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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor makes growth pay for growth in transportation
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
10/4/2005 12:30:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor makes growth pay for growth in transportation
Nickels’ new program will generate tens of millions for roads and
sidewalks
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels is introducing a transportation growth payment
to significantly increase the amount private developers pay to improve roads,
add bike lanes and build sidewalks in some of Seattle’s fastest-growing
neighborhoods.
The new program will be launched in South Lake Union and -- with City Council
support -- expanded soon to other urban neighborhoods where the city is encouraging
development. In some cases, it is expected to double what the typical private
development now pays in transportation mitigation.
In South Lake Union, the program could generate $15 million to improve sidewalks,
roads, bike lanes and other transportation projects over the next 20 years.
“One of the keys to creating thriving, urban neighborhoods is making
sure that people can get around easily on a bike, in a car, and especially
on foot.” Nickels said. “Transportation projects are essential,
and developers must pay their fair share as these neighborhoods grow.”
Earlier this year, Nickels announced his plan to impose a new impact fee on
private developments for new parks and open space in the downtown, University
District and Northgate neighborhoods.
Current regulations require developers to pay transportation mitigation based
on environmental studies of how the individual project affects traffic. This
can lead to a piecemeal approach and little money for building roads and sidewalks
to benefit the neighborhoods.
Under Nickels’ plan, developers could choose instead to pay a mitigation
fee based on the size and type of project. Money from the program would be
used on projects identified in the South Lake Union transportation study, which
is a comprehensive look at the road, sidewalk and transit improvements needed
to successfully accommodate growth in the neighborhood.
By 2025, it is anticipated that South Lake Union will be home to 16,000 new
jobs and 8,000 new housing units. To prepare for this new influx of growth
and to fix existing conditions like the Mercer "mess," the Seattle
Department of Transportation (SDOT) prepared the South Lake Union Transportation
Study.
South Lake Union Transportation Study includes a two-way Mercer Street, the
streetcar and a number of other transit, pedestrian and bicycle projects that,
taken together:
- reconnect a growing neighborhood to the City;
- untangle streets that create barriers in the middle of Seattle;
- improve mobility for people in Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Eastlake and
surrounding neighborhoods that use this corridor;
- promote transit, walking, and biking; and
- continue a smooth flow of freight and people through the corridor.
The study is based on recommendations from the South Lake Union Neighborhood
Plan, the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Project, the Mercer Corridor Project
and other recent planning efforts. The study also provides a funding plan,
which anticipates contributions from new development in the form of mitigation
payments. The study was prepared with the help of consultants, Parsons Brinckerhoff
and EnviroIssues.
The city could extend this system to other parts of the city where area-wide
transportation studies have been prepared or are planned next year, such as
downtown, the University District, and Northgate. The City Council must still
approve funding for those plans.
Contributions to the program are based on the use and square footage of new
development or the number of dwelling units. Office projects would pay $1.95
per square foot; research and development labs would pay $1.40 per square foot;
and residential would pay $930 per apartment or condominium.
The area-wide transportation study and list of improvements will substitute
for all or most of the transportation analysis and mitigation otherwise required
by DPD as part of environmental review of development projects (pursuant to
the State Environmental Policy Act - SEPA).
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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