QA Greenways October 2016 Meeting

We had an informative meeting in the Aegis on Galer “Pike Market” meeting space.

Queen Anne Greenways

General Meeting Notes – October 25, 2016

We invited Cathy Tuttle, the Executive and Founding Director of Seattle Neighborhood Greenways (SNG) to present to our group

SNG was started 5 years ago
Advocates for safe and comfortable streets for all ages, to walk or bike to where they need/want to go.
Project type – safe streets for pedestrian and bike that are outside main thoroughfares.
Organized through a coalition of local/neighborhood groups. There are 20 neighborhood Greenways.
- Each neighborhood group brings projects to SNG to support through advocacy. QA Greenways brought the Uptown and SLU connection as a focus to SNG.
- Organizing model is that each neighborhood group determines their priorities are. SNG supports with mapping, advocacy, advice, support.
Focus has expanded to include broader goals beyond just safe byways outside of major thoroughfares to include: signals, crosswalks, and accessible routes across major thoroughfares.

Notes on accomplishments:

One of SNG focuses/priorities was the speed limit change, 20mph/25mph for residential/arterial streets. This was a 3-year project. Next is to now get $$ for engineering to support the 20mph. Small projects that make big impact on safety (example: crossing lights, curb bulbs)
In past 5 years SNG has influenced $30-40m street funding towards safe streets.
Of the 13th projects that were given NSF $ this year, 11 were neighborhood Greenway groups.
Bike Master Plan is slow in implementation by SDOT. SNG is advocating that signage happens soon, even if not ready to do road improvements

Questions for Cathy/SNG:

Negative perception of safety improvements interpreted as causing congestion, but doesn’t feel accurate. Is it?

Of the 34 road ‘diets’ implemented and tracked – peak speeds are reduced but metro speed better, traffic flow has improved, injury dropped by ½.

What is Vision Zero?

Developed 30 yrs ago in Sweden
Streets should be designed for people to use safely so that no one is injured = zero.
City has bought into in theory but has not yet allocated $$.

There 20 groups, is the whole city covered or are there gaps?

Yes, there are gaps – Magnolia is one; West Seattle has only one group, but the area is too big for one group; Downtown should have one.
Cascade Bicycle club is becoming more of an advocacy and was looking at downtown, but now more focused on statewide
FeetFirst doesn’t really do advocacy

Strategic Plan?

Connected network of safe streets for people of all ages, incomes to get around.
We are looking at adding “streets as place”, not just as corridors

What has QA Greenways proposed as our lead projects to SNG?

Mark O attends core meetings (monthly, on the 23rd) and communicates these to SNG.
QA Greenways need to determine our key projects for 2017.

Available Grants and Events to keep in mind:

Laurie Ames reminds us to keep in mind the Neighborhood Matching Fund – including Small Sparks for up to $1000- applications year-round.
Safe-routes to School – mini-grant (up to $1000) Paperwork is easy. Need to get school principle support (end April+ end Oct). SNG has lots of ideas of what we can do. Up to $1000.
Plan a “Night Out” with a Small Sparks grant – apply by July 1
Plan a Parking Day parklet – Sept event

Neighborhood Street Fund update/discussion –

Queen Anne did not get any applications approved.
Discussion – grants rewarded to communities where inclusion (race and social justice), equity are redressed and where there is density.
- Generally grants appear to address terrible situations in need of improvement. Ours were, maybe, more “nice to have”.
We learned a lot from the application process
We need to think how our proposals serve citywide needs.
Next opportunity will be in three years – 2019.

Play Street meeting for next year –

Proposed that Shaun and Juliette to run the planning for next year’s Play Street.
Considering applying for a Festival Street to make it easier to put on many Play Streets per year. Application needs to be approved by the District Council, the status of which is still unknown.
Michael has information about complaint(s) expressed to the QA Farmer’s Market about the Play street. Requires follow-up with Ms College (president of Farmer’s Market board) and market director, Brittany Ryan.

Upper/Lower loops defining

Plan to initiate community involvement in designating loops and access at the next General Meeting.
Consider inviting Bill’s Magnolia contact, who is working on a bike trail access from the waterfront, to this meeting.
TO DO – follow up with Cathy to get big laminated map (Juliette).

Queen Anne Elementary and use of the Boulevard

Buses are loading/unloading 8 buses delivering 4 doz students from various parts of the city.
There is concern that this use compromises the Boulevard’s park-like quality and adversely affects bike/pedestrian safety.
Bus zone was put on the Boulevard without parks approval.
Alternatives: Boston or 4th

Next General Meeting: January 24th.

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