WEST SEATTLE LINK

JuNO

24 JANUARY 2018
THE JUNCTION

2
BACKGROUND
 Streetcar junction in 1920’s
 Hub Urban Village since 1990’s
 Walkable urban neighborhood
 4,000+ households
 226 acres
 204’ of elevation change Avalon-to-California

3
DESIGN GUIDELINES
 Set forth in SMC 23.41.004
 Defines the commercial core
 Specifies pedestrian-orientation and
architectural standards
 Priorities include walkability and connectivity
through commercial zones and open spaces

4
5
6
 Avalon
(condo / apts)
California Ave
historic
commercial Triangle
(could be a
job center)
Single
family
housing Alaska St.
(apartments)

7
ALASKA ST

8
SEATTLE 2035 COMP PLAN
 Junction is a “Hub Urban Village” per FLUM
 Noted as “Underserved” for Parks/Open Space
 Includes adopted Neighborhood Plan with 40
goals and policies, such as:

9
OUR PRIORITIES FOR ST3
 Walkable urban neighborhood, welcoming to all
 Consistency with adopted plans and guidelines
 Minimize impact to our businesses, and residents during
and after construction
 Centrally located station
 Coordination with City projects
 Strong links between transportation options, including
transit & commercial parking considerations

10
ISSUES w/REP. ALIGNMENT
 Elevated alignment interferes with our pedestrian street
connectors (Fauntleroy & Alaska)
 Significant impact to nearby residents and businesses
 Extends across California Ave, impacting this cultural
center and our historic landmarks
 Bisects our neighborhood – breaks adopted guidelines
– “Moves the viaduct to West Seattle”
 Should turn south for future extension
 Missed opportunity to address open space issue

11
ELEVATED VISUALS

12
REPRESENTATIVE ALIGNMENT

13
ENTERING THE JUNCTION

14
AVALON STATION

15
FAUNTELROY WAY

16
ALASKA ST

17
JUNCTION STATION

18
CALIFORNIA/ALASKA JUNCTION

19
CALIFORNIA/ALASKA - EAST

20
CALIFORNIA/ALASKA – EAST (AGED)

21
TERMINUS

22
TUNNEL / CENTRAL STATION
ALTERNATIVE

23
POSSIBLE ENTRY POINTS

24
PROPOSED CENTRAL STATION SITE

25
CENTRAL STATION CONCEPT

26
CENTRAL STATION CONCEPT

Possible entrances
to station?
Private
redevelopment of
Jefferson Square?

27
ALASKA ST DOWNHILL

28
WHY?
 Solve open space issue
 Complete planned greenway and pedestrian
connectors
 Create central gathering place
 Integrate with existing park acquisition space
 Do a land swap? Trade some space at the
stadium / golf course area for new central park

29
HOW TO PAY FOR IT?
 Use tunnel to minimize property acquisition,
environmental impact, and legal issues
 De-scope Avalon station and invest savings in
tunnel
 Add additional ST funding sources?
 Possible mixed-use zoning incentives at the
Triangle with impact fees?

30
WHY TRADE AVALON STATION?
 Small walkshed
 Not designated in ST3 as a transit connector
 Difficult to access—steep slopes
 Ped access is bisected by major arterial streets
 Junction station is 4 blocks away
 Saves 60+ homes from demolition

31
CONCLUSION
 Current proposal is out of step with established
area plans.
 Recommendations:
o #1: TUNNEL
o #2: ONE CENTRAL STATION
o #3: ADD OPEN SPACE
o #4: FOLLOW DESIGN GUIDELINES
o #5: PEDESTRIAN/BIKE CONNECTORS

32
NEXT STEPS
 Deadline for suggestions for this or other alternatives is
March 5th !

 wsblink@soundtransit.org
 https://wsblink.participate.online

33
ADDITIONAL SLIDES

34
STATIONS ARE CLOSE TOGETHER – WHY SPEND THE $?

Compare
distances

35
STATION AREAS OVERLAP

36
AVALON STATION IS NOT NEEDED

Avalon Station
only adds this
WS Bridge
(barrier)

Served by
Delridge

Served by
Park area
Junction

37
BUS ROUTES FROM NB 35th

Similar bus route

length from 35th
NB.

Benefit: Diverts
buses away from
congested area at
the entrance to WS
Bridge.

38
FROM ST3 LITERATURE

...i.e. not Avalon

39