Update, April 18

If you missed the Open House last week, you can find the presentation and display boards on SDOT’s project website (http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/ballardgreenway.htm).

The folks at SDOT are now starting the planning process for a greenways network in Ballard, A.K.A., the “Ballard Box.” You can submit your suggestions for where you like to walk and ride your bike at walkandbike@seattle.gov.

Of course, you can read our in-depth coverage of last week's open house below.

Original, April 12

Though the same small group of vocal opponents once again made their pleas, it appears installation of the Ballard Greenway is set to move forward, with completion set for the end of summer.

The Ballard Greenway, if you don't know yet, will modify residential roads along NW 58th St from 4th Ave NW to 32nd Ave NW and then down to Seaview Ave NW. It's intended to make the roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians by slowing traffic and making clear signals at major arterial roads.

At the second open house on Thursday (see our report of the first open house back in July, 2012 here), April 11, a curious crowd of Ballardites were informed on the final updates and design of the Ballard Greenway. Before the presentation, residents were able to look at a number of boards and maps with explanations and updates, manned by city officials.

Residents talk about possible ideas for the future of greenways with city officials. Photo by Zachariah Bryan

"I have to tell you, they are really invested in this. ... We are anxious to have greenways in Seattle," said Mary Rutherford, Director of SDOT’s Traffic Management Division.

Dong-Ho Chang, SDOT Chief Traffic Engineer, said that greenways were not necessarily meant to be a cut-through for Seattle's more hardcore bicyclists, but rather were meant to encourage local residents to ride more.

"Those riders (regular bicyclists who ride on arterial roads) are very competent. ... The riders we'll get on greenways are families, less competent, but want to try, want to take their kids to the library ... neighbors that want to go to the park," Chang said.

Attendees wrote on sticky notes suggestions for what they wanted to see in the future. Top: One person wants connection connecting to Phinney Ridge and Green Lake. Bottom: Another person wants to see a safe crossing at NW 85th St and Holman Rd. Photo by Zachariah Bryan

However, some residents who live on 58th St NW have not been pleased with the project.

"It's going to be a nightmare," said Mary-Jean Russell, a senior citizen who lives in a building by the QFC on 24th Ave NW and NW 58th St. "... There are going to be bicyclers and walkers and joggers and parking and ambulance trucks and garbage trucks and delivery trucks ... it's impossible as it is."

Russell explained there were already too many things going on at that intersection and adding anything else would be too much.

"We took a look, it has the lowest volume (of traffic) in that area," Chang said. "... Safety is the highest priority, we would not put something there that was unsafe."

Another NW 58th St resident, who refused to give her name, contended that the project would not make her street safer.

"How is this safer?" she asked. "... The people who live on 58th are going to have a stream of bicyclists riding by their quiet little homes. How is it going to be safer for those families and their kids?"

The same resident also complained of a lack of communication from SDOT, saying they had sent a petition with over 100 signatures but received zero response.

"I know we responded to the petition," Rutherford said.

"No you didn't," the resident responded.

Rutherford repeated that they responded and said "We should just drop it and move on." (We'll check into this little episode later.)

Chief Traffic Engineer Dongho Chang answers questions about the Ballard Greenway. Photo by Zachariah Bryan

But not all NW 58th St residents were fearful of the project's purported consequences.

"This project I can already tell is going to make my street much safer by slowing down drivers," said Carol Meyers, a 58th resident. "I know some people are not delighted with this project but they shouldn't speak for all of us."

Jeffrey and Louise Davis, senior citizens who don't own a car and bicycle everywhere on their tandem bicycle, said there were currently no roads very good to cross arterial roads on. Pavement on side roads are too damaged, or else they have no safe crossing on arterial roads, and the road they do take, NW 65th St, is busy and often unsafe.

"Right now to get across Ballard we use 65th. ... This street would be a great improvement. It would be safer for us, it would be safer for drivers who don't have to watch out for us, it would be better for drivers who don't have to slow down for us at choke points," Jeffrey Davis said.

SDOT official Doug Cox gives an update on the Ballard Greenway project. Here he is demonstrating how flashing beacons work, which pedestrians or bicyclists can turn on to warn drivers that they are crossing.

Installation of the Ballard Greenway will start in May and should be done by the end of summer. SDOT officials said they will then start considering and doing outreach for a "Ballard Box," which would connect the greenway with north/south routes to the Burke-Gilman trail.

$915,000 will be invested into the Ballard Greenway project. Here is a list, including changes from SDOT's last update, with most of the modifications that will be made to the streets:

• A proposed median on 24th Ave NW was nixed after discussion with the Ballard Chamber of Commerce and Security properties (this has been corrected)
• Speed humps at 24th Ave NW, 15th Ave NW and 8th Ave NW to ensure slowing of traffic
• 20 mph speed signs (down from 25 mph) to ensure safety
• Restrict eastbound traffic at 15th Ave NW and NW 58th St, access for bicyclists will remain (this street is already blocked off during the day for children at school)
• Wider sidewalks and vegetation trimming at Seaview Ave NW
• A new curb ramp to sidewalk at 37th Pl NW
• Restricted parking around new ramp
• New curb ramps at 8th Ave NW, 14th Ave NW, 20th Ave NW, 24th Ave NW and 32nd Ave NW
• Crosswalks and bike crossings at same spots
• Sidewalk and pavement repairs
• Flashing beacons at 24th Ave NW that can be turned on at intersections to warn drivers
• Install stop signs at 12 intersections

Learn more at http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/Ballard%20Greenway%20Q&A_FIN…

Zachariah Bryan can be reached at zachb@robinsonnews.com

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