Showing posts with label sidewalks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sidewalks. Show all posts

Shoreline satisfaction survey: residents want city to address homelessness and build sidewalks

Thursday, September 12, 2024

By Oliver Moffat

At the Monday, September 9 meeting, the Shoreline city council reviewed results of the 2024 resident satisfaction survey - which the city conducts every two years.

Residents expressed high satisfaction with the city and its parks but gave the city low marks for dining, entertainment, sidewalks and its response to homelessness.


A chart from the resident satisfaction survey compares Shoreline with other cities in the US and Northwest

Most residents (89%) said Shoreline was an “excellent” or “good” place to live - far higher than the US and Northwest average of 49%. Survey respondents have for decades rated Shoreline favorably on this question with 91% in 2014 and 87% in 2004.

Of all city services, residents (again) rated the overall quality of parks and recreation most favorably with 81% saying they were satisfied. Shoreline residents rate our parks much higher compared to other cities in the US (48%) and Northwest (49%). Resident satisfaction with parks hasn’t changed much over the years with 82% satisfied in 2014 and 79% in 2004.

Satisfaction rating rebounded significantly since the 2022 survey conducted during the COVID era - with 56 of 71 questions showing improvements.

But with only 23% saying they were satisfied, residents were most dissatisfied with Shoreline as a place for dining and entertainment. 

And residents say dining and entertainment options are getting worse in Shoreline. Ten years ago, in 2014, 29% of residents were satisfied with dining and entertainment and when the city first asked the question in 2012, 30% were satisfied. Even during COVID lockdowns residents rated the city higher with 27% satisfied in 2022.

When asked about transportation and land use, 53% of residents said they were dissatisfied with the availability of sidewalks in their neighborhood. Notably, residents are less satisfied with sidewalk availability now than they were in 2014 when 47% were dissatisfied and in 2004 when only 41% were dissatisfied.

A map from the resident satisfaction survey shows opinions about sidewalks in Shoreline neighborhoods

In 2018, voters approved a sales tax increase to pay for new sidewalks. As part of the ballot measure, twelve locations were identified for new sidewalks across the city but the city estimates those projects won’t be completed until 2029.

Of all city services, residents were (again) most dissatisfied with Shoreline’s “overall response to homelessness” with only 30% saying they were satisfied. And 50% of residents said the city should do more to address homelessness - more than any other city service.

A chart from the satisfaction survey shows residents want the city to address homelessness

In 2020 and again in 2022, residents also told the city that addressing homelessness should be its top priority and residents rated the city’s response to homelessness as the service they were most dissatisfied with.

Despite repeated resident requests for the city to take action on homelessness, in April, the Shoreline council approved a housing and human services plan that recommended the city instead “Maintain Current Level of Service” while city staff continue to study the problem.


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8th Ave NW new sidewalk project online open house

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

A typical cross section of the street after the project is completed will include two 10 foot traffic lanes, a 5 foot bike lane, and a 6 foot sidewalk.

Visit the online open house
Dates: Open through August 12

We're planning a new sidewalk on 8th Ave NW and want to hear your suggestions and questions. You can add your thoughts to an ideas board or pin them directly to a map of the project area. Please tell us what you think!

Project Overview

This project will construct a new sidewalk on 8th Ave NW between NW Richmond Beach Road and NW 180th Street near the north side of Sunset Park. The sidewalk will be built on the east side of the street. A bike lane will be added to the west side of the street.

This project is part of the 2018 voter-approved effort to build and repair sidewalks throughout Shoreline.

Project improvements include:
  • Pedestrian facilities with curbs and gutters
  • Bicycle facilities
  • Curb ramps
  • Drainage improvements
Project website


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8th Ave Sidewalk Open House July 23, 2024

Monday, July 15, 2024

Tuesday, July 23, 6:30 pm


First Lutheran Church of Richmond Beach
Upper Room (elevator accessible)
18354 8th Avenue NW
Shoreline, Washington 98177

Project design open house: We are designing a new sidewalk coming to 8th Avenue NW from NW 180th Street to Richmond Beach Road NW. Join the City of Shoreline and your neighbors to learn more about the project and give us your thoughts on the early design.

Project Details
  • New sidewalk with curbs and gutters on the east side of the street
  • Bicycle lanes
  • Curb ramps
  • Drainage improvements
  • Project Timeline
  • Preliminary Design: Summer 2024
  • Final Design: Winter 2024/2025
  • Construction: Spring/Summer 2025
More information Project webpage

Project Manager Zahid Khan, PE
zkhan@shorelinewa.gov, 206-801-2486


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No easy solution to Shoreline’s 175th problems

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

More than fifty activists with Save Shoreline Trees and Tree Action Seattle rallied on 175th against the city’s plan to expand sidewalks and add bike lanes that could remove more than 274 trees
Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

175th is a problem with no easy solutions. Traffic jams and crashes are back to pre-pandemic levels and an earthquake could send the road into Ronald Bog. Metro’s new 333 bus is coming soon to the road. The city wants people to walk and bike more but pedestrians (including students) must brave crossing up to seven lanes of traffic. 

Activists want the city to narrow sidewalks to save trees and businesses have fought road diets in the past. Whatever happens, everyone in the region will be impacted for decades to come.

An arial photo shows the 75 foot crosswalk at the intersection of Meridian and 175th where pedestrians must brave five lanes of car traffic in all directions

On Sunday, May 19, 2024 more than fifty activists with Save Shoreline Trees and Tree Action Seattle turned out for a rally on 175th to protest the City's plan to widen 175th between Aurora and I-5 to make room for pedestrians and bicyclists which could cost over $88 million and require chopping down 274 trees.

With traffic jammed (as usual) on 175th street, passing drivers honked enthusiastically, showing their support for the activists’ calls to save trees by narrowing the proposed sidewalks.

Shoreline city council member Keith Scully even stopped by to show his support.

Flyers distributed by Save Shoreline Trees called on the city to reduce sidewalks to 7 feet or less and said 13 foot sidewalks are unnecessary. The group said they don’t want 175th to be “devastated” like 145th where the city removed more than 300 trees to make way for sidewalks and roundabouts to support the light rail station opening later this year.

Trees increase walkability by providing shade and mitigate urban heat islands caused by large expanses of pavement, according Sandy Shettler from Tree Action Seattle. “Walkability includes shade. These are the public’s trees and they should be saved for the good of public health” she said while waving to passing cars.

A map from the Washington State Patrol Collision Analysis Tool shows the locations of ten years of crashes along 175th between Aurora and I-5 

Plagued by traffic jams, N 175th Street between I-5 and Aurora is Shoreline’s busiest city street with more than 20,000 vehicle trips per day. It’s also one of the city’s most dangerous roads. According to data from the Washington State Patrol, collisions on N 175th Street have roared back to pre-pandemic levels: in 2019 there were 77 crashes; in 2023 there were 76.

Starting in 2019, the city collected feedback from over 1,500 residents to list their top priorities for 175th street: pedestrian walkability, solving traffic jams, and improving safety were the top three priorities. 

Although the city didn’t ask specifically about tree preservation, “landscaping character” was rated at the bottom of the wishlist just above bike lanes by Shoreline residents.

To address traffic jams, the city won’t be able to make the road much wider - it’s already a five-lane road and is over 75 feet wide. It narrows to four lanes at Wallingford where it squeezes between rock retaining walls and spreads out to seven lanes at Aurora. Because of the phenomenon known as Induced Demand, adding more lanes probably wouldn’t help.

But traffic jams are just the start of the problems. When the city started designing the project, they discovered an earthquake could cause 175th to “slip and slide” into nearby Ronald Bog and received an $8 million grant from FEMA to rebuild the road.

Flyers distributed by Save Shoreline Tree called 175th “a primary access route to I-5 and a truck route” and said because there was no light rail station, wider sidewalks weren’t necessary. But later this year, Metro’s new route 333 will provide frequent, cross-town bus service along 175th street, increasing pedestrian traffic on the road.

The city’s Transportation Element Bicycle Plan, adopted by the city council in 2022, promises bike lanes on 175th street that would be safe enough for children to ride on.

At the rally, Susanne Tsoming, co-chair of Save Shoreline Trees, when asked about the city’s plan said, “It’s a major arterial and not made for strolling… I think it’s insane to ride a bike on this road with cars.”

Parents and students, who must brave five lanes of car traffic to get to Meridian Park elementary, want the city council to do something about traffic safety on 175th. Between I-5 and Aurora there are only seven crosswalks and the road can be up to 90 feet wide.

The location of trees to be removed to make way for sidewalks and a bike lane near Meridian Park elementary are shown on a map from the arborist report 

The city’s Climate Action Plan says vehicles are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline and sets a goal to get more people to ride busses and bikes. Shoreline’s Complete Streets policy requires road projects to be designed for the safe and convenient access of all users including pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users; not just motorists.

On the other side of town, the city’s Transportation Improvement Plan calls for a road diet on the east side of I-5 that (instead of expanding the width of the road) would shrink NE 175th St from four lanes to three while adding bike lanes. 

A table shows the number of car lanes and widths of the seven crosswalks pedestrians must brave while crossing 175th street between Aurora and I-5.
That plan would cost about $2.3 million without removing trees. Although the U.S. Department of Transportation says road diets improve safety and calm traffic, twenty years ago the city council rolled back a plan to put 15th Ave NE in the North City business district on a road diet after push back from businesses.

On May 20, the city council was scheduled to vote on adoption of the Transportation Improvement Plan. And the council was scheduled to discuss a plan to roll out Scooter and Bike Sharing in the city. The Natural Environment and Transportation sections of the Comprehensive Plan were also on the agenda.

UPDATE: At the June 3rd city council meeting, the 175th street project will be back on the agenda for discussion.

A presentation from Save Shoreline Trees is no longer on the agenda. In an email, Kathleen Russell from Save Shoreline Trees said, “Although the City initially approved our application for a presentation, we are not in agreement on the guidelines and we have withdrawn our application.” 

On June 10, the much anticipated (and overdue) Annual Traffic Report will be reviewed by the city council and Traffic Enforcement Cameras will be discussed. The council will vote on whether to add Scooters and Bicycle Sharing to Shoreline’s roads.

On June 24, before the council adjourns for their summer vacation, the Commute Trip Reduction Plan will be reviewed.

5-23-2024 Save Shoreline Trees will not be making a presentation at the June 3rd council meeting.


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Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan: fewer cars; more trees and sidewalks

Saturday, May 18, 2024

A graph from the 2022 Climate Action Plan shows 56% of total greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline come from transportation (mostly gasoline-powered vehicles).

By Oliver Moffat

On May 13, 2024 after hearing public comments from school children asking for safer streets, and tree activists calling for narrower sidewalks on 175th street, the city council reviewed how much progress was made on Shoreline’s Climate Action Plan.

The city’s first Climate Action Plan in 2013 set a goal to reduce emissions by 25% between 2009 and 2020; but by 2021, the city had reduced emissions by only about 6% for the entire decade.

In 2022, the city set a new goal to reduce emissions 60% between 2019 and 2030; meaning the city will need to reduce emission 6% per year on average for every year this decade.

The city also wants to reach net zero emissions by 2050 by offsetting all emissions with sequestration.

According to the city’s plan, Shoreline’s tree canopy covers 37% of the city and currently sequesters about 13,890 metric tons of CO2 each year; while Shoreline’s cars emit ten times that much CO2 each year: 139,782 metric tons.

At 56% of the total, by far the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Shoreline comes from transportation (mostly gasoline-powered vehicles).

Getting people to give up their cars will require safe sidewalks and bike lanes that people actually want to use, so the city’s plan lays out a long list of actions to make the city more walkable and bike-able.

But adding sidewalks and bike lanes on 145th street while preserving the wide, five-lane road for cars has required removing trees - angering tree activists who are now calling for narrowing the proposed sidewalk on 175th to save trees.

Councilmember John Ramsdell
Photo courtesy City of Shoreline 
Councilmembers Scully, Pobee and Ademasu promised more trees would be preserved on 175th street; councilmember John Ramsdell highlighted the challenges of balancing tree preservation with the need to get people out of their cars.

“Believe me, I love trees,” he said, “But I think there’s a really important statistic to be aware of: … a mature tree can absorb about 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. 
"If we can remove one car from using our roads… according to the EPA, a typical car emits 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. That’s over 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide greenhouse gasses per year.”

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Stop the Chop rally Sunday by Ronald Bog

Friday, May 17, 2024

 Photo by Kean Engie

Join the “Stop the Chop” rally on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 1pm at Ronald Bog Park to call attention to the City's plans to remove trees along N 175th between Stone Way N and I-5 for the N 175th Corridor Project.

Some of the trees to be cut are marked with
orange ribbons. Photo by Kean Engie.
Volunteers from Save Shoreline Trees have tied an orange ribbon on many of the 274 trees along N 175th identified in the December 2022 draft arborist report to be removed.

The public is invited to join the "Stop the Chop" rally, and bring your own sign, or “write a note to a tree” at this event.

Save Shoreline Trees agrees safety for all is a top priority.

However, for the sake of climate resilience and emergency, we ask the Council to reconsider the design for N 175th Corridor Project. 

This project is scheduled to be discussed by Council on June 3, 2024.

Volunteers with Tree Action Seattle will host a “write a note to a tree” table on Sunday.

Ronald Bog Park is located at 2301 N 175th St, just east of Meridian Ave N.

Update: Photos by Kean Engie. "Write a note to a tree" table on Sunday.

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Where the sidewalks end on 180th street

Sunday, May 12, 2024

A photo by Kevin Atkinson, Treasurer, North City Neighborhood Association,
shows a pedestrian walking in the street where the sidewalk ends on 180th

By Oliver Moffat

On the 2nd Thursday of each month, the North City Neighborhood Association hosts a meetup at Monka Brewing Company to talk about local issues and make friends.

When the neighbors meet, one topic that is sure to come up is traffic safety. And the section of road that comes up most frequently is where the sidewalks end on 180th street in North City.

A map by Mark Notermann, Co-Chair of the North City Neighborhood Association, shows the location of apartments and condos (yellow), the light rail station (red), recently completed sidewalks (green), and unfunded sidewalk projects (blue) 

Whether walking, biking, driving or taking the bus, 180th is the primary road residents of apartments in the neighborhood will take to reach the 185th street station.

There are two particularly troubling gaps in the sidewalk along NE 180th Street between 15th Ave NE and 12th Ave NE that force pedestrians to walk in the roadway.

A photo shows where pedestrians must use the road on 180th street 

That section of 180th is on a hill with poor visibility. And that block of 180th is the location of a school bus stop, the fire station, and later this year Metro’s 348 will add frequent all-day and all-night service to the street.

A map shows the locations where the sidewalks end on 180th street
forcing pedestrians into the road 

The city includes 180th in the estimated $80 million worth of road improvements for the 185th Street Multimodal Corridor Strategy.

But given staffing shortages and funding constraints, the city says it could be more than a decade before the 185th project would get the green light.

A map shows the five segments of the 185th Street Multimodal Corridor Strategy with estimated costs; North City residents have raised safety concerns about segment “E” - 180th between 15th and 10th

The city’s proposed Transportation Improvement Plan breaks the 185th project into five different segments labeled “A” through “E”.

Section “E” would build sidewalks on 180th between 10th and 15th and would cost about $5 million.

But the section that North City residents are most concerned about is between 12th and 15th - which might be much less expensive.

A photo by Kevin Atkinson, Treasurer, North City Neighborhood Association,
shows a wheelchair user on 180th

North City residents have asked the city to separate the west-side and east-side segments of the 185th project in the Transportation Improvement Plan.

Separating segments “D” and “E” would be consistent with the 145th and 175th corridor projects and would allow city engineers to consider the priority and costs of the North City segments separately from the west-side segments.

On May 20, 2024 the Shoreline city council will vote on adoption of the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan.


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Shoreline Council funds $393M for Bus, Bike and Sidewalk projects with new development fees

Sunday, February 18, 2024

New TIF funds could pay for sidewalks and bike lanes on this high-traffic and pedestrian section of 10th Ave NE in North City. Photo by Oliver Moffat

By Oliver Moffat

Sidewalks are expensive.

Until recently the city wasn’t allowed to pay for sidewalk improvements using its top funding source for roads: Transportation Impact Fees (TIF). 

But, in 2023, Washington State passed legislation (SB 5452) allowing cities to spend impact fee revenue to fund bicycle and pedestrian improvements. And now, for the first time, Shoreline will be using TIF revenue to fund improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders.

Project map

At the Monday, February 12, meeting the Shoreline city council unanimously voted to use TIF revenue to fund improvements specifically for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders for the first time. 

The city’s Transportation Impact Fee Rate Study identified nineteen potential projects that could get the green light with the new revenue. But it is difficult for the city to predict how much revenue will be generated by the new fees because the city collects TIF revenue when new development is permitted. 

As previously reported, high interest rates, inflation, worker shortages, and rising vacancy rates are making it hard for developers to secure financing. So although there has been a recent surge in new development, it is possible there could be a slowdown coming. Or not.
  
Amongst the proposed projects the city would spend the TIF revenue on include: 
  • Funding for the 148th non-motorized bridge crossing of Interstate 5
  • Fund the 175th corridor improvement project including sidewalks and bike lanes
  • Improve the Dayton & Carlyle Hall intersection near Shoreline College
  • Install a roundabout at 1st & 155th by Twin Ponds park and at 25th & 150th near Shorecrest
  • Build a shared use mobility hub at Aurora & 185th
  • And miles of bus, bike and sidewalk improvements on 200th, 185th, Richmond Beach Rd, 15th Ave NE, 10th Ave NE, Ashworth, Fremont and Linden Aves

Designated high activity areas in Shoreline

The new TIF rates provide a 15% discount to encourage new development in neighborhoods the city calls “High Activity Areas” (HAA). These HAA neighborhoods are expected to have more walking, biking and transit use with fewer people driving cars alone.

The HAA includes the 145th and 185th station subareas, the Aurora corridor and parts of the North City business district.

According to a map from the city, the HAA does not include high density, mixed use areas in the northeast Ballinger neighborhood or the southeast Briarcrest neighborhood. Also not included in the HAA is the high density, mixed use area along Richmond Beach Road know as the 4-Corners neighborhood.

The council received no comments from Shoreline residents. But developers had something to say.

A representative from the developers building an assisted living facility on Richmond Beach Road in the 4-Corners neighborhood provided written comments in support of lowering transportation impact fees for senior housing. 

According to written comments from Áegis Living, Assisted Living contributes very little to traffic because residents rarely own cars and therefore traffic impact fees should be calculated based on traffic from staff and visitors not the number of residents. 

In written comments, a representative from the developers building the 1,358-unit Shoreline Place said they support lowering fees for senior housing as long as the costs don’t increase fees for multifamily developments.

The council rejected an amendment from Councilmember John Ramsdell that would have exempted small Adult Family homes from transportation fees. 

Ramsdell noted there are 150 adult family homes in Shoreline that typically have fewer than six residents and he would like to see transportation impact fees waived when a single family home is converted to an Adult Family home. 

Ramsdell has proposed the exemption at previous council meetings and the council voted the amendment down then too. However, the council directed city staff to study the proposal and come back with a formal amendment for the council to review and vote on at a later time.

The city collects Transportation Impact Fees (TIF) when new development occurs and is the primary source of revenue for transportation projects. Rates are set based on the impact new development is expected to have. For example, a new 24-hour convenience store will have a higher transportation impact than a new Nursing Home and therefore will pay a higher TIF rate.

The new TIF rates will take effect March 15, 2024.

Correction: the original article named a specific amount of money expected from TIF. As stated in the revision, the city collects TIF revenue when new development is permitted. 


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New sidewalk completed on 20th NW leading to RB Saltwater Park

Thursday, November 23, 2023

20th NW Before Picture
Courtesy City of Shoreline

All photos by Wayne Pridemore except as noted

A five block stretch of sidewalk was constructed in Richmond Beach. It goes from very near to Richmond Beach Road to the entrance of Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.
 
The sidewalk runs along the west side of 20th Ave NW from NW 190th to NW 195th




Sidewalk construction is a big project. It takes a long time and causes a lot of disruption. It also often surprises residents who find out their property doesn't extend to the street.


The start of the sidewalk at NW 195th Street

NW 195th at the start of the sidewalk (in the foreground)

NW 190th near the park entrance

Now the work is completed on 20th Ave NW and the detour signs and construction crews are gone. 

Pedestrians are safely separated from cars and beautiful RB Saltwater Park has a sidewalk connecting existing pedestrian facilities to the entrance of Richmond Beach Saltwater Park.


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Sidewalk 'bridges' in Kenmore save street trees

Sunday, November 19, 2023

'Tree bridge' in Kenmore photo by Pam Cross

As you drive north on 73rd Ave NE in Kenmore, you may be asking yourself: why are there bridges on this sidewalk?

A quick check with the Kenmore Facebook page provides the answer: There are multiple locations where tree roots are damaging the sidewalk. The City of Kenmore is using this innovative approach to preserve the trees by bridging over existing tree roots. 

The bridges are a product of PermaTrak (PermaTrak.com) that advertises them as a maintenance-free boardwalk system for trail, greenway and pedestrian bridge projects. 

Rather than remove the trees or cut the tree roots, the sidewalk now goes over the area the roots are growing which allows both the sidewalk and the trees to exist in harmony.

Thinking outside the box, Kenmore researched for ways to improve sidewalks while saving the healthy trees that disrupt sidewalks. They recognized the importance of trees to our environment to mitigate the effects of global warming and to prevent the growth of heat islands created by the sidewalks and street hardscape. 

A PermaTrak system was used along Dayton Ave N in Shoreline saving 94 mature trees (SAN 11/14/202). In this case a level sidewalk was installed.

Cities, including Shoreline, continue to look for different ways to save mature trees as we strive to make our cities more walkable while protecting their beauty. 

--Pam Cross


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Shoreline council to respond to community concerns about removal of trees during sidewalk construction

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Citizen protest on 15th NE
Photo courtesy Peggy Williams
On September 11, the Shoreline City Council will discuss the tree impacts resulting from the 15th Avenue NE and 5th Avenue NE sidewalk rehabilitation projects and the N/NE 155th Street overlay project. 

All these projects involved repairing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters damaged by tree roots and required the removal of trees. 

The goal for repairing these sidewalks was to make them safe and accessible for people of all abilities.

In response to community concerns regarding tree impacts associated with these projects, staff will provide Council with more information regarding the projects, the impacts to trees, and the measures staff took to protect and/or replace trees. 

They will also discuss ways to improve communication with the public when tree removal is necessary as part of capital projects.

Shoreline City Council holds their meetings at City Hall and they begin at 7:00pm. Meetings are also live-streamed. Go to shorelinewa.gov/councilmeetings to find the link to watch the meeting.


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Provide input on the 20th Ave NW New Sidewalk Project

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Current view of 20th Ave NW courtesy City of Shoreline

The City of Shoreline needs your input on the 20th Avenue NW New Sidewalk Project! 

Based on earlier feedback, planner have made several adjustments for accessibility needs and to reduce tree removal. 

Proposals for sidewalk design courtesy City of Shoreline

Survey results will help determine the final design. 

Visit http://shorelinewa.gov/20AveSidewalks through June 25, 2022.



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Sidewalk construction to begin on 5th NE to 185th Light Rail Station

Monday, April 11, 2022

The City of Shoreline will soon be constructing new sidewalks for 5th Avenue NE, from NE 175th Street to near NE 182nd Court. 


The sidewalks will be built on both sides of the street and will connect to other new sidewalks that are under construction on 5th Avenue NE, north of 182nd Court, as part of Sound Transit’s 185th Street Link Light Rail Station.

This project is part of the 2018 voter-approved effort to build and repair sidewalks throughout Shoreline.

Project improvements include:
  • Pedestrian facilities with curbs and gutters
  • Curb ramps
  • Drainage improvements
  • Bicycle facilities
  • A new mid-block crossing from the west side of 5th Avenue NE, north of NE 182nd Court
The bicycle facilities will be added utilizing Sound Transit Access Funds. Constructing the bicycle facilities and sidewalk at the same time will be a cost savings and, along with Sound Transit improvements north of NE 182nd Court, will complete pedestrian/bicycle facilities from NE 175th Street to the Shoreline North/185th light rail station. 

These improvements will serve as one of the on-street segments of the Trail Along the Rail.


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Shoreline city council will study sidewalk program and ARPA funding allocation

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Top row: Mayor Keith Scully, Deputy Mayor Betsy Robertson, CM Doris McConnell
Second row: CMs Laura Mork, Eben Pobee, John Ramsdell, Chris Roberts


The agenda for the Monday February 7, 2022 regular meeting of the Shoreline City Council contains two study items:

Item 8(a) Discussion and Update on the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program and 2018 Voter Approved New Sidewalk Program

The following topics will be included in the discussion:
  • Status of the 2018 Voter Approved New Sidewalk Program;
  • Status of the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Program;
  • Key issues that impact both programs; and
  • Plans for future updates to the Sidewalk Prioritization Plan.

Item 8(b) Discussion of Proposed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Business Recovery Funding Allocation

Staff developed, based on Council feedback and direction, a comprehensive plan to make the best use of these funds within the required timeframes. The Human Services allocations were discussed at the January 24, 2022 Council meeting.

The comprehensive plan included targeting an allocation of $500,000 for the purpose of business recovery and stabilization. That will be the topic of this discussion.

VIRTUAL/ELECTRONIC REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Monday, February 7, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom
The City Council is providing opportunities for public comment by submitting written comment or by joining the meeting webinar (via computer or phone) to provide oral public comment:


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Community makes its thoughts known on proposed design for 20th Ave NW sidewalk

Sunday, January 16, 2022

20th Ave NW photo by Wayne Pridemore

By Jonelle Kemmerling

The city of Shoreline will build a sidewalk along one side of 20th Ave NW from NW 195th St to NW 190th St, the entrance to Saltwater Park.

In a recent survey, the community made their thoughts known on the new sidewalk with 223 responses about the proposed design for 20th Ave NW. 

Laura Reiter, City Project Manager, and Darren Murata of DOWL presented three initial design alternatives during a Zoom meeting on Wednesday January 12, 2022.

Discussion followed about the major concerns:
  1. vehicle speed control and requests for speed bumps along the road. For example, motorists disregard the stop sign to the Saltwater Park entrance;
  2. stormwater drainage to eliminate ponding and the use of permeable concrete for the new sidewalk (favored by 77 respondents);
  3. the removal of trees. There was overwhelming support for preserving trees along 20th. The arborist, Tree Solutions, will be inspecting the affected trees and delivering a report in February 2022.

The expressed feeling is that folks do not want to cover the street with painted stripes, lines and excessive concrete and destroy the beautiful and calming nature of the walk to their jewel of a park, RB Saltwater Park. Someone said that an idea that has been around for 15+ years is to extend the design of the street to become a 'Grand Promenade' befitting the entrance to the park.

20th Ave NW heading north at NW 193rd, away from the park entrance
Photo by Wayne Pridemore

Strong comments were made against the City's plan for a 10-foot-wide sidewalk to be shared with bicycles for fear of leading to accidents between pedestrians and cyclists. (21 survey respondents favored shared usage.) The City states that 10 feet is the standard for the safety of all using shared-use sidewalks. However, some experienced cyclists said they would prefer to use the street.

Other safety improvements mentioned were:
  • Lighting: 53 in favor (25%)
  • Crosswalks: 60 in favor (28%)
  • Separate bike path: 59 in favor (27%)
  • Storm water repairs: 94 in favor (44%)

Watch the website at www.shorelinewa.gov/20AveSidewalks for further updates.



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20th Ave NW sidewalk - community meeting January 12, 2022

Sunday, January 9, 2022

20th NW from 190th to 195th
20th Ave NW Sidewalk -- Community Meeting January 12th

At noon (12:00pm) on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the City of Shoreline is hosting an online meeting for this sidewalk project. 

They will present design alternatives and respond to your questions about the sidewalk that will go along one side of 20th Ave NW from NW 195th St to NW 190th St, the entrance to Saltwater Park.

Please come to the meeting by going to www.shorelinewa.gov/20AveSidewalks and choosing one of the options under Project Overview.

Many of you have taken the online sidewalk project survey made available by the City. Now is your chance to see what they are proposing and give further input. Don't miss it!


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Community collaboration saves 94 mature trees along Dayton Ave N

Sunday, November 14, 2021

Trees on Dayton were marked for removal.
Photo by Jamie Holter looking south.
How WSDOT, the City of Shoreline, and Save Shoreline Trees worked together to preserve trees

By Melody Fosmore, CoChair, Save Shoreline Trees

It started in early 2019 with a few neighbors who attended an open house at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Regional Headquarters in Shoreline to learn about its impending $46.5 million remodeling project.

Looking south on Dayton today. Photo by Melody Fosmore

At the open house, a map showed every tree that surrounded the WSDOT facility on N 160th St, Dayton Ave N and N 155th St was marked with a dark “X”. City representatives at the open house explained that the trees were slated for removal because Shoreline Municipal Code required 8-foot-wide concrete sidewalks and other frontage improvements along the right-of-way streets surrounding WSDOT due to the size of the project. 

In addition to the 8-foot-wide sidewalks, the other frontage improvements included 5-foot amenity strips for signage and landscaping, and parallel parking along Dayton Ave N. These improvements necessitated the removal of the trees. 

The iconic trees surrounding WSDOT are 75-150 years old (estimated) and a remnant of a much larger urban forest. These trees work together to stay strong during high winds; they provide shade for humans and a resting place for migrating birds and, through their root system, cleanse stormwater runoff that feeds the Boeing Creek watershed. The prospect of losing them was heartbreaking.

The new sidewalk and the trees that were saved.
Photo by Melody Fosmore

After the open house, one of the neighbors posted the news on social media. A solid core of community support emerged and Save Shoreline Trees was founded. In its first three months, Save Shoreline Trees held rallies, sent more than 300 letters and emails to the City, and attended City Council meetings to speak for these trees. 

A concerned family installed a large banner sign posted in front of a home that alerted the community in detail of the plans. This same family made 'save me' signs and wrapped them around the trees on Dayton Ave N, providing a compelling and daily reminder to pedestrians and car drivers of what was at stake. 

In January 2020, a pivotal Save Shoreline Trees community meeting hosted representatives from WSDOT and the City, along with more than 50 community members who shared ideas for saving these trees. We all asked if there were alternative sidewalk options. 

WSDOT and Abbott Construction leadership took the suggestions and in the following months, submitted several revisions to the frontage improvement plan, including alternative sidewalk proposals.

New sidewalk on shallow footings. 
Photo by Melody Fosmore

The City of Shoreline agreed to extend the required ROW permit deadline so WSDOT could continue their interior remodeling work while creating a new plan for the alternative sidewalks. The City also agreed to waive street parking and landscaping, but continued to maintain the 8-foot-wide sidewalk requirement. 

As the process slowly moved along, Save Shoreline Trees kept making weekly public statements to the City Council about the WSDOT project and maintained communication with both the City and WSDOT for updates. Save Shoreline Trees kept the public and supporters informed of the progress.

WSDOT’s research finally resulted in a “Memorandum of Understanding” with the City that the trees on Dayton Ave N and N 155th were effectively doing the work (and had been for decades) to filter stormwater so a proposed underground stormwater system was not needed and an alternative sidewalk plan could work, thereby saving most of the trees. 

Trees and PermaTrak® photo by Melody Fosmore

Even more significant, Chris Lee, Senior Project Manager with the project contractor, Abbott Construction, went a step further and found a product based in North Carolina, used primarily in the south and east coasts for park pathways and hiking trails, called the PermaTrak® system. This system would work as an alternative sidewalk for Dayton Ave N. 

Since the shipping costs to Seattle would have been astronomical, Chris Lee worked behind the scenes with Olympian Precast Inc, a concrete pre-cast company in Redmond and ‘brokered’ a deal with PermaTrak® to have the sidewalk pieces made in the Seattle area, which not only made the alternative sidewalk more affordable, but would also give PermaTrak® a manufacturing presence in the Northwest. By using a local manufacturer, they also avoided the environmental and economic impact of trucking the concrete plus the wages for manufacturing workers and material suppliers stayed here in Washington.

Another important note is the overall costs of this frontage improvement. There were two very expensive costs that were avoided by using the PermaTrak® solution. One was the cost of paying a “fee in lieu” for each of the trees to be removed, which the City requires when a tree is removed and no replacement tree is scheduled to be planted. 

Another was the cost of moving all the utilities to the middle of the street which would have shut down this busy arterial for several weeks. The net result, after taking in the avoided costs, was the PermaTrak® system costs less than the original plan and the trees were allowed to stay.

After more than a year of research, planning, and permit revisions, the permit was approved with WSDOT’s new plan which included an elevated PermaTrak® sidewalk on Dayton Avenue N. In addition, the relocation of the sidewalk on N 155th St saved trees. 

34 mature trees were cut down on N 160th St.
Photo by Melody Fosmore

However, the City did not approve WSDOT’s recommendation for a 6-foot-wide sidewalk along N 160th St, so 34 mature trees were cut down on August 9, 2021.

As a result of this collaboration, WSDOT’s Chris Linden and the HQ Capital Facilities office has been nominated for the Annual WSDOT Environmental Award. 

When asked about the point where things changed the most, Chris said, “the advocacy and tenacity of Save Shoreline Trees made a huge difference in the outcome of this project. Yes, the design and outcome are driven by costs just like any other project, however in this instance the players of this multi-leg stool all wanted to save the trees. Everyone just had to work harder to get to the solution.”

This collective effort by Save Shoreline Trees, WSDOT, Abbott Construction and the City of Shoreline shows the value of community collaboration with an aligned focus on environmental goals. This WSDOT project outcome is an excellent example of a positive collaboration between a state, a city, private, and community organizations. 

With the PermaTrak® option now locally available, the City has a new resource for capital projects and sidewalk designs.

Ongoing development, along with climate crisis, are detrimental to all mature conifers and native trees. More than ever, we ALL need to work together to save our environment during this climate crisis. 

Saving the Dayton Ave N tall mature trees positively affects the lives and health of our community. Most of the time, we don’t appreciate what these magnificent trees do for us every day, however if these trees had all been cut down, the effect would have been felt for generations to come.

Save Shoreline Trees continues to advocate for tall mature conifers. To learn more about its strategies and activities, visit www.saveshorelinetrees.com


Updated to PermaTrak® and added link http://permatrak.com/



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