Metro’s plan for RapidRide G service changes includes return of bus service to Capitol Hill’s I-5 Shores

A new Metro coach ready for the center-loading RapidRide G line (Image: Metro)

King County Metro is planning for the return of Route 47 to serve Capitol Hill’s Summit and Bellevue Ave neighborhoods — kind of.

Metro and King County Executive Dow Constantine have arrived at a finalized plan for changes to area bus routes to better connect and optimize service with the planned 2024 opening of the RapidRide G bus line on Madison.

CHS reported here in December on Metro’s ongoing process to weigh rider feedback against available resources and hopes for increased service frequencies on key lines connecting to the RapidRide route.

Metro has been set on other changes including Route 10 and Route 12 with a proposal for the lines to be “reoriented” to operate along E Pine instead of E John and Madison, until they turn north on 15th Ave and 19th Ave. Metro is also going ahead with a plan to move Route 11 off Pine.

But the future of the former Route 47 service had been up in the air. Under the final plan being submitted for approval by the King County Council, Metro would restore service in the areas along Summit and Bellevue by “extending some Route 3 trips to restore trolley bus service in western Capitol Hill where the former Route 47 operated.” Continue reading

It is only three blocks but Pike readied for big, bike-friendly one-way change on Capitol Hill

A rendering of the plans for Pike (Image: Waterfront Seattle)

(Image: Waterfront Seattle)

The Seattle Department of Transportation says it is time to begin the transition that will change Pike and Pine between the waterfront and Capitol Hill into one-way streets.

Pike, you’ll go first.

“As early as” this Saturday — depending on weather and the construction schedule — westbound vehicle access to Pike on Capitol Hill between Terry and Bellevue will come to an end.

“This is the first step in making Pike and Pine streets one-way from 1st Ave to Bellevue Ave, Pike St one-way eastbound, and Pine St one-way westbound,” the city says. “Westbound bike travel on Pike St will remain accessible during construction until improved routing to Pine St is established.” Continue reading

SPD investigates after Bellevue Ave stabbing arrest

A man was taken to Harborview in serious condition and the suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot chase in a Tuesday afternoon stabbing on Bellevue Ave E.

Police say they were called to the 200 block of Bellevue around 3 PM to a report of a man with a stab wound. A 63 36-year-old with a knife wound was located and transported to Harborview in serious condition, SPD says. Continue reading

Metro says Summit/Bellevue bus service could be saved as it moves forward on changes to Routes 10, 11, and 12 in advance of RapidRide G opening

“Option B”

King County Metro says there is wide support for plans to maintain higher frequency while shifting streets used by key bus routes along the coming Madison RapidRide G corridor but that community feedback could help save the planned cuts to bus service on Summit and Bellevue Ave north of Olive Way.

The agency has released new proposal maps and details of updated plans for its “Madison Street Area” network service revisions. CHS reported here earlier this year on the planning and survey process designed around optimizing bus lines in advance of the expected start of RapidRide G service hoped to begin in 2024.

Under the revised plans, Metro says it is moving ahead with changes to Route 10 and Route 12 with a proposal for the lines be “reoriented” to operate along E Pine instead of E John and Madison, until they turn north on 15th Ave and 19th Ave. Metro is also going ahead with the plan to move Route 11 off Pine.

“The Route 10 and Route 12 proposals were supported by respondents to bring more frequent service to important destinations along Pike Street and Pine Street. The Route 11 proposal had strong support from survey respondents,” Metro said about the decision. “The Route 11 proposal (along with the Route 8) would provide all-day, all-week, frequent service between destinations along Olive Way, John Street, and Thomas Street – such as the Capitol Hill Station, Safeway, Kaiser Permanente, Meany Middle School and more.” Continue reading

‘What does it look like to change?’ — Kedai Makan is for sale, set to complete the Capitol Hill food and drink lifecycle on its own terms

From a stall at the farmers market to neighborhood walk-up counter to its own “monster” of a restaurant space, Kedai Makan has lived and breathed every phase of the Capitol Hill food and drink life cycle on its own terms.

Husband and wife Kevin Burzell and Alysson Wilson are now bringing Kedai’s lifecycle to a close — also on their own terms — after ten whirlwind years of 15-hour days and some of the best customers you can find in Seattle.

“We took baby steps from each place, never wanted to be big,” Wilson tells CHS. “We’ve taken Kedai as far as we can take it. We’re ready for some kind of a change.”

Long running Kedai fans now have a few weeks to stop through to say goodbye and congratulations. Kedai Makan’s final night of service is planned for October 29th.

Kedai Makan is for sale. Continue reading

On Capitol Hill’s Bellevue Ave, Cafe Barjot — Joe Bar’s palindromic sibling — will close to make way for Finch and Pine

(Image: Cafe Barjot

Wylie Bush now lives in the wild suburban rurals of Seattle and is raising a family. His Seattle cafe family will be changing.

Cafe Barjot will close at the end of the month to make way for a new restaurant project after seven years of business on Bellevue Ave E. Its palindromic older sibling Joe Bar will live and love on.

“As melancholy as I feel about closing Barjot I am as excited to write that the space will be reenergized by a new restaurant run by two wonderful people who will serve you food and drink that will quickly make Barjot a happy memory,” Bush announced over the weekend.

First-time food and drink owners and industry veterans Sara Moran and Paolo Gentile are taking over the space to open Finch and Pine later this spring. Moran most recently was part of the kitchen at Melrose’s Terra Plata while Gentile will bring deep wine and cocktail knowledge to the project. Continue reading

Capitol Hill school break-in sets off long SPD cat and mouse search for suspects — UPDATE

One person being detained in the overnight burglary callout. Thanks to a reader for the picture and report from the scene.

One person was taken into custody and at least one more apparently made a getaway as Seattle Police and a K9 unit searched for suspected burglars in a Capitol HIll school break-in overnight in a cat and mouse chase through the shuttered campus buildings that lasted hours.

According to East Precenti radio, alarms were first tripped around 1:50 AM at Bellevue Ave’s Northwest School. Security video from inside the school showed at least one suspect wearing a light colored hooded top.

As police arrived, a second report of another person inside the school wearing what appeared to be a dark green jacket came in. Continue reading

Also saved — and going legit — on Bellevue Ave E: the Harry’s Fine Foods Chandelierium

(Image: Harry’s Fine Foods)

You can wish Harry’s Fine Foods a very happy second birthday this week and congratulate the Bellevue Ave E eatery on its paperwork — its once threatened Chandelierium is going legit.

Back in January, CHS reported on the fight with the city over the 800 200 or so square feet of covered patio chef and owner Julian Hagood created on the backside of Harry’s. “We rapidly built this beautiful little patio covering to allow our guests to enjoy our patio year round however the city has determined it violates building and energy codes,” Hagood told CHS at the time.

Now, Hagood confirms that he has undertaken a full land use permitting process with architectural firm Hoedemaker Pfeiffer to allow the structure to remain part of the bistro. Continue reading

A memorial to Max Richards, the last* pedestrian killed on a Capitol Hill street

A memorial to Max Richards is a reminder of his wife Marilyn Black’s love for the man who died this week in 2016 after being struck by a driver while crossing Belmont Ave E with his dog.

The flowers are also a marker of a stretch of time that hopefully continues — a pedestrian hasn’t been killed on Capitol Hill streets in two years. Continue reading

‘Saved’ from microhousing plan, Capitol Hill’s Roy Vue Apartments to be considered as Seattle landmark

A coalition led by Historic Seattle and residents of Capitol Hill’s Roy Vue Apartments has put the Bellevue Ave E building up for consideration for Seattle landmarks protections.

A plan for to convert the building to microhousing was stopped by a campaign led by building tenants, neighbors, and preservation advocates earlier this year.

A second report on the 94-year-old “eclectic Tudor Revival” structure was prepared at the request of property owner Alliance Multifamily Investments, according to the document (PDF) posted to the Department of Neighborhoods landmarks site. That report from July is now labeled as a “Historic Resource Report.”

Continue reading