Non-snow news: Councilmember Rasmussen’s Viaduct chat

We did sit in for a while on the Uptown Espresso gathering that West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen (foreground, right) set up for Saturday morning — after his commentary on the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s future, published here last week, generated some fiery reaction, but he also offered to discuss any other city issue on people’s minds. As you can see from the photo, a tableful of folks showed up to talk about The Viaduct — including a couple people who also shared Viaduct opinions here on WSB in the past week — one of West Seattle’s Stakeholders Advisory Committee reps, Vlad Oustimovitch (back “row,” right; read his writeup here), and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Patti Mullen (back “row,” left; read the Chamber board’s letter to elected officials here). Some of those who were there hope to draft a letter in support of the bored-tunnel idea that’s not officially one of the 2 final “scenarios” but is still “on the table” (described unofficially as “scenario #2 1/2”). In a related note, West Seattle’s other Stakeholders Advisory Committee rep, Pete Spalding (whose Viaduct comments also were published here), shared a letter written by 7 other committee members, calling for the state/county/city to proceed with a plan that would include the potential for that deep-bore tunnel – read it here. Next Viaduct step: The state/county/city announcement of a preferred option, still supposed to happen before ’08 ends. Got Viaduct comments? Send ’em in here. MONDAY MORNING UPDATE: From Councilmember Rasmussen afterward, his summary: “At least one small business owner who depends on good freight mobility in the corridor and several frequent Metro Transit riders attended. They shared their knowledge of the options as well as their ideas and concerns. Several people spoke of the advantages of a deep bore tunnel over the current two options being considered. I found the meeting to be very valuable and the information and views I heard will help me to be a more informed and stronger voice for all of us who live or work in West Seattle and who will be so significantly impacted by the construction and the final replacement option selected by the state.”

2 Replies to "Non-snow news: Councilmember Rasmussen's Viaduct chat"

  • JoB December 21, 2008 (8:07 am)

    one thing most people might not know is that the bored tunnel option would also provide the added benefit of reinforcing the sea wall… another of those delayed maintenance issues that is likely to bite us in the bottom one of these days…

    it is a far better option all the way around when it comes to bang for the buck…

  • villagegreen December 22, 2008 (2:19 pm)

    Anyone else have additional feedback regarding the meeting. Wish I could have attended.

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