I’ve have reviewed the August 25, 2015 Metro proposal and I am sorry to say it fails, since:

1. It lengthens the runs of the 8/11 which are already among the most unreliable routes.
2. It does not allow for seamless transfers between the 11 and 12 going east and west.
3. It removes the 8 from John/Thomas.
4. It does not allow seamless access to the Community College on Broadway and other places on East Pine.
5. It duplicates service on East Madison from 19th to 24th which does solve any problems, but eliminates access to bus service on East John between 19th and 23rd Ave East.
6. It will require changes in the 19th Ave East and East Madison intersection for 60 foot buses to turn west or north.

I know that Metro has spent the last two months trying to work this out and I believe that plan could be made palatable by moving the 8 back to East John/Thomas and by having the 11 continue west to 12th Ave East where it would turn north to John and light rail. These are easy fixes and would leave the rest of the plan intact!

Amazingly this plan has united the users of the 8, 11 and 43 in opposition to the Metro 2016 Capitol Hill restructure! I look forward to talking to you about these issues. If this plan can’t be modified then I would suggest, as others do, that the Capitol Hill changes be postponed until after the implantation of Light Rail so that the impact of it and the Prop One changes can be reviewed.

If you would like to provide public testimony to the King County Council on this proposed March 2016 Metro Transit service changes please go to:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/council/testimony/testimony-backup2.aspx

I just received the following in email from the Lead Metro planner on the proposed March 2016 bus changes: 

The service change ordinance was transmitted to the King County Council today.  Information about the recommended changes is now available on the Metro website:

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs-projects/link-connections/

Here’s a link to the Route 11 info sheet.

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs-projects/link-connections/pdf/011-info-08-15.pdf 

Here is the link to the other bus changes:

http://metro.kingcounty.gov/programs-projects/link-connections/recommendation.html#by-route 

As you can see in the updated system map, Routes 8 and 11 would share a common path between Madison Valley and the west side of Capitol Hill. Both would serve the segment of E Madison between 19th and 23rd Avenues, and both would connect with Capitol Hill Station. There would be no loss of coverage on E Madison Street, as Route 12 would serve Madison west of 19th Avenue E. The segment of E Madison Street between 23rd and 19th would have considerably more service than today, and new connections to Seattle Center, South Lake Union and the Central Area. The County Council will deliberate the proposals over the coming weeks.

Please check the Council website http://www.kingcounty.gov/council.aspx for opportunities to share your comments about these changes with Council members directly.

The Friends of Cayton Corner Park invite the community to an Open House on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 6 to 8 pm at Cayton Corner Park, 1831 E Madison St.

At the event the community is encouraged to learn about the new design, meet the designer, JA Brennan, ask questions and get involved. In 2011, funding from Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund contributed to the purchase of the 4,500 square foot, triangular-shaped lot on E Madison and 19th Ave. This property helped fill a need for open space in the neighborhood. The Friends of Cayton Corner Park have applied for and received two Department of Neighborhoods Neighborhood Matching Fund awards. With this funding, they hired the design consultant, JA Brennan. The “Friends” have been working hard to involve neighbors in the design process and have conducted work parties to keep the site tidy. Their leadership will transform the empty lot into a gathering place for a uniquely diverse neighborhood. 

The property at the corner of 19th Ave. and E Madison St. was named Cayton Corner Park.  Horace Cayton published the Seattle Republican, a newspaper directed at both white and black readers in the early 1900s. At one point the paper had the second largest circulation in the city. The Caytons were a very prominent family in the African American community, promoting education and making significant contributions to the development of our city and its ethnic populations.

For more information or to donate to this community-initiated park project please visit the Cayton Corner Park page on Facebook.

Here are the Dept. of Planning and Development’s Land Use notices pertaining to the Madison Valley community from the last three weeks, along with Seattle citywide actions of interest.

City Council Public Hearing on Proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendments for 2015-2016

The City Council’s Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee will hold a public hearing on proposed Comprehensive Plan amendments for 2015 amendment cycle. The public hearing will be during the PLUS Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at 2:00 in the Seattle City Council Chamber, 2nd floor, Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue.

Notice of Public Hearing

2609 E Thomas St

Land Use Application to allow a three-story structure containing five residential units in an environmentally critical area. Surface parking for five vehicles to be provided. Existing single family residence to be removed. Zone: Potential Slide Area, Lowrise-2

Notice of Application

1733 27th Ave

Land Use Application to subdivide one development site into three unit lots. The construction of residential units is under Project #6428351. This subdivision of property is only for the purpose of allowing sale or lease of the unit lots. Development standards will be applied to the original parcel and not to each of the new unit lots. Environmental review conducted under Project #3018450. Zone: Lowrise 1, Potential Slide Area, Steep Slope (>=40%)

Notice of Decision

Select Committee on Housing Affordability

The Select Committee will work with the Mayor and members of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) Advisory Committee to increase housing affordability in the City. The Select Committee will be informed by recommendations presented in July 2015 by the HALA Advisory Committee and the Mayor's Roadmap to an Affordable and Livable City.

Wednesday, September 9, 5:30 p.m. (Public Hearing), Location to be determined

Seattle 2035 Draft Comprehensive Plan

The recent building boom is a reminder that Seattle is an attractive and growing place. Continued growth will present challenges about how the City can ensure that everyone in the city will have a chance to prosper.  This Plan provides long-term guidance that will help the City make decisions about managing growth over the next 20 years and providing services to make the growth for all of the city.  Since the Plan was first adopted in 1994, it has embraced the concept of sustainable growth, meaning that the City would accommodate additional people and businesses, while also aiming to maintain and enhance resources for future generations.  Join the conversation, comments due by the end of September.

Resources

Land Use Information Bulletins
Property & Building Activity Interactive Map 
Design Review Board

Buildings in Design Review Map

Seattle In Progress

Jarbo Fashion Design will be holding a three-day summer sale, August 21–23, with savings up to 70% off!

Jarbo
2809 East Madison
877 457-2464 ex 1
Mon–Sat: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sun: 12 PM – 5 PM
http://shopjarbo.com

Driven by a substantial drop in car prowls and auto thefts, the number of crimes reported to police in Madison Valley dropped to a level (40 incidents) similar to the early months of 2015. There were six burglaries, however, which is a common monthly total.

1. Sometime between the afternoon of July 2 and the morning of July 3 a burglar entered a home on 30th near Henderson that is being remodeled. The burglar stole tools worth approximately $4000, but left no fingerprints.

2. During the night of July 12 – 13 a burglar entered an apartment on Union near 27th by breaking a window near the front door of the unit. The burglar stole computer equipment worth approximately $3000, motorcycle clothing, and jewelry of undetermined value. Police found no fingerprints.

3. On July 15 at 9:15 AM police were notified that an alarm had been tripped at a home on E. Galer near 25th. When they arrived at the scene, a resident told them that nothing had been taken, but that a screen had been removed from a window. The burglar apparently was frightened away when the alarm sounded. The police found no fingerprints in the vicinity of the window.

4. On July 17 between 11 AM and 1 PM someone entered a home on 30th near Olive through an unlocked back window. The burglar stole an iPhone, approximately $500 in cash, and other items. The police found fingerprints around the window through which the burglar entered.

5. Sometime between July 15 and July 19 while the residents were away from home, a burglar smashed open a window of a home on E. Aloha near 20th and stole approximately $3000 worth of computer equipment, wallets and handbags, personal identification documents, and skiing equipment. The burglar left via the back door of the home and the police found fingerprints on the door handle.

6. Around midnight on July 21 there was a non-forcible entry burglary at an address on 25th near Howell, but the police have not posted a description of it.

Finally, there was a robbery on the edge of Madison Valley during July.

On July 11 at about 8 PM police received a report of a robbery that had just occurred on Union near 25th. The victim, who was taken to Swedish Hospital, told the officers that she had been walking along Union when a black male, about 5' 8” tall, 30 years old and with a possible limp, passed her on the sidewalk and then turned around and pepper sprayed her in the face. He then grabbed her smart phone from her hand and fled west on Union. Police subsequently searched the area of the robbery but found no suspects.

Lowell Hargens is a Madison Valley resident and former University of Washington professor of sociology specializing in the statistical analysis of data.

Madison Park Business Association continues the annual tradition of bringing you free concerts (great for all ages) in Madison Park on Thursday evenings in August 6:30-8pm, (schedule of bands below).

Bring a blanket or chair, sit back, relax and enjoy some of Seattle’s most talented musical artists as they perform both original songs and covers. From boogie-woogie blues to New Orleans R&B, soul, swing, folk & pop — your toes will be tapping and you might even get up and dance! 

With so many great restaurants in Madison Valley & Madison Park, grab some to go and enjoy a picnic dinner at the park. 

All concerts are on Thursday evenings 6:30-8pm: 

8/6—Two Scoops Combo
Back by popular demand, this high-energy combo features Eric “Two Scoops” Moore, Washington Blues Society’s 2013 Best Songwriter, on piano and vocals. This Big Buffet of boogie-woogie, blues and swing will have the whole family dancing in the park! Two Scoops of Fun!
twoscoopscombo.com 

8/13—Shaggy Sweet
With a focus on blending different musical styles, Shaggy Sweet delivers a unique, harmonious and FUN experience. Playing originals as well as cover songs, expect to hear everything from Jimi Hendrix to John Mayer to Maroon 5. Come and enjoy your night!
shaggysweet.com 

8/20—Gin Creek
Gin Creek is one of Seattle’s busiest bands, playing regularly at leading music venues across Western Washington. Their music is rooted in the blues but draws on soul, swing, and New Orleans R&B, and their ability to play in a wide variety of rhythms makes them a favorite of dancers. They are happy to return to The Madison Park Summer Concert series.
reverbnation.com/gincreek

8/27—The Side Project
Relax. Tap your toes. Dance. Fall in love! With enchanting originals and covers blending pop, folk, and contemporary tunes inspired by artists like Sarah McLachlan and Jason Mraz, The Side Project feeds the soul with uplifting harmonies throughout.
tspband.com 

Special thanks to this year’s generous sponsors: Park Shore Retirement Living and Aegis. 

When emergencies happen, be the first to know. Stay informed with AlertSeattle to receive real-time, official notifications from the City of Seattle. AlertSeattle is a free service that allows you to sign up online to receive customized alerts via text message, email, voice message, and on social media (Facebook and Twitter). This service is provided by the City of Seattle at no cost; however, message and data rates may apply.

The City of Seattle uses AlertSeattle to send official, real-time alerts to the public with information about potentially life-saving actions they may need to take to keep themselves and their families safe. By signing up for AlertSeattle, you are taking a large step toward improving your personal safety.

In addition to emergency alerts, you can also choose to receive customizable community notifications. These will include notifications about severe weather, safety, health, utility disruptions, major traffic incidents, and more. For more information, visit alert.seattle.gov.

Well, Peaches has been found, safe — although he won’t be flying anytime soon. The story is a sad tale of mistaken identity and good intentions gone wrong, along with an interesting explanation of free flight bird training. Read the full story on Facebook or visit Peaches’ Facebook page.

This is an update on the status of the proposed routing of the 11 E Madison in March 2016. Metro has made several alternatives other than leaving the bus as is. In June 2015 Metro proposed a routing that would take the 11 off of Madison west of 24th Ave East & East Madison by routing it up John/Thomas to light rail and then downtown via Olive to Pike/Pine.

The August issue of the Madison Park Times which contains an article with my comments about the proposal to take part of the 11 off of East Madison that we were given in June. The article is “We get faster service on No. 11, and then it goes away” on the editorial page and online for those who don’t have a copy of the Madison Park Times at: http://madisonparktimes.com/Content/Opin...

Your comments over the last months have been passed on to Metro and Nextdoor users participated in a survey about what they wanted for the routing of 11 in March 2016 and it is included in the article. 

Today, Monday August 3, 2015 we received the following communications from the Metro planner working on the 11:

Hello All – 

We are still in the process of evaluating options for Route 11 and considering feedback we have received. I will keep you posted. 

Thanks for your patience, 

-- Jeremy

Note, given the above response I would suggest that you contact Metro with your comments at:

Contact: 
DeAnna Martin
Community Relations Planner
[email protected] 
206-477-3935

Please help keep an eye open for this bird. Peaches is a Goffin’s cockatoo — mostly white with some rainbow plumage on his tail and wings from Seattle Pride. His left leg has an aluminum ID band.

UPDATE, 11:53 PM: The neighborhood's favorite cockatoo was found late tonight. Someone has clipped his wings; full story to come.