West Seattle Bridge and Transportation Updates

The most recent update for the West Seattle Bridge is that concrete pours are expected next week and the following week.  Work is also taking place to replace the overhead traffic signs and the support structures on the West Seattle Bridge.

SDOT will share the reopening date approximately a month before reopening to traffic. Following construction completion, SDOT will test the bridge for strength and resiliency – this test is expected to last about two weeks.

SDOT released the quarterly update for Reconnect West Seattle projects. 56 of 70 projects have been completed. Here’s a guide to the report:

• Page 5-7: Work recently completed
• Page 11-13: Preview of upcoming projects
• Page 15-19: Tracking our goals
• Page 21-36: List of projects and their current status

SDOT has released the Q1 2022 Levy to Move Seattle Report. The update highlights completion of two projects in District 1.

One of the Safe Routes to Schools projects completed is a new pedestrian railing on the underpass on South Cloverdale below SR99, to provide a buffer between the sidewalk and vehicle lane.

The seismic retrofit of the SW Andover Street pedestrian and bicycle bridge is completed.

The Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee issued its 2021 report. In a letter to They noted, regarding thoughts on a future levy, the importance of bridge maintenance as a priority. I appreciate their early focus on this. The nine year Move Seattle Levy was passed by voters in 2015 and runs through 2024.

Here’s an update form SDOT about road construction in West Seattle and South Park this weekend:

Construction in West Seattle this weekend

Starting on Saturday from 7 AM to 4 PM, we’ll be working in South Park to replace the sidewalk on Dallas Ave S near 12th Ave S as part of our Reconnect West Seattle work. We will have a detour in place for people walking and biking as we complete the upgrade. This work will take multiple days to complete and there will be minimal impacts to people driving as we will be primarily working from the parking area. Please anticipate delays and navigate the area with caution.

On Sunday, we’ll be replacing two traffic signs on SW Spokane St in the westbound direction. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 7 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving

Please know this work is weather dependent. If there is a change in schedule, we’ll include an update in next week’s email.

Sound Transit West Seattle/Duwamish Community Advisory Group meeting May 10, City comments

The Sound Transit West Seattle/Duwamish Community Advisory Group will be meeting on May 10, from 5 to 7 p.m.

The topic of the meeting is listed as “Consolidating Feedback.” You can access information about the meeting on the “Advisory Groups” tab on Sound Transit’s West Seattle and Ballard light rail website.

Here’s where you can view the meeting live.

Executive City of Seattle departments submitted comments on the Draft EIS; here’s SDOT’s update about this. The principles guiding that review are dependable transit, equity, climate action, and vibrant communities, with the core values being racial equity, safety and user experience, community, environmental protection and stewardship. Community members prioritized these principles and values in a public survey.

A summary of the City’s comments on the Draft EIS is available on the City’s website for planning for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions.

A team of about 100 subject matter experts from 17 departments at the City of Seattle reviewed the Draft EIS and submitted around 1,500 comments to Sound Transit.

Celebrating National Small Business Week

I joined my Council colleagues and Mayor Harrell to support a proclamation celebrating National Small Business Week, May 1^st through May 7^th.  As a resident of District 1 for 22 years, I am grateful daily for the vibrancy that our local small businesses bring to our community!  To help celebrate, consider patronizing your favorite small business this weekend.  In addition, we know that some small businesses in our neighborhood business districts have been hard hit by crime.  All, the more reason to get out and support them.

And as long as we are singing the praises of small businesses, thank you to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce for recognizing these winners:

• Business of the Year: Circa
• Emerging Business of the Year: Highland Park Corner Store
• Not for Profit of the Year: Neighborhood House
• Westsider of the Year: Keith Hughes, American Legion Post No. 160 & West Seattle Electric & Solar

Of course, the pandemic has hit small businesses hard, and we must continue our efforts to support them as we begin to re-emerge.  I’m proud that Seattle City Council approved funding for the Small Business Stabilization Fund early during the pandemic, which provided over $10 million in direct funding to nearly 1,500 small businesses who were impacted by the economic downturn of the pandemic throughout Seattle.  Many of our beloved small businesses in District 1 received the cash assistance.

The City’s Office of Economic Development provides robust support for small businesses in Seattle, including the Only In Seattle Initiative, which provides grant funding and staff support to foster inclusive neighborhood business districts that allow small businesses to thrive.  From business coaching, community festivals, and litter cleanup, to murals, outreach and real estate development, Seattle’s business districts have used Only in Seattle to tackle tough issues, attract new investment and care for their communities. Explore Business District Wins for highlights of the Initiative at work in Seattle’s business districts.

Funding Opportunity: Comparable Worth Wage Analysis for Human Services Workers

The Human Services Department is seeking proposals to conduct a comparable worth wage analysis of the local human services sector, using funds that I sponsored to address high turnover among frontline workers.

We’ve heard a lot about the difficulty our nonprofit organizations are having hiring and hanging onto front-line workers, while working in difficult pandemic conditions.  Human services workers, who are disproportionately BIPOC and women, especially among the frontline staff, are precariously underpaid for the difficult work they do.  Their wages do not reflect the education required, difficulty, or value of their work.  High turnover and positions left unfilled are the inevitable result.

The study will consider the core functions and requirements of human services jobs, including the level of authority and responsibility, required training, autonomy, environment, difficulty, working conditions, hours, and determine a value for those elements across sectors.

Applications are due May 24^th, with work expected to begin in July.  Learn more and apply here.

East Marginal Way Project

The City Council recently voted to accept a federal grant that will allow SDOT to proceed with the northern portion of the East Marginal Way project. This segment goes from Spokane Street to Atlantic and is now fully funded.

The project includes constructing a 2-way protected bike lane along the 1.4-mile segment between S Atlantic St and S Spokane St to increase visibility and protect the approximately 1,000 people who ride bikes on this corridor each day. This is a major connection for people who bike between the West Seattle Bridge Trail, Downtown and SODO.

SDOT expects design to be completed this month, and construction to begin later this year.

Pillars of Pride Honors LGBTQIA+ Elders

Celebrate National Honor our LGBTQ Elders Day on May 15 with GenPride, as they prepare to open of Pride Place, a new LGBTQIA+ affirming senior affordable housing and community center on Capitol Hill, scheduled to open in 2023.

Pride Place is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest – it will include affordable housing, and a senior community and health services center.  It’s been a long time coming, following years of community advocacy and Council action to support it.  Funds raised through the Pillars of Pride event will support this project.

This generation of elders fought—and won—many of the rights we enjoy today. Their tremendous courage in the face of hatred, discrimination and violence has resulted in a stronger and more loving community.  Learn more, register to attend, and give here.

Virtual Office Hours

On Friday, May 27, I will be hosting virtual office hours between 2pm and 6pm, with the last meeting of the day beginning at 5:30pm.

Due to the nature of virtual office hours, please contact my scheduler Alex Clardy (alex.clardy@seattle.gov) to receive the call-in information and schedule a time.

Here is a list of my tentatively scheduled office hours which will continue as virtual office hours until indicated otherwise. These are subject to change.

• Friday, June 24, 2022
• Friday, July 29, 2022
• Friday, August 19, 2022
• Friday, September 30, 2022
• Friday, October 28, 2022
• Friday, December 16, 2022

Posted: May 6th, 2022 under Councilmember Herbold, Education, LGBTQ, Proclamations, Public Health, Transportation
Tags: Human Services, LGBTQ, SDOT, seniors, small business, West Seattle Bridge