Thank you for your interest in the Aurora Avenue urban design study! Your comments will help the City refine the proposals as we finalize our study of urban design, land use and streetscape on Aurora Avenue north of Greenlake from N 72nd to N 90th Streets.
Background: In response to requests from the community and the development of a citizens’ Action Agenda by a group of community stakeholders, Mayor Nickels has launched an initiative to assist in the revitalization of the Aurora Avenue N. corridor between N. 72nd and N. 90th Streets. The City is undertaking this study to investigate a range of future scenarios for this corridor that examine constraints and opportunities relating to land use, urban design, and transportation. The goal is a plan for the corridor that establishes a vision and recommends revitalization and improvement strategies supporting the neighborhood’s Action Agenda.
Organizing the Study: Seattle’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is providing support to the Aurora Avenue Task Force, a group of citizens representing neighborhood business, residents and community groups. The Urban Design subcommittee of the Task Force is working with OPM and the Seattle Department of Planning and Development (DPD) on the urban design study. DPD has hired Cascade Design Collaborative (CDC) to provide Urban Design and Traffic analysis for the study which is taking place between October 2008 and March 2009. In addition to OPM, DPD, CDC and the Urban Design Committee, other City Departments are providing input on the study. King County Metro Transit is also involved as they prepare to plan for the Bus Rapid Transit routes that will begin running on Aurora Ave in 2013. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is also providing feedback since they have jurisdiction over the function of Aurora Ave (State Route 99).
Community Input: The Urban Design Committee of the Aurora Task Force (made up of community volunteers) is providing guidance on consultant hiring, outreach, meeting format and the content of the study. This group meets monthly and other community members are welcome to join (contact Paul Fischburg at OPM, paul.fischburg@seattle.gov or 684-8395 for more information). The team has organized a series of community meetings to provide input to the study (click here for community meeting materials and notes). On November 10, 2008 the community provided the team with their thoughts about what is working and what is not working along the Aurora corridor today as well as their vision and values for the corridor. Based on what the consultants heard at this meeting and with the help of the team, they developed four alternatives for locating the bus rapid transit stops and for improving the pedestrian environment in the vicinity of these stops. These alternatives were presented at a second community meeting on December 8, 2008 for community feedback.
The team also repeated the agenda of the November 10 community meeting for the Aurora Avenue Merchant’s Association on November 13, 2008 and is scheduled to repeat the agenda for the December 8 community meeting in January.
Survey: With all of the materials posted on line, we are seeking additional input through a survey based on the four alternatives mentioned above (click here to complete the survey). With input from the surveys, the results of the December 8 community meeting, feedback from the Aurora Avenue Merchants Association, city departments, King County Metro and WSDOT, the team will refine proposals to present at the next community meeting,
Next Community Meeting February 9, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Greenwood Senior Center 585 N 85th Street: At this upcoming (3rd) community meeting we will have a presentation of refined land use alternatives, an overall streetscape design plan as well as some design details of proposed street elements. We will be looking for community discussion, feedback and prioritization of these ideas which will be included in the finial study.
Finalizing the Study: We expect the final study to be completed in March 2009. The study itself will not result in any changes to zoning or investments decisions. We hope the study is useful in providing guidance to:
- Metro Transit for planning their Bus Rapid Transit service along the corridor;
- City Departments and State Department of Transportation for future policy and public investment decisions in the corridor;
- Property owners as they contemplate redevelopment of their properties;
- Community groups for undertaking community improvement projects.
The final study will present a set of findings based on community and public agency input on:
- Guidelines for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Bus Stop Locations
Guidelines to ensure well-designed BRT bus stops that will serve transit needs, while fitting in with the surrounding street and property context, thereby contributing to the community’s vision for the future. - Streetscape Improvement Concepts for Corridor Recommended streetscape improvements and urban design concepts that will improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, district identity and aesthetics, and the natural environment, while maintaining local business accessibility and the effectiveness of transit and roadway traffic functions.
- Land Use Development and Urban Design Opportunities
Land use, development and urban design strategies that will help establish a compelling vision for improved urban form, identity and comfort in this area. The study will explore and prioritize stakeholder preferences, as well as identifying short-term and longer-term implementation strategies.
