Hello Neighbors!

Thank you for attending the July 22nd meeting on Safer Streets! We heard from both local advocates and people responsible for implementation at the City level. Fremont Neighbor has a great article covering the meeting!

SDOT Vision Zero and Home Zone Programs

We had presentations on both the Vision Zero program and on community level street safety programs and funding opportunities.

Vision Zero: The goal is to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on city streets. Safety projects are data driven and focused on arterial streets (basically any street with a painted centerline). Projects are prioritized by high numbers of collisions, injuries, and speeders. Proven safety measures include: Leading Pedestrian Intervals; no turn on red; dedicated turn phasing; intersection daylighting; enhanced pedestrian crossings; road reconfigurations; corridor lighting; and arterial traffic calming. Visit the Vision Zero webpage for more information or contact them at walkandbike@seattle.gov or 206-684-7583.

Safety on Neighborhood Streets: The last Transportation levy includes funding for 5 Neighborhood Greenways, including 6th Ave NW, with emphasis on Safe Routes to School connections. If you see a need for neighborhood traffic calming, you can make a request through the 684-ROAD number. Requests are prioritized using a variety of need factors. If you want to use Neighborhood Matching Fund grants for a traffic project, SDOT will help you with the application. There will be a new neighborhood program (Neighborhood Initiated Safety Partnership Program) funded by the Levy but it is not yet in operation. Each District Council Member also has some funding for projects in their District. The SDOT slides and info can be found here.

Ballard-Fremont Greenways

Part of the coalition of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways, the Ballard and Fremont groups merged in 2019. A noted accomplishment is that 7 blocks of the 6th Ave NW Greenway are funded under the current transportation levy. ARC (Aurora Reimagined Coalition) also got a commitment from the State for $50million in funds for improvements on Aurora. How can you get improvements in your neighborhood? Document problems; Highlight opportunities; Collaborate with neighbors, businesses, and community groups; Educate electeds; and Be Persistent and Persuasive! Find more information at ballardfremont.seattlegreenways.org and got99problems.org. The Greenways slides are here.

Announcements:

  • Lizz Slabaugh, who has volunteered to be Vice President on the board of the Fremont Creative District, encouraged people to use the available QR codes to fill out FCD surveys for businesses and for community values.
  • Linda Clifton discussed the need for maintenance of Fremont public art, the 46th St. Mural and the public utility boxes in particular, and if that might be addressed by the FCD. Lydia put out a call for volunteers to be Art Liaison to the FNC, for the 46th mural in particular.
  • Brandon Shimko discussed the letter from the Upper Fremont neighbors on adjusting the Neighborhood Center boundaries.
  • Lydia pointed out a Community Swap table to bring gently used clothes, toys, kitchen items, books, and sealed pantry goods with a few things there to get started. Bring something next time.
  • Tim asked people to take flyers on their way out to post, very helpful in promoting meetings.
  • Evgeny showed off the new free FNC yard signs and encouraged people to take one, for your yard, window, or balcony. He also, as a Parks employee, recommended the Find It Fix It app.
  • Vote in the Primary by August 5th.

Board Business:

June minutes approved. Discussions of August agenda, Mailchimp status, non-profit status, September candidate forum dates and format, lawn signs, business partnerships, September flyers, Upper Fremont Neighborhood Center letter updates, website migration, 46th St. mural, need for an art liaison, meeting location.

Detailed minutes of past meetings can be found here!

Next month (Tuesday, August 26) the topics are an A.B. Ernst Park update and a discussion of vacant Fremont storefronts. Join us!