Mayor Mike McGinn's question and answer session during the March 14 annual meeting of Groundswell NW, in which he touched on green infrastructure inside and outside of Ballard, began in what is becoming the typical style of all city representatives.

"We're in a really tough budget situation," McGinn said. "That will be the starting point for any discussion."

The city is facing a $5 million general fund deficit from 2009, another $5 million deficit this year and a projected $15 million deficit next year, he said. In addition, the city's utilities are also facing deficits, he said.

"It's kind of a bleak situation," McGinn said.

He said there are fewer resources for the city to provide services, and that is creating a challenging situation in which to invest in neighborhoods.

McGinn said the city is facing a number of expensive projects, such as replacing 520 and the viaduct, that are part of what he considers gray infrastructure, projects that lead to greater pollution and poorer health.

"We are very interested in making a transition from these gray infrastructure projects to what we consider green infrastructure projects," he said.

He said green infrastructure projects include parks, natural drainage systems and transit.

Once those large capital projects are out of the way, McGinn said he would like start work on small capital projects that can build on each other and add up to large improvements.

The East Ballard Community Association's plan to turn 14th Avenue Northwest into a park boulevard would fit into the type of project he wants the city to invest in, he said.

The current plans from the East Ballard Community Association show the two lanes of traffic moved to the west side of 14th Avenue, removing the parking median and creating a park along the east side of the street.

McGinn said they could look at taking it further, perhaps leaving only one lane of traffic. He asked why 14th Avenue has be to a major north/south route when 15th Avenue Northwest is already that. He said it could become more pedestrian focused.

McGinn said he remains committed to expanding light rail to Ballard and the west side of the city and wants to try to put it on the ballot next year.

Waiting for another Sound Transit bond to pay for the expansion would take too long, so he said the city can come up with a more affordable design that runs on surface streets, instead of bridges and tunnels, as much as possible.

The expansion would be paid for by city taxes, he said.

The uncompleted portion of the Burke-Gilman Trail in Ballard's industrial area has been subject to two recent lawsuits from cyclists and businesses. Kevin Carrabine asked McGinn what can be done to calm the conflict between cyclists and noncyclists.

McGinn said it is important to protect industrial lands. The challenge is to figure out how to successfully mix uses in industrial areas.

He said he personally believes that making the area along Shilshole Avenue safer for cyclists would also make it safer for industry trucks. He said he doesn't really see where the conflict is.

McGinn said it is possible to support freight needs as well as the needs of transit, cyclists and pedestrians. The problem is many industry people see adding capacity to roadways as the solution, but no city has ever solved its transportation problems by adding capacity, he said.

Outside of Ballard, the proposal for a Dale Chihuly glass exhibit at the Seattle Center was brought up.

While the most recent master plan for the Seattle Center calls for open green space where the exhibit would go, it is unlikely that would happen in the future, McGinn said.

The space is currently asphalt and and old building in the Fun Forest, and given the budget situation, the Seattle Center is content to leave it as is for the coming years if the Chihuly exhibit is not approved, he said.

McGinn said the Seattle Center is a mix of public and private spaces as well as a mix of revenue sources.

The Chihuly exhibit would bring in $500,000 annually to the center to support its programs and nonprofit groups, he said. And, the city is looking at removing Memorial Stadium and replacing it with an open amphitheater and grass and adding another open space north of the Monorail station, he said.

McGinn said he likes how the Chihuly exhibit would support the Seattle Center's programs, though it's not necessarily his taste.

"When I go to these art functions, I feel like Ralph Kramden," McGinn said. "I'm not a high-arts kind of guy."

For more information on Groundswell NW's projects in the coming year, visit their Web site.