Winter 2011/12
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The Eastlake NewsWinter 2011/12 Coming events Future of NOAA site, private skybridge or alternative public Eastlake holiday cruise on the Islander. Thurs., Dec. 1. Boarding crossing at The Hutch, begins 6 p.m. at 1611 Fairview and other proposals face Eastlake south end Ave. E. Departure 6:45 p.m. to meet the “Christmas ships” for everal proposed projects could hasn’t yet sold, the highest bidder the opening night concert in Lake Schange our south end forever, came. He is Wally Trace, developer of Union; return by 9 p.m. Tickets and you can help determine whether much of the commercial property on at brownpapertickets.com are $15 it is for better or worse. The big- the southeast lakeshore. (dinner and punch included; no-host gest is the former NOAA site (1801 Trace prefers houseboats for the cash-only bar). Fairview Ave. E.), with 915 feet of site (as before NOAA) but believes shoreline. Two families are selling 2.1 that regulations would prevent it. He Caroling kayakers at Lynn land acres, 6.4 submerged acres, and proposes a biotechnology laboratory Street Park. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. rights to 1.9 submerged acres leased that, as not a water-dependent use 2. Sponsored by ECCand Northwest from the state Department of Natural would be limited to 35 feet height Outdoor Center. Donations for Resources. Zoning is industrial, with (industrial maritime could be up to Seattle Children’s Home accepted at an overlay requiring uses to be water- 45). Trace proposes a public pathway this event. dependent. along the water (currently along the In adopting the Eastlake Neighbor- Fairview roadway, it lacks any view of Public meeting on reducing hood Plan, the Mayor and City Coun- the lake). We don’t know the northern noise from I-5 and SR-520. cil committed to this: “Plan for the purchaser’s intentions. Mon., Jan. 9, 7 p.m. at TOPS-Seward re-development of NOAA and other Public opposition once thwarted School, 2500 Franklin Ave. E. See major properties along the Fairview the owner families’ proposal to vacate article, p. 10. shoreline in a way that strengthens (privatize) the parking lot, now Fair- Eastlake’s existing industrial maritime view Avenue E. right-of-way heavily Public meeting on emergency uses, recreational uses, shoreline habi- used by the public. Trace said on Nov. preparedness and public tat and floating home community.” 14 that he will not seek a vacation. safety. Wed., Jan. 25, 7 p.m. at The Eastlake Community Council Again, we don’t know the northern TOPS-Seward School, 2500 Franklin learned in October that the City has purchaser’s intentions. Ave. E. See article, p. 10. decided not to conduct this public The site would make a great park planning. (If Mayor and Council (or at least could spare some land to Public meeting on Eastlake- hear from you, maybe they will come enlarge Terry Pettus Park, at Newton specific building design around.) So ECC is sponsoring the street end). But governments, the guidelines and the Fairview community’s own planning process Seattle Parks Foundation, and the Ave. Green Street guidelines. and dialogue with the owners and Trust for Public Lane are short of Tues., Feb. 7, 7 p.m. at TOPS-Seward agencies. purchase money (especially the School, 2500 Franklin Ave. E. See While the City fiddled, the northern millions needed for a park). Know of article, p. 11. third of the site was sold to moor a a potential donor? Please contact us. large yacht and add a related building. Although the southern two-thirds continued on page 2 and 3 page 2 The Eastlake News NOAA Photos Eastlake Community Council 117 E. Louisa Street, #1 Seattle, WA 98102-3278 www.eastlakeseattle.org [email protected] Chris Leman President Zac Eskenazi Vice President Lynn Poser Treasurer Elizabeth Norvell Secretary Board Member: Barbara Heather This dramatic photo from the real estate offering shows the centrality and size of the Editor: 8.5-acre former NOAA site at 1801 Fairview Judy Smith (shaded area -- difficult to see in this black and white photo). The smaller photo highlights the actual site. It’s the largest land Advertising Coordinator: and water parcel offered for sale on Lake Kevin Haywood, Jr. Union in a generation. You can now find Eastlake Community Council on Facebook. Find The Eastlake News is a quarterly out the latest news about the ECC and become a fan by clicking publication of the Eastlake Community Like on our Page. Council. We welcome comments, articles or images for possible publication; please include a contact emember our neighbors this holiday season: Donate an item phone number. Articles may be edited Ror funds to the food drive for the University District Food for length and clarity. Articles in the Bank at Eastlake Mail, Lake Union Mail, Pete’s, WSECU, at the newsletter represent the view of the cruise, by mail, or on-line, Nov. 28 - Dec. 15. See article, p. 13. author and not necessarily the ECC. Please send submissions to info@ eastlakeseattle.org or by U.S. mail to the return address on the back of this newsletter. For advertising contact Kevin Haywood, Jr. at advertising@ eastlakeseattle.org. The deadline for ads and submissions is: Jan. 20 for spring issue; April 20 for summer issue; July 20 for fall issue; October 20 for winter issue. Publication schedule is as follows: Spring - March, April May Summer - June, July, August Fall - September, October, November Winter - December, January February Masthead artwork sketch by Victor Steinbrueck. Other artwork sketches by Karen Berry. www.eastlakeseattle.org page 3 Eastlake south end proposals continued he Nov. 14 public meeting also featured discussion of Tthe Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center’s pro- posed private skybridge over Eastlake Ave. in the long block between Nelson Place and Aloha Street. Seattle pro- hibits new skybridges, because of the street shadow they cause, distraction of drivers, and other negatives, unless there is no feasible alternative. A private skybridge would leave the crossing unsafe for the general public, which uses bus stops on both sides of Eastlake Ave. The private sky- bridge would also not serve the many additional members of the public who will be crossing here once a WSDOT- proposed pedestrian and bicycle pathway from Colonnade Park (under and next to I-5) to Eastlake Ave. is built (see details below). Nestle by the fireplace in our lounge with a bowl ECC urges examination of alternatives that would of traditional posole and watch a Sounders game benefit the general public, not just those with Hutch ID. Examples of other skybridges that are open to the public, as well as to their own staff, are a pedestrian tunnel under The Torta Shop at Little Water is now NE Pacific St. built by UW Hospital, and a skybridge over open for lunch! Westlake Ave. N. built by the Attachmate Corporation. Faced with opposition from the Pedestrian and Design Delicious, fast Mexican sandwiches boards, and Allied Arts, ZymoGenetics in 1999 withdrew for around $10! its proposal for a private skybridge over Eastlake Ave., and working with ECC and the City, got at-grade crossings New Fall Dinner Menu: Duck Flautas with benefitting employees and the general public alike. Manchamanteles, Chicken with Mole Poblano, straw poll at the Nov. 14 public meeting found unani- Wild Mushroom Tacos, Sopes with A mous support for opening the WSDOT maintenance Beer‐Braised Brisket road, under and next to I-5 from Colonnade Park to East- lake Ave., as a pathway for pedestrians and bicyclists. It Brunch! Get your huevos rancheros, migas, would honor WSDOT’s claims to foster non-motorized transportation as well as driving. Requests to open this bloody marias and more 11‐2 on Saturday and now fenced-off area may be sent to WSDOT Secretary ALL DAY Sunday! Paula Hammond ([email protected]), Sen. Ed Murray ([email protected]), and State Reps. Take‐out available Frank Chopp ([email protected]) and Jamie Peders- en ([email protected]). A research lab proposed Tasty new drink menu including by Alexandria Real Estate at 1150 Eastlake would vacate cask‐conditioned cocktails E. Nelson Place, but keep the existing pedestrian connec- tion from Eastlake Ave. to the proposed WSDOT pathway. Happy Hour 4‐6 Tues.‐Thurs. and 10‐close Street vacations, like skybridges, require community ben- Friday and Saturday efits; assistance to the I-5 pathway might qualify. For more on these projects, to comment or get involved: Free, underground parking located [email protected]; ECC, 117 E. Louisa St. #1, Seattle 98102-3278; call (206) 322-5463; or go to eastlake- under the restaurant seattle.org. Huge patio looking out over Lake Union Contact us now to book your holiday party! Tuesday – Thursday, 11‐11, Friday & Saturday 11‐1am, and Sunday 11‐9, www.littlewatercantina.com 206.297.4940 This QR block can take your digital device to the ECC website, www.eastlakeseattle.org page 4 The Eastlake News ECC secures funding for Hamlin street-end improvements ECC applied for and has secured City funding to complete the missing south half of the sidewalk at the Hamlin street-end. The current corrugated metal crash barrier will be replaced with a rustic timber-type like the one by Fairview Park near the Shelby street-end. The crash barrier will also be moved so that it protects the sidewalk while allowing pedestrians easy access to the park. Public input (including a public meeting) will be included in the project design. To get involved: info@ eastlakeseattle.org or (206) 322-5463.