Building Character, Streetscape and Open Space

November 6 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at the Ballard Library

The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is working with neighborhood groups and non-profits, organized as the Ballard Partnership for Smart Growth, to develop an Urban Design Framework (UDF). The UDF will establish the desired design qualities for the central Ballard area, and examine how development regulations can better shape growth in ways that reflect those qualities.

At a public meeting this last May, the community expressed their views on the character of growth in the Ballard core. The community overwhelmingly loves that Ballard is a beautiful, walkable neighborhood where one can visit the great variety of shops, restaurants and parks.

However, the community is also concerned that a number of recent high-density projects being built in the area do not contribute Ballard’s character. DPD and the Ballard Partnership’s Urban Design and Transportation Committee have worked since May, to define responses to this central issue.

On Thursday, November 6, from 5:30 – 7:30, at the Ballard Library, DPD will present the initial strategies to better guide development in the Ballard core. Our strategies address the bulk and character of development, streetscape design, and public/private open space within the areas shown in orange below.

Visit DPD’s website to get information about this upcoming meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can also sign up to receive updates and an invitation to participate in a questionnaire about our proposals.

You can also contact David W. Goldberg at 206.615.1447, or davidw.goldberg@seattle.gov

Join your neighbors on Saturday Nov 1 for EBCA’s biannual Adopt A Street Cleanup. We’ve been cleaning up 14th Ave NW since the Fall of 2005 thanks to your help and our incredible volunteers who organize this event. Picking up trash is a lot more fun than it sounds and is something the whole family can do together. This is a great opportunity to make our neighborhood a nicer place to live. Plus you get to wear a bright colored vest!

Adopt A Street Cleanup along 14th Ave NW
Sat November 1,  10am-1pm
Meet over coffee & breakfast snack at Blowing Sands Glass
5805 14th Ave NW
Tidy up 14th Ave NW & care for the planters.
Come dressed for the weather.
Stay and have lunch donated by Ballard Market
contact eastballard@gmail.com for more information

Saltbox Designs just shared this with us on our Facebook page. Those pumpkins are gonna make great jack o’lanterns in our neighborhood!

“We just returned from Edison, WA with 1,400 lbs of pumpkins and will be SELLING THEM on

Sunday from 11-4
on the corner of 3rd Ave NW and 65th (6526 3rd Ave NW)
$4 each or 3 for $10 (wow thats cheap!)

We also now carry chicken feed from Portage Bay Grange. Open every Sunday 11-4 — at Saltbox Designs.”

Just got a note from Small Batch Seattle that they’re postponing this month’s event:

Small Batch Seattle is excited to announce that their second swap event will be held August 10! Last month’s event was a great success. Check out some of the pics to see for yourself!  Bring something homemade or homegrown to swap among neighbors, and in return get new items to take home for your own pantry.

While we have had beautiful weather, the group is  scouting out venues for future swaps that will allow them to continue trading through the rainier seasons.  If you know of anyone that would like to host an event (public space, art gallery, store, etc) please let them know!

Where: Kirke Park in Ballard (7028 9th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117)
When:  Sunday, August 10 at 2pm
RSVP Required: smallbatchseattle@gmail.com

What to expect:
Bring as many or as few items as you want, packaged into portions of ~$5-10 amounts for easy swapping. You can bring any homemade/homegrown consumables like baked goods, jams, fermented foods, natural sodas, yogurt, grown vegetables, etc.  You’re encouraged to bring ingredient lists and samples of your items to try where practical. Non-edible products (soaps, services, art, etc) will be accepted on a case-by-case basis; please email so you can talk about your items.

This will be a fun, casual event where we can exchange goods and ideas. The event is expected to take about 2 hours. You’re welcome to bring friends and family and forward this along to others, but only those that bring items to swap can participate. You must RSVP via email for each participating attendee as table space is limited.

More information can be found on their website at:
http://www.smallbatchseattle.com

In March, SDOT hosted a public meeting and gathered valuable input on building a north-south neighborhood greenway in Ballard from Salmon Bay to Soundview Playfield. From their evaluation and the input received, SDOT is recommending a new greenway along 17th Avenue NW from NW 90th Street to Russell Avenue NW and along NW Dock Place between Russell Avenue NW and Ballard Avenue NW.

To learn more about the Ballard Greenways project and about the proposed greenway along 17th, check out SDOT’s website  and then come join your neighbors at the Ballard High school next Thursday Aug 7 from 6-7:30 pm for the Ballard Neighborhood Greenways Open House.