Thornton Creek Confluence Update
January 4, 2013
SEPA Checklist
SPU expects to publish the SEPA checklist for the Thornton Creek Confluence Project in May. More information, including the checklist itself will be posted on this website.
December 21st
Notes from November 14th Community Meeting (pdf)
November 14th Presentation (pdf)
November 8th
Community Meeting
Wednesday, November 14th - 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Nathan Hale High School "Commons"
10730 30th Ave. NE
View Flyer (pdf)
Follow up on Comments on 60% Design (pdf)
Graphic Summary of 60% Design Changes (pdf)
Responses to Comments (pdf)
September 10th
SPU received many comments from the public regarding the 60% design of the Thornton Creek Confluence Improvement project throughout August. View a compilation of those questions and comments (pdf).
Thank you to all who took the time to provide feedback – it is greatly appreciated! SPU will be evaluating these comments in September and deciding if and how to incorporate suggestions into the next stage of design, given the primary goals of the project are to reduce flooding and improve Thornton Creek’s natural habitat.
August 7th
A meeting was held at the Meadowbrook Community Center on August 2nd to present the 60% designs for the Confluence project. View the presentation (pdf).
Some parts of the design are already fixed. These include the location and size of the new culvert to go under 35th Ave. N.E. and the stream channel, a design based on stream flows, scientific hydraulic properties, fish passage regulations and other factors.
All comments are welcome, but SPU would like input on these particular areas by August 31:
- To improve habitat and create more flood storage, we need to remove about 13 poplar trees west of 35th Ave. N.E. Is this an acceptable trade-off?
- The existing gravel lot at the end of 36th Ave. N.E. will go away. Should another gravel area be provided for parking along 36th?
- Culvert replacement under 35th Ave. N.E. will require 3 to 7 weeks of construction, depending on full versus partial road closure. This will impact travel on 35th. Do you prefer a full road closure and shorter duration (3-4 weeks)?
- In order to maximize flood storage, the plans currently have no paths through the site and show removal of the existing footbridge near the 36th Ave. N.E. street end. Is there a preference for allowing some limited pedestrian access versus keeping the area natural?
- Would an overlook from the 35th Ave. N.E. sidewalk be preferred in place of a path through the site or in addition to?
July 20th
Community Meeting
Thursday, August 2 - 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Meadowbrook Community Center
10517 35th Ave. NE
Question & Answer Session
Saturday, August 4 - 10 a.m. to noon
Confluence Project Site
10720 35th Ave. NE (Approximate location)
Both sessions are for SPU to present the 60% designs for the Confluence project and to solicit input, suggestions and public concerns about the work. A design overview and full set of 60% design drawings are posted below. We would like to have feedback on what you see, though some items – such as the 35th Ave NE culvert location and size and the stream channel dimensions and location – are fixed due to hydraulics and site constraints. All comments are welcome but particular areas we’d like feedback on are:
- To improve habitat and create flood storage west of 35th, we need to remove approximately 13 poplar trees on the west side of 35th. Is this an acceptable trade-off?
- The gravel area at the south dead end of 36th Ave NE will go away. Should another gravel area be provided for parking on the east side of 36th?
- Culvert replacement under 35th Ave NE will require 3-7 weeks of construction, depending on full closure versus partial street closure. This will impact travel and potentially reduce bus service on 35th. Or would you prefer a full road closure and shorter duration (3-4 weeks)?
- In order to maximize flood storage, the plans currently have no paths through the site and show removal of the existing footbridge near the 36th Ave NE street end. Is there a preference for allowing some limited pedestrian access versus keeping the area natural?
- Would an overlook from the 35th Ave NE sidewalk be preferred in place of a path through the site or in addition to?
Design Overview (pdf)
60% Design (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)