Montlake Flyer

Volunteer at the Yard Sale tent

September 12, 2018 by Montlake Flyer 1 Comment

IT’S ALMOST HERE …

The All-Montlake Yard Sale is this Saturday, September 15 between 9 am and 3 pm. So far 80 people have signed up to sell things from their yards. We hope that many other neighbors will become shoppers that day! Maps and lists of items will be posted online at www.montlake.net/events by Friday.

Also, we are seeking three more volunteers (ages 14 and up) for a two-hour stint at the MYS Information Tent to greet newcomers who aren’t familiar with our neighborhood and would like some assistance in finding their way around. You will distribute printed copies of the map of sale sites and the list of what they are selling. The Tent will at Montlake Community Center (1618 E. Calhoun St.). If you’re interested in volunteering, please call Jean Leed at 206-329-9208 before Saturday morning. Thanks a bunch!

Community Club President’s letter

September 9, 2018 by Montlake Flyer Leave a Comment

Last day to sign up for Yard Sale is Sept. 11th

September 4, 2018 by Montlake Flyer Leave a Comment

The All-Montlake Yard Sale on Saturday, September 15th is fast approaching! The deadline for signing up to sell things you no longer want or need is just a week away, at midnight on September 11. If you haven’t yet signed up, talk to your neighbors and see if they would like to join together. Each person should click to register the designated site here.

This year we will have a booth at the Montlake Community Center between 9:00 and 3:00 for people to stop by and ask questions. We’ll also distribute free maps of sale sites and lists of the types of items for sale. If you’re willing to put in a two-hour shift at the booth or have questions about the Yard Sale, please contact our coordinator at montlakejean@gmail.com.

Montlake Yard Sale is coming up

August 30, 2018 by Montlake Flyer Leave a Comment

By now, you have likely seen the large yellow “All Montlake Yard Sale” signs in and around the neighborhood. The Yard Sale is September 15th, between 9am and 3pm. As of today, we have more than 40 households signed up. If you’re thinking about it, commit now so that you can prepare in plenty of time. The deadline for registering is Tuesday, September 11 at midnight. Click here to sign up.

This year we will have a canopy and table at the Montlake Community Center during the Yard Sale. Residents and visitors can stop by and ask questions. We’ll also distribute a free map of sale sites and a list of the types of items for sale. If you’re willing to put in a two-hour shift or have questions about the Yard Sale, please contact our coordinator at montlakejean@gmail.com.

23rd Avenue E Vision Zero Project

August 4, 2018 by Montlake Flyer Leave a Comment

Work is expected to begin in August on 23^rd Avenue E, between Boyer Avenue E and E John Street. The work should take about two weeks and will address speeding, pedestrian safety, bicycling safety and collision reduction.

This is the 3^rd phase of the 23rd Avenue Corridor Improvement Project which began in 2015. It focuses on calming speeds to the posted speed limit of 30 MPH. Around E Highland Drive and 23^rd Avenue E, the average northbound speed people are traveling is 39 MPH. Here’s why speed matters:

This stage of the project includes lane restriping, and skid-resistant surface treatment at E Louisa Street, E Lynn Street, and E Helen Street/Turner Way. It maintains two southbound lanes and replaces one northbound lane between Boyer Avenue E and E John Sreet with a center turn lane.

More details on this project are here: http://www.seattle.gov/visionzero/projects/23rd-ave-e

More details on all three phases: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/maintenance-and-paving/current-paving-projects/23rd-ave-corridor-improvements

This fall SDOT will begin public discussion about a new stop light at 24^th Ave E and Lynn. The purpose will be to determine design of the new traffic signal, potential curb ramps, parking, and where bus stops and bus lanes might be installed. The Community Council is currently working with SDOT on how to best get feedback.

One of the primary topics will be limiting left turns at 24^th and Lynn. SDOT will work closely with the residents and businesses who will be most impacted. These changes will likely happen in 2019 and be coordinated with SR 520 construction.

Unfortunately, funds are not available for the vision established in the Montlake Community Business District Improvement Project. http://montlake.net/neighborhood/montlake-business-district. SDOT is not moving forward with it at this time due to concerns about congestion, and the need for future RapidRide lanes on the corridor. Once the Montlake and 520 interchange begins construction and the impact of this project is felt in Montlake, this topic can be raised again.

General inquiries about traffic should be directed to: Montlake.Traffic@seattle.gov and 23rdAveCorridor3@Seattle.gov

Montlake traffic projects

July 20, 2018 by Montlake Flyer 6 Comments

Traffic is increasing in Montlake. We experience gridlock and cut-through traffic routinely. The SR 520 project is adding pressure on the neighborhood at a rate unplanned for by SDOT and WSDOT. Various projects need to happen in order to mitigate the effect.

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has funded some of these efforts through Vision Zero Project. Additionally, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has given SDOT $250,000 for traffic calming work outlined in the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.

A few of the changes will be done before the next Phase of SR 520 begins in late 2018/early 2019. The Montlake Community Club has requested additional projects, however, at this time SDOT is unable to fund them.

This is a report of projects completed, underway or under discussion. We will also address the 23^rd Avenue East Vision Zero project and the SR520 project in future articles.

Identified Projects	Status	Funding Source

3-way stop at 19^thAvenue & Lynn	Complete except for trees and landscaping to come this fall	SDOT Safe Routes to School (part of Vision Zero Project)
Interlaken Park Path and Stairway Replacement	Construction started in July. This project includes stairs, a guardrail, and a bike runnel.	Seattle Metropolitan Park District Funds and SDOT Details here.
All way stop at intersection of Lynn/23^rd/22^nd Avenue	Based on neighborhood feedback the change will not be installed. In anticipation of installation, guidelines were spray painted on the street. These will fade with time.	SDOT
Lane changes – 23rd/24th Ave E between E John St and E Boyer	Summer/Fall 2018	SDOT 23^rd Avenue East Vision Zero Project
Crosswalk alignment at Lake Washington Blvd. and Boyer Avenue	Summer 2018	Arboretum Trail Project – SR 520 Mitigation Project
Curb Extension – Lake Washington Blvd. at Miller Street	Completed	WSDOT 520 mitigation
Pedestrian Traffic Signaled Crossing at 24^th Avenue East and Lynn Street	Preliminary design work has begun. SDOT will work on restricting left-turns on 24^th Avenue. Work scheduled for late 2019.	SDOT 23^rd Avenue East Vision Zero Project
Speed Bumps – 25^th and 26^th Avenue East between Boyer Avenue E. and E. Lynn	Completed	WSDOT SR 520 mitigation
Montlake Blvd. East at E. Shelby Street Sidewalk widening	Underway	SDOT

Potential Projects	Status	Funding Source

5-way Stop: Boyer/Lynn/Delmar/16th	Improvement under discussion	SDOT- funds yet to be identified
Enhanced Crosswalk at Delmar and Interlaken	Improvement under discussion	SDOT- funds yet to be identified
Added speed humps along Lynn from 24^th to 26th	Discussions with SDOT	Unknown
Traffic calming measure at 20^th and E. Lynn	Discussions with SDOT	Unknown
Added Tunnel under Lake Washington Blvd. from 26^th to the Land Bridge	Discussions with SDOT and WSDOT	Unknown
Roanoke Greenway from 20^th to Lake Washington Blvd.	SDOT – Early Planning Stages	TBD (Greenways)
Pedestrian crossing at Roanoke and Lake Washington Blvd.	Discussed with SDOT/WSDOT. Potential NTMP Project – SDOT/WSDOT	Unknown (WSDOT SR 520 Mitigation?)

Other Suggested Projects	Status	Funding Source

Traffic calming measures along McGraw from Boyer to 18th	Discussed with SDOT	Unknown
Speed Humps along Lynn, McGraw, Calhoun and Miller from 23^rd to 19^th	Discussed with SDOT – Potential NTMP Project SDOT/WSDOT	Unknown (WSDOT SR 520 Mitigation?)

Regarding public transportation, the 23^rd Avenue Corridor is one of seven planned RapidRide lines in the City. The RapidRide Expansion Program is a partnership between the City of Seattle and Metro Transit to deliver convenient, high-quality public transportation options. It was originally scheduled for opening in 2024, but currently, no funding exists for this project. It is hard to understand the lack of funding when the #25 was discontinued and service of the #43 has been drastically reduced. Even with Light Rail, our community is underserved with transit options.

It is critical that all Montlake residents influence these projects. Please continue to put pressure on SDOT and ask them to fund all of the requested projects (email SDOT). When emailing SDOT please put “Montlake Traffic Calming Measures” in the subject line. You are encouraged to use the City of Seattle “Find IT, FIX IT” app (www.seattle.gov/customer-service-bureau/find-it-fix-it-mobile-app) to post any request you think should be addressed. That includes the items listed above. WSDOT, SDOT and the City of Seattle need to hear from each of us if we expect anything to be done.

If you want to learn more or get involved, reach out to the MCC, join the transportation committee, or attend one of our monthly meetings. Meetings take place at the Boyer Children’s clinic on the second Tuesday of each month (September-June) at 7:00 pm. We have made great progress, but it requires continued community involvement.

Thank you to everyone who has advocated for our marvelous, historic and lovely neighborhood.

Interlaken Park Path & Stair Replacement

June 28, 2018 by Montlake Flyer 2 Comments

Work on a new staircase and ramp to Interlaken Park is scheduled to begin in July. They will connect Boyer Ave E and Interlaken Blvd. at the E Howe St. crosswalk. The project features a bicycle runnel, guard rails, and a switchback. Access should be facilitated for all. The E Howe St crossing will be well integrated with the park and the 23rd/central greenway.

The planned construction period is Summer-Fall 2018. The trail and sidewalk will be closed for the entire period. Noise and loss of parking in front of the project site are anticipated.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Activating and Connecting to Greenways program, in partnership with SDOT, has awarded the contract to WS Contractors. Kudos to the Montlake and Capitol Hill community and neighborhood greenways volunteers who have worked towards this goal with determination and humor. Thanks to the SDOT and Parks teams who persisted and removed the hurdles to this project.