Transportation big concern with neighborhood plan

Ten years after the city’s neighborhood plans were published, residents have been asked to help create a “status check” on how well the 20-year plans are progressing — and whether they need an update. Thursday evening a group of Greenwood and Phinney Ridge residents gathered around a table at the Phinney Center to provide the city with some feedback on the draft copy of the status report, which you can (download here .pdf.)

Many in the group explained how the neighborhood has changed over the last few years, from high-density housing, more families and a steady rise in traffic and transportation needs. “There’s absolute gridlock in Greenwood during rush hour,” said Lynn Graves. “The buses are jammed.” Neighbors provided a list of trouble spots, ranging from 80th to 85th to 90th, as well as the Zoo concerts during the summer. Many worried that the increase in traffic combined with more kids in the neighborhood is a safety issue. Representatives from the Seattle Planning Commission and the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee took notes as neighbors provided their feedback.

The five key strategies of the original plan are: 1) Create a vital Greenwood that supports an economically viable main street and redeveloped commercial area 2) Connect the civic centers and the commercial areas with a “Main Street” plan 3) Open spaces and walkways “put the green back in Greenwood” and Phinney Ridge 4) Improve mobility and accessibility regionally and within community and 5) Support infrastructure improvements in the northeast and northwest quadrants. The status report listed several accomplishments, from Greenwood Park to the Greenwood Library and the installation of new sidewalks, but residents had plenty of feedback on how there’s still a long ways to go.
If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can fill out an online survey with your thoughts about the neighborhood and the status report. In October, the city will hold public meetings to review the updated status reports, and then they’ll be presented to the mayor and the city council to consider.