Changes coming to C line on Saturday, March 26

Beginning on Saturday we’ll see some changes in King County Metro’s C line bus service from West Seattle.  First, the C line and the D line will be de-coupled. The current C line route goes to 3^rd Avenue Downtown, then continues as the D line to Ballard, via Belltown, lower Queen Anne, and Interbay. The revised D line will travel from Ballard to Pioneer Square.

Secondly, the C line’s service to Downtown will be extended to provide direct service from West Seattle to South Lake Union via a new bus-only lane on Westlake Avenue.

The new routing (see map) will add stops on Westlake at Denny, Harrison, Mercer, and Fairview/Valley near Lake Union Park and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute.

The service changes were approved by the King County Council in October of last year.

The new schedule for the C line is available on the bus and at Metro Information racks; it will be available online on March 25.

At a meeting of the City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee on January 22, SDOT Director Scott Kubly said that about 20% of the people commuting to South Lake Union each day come from West Seattle.

Metro also revised bus routes in anticipation of the arrival the new UW and Capitol Hill Sound Transit light rail stations; more information on those changes is available here. These new stations will provide for a faster trip from Downtown to Capitol Hill and the UW at Husky Stadium, also making both those areas more easily accessible from West Seattle and South Park using public transportation.

Gathering of Neighbors on March 12

On Saturday, March 12, VIEWS (Visualizing Increased Engagement in West Seattle), Southwest Youth and Family Services, and Delridge Neighborhood Development Association  hosted the 2016 Gathering of Neighbors. The theme for the day was “Growing pains” and what “pains” might that growth bring; what can we do to ease the “pain?”

The goal for the day was to have residents and local leaders discuss the challenges and benefits facing West Seattle as we see rapid growth in population, employment, and development.

In advance of the gathering, The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of their membership on the impact that rapid growth was having on their business. Of the survey participants, 90% owned a business in West Seattle, and 61% felt the recent growth in West Seattle generally helped their business.

A variety of topics were discussed including housing, zoning, community centers, parking, and transportation. Residents had an opportunity to learn more about how they can be part of shaping the impact of growth in four breakout sessions: North Delridge Action Plan; ST3 Planning; Land Use/ Urban Village Growth; and West Seattle Chamber conversation about business development.

I had the honor of facilitating the discussion on the topic of, “Are We In a Homelessness State of Emergency?” and the recent declaration of a Homeless State of Emergency by Mayor Ed Murray and County Executive Dow Constantine. I would like to thank the panelists Michael Maddux, 43rd District Democrats and former City Council candidate, Mercedes Elizalde, former City Council candidate and Policy & Engagement Strategist for City Councilmember Debora Juarez, and Hanna Brooks Olsen, Seattlish writer/Project Manager for Civic Ventures for the robust conversation.

I would also like to thank my colleagues for helping make this gathering a success!  A panel event, featuring at-large Councilmember Lorena González, kicked off the event.  That panel was titled: “What is Being Done about Growth in West Seattle?” Seattle Councilmember Rob Johnson, District 4, led a breakout discussion about the importance of the Sound Transit 3  levy that will be up for vote in November 2016 during the break out session on “How do I get involved in shaping our community?”

Got Green Lunch & Learn

I am delighted to invite you to a Lunch & Learn I am hosting with Got Green on March 30th. At this event Got Green’s Young Leaders in the Green Movement will be stepping up and speaking out to call on City Council to support the creation of internships:

• that are good for the environment and our communities at the same time.
• that have a racial equity lens in their outreach and ways to retain participants. This includes paying a living wage.
• and that have systems in place to help young adults move into career pathways

Joining us will be:

• Lylianna Allala of Environmental Professionals of Color (EPOC)
• Patrice Thomas  from the Rainier Beach Action Coalition (RBAC)
• Carmen Berrysmith from the Young Leaders in the Green Movement/ Rainier Beach Urban Farm
• Tiffany Washington from the Seattle Human Services Department
• Cathie Andersen from the Seattle Parks and Recreation: Conservation Corps

Please join me as these leaders address City Council as employers, workers, and community leaders about the importance of engaging young adults of color in the environmental employment sector.

Details:

• Wednesday, March 30th, 2016
• 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• City Hall, Council Chambers
• 600 4th Ave
• RSVP here

In-District Office Hours

I have confirmed my in-district office hours from now through June. As before on March 4^th, I will be available from 12:00pm – 7:00pm. This is a rotating office to help best serve all communities in District 1.

I’m including evening hours to accommodate those who want to stop by after work. These will be open office hours for anyone to stop by; additionally, you’re welcome to let me know you’re coming by emailing my scheduler, Alex Clardy. We will likely continue adjustments as we move forward, and as before, your input is welcome.

April 1      Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St)

April 29    South Park Community Center (8319 8th Avenue S)

May 20    Southwest Neighborhood Service Center (2801 SW Thistle St)

June 10    South Park Community Center (8319 8th Avenue S)

Posted: March 23rd, 2016 under Bus, Councilmember Herbold, District 1, Homelessness, Parks and Recreation, Transportation
Tags: King County Metro, lunch & learn, office hours