Lower Taylor Creek Restoration Project
Project Update 6/10/13
Preliminary Results of the Public Access Option Evaluation ready
The City of Seattle has applied proposed evaluation criteria to public access options for the Lower Taylor Creek Restoration project. Please take a look at the evaluation (pdf) and provide your input by June 28th, 2013. You can provide your feedback online or attend the community open house on June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at VFW Hall (6038 S Pilgrim Street).
Project Update 5/23/13
Results of the options and evaluation criteria survey now available
As part of this public access options analysis process, a survey (pdf) was distributed to over 1,300 nearby residents and stakeholders (via mail, email and at community briefings) to collect feedback on the proposed public access options and draft evaluation criteria. The survey was open from March 12 to April 8 and over 90 people participated. View a summary of the results (pdf), which includes answers to common questions and a full report of responses collected.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. Your input is an essential component to determining how Taylor Creek should be accessed in the future.
Second community input opportunity coming in June
SPU and Parks will be hosting a community open house on June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at VFW Hall (6038 S Pilgrim Street) to share the preliminary results of the access option evaluation.
Stop by anytime to talk with a member of the project team and:
- Review the public access options and the benefits and challenges of each
- Tell us how you think the site should be accessed in the future
- Learn more about the project and proposed stream improvements
- Get familiar with the draft Public Access Analysis Report (available online after June 5)
Project Background
Lower Taylor Creek is located near the south end of Lake Washington in southeast Seattle. The creek originates in the Skyway area of unincorporated King County and passes through a natural area ravine and residential yards, and through a culvert under Rainier Ave S before discharging into the lake. The culvert, along with other barriers, prevents fish passage upstream to Deadhorse Canyon. In general, the lower stream flows through areas with poor habitat.
In 2010 and 2011, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) purchased five parcels of waterfront property at the lower reaches of the creek, which has provided SPU an opportunity to:
- Improve the stream channel and surrounding habitat, particularly for Chinook salmon
- Remove the last fish passage barriers between Lake Washington and Deadhorse Canyon
- Replace the public culvert under Rainier Avenue S
- Address storm-related flooding and sediment deposition at the mouth of the creek (as possible)
SPU plans to design and permit the restoration project in 2014-2015. Project construction will occur in 2015-2016.
Public Access Options Analysis
In 2013, SPU and Seattle Parks and Recreation will be evaluating public access options for the project site to determine if and what kind of public access occurs at the project site once the project is completed. The evaluation will consider habitat restoration needs, City-wide interests, and nearby community concerns. SPU and Parks will publish a Public Access Options Analysis Report to document this work and engage the community and other City departments throughout the decision-making process.
Schedule
SPU began soliciting community input about lower Taylor Creek restoration in late 2011 and early 2012, and will continue collecting feedback throughout the entire options analysis process.
Contact
If you have questions or would like to be involved in the lower Taylor Creek Restoration Project, please attend the public meetings or contact Julie Crittenden, SPU Project Manager, at julie.crittenden@seattle.gov or (206) 233-7164.
Related Documents
March 2013 project mailer and survey (pdf)
Spring 2013 summary results and comments collected (pdf)
Lower Taylor Creek Restoration Project FAQ (pdf)
Community meeting summary - 2/16/2012 (pdf)
Community meeting summary - 8/31/2011 (pdf)
Conceptual Design (pdf)
Issues and Concerns (pdf)