About Montlake Flyer

The bronze entry gates to the Graham Visitors Center in the Arboretum were stolen. These large gates, which were kept in the open position as a decorative feature, were designed and built by famed artist George Tsutakawa in 1976. They were commissioned as memorial gates to all who cared about the Arboretum. Police have been notified, and it would be helpful if anyone can report any suspicious activity from the area on the night of March 17 or early morning of March 18th or can review any home videos cameras along Lake Washington Blvd or on surrounding streets. There are no video cameras allowed in Seattle’s public parks so there is no footage in the Arboretum. The gates are large enough they would have required a large truck or flatbed. Thieves also took the metal downspouts at the Graham Visitors Center in the Arboretum. Case number is 2020-197368. Officer Rebecca Miller responded. Scrap yards have been notified. Please spread the word. Picture of the gates can be found here: https://discover.stqry.com/v/madrona-leschi-madison-park/s/a54994f7-5787-42cc-98ef-5ff70b5bf90f

Do you ride the bus across Lake Washington on SR 520? Be prepared for upcoming changes. To address growing travel needs for the Eastside, King County Metro and Sound Transit will restructure bus service in the SR 520 corridor beginning March 21. Visit the King County Metro and Sound Transit websites for detailed information on route revisions to and from Kirkland, Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, and Redmond.

In preparation for this change, King County Metro, Sound Transit, and the Seattle Department of Transportation are finishing changes to the bus and rail stations at the Montlake Triangle, located just north of the Montlake Cut next to the University of Washington light rail station. Visit the Montlake Triangle Project website for more information on these improvements and project background.

Following the March service change, some riders will have new connections to Sound Transit Link light rail or buses. If you pay cash to ride a Metro bus, your paper transfer will not be accepted on Sound Transit services, and you will need to pay separately for that transfer portion of your trip. If you pay with an ORCA card, you’ll save money by paying only the difference between your two fares when you transfer. You can go to the Just One Trip website for a free ORCA card (available until April 21). If you have any questions, please reach out to our partners at King County Metro and Sound Transit.

From WSDOT:

Thank you to those who attended our Montlake Project’s first online monthly meeting last Wednesday. We appreciate your continued interest in the changes happening in the Montlake area and the great questions you submitted. If you missed the meeting, you can view the presentation online. Based on the level of participation and feedback received during the event, we’ll also hold our April and May monthly meetings online.

Register now to attend our online meeting at noon Wednesday, April 8. All you’ll need is an internet connection to join the Montlake Project team for a short presentation, followed by a Q&A session. The online meeting room will be available 10 minutes before the presentation starts to allow time to get acquainted with the platform.

Registration: http://bit.ly/sr520online

Cyclists and walkers – the new, temporary shared-use connection between the SR 520 Trail and Lake Washington Boulevard is now open. This bicycle and pedestrian path runs parallel to the temporary on-ramp from Lake Washington Boulevard to eastbound SR 520 and dips under SR 520 along the shore of Lake Washington.

With this separated path, cyclists and pedestrians can go under SR 520 instead of using Montlake Boulevard, connecting the Arboretum with the University of Washington and the east side of Lake Washington.

The temporary trail will be in place for the next few years of construction. At the end of the project, the temporary trail will be replaced by new connections and route options.

WSDOT is re-applying to the City of Seattle for a shoreline permit as part of the SR520 bridge replacement. South Portage Bay was once a pristine urban recreation area. 

Join us in requiring WSDOT to honor conditions from the 2012 Shoreline Permit Decision, to provide environmental and recreation access in South Portage Bay, and walkability nearby.  WSDOT now plans to reapply for the Shoreline Permit. Since 1962 water runoff from 520 has drained directly into Portage Bay resulting in silt build-up from vehicles that limits public access, and impacts habitat for 85 bird species, and beavers. We ask the City to ensure WSDOT compliance with requirements in the 2012 permit decision to mitigate the impacts of the bridge replacement in South Portage Bay.

Follow this link to sign the petition  — https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BKMYYFW

We petition WSDOT to fund past commitments from the 2012 permit, for WSDOT/ SR520 project to create an improved urban waterfront public access experience, with habitat preservation and enhancements. These commitments were made during planning for the Portage Bay bridge replacement and were formulated in response to overwhelming community input and support.

WSDOT’s permit reapplication should include and fund past commitments:

• Create water access points for boaters and walkers
• Expand the shoreline trail system to reconnect Montlake Park/Playfield
  • east to the Montlake Cut;
  • west to Interlaken Park, transit, businesses, and the new Delmar Lid
• Enhance shoreline habitat planting
• Mitigate past siltation and pollution

If we don’t stand up for the environment and wildlife, who will?  Please show your support by adding your name to this petition.
Follow this link to sign the petition
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BKMYYFW

A message from Graham construction:

In response to public feedback, we’re hosting our next monthly Montlake Project update meeting online rather than in person. This means you can join from the comfort of your own home, during a lunch break, or even while adventuring outdoors. You’ll just need an internet connection!

We’ll start the online meeting at noon Wednesday, March 4 with a short presentation by Graham’s director of construction, followed by a Q&A session. You will hear the presenter during the meeting, and you can send in questions directly to the team. The online meeting room will be available 10 minutes before the start of the presentation to allow people time to join and get acquainted with the platform. We’ll also have a staff member ready on our 24-hour hotline, 206-775-8885, for technical support.

Registration: http://bit.ly/520online

We will send confirmation and reminder emails as the event nears. 

You can join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device. Access to the internet will be required to view the presentation, and your device speakers must be enabled.

Moving forward, we will host a mix of in-person and online monthly meetings.

Click here for most up to date weather forecast SDOT’s Winter Weather Route Map National Weather Service  OEM TrainingCalendar OEM Training Request FormKing County Metro Snow Guide Garbage Collection There may be some delays in residential garbage, recycling, food, and yard waste pickups due to winter weather.   Click here for up to date details on garbage collection! Happy New Year! For those familiar with Lunar New Year, 2020 is the year of the Rat! A characteristic of the animal is strong adaptability to their environments! Here are 5 suggestions from the Office of Emergency Management that will encourage you to be more ADAPTABLE in the event of a disaster or emergency! 1. Attend a class preparedness class offered by OEM! (see below) 2. Get to know your neighbor! 3. Store water and food! 4. Sign up for Alert Seattle! (see below) 5. Have a shovel for potential snow!  FEMA YOUTH PREPAREDNESS CAMP APPLICATIONS DUE JAN 19th! This July FEMA will bring 40 students to our six-day, five-night preparedness camp just outside Anchorage, Alaska. Students ages 14 to 17 in our Region 10 states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington are eligible to apply for the all-expense-paid camp.FEMA urges students who may be interested in taking advantage of this opportunity to check out the application information and requirements now at www.fema.gov/YouthPrep Don’t wait until it’s too late! Upcoming classes and fairs! The  Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) is hosting the Seattle Home Fair in your community. There will be information for renters, homeowners, and landlords with experts on rental housing rules, coaching on obtaining permits for renovations, and breakout sessions on topics including landslide prevention, earthquake retrofits, and backyard cottages. North Seattle Home Fair  – Jan 25 Click here to sign up! South Seattle Home Fair – Feb 1 Click here to sign up!  Office of Emergency Management Classes Disaster Skills – February 4th, March 4th  Stop the Bleed – February 4th,  Feb 26th, March 5th, March 18th  Click Here to sign up Youth Urban Survival Skills Fair Build lifelong skills at this fun and interactive event designed for kids – adults will learn, too!  Ever put out a  fire with a common household extinguisher?  It’s not as easy as you think. Practice on our simulator.  Could your kids identify a dangerous natural gas leak?  Scratch-and-sniff stickers.  Turn off the gas if needed?  Practice on a real gas meter.  Much more to experience!  Kids can build and take home practical items like a “get home” bag for the caretakers in their lives or an emergency toilet.  Why an emergency toilet?  They will learn!  Knowledge is power.  Increase your child’s resiliency and get them excited about thinking ahead.  Lifelong skills! Meadowbrook Community Center, 10517 35th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98125 – Feb 8th, 2:00-5:00 PM Find out more info here!  HUB 101 Training Two identical sessions where you will learn the basics of hub operations, how a hub can be set up to aid in information sharing and what the different volunteers would do. We will also have time for hands-on practice.  No registration needed, just show up! Beacon United Methodist Church, 7301 Beacon Ave S, Seattle 98108 – Feb 24, 6:30 – 8:30 PM.Beacon United Methodist Church, 7301 Beacon Ave S, Seattle 98108 – Feb 29, 10:00 am-noon. Media Spotlight  If you missed the housing recovery seminar that the Office of Emergency Management hosted in August 2019, we now have it uploaded on our YouTube Channel! Watch Post Disaster Housing Recovery Seminar Seattle Public Utilities Winter Weather Information If Pipes Break or Freeze If a water pipe breaks, immediately close the main shut-off valve to stop flooding. The shut-off valve can be indoors or outdoors – usually in a basement, crawlspace or garage. If you cannot turn off the main shut-off valve, SPU customers can call (206) 386-1800 and a crew will turn off the water at the meter for a service charge. This phone number is staffed 24/7. Call a plumber to repair or replace the damaged section of the pipe as soon as possible. Click here to learn more about thawing frozen pipes

There’s a new way to track the spread of flu in Seattle neighborhoods. The Seattle Flu study has created a new interactive map that shows flu circulation in specific neighborhoods. The tool is designed to help people that live in neighborhoods like Montlake fight the flu with a real-time view of flu circulation.

Now in its second year, the Seattle Flu Study (SFS) is recruiting residents of Montlake and beyond to help researchers better understand the flu and how we can keep our city safer. Participants of all ages can sign up to take part in the study by visiting www.seattleflu.org, or by stopping by one of seven study kiosks located across the city— including those placed throughout the University of Washington.

About the study: Led by the Brotman Baty Institute—which combines the research strengths and capabilities of UW Medicine, Fred Hutch and Seattle Children’s—SFS collects nasal swabs from both healthy people and those with colds to tests for flu. This data is then analyzed to examine how flu viruses and other pathogens are impacting our community. The SFS returns swab results to participants, telling them whether they have the flu and which strain.

Please join the Montlake Community Club for their annual LIGHT UP THE NIGHT fundraiser Sunday, December 8th at Cafe Lago anytime between 5:00 and 9:00. Along with the special treats Cage Lago has in store for you, the MCC will be raffling off some pretty amazing items – just in time for the holidays. Raffle tickets $5 or 5 for $20! To make dinner reservations, visit cafelago.com and note LIGHT UP THE NIGHT fundraiser in the notes section so the staff will be sure to treat to some extra holiday cheer! We can’t wait to see you!

Please join the Montlake Community Club for their annual LIGHT UP THE NIGHT fundraiser Sunday, December 8th at Cafe Lago anytime between 5:00 and 9:00. Along with the special treats Cage Lago has in store for you, the MCC will be raffling off some pretty amazing items – just in time for the holidays. Raffle tickets $5 or 5 for $20!
To make dinner reservations, visit cafelago.com and note LIGHT UP THE NIGHT fundraiser in the notes section so the staff will be sure to treat to some extra holiday cheer! We can’t wait to see you!