Thank you for attending the August 26th meeting on Parks and Storefronts! It was a great turnout on a hot pre-holiday Tuesday.
Update from Congresswoman Jayapal’s Office
Marielle from Pramila Jayapal’s office dropped in to give us updates on her efforts on our behalf. There is more on her website Jayapal.house.gov
Fremont Chamber of Commerce and Seattle Office of Economic Development
Pete Hanning and Phillip Sit discussed topics such as support for small businesses and economic revitalization. Something that helps is to have a healthy community, and a strong RTO (Return to Office) presence. Fremont has good RTO because people want to be here and it feels safe. On the vacant storefronts in Fremont, at 34th and Fremont Ave in particular, outreach to the brokers that manage those properties on ways to activate them has not gotten a response. Pete told us that the Storefront Repair Fund has been renewed and has been a great help to Fremont businesses. OED has been conducting a Retail Analysis in several neighborhoods to “explore strategies to fill vacant ground floor spaces, promote walkability, and draw visitors” to those business districts. We hope Fremont can use those strategies too! There has also been a program called Seattle Restored that allows artist studios in vacant businesses downtown. Another idea that might work in Fremont. We might also consider other uses for vacant business spaces: Day care? Community center?
A.B. Ernst Park Update
Asmita Poudel from Seattle Parks went through the background of the planning for the park expansion. Public process led to an approved design in 2018 but the pandemic stopped any progress, and then the permits expired. Costs had risen and budget had fallen, so the expansion was redesigned. Allison from SiteWorkshop went over the elements of the revised plan. The biggest change is removal of the ADA accessible ramp from the alley, which is a 25 foot rise. The ramp from 35th through the main park will be made ADA compliant and will provide a route to the Library basement meeting room. The steep slope in the expansion will be regraded and planted with native meadow and trees and will have a slide feature. There will be concrete walls where the community can add artwork, and a place for potential relocation by the community of the Helen Tapp Memorial Bench. Work is expected to start early in 2026. There will be an Open House for the park at the Library on September 30th from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The Park webpage is here. The presentation slides are here.
Announcements:
- Lizz Slabaugh, President on the board of the Fremont Creative District, spoke about the current work-centered meetings for starting the group and community input sessions coming up in October. Talk to Lizz if you want to get involved now or later.
- Thuy-Van gave an update on the Fremont P-Patch, which has received some funding to repair the stairs which were damaged by invasive tree roots. They are getting estimates for removing the stairs and putting in an ADA accessible ramp. Aly mentioned that FNC sponsored the invasive tree removal.
- Leo announced the screening of the Hall of Giants documentary on the making of the Fremont Troll, showing on August 31st at the Library.
- Pete announced the Thursday Night Market, held on the stretch of 35th between the Rocket and the Center of the Universe signpost on the last Thursday of the month through October, and hopefully restarting in February or March.
- Evgeny reminded us that Fremont Neighborhood Council yard signs are available.
Board Business:
Discussion of non-profit status and subscription pricing dependent on that. Approval of $150 expenditure for repair of the 46th St. mural. Extensive discussion of the mural and how to maintain it, the need for an art liaison/champion for maintenance, and the need for succession plans for committees, projects, and the Council itself. Discussion to be continued at another time. Extensive discussion and planning for the September Candidate Forum. July minutes accepted. Treasurer report: Membership funds are now up to levels of previous years.
Detailed minutes of past meetings can be found here!
Next month is the Candidate Forum! Special date, Tuesday September 30th, 7:00-9:00pm. Come meet some of the candidates for the local November elections!
