Today the Department of Planning and Development announced the membership of a stakeholders group to advise the City on major projects coming to Northgate. The group was formed as a result of the agreement reached last December by Mayor Nickels, the Seattle City Council, and members of the Northgate community, and represents a wide range of interests in the revitalization of Northgate.

There are 22 seats at the table, representing community groups, businesses, Simon Properties Group, King County/Metro, major institutions in the area, condominium owners, labor, senior citizens, and youth.

The first charges for the group are to advise the City on a plan for open space and pedestrian connections, the Coordinated Transportation Investment Plan, the 5th Ave NE Streetscape Design, and planning for large developments. Large developments for the Northgate area include the Lorig development, the City's project for open space and a storm water feature to benefit Thornton Creek, King County's transit-oriented project, and expansion of Northgate Mall.

The Northgate stakeholders group is one of a number of important steps forward occurring in Northgate, which include the new library, community center and park, the 5th Avenue Streetscape project, and the development coming to the south lot and Northgate Mall.

Northgate Stakeholder Group Members
The Acting Chair of the stakeholders group is Dr. Ronald H. LaFayette, President of North Seattle Community College. Group members include:

• Ron Posthuma (alternate: Jim Jacobson) - King County/Metro
• Gary Weber (alternate: Sam Stalin) - Simon Property Group
• Janice Camp (alternate: Mel Vannice) - Maple Leaf Community Council
• Jerry Owens (alternate: Shannon Snyder) - Licton Spring Community Council
• Velva Maye (alternate: Sue Geving) - Haller Lake Community Council
• Lorena Mrachek (alternate: Scott Grohusky) - Pinehurst Community Council
• Brad Cummings (alternate: Molly Burke) - Victory Heights Community Council
• Shaiza Damji (alternate: Scott Greer) - Northgate Chamber of Commerce
• John Lombard (alternate: Erik Davido) - Thornton Creek Alliance
• Janet Way (alternate: Bob Vreeland) - Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund
• Ron Lafayette (alternate: to be named) - North Seattle Community College
• Chris Roth (alternate: Gayle Ward) - Northwest Hospital
• Kevin Wallace (alternate: Rodney Russell) - Property owners (3 or more acres)
• Jeanne Hayden (alternate: Sandra Morgan) - Senior Housing
• Debra Fulton (alternate: Brad Mason) - Renters/condo owners
• Colleen Mills (alternate: Tom Donnelly) - Multi-family housing developers
• Kurt Schauermann, Orange Julius (alternate: Regina Aiello, Ben Bridge) - Businesses inside the mall
• Michelle Rupp, insurance agency owner (alternate: Dallas Carleton, Display & Costume) - Businesses outside the mall
• Diana Medina, Middle College senior (alternate: Alexia Dorsch) - Youth
• Brad Larssen (alternate: David Hellene) - Labor
• Shawn Oleson (alternate: Barbara Maxwell) - At large
• Marilyn Firlotte (alternate: Mike Vincent) - At-large