Passing the torch

Back in 1990 a group of neighbors living near Meany Middle School formed the Miller Park Neighborhood Association, in response to rampant drug dealing around the school. The neighborhood association prospered and I became the newsletter editor, then a co-chair, then the website guru, then the blogger. We participated in the City's Urban Village planning in the late 1990's, helped design the Miller Community Center, and built the fountain next to it. (And along the way we fought off a TV tower and lobbied for better ballfield lights and a better ballfield). Eventually the neighborhood became so quiet that the need for a neighborhood group sort of tiptoed quietly away.

Back in 2013, neighbors expressed a desire to organize again, and we had an initial meeting (having stated our goals on this blog), and a committee meeting and declared ourselves to be Miller Park Neighbors. Not a lot has happened since then, other than the now completed Greenways project, and the new neighborhood group quietly languished, other than a few blog posts (see blog archive, on the right margin).

A group of neighbors is now concerned about the impacts of the City's HALA proposals on our neighborhood, and is working to inform the neighborhood of the issues. One of Miller Park Neighbors' co-chairs (Julianne Anderson) has left the neighborhood, and the other (Guillaume Mauger) is too busy to continue, but has agreed that we hand the reins of "Miller Park Neighbors" over to this new group, which includes several members who've been active in the neighborhood for the last 30 years that I know of.

We hope that this new group will:

• educate us about HALA and what to do about it, via several meetings, etc.
• appoint some temporary neighborhood association co-chairs
• have a meeting to formalize the revived Miller Park Neighbors and formally elect some officers.

They already have a blog editor and a core group of neighbors working on the HALA issues.

I wish them all the best in their efforts to maintain the health of our quirky little neighborhood.

Andrew Taylor

(former) Lord High Everything Else

A rash of burglaries

What the ashes look like.

My house was broken in to last Wednesday during the day - broke a kitchen window, rummaged
around and seemingly left with nothing other than my house and car keys and my wife's ashes.

I posted this on Nextdoor.com (in case anyone saw the ashes) and got lots of sympathy (but no ashes):

My home was burglarized yesterday (20th & John). Broken window. Thief apparently searching for valuables - lots of drawers emptied out. Only obvious item missing is a clear plastic bag containing about 3 lb of my late wife's ashes. See photo: it's a fine white powder. If you see it around I'd sort of like to get it back. (I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so did both). I had scattered some of the ashes (hence got closure) but thought of a great location for the rest (it's been > 5 years so it's not been a pressing issue!). I have reported this information to the police.

Several other similar posts on Nextdoor - clearly one active burglar around, going only for expensive watches and jewelry. This follow-up post from Nextdoor provides excellent advice:

We were also burgled two weeks ago (Jan 9th) during the daytime on Olin Place. Similar story to what other neighbors here have experienced. They broke the glass in our backdoor and took only jewelry and watches. I agree with Trevor Cobb, they must have a way to sell these things much more easily, quickly, and safely than other items like lap tops and the like which they ignored. I haven’t seen any of it on eBay or Craigslist, so I wonder if they are using one of the other online options people here have mentioned.

And as someone else noted, there seems to be quite a lot of this going on right now on the Hill. The investigating officer said it was the third burglary call he got that day alone.

One thing the SPD officer did say about prevention is to get an alarm system that makes a lot of noise, ie, loud enough that neighbors can hear it when it goes off. He said the racket tends to send them immediately running. He also said one method they often use to identify houses to rob is to go door to door ringing the doorbell with some scam story to present and if no one answers at a house, they go around to the back and try to find a way in. There are doorbell-type devices that connect to your phone so that if someone rings it, you are called and can respond to whomever is on the other side of the door as if you were in the house. 

Curiously, he also recommended keeping a clean glass jar full of quarters next to collections of jewelry and watches. The coins are apparently irresistible and when they grab the jar to empty it, they leave their finger prints.

Update (1/25/17) from a Nextdoor fellow vicitm

Just a quick update on our situation, the detective has us looking at jewelry next week. They have apprehended suspects that were caught with goods that appear to match ours. We'll circle back if we're able to confirm as much. Sounds similar to the work of this burglary group, though I'd never thought of my life as "high end".

Residential Parking Zone impacts on Miller Park.

Several people on Nextdoor are concerned that the proposed RPZ expansion south of Madison will have knock-on impacts on our neighborhood, and that we should be working to get such an RPZ ourselves.

• People interested in that? Chime in via the comments on this blog post
• Anyone interested in heading up the effort?
• Anyone interested in being an "Officer" for our neighborhood group. One of our co-chairs has left the neighborhood and the other would certainly like some help.

Some comments I've seen:

(from Nextdoor)

Hello, 
Don't know if anyone else was able to attend the SDOT's meeting on the expansion of Zone 2 parking zone. Basically everything South of Madison will be added to the RPZ. As a resident directly North of Madison, this is not going to be pleasant. We need to present a letter signed by at least 10 different residents from different streets in the Miller Park area. Let me know if you would like to help out. I have asked for a format letter from the SDOT. 
Regards, 

So, for the letter to SDOT, are you proposing adding Miller Park to the expanded Zone 2 or Zone 4 RPZ? I would support that. What boundaries: north of Madison, east of 19th (west of 19th is already Zone 4), west of 23rd, south of Aloha?

Are you looking to include your chunk of the 'hood to one of the RPZ's, or ask that the expansion not happen and both areas remain unzoned?

I support more RPZs or expanding current ones; I do not support fighting the Zone 2 expansion.

(comments to me)

I’m going to try to attend the Feb. 9 RPZ meeting at the Bullitt Center

I also propose convening a Miller Park Neighborhood meeting to discuss, once again, an RPZ in our neighborhood. With the Country Doc expansion (including apartments and no parking), Miller Playfield useage, upcoming Meany construction, and new apartments and businesses on 19^th, parking for residents has become more difficult. I’ve even heard that Microsoft employees are parking in the neighborhood and then catching the commuter bus that stops in front of County Doc.

(From a while ago, from a neighbor about Meany School and the RPZ)

I just talked to the Land-Use attorney about Meany's renovation requirements, and because of the scope of the work (no new buildings more then 4000 sq. ft.) they will not be required to do a Type 2 Master Use Permit  (MUP) they may have to do a  Type 1 MUP, but that process doesn't help us. No hearings  or traffic studies required so no official accommodations.  TOPS had to do a Type 2 MUP which is why they had to go through a 90 day hearing process. The attorney is gong to try to find the recorded covenants between TOPS and the Eastlake neighborhood so we can use them as a template for an agreement between us and the school. Perhaps we can get them to agree to these without the MUP hearing process.

Vincent Gonzales, district project manager for Meany's renovation, is asking SDOT if they will do a traffic study of the streets around Meany as part of a collaboration between SDOT and schools having to do with student safety. We were told that Brian Doherty (hope that spelling is correct) is the SDOT liaison to the school district. Beyond the 23rd St. SDOT issues we should be talking to him as well.

It looks to me like the neighborhood is  on its own as far as Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) goes. I just looked up the Capitol HIll RPZ map and there IS at least one route that could easily continue onto our side of 19th.  One rule of the RPZ is that the zone must be at least 10 contiguous blocks which is why we want to modify the existing zone and bring it east across 19th on Mercer. From there we can propose to expand it as far as neighbors want. Certainly at least down and around Meany school.  I'm attaching the web page describing the process. They mention multiple times that it will take at least one year.  We need to add this to our SDOT agenda.  ALso, btw, the Capitol Hill zone is divide into "Area 1" and "Area 2". Area 1 is totally free to residents because it's institutional impact is Group Health. Area 2 residents pay $65./year/car (up to 2 cars), plus $30./year for visitors.  Coming down Mercer will be a continuation of Area 2, but maybe if we can show that we have multiple commercial and institutional impacts we can be  a free zone as well.   We need a neighbor to take this on and see it through which will be a long term commitment (at least one year).

Here is the RPZ web page;

http://shar.es/UoW2q

Seattle Department of Transportation, Residential Parking Zone Program (RPZ), City of Seattle

Proposed Residential Parking Zone

I learnt (via Nextdoor) of a proposal for a new Residential Parking Zone (RPZ) in an area between Madison and Union. It's south of our neighborhood, but it's very likely to displace cars from that neighborhood into our neighborhood.

Here's the scoop:

• Link to the postcard advertising the meeting (copied below) and a map of the existing RPZ
• Department of Transportation webpage about RPZs
• Our neighborhood investigated joining an RPZ back in the early 2000's but decided not to. Here are Miller webpage links from back then.
• Here's the Nextdoor thread discussing the RPZ.
• Capitol Hill Times has more info.

Suggestions of what we might do:

• Go to the meeting and learn about RPZ's.
• Have a Miller neighborhood meeting and decide if a RPZ would be good for us.
• (I'll write soon with thoughts about how we might invigorate our neighborhood group).
• Please add your thoughts to this message or E-mail them to andrew_taylor@me.com

Central Area Neighborhood Greenway - 2 Way Update

(received October 12th: apologies for delay in posting. AFT)
Dear Neighbors,

Many of you have written in and I want to begin by thanking you for your organized efforts. We appreciate your feedback regarding the traffic changes planned for 21st Ave E between E Aloha St and E Roy St as well as on 21st Ave E between E Republican St and E John St.

I apologize for the delay in responding, however, after having received so many emails I wanted to ensure that those internal to SDOT were aware of your concerns and that we were able to respond accordingly. That being said, I’d like to start out by clarifying a few key points that may help to ease some of the concerns we’ve heard.

21st Ave E between E Aloha and E Roy Streets

The change on 21st Ave E between E Aloha and E Roy streets is intended to allow for two-way bike traffic on the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway. It will not remove parking and is also not intended to change the current operational movement of vehicles. In order to achieve this we plan to keep the “Do Not Enter” signs currently in place at E Roy St to prevent northbound vehicles from entering, and we will remove the “One Way” sign at E Aloha, so southbound drivers are aware that bicyclists may be coming northbound. Because there are no driveways along this stretch of 21st Avenue E, our expectation is that there should be no northbound vehicle traffic movement.

We have heard your concerns regarding coordination with Holy Names and have had conversations with the school as recently as September. We have done our best to keep them informed and involved in both the route selection and design of the Central Area Neighborhood Greenway. When we met last month and discussed the changes described above, Holy Names administrators and faculty understand that for drivers, the street will continue to operate as it does today.

21st Ave E between E John and E Republican Streets

The traffic change on 21st Ave E between E John St and E Republican St will again not remove any on street parking. The “Do Not Enter” sign and curb bulb at E John Street will remain in place to prevent northbound traffic from entering. In addition and after hearing your concerns, our traffic management team has decided instead of removing the existing “Do Not Enter” sign at E Thomas St, that we will leave the signage and add “except bicycles” to be placed underneath the “Do Not Enter” sign. This will keep vehicular traffic traveling southbound only, as it does today.  In sum, 21st Ave E between E John and E Republican streets will be one-way southbound for vehicles and two-way for bicycles.

We are working with the new Meany Middle School, which shares the greenway goal of reducing vehicle traffic and promoting walking and biking, to incorporate the Greenway design into their traffic operations plan. We are also working with Seattle World School, who currently occupy the Meany site, to relay information about the changes for bikes to faculty, students and staff. 

Thank you again for being in touch. Your feedback helps us make Seattle’s greenways work for everyone. If I’ve missed anyone on this email that you know would be interested in knowing about this project or the topic at hand, your help forwarding this on would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Maribel Cruz

Maribel Cruz

Sr. Communications Advisor

City of Seattle Department of Transportation

O: 206.684.7963 | F: 206.615.1237 | maribel.cruz@seattle.gov

23rd Ave construction update: Major detour changes begin November 30, Cherry St work this Saturday

Major construction detour changes begin November 30 On Monday, November 30, crews will extend the northbound closure of 23rd Ave from E Cherry St to E Union St (Zone B) as construction progresses north. This means northbound 23rd Ave will be closed from S Jackson St to E Union St with detours to Martin Luther King Jr Way. Southbound traffic will be maintained in Zones A and B. 23rd Ave will remain open to traffic in both directions from E Union St to E John St. Read the latest construction notice for more information, including a map of the upcoming detour configuration. Schedule update Crews have made good progress rebuilding 23rd Ave since construction began in June, and the project is on schedule for completion in early 2017. However, the timing and phasing of the northbound detour has changed from original plans and now includes some overlap between Zone A and B. This overlap is needed to keep the overall project on schedule as a result of construction challenges encountered in Zone A with the planned locations for the new trolley poles. Here is the latest schedule by zone: Zone A (S Jackson St to E Cherry St) Full northbound detour began June 2015 and is expected through spring 2016 Zone B (E Cherry St to E Union St) Full northbound detour to begin November 30 and continue through summer 2016 Zone C (E Union St to E John St) Early utility work is underway now through January 2016 Full northbound detour is anticipated to begin in spring or summer 2016 and extend through early 2017 We know construction can be difficult, and we appreciate your patience as we construct important safety and mobility improvements. For more information about the schedule update, read the new Frequently Asked Questions document on the website. Intersection closure at E Cherry St November 21 Crews plan to close the E Cherry St and 23rd Ave intersection this Saturday from 7 AM to 10 PM to continue storm drainage and electrical work, though this work is weather dependent. View the detour routes for the intersection closure here. Don’t forget you can enter local access areas to get to businesses and residences near the intersection. Mark your calendars for our December drop-in session Tuesday, December 8, 4:30-6:30 PM Garfield Community Center Multipurpose Room 2323 E Cherry Street, Seattle, WA 98122 Other construction activities Crews will conduct night work near the intersection of E Pike St and 23rd Ave on November 20 – 21 in order to make temporary water main connections. Neighbors should expect construction activities throughout the night and into Saturday morning. This work will coincide with temporary water service interruptions. On November 12, crews closed Garfield High School's southern driveway on 23rd Ave for up to two weeks in order to demolish and pave a nearby section of 23rd Ave. During this closure, school buses are using a temporary load zone on E Alder St between 23rd and 25th avenues. Expect increased bus traffic and travel delays long E Alder St during school pick-up and drop-off times. Crews continue replacing the water main in Zone C. During this work, drivers can travel both north and south on 23rd Ave, though travel is reduced to one lane in each direction. Crews continue to demolish and repave sidewalks from S Jackson St to E Yesler Way on the east and west sides of 23rd Ave. Please use caution and pay attention to sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours. For more information Visit: www.seattle.gov/transportation/23rd_Ave.htm Email: 23rdAveCorridor@seattle.gov Call the 24-hour project hotline: 206-727-8857

SEEKING CLUES IN THE CASE OF THE MISSING PARK BENCH

Have you seen a green park bench painted "miller park neighborhood"?

A couple of weeks ago, some parents were waiting our usual 5-20 minutes for the elementary school bus to reach its stop at 19th/republican.  We thought about how nice it would be to have a place to sit.  Feeling inspired and neighborly, a park bench was procured and placed in the dirt patch at 19th/republican, by the utility pole.  It was painted "miller park neighborhood".

It disappeared overnight.

The next day it was found along Republican, presumably by mistake/prank, and brought back to 19th/republican where it was secured by a heavy-duty cable & lock.

Within 24 hours, it disappeared again!

There was no evidence of the presumed cut cable, lock, or bench.  I erroneously assumed the adjacent property owner (apartment) was involved, but the manager/owner confirmed no.

Any information leading to recovery of this donated community resource would be much appreciated. It can live somewhere else if needed, I would just like to know where it is and why it was offensive in its prior location.

Thanks!

Stephanie

stephstone@gmail.com