A small group that says it represents about 600 Capitol Hill homeowners has become the loudest Hill voice in the debate over the future of the 520 bridge. The North Capitol Hill Association has rallied around outcry over plans to lift and widen the sagging SR 520 bridge.
“The SR 520 project is our Achilles’ heel,” NCHA president Pegeen Shean told CHS.
Shean’s group worries that the state’s preferred ‘A+’ design plan for the bridge will damage the community for their neighbors in Montlake and damage the environment in the Arboretum and on Lake Washington.
NCHA has hosted community events on the bridge issue that Shean said over 150 residents have attended. The group hosts these meetings with the Sustainable 520 Coalition. Prior to the 520 debate, turnout has been closer to 20, Shean said.
Shean said there are over 600 members in NCHA, referring to the 600 or so homes within the NCHA neighborhood boundaries but she did not say how many of those residents are voting members of the group. To become a voting member, residents can sign up for an annual $10 individual or $25 family membership. NCHA is a state nonprofit organization.
“It costs us about $600 [to host a meeting], including all the mailings,” said Shean. To reach a wider number of people faster (and cheaper), all of the NCHA information, including updates on meetings and agendas, is now available online.
NCHA hopes to establish itself as a representative of the north Hill community and to act as a community information center and collective representative in local politics. Check out their map to see if you’re eligible for membership — the boundaries begin on E. Howell Howe St., from Broadway Ave. to 15th Ave. E., and up through Interlaken Park.
The area is one of the wealthiest in the city with the average price of homes currently for sale in the neighborhood well above $1 million.
The combination of website bulletin board and Facebook page are the main channels of information currently available on the group. Shean told me that NCHA is working hard to fix the site and make it usable.
“Because we are all very busy and are volunteers, [the website is] a place where neighbors help each other,” said Shean. “If someone can answer [another persons’] question, feel free to do so. We encourage the neighborhood to sound off, post a garage sale, or a favorite restaurant.”
Lauren, according to their Web site, Howe, not Howell, marks the southern boundary for this association.
Woah, sorry. Fixed! Thanks for the catch
Where have these people been for the last 13 years of comments and discussions on this project?
If Montlake folks are going to fight it – look for all kinds of community front groups to spring to life.
Dog lovers next – this bridge plan affects my dog taking a shit in the park.
You will see.
When the plans for I-90 were released, community groups filed all sorts of legal challenges costing them and the State millions and millions of dollars and caused no substantive changes as a result. So here we go again and the ultimate result will be the same. The 520 corridor is among the top five in the greater metropolitan area (I-5, I-90, I-405, US 99 and SR 520) and its deficiencies must be addressed. One key requirement for me is that it be built to last at least 100 years. These $100’s of million structures being torn down after 30 – 50 years is obscene.
Do they have any cite-able evidence to support said claims? It’s similar to residents moving next to an airport to complain about noise from planes and expansion. Who was there first? The bridge or the residents? The vocal minority will soon learn how the power of the silent majority.
Thanks for standing up for the neighborhood, community and the environment—
These same people who are dragging their feet (for what will surely end up as minimal changes) will stand in line with the rest after the bridge sinks or collapses and ask “why didn’t we replace it in time”?
This sort of entitled behavior is unbelievably destructive and naive. Next thing you know someone will want to halt the replacement of that deathtrap called the “Alaskan Way Viaduct”… oh wait…
Did I miss the vote authorizing this group to speak for us residents of Capitol Hill? My ballot must have been lost in the mail…
I belong to the North Capitol Hill Neighborhood Association. Be assured we have spent countless hours–for years–keeping up with, reporting on and working with the state and the city on plans for SR 520. A vote among our members shows fewer than 1% of us in favor of the state’s current 520 plan. (Everyone in the neighbhorhood between Howe, Interlaken/Delmar, 15th and I-5 is always invited to come to our meetings and visit our website at nchna.com.)
Saba, can you tell us how many people voted when you say 1%? I’m trying to decide how legitimate the group is. I live in the area and just to let you know from outside it feels like private club.
I would think a vote among all residents of that area would provide you with a better idea of what the neighborhood thinks.
What bothers me is who appointed this group to speak for Capitol Hill?
“Shean’s group worries that the state’s preferred ‘A+’ design plan for the bridge will damage the community for their neighbors in Montlake and damage the environment in the Arboretum and on Lake Washington.”
That’s pretty vague. HOW is it going to damage the community? How is the replacement going to be that much worse than the current bridge?
This article spends more time advertising the group than explaining the group’s beliefs regarding 520.
North Capitol Neighborhood Association has worked with WSDOT for over 6 years on the SR 520 project. We are not opposed to replacing the SR 520, in fact, we help design many plans that were developed. Plans that would solve traffic problems on SR 520, as well as around the Montlake interchange.
The state helped us by hiring engineers and consultants so that each of the plans that were developed was viable. We were told on numerous occasions that the days when government plowed down neighborhoods to accommodate a highway were over. They wanted to listen to the neighborhoods needs and lessen the impacts to the communities, to make a better SR 520. But that is not what happened, it will be the same SR 520 but bigger!
I drank the “Cool-Aid”; you couldn’t find a bigger supporter of this process than me. I would often put nay-sawyers in there place. I believed WSDOT and the governor wanted to do the right thing, but I was wrong!
So Please don’t jump to the conclusions about what we are tiring to achieve, we need a new SR 520, but a 520 that works to solves traffic and transit problems, and one that doesn’t destroy the livability of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Please read our website updates http://www.nchna.com .
A little less livability for the greater good is ok by me. Speaking as a resident of the neighborhood.
CapMax- If you live in the boundaries of our association (please check the map at http://www.nchna.com) you have received flyers from both WSDOT and NCHNA on numerous occasions informing you of SR 520 meetings. Additionally, both NCHNA and WSDOT posted these meeting to their website, and WSDOT often had articles written in the Sunday newspapers with all the plans and all community outreach meetings. These meetings were all open to the public!
CapMax, you have no accuses for not attending at least one of these meetings. We have done everything short of knocking on your door and begging you to come!
Folks that did attend know that during these meetings NCHNA and WSDOT together presented the different plans, and the neighborhood was allowed to comment, and often we voted on what the neighborhood wanted. NCHNA has been very involved for over 18 years regarding issues with SR 520, and in the past 6 years on the development of the new bridge.
CapMax, you asked where were these groups, they had plenty of time to comment? Well, we have been working with WSDOT developing a SR 520 that works! And if you where there you would know that! So, where were YOU?
Mike with Curls, you should know that Montelake, Roanoke/Portage Bay, North Capitol Hill and the boating communities have never opposed the expansion of the SR 520, all which have homes bordering on the SR 520. Yes, these neighborhoods are concerned about the impacts such as additional noise, pollution, and eminent domain. All have been working with WSDOT in formulating a plan to help reduce these additional impacts. I think you would find that reasonable.
The problem is that WSDOT initially unveiled a massive bridge and expansion of highway from the eastside to the west I-5 and every neighborhood on the west side objected to the plan. Beside the massive footprint over the water and through part of the arboretum, the biggest question was; how is this going to solve traffic problems? Now you will have a massive amount of lanes merging into the same two lanes of an already congested I-5? How about the perpetual back-up at Montelake?
One neighborhood that would be greatly affected is the Montelake community. They decided to enlist neighbors that were experienced engineers, architects, and city planners. They weren’t going to fight the expansion; they wanted to see if this was the best plan, and if not, could they make it better. They spent countless hours redesigning a span that WSDOT even marveled.
After that, WSDOT came to all the communities and said they were willing to work with us to make a better bridge. The state helped us by hiring engineers and consultants so that each of the plans that were developed was viable. With WSDOT we developed plans that would solve traffic problems on SR 520, as well as around the Montlake interchange and Husky Stadium.
But after spending all of that money and hard work solving traffic problems, WSDOT and the governor decided to go with a slightly smaller version of their original bridge, ignoring all solutions. It’s infuriating!
So, Mr. O.K., you commented, “A little less livability for the greater good is ok by me. Speaking as a resident of the neighborhood.” Where is the greater good? Did I miss something?
If you think; I don’t care, I don’t live next to the highway- it won’t affect me, think again! A dysfunctional SR 520 directly effects Seattle and Washington’s economy! Not to mention the impacts on local business in the U-district, Capitol Hill, South Lake Union and Montelake. Let’s get it right this time!
If you are into sitting in traffic on a bigger highway, destroying neighborhood parks, homes, and love spending a noisy day on Lake Washington, by all means give the governor a thumbs up on this plan. If not, make sure WSDOT, the governor, and City Council hears from you! Do something about it!
translation: “I’m the epitome of the foot-draggin’, myopic, progress-freezin’, selfish NIMBY!”
Peg:
Max’s comment was clear and yet you feign misunderstanding. To paraphrase:
Why is it that ‘north’ capitol hill residents find themselves needing to organize separately from the real (read: census-recognized & CITY recognized) neighborhood of Capitol Hill… but ONLY in regards to this REGIONAL highway improvement?
Those of us a block south of Howe may be offended by the presumption of NCHA to speak for OUR community.
It’s seemingly a thinly-veiled attempt at leveraging your tax-base value to further your NIMBY ways. Can you refute?
I only speak for the neighborhood I represent, and only their wishes!
Please check our borders at our map wwww.nchna.com I have claimed to speak for the whole hill!
Oops! let me make a correction: This article explains our assoication and borders, that who I represent. I have never claimed to speak for the entire hill! So if you live within those borders and are now complaining about NCHNA fighting for a better SR 520, then shame on you for not participating in the process!
Mapsmith: I find your comment “I’m the epitome of the foot-draggin’, myopic, progress-freezin’, selfish NIMBY!” rude and distasteful. This is not a NIMBY issue, these folks that are fighting for a better SR 520; one that works. Your comment is a slap in the face to all the neighborhoods that worked on your behalf.
This is about a stretch of highway that doesn’t work now and won’t work with the A+ plan! It’s about people who got involved to make it better. These people are fighting for better public transportation, better transit connections, exists that don’t back up on to the highway or into communities. These people are fighting so you don’t waste your money on a highway that doesn’t work!
I am sure these folks would be glad for your support! If you are concerned about the project get involved in the process? But don’t call your neighbors NIMBY because it’s not accurate! As I said before; Montelake, Roanoke/Portage Bay, North Capitol Hill and the boating communities have never opposed the expansion of the SR 520, all which have homes bordering on the SR 520. Let’s make a SR 520 that works!
The “average price of homes” is not a good indication of the wealth of the residents of an area. How many of these large old homes are now apartments? How many renters are there? On all of Capitol Hill isn’t it something like 70% renters?
Your too emotional. You lose your credability with your panicky posts.