February 2011
Get involved! Last month, White Center resident Mike Merta posted an open letter on the West Seattle Blog asking if readers had “noticed an increasing amount of graffiti and litter on our West Seattle and South Seattle roadways and public places lately?” Facing declining revenues and hard choices, the County has ended most of its litter patrol programs. I fear we are just beginning to see the effects of the cuts made to balance the County’s and state’s budget gaps. Communities must join together to combat the consequences. Our office is partnering with Mike and Waste Management to host a clean-up event on March 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m., beginning at the Waste Management facility at 8111 1st Ave South. To find out more, “like” Keep Seattle Beautiful on Facebook. |
Dear Neighbors:
This afternoon, the Seattle City Council voted to officially commit $15 million the city had already pledged to replace the South Park Bridge. And earlier this month the Federal government obligated $34 million in TIGER II grants to the bridge. Now, no matter what budget cuts are made at the Federal level as government works to shrink its deficit, $34 million is coming to South Park. With these actions, construction is poised to begin in May.
Our region failed South Park in neglecting the aging bridge for so long – leading to its closure in June. The impacts to South Park residents and businesses have been immense. The former bridge served an area that is home to 32,000 jobs and is a major entry point to South Park’s commercial center, where 76 percent of the businesses are minority owned. But, despite that failure, I’m pleased with the progress that has been made. If you would like to find out more about the project, click here.
The bridge’s replacement isn’t the only exciting transportation news for District Eight. Metro Transit and the city of Seattle are in the final planning stages to bring RapidRide bus service to West Seattle. RapidRide operates more like a light-rail system, using dedicated lanes and technology that preempts traffic lights to keep RapidRide running no less than every 10 minutes during rush-hour.
RapidRide C will run from the West Seattle Junction over the West Seattle Bridge to downtown Seattle – replacing Metro Route 54 – and will have frequent connections to the ferries serving Vashon Island and Southworth. RapidRide C has many additional amenities including “real time” bus readers, improved station lighting and three bus doors to make boarding easy and fast. In developing the RapidRide C line, Metro and the City of Seattle worked closely with local businesses and community groups to address concerns ranging from loss of parking to traffic flow. The final product reflects these conversations while still meeting the goal of offering residents frequent and reliable transit to and from West Seattle. Although RapidRide is not set to open until late 2012, this spring you will see City of Seattle crews prepare for construction. As part of mitigating the impacts of Viaduct construction, Route 54 will also ramp-up service in Fall of 2011. This service will stay in place until RapidRide begins service in 2012.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns or opportunities to visit your community. It is my honor to serve you.
Until next month,
- Joe
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