NEW SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION PRIORITIZATION CRITERIA

SCORING GUIDANCE

The goal of the sidewalk construction program is to improve comfort and safety for pedestrians . Given the extent of streets without sidewalks in Seattle, sidewalk construction should be prioritized first in areas that have the most potential for people walking, particularly people for whom walking is a primary means of transportation. Therefore, sidewalk projects within urban villages, on streets that are adjacent to pedestrian-friendly land uses that also have relatively high vehicle volumes and speeds will be given the highest priority. In addition, sidewalk projects will receive priority if:

• they are near a facility that generates higher-than-average pedestrian traffic (such as a transit stop or a library)
• they serve a population that uses walking as a primary form of transportation (such as school-age children)
• they fill in or expand the existing sidewalk network

The following point determination is the first step in project analysis. It is followed by application of balancing factors.

1. Street Type and Land Use– 45 possible points
1a. Land Use - Urban Village
25 points Sidewalk segment is located in an Urban Village

1b. Street Types - classified according to vehicle volumes and adjacent land uses.
20 points Main Streets – an arterial adjacent to neighborhood commercial zoning with a pedestrian overlay
20 points Mixed Use Streets – an arterial adjacent to neighborhood commercial zoning
20 points Green Streets – a non-arterial in downtown Seattle with a pedestrian emphasis
10 points Regional Connectors – a principal arterial with any adjacent land use
10 points Commercial Connectors – a minor arterial with any adjacent land use
10 points Local Connectors – a collector arterial with any adjacent land use
5 points Residential Streets ( Urban Village) – non-arterial streets within an urban village
0 points Industrial Access – an arterial adjacent to industrial or maritime land uses

1c. Land Use - Housing Density
5 points Sidewalk segment is adjacent to a multi-family housing zone outside of an Urban

Village

2. Pedestrian Generators – 30 possible points

Projects will receive the designated number of points for being located within 660’ (one eighth of a mile or approximately two blocks) of a generator.

10 points School – accredited K-12
6 points High capacity transit (rail, light rail, BRT, ferry)
4 points Transit (bus, streetcar)
2 points Major employment center (>100 employees)
4 points for any one of the following:

• Hospital
• Elder care facility
• Facility serving people with disabilities
• Child care center

4 points for any one of the following:

• Park
• Library
• Community Center
• Post Office

3. Target User Population – 20 possible points

Projects will receive the designated number of points if the census block group in which they are located has a higher percentage of a target user population than the city-wide average.

5 points Households with low auto ownership rates
5 points People with disabilities
5 points Senior citizens over 65 and children under 18
5 points People living in low-income housing units

4. Missing Link/Extension of Network – 5 possible points

Projects will receive the designated number of points for building on the existing sidewalk network.

5 points Sidewalk segment fills a missing link and/or connects two pedestrian generators, OR
3 points Sidewalk segment serves as an extension (same side of the street) as an existing sidewalk

Balancing Factors

Once projects have been analyzed according to the categories above, they will be evaluated to determine ultimate priority. For instance, even though a project may rank high initially, other circumstances may determine that the project is not an immediate priority. The following factors help make this determination:

• Geographic balance – Does the project improve the balance of sidewalk funding to be spent among geographic sectors of the City?

• Community interest – Is there significant community support for the project?

• Cost/opportunities – If the project is a high-priority project, are there grant opportunities available? Can the project be timed to coincide with other City projects and make implementation more efficient?

• Previous commitments – Has a commitment been made to complete a project?