Upon moving to Crown Hill in 2002, I noticed many blank walls on buildings, often tagged with graffiti, painted out graffiti, re-tagged, re-painted out, etc. What is it about a blank wall that encourages vandals to leave their marks? Our major streets, 15th Ave NW, Holman Road, and NW 85th Street appeared quite tired, even dreary. As new businesses have moved in, old businesses and new alike have taken to spiffing up their storefronts with bright colors, and … murals. Most recently the Value Village relocated a couple of doors south on 15th, and engaged the services of Seattle muralist, Ryan “Henry” Ward. Henry’s murals drew much attention in the press (MyBallard article, and even some television and radio coverage). It has certainly sparked lots of discussions among neighbors and passerby (as I snapped photos early on a Saturday morning, 6 people volunteered their opinions, four very positive, one negative, one shrug).
Traffic Information Sign, 14th and Holman, click to enlarge
The sharp-eyed among us will have noticed Seattle Dept. of Transportation crews hard at work along Holman Rd and 15th Ave NW this week. MyBallard.com gave advance notice of the work here. The work is being done to provide more information for drivers and transportation agencies during the Alaska Way Viaduct Replacement Project. During the life of the project, SDOT and Washington State DOT expect that Holman Rd and 15th Ave traffic will increase dramatically. These projects are supposed to allow drivers to make better decisions, smooth the flow of traffic, and provide real-time information to SDOT and WSDOT on traffic conditions.
The first change was the installation of a traffic information sign over the southbound lanes of Holman Rd at 14th Ave NW. The sign will be used to inform drivers of accidents and road conditions ahead to the Ballard Bridge and beyond. This is similar to the informational signs on I5. The sign is approximately 1 block east of the radar speed sign located near Mary Ave NW.
Traffic monitoring camera 85th and 15th, camera is just below the "NW 85th St" sign, click to enlarge
The second change was the installation of traffic cameras at the intersection of 15th Ave NW and NW 85th St. These cameras will allow monitoring of traffic conditions. The cameras will not be used for red light enforcement like the cameras at 15th and 80th. SDOT previously announced the traffic cameras here and at other locations city-wide as part of their traffic information system. We will soon be able to view traffic images from the cameras showing current traffic conditions on the city’s Traveler’s Information Map. These cameras are supposed to go live this month (March 2010) according to the MyBallard article from last year.
The Alaska Way Viaduct replacement project is expected to be completed shortly after the demolition of the Viaduct. The Viaduct will be demolished in 2016 according to preliminary estimates. A timeline for the replacement project is available at WSDOT’s web site here. There will be a multi-year period during which traffic normally handled by the Viaduct will be diverted to I5 and surface streets such as Elliott Ave W, 15th Ave NW, and Holman Road. We can expect significant traffic impacts during the construction. Once completed, SDOT estimates it will take a Crown Hill resident 4 or more extra minutes to get to the southern end of the tunnel than it does today. This is due to the fact, the northern entrance to the tunnel will be located further East than the current route to the viaduct.
Crown Hill neighbors are urged to join the Earth Day event on April 17 in our neighborhood. Carkeek Park is setting up teams that will fan out on our streets surrounding the park and do three things: (1) stencil on storm drains the caution about dumping waste, (2) distribute one-page flyers to homes regarding pet waste, and (3) pick up trash along roadways and in public spaces.
What’s up with stenciling drains? There are over 100 storm drains in the Piper’s Creek watershed that send stormwater through the Park and into Puget Sound. Runoff from roads and gutters contributes lots of gunk to Puget Sound every year. Studies show that marking storm drains with the message “Dump No Waste, Drains to Stream” doubles community awareness.
Come to the Park’s Environmental Education Center at 8:30 a.m. to get matched up with a 3-5 person team, pick up supplies, and get your assignment of streets to cover. Just a few hours of work, then an Earth Day celebration with pizza at noon. Bring work gloves and remember to dress for all sorts of weather.
It is helpful if you register in advance by calling 386-9154 to help Park staff figure appropriate numbers of stencils, trash bags, etc.
A contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will paint the railing on a raised portion of Holman Road NW at 8th Avenue NW from February 1 to February 12. The sidewalk will be closed 24-hours-a-day. During the first week, the crews will close the northern sidewalk, and then starting February 8 the crews will close the southern side. Pedestrians will cross Holman Road at 7th Avenue NW and at 13th Avenue NW.
All proceeds will provide urgently needed supplies to support the Haiti field deployment of Dr. Kathy Jobe and her colleagues at the Seattle/King County Disaster Team, to provide emergency medical care for victims of the recent catastrophic earthquake.
The concert will be held 7pm Thursday, February 11th, at the North Seattle Community College Concert Hall, located just west of I-5 in Seattle’s Northgate district, at College Way North. and North 97th Street. A map link is here: http://www.northseattle.edu/maps/wayfinder.php?loc=26
Suggested donation is $20, and tickets will be available at the door. For more info, contact Julie Sakahara at 206-322-5692. Thanks, and we’ll see you there!
