Fauntleroy Boulevard Project Manager Norene Pen (left) and Rachel McCaffery from SDOT presented the latest information about the project at the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce luncheon May 11.
The $20 million revamp of Fauntleroy project from SDOT has reached the 90% design stage but SDOT, showing due diligence, continue to share the latest feedback from the community and design updates. The most recent was a presentation before the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on May 11.
Project Background
The Fauntleroy Boulevard Project builds upon previous planning work done by the community. Discussions of improvements to Fauntleroy Way began in 1999, when the West Seattle Junction Hub Neighborhood Plan identified streetscape improvements in this area, and continued through the multi-year West Seattle Triangle planning process. The community chose a preferred streetscape plan for the project in 2012, which was formally adopted by SDOT and the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. In addition, the 2014 Bike Master Plan designated Fauntleroy Way for a protected bike lane.
Through several extensive community planning efforts, the residents and business owners in the area have expressed the need for mobility improvements to make this stretch of Fauntleroy Way more comfortable for people walking or riding bikes, and highlight its role as a main entrance to West Seattle. That means two lanes of travel in each direction (as it is now) but new sidewalks, a landscaped center median, protected bike lanes and some public art.
The project goals are:
- Respond to community needs identified in the West Seattle Triangle Plan and the Bicycle Master Plan
- Improve mobility by organizing the street to be more predictable and comfortable for everyone: people driving cars or trucks, walking, or biking
- Enhance Fauntleroy Way's role as a key entrance to West Seattle
The project area is on Fauntleroy Way between 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St.
Feedback from the community
SDOT has heard a lot of support for the mobility enhancement aspects of the project but that has been tempered by concerns about traffic. In response they did a revised traffic study on the removal of the right turn pockets at Avalon and Oregon Streets SW. They've gotten a positive response for the landscaping plan which is being developed with low maintenance and sightline preservation in mind. The planting strip and media will have Tupelo and Cedar trees, the planting strip will have Laurel and dogwood with Geranium and Iris accents.
There was interest expressed in having an additional cross walk included near 37th SW. That matter is still under review but Norene Pen said thus far the suggested location is "too close" to 37th SW. SDOT heard that there is interest in extending the improvements through the intersection at 35th Ave SW. That too is still under review.
Business access in the area is critical said respondents and SDOT will analyze left turn movements, explore parking management (time restricted zones) and look at driveway and load zone designs for each business.
Concerns about the length of construction and impacts on business and the surrounding neighborhood were also part of the community feedback. SDOT got 61 written comments from the Walk and Talk on site reviews conducted in March.
Traffic studies
A traffic study was done in 2014, but SDOT has been busy doing a number of new studies to update the data. The latest plan is to start construction in 2018 and be done the following year. They took new counts, looked at the projected traffic model for 2019 taking into account current new construction, permitted projects, figuring a 1 percent annual growth rate, the including of signal timing changes and obviously traffic to and from the Fauntleroy Ferry. Those studies showed an average delay in the morning of approximately one minute through the area. The evening commute transit time through the project area would increase by around 30 to 45 seconds.
Left Turn Access and the center median
One bone of contention mentioned by several people at the public forums held by SDOT has been the center median and left turn access to businesses on the street.
That led to a variety of options for breaking up the median, providing gaps that would let drivers turn from a center lane. The exact length and location of those gaps is yet to be determined.
Construction planning
Construction planning means considering traffic flow and the plan comes down to two options. Two single lanes either direction or two lanes heading Southwest only coming into West Seattle. Traffic headed northeast would be detoured to Alaska Street SW and subsequently to 35th SW. The first option would save three months of construction time according to SDOT. Also part of construction planning is minimizing construction impacts in the area. Asking workers to park in an offsite designated area, controlling parking areas with time limits, Limiting on-site equipment staging, and providing way finding business signs and maps are all part of the plan.
Working with businesses.
Mikel Davila (formerly with WCCDA in White Center) is now part of the Office of Economic Development and running point on helping businesses in the construction area. The office offers free business consulting, restaurant assistance, advocacy during permitting processes, and financial consulting. Dozens of West Seattle businesses have used the services according to Lynn Dennis of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Next Steps
Through May the project team is taking feedback, especially on the left turn breaks in the center median. In June they will review the final dirveway designs with local businesses. In late June or July the design will be complete and a final decision will be made on the left turn breaks. Later in the summer pre-construction coordination will take place and parking management discussions will take place. Then early in 2018, construction will start continuing throughout the year until completed in 2019.
Questions about parking for businesses
Two businesses, Rudy's Barbershop and Real Fine Coffee will lose their on street parking spaces. There was some question about the permits on those parking spaces and SDOT responded.
"we also looked into the individual building permits for this particular property. The original plans for the building permit established no off-street parking – the building was originally a gas station, and the curb cut led to the gas pumps and service bays. The next permit for the building is 2014, changing the use of the structure to a barber shop and coffee shop. This permit established no off-street parking, and no off-street parking is required by city code for this type of change.
Aerial photos show that sometime in the 1990’s the front portion of the site was striped to be used as off-street parking.
This type of change technically requires a permit from the City Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI, formerly DPD). There is no permit on file, meaning the parking was never reviewed or approved by SDCI. Any formal addition of off-street parking moving forward would be subject to the development standards in the Seattle Land Use Code and review and approval from SDCI." SDOT said they are working with the property and business owners there to discuss design configurations to maximize the amount of parking on their private property, as a part of the project design.
If you have questions about the project you can email
FauntleroyBLVD@Seattle.gov
call 206-727-3994
or visit the project website at
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/FauntleroyWySWBlvd.htm