my conclusion may be anecdotal but it is not unsubstantiated. It is based on my personal observations from using this road for recreation 3-6 times every week for the past 10 years. Since the Stay Healthy designation, I have observed a substantial increase in the number of walkers, runners, bikers, and especially young kids on skates and scooters who use this area. I am very comfortable with the government prioritizing those uses over motorists who want to take a pretty drive. (And even though I don’t agree with all of them, I understand that it is literally the government’s job to make decisions that may limit my activities in furtherance of the public interest.)
  - Scarlett October 15, 2022 (1:50 pm)
    
    Again, that’s your anecdotal opinion, not mine nor many others. In toto, what you want to do – to cut to the chase – is to force your idea of a good time on others. You have the right to advocate for what suits you, of course, but some of us would rather compromise rather than tell others, “my way or the highway.” I am willing to deal with a little excessive noise and congestion at times because it’s a public space and it’s not all about “me.”
  - Scarlett October 15, 2022 (7:52 pm)
    
    It depends on what you define as coexisting. I am quite happy to deal with some congestion and noise because it’s a public space. I am willing to make some compromises because my idea of enjoying Alki Point is not someone else’s, which may mean squeezing by someone on the sidewalk, or picking a time when it is less crowded to ride my bike, or dealing with some loud noise. Unlike you, I am not comfortable with asking the government to step in and prioritize my wishes and desires over others – it’s not all about me, after all.
- Ice October 16, 2022 (7:59 pm)
  
  Have you ever been in this stretch of road during high demand, not in a car? It is absolutely ruined by cars. Cars back up quite far and blast their fumes into the air. It’s terrible as a pedestrian and even worse as a bike.
Canton October 15, 2022 (8:32 am)

@nearby. Good point about deliveries. Maybe UPS, Amazon, USPS should just create a delivery pile at each end of the closure and let the residents sort through it.

Kathryn October 15, 2022 (12:38 am)

Can you please add more speed bumps along Beach Dr. SW from the end of Alki Ave SW to 63rd Ave SW?

Thanks

Pam October 15, 2022 (8:51 am)

Yay! Hopefully, now it will be made a one-way street to cut down on all the speeding cars and motorcycles that think they need to show off on Alki point.

WSB October 15, 2022 (9:35 am)

One-way was among the options SDOT ruled out, it appears. But you’ll have another chance to speak up during the promised “engagement” ahead …

Kathy October 15, 2022 (11:21 am)

Admiral Way (my street) “belongs to all of us”, not just cars? So drivers will be all right with me walking down the middle of the general purpose lanes, right? See how that works? This short stretch of non arterial street on Beach Drive will have greatly reduced fossil fuel emissions next to an important marine park. If you want to drive through just to prove a point, no one will probably stop you. Enjoy the smoke from the climate warming/drought induced wildfires, brought to you by the indescriminate and excessive use of fossil fuels burnt just for the fun of it. Going around everywhere in a car is a sedentary activity and unhealthy for you. The city is providing a calm place with reduced traffic for everyone in the city. That is why this is designated a Healthy Street. Good for the planet, good for you.

Scarlett October 15, 2022 (1:39 pm)

Kathy: Is there anything preventing you or anyone else from riding your bike, walking, or jogging along this stretch of beach? Somehow people have been sharing these few blocks for decades, and now suddenly they won’t be allowed to because now its a threat to public health – to climate change, even? Absolutely preposterous.
Jeff October 17, 2022 (10:53 am)

Except this is for rich affluent people to keep a popular beach street less busy. It’s NIMBYism at best. Add one in a less popular spot to make up for it. We (citizens of Seattle who pay for this) want our Alki Point back!

Drivey McDriverson October 15, 2022 (2:00 pm)

You can still drive on the “healthy streets”. I do it all the time. Just go slow and be aware of what you are doing. Unlike most of the pedestrians and cyclists.