Local Business, Urban Planning

Car wash compliance deadline extended; sidewalk signs illegal

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Two sidewalk signs in the right-of-way at 15th and Beacon. The car on the right is about to enter the intersection (and crosswalk) and make an illegal right turn onto 15th (the light was red by the time they made the turn, and the intersection is No Right on Red.) Photo by Wendi.
Two sidewalk signs in the right-of-way at 15th and Beacon. The car on the right is about to enter the intersection (and crosswalk) and make an illegal right turn onto 15th. (The light was red by the time they made the turn, and the intersection is No Right on Red.) Photo by Wendi.
The First Choice Car Wash at 15th and Beacon has been granted an extension on their compliance deadline for filing permits for the business. The new deadline is June 1. The building currently is permitted for a retail use, not for car washing, detailing, and stereo installation. However, as posted earlier, the building is also zoned NC2P-40 (Neighborhood Commercial 2, Pedestrian-Designated Zone, 40-foot height limit), which means that no drive-in or drive-through businesses are allowed. A change-of-use may not be possible in this location.

There is another minor violation of the law at that site as well, though it’s likely they didn’t realize it was against the law, and several other nearby businesses are doing it too. As it turns out, it’s illegal to put A-frame signs on sidewalks, except in certain business districts that have actually obtained special street use permits to allow and regulate them. Those districts are Broadway, Pioneer Square, and Pike Place Market. Period.

Beacon Hill cannot have these signs, legally, unless a Business Improvement Association, historic district, or Chamber of Commerce is formed here. The district group would then need to get 60% of the businesses in the area to sign on, carry $1 million in liability insurance, and then obtain a Street Use Annual Permit from the city. Who knew?

Even in districts that allow such signs, it is illegal to have more than one sign per business, and they have to be directly in front of the business. First Choice has had up to three signs in front of their shop, and one across the street.

Sidewalk signs are relatively harmless, but one can see why limiting each business to one would be a good idea. The signs are taking up space in the public right-of-way, after all. In the case of the car wash, the signs are right in the entrance to two crosswalks. This is probably not an ideal location for pedestrian safety. (Nor is their driveway, as can be seen in the photo with this post.)

Since Beacon Hill’s Chamber of Commerce has gone dormant, it’s not likely that sidewalk signs will be made legal on the Hill anytime soon. In the meantime, First Choice and several other local businesses are violating a law that most of us have probably never even heard of.

Getting Around

Transportation and construction updates

Sound Transit Photo of the Week for May 15
Sound Transit Photo of the Week for May 15
Getting ready for service Air flow testing, which included disbursing smoke to visualize air movements, was completed this week at the underground Beacon Hill Station. If needed, the station’s emergency ventilation fans can move 880,000 cubic feet of air per minute. Additional “jet fans” at the portals offer additional capacity to remove smoke and maintain a safe environment for Link passengers in an emergency. Link passenger service begins July 18.
Some transportation and construction issues you might wish to keep in mind in the upcoming days and weeks:

I-5 Reduced to One Lane for Re-striping

On Saturday, May 16 at 9:30 p.m. crews working for Sound Transit will begin reducing northbound lanes on I-5 between S. Spokane Street and Olive Way. Drivers should plan ahead and expect delays. This work is being done in preparation for the University Link Light Rail construction which includes closing the Olive Way off-ramp on Monday, May 18.

Drivers should expect to see the first lane closure on northbound I-5 at 9:30 p.m., the second at 10:30 p.m., the third lane closure at 11:30 p.m., with all traffic shifted to the far right lane by midnight. All northbound lanes of I-5 will reopen by 6 a.m. on Sunday, May 17.

Crews will also close ramps to and from downtown Seattle on northbound I-5. The University Street on-ramp will close at 9:00 p.m., the Cherry Street on-ramp at 10:00 p.m and the Seneca and 4th Ave off-ramps at midnight. All ramps will reopen by 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should follow the signed detour during the closure.

For more information about this project, contact Erin Hunter at (888) 298-2395 or erin.hunter@soundtransit.org.

Project information online: http://www.soundtransit.org/i5undercrossing

S. Spokane Street Viaduct Project

There is currently a temporary closure (approximately seven weeks) between Airport Way South and 6th Avenue South on South Spokane Street, to allow placement of a water quality vault underneath the Spokane Street Viaduct. This surface closure does not affect vehicles approaching Spokane Street from northbound I-5 (via exit 163) or from Beacon Hill (via S Columbian Way). Vehicles from these directions will make a slight jog to the left as they proceed west through the intersection at Sixth Avenue South.

Eastbound lower Spokane Street remains closed between First and Sixth Avenues, with a detour route north on First or Fourth to Lander. This eastbound closure will continue into mid-2010, although the section between the E-3 Busway and Sixth Avenue S will reopen this summer.

Click here for more information

SR 519 Intermodal Access Project

In this WSDOT project, crews are building a bridge over the railroad tracks on Royal Brougham Way and connecting a new off-ramp from I-90 and I-5 to the Edgar Martinez Way overpass near Safeco Field. Crews have completed widening of First Avenue S and S Atlantic Street. These improvements will enhance safety and traffic flow for people heading to and from the Port of Seattle, the waterfront, sports stadiums and destinations in the SODO neighborhood.

S. Royal Brougham Way will be open with one lane in each direction at least two hours before all Mariners games between Occidental Avenue S. and Fourth Avenue S. Left turns from northbound Fourth Avenue S. to westbound S. Royal Brougham Way will be prohibited. When S. Royal Brougham Way is closed, access to the Qwest Field Events Center garage will be provided from First Avenue S. and Occidental Avenue S. Pedestrian access will be provided at all times on the north sidewalk of S. Royal Brougham Way.

Click here for more information

Thanks to Sound Transit, Steve Louie, and WSDOT for the information.

Education, History of the Hill, Local Events

Van Asselt celebrates 100th anniversary; old annual illustrates life on 1920s Beacon Hill

We found this 1921 Annual from Van Asselt School recently. The contents are a wonderful glimpse into early 1920s life on Beacon Hill. Photo by Wendi.
We found this 1921 Annual from Van Asselt School recently. The contents are a wonderful glimpse into early 1920s life on Beacon Hill. Photo by Wendi.
Van Asselt Elementary on South Beacon Hill opened as a 4-room schoolhouse one hundred years ago, in 1909. Since then, the school has served thousands of children, as well as the larger Beacon Hill community.

This year is Van Asselt’s final year at the original site, as the school district has decided to close the Van Asselt building and move the program to a new location at the current African-American Academy site, further south on Beacon Avenue.

To mark this bittersweet occasion, the community, former staff and students, and current and future Van Asselt families are invited to a 100th Anniversary celebration and reunion on June 12, from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at the school, 7201 Beacon Avenue South. The event will include an open house and tours by students and staff in historical costumes, musical performances, speeches from community leaders and students, historical displays, and a cake and snack reception.

Lissa Munger from Van Asselt says, “We’re also collecting stories and memories from Van Asselt’s past. These can be sent to me (ecmunger@seattleschools.org), or to VanAsselt100@gmail.com. ”

The photo to the right is of a particular Van Asselt memory, a 1921 annual, that we discovered recently.

The Totem Annual, Volume II, June 1921, is a collection of mimeographed pages in a construction paper cover. It was produced by the seventh grade class that year, and the staff included Editor-in-Chief Helen Mance, department editors Elizabeth Wallace, James Scott, Arlee Baer, Martha Hansen, and Walter White, and illustrator Tom Petersen. The students included poems, historical drama, book reviews, and dreams of their futures. Unlike some school annuals, this one doesn’t contain student pictures.

Read on to see some excerpts from the Totem (there are a lot of them):
Continue reading Van Asselt celebrates 100th anniversary; old annual illustrates life on 1920s Beacon Hill →

Crime

Help find a stolen wheelchair

The missing chair is this model, in all-black
The missing chair is this model, in all-black
Neighbor Erin Musser’s wheelchair was stolen as she picked up her son from school last week. She writes:

My name is Erin Musser and my family and I have lived on North Beacon Hill for over 12 years. I rode my power wheelchair as usual to pick my 6 year old son up from Beacon Hill International School at 4:45 pm on Friday, May 8. I signed him out, descended the dozen or so stairs balancing myself with a cane and was puzzled when my chair wasn’t there.

I called the police and 2 different squad cars came after making a few sweeps around the neighborhood to no avail. I spoke with one of the teachers who said he saw my chair heading north on 13th Ave South ridden by a young male with dark curly hair and dark skin. He could only see a short tuft of curly dark hair above the back of the seat which indicated the alleged suspect was most likely fairly young.

The entirely black chair is a Jazzy Power Chair Model 1122.

Any information can be e-mailed to me at: epoly@aol.com or you may call our home number at (206) 860-6928. Thank you for any leads you can give.

KIRO TV has a video report.

Thanks Sara for the video link.

Lost and Found

Chesnut has been found

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(Editors’ note, May 21: Chesnut has now been found. Thanks for your help, everyone!)

Saber Head writes, looking for a lost cat:

Hi there-

I lost my cat last night on Saturday, May 9th on 12th and Atlantic. He is a male domestic silver tabby and goes by the name Chesnut. When called he does come to the sound of his name. His stripes are very faint, and barely visible, he has lighter coloring on his chin and has white lines around his eyes (looks like white eyeliner). He is quite friendly, but I dont know what his behaviour might be outside. He likes shrubs and bushes, if you happen to see this cat around, please call us! He is an indoor cat and has been outside once or twice. Please let us know if you see him. I am so worried about him!

Last seen: May 9th, 10 PM
Name:Chesnut
Type: Silver tabby-Faint stripes-lighter color around mouth and underbelly

Clean and Green

Raised-bed veggie gardens for seniors: volunteers, candidates needed

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photo by Sbocaj
photo by Sbocaj
Kahlyn Keilty-Lucas, El Centro de la Raza Senior Garden Project Coordinator, is running a project to provide raised-bed vegetable gardens for seniors, providing outdoor activity along with some self-sufficiency and money-savings on groceries to our older neighbors.

The gardens are housed in a four by six by two foot box, allowing them to be placed in the yard, in an unused driveway, or even atop a paved-over planting strip. Seeds, vegetable starts, and gardening tools will be provided. A weekly visit from master gardener volunteers is available to those who may have growing questions.

The project has funding (courtesy of the United Way) and materials to provide 40 gardens, but is currently lacking on manpower to get them set-up and in place. If you know a local senior that would enjoy learning about and tending to a little vegetable garden, or if you have some basic tools or a truck and could volunteer to help assemble, transport, or install them, please contact Kahlyn at El Centro (612-387-8481).

Local Events

Saturday is a busy day on Beacon Hill

Its that time of year again! Please donate to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Photo by Jason Taellious.
It's that time of year again! Please donate to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Photo by Jason Taellious.
Lots of things are happening on or near the Hill on Saturday. Here’s a quick list. Remember, you can check our Events Calendar anytime to see what’s up.

  • Rainier Valley Cooperative Preschool is hosting a Rummage Sale from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm, at 3818 South Angeline Street in Columbia City.
  • The Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Asian Craft Fair is from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. 3001 24th Avenue South.
  • The School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts (SANCA) Annual Spring Showcase has two performances on Saturday at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska Street. Choose between the 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm shows – or go to both!
  • The Stamp Out Hunger food drive is also on Saturday. It’s probably the easiest food drive there is — just place bags filled with non-perishable food items next to your mailbox or mail slot. Your letter carrier will pick them up and deliver them to local food banks!
Crime, Health and Safety, Local Events, Urban Planning

Parties, crime, and alcohol touched on at NBHC meeting

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The North Beacon Hill Council met tonight at 7 at the Beacon Hill library. Very briefly, here’s what went down:

  • Reps from DPD present talked about outreach and prep for the next planning meeting May 30th.
  • An ad hoc committee and an outreach subcommittee of the Neighborhood Planning Advisory Committee is seeking a six month delay in the DPD neighborhood planning process to get outreach to more of the community and focus more closely on neighborhood issues specifically instead of Southeast Seattle issues generally.
  • Beacon Mountain Playground is moving forward with phase 1 of the project.
  • An SDOT representative will be at the June meeting to provide an update.
  • Some background on the Sound Transit tunnel voids was given by Roger Pence. There are believed to be only two unfilled voids remaining and they are being actively worked on.
  • Some discussion of the pedestrian safety, zoning, and environmental issues around the new car wash occurred, leading into a proposal to form a committee to work on attracting additional businesses to the hill and a motion to write a letter to the DPD concerning the zoning conflict with the transit overlay area.
  • Police updates included notice that staffing hours will likely change soon, focusing more bodies during the times of day when they’re needed. Also brief discussion of car prowls, burglaries, graffiti, car accidents, prostitution, etc.
  • Asian Express’s liquor license renewal is mentioned to be coming up soon, and it may be an opportune time to work out a “good neighbor” agreement to reduce the sales of high-alcohol beverages.
  • Volunteers were sought to staff the NBHC booth at the Jefferson Park festival on June 6th.
  • Michael Richmond mentioned the possible upcoming city council and mayoral candidate forums this fall. Previous candidate forums are said to have been especially well attended here on the hill.
  • The Piñata Party will be on July 18th this year — the same day as the Sound Transit Link Light Rail grand opening. This may be both good and bad.
  • Newly elected board members:
    • Matthew Stubbs
    • Sara Hasan

Did I miss something or get something wrong? Let us know in the comments.