You’re invited to Groundswell NW’s Annual Meeting & Civic Social March 24

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You’re invited to this special event that will change the landscape of your community and grow the public green.

This year, Groundswell NW will be highlighting the findings from the Ballard Open Space Plan and looking to you to spark future parks, public art, gardens, green space connectors and habitat in Northwest Seattle.

Because you are a mover and shaker in this great community, your participation in this collaborative event is crucial.

Groundswell NW will also present “Local Heroes” awards, which recognize individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to parks and open space in Ballard.

Doors open at the Nordic Heritage Museum at 6PM for an open house where you can learn more about Groundswell NW’s partners and projects.
The Civic Social will begin at 6:30PM.

You bring your best ideas, Groundswell NW will bring the treats.

Save Our Substations Open House March 22

MonroeSubstation

If you’ve ever walked to the bus at 15th and 65th or to El Camion for a taco, you’ve probably walked by the vacant Monroe Substation at 1407 NW 65th and wondered what the heck is going on there. Well, the truth is, nothing, at least not yet. This vacant substation along with many more in our neighborhood and across Seattle are former Seattle City Light substations that are still owned by the City and could be up on the auction block to private developers in the near future. You are invited to join Seattle Green Spaces Coalition on March 22 at the Sunset Hill Community Club from 5-7PM to show your support to “keep these public lands in public hands” and share your ideas on how these spaces can used in your community.

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Join Whittier Heights Involved Neighbors for 15th Ave NW Street Clean up

Whittier Heights is just a bit north of East Ballard, but I know we all travel along 15th Ave NW at one time or another. So why not come out and help these ambitious neighbors help make 15th a bit nicer.
Whittier Heights Involved Neighbors (WHIN)
15th Ave NW Street Clean Up 
Saturday 3/14, 1PM-3PM
Meet at NW 85th and 15th Ave NW in front of Walgreens

Organizers will have trash bags and some gloves and trash grabbers but please bring your own gloves if you have them as supplies are limited. Wear reflective gear or bright colored clothing if possible.

For more info, contact: Gina Frank, gina.a.gibbs@gmail.com and if you live in the Whittier Heights, sign up to be a member of WHIN’s Facebook page

A sneak peek at designs for the 11th Ave NW Shoreline Street End Project

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Bird’s eye view

If you attended the 11th Ave NW shoreline street end project open house in January, then you’ll remember an energy-filled evening at the Ballard Library. During this evening, talented and enthusiastic UW students from Professor Daniel Winterbottom’s Landscape Architecture Design/Build class presented their design ideas to transform the 11th Ave NW shoreline street end into an inviting public space.

After the open house, Professor Winterbottom’s students returned to the classroom with your feedback and collaborated with Seattle Dept of Transportation’s Jennifer Wieland and Shannon Glass to develop a “final” design for the 11th Ave NW Shoreline Street End and Viewing Deck that will now advance through City’s permitting process.

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Shoreline view

You’ll see that the “final” design blends aspects of many of the preliminary designs, including a maypole, a meandering pathway, a swing, and a deck with seating at the water’s edge. The design also includes a new fire access point for the adjacent property to the west and accounts for the turning radius needed by the business to the east. The design also incorporates bike parking, an ADA-accessible parking stall, and a wide variety of native plantings.

You can access the siteline drawings via DPD’s website by entering 3018782 in the Search by Number field. If you sort by Capture Date, you’ll find a posting from 2/19/15 called “Plan Set: Plan SetV3.” These are technical drawings rather than renderings.

The EBCA also has also been in touch with Professor Winterbottom’s class to receive site illustrations, a couple of which we’ve provided in this post, that will help you really visualize what this space will look like.

You are also invited to an event on March 13 to view the final designs and attend a panel discussion on design education, its form, experimentation, opportunities and constraints, and a student’s perspective.

11th Ave NW Shoreline Street End Presentation and Panel Discussion
Friday, March 13th 12-1:30pm
UW Campus, Gould 110
A Poster for this event is here.

Once permitting is complete, the students will be ready to build and we’ll be asking you, our neighbors, to come out and help with the build and help us steward this little slice of public open space for us all to enjoy.

If you’d like to learn more about this project, please contact SDOT’s Shannon Glass (shannon.glass@seattle.gov or 206-375-1181).

Show your support for 3 East Ballard Street projects up for vote at Ballard District Council Wed March 11

If you’ve never attended a Ballard District Council Meeting before, the meeting on Wednesday March 11, 7-8:30pm at the Ballard Library, would be a good one to attend and show your support for 3 proposed East Ballard street projects that will be presented and prioritized for funding through Seattle’s Neighborhood Park and Street Funds program.

Here’s an overview of the 3 East Ballard projects up for review and prioritization:

Seeking a safer crossing at 11th and Market

Seeking a safer crossing at 11th and Market

1. Improved crossing at Market St and 11th Ave NW
The application is asking for improved safety of the pedestrian crossing across Market St at 11th Ave NW to access eastbound and westbound bus stops from the adjacent residential neighborhoods. “This is a walking neighborhood. Improving the safety of crossing at this intersection would not only improve access to the bus stops along Market for the heavily travelled route 44, it would also improve pedestrian connections to schools, parks and playfields, the Burke-Gilman trail and the 11th Ave NW street end improvements. It is a key node in our pedestrian network that requires attention.” View the complete application here.

Crossing 8th Ave NW

Seeking a safer crossing of 8th Ave NW south of Market St

 

2. Improved crossing of 8th Ave NW south of Market St
“8th Avenue NW is a wide arterial with heavy traffic volumes. Despite a significant increase in pedestrian traffic in this area, there are few opportunities to safely cross 8th Ave NW to access metro stops. Pedestrian activity is also high at these locations, to and from transit as well as Gilman Playground, Ross Park, the Burke-Gilman Trail, local schools, shops, and employment.” View the complete application here.

Improved safety along 6th Ave NW between NW 43rd and 49th

Seeking improved safety along 6th Ave NW between NW 43rd and 49th

2. Improved safety along 6th Ave NW between NW 43rd and 49th
“Schoolchildren as young as 2 years old and other neighbors use 6th Ave NW and it’s cross streets for daily walks and access to the Burke Gilman Trail. Pedestrian safety in the area is our primary concern. Vehicle safety moving from the east to the west across 6th Ave NW at NW Bright Street, NW45th, and NW 44th tends to be fast as it comes downhill through unmarked intersections. In addition, parking, and vehicle and pedestrian traffic become congested during drop off and pick up at Pacific Crest School, which further limits pedestrian safety.” View the complete application hereUPDATE: We just learned that this project didn’t make the cut by the Executive board of the Ballard District Council. If you want to have this project considered, we encourage you to attend and speak up at the meeting on Wednesday.

Ballard District Council is open to the public. You will have an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting to introduce yourself and make a short statement in support of the street projects. We’re looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday!

 

 

EBCA shows support for the Mayor’s “Move Seattle” initiative

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Dawn Hemminger from the EBCA speaking at the launch for the Mayor’s “Move Seattle” initiative. photo credit: Catherine Weatbrook

Mayor Ed Murray and SDOT Directory Scott Kubly launched the “Move Seattle” initiative, their 10-year vision for transportation in Seattle, on the lawn of Ballard Swedish Hospital on Monday. Dawn Hemminger, from the EBCA, was an invited speaker at this event, along with David Goldberg from Transportation for America. There was a great turnout of the movers and shakers of Ballard who have been involved with the pedestrian, bicycle, transit and freight plans that SDOT plans to integrate in order to best support everyone, whether walking, biking, riding transit, driving a car or delivering freight.  See more at the Mayor’s website. View or download the Move Seattle document here. Read EBCA’s letter of support presented at the event here. View the whole event, including Dawn’s presentation here.

Help the City update Seattle’s Industrial Lands Policy

Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is hosting a series of meetings regarding proposed Industrial Lands Policies that are part of Seattle 2035 – the City’s major comprehensive plan update.  Specific land use policies are being considered for designated Manufacturing/Industrial Centers (M/IC) that will preserve these areas for ongoing industrial use and also limit the potential for conversion of property within designated M/IC areas to non-industrial uses unless specific criteria are met.

The purpose of the outreach meetings is to receive your input on these proposed policies.  Input received will be shared with the City Council when these policies are considered as part of the major update.

March 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
Ballard High School Commons
1418 NW 65th St
Seattle, WA 98117
RSVP Here

RainWise Rebates, Rain Gardens & Cisterns event next Wednesday

 

Peter and Shelby’s rain garden

Several front yard rain gardens and rain barrels have been popping up in the East Ballard neighborhood this past year thanks to RainWise rebates offered by Seattle Public Utilities and King County. East Ballard neighbors, Peter and Shelby took advantage of these rebates and hired John Barker with Forrest Gardens Construction to design and install a beautiful rain garden in their yard. Peter will be at a RainWise event at the Phinney Neighborhood Center event next Wednesday evening to share his experience with the program. If you’ve been on the fence about taking the plunge, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the program and learn from a neighbor what it’s all about!

RainWise Rebates, Rain Gardens & Cisterns
Wednesday Feb 25, 7:00-8:00 PM

Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney N
Directions: http://phinneycenter.org/about/directions.html

Forrest Gardens Construction is one of many certified RainWise garden installers

 

Learn about how to apply for rebates from Seattle Public Utilities and King County for up to 100 % of the total cost of rain gardens and cisterns (super-sized rain barrels). Hear from delighted RainWise homeowners in your neighborhood, meet trained RainWise installers and get set to take the next step for your rebate! Check your rebate eligibility  at www.rainwise.seattle.gov

Join West Woodland Neighbors in cleaning up NW 65th next Sunday

Join West Woodland Neighbors next Sunday in helping to improve the neighborhood by picking up litter along NW 65th between 3rd and 8th Ave NW.

 

NW 65th Street Clean up
Sunday February 22nd, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Meet at Cafe Bambino405 NW 65th St, Seattle
Arrive at 8:30 for coffee and to meet your neighbors before cleanup begins

 

Please bring:
1. Gloves
2. Pickers
3. Wagons — to carry full garbage bag

Adopt-A-Street Program:
Liza White, neighbor & owner of Four Legged Friends, adopted NW 65th as part of the City Of Seattle’s Adopt-A-Street program. To learn how you can adopt your street & help keep West Woodland litter free visit: http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/GetInvolved/AdoptaStreet/index.htm

Learn more about Four Legged Friends at:http://www.fourleggedfriendsseattle.com/

Event Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1582662741952116/

$470,000 in matching funds offered for technology projects

The City of Seattle invites community organizations and nonprofits to apply for nearly $500,000 in funding to increase digital equity. The Technology Matching Fund awards are matched by the community’s contribution of volunteer labor, materials, professional services or funding. Applications due March 19

“As a city, Seattle is known for technology and innovation, yet too many residents do not have sufficient internet access or the skills necessary to participate fully in today’s economy,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “This funding leverages the resources of the community by matching time and funding.”

The Technology Matching Fund has been in existence since 1997 and this year the City has $470,000 available for matching awards of up to $30,000 each to community groups and nonprofits. The deadline to apply is March 19, 2015.

The funding will be awarded in July to organizations who will improve digital equity by connecting traditionally-underserved populations, empower residents with digital literacy skills, and encourage diverse communities to use technology for civic participation.

Application materials and more information are available at www.seattle.gov/tech/tmf/.

Two workshops will be held for those interested in applying for the matching funds. The free workshops will provide an overview of the grant program, explain how to apply and detail characteristics of a successful application. First time applicants are encourage to attend.

Tuesday, Feb. 10: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
2100 Building, 2100 24
th Ave South, 98144

Thursday, Feb. 12: 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Solid Ground, 1501 N. 45
th St, 98103

Interpretation and accommodations are available upon request by calling 206-233-2751 or emailing communitytechnology@seattle.gov by February 6.