Ed. Note: This is a copy of a letter sent from the Ballard District Council to Seattle Department of Transportation Director Peter Hahn regarding proposed transit changes to Market Street and 45th Street.

Thank you for facilitating a cross neighborhood group to discuss solutions to the travel-time inefficiencies of Metro route 44. Ballard representatives on that group have reported to the Ballard District Council on the proposed changes, particularly in the Ballard section of the corridor.

The Ballard District Council advocates improvements and efficiencies, rather than reductions or gaps in transit service for our area. We have concerns about most of the proposed stop closures identified along Northwest Market Street.

Our concerns derive from recent and projected growth adjacent to those stops. Ballard has experienced significant residential growth, which we expect to continue east of 15th Avenue Northwest. Retail and commercial development will continue west from 24th Avenue Northwest along Market Street.

We are concerned by the following proposals:

11th Avenue Northwest and Market Street curb bulb

A condominium driveway may pass through the curb bulb. This makes the proposed bulb less safe.

14th Avenue Northwest and Market Street stop to be eliminated

This stop serves those shopping at Ballard Market and Safeway. Without this stop, shoppers will need to cross both Market Street and 15th Avenue or walk to the 11th Avenue stop with their groceries.

A new high-rise, 238-unit apartment building (Avalon Bay) will be constructed on the 1400 block of Market Street, increasing demand for bus service.

17th Avenue Northwest and Market Street stop to be eliminated

This stop is the primary access point for the Swedish Hospital facility and surrounding medical services. Swedish will open its six-story family clinic later this year and has just announced its development of a cancer treatment facility to be located on Tallman Avenue across from the hospital’s main entrance.

The 80-unit Compass Housing Alliance project and other likely development activity just north of Market Street will add to this demand.

The new apartment building at 1545 N.W. Market St. recently added 251 new housing units near the eastbound stop at this intersection

26th Avenue Northwest and Market Street stop to be eliminated

These stops also serve as an additional transfer point to routes 17 and 46. Connection points are crucial to a functioning system.

These stops serve the residents of a dense multifamily neighborhood north of Market Street, including the residents of Ballard House, the 85-unit Seattle Housing Authority low-income senior housing project at 2445 N.W. 57th St.

The new Nordic Heritage Museum and other new commercial developments (e.g. at the former Jacobsen property) are anticipated along Market Street between 24th Avenue Northwest and 26th Avenue Northwest.

28th Avenue Northwest and Market Street curb bulbs

The design of this intersection must accommodate turning freight vehicles and access to the future Nordic Heritage Museum and commercial redevelopment on the north side of Market Street.

The Ballard District Council urges the Seattle Department of Transportation to gather current data on ridership at each of the stops, by direct observation or surveys of Metro drivers and riders, and take into consideration expected new ridership before making any changes.

This summer’s planned pilot project for right-hand turn-only lanes east and westbound at 24th Avenue Northwest and Market Street requires further study before implementation. Peak summer traffic conditions may not be the ideal time for this experiment.

We are concerned that this project was initiated based on limited and inaccurate observation of the traffic conditions. This project should not proceed until an accurate collection of traffic data has been completed and shared with the Ballard District Council.

The intersection design must be evaluated for the flow and safety of all modes of transportation in all directions.

The Ballard District Council will reiterate these comments, concerns and recommendations as our involvement with this route 44 project continues.

We suggest that the Department of Transportation and King County Metro return to the Ballard District Council to explain the basis for the proposals at each of these five areas.

Respectfully,
Jennifer Macuiba
President, Ballard District Council