ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET: SDOT unveils next steps and survey results

Just in at the end of the day – SDOT‘s latest update on the Alki Point Healthy Street, in the form of a 50-page slide deck. Toward the end, they’ve finally decided what they’re going to do with the southern stretch, part of this list of what’s planned for this year, including extending the walking/biking/rolling lane, adding flashing crossing beacons at 63rd/Beach, and trying to address the “cul-de-sac” confusion on the north side:

And they’re considering making the Beach Drive stretch one-way:

This all follows results of the survey SDOT ran last fall, for which they say they received more than 1,100 responses. Detailed results are here. Here’s the SDOT summary:

If you’ve forgotten how that survey was circulated, here are their toplines on that:

They included study results of usage of the Healthy Street on given dates:

That included a walking/biking breakdown:

And they included some info on how data was connected:

SDOT also says the remaining parking in the area was nowhere near maxed out on the days they studied it:

The full slide deck/report also includes some project history.

102 Replies to "ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET: SDOT unveils next steps and survey results"

  • Kyle January 14, 2025 (6:27 pm)

    The day, June 9th, when only 10 spots remained open at the 2pm spot check was a low low tide day with Seattle naturalists on site.

  • DRW January 14, 2025 (6:32 pm)

    Is there anyway to find out what the budget is just for the study?

  • Tax Payer January 14, 2025 (6:44 pm)

    Our government has way too much money and too many people working to just make up stuff to work on… this is a joke. It’s all a joke. 

    • Neighbor January 14, 2025 (9:02 pm)

      This is exactly what a city government should be doing.  Nothing about this is a joke.  It’s everything working as intended, and well.

      • Thomas January 15, 2025 (9:21 pm)

        What I find frustrating levy after levy were promised sidewalks will be fixed roads reoaved.Yet somehow it never gets done.How many times have we been promised 35 th will be repaved.Lets focus on the basic infrastructure before special projects!

    • walkerws January 15, 2025 (9:55 am)

      What’s the joke? That a handful of people yelled and shook their fists about this project that is now proving to be a huge success that the vast majority of people are enjoying?

    • AlkiRenter January 15, 2025 (4:24 pm)

      Tax money well-spent on tangible improvements for everyone using that area, and this iteration is even better. 

    • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:52 pm)

      SDOT: “This will have negligible effects on automobile access but will increase cycling and pedestrian usage for more people.” Comments Section People: “I don’t believe it! There’s no data to support that! You’re doing this because of anti-car ideology!” SDOT: “Here’s the supporting data, painstakingly collected and analyzed.” Comments Section People: “What a waste of taxpayer dollars!”

  • Alki resident January 14, 2025 (7:01 pm)

    Completely killed the vibe of a once loved beach. It’s no wonder more people are leaving our area for other states. That one way direction for cars will not allow people to sit in their cars and look at the water without breaking their back. This is a complete embarrassment. Kudos to those allowing this to continue. 

    • your friend January 14, 2025 (8:17 pm)

      Yeah, lack of cars really does kill the vibe of beaches.  In fact, I can’t think of a more natural pairing than cars and beaches.  Beaches without cars?  Ugh, NO THANKS.

      And you know what really sucks about one-way streets?  The broken backs.  Oh My God, all of the broken backs.  Did you know, that per mile, one-way streets account for 34% of all broken backs in the US?  

      I also COMPLETELY agree that it’s no wonder people are leaving our area.  “Reputable” sites that say we’re at our highest population ever are clearly lying.  

      Rock on, my friend–even if everyone else thinks you’re a complete embarrassment, I’ve totally got your back (even if it’s broken from trying to look at a beach while sitting in your car)!

      https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/23140/seattle/population

      https://www.neilsberg.com/insights/seattle-wa-population-by-year/

      • Alki resident January 15, 2025 (1:56 am)

        I’m sure you can pretend all day long that you don’t own a car. I guess you missed the point by a mile that people who’ve been in West Seattle for many many years have finally decided it’s time to go. Had nothing to do with population but you wanted to put your own spin on things. People drive down there to take a quick break and bite to eat and enjoy the view. The way they’ve changed that road will not allow people to do just that. Give me a date in the last 50 years where there was ever an incident that caused safety concerns on that stretch. How many fatalities? Why are you so unsafe walking, biking etc? I’ll wait. My best friend lives at the end of that block for over 35 years and can’t recall one incident with the exception of a missing scuba diver that was eventually found. He rides his bike and drives and has never felt unsafe on that stretch. Your response was no less than bizarre. 

        • walkerws January 15, 2025 (9:56 am)

          It’s not just about safety concerns. The stretch is *nicer* and *more pleasant* with fewer cars. There are so many people out there now. I live miles away and enjoy this stretch multiple times a week on foot. It’s a win and a loud minority stuck in a car-centric past won’t change that.

        • walkerws January 15, 2025 (12:51 pm)

          I own a car. I just don’t center my life around it, and I understand that cars make cities worse. I walk down there to take a quick break and bite to eat and enjoy the view. The way they’ve changed the road allows people to do just that :)

        • k January 15, 2025 (2:09 pm)

          Alki Resident, there was one just last summer.  Use the Search function.

        • Alki Resident January 15, 2025 (4:56 pm)

          I’m fortunate that keyboard warriors like you are turned off by this. I don’t want negative people like you in my neighborhood. You can complain and try to victimize yourself all you want, but our neighborhood gladly welcomes this revision that places an emphasis on getting outside and enjoying the natural beauty the point has to offer. Don’t be such a curmudgeon and I hope you can find peace 

        • Burgerman January 15, 2025 (9:33 pm)

          That’s got to be a bald-faced lie for cred about your friend of 35 years. I’ve been here 15 and I can think of at least 4 times I’ve felt unsafe while on that stretch when cars of all kinds decided it was burnout or race time. Your assertion is utterly ridiculous.

        • T. Anderson January 16, 2025 (5:06 pm)

          Regarding the survey……there were lots of demographics shared but none that shows where the respondent lives…..I can guess though that the favorable results towards the project is skewed towards those that live in that immediate neighborhood (PS: I know someone will now state that they live 50 miles away but love the project and come here often.)

      • Alleycat January 15, 2025 (3:20 am)

        From Germany 🇩🇪 :
        Breaking my back laughing!
        Thank you for making my day!

    • Sam January 14, 2025 (8:20 pm)

      My grandpa was sent to Germany to fight Hitler. My dad fought in jungles of Vietnam. Every generation is called to sacrifice for freedom, but I can see that we have asked too much of you. I’m so sorry.

      • Alki resident January 15, 2025 (8:50 am)

        My grandpa was in that same war in Germany. My dad and uncle had to eat at strangers houses as a child in order to eat. Popping balloons as a child was a bad thing because of the trauma. Your grandpa wasn’t the only person in that war to sacrifice. 

        • walkerws January 15, 2025 (11:11 am)

          My grandpa also served in that war. If he were still alive, he would love the improvements to Alki Point and would have some choice words for those who tried to prevent them

          • Alki resident January 15, 2025 (3:38 pm)

            Well luckily there’s other people who have different opinions so I’m sure your Grandpa would’ve had his thoughts while others spoke of theirs. People have done a fantastic job destroying the vibes in Seattle. Gotta waste that money somehow right?

          • Walkerws January 15, 2025 (7:16 pm)

            The vibes have never been better

    • Neighbor January 14, 2025 (9:08 pm)

      Why do you insist on preserving this fantasy?  The changes haven’t prevented anyone from enjoying this park.  They just made it safer pedestrians and cyclists.  The one way road is only a proposal and I don’t see how it’s a problem anyway.  There’s plenty of parking, as the study proves.  It is your choice to continue to be enraged by this non-issue.

    • K January 15, 2025 (1:06 am)

      Amen sir. I quit my lucrative job and moved my family to Idaho because I was so angry about having to park on only one side of the street at this park and now we all have whooping cough. Thanks a lot SDOT!

      • Burgerman January 15, 2025 (9:34 pm)

        Thanks for the chuckle, K. 😂

    • cwit January 15, 2025 (10:18 am)

      Pouring one out for my homies that need to break their backs to look at the water (ok, ok – they can still look at the water but only in a specific direction without it hurting)!

    • B. Healthy January 15, 2025 (1:39 pm)

      The Vibe?  Here’s the vibe before the changes. https://vimeo.com/442450997

    • AlkiRenter January 15, 2025 (4:30 pm)

      Yeah, not walking down a narrow sidewalk, nor having to step into the lane of traffic, nor inhaling the exhaust fumes from the 20 cars parked and idling right next to the sidewalk really killed the vibe. I miss those days. Almost forget there’s still a couple of mile long stretches of waterfront where I can still do all of that. 

  • Don Brubeck January 14, 2025 (7:09 pm)

    The study was in response to vocal demand by West Seattle residents for the study. Isn’t that what our local government is supposed to do? Actual data shows the  street works for all users. 

    • Mm January 14, 2025 (7:20 pm)

      The data suggests that people who live close enough to not rely on a car are accessing that area. I’m up by the water tower. There is zero way I’m going to bike all the way down there even on a day with nice weather. So this study just reiterates the point that making any part of the main road on Alki essentially a tax funded private road limits access to everyone who might have used it. And it’s not like Alki is easy to find parking during day light hours. 

      • Runner January 14, 2025 (9:03 pm)

        I live a few blocks from the water tower, and I regularly run down to Alki and around the Healthy Street section. I love the wider space for peds and bikes, and being able to use the path without a line of parked idling cars!

        • Bob January 15, 2025 (2:02 pm)

          Congrats on being unfathomably casually ableist, Runner! Way to think of literally anyone beside yourself. Great job!

          • Walkerws January 15, 2025 (7:18 pm)

            Good thing it’s also now very easily accessible for wheelchair users. Nothing ableist about how this space has been improved for *all* users 

          • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:29 pm)

            This is one of my all-time favorite things in these comment threads: that minor changes to the built environment to decrease the influence of automobiles by fractions of ten-thousandths of a percent are “ableist.” That, if we truly respected and honored our disabled citizens, we would pave over every square inch of public space so that disabled people could drive everywhere. Just ridiculous. Just absolutely, stupidly ridiculous. It’s the rhetorical equivalent of a stammering teenager scrambling for an excuse. 

      • Lauren January 14, 2025 (9:24 pm)

        Actually the study indicates it’s pretty easy to find parking….

      • Elton January 15, 2025 (8:17 am)

        I’m not understanding this concern. There is tons of street parking within a couple of blocks of this stretch. This spot is part of my regular commute, so I see the open spots frequently. It’s easier to find street parking here than at the Junction.

      • walkerws January 15, 2025 (9:57 am)

        There is still tons of parking there, and I’ve never seen it unavailable. 

      • Joe Z January 15, 2025 (2:53 pm)

        I live to the east of you and I use the Alki Stay Healthy Street several times per week via foot. I’m sure there are many others like me. It’s a common running/biking destination for people from everywhere in West Seattle and beyond. 

      • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:48 pm)

        How did the changes “limit access” to citizens, as you say? I’m unaware of any access restrictions to the space. Was the street vacated and privatized? I’m confused because I see lots of people walking and biking on that road. Do they have a private membership? Or are you saying that reducing the number of parking spots is the equivalent of road privatization? Help me understand, please. 

  • Eric 43 January 14, 2025 (7:22 pm)

    That stretch of the road has been fine for the 43 years I’ve lived here The bike lanes that were put in across from constellation Park were put in because of the entitled people that live across the street The expense of wasting  taxpayers money 

    • Neighbor January 14, 2025 (9:11 pm)

      As a resident of the area and bike commuter who uses that stretch of road every day I appreciate the changes.  I feel a lot safer and it is easier to walk along the sidewalk.  I don’t live on that street but I still benefit.  It’s not 1982 anymore.  Things have gotten better.

    • Himbo January 14, 2025 (10:37 pm)

      I live in White Center and I’m a big fan of the bike safety improvements (though some of the implementation could use finessing). Being able to bike down to Alki is one of the great pleasures of living in this area, and limiting cars makes it way nicer for visitors like me.

    • 99%-er Neighbor January 15, 2025 (7:17 am)

      What is the factual basis for your conclusion that this was the pet project of the adjacent homeowners? In every post about this project, someone throws this out like it’s a fact.  I have yet to see any actual evidence that a small handful of Beach Drive residents bought off SDOT.  Instead, I see surveys showing support from hundreds and hundreds of people who do not live there. I assume the adjacent homeowners also like the changes, but should we not make changes for the good of the public if they also happen to benefit the wealthy/privileged? 

    • walkerws January 15, 2025 (9:58 am)

      They weren’t put in because of “entitled people across the street.” I live miles away and advocated for the changes. Most of the many people who enjoy it don’t live “across the street.”

  • R2 January 14, 2025 (7:34 pm)

    I think about this project every time I drive over the steel plate in the intersection of Oregon and 38th that has been there for, what, six months? A year? Two? Also the roundabout (or whatever it’s called) with crumbling curbing and treacherously  buckled pavement  at 48th and Hudson, with signs posted a block away on either side that say “Road Work Ahead.” There hasn’t been any “work” on the broken roundabout  that the signs seem to be referring to that I’ve seen. I could go on. So many things need fixing, but this is a priority?

    • WSB January 14, 2025 (8:33 pm)

      Have you reported those things? Find it Fix it or 206-684-ROAD? If so, did you get a response or acknowledgment?

    • Neighbor January 14, 2025 (9:12 pm)

      Well the residents of the area did a ton of outreach and promotion and work to make this happen.  What have you done to improve your neighborhood?

      • R2 January 14, 2025 (9:33 pm)

        Didn’t realize I was going to have to prove that I’ve put in enough effort in my neighborhood to puzzle about why problems that have existed for a long time, where work was begun but seemingly abandoned, aren’t dealt with, while this project is treated as a top priority. However, trust me, I’m always trying to help my neighborhood and community. 

        • Suzanne January 15, 2025 (4:16 am)

          No puzzling needed. Just contact Find it Fix it or call or 206-684-ROAD to report the issues you mentioned.  The work will be done. If you don’t report it there’s no way for SDOT to know about it.  Every time I’ve reported an issue it’s been addressed quickly. 

  • Katie January 14, 2025 (7:51 pm)

    Surely the government can use this money to fund a more important project….

    • Reed January 14, 2025 (8:50 pm)

      Providing a more accessible outdoor space free of cars sounds like a great public dollar investment to me.

    • Neighbor January 14, 2025 (9:12 pm)

      Care to name one Katie?  What would it take to make you happy, truly?

      • WrongPriorities January 15, 2025 (12:44 pm)

        Here I’ll name one, how about repaving Roxbury so it is a smooth traffic corridor instead of it being on par with a dirt country road. It is wrought with holes and uneven pavement but yes, please, let’s focus our efforts on this affluent neighborhood’s de facto private street. 

        • walkerws January 15, 2025 (1:16 pm)

          It’s not a de facto private street. Sure, it may benefit the homeowners there. But it also benefits 100x as many or more people who don’t live there, and get to enjoy a nicer public outdoor space. Roxbury should *also* be repaved. That will be much more expensive. Alki Point was a cheap, easy improvement that has had a huge bang-for-buck ratio at improving our neighborhood.

        • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:45 pm)

          So you think your commute should be “less bumpy” at the expense of a street that is encouraging healthy walking and cycling behaviors for citizens of all ages and abilities? That’s what you’re saying would be “better?” Sorry for the bumps. If it makes you feel better the “Stay Healthy Street” accounts for a fraction of a percent of what SDOT spends per year; the overwhelming and vast majority of their budget goes to maintaining and building streets primarily for cars.

          • WrongPriorities January 16, 2025 (8:45 am)

            There he is, at least you’re nothing but consistent Jort. Sorry I have to commute to work as a healthcare provider to take care of humans and just want it to be a smooth ride, how ostentatious of me to want such meager improvements to make my automobile-loving self enjoy my ride more.  

    • walkerws January 15, 2025 (9:58 am)

      It seems in terms of the low expense and how many people now get to enjoy this space, that the project was an incredibly wise and cost effective use of funds.

  • All in January 14, 2025 (8:11 pm)

    These survey results reflect everything I have seen for myself since the Healthy Street was developed. Ever-increasing use by walkers and cyclists, safety for everybody, and plenty of parking. The increased access for everybody has transformed one of Seattle’s most unique waterfronts.The plans for additional improvements are right on target to make it an even better experience.

  • Derek January 14, 2025 (8:19 pm)

    I like the new closed street the way it is. Leave it.

    • Marcus January 15, 2025 (5:11 am)

      Derrick, I seem to remember you were one of the biggest voices denouncing this healthy street enactment. 

      • k January 17, 2025 (7:17 am)

        First off, I think there are both a Derek and a Derrick on the boards and second, people can change their minds once they see something implemented.

  • HawkFan12 January 14, 2025 (10:13 pm)

    As someone who walks on this street daily, I personally find it positive that there are less people smoking marijuana in their cars while listening to trap music on busted, rattling sub woofers. 

    • TrapFan69 January 15, 2025 (7:50 am)

      We could have Valhalla and make it zero people smoking marijuana in their cars listening to trap music on busted, rattling sub woofers… but alas we still have to give all cars their fair and equal access. The people demanded parking.

      • Reed January 15, 2025 (11:23 am)

        And the people have parking, excess actually, based on the data.

  • Mike January 15, 2025 (4:58 am)

    Remove the whole road, remove the seawall, let nature have its way.  I’m done paying taxes for a private road.

  • anonyme January 15, 2025 (5:36 am)

    Having lived through a major SDOT project a few years ago, I can tell you that the number of mouthpieces and the amount of spin that goes into these projects is immense.  It would be interesting to see how much of the tax money going into these huge levies goes just to the SDOT  propaganda machine.  BTW, much of what happened in my local project involved erroneous and reduntant plans (including defective blueprints) with literally dozens of PR employees weighing in.  It appears that despite several changes of leadership at SDOT, nothing has changed; our money is being squandered on fluff.

  • Salal January 15, 2025 (5:48 am)

    As a long time bike rider in this area , this project made it more dangerous to bike thru that area. It forces you into the one way road where you are more at risk at being hit by a car. There is no way I’m riding in the mixed bike/walk path as there are people walking in it usually with dogs so you cannot ride at a normal pace and then your at risk for hitting a living being if you do. Really bad design. Especially the parking block divider. The whole thing is a waste of money 

    • Jake January 15, 2025 (2:54 pm)

      It was a thousand times worse with cars flying through it with no recourse or road diet. I am also a long time biker.

    • Hunk January 15, 2025 (6:02 pm)

      Fellow biker — I like reducing car traffic but agree that the present configuration is awkward and not very safe. Luckily the barriers are moveable and hopefully they can rearrange in a way that improves flow for bikes and pedestrians.

  • wetone January 15, 2025 (9:25 am)

    Been using this area over 50yrs, walking, bike riding, driving, skin diving, fishing and more. This area roadway has always worked fine for all the above. All issues related to this area today are because of the incompetence of the city of Seattle’s unwillingness and incompetence to deal with those causing the issues along with some living in area that doesn’t like others using “their area”.  You also have a few groups of fanatic’s that are pushing their social engineering projects onto others just as many with-in Seattle government. Really unbelievable how much time and money has been spent on this project with no end in sight. This is what happens when people keep passing levy’s allowing these types of projects with zero accountability or common sense. How about fixing and focusing on real infrastructure issues Seattle government and SDOT ? Like fixing the weekly accident spot on curve in/out of WS, potholes, broken roadway panels, fixing sidewalks and continuing ADA ramps, just to mention a few…….but No as the focus continues on projects like Heathy Streets, Vision Zero which has had zero impacts to the large majority in their daily lives. 

    • DeadEnder January 17, 2025 (5:42 am)

      Well stated.I am curious the cost per person increase enjoying use in this unique mixed use patch of road. Also curious the cost per person who now avoids the area due to Safe Streets overreach. So glad so many feel better about having a public asset become their more private roadway. So sad that so few of our citizens, tax payers and visitors have had this natural gem removed as an option.Can SDOT repair our roads, any time soon?

      • walkerws January 17, 2025 (2:21 pm)

        It isn’t a more private roadway. It’s a public roadway that is improved for everyone. This natural gem is not “removed as an option.” It’s more of a gem. Safe Streets “overreach” – try to say that outloud with a straight face

        • wetone January 17, 2025 (6:19 pm)

          Have no problem saying it out loud with straight face ;) Look at the available data on Vision Zero and Heathy Streets… both programs have had zero impact for most all. The few percent that think it’s making life safer is fine by me, but most people know the real truth and the huge moneys and labors being spent for/on the not necessary projects. The project around Alki Point has not had results expected with making area residents happy so the city will continue spending all taxpayers money. This project has little to do with walking/ biking, it’s about noise and people parking and partying that city is incompetent of dealing with. If one wants to feel “safe” walking and biking, all you need to do is go a few blocks to Alki ave and Harbor ave and you have a couple miles of walking biking paths off the roadway. Flat out silly how SDOT and Seattle government are handling this section of roadway;)

  • Delridger January 15, 2025 (9:41 am)

    This survey completely reflects what I’ve personally seen when using this space in its new configuration. I tend to get there from Delridge either on foot or by bike. It’s just such a huge win all around: more space for people to enjoy the views, better separation from traffic, and no shortage of parking. Thanks to SDOT and all of the local advocates who made this happen. Hopefully soon we can get this extended down the rest of Beach Drive to connect to Lincoln Park.

  • Mark Schletty January 15, 2025 (12:37 pm)

    The few parking spaces along the waterside at the south end of the street are the only remaining parking spaces to stop and see the surf breaks. Please dont take them. It’s my only access to the waterfront   Trying to cross the street and the concrete barriers and the bike lane to get to the sidewalk is just too difficult and dangerous for mobility impaired people. Putting the handicap parking spots on the non waterside of the street is a cruel joke to those who need it and denies ADA required access to the public park. Also, as someone who regularly drives through the area, but often cant stop, the claimed number of bikers and walkers per hour is total BS.  I have never seen anywhere near those numbers. Most times just a  very few walkers and bikers. 

    • WrongPriorities January 15, 2025 (12:47 pm)

      It’s because they cherry pick the numbers to suit their narrative Mark. It’s truly sad. I’m bummed to hear it’s made it difficult for you to access the waterfront, it’s not right but sadly I feel we are screaming into the echo chamber.

      • walkerws January 15, 2025 (1:14 pm)

        The auto industry and the associated world of car-centric urban planning are the epitome of cherry-picking their numbers. Car safety statistics are based on safety of the occupants, not of pedestrians who are increasingly killed by vehicles that are too big, too high, and with massive blind spots. Regardless, the waterfront is just as accessible for ADA access and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. Just because some people can’t park right next to the sea wall doesn’t mean it’s more difficult to access. It’s just that a particular useless use has been eliminated.

        • Marcus January 15, 2025 (2:50 pm)

          Pedestrians are at risk from moving vehicles because people are driving too fast, aggressive lane changes, tailgating with the general opinion “I am in my car, get out of the way”. Not the car industry.

          • walkerws January 15, 2025 (4:06 pm)

            It’s both. Cars are bigger and higher than they have ever been, and this is directly correlated with the severity of injuries and likelihood of death in a collision. 

    • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:43 pm)

      Have you ever wondered why America has some of the highest rates of mobility-related disability issues and also has some of the lowest active transportation (walking, biking) rates? What could it be? Hmm – could it possibly be a death spiral of “I can’t walk –> So make it easier to drive –> But now it’s harder to walk in my neighborhood –> So we should make it easier to drive –> Which makes it harder to walk –> which makes us need to drive more …” Can we not see the vicious cycle we’re doing here? Again I ask: do we think that our car-centered approach helps or worsens the onset of mobility-related disability issues? Hmm? Are disability rates better in countries where people walk more or are they worse? Hmm? 

      • WrongPriorities January 16, 2025 (1:10 pm)

        I would love to see your peer reviewed research on your data Jort…I’ll wait. Tying mobility related disability issues to automobiles is comical and as a medical professional I’m very intrigued to review your randomized data demonstrating statistical significance and support your argument because otherwise it’s just poppycock from your usual arsenal.

  • Arash Sarraf January 15, 2025 (12:56 pm)

    can you show some love to Roxbury. it’s been “pending funding” since 2017. odd there is no funding because my property taxes have doubled. 

  • nothend January 15, 2025 (5:56 pm)

       So much time, effort and money spent on a location that already has 4 miles of  ” Extend walking / biking / rolling space”. 

  • Jenna S January 15, 2025 (8:16 pm)

    Thank you SDOT for you exhaustive outreach and research on this project.  The results could not be more definitive and I concur 100% with your conclusions and next steps in that order! 

  • Bike & Walker January 15, 2025 (10:04 pm)

    This is fabulous. It’s made biking and walking there so much safer and enjoyable for the entire community. Thank you SDOT and the activists that fought for the safety of the community. 

  • Jort January 15, 2025 (10:36 pm)

    All the outrage about this project was never about the parking, or the disabled access, or the precious school children, or the whales, or the “wealthy property owners.” All the purported concerns and comment-section hand-wringing were a smoke-screen at best, or an outright lie at worst. This “outrage” is because people have profound psychological attachments to the car-centered built environment, and people view these minor changes as existential threats. It causes psychological panic – you hear this laughable, almost pitiable “oh, what about the whales?” nonsense – it’s irrational and it’s embarrassing. My god. People in here are referencing the sacrifices their grandparents made in World War II in a discussion about losing some parking spaces nobody was using anyway. My god, people. My god. 

  • Aaron G January 16, 2025 (8:59 am)

    I love the change to Constellation Point. I run and bike through here all the time. It seems like I’m not alone in this sentiment given how heavily used it is now.

  • Allistu January 16, 2025 (9:46 am)

    This study shows an overwhelming positive response to the Alki Healthy Street.  A better name might be the Alki People Street.  Automobile dominated streets are very well represented even in the Alki area. The study shows more people are using this area and the residents have a barrier from the auto centric, my cars louder than yours atmosphere on Alki Ave. 

  • DeadEnder January 17, 2025 (6:22 am)

    Constellation Park is such a unique space that all citizens and visitors should have unfettered access to it. From our limited search of Puget Sound low tide venues, the broadest wildlife abundance and diversity we ever found, is right here near our home. Doubly so considering the immense human wear and tear on the artificial space, saving other pristine areas from damage while providing such an impressive educational opportunity. Where do the School Buses park, now? How do the schools engage students with a different environment (Salish Sea Floor) and help them understand local natural wonders as well s
    as promote conservation? Is there a way for Safe Streets to spend more precious revenue discovering how many previous users were effectively displaced? Any thoughts on where they went, sharing that impact on other neighborhoods? Just curious how this expenditure takes priority over repair and maintenance of our public streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, and public access as well as safety. I think this was, is, has been, and continues to be, a supreme waste of precious resources, writ large.

    • walkerws January 17, 2025 (9:11 am)

      All of these users can park very nearby or in the designated parking area and enjoy an improved space. The use of pristine waterfront for idling cars was the actual “supreme waste of precious resources, writ large.”

      • DEAD ENDER January 17, 2025 (2:23 pm)

        Understand, it is a public road. It was built, and it maintained using municipal revenues. Ergo, it belongs to the public. How it gets used is not up to you. How its’ use is restricted is and ought to be of concern.  Be aware, the space was not improved, the road was altered at considerable cost. Access to the waterfront, beach, tide pools remains unchanged.

        • walkerws January 17, 2025 (3:21 pm)

          It belongs to the public, hence why we’re all so excited that it was improved for the public – and at a very minimal cost :)

    • MMM January 17, 2025 (12:34 pm)

      Hello Deadender-The school buses found parking in June and kids used the beach at Constellation Park.  Your fears did not play out in real time.  The school buses were here.   Also – there were at least 12 low-tide days with Beach Naturalists out.   These low-tide days were advertised in the West Seattle Blog.  There were always excess parking spots available for people to come to the beach.  SDOT was out counting available parking spots on June 9th 2024  a big low tide day and their on the ground count showed excess parking available.  Further – the Blog also published whale sightings throughout the summer and again – there was excess parking available for those sightings.   Again – there were no seal pups on  Constellation Beach this year which again reflects the 15 year history of this beach, with only one seal pup in 15 years on this stretch of Beach. With over 100 people an hour walking this area and increased bike riders, SDOT has found a very good balance for the many competing uses of this area and prioritized safety and marine life health over cars.   

      • DEAD ENDER January 17, 2025 (2:40 pm)

        Thanks for that single data point supporting your entire argument. FWIW, low tide ‘days’ occur on 3 days, every 4 weeks.  Low tides occur on average, twice a day.The signage is tragic. Many drivers turn around as if there were a ROAD CLOSED sign in place. And, those would be the polite drivers confused by signs seen nowhere else, so they just figure the public zone isn’t meant for them, and they leave.Too bad there isn’t time to reflect more on this expensive experiment, and who or whom perceives it to be a success. For me, it is not. It is both a tragic mis-use of funds and an overreaching limitation on our collective freedom. 

    • Cyclist January 17, 2025 (12:51 pm)

      Correction: Hundreds of joyful school children enjoyed the low tides  Some arrived on school buses, some walked ( and sang!) from nearby schools to reach the beach.   More children and adults are enjoying the space safe from vehicles 

    • Plentyoparking January 20, 2025 (6:01 pm)

      I am a beach naturalist who does plenty of shifts at this spot. I was there the other night when we had a pretty standard, if not a little more, crowd. There were so many open parking spots on this road. I’m curious, have you driven down and not been able to find a spot? There’s usually an abundance and I walk the park everyday. 

  • David Hutchinson January 17, 2025 (6:16 pm)

    My wife and I have lived in the Alki area for over 50 years and have been volunteers with Seal  Sitters since 2010. We have always felt fortunate to live so close to nature and frequently walk along Constellation Park.

    I would just like to take this opportunity to clear up some incorrect information made in an earlier comment. Seal Sitters, as a member of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network, is responsible for responding to all marine mammals on the West Seattle shoreline. This includes live and dead animals. Live ones are protected by our volunteers during their stay on the beach, and the dead ones are documented and that information is entered into NOAA’s online database.

    While it is true that there are fewer marine mammals using our shoreline in recent years, the comment that there has been “only one seal pup in 15 years on this stretch of Beach” is not accurate. The screen capture below covers Seal Sitters responses in the Constellation Park area since June of 2011. Yellow pushpins represent responses to live animals while red ones are responses to dead animals.

    Thanks to everyone who has taken time to contact our Hotline at 206-905-7352.

  • VN January 18, 2025 (7:22 am)

    West Seattle Blog… | Pearl & Jam appear on West Seattle shore as Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network recruits for final 2018 trainingI would add to David’s post about the amount of seal activity at Constellation Park.  Harbor Seal Pearl nursed her pups two years in a row on the rocks.  This allowed our community to share in the remarkable experience of watching the nurturing behavior of our marine life.  I would add that as a First Responder with Seal Sitters, I have come down to Alki Point to monitor sea lions and harbor seals that don’t get reported to the public.  The entrance from Alki Point to Constellation Park by either bike or vehicle is a blind corner where I have watched bikes, and vehicles try to enter and get stuck trying to navigate around oncoming vehicles.  This occurred when our resident whales came close to the shore in 2024 at Alki point. I’m concerned that an emergency vehicle trying to get to an urgent situation in this area could be delayed.  Imagine a firetruck trying to navigate around these roadblocks to reach the emergency during a period of high activity in the park.  I hope SDOT will review any changes that could be made to mitigate these issues.   West Seattle Blog… | UPDATE: Pedestrian hit, injured by man riding stolen motorcycle on Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’

  • Paul Hage January 18, 2025 (4:07 pm)

    Connection of SDOT and the STP is welcome.  Elements of the STP relevant to Alki Healthy Streets may be found in the central goal of Equity where the needs of the aging population and people living with disabilities are deemed a priority if and when they are underrepresented.  The ongoing request for recognition of people who wish to access the Beach Drive shore has been dismissed thus far by SDOT planners.  SDOT response to this request has been “parking is provided in two remote lots and across the street” as though the physical disability to walk is not a condition warranting attention.  The 2024 survey indicated 500 users whose use of the shore side of Beach Drive is to view the water from their car.  The disabled can only hope that SDOT will follow through with the community suggestion (Page 5) to provide more ADA spaces and time-limited parking on the shore side of Beach Drive as evidence that the Equity goal is honored.  It is clear from the many photos in the SDOT documents over the past years that the loss of 60 spaces was overkill and could be modified to meet the needs of the disabled without ruining the experience of pedestrians and bikers

    • Walkerws January 20, 2025 (8:40 am)

      A few more ADA spaces may be a legitimate need. I’m not sure. But for the 500 people who just enjoyed idling their cars on the side of the road there, good riddance. 

Sorry, comment time is over.