520 BRIDGE PROJECT

Replacing the 520 bridge and its approaches is a critical issue for Seattle and the region, and the project is a high priority. The 520 approaches have seismic issues, and the bridge is nearing the end of its useful life. 520 is a vital connection between Seattle and the Eastside, with commuters using it in both directions. It is a highly significant route for freight, business, and economic development, and it deserves full attention from the region and from Seattle.

I have been representing Seattle on the Trans Lake Washington Committee, the group that is studying the replacement of the 520 bridge and approaches, for the last few years. I agreed to serve on this Committee when I was Chair of the Neighborhoods Committee, before becoming Chair of Transportation, because I saw this as a significant issue for Seattle's neighborhoods, in addition to the regional transportation system.

In 2004, the Council appropriated $250,000 to match state funds initiated by Representative Ed Murray in response to the concerns of several neighborhoods. These funds were used for studies of the impacts on Seattle neighborhoods. The Council joined Mayor Nickels in ensuring that a number of recommendations from the draft of this Neighborhood Impact Study will be part of the EIS. When the study is completed this summer, we will do further follow-up.

The Council and Mayor have also been working to refine the alternatives, to ensure that the future project works for regional transportation. We successfully worked to take an 8-lane alternative off the table (it would have backed up traffic for 2 to 3 hours on I-5). Current proposals include replacement of the current 4 lanes, or adding 2 transit/HOV lanes. Both proposals include a bike/pedestrian path and provisions for rail transit to be added in the future.

As the project moves closer to making a decision on a Preferred Alternative, we must emphasize Seattle's need to have a clear say in a major project that has so much impact. Seattle's concurrence is not required in selection of a final design under the current legal structure for decision-making on the 520 project. While recognizing that regional interests must also be part of the decision, I am proposing that we enter into discussions with the Washington Department of Transportation to create a new legal structure that will give Seattle a say in the final decisions. The designs to date have not solved the key problems for Seattle neighborhoods - and therefore are not adequate to make the regional transportation system function as it should.

The Seattle City Council passed Resolution 29574 in April of 1997. This Resolution states that alternatives must:

1. "Provide the maximum emphasis on Transportation Demand Management and Transportation System Management strategies and transportation modes other than single-occupancy vehicles including transit, vanpools, carpools, bicycles, and pedestrians;
2. Assume that no additional motor vehicle capacity or additional access ramps to/from 520 within Seattle will be added, except, possibly, for transit-only connections;
3. Include mitigation of both existing and proposed environmental impacts on adjacent neighborhoods as an integral element of any proposed alternative;
4. Not increase, and possible reduce, the use of city arterials by commuter traffic; and
5. Consider ways in which to move freight and goods to enhance the economic viability of the region without adversely affecting neighborhoods."

The Preferred Alternative must reflect these priorities. In addition, it must address the bottleneck of the Montlake Bridge and the unworkable Montlake interchange and unravel those knots. A proposal from the Montlake community for a suspension bridge connecting North Capitol Hill to the south parking lot of Husky Stadium has the extraordinary advantage of solving the Montlake conundrum, and the state has agreed to study this innovative and creative idea. The current proposed 9-lane viaduct over Portage Bay is unacceptable, and the Washington Department of Transportation is moving in the direction of redesigning its alternatives to reduce the size of the Portage Bay segment.

The City chose a design for the Alaskan Way Viaduct project that was more costly than the simplest transportation solution, because we saw the opportunity to integrate land use and transportation and ensure the future vitality of Seattle's downtown and waterfront. We must give similar respect to the communities affected by 520 and not let the cheapest solution dictate the future of our neighborhoods for the next 50 to 100 years.

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DOWNTOWN HYGIENE CENTER SITING

On Monday, February 28, the Council voted 8 to 1 (Drago voting no) to site the proposed men's hygiene center at the Morrison Hotel at 3rd and Yesler.

The downtown hygiene center will include showers and laundry facilities, as well as a day center for the homeless. Providing such a facility will not only provide a service to the homeless, but will take the pressure off other locations that have been used inappropriately in the past. The downtown library has been a particular problem: while homeless patrons who wish to use the library's services are welcome, there have been significant problems with the use of restrooms for washing and the use of library space as a de facto day center.

The Council began work on siting a downtown hygiene center more than five years ago, with the goal of siting one prior to the opening of the new downtown library. Unfortunately, until this year the Mayor's budget has not included funding. Mayor Nickels proposed funding for a center in 2005, with the location set at the planned new Fire Command center south of Yesler between 4th and 5th.

The Council had concerns about this site, and, under the leadership of Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, went through a two-month process of looking for another location. There are rarely easy choices in siting a social service facility, as most communities worry about the possible impacts. However, the Morrison Hotel offered so many advantages that it became the clear choice.

The Morrison offers an experienced provider that can provide a range of coordinated on-site social services. It will also cost approximately $1 million less than the Command Center site, and be in service almost a year earlier. Firefighters have expressed concern about possible interference with emergency services from persons congregating around the Fire Command Center, and the Morrison addresses this issue as well.

Some members of the Pioneer Square Community opposed this location, citing continuing neighborhood opposition to siting additional social services in Pioneer Square. However, the community plans have in the past made an exception for a hygiene center, indicating that it would be welcome as a way to decrease the impact on the community -- solving a problem rather than increasing it. Councilmembers are also prepared to use some of the savings for increased public safety in the Pioneer Square area.

This is an excellent example of a careful and methodical process coming to a swift conclusion resulting in an excellent decision. The Council's action brings together our compassion and our commitment to vital urban communities.

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GATES FOUNDATION LAND PURCHASE

On Monday, February 28, the Council adopted an ordinance selling the east parking lot of the Seattle Center to the Gates Foundation for its proposed world headquarters.

This action presented the opportunity to do several things at the same time. Most importantly, it assured the long-term location in Seattle of this valued member of the philanthropic community. Beyond that, the sale provides a much-needed boost for the finances of the Seattle Center. And it does this by converting a surface parking lot to a more urban, productive use, while replacing most of the parking with a shared-use garage. By creating this more urban environment, the proposal invites a new daily population that will support the small businesses in the Seattle Center and Uptown.

I crafted an amendment to the legislation to ensure that this development will be compatible with our long range transportation planning. Developing a two-way Mercer Street, as is currently planned, will likely lead to severe traffic problems if it is not accompanied by the reconnection of the street grid now interrupted by Aurora Avenue. That is why I added amendments to the proposed Mercer and Viaduct studies that would require looking at ways to add street crossings over Aurora between Mercer and Denny. However, 5th Avenue North will continue to be overstressed, especially if Broad Street is removed, as is currently planned. For that reason, my amendment provides for a process to ensure that the City can reconnect 6th Avenue North through the Gates campus if Broad is removed.

There were questions raised about the finances of this transaction, which the Council thoroughly reviewed during its two months of deliberations. My colleagues and I are satisfied that the City did receive an appropriate financial package that matches the $50 million value of the property sold. The purchase price is actually set at close to $50 million, with a series of adjustments that bring it down. These include deductions that would be standard in such a transaction, such as for the fact that the Sonics practice facility has a long-term lease, therefore this land is not immediately available to the Foundation, and the cost of environmental remediation, which is normally a responsibility of the seller. It also includes deducting a fixed price for the cost of building the garage, which the Foundation will construct with responsibility for overruns, but the City will afterwards own as a capital asset. We took the time, checked the numbers, and asked the questions to ensure that this agreement is in the public interest and appropriately protects City taxpayers.

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QUOTE
"When you set a high bar and reach for it, even if you fall short, you wind up well ahead of where you started."

--Bill Clinton

DEEP THOUGHT:
"We campaign in poetry, but we govern in prose."

--Mario Cuomo

Citizen participation and engagement are critical for maintaining democracy -- fostering it is a key task of elected officials. It's my hope that this newsletter will inform you about issues, inspire you to get involved, and that together we can make things work better in this great city. Please send me your feedback, so we can keep things lively, interesting, and useful. And please forward it along to friends who might be interested. You can get more information or send me feedback through the City Council website at http://cityofseattle.net/council/

Richard Conlin
Your Seattle City Councilmember

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