Parking. Tuesday night's discussion topic for the third in a series of Sound Transit-led forums on 'transit oriented development' of the land surrounding the future Capitol Hill light rail station isn't exactly sexy. In fact, Sound Transit seems to be hoping to sex the night up by also including a discussion about the Nagle Place, um, extension. Super sexy.

But don't let that fool you. The Nagle Place discussion will be a happy thing, to be sure -- as we reported, Sound Transit is working on an agreement that will turn the extended street into a home for the weekend farmers market once the station is complete in 2016. That's hot. But the real conversation needs to be about a key element in determining the transportation future of the development that eventually graces the real estate around the station.

Here is our coverage of the first two TOD sessions:

• Community uses
• Housing and retail

The forum format thus far has been Sound Transit and assembled experts providing information followed by Sound Transit officials taking questions from the audience -- though, to their credit, ST mixed it up in the Housing and retail session by facilitating smaller group break-out discussions. All of this ostensibly goes toward Sound Transit gathering community feedback to inform their future decisions, etc.

But the real workstream we need to pay attention to is ST's RFQ/RFP process. The requirements and the framework surrounding the agency's 'request for proposals' on the development work can -- and need to be -- shaped. It's a community/political process. These forums are part of the community/politics. Stakeholders are listening. We'll need people and organizations with political clout to champion our 'community' requirements (BTW, "Why haven't you attended a Capitol Hill TOD forum?" might be a good question to ask your favorite city councilmember or candidate). The RFQ/RFP process won't get hot and heavy until around 2011, reportedly, so we're slowly building toward the process.

Tonight we'll discuss parking. In a document presented to the stakeholder group working with Sound Transit to shape the community (political?) process around TOD, Sound Transit officials outlined the following focus areas for the discussion about parking-related planning for the possible retail, housing and community development around the Hill's light rail station. From the ST document (attached to this post):

•    Incorporate parking for the business district in redevelopment plan

−    Access from Broadway should not be permitted

−    Provide permanent, predictable, affordable parking supply for customers (not commuters)

−    Use the less desirable areas of the site (especially below grade) for parking

•    Consider creative ways to construct parking as part of site development

−    Sound Transit could concurrently build the station and underground parking, saving significant construction costs for an incoming developer

−    Sound Transit could also construct and lease back the garage

More notes from the ST outline of parking issues and opportunities in the light rail TOD:

• Business district lacks parking:
  
  

  According to the Capitol Hill Chamber, the business district lacks sufficient business and retail parking.  In addition, Sound Transit has removed several public pay parking lots (approximately 113 stalls) to construct the Capitol Hill station.  The Capitol Hill Chamber has expressed concerns that light rail riders may utilize remaining public parking for commuter parking; thereby further decreasing retail parking supply.

• City code restraints:



Code and policy requirements and constraints are a consideration to including business district parking at the TOD sites.  The City’s code eliminated minimum parking requirements for development within the Station Area Overlay (SAO).  Due to the area pedestrian designation and SAO, access to parking would not be allowed from Broadway.

 

The SAO prohibits single-purpose parking structures however it would allow community-serving short-term parking.  There are no parking maximums in the code.

Sound Transit policy is to not provide new commuter parking at Link stations in urban areas.  The Station Area Plans specifically proposed actions that created station areas predicated on transit oriented development and urban design that was supportive of non-auto access to Link.  Although short-term parking could be operated so that it is not used by commuters, attracting large numbers of cars to garages at station entries would compromise the desired pedestrian orientation of the sites and station areas. 

• Sound Transit's mission
  
  

  Sound Transit has maintained its position that as a regional transit agency, increasing community parking supply is inconsistent with its mission of providing transit service. Construction of a light rail station in this area will in fact mitigate loss of parking. Sound Transit will also not provide commuter parking at the Capitol Hill station.
  
  Sound Transit’s business and policy positions to date have been:
  • TOD site developers will likely provide some level of parking for tenants and retail customers (short-term) of TOD businesses.
  • Developers will not provide commuter parking or additional parking to serve business district (contrary to mission and not financially feasible).
  • ST will not build parking concurrent with station construction, construct parking and lease back garage, or subsidize parking for developers.

• Market forces
  
  

  To be competitive in the market each of these elements will need to be supported by some amount of parking. The number of parking spaces needed to compete with other space in the market in 2015 is unknown at this time; however, today the ratios in the table below provide some indication of market demand.
  Residential = .75 to 1.0 spaces per unit
  Office = 1 to 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet
  Retail = None necessary – more is better
  

The document also has a list of alternatives to parking that the station development requirements could be shaped to include:

Reducing total parking provided to meet minimum development needs:  In the station area overlay zone, there is no minimum requirement for parking.  However, developers generally need to provide some parking for tenant use which is often a requirement for construction loans.  Sound Transit will encourage the developer to keep parking at a minimum amount that makes sense for the development.  As fewer parking spaces are provided for personal car parking, users will look to other access options.  

Shared parking: Depending on the uses in the developments, parking can be shared between uses at different times of the day.  For example, a parking space could be utilized by an office employee during the daytime and a restaurant or other customer in the evening.

Commuter Financial Incentives:  Residential parking spaces could be offered to tenants only at an extra fee, and not bundled in overall rent costs.  Residents could be provided an opportunity to forgo a parking space for transit pass discounts and lower rental rates.  This would encourage use of transit, while lessening the need for parking within the development and/or in the neighboring community.  

Encourage retail use of transit:  Future retailers could promote use of transit instead of driving cars by offering small discounts to shoppers using transit when shopping.  Developing such incentives would be at the discretion of retailers to determine, but in a situation where limited parking is available directly at the site, more shoppers could be encouraged to use transit to get there.

Provide transit information: Property managers could provide up to date transit information, ride-sharing opportunities, bicycle services and facilities and other non-car information.

Reserved parking spaces for one or more car- sharing vehicles (Zip Car):  Developers could incorporate parking spaces for a flex car that can be utilized by the tenants of the developments.  This arrangement would offer use of cars for specific occasions but would not require the consistent need for parking for individual car ownership.  Tenants would have the option of a car when they need it, but would rely on transit, biking or walking at other times.

Electric Car Charging Stations:  Providing facilities and parking for electric car charging stations provides an alternative to typical car parking, while also working to achieve sustainability goals.  

Bicycle Parking:  The Capitol Hill Station west entrance plaza will provide bike racks for light rail patron bike parking.  In addition to this bike parking space, there will likely be a need for additional bike parking for transit users as well as tenants of the TOD sites.  Bike parking facilities will continue to be a need in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, so Sound Transit may pursue some additional bike parking arrangement with the TOD developers.  This could entail below grade bike parking for tenants (customers) of the TOD sites, and/or could also consist of some street level or below grade public (customer) bike parking.  Sound Transit may encourage or require the developers of one or more of the TOD sites to consider creating more bike space as a public amenity.

Sound Transit or the developer may also seek grant opportunities or partnerships to explore how bike parking can be further incorporated at the TOD sites.

There you go. A crash course in TOD parking concerns, issues and opportunities. Like we said, not sexy.

Capitol Hill Station: Transit Oriented Development Community Forum, Tuesday, Oct. 27

Ever wonder what it might look like around the Capitol Hill Link light rail station once construction is completed?

Join us for a discussion about transit oriented development issues at the station. This is the third in a series of quarterly community forums exploring future transit oriented development concepts at the station site.

This forum will focus on the Nagle Place extension and parking associated with the development sites.  Sound Transit will also present some promising news about plans involving the Broadway Sunday Farmers Market.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 
6– 8 p.m. (presentation begins at 6:15 p.m.) 
Century Ballroom 
915 E. Pine St. 
Seattle, WA 98122

For more information: 
Contact Michelle Ginder at 206-398-5328 or michelle.ginder@soundtransit.org. You can also visit www.soundtransit.org/CapitolHillTOD

shopper Originally
uploaded by zenobia_joy

When the Capitol Hill light rail station opens for business in 2016, there's a good chance the Hill's weekly farmers market will be right around the corner.

Sound Transit officials are moving forward with a recommendation that a planned extension to Nagle Place be made available to the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance to host their Capitol Hill market. Ron Endlich, deputy project manager for the Capitol Hill station, said that talks are ongoing but that Sound Transit believes it can make the extension of Nagle between Denny and John available to the farmers market group at an affordable rate. With coordination with the city's department of transportation, it's possible the market would also utilize Denny Way, Endlich said.

The Broadway Farmers Market is on the hunt for a new home as SRM Development prepares plans to construct a mixed-use project at the market's current Sunday location in the parking lot at 10th Ave E and E Thomas. SRM's effort has been on again, off again but CHS has been told that the project is in motion once more and the public process of design review will begin soon.

What happens to the market in the meantime while the light rail station is constructed isn't yet clear. Here's what NFMA's Chris Curtis told CHS recently:

The Broadway Market will certainly need to move before the ST station is complete, so we are looking at Seattle Central as a possible interim location for the market.  Nothing is set or certain at this point.

(There are also certain requirements that the Fire Dept must meet as far as right of way for their trucks, so some streets are too narrow to stage a market AND provide space for a fire truck.)

2016 is going to be a big year for Capitol Hill. Let's hope we can keep it together in the meantime.

Sound Transit talks about the Nagle extension and, equally important, parking plans for the light rail station at the next Transit Oriented Development forum on October 27 at Century Ballroom.

It's tempting to simply slap up the CHS post from the last Sound Transit construction update meeting and call it a night -- much of the content from Thursday's meeting, we had heard before.

But there was some news to be had:

• Sound Transit will be applying for a noise variance 'in weeks,' Sound Transit deputy project manager Ron Endlich said. Oh, wait. He said the same thing in June. We assume this time he means it this time with preparation gearing up in November and construction slated to start 2010. CHS will follow up with the agency to find out why the delay occurred.
• 'Variance,' by the way, refers to the amount by which the sound levels can vary from the nighttime measured average for the area. CHS admits it -- we thought the variance referred to requesting permission to vary from the city's noise laws.
• Sound Transit will be seeking a variance for noise levels 6 decibels above average in the area supposedly bumping up levels to something around an 'ordinary conversation' according to this table ST provided:
• The variance process is owned by the city's Department of Planning and Development. There will be a public hearing (guess where CHS will be that night). There will also be a built-in review process after one year to make sure any granted variance isn't driving people nuts.
• A question from the crowd revealed an interesting tactic. When Sound Transit first recorded the noise levels for the residences on 10th Ave near the construction area, they measured at 51 decibels. Sound Transit decided to measure again post-demolition and measured 54 decibels on the new Broadway-exposed 10th Ave. So, the 6 db they'll be requesting will actually bump that little chunk of Cap Hill up 10 points from where they were last year.
• Oh, and they'll probably need to build the plywood walls on the 10th Ave side of the project eight feet higher than had been planned to help cut down noise. Here's the old plan. Add eight feet on the east side.
• But you have to have the noise to get the station, ST reminds. For an overview of the content they repeated regarding noise and mitigation methods including tall plywood walls encircling the construction area, see our previous coverage of the June meeting.
• Ethan Melone from Seattle Department of Transportation was on hand again to talk about some of the pedestrian issues. While two other trouble spots remain unplanned for, SDOT is planning to repaint the crosswalk, restrict parking and install high-visibility crossing signs at Denny and Boylston. The issues on Olive await solutions. One audience member suggested speeding up the cross signal cycle in front of the Olive Starbucks because of its slow duration inviting people to risk a quick run across the street instead of waiting for the signal to change.
• Sound Transit was also squishy on specifics for any community events in the paved lot at Broadway and John and the plans to feature art in the space. Seems they may have learned a hard lesson about unveiling art projects without proper messaging. As George Bakan from Seattle Gay News who was in the audience asked, "I'm confused -- Do you really want to use that paved site or don't you?"
• Another audience question: Q: Why did you pave the lot? A: To control dust and runoff. Q: How will you control that once construction begins? A: We have contractor requirements.
• Sound Transit unveiled a new Capitol Hill 'brand' (sorry, no image of yet) that was the result of their business mitigation work with the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce. The new logo is part of a process CHS wrote about here. We were no longer part of the process once the workgroup settled on a design so the rest of the mitigation including a new Web site -- yourcapitolhill.com (not yet live apparently) -- was news to us.
• Also part of the seven year, $610,000 mitigation program:
  o A merchant marketing plan with contests
  o A walking map
  o Business technical assistance including partnerships with Seattle University and Seattle Central to pair students with local businesses. Here is an example of the program already in motion -- it's a listing for Seattle Central students or alumni to take on a paid project to build Broadway Grill a new Web site.

We'll follow up with more about the marketing and business mitigation side of things and how the whole brand thing will play out when we have a chance to ask Sound Transit more about it. As Sound Transit's Brooke Belman said during the meeting, "Capitol Hill isn't really a neighborhood that wants to be branded." CHS asked no questions Thursday night -- we get plenty of opportunities to pester government employees without cutting into your time.

Artist rendition of 10th Ave sound wall

Sound Transit Construction Update Forum
When: Thursday, October 8, 2009 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Where: Seattle Central Community College #1110
What: Topics will include--
Update on construction
Noise variance
SDOT info
Art program

CHS talked briefly with Sound Transit spokesperson Bruce Gray about the forum and a few other ST items of note:

• Gray said the forum will discuss the noise variance application. According to the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development Web site, the application has not yet been submitted. BTW, here's the notice for the University of Washington light rail work site application that came through the pipeline -- and was approved -- back in spring. We've also attached the UW application document to this post.
• Gray also said that there will be an update on Barbara Luecke's project to add art to the construction area and empty lot of pavement at Broadway and John. Remember, come 2010, the area will be surrounded by large construction walls. They'll block some sound -- and they'll also make interesting canvases for some public art.
• As for that empty lot, Gray said there aren't yet any community events scheduled for the empty construction area but that Sound Transit is 'leaning toward' working with a group on an outdoor movie project.

CHS wants to see one of the individual leaders of the Hill's 'transit oriented development' process buy into the very area the process will transform. Sound Transit officials, Capitol Hill Housing reps, City of Seattle planners, 110 10th Ave E waits for you.

When CHS covers the 'transit oriented development' process related to Sound Transit's construction of the Capitol Hill light rail station, we're generally pretty positive. There is a huge opportunity to build something great. And there are plenty of signs that a community-driven process really will continue to emerge and define what gets built in the heart of Broadway and, to increase the import even further, the heart of Capitol Hill. That's what transit oriented development should be about -- TOD should be public transit focused, community minded and shaped by the people who live, work and ride in the area of development.

But there is another side to all of this. TOD is a euphemism for market driven development -- except, in this case, the developer happens to be a gigantic public agency. Already the framework is in place for requiring any of the TOD to achieve 'fair market value' -- you'd have to build condo towers to the moon to counterbalance the community and arts facilities some of the pinko commies (like me!) would rather see in the space.

View Larger Map

All of this leads to a very real opportunity to put money where mouths are. On 10th Ave E, across the street from the expanse of blacktop currently capping the light rail station construction zone, one residential property has recently sold, one is sold but pending and another is for sale. To buy a home on 10th Ave E right now is to have deep faith in the TOD process. It is truly putting skin in the game.

110 !0th Ave E is a 3,000 sqft, 5-bedroom home built in 1908. It last sold in November 2002 for $410,000 -- that would be a 50% appreciation if you offer full price. The gain would be about in line with other similar homes in the area for the period. It currently has a Walkscore of 97 -- imagine what kind of score it will have once the trains start running and if TOD produces a great space.

The home directly to the south at 106 10th on the corner with Denny has an offer and is currently pending sale.

The house last sold in December 2006 for $500,000. Other homes in the 98102 ZIP code have fallen more than 10% in this period. This buyer is buying into TOD.

Meanwhile, this 10th Ave E condo sold back in January for less than it was paid for in September 2006.

For a transit official or community group leader with deeper pockets, there's also this larger development project to consider -- though the neighbors don't seem very welcoming.

So there's the opportunity. The lucky stakeholder who moves into the neighborhood has to put up with eight years of construction. When that works is complete, they'll either live across the street from a development that is public transit focused, community minded and vibrant or they'll be staring at a massive wall of expensive condos and a mall. And, yeah, they'll probably actually look out on something in between. But knowing that one person has skin in the game and is truly part of the community directly affected by TOD would give us a whole new appreciation for the process.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but we are lucky enough to live in one of the most incredible neighborhoods in Seattle. It is a place where creative new buildings, such as Capitol Hill Housing's award winning Broadway Crossing and 'starchitect' Tom Kundig's 1111 E. Pike intermingle with pieces of history such as the Oddfellows Building, Holy Names Academy, and even Seattle's oldest standing home. It is a place where innovative businesses such as  iLike  and Cafe Vita make waves on the national scene, and where global chains are replaced by local Mexican eateries. Jimi Hendrix is memorialized here, Bruce Lee was buried here, and President Obama even lived up here as a baby. Oh, did I mention we are also the densest part of Seattle, if not the entire Pacific Northwest (Canada excluded)?

Unlike the rather empty tracts of land along MLK, the Sound Transit Link Light Rail Station currently under construction on Capitol Hill will be at the heart of one of the most culturally, artistically, historically, and culinarily rich areas in all of the Puget Sound region. Also unlike ST's past projects, they decided to actually purchase the land above the station and they have asked us, the community for input on what to do with it.

The four hour design charrette this Saturday, paid for and hosted by the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce and the TOD Stakeholders Group, is a chance for everyone in the community to open their minds and envision the most grandiose possibilities for the 3 acres of asphalt along Broadway. Not only is it a chance to share ideas and listen to others but sketch artists will be on hand to help people actually try and conceptualize what some of these possibilities will look like. At the end of the year the results of this design charrette will be presented to Sound Transit, who will presumably use the ideas generated here to decide what to build in the future.

The Capitol Hill light rail station site (Image: Sound Transit)

Want to see an extension of Cal Anderson park that meanders into a public plaza for the Broadway Farmer's Market? Maybe you dream of a wonderful community center with views of downtown and Mt. Rainer? Perhaps you envision a beautiful icon, visible from all over Seattle, with the architectural integrity to be placed next to the Space Needle and the Central Library on Seattle postcards? Well this is your chance to share such ideas and actually have them incorporated into reality.

Earlier this week the Capitol Hill Community Council's Planning and Policy Committee met to discuss the Broadway TOD*. The most common thread among us was the desire to have the development on this site stand for hundreds of years to come, for these buildings to be a timeless example of world class architecture, the likes of the Pompidou or the Louvre in Paris. With Sound Transit owning the property and the city open to land use changes, the community is able to go far beyond the standard mixed-use developments and actually envision something that will fundamentally enhance our already amazing neighborhood. But the key here is the community; we need to show Sound Transit and the City just how important this site is to us. Coming to the Design Charrette this Saturday is a perfect opportunity to show your support and participation.

Inspiration? (Image: Transbay Transit Center)

While it was sad to see some of the old buildings come down, we have been given an unprecedented opportunity. We now have 3 acres of land in one of Seattle's greatest neighborhoods to play with. It is like we have been given an empty canvas and all the tools and paints we could ever dream of and told to do what we want. But again, the only way this will work is if we, as a community, are active and involved. We need to prove to Sound Transit and the City that this isn't your typical development site, but that this project has the potential to tie all of Capitol Hill's greatest pieces together in a once-in-a-lifetime achievement of urban expression. Capitol Hill is one of Seattle's greatest neighborhoods, but it could be one of the world's greatest neighborhoods. Its up to you, so sign up for the Design Charrette now!

Broadway Design Charrette

Saturday, September 12th, 2009, 1-5pm

SU A&A Building, 12th and Marion [map]

* If you too would like to be a part of the Planning and Policy Committee send an email to chcc.planning@gmail.com and we'll put you on the email list and keep you up to date on all things planning on Capitol Hill.

The discount on light rail tunneling continues. Sound Transit said Wednesday that the contractor that lost out on the longer and much more lucrative University of Washington-to-Capitol Hill route presented a proposal to dig the light rail tunnels from Capitol Hill to downtown that will cost 12% less than the agency expected to pay.

According to the Sound Transit announcement, JCM U-Link Joint Venture sent in a bid of $153.6 million to do the job -- 12%, or $20.7 million, below the Sound Transit engineer’s estimate of $174.3 million. JCM U-Link lost out on the bidding for the UW-Cap Hill route when contractor Traylor Frontier-Kemper presented a plan to build the tunnels that will pass underneath the Montlake cut and up Capitol Hill for $309 million back in March. That bid came in 22% below ST engineer estimates.

So, what's with all these, um, bargains? Seattle Transit Blog says ST may never see the savings:

There’s no way for Sound Transit to know what’s going to happen to these costs – if there were, they’d be the most effective commodities traders in the world! But this goes both ways. At the beginning of Sound Move, for instance, most materials and real estate were much less expensive than they are now – but during the late 90s and early 2000s, construction cost inflation was far higher than the consumer price index, the number we normally associate with inflation. Today’s estimates were largely made at the peak of the real estate boom, but as the markets have been rebounding, future contracts may not see double digit percentage savings.

Meanwhile, neither of the lowest bidding contractors worked on the troublesome Beacon Hill tunneling which ran into those pesky sandy voids. The Beacon Hill contractor was Obayashi Corporation. Maybe they can pass on some advice to the new guys.

Photograph: cdine from the CHS flickr pool

The Capitol Hill Design Charrette will be a one-day workshop where community members work in small teams to examine the development possiblities and realities for every block of Broadway. Unlike some community meetings, the charrette should be a creative and collaborative experience -- and, best of all, it's the kind of thing Capitol Hill needs to start working on now to be ready for what comes next with the massive changes happening on Broadway.

When it comes to community involvement with the 'transit oriented development' process, Sound Transit hasn't been exactly clear with how it will use community feedback. When asked what his agency was going to do with survey data collected in this recent community meeting, Ron Endlich, ST's deputy project director for the Capitol Hill station and University Link said, "The survey was an attempt to reach a broader audience. There's some good info in there." Thanks for your input.

What we do know is that Sound Transit owns prime commercial real estate in the heart of Capitol Hill. By 2016, there will be a new burst of retail and housing activity around the station. In between now and then somewhere around 2012 or 2013, an important process will be played out when Sound Transit assembles a framework for taking bids on developing the land that will be part of the Capitol Hill station. The request for proposal (RFP) will ostensibly set the guidelines for what kind of transit oriented development happens at the site. The Capitol Hill 'community' -- you and me, that is -- will need to be ready to shape that RFP process through communication, information, ideas and good old fashioned political pressure. How do we prepare ourselves in the meantime?

September's charrette is an opportunity to begin muscling up on our collective community development strength. It's a chance to work with community members and community experts like architects and developers to create a vision for how Broadway should be on the best of all possible Capitol Hills. It's also an opportunity to set some of the vision for the Capitol Hill light rail station's retail and housing development. And it should also be a creative and fun Saturday afternoon.

Capitol Hill Design Charrette
Saturday, September 12th, 1-5pm
Seattle University community room at Marion and 12th
Please RSVP

A Picture for dreaming over
Originally uploaded by sonek321

With the pavement laid on the Capitol Hill light rail station construction site and the empty lot about to go unused for the next three months, CHS asked Brooke Belman, a community-outreach program manager for Sound Transit, how community members might work with the agency to activate the space.

Belman said Sound Transit is again working to coordinate artworks for the space similar to the program they created for the empty buildings in the area on Broadway prior to demolition. She also says Sound Transit is looking to work with people in the community to put the space to use:

Our original thought was to use the site for a groundbreaking/community celebration, which is what we talked to you about a couple of weeks ago. As we got closer to the site actually being paved, more interest has grown about using the space and we’ve had some good ideas come our way – like the skate party. Other ideas have been using our art program sort of like we did when we had the vacant buildings (same idea, but different concept given the space) and/or showing films.

If you are starting to brainstorm events and uses you'd like to see in the three-acre space (roller skate party for Ref 71?), Belman has some good news. One, your idea can involve power -- electrical power. And, two, ST is looking for ideas:

We did direct our last contractor to provide some power sources so that we’ll have some flexibility on what we can do with the site. We’re interested in hearing specific ideas that the community has. We might have some issues around specific ideas, but we’re game to hearing ideas and seeing where we can meet.

Sound Transit offered the following guidelines to shape any ideas:

• Non-Sound Transit sponsored event – If a private entity wanted to hold a non-commercial event, they would need to be in a position to organize and hold an event and be able to provide liability insurance.
• Sound Transit sponsored community event – If a good idea emerges and there is a group who can help define and organize the event, Sound Transit would be willing to work them.
• No alcohol, no commercial use and a mindful eye on how public funds are spent towards a community event

There's the empty lot. Here's the framework. Fill it up.

If you'd rather not think out loud and want to contact Brooke Belman directly, here's her address belmanb at soundtransit.org

Photo: Lucas Anderson, Neighborlogs

So, what *will* you do with three acres of open asphalt on Broadway? The Capitol Hill light rail station construction area is finally capped with this oily layer awaiting the next phase of construction in early 2010. In the meantime, we're told Sound Transit is planning some kind of groundbreaking party in mid-September and another art project involving the chain-link security fence.

We're checking with Sound Transit to see if they have any other community uses planned for the newly paved space.

View Larger Map

View from below of 'Together,' the artwork destined for Capitol Hill's light rail station when it opens in 2016.

Got two fighter jets you've been looking to get rid of? There's a new buyer on Capitol Hill and he's got the cash to make the deal. Sound Transit's finance committee approved $440,000 Thursday for the "purchase of material and fabrication of artwork" for the Capitol Hill light rail station, according to spokesperson Bruce Gray.

Motion M2009-64

Authorizing the chief executive officer to execute a contract amendment with Nonstop, Inc., to initiate the purchase of material and fabrication of artwork for the Link Capitol Hill Station in the amount of $440,000, with a 10% contingency of $44,000, totaling $484,000, for a new total authorized contract amount not to exceed $604,000.

The move gives artist Mike Ross's company Nonstop, Inc. the budget necessary to purchase . Ross modified his design and further abstracted the jets after an initial outcry received a great deal of attention.

Ross had said that he was having difficulty finding the jet parts he needed for his design last summer. But according to the attached report the Sound Transit finance committee reviewed prior to voting on the money, Ross has found the right jets: 

KEY FEATURES of PROPOSED ACTION

• Initiates fabrication from an approved design as part of a multi-phased contract for the “Together” sculptural artwork in the Capitol Hill light rail station within the University Link project.
• The artwork includes the use of two decommissioned military planes that are difficult to locate, and this amendment will allow the procurement of material that has been located.

Projections indicate that buying the material and fabricating the artwork now and then storing the completed work until installation will save funds over the extended duration of the project. Construction of the station is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and open for service in 2016.

As sexy as jet fighter art is, Sound Transit's light rail project on Capitol Hill has some much bigger issues to also be thinking about.

• Sound Transit launched its initial light rail link in the city.
• The tunnel contracts are being awarded. Traylor Frontier-Kemper was selected to excavate the University of Washington station and dig the tunnels between the UW site and Capitol Hill. The Capitol Hill to Downtown contract will be awarded in August according to the Sound Transit project site.
• The capping phases for the Capitol Hill station area along Broadway has begun where an empty 3 acres of asphalt will wait as the contractors prepare to begin construction. 
• Sound Transit is on the hook for litter and graffiti issues at the site until construction begins and the contractors take over. ST hotline to report issues: 888-298-2395
• In early 2010, the first phase of construction will include giant sound walls and round the clock work schedules.
• Meanwhile, a process to include community input in the Capitol Hill station's transit oriented development (TOD) continues. This one is also worthy of a much-needed CHS update. Coming soon.

Report tonight of the first pedestrian death involving Seattle's light rail rapid transit system. At around 1:15 AM, the Seattle Police Department issued a bulletin via its Twitter account that a pedestrian had been struck and killed by a Sound Transit train near 5th Ave S and Holgate. According to the 911 logs, the accident occurred just before midnight. This Twitter update is from a passenger who had to get off of a light rail train in Mt. Baker because 'something was on the tracks.' While Sound Transit operates other rail in the area, the location of the accident and discussion of a 'LR' train on the police scanner indicate that this accident involved the light rail system.

UPDATE 2:27 AM:
Seattle Police Department spokesperson Jeff Kappel said that the person was struck in an area that is off-limits to pedestrians. He described the accident scene as an area where buses and trains share the roadway and said there are no pedestrian crossings in that area. Kappel said the victim is an adult male and that there...

Station Symbols
Originally uploaded by brennenbirch

The final extension to Sea-Tac in the first link in Seattle's light rail system will be open by 'the end of the year,' Sound Transit says. Even without the last rail miles completed, Seattlest shows us how to get to the airport via light rail from Capitol Hill:

Instead of mimicking Seattle’s big-time media outlet, which spent the new light rail’s first in-service day counting parking slots in Tukwila and heads on trains, we decided to give the new line a practical test. Our goal: to get from Capitol Hill to SeaTac (and back).

The route:

• The 10 bus to Westlake (4 min.),
• A light rail ride from Westlake Center to Tukwila (34 min.)
• A shuttle bus from the Tukwila station to the airport (9 min.)

Not bad. Of course, Seattlest left out our biggest travel downfall -- packing (8 hours). Fortunately, there's still brand new Neighborlogs Seattle network sponsor STITA Taxi when we're late.

For more on taking light rail to the airport, see No airport express for light rail from earlier this year.

Here are some images from the opening weekend of Seattle's light rail system. For more coverage, see SeattleByRail.com, one of our cousin sites on the Neighborlogs network. For a review of our recent coverage of the light rail system construction on Capitol Hill, check out the CHS Capitol Hill light rail station scrapbook.

What did you see this weekend? Where did you go? Looking forward to 2016?

Beacon Hill Station - Sound Transit Link 132
Originally uploaded by wings777

Link light rail, day 1
Originally uploaded by JeanineAnderson

Seattle light rail train coming into Westlake station
Originally uploaded by Mozzer

Looking out the Window of Link light rail
Originally uploaded by SoundTransit

Seattle light rail signage
Originally uploaded by Mozzer

Wednesday morning, I got a preview of what Capitol Hill's public transportation will be like in 2016. Except, in the future, I would be 400 feet underground and I wouldn't be riding with a train full of journalists.

I took a trip down to Columbia City Station for a quick ride on the new Central Link light rail. In this media preview event, Mayor Nickels and Sound Transit board members Larry Phillips and Dow Constantine gave a quick run down of the “nuts and bolts” of the light rail, stressing the system's safety, convenience, and affordability. Opening to the public in 10 days, the light rail will travel from Westlake to Tukwila International Blvd, with fares ranging from $1.75 to $2.50 depending on the distance.

Entering the train feels similar to entering any old Metro, but the car is much wider and roomier than a standard bus. There is no need for a lift, as the train is level with the loading dock allowing easy access for disabled persons, bicyclists, or luggage carrying passengers to enter...

Artist rendition of 10th Ave's 16-foot construction wall

Here are some notes and news from Wednesday night's Sound Transit meeting to update status on construction of the Capitol Hill light rail station and University Link tunnels. The entire presentation from the meeting is embedded below.

Now the news:

• Sound Transit is working with the city to make pedestrian improvements including crosswalks on Olive and Denny Ways. More on that below.
• Seattle's new noise ordinances went into effect on Wednesday and Sound Transit is readying its application for a variance to allow for 24-hour work. The city will determine the schedule for hearings and public comment but Sound Transit deputy project manager Ron Endlich said his agency's application will be sent to the city "within weeks." Presenter Jeff Munnoch said that Sound Transit's Beacon Hill work generated 10 noise complaint calls in 5 years.
• The construction walls designed to limit noise and dust from the station work site are going to be a blessing and curse when they go up in 2010 -- and stay up until 2015. The walls will be 8' tall on the Broadway side, 16' on the 10th Ave. Yup, 16 feet tall. Apparently, Broadway is 8 feet higher than 10th, btw, so the fence tops will be level around the site. So, they'll help stop noise and dust with all their many-feet-tallness. But they'll also be imposing. Sound Transit says it is planning an art effort to make the walls more interesting and will also look into adding some kind of plexiglass view areas so you can peer in to see the work being done at the site.

• Sound Transit will have noise monitoring machines in place to measure the construction site. They even had one of the little boxes at the meeting. Here's a picture.
• The citizens in attendance brought up some good points and asked a few tough questions including these paraphrased Q&As:
  Q: Is Sound Transit requesting the noise law variance to enable 24x7 construction as a cost cutting measure?
  A: It's a safety issue. It's safer to keep the tunnel boring machine operating. (though the ST slide lists these factors: Maximizes project safety, efficiency, duration and cost)
  Q: Does Sound Transit have information about the effect of construction noise beyond the immediate Broadway/10th Ave area?
  A: We'll get back to you.
  Q: Did Sound Transit compare Capitol Hill's population density with Beacon Hill's?
  A: Clearly Beacon Hill and Capitol Hill are two different neighborhoods...
  Q: Does Sound Transit require its contractors to use new machinery that might work more quietly than old machinery?
  A: Contractors must use 'best available' technology, per contract requirements.
  Q: What about the bus stop on John near Broadway?
  A: Proposing to move it one block east.

Here is the presentation for you to peruse. More notes and some images from the slides below.

Sound Transit shared data from a noise study a consultant prepared for the agency. Note that the 'existing' noise on Broadway is listed at 60 decibels, or somewhere between a conversation and the 'interior of a department store.'

Sound Transit is expecting construction noise to raise noise on Broadway up to 8% and up to 26% on 10th Ave. A few citizens at the meeting voiced concerned about noise levels beyond Broadway and 10th Ave but Endlich said he would have to ask the noise consultant if they had more information about the concerns. He also said property owners that live above tunnel route should experience no 'noticeable noise' or vibrations.

To help lower noise levels -- and help gain the variance the agency needs for round-the-clock work -- Sound Transit plans the construction walls noted above, dampening material on equipment like compressors and generators and limits on the kind of work that can happen at night. It will also have rules in place to limit truck noise including a ban on compression brakes, a 5-minute idle limit, and no 'beep beep beep' tones from the trucks when they back up at night.

Seattle Department of Transportation's Ethan Melone was also on hand to answer questions about planned pedestrian improvements for the construction area. He said Sound Transit is paying for a crosswalk and a curb bulb to help make walking in the area safer as truck traffic increases to up to 5 trucks per minute 1 truck every 5 minutes leaving the construction area during peak activity. Melone said the goal is to have the improvements in place before the digging phase of the project begins. He also said the Olive Way crossing is being planned but the solution for the busier street is still being discussed.

Melone also spoke about the city's streetcar project which could be in place as early as 2012. As the streetcar line on Capitol Hill will be paid for by Sound Transit, the city has agreed construction of the line won't interfere with light rail work. Melone said the likely solution for that is an interim teriminus for the streetcar, possibly in the Pike/Pine area, before extending the line to the Capitol Hill light rail station when it is completed in 2016.

In February, Seattle eased the process for large projects like the University Link light rail effort to receive variances to the city's noise laws. While Sound Transit hasn't yet gone through the variance process for its Capitol Hill light rail and tunneling work, it's going to soon. The agency will need to arrange permission for round-the-clock work if the station and tunnels are to be complete on time and on budget.

This week, they want to talk with you about the noise and a few other items of import related to ongoing work on the eight-year project.

Sound Transit Noise and Night Construction Forum
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 6 to 8 p.m. (presentation begins at 6:30)
Century Ballroom
Information about night time construction, noise, and SDOT will be there to discuss pedestrian safety concerns on Olive and Denny.

This is an excellent point in the process to have your concerns listened to and, most importantly, acted on. With the variance process looming on the horizon, Sound Transit wants happy neighbors. tell them about what will make you happy. Be a little, well, noisy.

People love a boogey man. I'd been told by a few different people about Sound Transit pulling a fast one and scheduling some kind of hearing about relaxation in the city noise ordinances semi-secretly in the next week. Sound Transit says that's not the case and the city's Department of Planning calendar confirms it. No hearing on Sound Transit construction noise yet.

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UPDATE: Sound Transit followed up with information on a hearing that might have caused some confusion up on the Hill. There is a meeting Thursday night to discuss a variance for the work on the UW light rail station. You can see the attached notice for more information on that session.

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Spokesperson Bruce Gray says there is an important meeting planned to discuss Sound Transit's Capitol Hill light rail station and tunnel construction noise upcoming -- but it's a public session to gather feedback and discuss the projects, not the official hearing with the city to establish a variance to the noise ordinances. Here's the info on the June 10th session:

Sound Transit Noise and Night Construction Forum
Thursday, June 10, 2009
6 to 8 p.m.  (presentation begins at 6:30)
Broadway Performance Hall
1625 Broadway, Seattle WA
We will have information about night time construction, noise, and SDOT will be there to discuss pedestrian safety concerns on Olive and Denny.

Recall that the city has eased the process for large projects like the University Link light rail effort to get variances in the city's noise laws to enable things like night-time work. If you live within earshot of the future station between John and Denny along Broadway, mark your calendar.

Photographer Joseph Songco has been documenting the before and after of Sound Transit's light rail demolition across Seattle. Below are his shots of Capitol Hill's new voids. Hoping his project continues and captures the after-after construction phases.

Light Rail and Capitol Hill Seattle
Originally uploaded by josephsongcophoto

Light Rail and Capitol Hill Seattle
Originally uploaded by josephsongcophoto

Light Rail and Capitol Hill Seattle
Originally uploaded by josephsongcophoto

Light Rail and Capitol Hill Seattle
Originally uploaded by josephsongcophoto

Light Rail and Capitol Hill Seattle
Originally uploaded by josephsongcophoto

Also, don't forget the Olive Way exit from I-5 northbound shuts down Sunday night and stays closed for the next year to prepare the area for light rail tunneling.

Did you miss last week's Sound Transit meeting to discuss the status of the Capitol Hill light rail construction? Yeah, me too. Fortunately, Sound Transit has made the slideshow (pdf) from the meeting available. We uploaded it so you can see without downloading but some of the maps are hard to read so grab the full file if you want all the details.

The slides cover schedule for construction of the Capitol Hill station and the University Link tunnels, the Olive Way exit closure that starts this weekend and the work below I5 to prepare for tunneling, some information about the 'transit oriented development' planning process and some new information about the project's noise need for a noise variance. Haven't talked to the agency about it yet but the slide deck says there will be a 'noise information' meeting on June 3. ST also notes that its construction sound wall "will contain most but not all noise."...

With the Olive Way exit closure one week away, we asked Sound Transit a couple of the questions that have come up here on the site. Answers below. If you have other questions or comments about the Olive Way exit or other issues pertaining to Sound Transit's light rail construction, let us know and we'll see what we can do to get answers. You can also cut out the middle man and go straight to the source -- here's Sound Transit's 24-hour construction hotline: (888) 298-2395

Q: Madison is going to get slammed with N Cap Hill traffic, I'm wondering if they will stop allowing parking on the outbound side staring at 6pm (as is allowed now)?

View Larger Map

A: The current detour plans do not include parking restrictions along Madison Street, however that is one of tools that could be put in place if traffic becomes a problem. Sound Transit has been working in close coordination with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to identify the detour routes for this closure.  Both agencies will closely monitor traffic along the detour routes after the ramp is closed to determine if additional action is necessary. Any changes to the approved detour plan would require concurrence by SDOT (684-ROADS).

Q: What is Sound Transit doing to help customers driving to businesses in the Olive Way area find their way?

A: Sound Transit staff has been and will continue to go door to door along the detour route to deliver a handout that includes maps and simple driving directions that businesses can use to help direct their customers over the phone, post on their website, etc. Detour directions, maps and information can be located at www.soundtransit.org/i5undercrossing.

For more on the closure including alternative routes, see our latest coverage.

ICH_Chalk Stream
Originally uploaded by susancevans

Back in February, CHS asked What would you do with 3 acres of open asphalt on Broadway?

We'd like to include an addendum to that inquiry. What would you with with 3 acres of open asphalt AND an event to mark the start of Sound Transit's light rail tunneling on Capitol Hill?

Sound Transit is working out details for a late summer/early fall event at the location of the light rail station construction. Working with the Chamber of Commerce's marketing committee, I'm pulling together some ideas for a community event that Sound Transit will support. I'm kind of partial to a true Capitol Hill block party with free music and something like a big wheel track to take advantage of the pavement but am curious to see what you'd like to be part of. Think an event that's simple, fun for everybody and representative of Capitol Hill. Also, should be asphalt appropriate. Unless we bring some sand in, that is.

What does the appearance of holes in the ground related to the boring of the light rail tunnels through Beacon Hill mean for Capitol Hill's light rail future? Similar to the experiences related to business mitigation and 'transit oriented development,' we're lucky we didn't go first.

"I would not say plans have changed," Sound Transit spokesperson Bruce Gray told CHS today. "We looked at lessons learned in Beacon Hill as we created the bid documents for the UW to Capitol Hill route." Gray said the result was hiring a contractor for the job who could provide machinery that will better deal with the conditions causing the Beacon Hill holes.

Download PDF

"We finished our first tunnel on Beacon Hill, three years ago," Gray said. "We haven't seen any surface issues since the tunnels besides these voids. We've learned a lot on Beacon Hill. We have another 15 months before we dig on Capitol Hill."

Sound Transit says that the seven 'voids' discovered on -- or in, really -- Beacon Hill are the result of the displacement...

Quick reminder that tonight is Sound Transit's latest open house to discuss the latest phases of light rail construction on Capitol Hill. The forum comes as work is set to begin on shoring up portions of Interstate 5 in preparation for tunneling that will begin in the area after this summer. The work will close the Olive Way exit from northbound I5 for the next year. We're still collecting questions to pass along to Sound Transit so leave a comment if you aren't able to attend tonight but want to be heard.

Also expect the recent news about sinkholes developing in the area of Beacon Hill's light rail tunneling to be on people's minds. Pulling together a CHS post on that later today.

Tonight's meeting runs from 6 to 8p at Seattle Central's room 1110 in the south end of the main building.

Sound Transit's Olive Way closure announcement:

Olive Way & Pike/Pine Ramps To Close for Tunnel Preparation
Construction is now underway on University Link, a 3.15 mile light rail line extension that will connect downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill and the University of Washington.

In early 2011 the tunnel boring machine that will construct the light rail tunnels between Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle will start digging south from Capitol Hill. Before it reaches the Pine Street area in late 2011, Sound Transit must prepare the ground under I-5 for the arrival of the tunnel boring machine. The construction contract to complete this work will require the temporary closures of the Olive Way off-ramp from northbound I-5, the Cherry Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 and the Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp to the I-5 express lanes.

Drivers should plan ahead during the closures and expect:
* The Olive Way off-ramp from northbound I-5 will be closed for about one year starting as early as May 18, 2009.
* The Cherry Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 and one lane of northbound I-5 will be closed for about four weeks as early as May 26, 2009. This ramp will also close for about four weeks in Spring 2010.
* While the Cherry Street on-ramp is closed, the Cherry Street entrance to the I-5 express lanes from 5th Avenue will be open to all traffic (currently only open for HOV).
* The Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp from the I-5 express lanes will be closed for about one year starting in mid-June 2009. Buses will still be able to access the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel.
I-5 Undercrossing Project Schedule

Olive Way off-ramp closure May 18, 2009

Cherry Street on-ramp closure (including one northbound I-5 lane) May 26, 2009

Pike/Pine reversible HOV ramp closure Mid-June 2009

Cherry Street on-ramp closure (including one northbound I-5 lane) Spring 2010

All I-5 ramps re-opened to traffic Spring 2010

Tunneling work from the Capitol Hill Station towards downtown Seattle begins Early 2011

Sound Transit is working closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle and King County Metro to plan detours. During the year long closure a signed detour route will be in place. Drivers will exit to Madison Street and turn left on Boren Avenue to reach Olive Way. A major effort to educate drivers about the detour routes and construction status is underway.

Last spring, the Broadway Jack in the Box closed. Today, it's finally gone -- or in the process of becoming gone. Not sure how they'll take the old sign down so some pieces could be with us for a bit longer. It's the last structure left in the area being cleared for Sound Transit's light rail construction. The Jack in the Box was also Capitol Hill's last contribution to the late night drive thru party culture. Dick's still draws the late night drunks and party people but you -- or somebody in the party -- need to get out of the car to get the chow. At Jack in the Box, most people interacted from within their vehicles. Some people went in but if you were on foot, you probably would rather eat at Dick's. Jack in the Box was for vehicular-based transactions. On a busy night, it was impossible to figure out how to get in line. The traffic jam just poured itself into the drive thru lane. While it was mostly a fun time, the crowd of cars also could cause tensions to rise. It's the only place on Capitol Hill I have...