Seattle City Council is co-hosting two community discussions with Pacific Science Center and Streets For All Seattle. These discussions are part of a series of events that gather community input on different aspects of the City Council’s priority issue of carbon neutrality.
Transportation Choices Coalition and Cascade Bicycle Club, among other organizations, will be on hand to give information and answer questions on your way in to hear the panelists before 6:30pm on both nights. Please stop by to say hello!
While these events are free, remember to RSVP by calling (206) 443-2896 or visiting pacificsciencecenter.org/community-science-forums.
Tuesday, March 29, 6-8:30 p.m. – Lake City
Meadowbrook Community Center
10517 35th Avenue NE, Seattle
Featured Speakers:
• Ref Lindmark, King County Metro Transit
• Kari Watkins, OneBusAway & UW Civil Engineering
• Notable community representative
Tuesday, April 12, 6–8:30 p.m. – Central District
Seattle Vocational Institute
2120 S. Jackson St., Seattle
Featured Speakers:
• Mark Hallenbeck, Director of the Washington State
Transportation Center at UW (TRAC)
• Jennifer Wieland, Seattle Dept. of Transportation
• Transit blogger Carla Saulter, a.k.a. “Bus Chick”
More information can also be found on the event flier.
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seattle. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Seattle Transit Communities: Seattle Planning Commission March 10th Meeting Report
On March 10 at City Hall, the Seattle Planning Commission presented and discussed its Seattle Transit Communities report, released last November. The commission outlined their vision for walkable, livable, transit-accessible communities and the steps they suggest to achieve this. They emphasized that their report details how to create transit communities rather than the best way to implement transit across the region. The report identifies 41 different transit destinations, categorizes them by four different typologies, and prioritizes 14 communities that have the highest need and readiness for transformation.
A discussion followed the presentation, offering a chance for the audience, which was fairly large, to ask questions. The commission mentioned the decline of the hub-and-spoke model of transit, with households needing access to more destinations, especially dual-income households. They noted that Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities outside the sunbelt and that this growth would be best managed with increased density. They also emphasized that residential density in mixed-use neighborhoods is crucial for businesses to flourish. The commission expressed the need to plan ahead for upcoming transit development. They pointed out that Roosevelt is already trying to sell some land to potential retailers in preparation for the opening of their light rail stop in the 2020.
However, a few Roosevelt residents attended the meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with not being consulted during the planning process thus far. Residents were concerned that they had spent lots of money on their high school, intending it to be a historic anchor to their community, and they feel they have been ignored. Specifically, Roosevelt High School was intended to be the tallest building in the neighborhood, but the Roosevelt Design Group has proposed building a 12-story unit near the future station, which would conflict with Roosevelt’s neighborhood plan. One resident insisted, “We are a community, not a quarter-mile circle.”
The commission responded first by emphasizing that they do not have authority over development, but they have been encouraging the city to change its approach to development. They also said they have strived to build their plan around existing plans and buildings and are eager to listen to Roosevelt residents and to work with them on this plan. They encouraged everyone to read the entire report and reminded residents that they have years to discuss their concerns before development actually begins. Finally, the commission emphasized that community development is very complicated, but they are confident they can reach an acceptable solution for everyone.
A discussion followed the presentation, offering a chance for the audience, which was fairly large, to ask questions. The commission mentioned the decline of the hub-and-spoke model of transit, with households needing access to more destinations, especially dual-income households. They noted that Seattle is one of the fastest growing cities outside the sunbelt and that this growth would be best managed with increased density. They also emphasized that residential density in mixed-use neighborhoods is crucial for businesses to flourish. The commission expressed the need to plan ahead for upcoming transit development. They pointed out that Roosevelt is already trying to sell some land to potential retailers in preparation for the opening of their light rail stop in the 2020.
However, a few Roosevelt residents attended the meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with not being consulted during the planning process thus far. Residents were concerned that they had spent lots of money on their high school, intending it to be a historic anchor to their community, and they feel they have been ignored. Specifically, Roosevelt High School was intended to be the tallest building in the neighborhood, but the Roosevelt Design Group has proposed building a 12-story unit near the future station, which would conflict with Roosevelt’s neighborhood plan. One resident insisted, “We are a community, not a quarter-mile circle.”
The commission responded first by emphasizing that they do not have authority over development, but they have been encouraging the city to change its approach to development. They also said they have strived to build their plan around existing plans and buildings and are eager to listen to Roosevelt residents and to work with them on this plan. They encouraged everyone to read the entire report and reminded residents that they have years to discuss their concerns before development actually begins. Finally, the commission emphasized that community development is very complicated, but they are confident they can reach an acceptable solution for everyone.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Transit Oriented Event: Seattle's Transit Communities
Great City has put together an exciting event this Thursday focusing on the Seattle's Transit Communities plan. They have put together a great panel for this event and I'm sure it will be incredibly informative. TCC is happy to be a co-host and we urge you all to GO! Here are the details:
Seattle Transit Communities: Charting Our Path Forward
WHEN: March 10, 2011, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
WHERE: Bertha Knight Landes Room, City Hall
Join us this Thursday for a very exciting lunchtime brownbag about the Seattle Planning Commission's Seattle Transit Communities report. Hear Commissioners Josh Brower, Kevin McDonald and David Cutler present the Commissions recommendations, including:
WHERE: Bertha Knight Landes Room, City Hall
Join us this Thursday for a very exciting lunchtime brownbag about the Seattle Planning Commission's Seattle Transit Communities report. Hear Commissioners Josh Brower, Kevin McDonald and David Cutler present the Commissions recommendations, including:
- Where timely investment will provide the most benefit to Seattle transit communities
- Appropriate land use and necessary investments to create successful transit communities while preserving unique neighborhood identities
- Funding strategies for implementing "essential components for livability" - parks, open space, libraries, sidewalks, plazas, pedestrian improvements, lighting - needed to complete these vibrant, great neighborhoods.
Thank you to Councilmember Mike O'Brien for sponsoring this event for the Seattle Planning Commission. Thank you to our partners for this event Futurewise, Leadership for Great Neighborhoods, and Transportation Choices Coalition.
Monday, January 10, 2011
What is the Deal with Parking?
TCC is happy to join the Downtown Seattle Association and a host of other groups in co-sponsoring a parking forum on Jan 26th. This is should be a great event, and we hope to see you there!
Park Smart: A Forum to Raise the Bar on Good Parking Policy
Parking has been a hot topic in the news over the last year. Reading the headlines and blogs you’d think there were just two points of view: those who think free parking Downtown is an inalienable right, and those who want to force everyone out of their cars onto transit or bicycles. We think it’s time to elevate the discussion about parking in Seattle and assess what we can learn from other cities to better manage the parking we have so that it supports a healthy, vibrant urban core. We’ve assembled a terrific panel that includes policy makers, national experts, transportation officials and a UW researcher to lead an informed discussion about the best approaches to managing parking in dense urban areas.
Bring a lunch to this FREE forum (no registration necessary) hosted by Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, chair of Seattle’s Transportation Committee; and moderated by Downtown Seattle Association President Kate Joncas.
Time: 11:45am – 1:15pm
Date: Wednesday, January 26
Location: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room 600
Featured Panelists:
L. Dennis Burns, CAPP, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Dennis Burns is a senior practice builder and regional vice president for Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Burns is a certified administrator of pubilc parking and has nearly 30 years of parking operations, management and consulting experience. His focus in recent years includes parking and transportation strategic planning, ’smart parking‘ system development and urban space management concepts. In 2010, Mr. Burns was the recipient of International Parking Institute's ”Parking Professional of the Year,“ and was a featured speaker at the first-ever Green Gov Symposium in Washington, DC.
Dennis Burns is a senior practice builder and regional vice president for Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Burns is a certified administrator of pubilc parking and has nearly 30 years of parking operations, management and consulting experience. His focus in recent years includes parking and transportation strategic planning, ’smart parking‘ system development and urban space management concepts. In 2010, Mr. Burns was the recipient of International Parking Institute's ”Parking Professional of the Year,“ and was a featured speaker at the first-ever Green Gov Symposium in Washington, DC.
Rick Williams, BPM Development Company
Rick Williams is a transportation demand management expert from Portland, OR with more than 20 years of experience. From 1989-1995, he managed Portland’s 3,500-stall Smart Park system and its 208-block downtown business improvement district. In 1995, Mr. Williams helped establish the Lloyd Transportation Management Association, and currently works both as its executive director and as an independent transportation management consultant for clients throughout North America.
Joining the panel will be Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess, sponsor of variable price parking legislation, and Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs Senior Lecturer Daniel Carlson, who specializes in community and economic development, and transportation and land use in metropolitan areas. Seattle Department of Transportation Parking Operations and Traffic Permits Manager Mike Estey will also discuss the City's new on-street parking policy.
Presented by: Downtown Seattle Association, BOMA, City of Seattle, Commute Seattle, GreatCity, Seattle Hotel Association, Washington Restaurant Association and Transportation Choices Coalition
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Action Alert: Support Better Transit Service in West Seattle
As you probably know, King County Metro is in the planning stages for West Seattle Rapid Ride. Rapid Ride C is a cooperative effort by SDOT and Metro to provide fast, frequent, and reliable bus service between West Seattle and Downtown. The plan is to bring West Seattle new and improved transit service by 2012; for more information on the project click here.
In the past few weeks, a few businesses raised concerns regarding the planed reduction of on street parking in a couple of areas on the Rapid Ride route. In response to these concerns Metro and SDOT have made significant compromises responding to the needs of local business while still maintaining fast bus service in the corridor. They have agreed to cut the lost parking from 30 to 15 spots and have offered to make the bus only lane only applicable Monday through Friday.
During the implementation of West Seattle Rapid Ride your local elected officials need to hear from YOU. Please use CLICK HERE to send an e-mail to County Council Member Joe McDermott and City Council Member Tom Rasmussen and let them know you support Rapid Ride C, because it will benefit all of West Seattle by drastically improving transit service in our community!
Making your voice heard is EASY! CLICK HERE!
In the past few weeks, a few businesses raised concerns regarding the planed reduction of on street parking in a couple of areas on the Rapid Ride route. In response to these concerns Metro and SDOT have made significant compromises responding to the needs of local business while still maintaining fast bus service in the corridor. They have agreed to cut the lost parking from 30 to 15 spots and have offered to make the bus only lane only applicable Monday through Friday.
During the implementation of West Seattle Rapid Ride your local elected officials need to hear from YOU. Please use CLICK HERE to send an e-mail to County Council Member Joe McDermott and City Council Member Tom Rasmussen and let them know you support Rapid Ride C, because it will benefit all of West Seattle by drastically improving transit service in our community!
Making your voice heard is EASY! CLICK HERE!
Thank you!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Seattle Transit Communities Release @Pyramid Alehouse
The Seattle Planning Commission is going to release a report on their transit master plan tomorrow night. It should be a very worthwhile event for all of you transit wonks out there!
Tuesday, November 16th
5:30 pm @ Pyramid Alehouse
Join us at Pyramid Alehouse
on First Avenue S., right across from Safeco and Qwest Fields
Drink a pint (or two), nosh on some bites and
get your hot-off-the-press copy of the report.
Doors open on the second floor at 5:30 pm
for lights snacks and a no-host-bar
Presentation to begin about 6 pm
*****
New transit investment in Link light rail, regional express bus,
commuter rail, RapidRide BRT, and streetcar supplements Seattle
already world-renowned local bus and ferry systems.
The Commission report outlines
strategies, actions and investments for
creating livable communities where Seattleites
enjoy car-free access to work, school, shopping and fun.
*****
For more information please contact
Barb Wilson or Katie Sheehy at the Seattle
206-684-8694 or Katie.sheehy@seattle.gov
Friday, October 29, 2010
A lot of fuss over parking
I don't know if it's going to get published or not, but I thought I might share with our members a letter I wrote to the Seattle Times in response to their parking rate editorial this week. As always, let us know what you think. - Rob
Regarding the Seattle Times recent editorial about requiring a more thorough analysis of parking rates, I wanted to let you know that parking rate increases like the ones planned for downtown Seattle have already been studied at length.
SDOT has analyzed proposed rate increases and found that the rate increase to $4/hour downtown would reduce parking space occupancy by 9%. This would be a dramatic change from the current situation,where street parking downtown is at 100% occupancy for most of the day.
This would bring along a host of sorely needed benefits: greatly reduced congestion from circling cars, reduced pollution, and yes, greater vehicle turnover. But you don't have to blindly take any one's word for it, because the proposed changes for Seattle have already been implemented in similar pilot programs in other major cities. The results have been uniformly encouraging.
In New York City, the PARK Smart program has already completed two successful pilots in Greenwich Village and Park Slope, Brooklyn. In Greenwich, weekday occupancy was reduced by 6% and the percentage of people parking for more than one hour decreased by 12%. And Park Slop has experienced an astounding 18% increase in the number of unique vehicle parked daily. That's 18% more people who were able to find parking in the area for their business, shopping, and recreational needs.
I understand that tax hikes are hard to stomach. Although $4/hour isn't close to the private market rate of $7.hour for parking, it's still a significant change. But if we can get similar results here as they got in New York - and the city's research suggests that we can - that could only help our businesses or our 'retail ecosystem'. Increased parking vacancies and turnover would make it easier for people to find parking near locations of interest. They would spend less time burning gas in search of a parking spot, and more time doing whatever they came to do. This is a scenario that's beneficial for everyone. Rob Johnson - Executive Director - Transportation Choices Coalition.
Regarding the Seattle Times recent editorial about requiring a more thorough analysis of parking rates, I wanted to let you know that parking rate increases like the ones planned for downtown Seattle have already been studied at length.
SDOT has analyzed proposed rate increases and found that the rate increase to $4/hour downtown would reduce parking space occupancy by 9%. This would be a dramatic change from the current situation,where street parking downtown is at 100% occupancy for most of the day.
This would bring along a host of sorely needed benefits: greatly reduced congestion from circling cars, reduced pollution, and yes, greater vehicle turnover. But you don't have to blindly take any one's word for it, because the proposed changes for Seattle have already been implemented in similar pilot programs in other major cities. The results have been uniformly encouraging.
In New York City, the PARK Smart program has already completed two successful pilots in Greenwich Village and Park Slope, Brooklyn. In Greenwich, weekday occupancy was reduced by 6% and the percentage of people parking for more than one hour decreased by 12%. And Park Slop has experienced an astounding 18% increase in the number of unique vehicle parked daily. That's 18% more people who were able to find parking in the area for their business, shopping, and recreational needs.
I understand that tax hikes are hard to stomach. Although $4/hour isn't close to the private market rate of $7.hour for parking, it's still a significant change. But if we can get similar results here as they got in New York - and the city's research suggests that we can - that could only help our businesses or our 'retail ecosystem'. Increased parking vacancies and turnover would make it easier for people to find parking near locations of interest. They would spend less time burning gas in search of a parking spot, and more time doing whatever they came to do. This is a scenario that's beneficial for everyone. Rob Johnson - Executive Director - Transportation Choices Coalition.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
NOV. 5th FRIDAY FORUM: Your Future Bus Service - Get the Scoop from the Transit Task Force
FRIDAY FORUM: Your Future Bus Service - Get the Scoop from the Transit Task Force
Worried that bus service cuts are coming your way? Curious about what's been going on with the King County Regional Transit Task Force? Get the answers to your all questions at our Friday Forum, the first public forum on the recommendations for potential Metro bus service cuts and investments.
The King County Regional Transit Task Force was convened in March this year to help shape a policy framework around future transit service investments and potential service cuts. This 31-member group with representatives from local government, business, labor, social services, riders, environmental groups and other transportation experts has been grappling with some tough policy questions in the face of Metro's significant budget shortfall.
Join our all star panel of task force members to find out how the process went, the recommendations the panel has come up with, and some of the potential challenges moving forward. Victor Obeso, Manager of Service Development at King County Metro and John Howell, facilitator of the Regional Transit Task Force will be on hand to answer questions related to bus service and the task force process.
WHAT: King County Metro - Updates from the Regional Transit Taskforce.
WHERE: Seattle-King County Public Health - Chinook Building, Room 121, 401 Fifth Ave., Seattle (at Jefferson St.) (Please note room change).
As always, feel free to bring your lunch.
This Friday Forum is co-sponsored by the Downtown Seattle Association
Worried that bus service cuts are coming your way? Curious about what's been going on with the King County Regional Transit Task Force? Get the answers to your all questions at our Friday Forum, the first public forum on the recommendations for potential Metro bus service cuts and investments.
The King County Regional Transit Task Force was convened in March this year to help shape a policy framework around future transit service investments and potential service cuts. This 31-member group with representatives from local government, business, labor, social services, riders, environmental groups and other transportation experts has been grappling with some tough policy questions in the face of Metro's significant budget shortfall.
Join our all star panel of task force members to find out how the process went, the recommendations the panel has come up with, and some of the potential challenges moving forward. Victor Obeso, Manager of Service Development at King County Metro and John Howell, facilitator of the Regional Transit Task Force will be on hand to answer questions related to bus service and the task force process.
WHAT: King County Metro - Updates from the Regional Transit Taskforce.
- Dow Constantine, King County Executive opening remarks
- Seattle Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
- Suzette Cook, Mayor of Kent
- Kate Joncas, President of the Downtown Seattle Association
- Josh Kavanaugh, Director of Transportation Services at the University of Washington
WHERE: Seattle-King County Public Health - Chinook Building, Room 121, 401 Fifth Ave., Seattle (at Jefferson St.) (Please note room change).
As always, feel free to bring your lunch.
This Friday Forum is co-sponsored by the Downtown Seattle Association
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
First Hill Streetcar - Broadway Visualization
WSDOT is not the only agency with amazing new visualization and animation tools. SDOT has produced some new illustrations and an animation that provide an enticing preview of life with a streetcar on Broadway in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood.
YouTube transfer, courtesy the Stranger.
What may actually be more interesting in the animation than the streetcar itself (after all, we do have one real life streetcar line in Seattle already) is the cycle-track that will be integrated into the project. Seattle's first cycle-track is coming early next year on Dexter Ave, but the Broadway Streetcar animation is a great illustration of how it'll look in practice on another important Seattle bicycle passageway.
The First Hill Streetcar was funded through the Sound Transit 2 plan passed by regional voters in 2008. Through an interlocal agreement, SDOT agreed to manage the planning and construction of the project. Construction begins late next year with the line entering service two years later in late 2013. One question that remains is whether the line, which starts in Pioneer Square, will terminate at the Light Rail Station at Denny, or proceed to the north end of Broadway at Aloha or Roy. Advocates for the North Broadway extension, including Transportation Choices, believe that by utilizing some of the ST2 funding to complete preliminary engineering and environmental work for the extension now, the city and Sound Transit will be in a good position to leverage federal dollars for the actual construction of the extension.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Sound Transit to Seattle: Your Streetcar is Coming Sooner
Sound Transit officially announced today that the Seattle 1st Hill Streetcar will be up and running by 2013 instead of 2016 as originally planned. This is great news for first hill residents, commuters, and visitors alike!
From Sound Transit's Press Desk:
From Sound Transit's Press Desk:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Nov. 16, 2009
Seattle, Sound Transit execute agreement for expedited streetcar construction
Partnership scheduled to deliver Sound Transit 2’s First Hill Streetcar project by 2013
The City of Seattle and Sound Transit are moving forward with plans to build a new streetcar line linking the city’s First Hill neighborhood with Capitol Hill and the International District.
The city and Sound Transit have executed an agreement that includes an expedited construction timeline — the line is anticipated to open in 2013 instead of the 2016 completion that was earlier planned. The City of Seattle will build and operate the new line, which voters approved as part of the 2008 Sound Transit 2 ballot measure.
“This line will be the first two of 36 new miles of rail coming to our region,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who today added his signature to the agreement following recent approvals by the Sound Transit Board and Seattle City Council.
The First Hill Streetcar will serve major Seattle work centers, including Swedish Hospital, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle University and Seattle Central Community College. The line will provide easy access to the Link light rail system that opened this summer and the Capitol Hill light rail station when University Link opens in 2016.
“First Hill is home to more than 22,000 jobs and the streetcar will be a great new option for the people who live and work here,” said First Hill Improvement Association Vice President Jim Erickson. “We look forward to working with the City and Sound Transit to meet the transportation needs of First Hill.”
Sound Transit will cover the project’s costs up to $132 million, and the city will take the lead on design, property acquisition and construction of the two-mile line connecting downtown Seattle, First Hill and the Capitol Hill light rail station. Sound Transit will cover operating costs when the line begins service.
The First Hill line will be the second modern streetcar line in Seattle following the Sound Lake Union Streetcar line which opened in December, 2008.
The City plans to begin construction in 2012. The final route will be determined as part of the environmental review process over the next two years. The Sound Transit Board included the streetcar line in the ST 2 expansion package after determining that a previously-planned light rail station at Madison Street and Summit Avenue on First Hill would be too costly.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
