Have you ever wondered how long it takes a Heron to capture its prey and remove it from the water? Have you been missing the sight of the 520 eagles, Eva and Albert? Hopefully they have been enjoying their annual vacation. Would you like to participate in Eagle Watch 2014 and see if you can be the first to spot the eagles when they return to Union Bay? Read more on Union Bay Watch!
New Bike Path Coming To Montlake
Last month the Seattle Dept. of Transportation held an open house to show the public their plan for changes to the 23rd Avenue-24th Avenue corridor. This project will bring changes to 23rd Avenue starting at South Rainier Avenue and continuing to East Roanoke Street in the Montlake neighborhood.
There are 2 components to this project. Along 23rd and 24th, changes will be made to improve safety for pedestrians and cars. Sidewalks will be widened and smoothed for walkers, strollers and wheelchairs. From Rainier Ave. to East John Street, the lanes will be changed to one lane in each direction with a left turn lane in the middle. Street parking will continue.
The second component will be a designated “greenway” for pedestrians and bikers who do not want to ride or walk on arterials with heavier and faster traffic. The greenway will be on a residential street parallel to the arterial. The greenway streets will have sidewalk improvements to smooth and widen the path for walkers and young bikers. The street pavement will be painted with a bike lane and crosswalks where the greenway crosses arterials.
In Montlake, the greenway will begin at Roanoke Street and 22nd Ave. East. It will head south to Lynn St. and continue on 23rd Ave to Boyer Ave. A new crosswalk will be placed at Boyer and Howe St. so walkers can safely cross Boyer. A wider bike-friendly pathway will be installed between Boyer and Interlaken Blvd at Howe St. replacing the current steps that currently allow walkers to enter Interlaken Park.
At this intersection greenway uses can choose between 2 routes to get up the hill to Galer St on Capitol Hill. One route is Interlaken Blvd which has the gentler grade. But it is longer, has no sidewalks and is not well-lit at night. The second route is more direct and has sidewalks and lighting but is quite steep: 22nd Ave. to Peach Court to Crescent Drive.
The project will begin construction this fall with Phase I which is the corridor from Jackson St. to East John. Montlake is in Phase III which will be the last part completed, hopefully by the end of 2015.
Julee Neuhart
Wednesday’s What’s Happening: SR 520 Montlake Design Open House
SR 520 – Montlake Design Open House
Thursday, September 11th – 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center
All Montlake neighbors are encouraged to attend this open house to share their thoughts concerning the Montlake Lid and Multimodal connections. Additionally, you may leave your feedback at the bottom of this page or one of the may articles on this topic or send an email to the contacts listed on the Everything 520 page. Design images available HERE.
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.
Op-Ed: Quality over Quantity: Check out the New Montlake Lid Design
By Lyle Bicknell, Principal Urban Designer, City of Seattle
The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and the City of Seattle are hosting an open house this Thursday, September 11, and I encourage folks to stop by. There will be displays showing the design enhancements for the Seattle portion of the 520 expansion—including the refined lid concept for the Montlake neighborhood.
The previous lid design had many strengths but also some real shortcomings.
Because of its length, the lid would require mechanical ventilation including massive, 20 foot high ventilation shafts, and a permanent maintenance facility and parking lot.
The old design resulted in steep, indirect and disconnected pedestrian and cycle connections—and public open spaces that invited misuse. Furthermore, the lid’s boxy shape projected awkwardly into the Lake Washington shoreline, marring the natural landscape.
In a case of less-is-more the new shorter lid eliminates the need for the stacks and maintenance facility, improves pedestrian and cycle connections while providing comparable levels of screening and noise reduction.
But don’t take my word for it. Come to the open house on September 11, 4:30-7, at the Montlake Community Center, bring an open mind and judge for yourself.
Montlake Community Center, September 11, 2014, 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.
The Mystery of Great Expectations
This week’s post on Union Bay Watch has a couple of wildlife, birding mysteries. You might also learn how to tell a young Great Blue Heron from those with a bit more experience. To see the photos and learn more visit Union Bay Watch.
Sunday Open Garden and Goat Social
Arthur Lee Jacobson’s garden welcomes all visitors Sunday, September 7th from 11 til 7. Next door, urban goats will munch on an overgrown yard. Free food & drink. The place is on E Blaine, a bit uphill from 22nd, by bamboo & fire hydrant. The address (invisible) would read 2216. You can also enter 2215 E Howe, then descend 52 stairs. The garden features the state’s tallest eucalyptus tree: over 107 feet. Splendid to behold. More details are at: http://www.arthurleej.com/opengarden20.html
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of September 3rd – 9th and a Save the Date Click the event name to get all the details.
Special Montlake Event – Save the Date
Thursday, September 11th
SR 520 – Montlake Design Open House – 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, Montlake Community Center. Montlake neighbors are encouraged to attend this open house to share their thoughts concerning the Montlake Lid and Multimodal connections.
In Montlake
Thursday, September 4th
- Montlake Community Center Advisory Council Meeting – 6:30 pm, Montlake Community Center
Tuesday, September 9th
- Montlake Community Club Board Meeting – 7:00 pm, Location available upon request
Limited Engagements
- Gateway to Nowhere Art Installation, Ramps to Nowhere near the Arboretum
Ongoing
- Parent & Child Nature Classes – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Get Moving in Montlake – Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Montlake Mediation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Tuesday, September 9th
- Alzheimer’s Cafe – 3:30 pm, Aegis Living
- Addressing Addiction & Substance Abuse – 6:00 pm, Aegis Living
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.
A Honeysuckle Summer
As the rain washes the sun away you may want to take a moment more to enjoy summer. This week’s post on Union Bay Watch includes a couple of birds that may be new to you. Plus an interesting review of a native plant that attracts hummingbirds and appears to have been used, in times past, to cure just about every ailment under the sun. Learn more at: Union Bay Watch.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of August 27th – September 2nd. Click the event name to get all the details.
Special Montlake Events
Thursday, August 28th
- Neighborhood Greenway Open House – 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, Miller Community Center. Montlake neighbors are encouraged to attend this open house to share their thoughts concerning safe pedestrian passages and fully protected crosswalks.
In Montlake
Saturday, August 30th
- Kettlebell Fundamentals Workshop
– 11:30 am, Montlake Community Center
Limited Engagements
- James W. Sutherland Exhibit
, Final Weekend, Fuel Coffee - Gateway to Nowhere Art Installation, Ramps to Nowhere near the Arboretum
Around Montlake
Wednesday, August 27th
- Outdoor Movie – Monsters University – 7:00 pm, University Village
Thursday, August 28th
- Music in the Park – 6:30 pm, Madison Park
- Ghostbusters – Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
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.
Wednesday’s What’s Happening
Events in and around Montlake for the week of August 20th – August 26th. Click the event name to get all the details.
In Montlake
Limited Engagements
- James W. Sutherland Exhibit, thru August 31st, Fuel Coffee
- Gateway to Nowhere Art Installation, Ramps to Nowhere near the Arboretum
Ongoing
- Outdoor Kettlebell Cross Training – Mondays & Wednesdays, 7:00 pm – Montlake Community Center
- Parent & Child Nature Classes
- – Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat, 10:00 am, Arboretum
- Family Story Time – Wednesdays, 11:00 am, Montlake Library
- Get Moving in Montlake – Wednesdays, 6:45 pm, Montlake Community Center
- Montlake Mediation Group – Thursdays, 9:30 am, 2145 Boyer Ave East
Around Montlake
Wednesday, August 20th
- Sounds of Summer Concert Series – 5:45 pm, University Village
Thursday, August 21st
- Music in the Park – 6:30 pm, Madison Park
- Little Mermaid – Outdoor Movies at Magnuson Park – 7:00 pm, Magnuson Park
Tuesday, August 26th
- Central Area Gateways Open House – 4:30 pm, Garfield Community Center
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.
