Red-breasted Nuthatch
The Nuthatch defies the power of gravity while demonstrating a memory that puts me to shame. That is a lot of ability for a little bird that weighs less than a good steak. Read the story and see more photos at:
Larry
From Green-winged Teals to Mallards, Northern Shovelers, Buffleheads and Gadwalls the birds are preparing for courtship. Their feathers are all bright and new, there is plenty of preparatory preening and cleaning and lots of competition for a little love.
To see more photos please visit: Union Bay Watch
As promised, the Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Flatiron Construction Co. began monthly meetings to inform the neighborhood of construction activities. The meeting began with a review of the scope of the construction during this phase (the West Approach Bridge-North project, “wahban”) which will last until 2017. This phase does not include the Montlake lid over 520 nor any of the features slated for the top of the lid. The staff reminded neighbors that the legislature has not uet funded any of these enhancements nor any construction for the road bed or the Portage Bay Bridge west of Montlake Blvd.
The WSDOT staff reported that three homeless encampments have been established in areas where construction is now taking place. The individuals who have been living in these areas were evicted by the Seattle Police Dept. and the areas have now been cleaned up.
The fence is now in place in all areas that are closed to the public. “No Trespassing” signed have been posted. The staff asked for cooperation in not moving the fences or entering the property.
Several concerns were brought to the attention of the presenters. There was a request that the meetings start at a later time when residents who work can attend. This meeting started at 4:30pm. Staff agreed to change the schedule of future meetings to a later starting time.
One resident reported that construction activities near the MOHAI building were very noisy and on going in the middle of the night. This is a violation of the city’s noise ordinance. Construction Co. staff agreed to investigate this to make sure that the noise ordinance was not being violated.
The next meeting will be held at the Montlake Community Center on Wednesday, December 3, 2014.
The Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) and the Flatiron Construction Co. will begin holding regular monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month during the construction scheduled for Montlake. The first meeting will be Wednesday, November 5, 2014, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Graham Visitors’ Center in the Arboretum. All Montlake residents are welcome to attend and get any questions answered they may have about the construction activities.
Montlake residents may be interested in the Community Construction Management Plan which is available on the website. This is a 31-page booklet detailing how the construction company will try to minimize the negative impact of construction. Issues they address in the Plan include air quality and dust, aesthetics, glare and lighting, over-water and under-water construction, local traffic, utilities, vegatation and tree management, erosion control, activities in the staging area, day and night work schedule, and much more. To report concerns about construction, property owners can also go to the “Question and Concerns” section of the website: SR520OrangePage.
Removal of the “Ramps to Nowhere” has begun. WSDOT recently held a contest asking people to submit Haiku poems about the ramps. Everyone who submitted a poem will receive a chunk of the concrete from the ramps. Chunks of the ramps which were to be part of the R. H. Thompson Expressway, are also being saved for the monument to commenorate the citizen-activists who organized and stopped the construction of the Expressway. It would have adjoined S.R. 52o and destroyed parts of the Arboretum and many historic homes in the adjacent neighborhoods.
Events in and around Montlake for the week of October 16th – October 22nd.
In MontlakeLimited Engagement thru November 2nd
Saturday, October 18th
Tuesday, October 21st
Ongoing
Get Moving in Montlake – Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, Montlake Community Center
Saturday, October 18th
Saturday, October 18th & Sunday, October 19th
Wednesday, October 22nd
Visit our neighborhood calendar to keep track of upcoming events. All registered users of Montlake.net are authorized to submit events via our Post Your Event tool.
Did you know?
In 1976, W. Smith gave his lots at the east and west corners of 24th Ave E and Boyer Ave E to the Montlake Community Club. He did so because he understood MCC’s interest in protecting its green spaces and “its civic and benevolent direction”.
In 1984, neighbors restored the west corner to a park after a Gas Station was closed and removed.
In 2004, neighbors began restoration of the east corner to a park, removing the jungle of bushes by hand.
In 2011, MCC was awarded a Department of Neighborhoods grant to build a path and install northwest plants in the east park. The neighborhood raised $19,000 in cash and volunteer labor to match the grant.
In 2011, MCC was awarded a Cleanscapes prize to build a Kiosk, two solid cedar benches, and install a memorial plaque to Elizabeth Duncan, who was killed by an out of control car while waiting to cross the intersection.
Our neighbors in our community built these two parks for our enjoyment, safety, and beauty; continued maintenance will honor their dedication.
Please join in helping maintain these parks by donating your time this Saturday.
Gateway Parks
Fall Weeding & Planting Party
October 18, 2014
9:30 until noon
Refreshments will be served. Bring your gloves, weeders, and a shovel, if you can help with plantings.
A woman was attacked on 10/9, at approximately 3:30 pm on the main Interlaken Boulevard road.
The woman said she was choked very hard until she passed out. She said she thought she was going to die. The attack happened on the main paved road and not on the trails. The only description she could give police was that he is a black man who was wearing an orange hoody.
Please pass this along to anyone else you know who walks in the Interlaken Park area. The attacker was gone before the woman regained consciousness, but he may keep prowling in the area.
Q13Fox, Capitol Hill Seattle Blog and The Seattle Times have additional details, updates and video coverage the attack.
If you have any information about this case, please call 911 and ask to speak with an officer.
Events in Montlake for the week of October 2nd – October 7th.
Thursday, October 2nd
Saturday, October 4th
All-Montlake Yard Sale – 9:00 am, Over 60 Locations in MontlakeMonday, October 6th
Tuesday, October 7th
Ongoing
Visit our neighborhood calendar to keep track of upcoming events. All registered users of Montlake.net are authorized to submit events via our Post Your Event tool.
Construction is underway on the SR 520 West Approach Bridge North Project (WABN). WSDOT will share the latest construction information with the community during a public open house scheduled for this Thursday – October 2nd. Bring your questions for project staff and contractor, Flatiron West, Inc., and learn how you can stay informed during construction.
Thursday – October 2, 2014
5 to 7 p.m.
Montlake Community Center
1618 East Calhoun Street
Seattle, WA 98112
Two weeks ago I heard that construction on the WSDOT peninsula would begin soon, and it made me wonder how the folks who are living there would be treated. The next morning I sent the following email to: SR520Bridge@wsdot.wa.gov
WABN Project Staff,
As you can see the fine print does give numbers to call.
Dear Larry,
Thank you for contacting the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program in regard to homeless encampments in and around the WSDOT construction staging area for the West Approach Bridge North Project (WABN). It is WSDOT’s intent to promote and support the health and safety of everyone affected by our work, including those whose camps will be displaced by our construction.
Our contractor is required to adhere to WSDOT guidelines that support the humane and respectful consideration of illegal campers and their personal items. Please see below for additional information about how WSDOT and our contractor are addressing homeless encampments within the WSDOT right of way.
WSDOT will continue to work with the contractor, the Seattle Police Department and homeless advocacy groups as we move forward with construction activities. WSDOT will monitor areas on a daily basis to preserve site security and the safety of those who are affected by our project.
Thank you also for your note regarding your knowledge of the Union Bay birds. We appreciate your offer and will keep you in mind as a resource as we move forward with the project.
Please let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Sincerely,
Kristin Sandstrom
SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program
Washington State Department of Transportation
999 3rd Avenue, Suite 900 | Seattle, WA 98104
