The community process to embrace and reshape last summer’s Pike/Pine “pedestrian zone” experiment is moving forward and collecting a new round of feedback on proposed formats for a round of test events being planned for September and October, according to an email sent to participants by a Seattle Department of Transportation planner Tuesday. Here are the details on the new proposals for the Pike People Street:

We’re happy to share with you a draft 2016 work plan report for the Pike People Street. Shaped by direct participation and conversations from you and others in the community, we’ve refined three options for streetscape tests and want your feedback before we issue our final report and timeline of events.

I’ve attached a full copy of the report and a quick summary sheet. You can also visit the project website for copies of these documents and additional information. After looking through the report, we’d like to know your thoughts on these three things:
1. Which footprint options do you prefer?
2. Which days/times seem best to explore in 2016?
3. Are you interested in participating during testing events or activating the street?

Feedback on the proposals is due by 5PM on Friday, August 19th. You can learn more and add your comments on the SDOT Pedestrian Program page.

SDOT has been conducting a community feedback process after last summer’s test of closing off E Pike proved popular in concept but left some building owners and businesses criticizing the program and asking for a broader, more inclusive plan not just aligned with the neighborhood’s bars and restaurants.

17+ things CHS heard at the Pike/Pine pedestrian zone meeting

The 2015 the E Pike street closure between Broadway and 12th Ave was an attempt to address issues of crowd control, sidewalk congestion, and LGBTQ visibility and accessibility in the rambunctious Pike/Pine nightlife core of Capitol Hill, and the results indicated overwhelming support by participants for a more pedestrian-friendly corridor, city officials say. In the first phase, the E Pike pedestrian zone between Broadway and 12th Ave focused on simple crowd management and releasing sidewalk pressure. Things got more festive on August 22nd with street yoga, a drag show, and late-night street performers, while dancing in the streets got a rain check on August 29th. The pedestrian zone project was funded through $30,000 of a $160,000 city grant the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce received earlier in 2015.

The project faced criticism from some local businesses and property owners who said the nighttime street closure perpetuated the public image of Pike/Pine as a nightlife-only party district, that day-time oriented retail businesses weren’t benefiting equally, and that the project didn’t achieve its goal of increasing public safety in the area.

What it looked like when E Pike was pedestrian only