The Mayor’s 2005-2006 budget proposal provides $159 million in funding for 190 projects that support 38 neighborhood plans. The proposed capital improvement program would invest more than $67 million in 2005, an increase of $16 million from 2004. Then, in 2006, $92 million would be spent on neighborhood projects. The Mayor protected the citywide Neighborhood Matching Fund, holding it steady at $3.2 million per year despite huge revenue shortfalls.

Here are some highlights of projects and programs planned for Northgate, Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, Lake City , Ravenna , Pinehurst, the University District and surrounding neighborhoods.

Get Seattle Moving

In 2005, the Mayor’s budget proposes to repave more than 85 lane miles of city streets, including more than 44 miles of arterial roadways. His proposal also includes improving the timing of traffic signals at more than 150 locations and installing 55 new curb ramps. In addition, the Mayor’s budget includes funding to fill up to 70,000 potholes if needed.

• Improve the Fifth Avenue Northeast Streetscape - Create a pedestrian-friendly corridor along 5th Avenue Northeast between Northeast 100th Street and Northgate Way . The project includes wider sidewalks, better defined street crossings, medians and street trees, relocated and improved bus stops and shelters, and improved access to the new Northgate branch library and community center.
• Extend Third Avenue Northeast – Design a new 3 rd Avenue Northeast roadway which will provide access to park improvements, planned development of current vacant properties, and pedestrian access to the Northgate Transit station.
• Provide Pedestrian and Street Improvements Along Lake City Way Northeast - Improve transit signals and interconnect the 15 signalized intersections along the route, construct transit queue jumps where feasible, improve sidewalk connections along the route, upgrade and modernize lighting along the route for both vehicles and pedestrians. Amenities such as street trees and bus shelters at transfer points and transit stops have been installed. Landscaped medians and a northbound business access, right-turn and transit (BAT) lane has been constructed.
• Improve Mobility Along Major Arterials - Upgrade and interconnect 24 traffic signals, provide new concrete paving, asphalt resurfacing, curb bulbs, landscaping, emergency vehicle preemption and street lighting upgrades along 35th Avenue Northeast , Northeast 65 th Street and Northeast 75 th Street .
• Improve Sidewalks Along Arterials – To improve pedestrian and bus rider safety, sidewalks will be improved along the west side of 15th Avenue Northeast between Northeast 92nd Street and Northeast 106th Street , along Northeast 130 th Street from 30 th Avenue Northeast to Lake City Way Northeast , and along Northeast 110 th from 35 th Avenue towards John Rogers Elementary School .

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Keep our neighborhoods safe

Seattle has one of the lowest violent crime rates of any major city in the nation. However, property crime and illegal drugs remain an issue in our neighborhoods. The Mayor’s budget proposes to expand the Neighborhood Corrections Initiative Teams (NCI) into all five police precincts. This is a partnership between Seattle Police and the Department of Corrections (DOC), which allows officers to more effectively supervise DOC clients residing in the city. NCI teams are proactive and are often able to intervene before crimes occur. The Mayor also proposes to reconstitute the Stay Out of Drug Area (SODA) program, which helps keep known drug offenders out of neighborhoods where they cause the most harm. All neighborhoods will also benefit from the addition of two full-time staff members for the Seattle Disaster Aid and Response Teams (SDART) to train Seattle neighborhoods to be self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours following a major disaster.

• Renovate Fire Station #17 - Expand the station, on a larger site, with no detriment to its potentially historical character. Seismic safety will be improved, and improvements will be made to the roof and the heating and air-conditioning systems. This expansion will permit Station 17 to assume responsibility as the lead station for Seattle's northeast sector. The expansion will also create greater capacity for the existing engine and ladder truck. The existing apparatus bay will house a medic unit moved from Station 16 with the possible addition of another medic unit depending on future demand.
• Reduce Flooding on Major Arterials – To reduce the risk of urban flooding, improvements will be made to the storm drain systems along the 1500-2600 blocks of Aurora Avenue North, along 105 th Street between Aurora Avenue and Northgate Mall, along Lake City Way between 92 nd Street and 95 th Street, along 30 th Avenue Northeast, and along 10 th Avenue Northeast.
• Reduce Flooding in the Thornton Creek Watershed - Reduce high impact stormwater flows in Thornton Creek and improve stream habitat in Thornton Creek in Parks 1, 2, and 6 and downstream of Jackson Park Golf Course. Design and build the Pinehurst Green Grid natural drainage system.
• Develop Urban Flood Prevention and Response Program – To improve response time and recovery from large storms, a new community program will be developed in conjunction with a new flooding database and management system.
• Reduce the Landslide Risk along the Burke Gilman Trail – To reduce the risk of landslides along the Burke Gilman Trail, improvements will be made to the drainage system at Northeast 144 th Street .

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Create jobs and opportunity for all

The Mayor’s budget proposal maintains $160,000 in funding for neighborhood business district grants. Like neighborhood matching funds, these grants enable business districts to determine how to best serve the economic development needs of their neighborhood. The Mayor’s proposal also funds Community Technology Grants of $80,000 to provide matching funds and technical assistance to underserved communities.

• Provide Funding for Technology to Underserved Communities –Through the cable franchise agreement, the City will also provide 88 high speed cable broadband connections worth more than $150,000 to community organizations. Those who received these connections in 2004 include: the North Seattle Family Center, the Low-Income Housing Institute at Sand Point, Compass Center Mary Witt House, Lake City Neighborhood Service Center and Food Bank, and the Ryther Child Center.

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Build strong families and healthy communities

With the passage of the Families and Education Levy, we will increase investment in children and youth by $4 million, for a total of $31 million, benefiting families in every neighborhood. The Mayor’s Children and Youth Budget aligns levy funds with general fund support.

The Mayor’s 2005 budget will maintain full funding for the capital funding necessary to increase and preserve rental housing ($20 million), expand our supply of affordable homeownership units ($3.6 million) and repair and weatherize existing housing stock ($4.3 million).

• Build a New Branch Library at Northgate – This branch, located on the site of the former Bon Tire Center, will have a new collection capacity of 40,200 books and materials, a meeting room, modern technology services and equipment, reading and homework areas for children and youth, and computer work stations and instruction areas.
• Build a New Community Center and Park at Northgate – The new community center will offer activities such as: teen camps, basketball leagues, classes, after-school programs, and community meeting space. The new Northgate Park will include a multi-purpose recreation area, a community center play area, and a space for public gatherings.
• Develop the Channel at Thornton Creek – Located in the south lot of Northgate Mall, the Channel at Thornton Creek includes the creation of an open channel with water flowing through it year round, native plant landscaping, and pedestrian connections, as well as water quality features that help clean urban runoff from roads, buildings and parking lots throughout the headwaters of the south branch of Thornton Creek.
• Renovate the University Branch Library – Improvements to this branch will include new seating and shelving, more efficient circulation desk and work areas, new computer work stations and study areas, more electrical, communications and computer connections, elevator access to the meeting room, upgraded technology services and equipment, improved ventilation, energy-efficient windows throughout, and an updated book collection.
• Renovate the Laurelhurst Community Center – Expand and upgrade current facility, which currently includes a playground, a pottery studio, and a meeting space.
• Stabilize arts and cultural investments – Restoration of Admissions Tax funding for arts and culture ensures support for neighborhood arts council initiatives, access to arts experiences in communities and after school youth arts training. 2004 funding supported programs like Music Center of the Northwest, based in northeast Seattle, a unique community music school, providing professional instruction and performing opportunities for people from pre-schoolers to seniors.

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