Montlake Community Club

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Dynamic Message Sign Planned for 24th Ave E & E Lee – Montlakers Seek to Halt Installation

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Residents of Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood complain that the city’s plan for a big driver-information sign will only encourage side-street traffic.

Via Mike Lindblom, Seattle Times Transportation Reporter

Proposal for big overhead traffic sign riles Montlake residents

In its fervor to use technology to give drivers better information, the Seattle Department of Transportation has stirred a hornet’s nest in the Montlake neighborhood.

Residents are annoyed by the city’s plan to erect an overhead, real-time traffic message sign at 24th Avenue East and East Lee Street, where northbound traffic flows downhill toward Highway 520 and the University of Washington.

For only the second time, the city would be putting one of these steel-supported structures next to single-family homes.

Read the complete story HERE

Online Petition

Montlake neighbors have been collecting signatures for a petition against the sign. An online petition has also been created for those who wish to show their support against the sign. Click HERE or copy and paste this link: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/we-want-safer-streets.fb52?source=c.fb&r_by=13439808

 

Opportunity Knocks | Union Bay Watch

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IMG_5765-2Nesting osprey are exquisite little birds. With a little help from their friends, we might get to see young osprey on Union Bay in the near future. Find out more on:

Union Bay Watch

Have a great day on Union Bay…where osprey hope to nest!

Larry

The President’s Message

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Dear Neighbors,

I have just completed 5 years on the Montlake Community Club (MCC) Board of Trustees. I held a trustee position for 3 years and I have been President for 2 years. As I retire from the board, I am pleased to report that the focus of the board is much more active than 5 year ago when I first joined. At that time the board spent most of our time and energy dealing with WSDOT and the 520 design and construction. Later we worried about Sound Transit digging a train tunnel under the neighborhood. Although we are still keeping a close eye on the bridge and Sound Transit, our focus now is how to make Montlake an even better place to live while these construction projects continue.

1. Traffic Safety: Board members, Lionel Job and Rainer Metzger have established a solid connection with SDOT. Through their efforts some traffic and pedestrian improvements for our neighborhood are now on the city’s To Do List. Thank you, Lionel and Rainer!

2. Business District Connection: The board designated a trustee position for a business district liaison, so we can work with our business owners to enhance our small commercial area. Board Secretary Kathy Laughman has led this effort. This year for the first time we were able to help the businesses with holiday lighting to brighten up 24th Avenue during December. With increased financial support this year, we hope to expand this for 2015. This year a board committee with business owners will work on a design for sidewalk improvements and look for grant funds for this project.

3. National Historic District Designation: Following several years of work on our application, we expect this fall the National Park Service will recognize Montlake as a National Historic District and we will be listed on that national registry. Jon Decker, former MCC board member has headed this project. This gives the neighborhood some protection during 520 construction. The federal government recognizes that construction projects they help to fund must be conducted in a manner that will not damage historic building with a historic district.

4. Liaison with Montlake School: The board designated a trustee position for a member of the PTA who can help communicate between the school community and the MCC board. Our goal is to keep neighbors without children at the school, informed about school activities. The board would like to see more neighborhood support, especially for the school’s fund raising efforts which enhance the school’s programs.

5. Celebrating our Neighborhood Talent: Nathalie Gehrke, retiring MCC Vice President, is chairing this project. Again this year we are showcasing our resident writers, artists and musicians. But rather than a Sunday afternoon event at the community center, this year we will be using a different venue. Our talented neighbors will be sharing their music, art and writing at the library or at one of our businesses. We call these events “Montlake Unabridged”. This format will give a better look at their talent and let participants sell their work. Watch this website calendar for the dates of these events.

6. Volunteers: The board is hopeful that some volunteers will step forward and help with projects for 2015-16. This includes help with our annual October yard sale, the Snow Brigade, the holiday lighting project and maintaining our gardens at the pocket parks on Boyer and 24th Avenue.

We also have one Board Trustee position open for 2015-18. The requirements for serving as a Trustee are simply to attend or monthly meetings (second Tuesday of the month at the Boyer Children’s Clinic). We hope someone who cares about the neighborhood will volunteer for this position. Someone with some new ideas and a willingness to help with our on-going projects would be especially welcomed. You can contact the board to volunteer at board@montlake.net .

7. Election of Officers for 2015-16. Since we are not holding a neighborhood meeting this month, our election of officers will be held on-line. LeAna Alvarado-Smith, our Flyer Editor will be sending out the on-line ballot at the end of the month. Please participate. This is also an opportunity to give feedback to the board on any topic of concern.

I wish you all a wonderful summer. I hope to see you at some of the Montlake Unabridged events.

New Eaglets In The 520 Nest

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354A2166After nearly two years of waiting the 520 eagles, Eva and Albert, have new eaglets in their Broadmoor nest. Last year they sat on the eggs but the young never appeared. It will be great fun to watch their growth and development during the summer. To see more photos visit:

Union Bay Watch

Have a great day on Union Bay…where eaglets live in the city!

Larry

WSDOT To Begin Construction Site Tours

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At the May update meeting of the 520 Bridge construction, WSDOT staff announced that the June, July and August monthly meetings will include a tour of the bridge construction area. The tours will begin with a brief meeting at the Graham Visitors Center. Afterward staff will lead neighbors out to Foster Island and beyond to view the current construction area. Participants are advised to wear hiking boots of shoes and be prepared for a one-hour walk. Interested neighbors who want to go on the tour need to register in advance. The dates for the tours are:

Wednesday, June 3rd, 5:30 pm

Wednesday, July 1st, 5:30 pm

Wednesday, August 5th, 5:30 pm.

Register for the tour on the WSDOT website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge/WABN. Look for the article “Latest WABN Construction Update”.

WSDOT and the Flat Iron Construction Co. staff announced the Lake Washington Blvd. street closures that were previewed last month. The street will be completely closed to car and pedestrian traffic from Montlake Blvd. to 26th Ave. East on May 29-June 1 and June 5-7. Home owners along the Blvd. will be offered hotel vouchers so they can vacate their homes during these periods.

Two ongoing projects were discussed. The sidewalk widening at the corner of Lake WA Blvd. and Montlake Blvd. has been stalled due to the large amount of utility cables located nearby. The sidewalk work on Montlake Blvd. near Hamlin and Shelby is near completion.

This month, construction of 8 of the 12 parking stalls on East Park Drive is beginning. These stalls will provide convenient parking for kayakers and other park users who visit the kayak launch which will be developed on the lake shore near East Park Drive. The final 4 stalls will be done at a later date. There was discussion about parking restriction for this parking lot to deter UW staff and students from using the spaces during the day. SDOT staff reported that there would not be zone restriction to reserve the spaces for Montlake residents. However, there will be a 4 hour time limit imposed on drivers Monday throught Saturday.

A Dark-Eye Beauty | Union Bay Watch

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EB2R3968A junco is a common bird. It seldom gets a second glance, if we notice it at all. When we take a closer look we start to see what makes all life on this little planet special, unique and beautiful in its own right. I hope you enjoy the post on:

Union Bay Watch

Have a great day on Union Bay…where nature nests in the city!

Larry

 

520 Bridge Construction Impacting Nearby Homes

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The monthly information meetings with the Washington Dept. of Transportation and the Flat Iron Construction Co. are continuing on the first Wednesday of every month at the Arboretum’s Graham Visitor’s Center. At the April 1st meeting the teams brought new aerial photos showing the WBAN progress.

There was discussion of the problems that have occurred recently. The accident involving a metro bus that was hit by a falling overhead sign was detailed. That occurred when large pipes were being off-loaded from a truck parked on the shoulder in the staging area. A pipe slipped and hit the overhead sign, causing it to fall, hitting the front of the bus. Several bus passengers and the driver were injured. This incident is still being investigated. WSDOT reported that there are safety officers on site who watch for potential hazzards and dangersous situations. Their priority is keeping all workers and motorists safe.

There was also discussion about vibration from the construction activities and the impact it could have on our historic homes. There are 10 vibration monitors in place which are monitored continuiously. These meters are located on Hamlin St., Lake WA Blvd., Roanoke St., and at Canterbury Shores and the Edgewater Apartments in Madison Park. One Montlake property owner has reported ceiling cracks have developed in his home since construction began. WSDOT is investigating this.

A neighbor on Hamlin Street reported that a large truck hauling a double trailer heading north near the Montlake Blvd. Market, missed the turn on Lake WA Blvd. and proceeded to Hamlin Street. At the end of Hamlin, when the driver realized he could not enter the staging area, he backed up knocking over a street light on the Hamlin parking strip. To make the left turn to East Park Drive, he drove over the parking strip, flattening a No Parking sign and tearing up the lawn on the parking strip.
A member from the Seattle Yacht Club reminded the audience that all the usual Opening Day of Yachting activities would occur this year on Saturday, May 2nd. He reminded people that there was no parking available in the MOHAI area this year and those who have used that parking lot in the past would need to make other arrangements.

WSDOT staff announced construction activities that would close 520 and other streets in the coming month. Lake Washington Blvd. will be closed for a weekend so that new, large pipes can be installed and man holes can be replaced to collect larger amounts of rain water from the new larger 520 roadway. The water is then funneled to the treatment plant.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 5:30 pm – Arboretum’s Graham Visitor’s Center

Give Metro Feedback Today

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Did you know Metro is considering deleting bus routes 11, 25, and 43 when the light rail is completed next year?

Alternative 1 deletes #s 11, 25, 43
Alternative 2 maintains 11, 25, and 43 with some modifications to route and frequency.

Give metro your input on its two alternatives by completing the survey on their website: metro.kingcounty.gov

Survey ends Tuesday, March 31!

Metro.kingcounty.gov and click on “Link connection” on the right hand side bar. You will be connected to information and the survey. 

Montlake Historic District National Register Nomination in Final Stages

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The Montlake Historic District nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) has been prepared, and has been sent to the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) for review. All components of the nomination as submitted are available on the project website. We appreciate all the participation and support of the Montlake community during the development of the Montlake Historic District National Register nomination.

This May, the nomination will be reviewed by the Washington State Advisory Council for Historic Preservation. Following that meeting, the nomination is expected to be conveyed to the National Park Service (NPS). Following a 45-60 day review period, if accepted, the district will be listed in the NRHP.

Please note that National Register listing places no obligations on private property owners. There are no restrictions on the use, treatment, transfer, or disposition of private property as a result of listing on the National Register.

  • National Register listing does not lead to public acquisition or require public access.
  • An individual property will not be listed if the owner objects, or for districts, if a majority of property owners object.
  • National Register listing does not automatically invoke local historic district zoning or local landmark designation.

To learn more about listing in the National Register, here are some useful links:

  • The NPS website has more specific information on what it means to be listed in the National Register.
  • As always, please contact Steve Archer, WSDOT Cultural Resources Specialist, at 206-805-2895 or archers@wsdot.wa.gov if you have any questions about the nomination or the process.

Why is WSDOT undertaking this effort?

WSDOT has conducted this work as a mitigation commitment for the SR 520, I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, as requested by the Montlake Community Club. WSDOT has been coordinating with the Montlake Community Club and the Washington State DAHP, and retained historic preservation consultants Connie Walker Gray and Mimi Sheridan to conduct the work.

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Union Bay Watch | In The Mood?

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EB2R2973This week’s post is about Downy Woodpeckers. Have you ever wondered if birds have feelings? If you have any doubt I believe this post will help you resolve the issue. I hope you enjoy it!

Please visit: Union Bay Watch
By the way, at the end of the post there is a short reference to the shorebird petition. It contains a link to a video of a Dunlin murmuration. It is not my work so I feel free to say, it is amazing! I can’t stop watching it. If you haven’t signed the petition yet, please do!
Have a great day on Union Bay…where shorebirds hope to migrate through the city!
Larry