The Montlake Community Club would like to share two letters that we’ve recently written to officials. One addresses site selection for a potential Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control project, and the other addresses possible design alternatives for SR 520 construction in Montlake.
Montlake Playfield Improvements?
You may have noticed a recent Montlake.net post about combined sewer overflows in Montlake. King County is currently considering the construction of an underground CSO storage tank that would hold stormwater and sewage during heavy rains, so that it may be pumped to the treatment station rather than flow directly into local waterways. If a tank were built beneath the Montlake Playfields, this would require improvements that would address drainage issues. We believe this would provide a benefit to our community by making the track and field behind the Community Center usable throughout the year.
Read the MCC’s Letter to Officials About the Playfields and CSO
Keeping the Montlake Market and Gas Station…
Possible design constraints for the SR 520 construction project in Montlake prompted WSDOT to claim that it needs to acquire and demolish the Montlake Market and gas station. One of their considerations has been accommodating existing CSO pipes that flow beneath the SR 520. This is still an open issue, and it seems that a final design likely will be left up to contractors. We have encouraged WSDOT to solicit and consider public input for any major design changes, and to require contractors to do the same. Given the connection with the CSO pipes, we also encouraged WSDOT to collaborate with local agencies and look for opportunities that can meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Read the MCC’s Letter to WSDOT
King County and City of Seattle Committed to the Environment
Officials at King County and the City of Seattle have reported to the MCC that they are committed to complying with the Clean Water Act and Consent Decree agreements with the Environmental Protection Agency, which require control of CSOs to protect public health and the environment.
More information:
- King County: CSO regulations and requirements
- Seattle Public Utilities: CSO / SSO Consent Decree
- Wikipedia: Clean Water Act
Tyler Blitz says
Agreed! Thank you.
If the Market were to be torn down, the path to building a new market in a different location is not clear.
Our best approach now is to support Montlake businesses and maintain a clear position to WSDOT that the Market and gas station are valuable to our community.
Fortunately, the Market owner is committed to continuing its operation, and the property owner does not want to sell. WSDOT has acknowledged that it may be possible to keep the market, but still maintains the gas station needs to be removed. Hopefully, this will change and it will be possible to keep both businesses.
Dollie Armstrong says
The Montlake Market and station are an important part of the Montlake Community. If it is possible to put this tank under the Montlake Playfield to clean up that swampy area that would be great. If the Market is torn down another Market should be built to take its place somewhere in the community. How do we negotiate the building of another Market and where?