January 2009

Ferry riders next month can expect to see several fare collection changes starting Wednesday, Feb.

The city is taking applications for the projects that can be funded through the Neighborhood Projects Fund, such as traffic circles, sidewalk repair, or playground improvements.

There are two funds set aside in the 2010 city budget for community-proposed streets and parks projects, approximately $1.2 million.

Neighborhood Project Funds can be used for small-scale (up to $90,000 per project) street or parks improvements, such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles and traffic calming, sidewalks, school zone speed limit signs and playground improvements, etc.

Propos

Due to an increasingly bleak economic future, Jacobsen's Marine has announced it will move Feb. 1 to West Seattle, after owners told the Herald's sister publication, the Ballard News-Tribune, last October it planned on staying in the community.

Its new location is set to open at 2625 Harbor Ave. S.W. in West Seattle.

Greg Jacobsen owns the land in West Seattle and said he decided Dec.

The city plans to create bicycle parking in areas of the city, but West Seattle is not first on the list.

"We plan to install them at various locations around the city, but have not yet decided on all of the locations," said Seattle Department of Transportation spokesperson Marybeth Turner.

Some school board members released proposed amendments Wednesday, Jan. 28, to Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson's final recommendation for school closures, which will be voted on today (Jan.

Sunday, Feb. 1 Metro bus fares will increase by 25 cents for adults.

Prices for Access Pass and FlexPass will also increase. Youth and senior/disabled fares will not change.

Off-peak cash fares will increase from $1.50 to $1.75. Peak cash fares will increase from $1.75 to $2 for one zone and from $2.25 to $2.50 for two zones.

The regional Day Pass (good on Saturday, Sunday and holidays only) will increase from $3.50 to $4. Family fares (for one adult and up to four passengers 17 or younger on Sunday and holidays) will increase from $1.50 to $2. Seattle Streetcar South Lake Union Line adult fares will increase from $1.75 to $2.

Access (paratransit) cash fares will increase from 75 cents to $1. Pre-approval of eligibility is required for Access service.

Metro Vanpool fares will increase from $1.75 to $2 and from $2.25 to $2.50. Vanpool monthly passes will increase from $63 to $72 ($2 fare) and from $81 to $90 ($2.50 fare).

With the most recent plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a deep-bored tunnel, it was not a surprise to tunnel supporters that an initiative has been petitioned for November's ballot as an effort to stop the city from digging a tunnel in favor of a replacing the earthquake-damaged roadway.

Magnolia resident Elizabeth Campbell, the sponsor of the anti-tunnel Initiative 99, says the viaduct is the most functional piece of roadway in Seattle.

In a 5 to 2 vote, the Seattle School Board has passed Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson's final recommendation on school closures, effectively closing Cooper Elementary school and splitting the Accelerated Progress Program at Lowell Elementary school.

Two board members, Harium Martin-Morris and Mary Bass, voted against the recommendation.

On Jan.

The city is starting sidewalk repair on Ballard Avenue, finishing up ongoing work for the past three years on the historic street.

Construction will begin on Monday, Feb. 9 and is expected to last up to five weeks.

The work, which was requested by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, is meant to make the sidewalks safer and smoother for walkers. Tree pits will also be elongated throughout the corridor where appropriate.

It's funded through the Neighborhood Street Fund (NSF), a community-based program that is administered by the Seattle Department of Transportation and funded by the "Bridging the Gap" transportation levy approved by Seattle voters in 2006.

Improvements include: replacing existing sidewalk pavers with exposed aggregate sidewalk as required by the Ballard Avenue Landmark District; elongating existing tree pits to improve tree health; and installing new curb ramps where appropriate.

What to Expect During Construction

Due to an increasingly bleak economic future, Jacobsen's Marine has announced it will move Feb. 1 to West Seattle, after owners told the News-Tribune last October it planned on staying in the community.

Its new location is set to open at 2625 Harbor Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. Greg Jacobsen owns the land in West Seattle and said he decided Dec.