Date: November 5, 2001

West Lake Union Improvement Project to Begin January 2002

Plans to begin the West Lake Union Improvement project are underway. The City of Seattle will begin construction on the West Lake Union Improvement project January of 2002. An Open House for residents, businesses and interested community members is scheduled for December 11. The purpose of this event is to further familiarize the public with the benefits, goals and construction impacts of the project. Please watch for an additional notice announcing the Open House time and location.

Construction for the West Lake Union Improvement project is expected to last approximately 12 months. Please note that due to the nature of construction, schedules are likely to change. City departments will keep the community informed of the most current schedule.

Starting in 1996, The City of Seattle held a series of workshops and open houses, formed an advisory committee and established a partnership with residents and businesses to insure that the West Lake Union Improvement project would include community input. Several key elements of the project, such as the pathway, drainage and parking improvements are a result of that collaborative process.

The new West Lake Union pathway will be a 1.6 mile, 8-10 feet wide, pathway which will traverse the west shore of the lake along the abandoned Burlington Northern railroad tracks and will extend from the Fremont Bridge to South Lake Union Park.

Key elements of the project will include:

• Replacement of a 77 year-old drainage system.
• Four drainage outfalls, along with storm water treatment, will be rebuilt at Halladay, Crockett, Blaine and Galer streets.
• Addition of City Light 26kv power distribution system with line and vaults.
• Asphalt resurfacing of Westlake Avenue North from Dexter Avenue N. to Broad/Valley Streets.
• Freshly painted crosswalks installed after resurfacing is completed.
• Reconfiguration and revitalization of parking areas adjacent to businesses including sidewalks that connect to the waterfront.
• Redesign of internal parking circulation.
• Improvements to entrances and exits off Westlake Avenue North.
• Appropriate landscape improvements along the street edge and the pathway.
• Artistic elements along the pathway including pedestrian railing, benches and pavement inlays.
• Integration and construction of street-end pocket parks.

During construction impacts to the surrounding community and thru traffic are to be expected. The City of Seattle requests patience and cooperation from travelers and residents as city departments work with the community in efforts to minimize impacts and disturbances. Some of the impacts that will occur are:

• Limited parking in the specific areas under construction at the time
• Periodical limited access
• Lane closures and traffic flaggers on Westlake Ave.
• Noise from large construction vehicles
• Increase in dust and mud during construction.

In an effort to insure that you are kept up to date on events surrounding the project, we are developing a Website and communications plan. We encourage you to attend the open house in December to discuss other methods of communication you think might be helpful during construction. In addition, please continue to watch for upcoming notices regarding meetings and construction schedule.

For more information, contact: Karla Clark, Community Information Specialist, at (206) 615-0866 or karla.clark@ci.seattle.wa.us.