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Meet 
Highland Park Roundabouts Cleanup and Beautification
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Fall is here and so is HPAC’s next meeting – September 27, 2017
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Lt. Ron Smith, Seattle Police Department: 
Meet Judie and Phil from
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HPAC delivers 360 letters of support for grant for “Compact Roundabout” at Highland Park Way
Thank you! We are all one step closer!
This week we submitted 360 letters and postcards of support from all of you – neighbors, elected officials, community groups, and businesses for SDOT’s grant application to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for a “Compact Roundabout” at intersection of Highland Park Way and SW Holden St. in West Seattle.
In addition to HPAC’s letter, here is a partial list of letters of support that were received:
Community Organizations
- Westwood Roxhill Arbor Heights Community Coalition (WWRHAH)
- South Delridge Community Group
- West Seattle Transportation Coalition
- Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC)
- DNDA (Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association)
- North Highline Unincorporated Area Council NHUAC
Elected Officials
- Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Representative (WA 7th District)
- Seattle City Council
- Lisa Herbold, Seattle City Councilmember, District 1
- Joe McDermott , Chair, King County Council, District 8
- State Representative Eileen Cody, Washington’s 34th Legislative District
- State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon Washington’s 34th Legislative District
Business
- Dutchboy Coffee
- Making Waves Coaching & Consulting
More great news – $500,000 has been identified to advance this project, so far.
From an excerpt from Seattle City Council’s letter outlining steps taken so far:
“Since 2013, residents of the Highland Park neighborhood have lobbied the city to enhance this intersection. Their efforts led to the development of a conceptual design which has been vetted by local engineers and roundabout experts at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). In 2017, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) allocated more than $200,000 in local funds to advance the design of the project. SDOT has identified an additional $300,000 in local funds to support construction as well.”
SDOT will not hear back until mid-fall on the status of the application, but with the community’s showing of support, the funds already identified, we believe this grant application is quite strong.
To learn more or be a part of other safe streets projects in Highland Park – join us at our Sept. 27, 2017 meeting. All HPAC meetings are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, WA 98106 on the 4th Wednesday of the month (from Jan – June & Sept – October) Doors open at 6:30 – Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
HPAC’s Comments Submitted on Mandatory Housing Affordability Draft EIS
To: Councilmember Lisa Herbold
Office of Planning and Community Development via website
From: Highland Park Action Committee
RE: MHA DEIS Public Comment Submitted on August 1, 2017
Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives
HPAC Answer
The Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan did not update the Westwood/Highland Park Neighborhood Plan. This one size fits all approach to urban village Up zoning will not work in areas further from reliable transit such as Westwood/Highland Park and with the lack attention paid to infrastructure regarding streets, sidewalks etc and for the last 30+ years. To increase in housing without mandating family friendly units 2-3+ bedroom units in urban villages will increase displacement. The proposed percentage of affordable units and/or impact fees is not enough to justify building up in the Westwood/Highland Park area in any of the forms of MHA.
Housing and Socioeconomics
HPAC Answer
Most concerning is displacement. In Highland Park we do have several mid- rise affordable apartments, but we are also seeing an increase in pricey town homes replacing modest single family homes. We are significantly concerned that those older mid-rise buildings are going to be replaced with expensive, small/micro units and not family friendly sized units, along with the proposed percentage of affordable units or impact fees are not enough to justify building up this area.
Land Use
No specific comment
Aesthetics
No specific comment
Transportation
HPAC Answer
Without a parallel plan to increase public transit in the next 3-10 years, adding additional housing in Westwood/Highland Park will only overburden our very limited bus access, the 131 bus being the main bus to downtown for Highland Park and it is already a squeeze to get on. With no immediate plans to increase bus service and bring light rail to the area, it is irresponsible to increase density in this area.
Historic Resources
HPAC Answer
The City of Seattle has had a long history of neglecting to increase infrastructure and resources in Highland Park and the surrounding neighborhoods in the Delridge area, from poor performing schools to ever increasing traffic, lack of sidewalks, a food desert, and poor bus service. These issues have been raised for years, some for over 70 years, with little progress. Without an immediate plan and the resources to increase infrastructure and the resources for our under-performing schools in the area it is irresponsible for the City of Seattle to upzone areas & increase density with high displacement and low opportunities such as Westwood/Highland Park.
Highland Park is a mixed race/mixed income community that has faced historic redlining, has a lower median income as compared to Seattle overall (22% lower than Seattle overall), with 81% of students at Highland Park Elementary on Free or Reduced lunch (May 2016), higher percentage of single parent families (13% as compared to 8% in Seattle overall), and higher percentage of those who speak little to no English (10% vs. 5% for Seattle overall) and 28% of our neighbors are immigrants as compared to 18% for Seattle over all.
We still feel the effects of that redlining today, with street infrastructure improvements being requested and not addressed; under-performing schools; gang violence; vacant homes and business; cuts to transit; little to no community based services; and located within a food desert to name some of structural conditions neighbors are living under. With no immediate plans to increase infrastructure and resources to the area, it is irresponsible to increase density in this area.
Biological Resources
No specific comment
Open Space & Recreation
HPAC Answer
Highland Park and the surrounding neighborhoods in the Delridge area fought to keep Myers Way parcel from being sold for development in order to develop further parks and green space. While the City has agreed to keep the parcel it has yet to be turned over to Parks to begin the development process, with no timeline in place to increase open green space, it is irresponsible to increase density in this area.
Public Services & Utilities
No specific comment
Air Quality & Green House Gas Emissions
HPAC Answer
Westwood/Highland Park sits above South Park is already is dealing with significant air pollution. Adding density is adding more people with cars, because of the lack of transit options off the peninsular, which will exacerbate that even further.
The public comment period ON MHA ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR HALA is extended until Aug 7, 2017
HAVE YOU GIVEN FEEDBACK YET?
From City of Seattle’s website “Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) is a new policy to ensure that growth brings affordability. MHA will require new development to include affordable homes or contribute to a City fund for affordable housing. To put MHA into effect, Seattle needs to make zoning changes that add development capacity and expand housing choices.”
“An environmental impact statement (EIS) is prepared when the lead agency has determined a proposal is likely to result in significant adverse environmental impacts (see section on how to Assess Significance). The EIS process is a tool for identifying and analyzing probable adverse environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and possible mitigation.”
HPAC Request:
- Review the draft EIS and give feedback. The public comment period is extended until Aug 7th.
Speak Up for Highland Park Way/SW Holden Intersection Improvements!
Let’s fix Highland Park Way/SW Holden Intersection – We need your support!
Highland Park Action Committee (HPAC) is gathering letters of support for an SDOT grant application to the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board for a “Compact Roundabout” at intersection of Highland Parkway and SW Holden St. in West Seattle.
In hopes of increasing the chances for funding, SDOT has asked for a showing community support for the project. We are hoping you will provide a letter of support for this project. We are collecting all the letters so SDOT may include them in the grant application.
You can download our Template Letter Letter for WTIB that you can also edit if you choose.
HPAC needs to have all letters by July 25th
Please either:
- Email to hpacchair@gmail.com
- Drop off or mail to HPAC
c/o Highland Park Improvement Club
1116 SW Holden, Seattle, 98106
We will also have postcards you can sign at all HPIC events in July and at Dutchboy Coffee
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. Please feel free to forward to any neighbors, groups, or businesses as well.
Thanks
Co-chairs
Text of the Template Letter for WTIB
Washington State Transportation Improvement Board
Republic Building, 505 Union Ave SE #350
Olympia, WA 98501
Date
To whom it may concern,
As a resident I am writing to support the City of Seattle’s grant application for a “Compact Roundabout” for the intersection of Highland Park Way and SW Holden St. in West Seattle.
Highland Park Way is a major arterial off the peninsula; it is one of the three ways out of West Seattle. The Highland Park neighborhood has been advocating for over 70 years for infrastructure improvements for the intersection of Highland Park Way and SW Holden, because of consistent accidents that could have been avoided and increasing traffic backups.
This project meets WSTIB criteria for a successful arterial project as it will increase safety for pedestrians, bikes, and commuters; it will address current needs and be flexible to meet the future growth, development, and density of the area; it will greatly improve the physical condition of the area as there has not been any significant infrastructure in this area for many years; and it greatly increase mobility for residents, visitors, and commercial traffic.
It is time to bring Highland Park Way into the 21st century.
Thank you,
Name
Street Address
City, State Zip
Phone
Neighborhood Happenings and News
Seattle City Council District 8 and 9 Candidate Forum
Tuesday, July 25th, from 7-9 pm
Hosted by the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council and the Highland Park Improvement Club
The format of the forum: each candidate will have 5 minutes to share their message. After after all candidates have presented, there will be a mixer where candidates can mingle with attending members of the West Seattle community to chat about specific items until 9 pm.
Who: Seattle City Council District 8 and 9 candidates
What: Candidate forum – 5 minutes presentation followed by mingling with prospective constituents
Where: Highland Park Improvement Club – 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, 98106
Why: Because voters shouldn’t look at a ballot and say “I have no idea who this is”
When: Tuesday, July 25th, from 7-9 pm
Contact: Mat McBride, Chair, Delridge Neighborhoods District Council
Please donate to Save Highland Park Elementary School’s Reading Program
The Reading Partners tutoring program at Highland Park Elementary School, southwest Seattle, is facing elimination due to deep budget cuts. We volunteer tutors need to raise $30,000 to keep the program. Fundraising deadline is July 15 – donations will be refunded if the goal is not met. Please contribute, to benefit students’ future success!
To donate use their Go Fund Me page.
Tutors and students work one-on-one to help students gain the skills to read at grade level. Research shows that when students can read at grade level entering 4th grade, they are 4 times more likely to graduate from high school.
Donations go to the Seattle chapter of Reading Partners, a 501(c)(3) organization, and are tax deductible: http://readingpartners.org/
Thank you for your support! And the kids thank you, too!
Save Highland Park Reading Partners from Dina Lydia on Vimeo.
Have you give feedback on MHA Environmental Impact Statement for HALA yet?
From City of Seattle’s website “Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) is a new policy to ensure that growth brings affordability. MHA will require new development to include affordable homes or contribute to a City fund for affordable housing. To put MHA into effect, Seattle needs to make zoning changes that add development capacity and expand housing choices.”
“An environmental impact statement (EIS) is prepared when the lead agency has determined a proposal is likely to result in significant adverse environmental impacts (see section on how to Assess Significance). The EIS process is a tool for identifying and analyzing probable adverse environmental impacts, reasonable alternatives, and possible mitigation.”
HPAC Request:
- Review the draft EIS and give feedback. The public comment period is open until July 23.
Did you know?
HPAC maintains a Facebook page and Twitter account where we post neighborhood news, grant opportunities, and updates. Please join us on social media.
There is also a Highland Park Facebook group as well where group members can post events, info, and updates, it is run by and for the neighbors of Highland Park, West Seattle.
Next HPAC Meeting is Weds., June 28, 2017
All HPAC meetings are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, WA 98106 on the 4th Wednesday of the month (from Jan – June & Sept – October) Doors open at 6:30 – Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Agenda Includes:
HPAC Projects
Find it, Fix it Walk – Next steps and additional neighborhood action and follow up regarding upcoming report. See video from the walk.
- Suggested action: Review any outstanding requests and debrief the walk.
Highland Park Way Roundabout – Next steps on securing funding and a neighborhood letter writing campaign which will be needed for this.
- Suggested action: Approving the draft neighbor and business letter templates and outreach plan for distributing. Letters at due Aug 1, 2017
HALA – DEIS (Draft Environmental Impact Statement) community response – There is a 45 day period to submit responses, there will be a Seattle coalition analysis and likely some kind of West Seattle wide meeting to explain more of the policy wonk bits and express opinions. It will then be up to each neighborhood to respond to the overall DEIS in context to local Urban Village proposals. View video explain the process http://www.seattlechannel.org/misc-video?videoid=x76789
- Suggested Actions from WWRHAH: Would HPAC reps wish to attend the larger analysis meetings, and, does HPAC want to meet and coordinate with SDCG & WWRHAH on our Urban Village response no later than mid-July?
H-Line Metro – SDOT and Metro and the question of accountability to the community. Several neighborhood groups have reached out to SDOT regarding changes to existing 128 and 60 bus services and received conflicting messages.
- Suggested Actions from WWRHAH: Would HPAC like coordinate with WWRHAH and SDCG to request a meeting in the early fall with Metro to present the community’s overarching mass transit challenges, and provide community generated suggestions, and request Metro to pursue data that refutes what we are telling them.
HPAC Executive Committee Updates:
- Finances, decisions, and requests
Engagement with Community Resources
Lt. Ron Smith, Seattle Police Department:
Reviewing current crime stats and responding to current concerns/issues
Meet Yun Pitre, Community Engagement Coordinator, with the Department of Neighborhoods.
Yun will talk about the changes to the Neighborhood District Coordinator program as there are now four Community Engagement Coordinators acting as points of contact for the City. Yun assigned to neighborhoods south of I-90 and West Seattle (District 1 & 2).
Meet Cherry Liu, Family Engagement Specialist, Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House offers preschool, toddler, and home visiting programs through its Head Start, Early Head Start, and Parent Child Home programs. The age ranges are 3-5 years for preschool, 2-3 years for toddler, and prenatal-3 years for early head start home visiting and 16-30 months for the Parent Child Home Program. Cherry Liu is a Family Engagement Specialist with Neighborhood House and she will be available to provide information on these programs and answer any questions community members or providers might have about them.
Meet Zach Carstensen, Director, Outreach and Engagement, Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)
Zach will be at HPAC to learn more about the community and understand the needs as well as answer questions about Congress member Jayapal’s work in Washington DC.
Community Announcements
HPIC
Other
Thank YOU!
For participating in last month Find it, Fix it Walk!
Mayor Murray has conveyed several times to HPAC leadership that Highland Park was one of the best walks he has done, because neighbors came with solutions to the issues that were raised.
Neighbors invited to Highland Park Find It, Fix It Community Walk This a Thursday!
HPAC & Highland Park Happenings
Neighbors invited to Highland Park Find It, Fix It Community Walk
Mayor Murray’s Find It, Fix It Community Walks provide a unique opportunity for community members to identify neighborhood needs and discuss challenges directly with City leaders. The third walk this year will be held in Highland Park on Thursday, May 25.
Highland Park Find It, Fix It Community Walk
Thursday, May 25
Meet at Highland Park Improvement Club at 1116 SW Holden St
Schedule
Sign-in, refreshments and volunteer opportunities: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Program and walk: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sign-in, refreshment and volunteer sign-up opportunities with various City programs.
6:30 p.m. – 7:55 p.m.
Walk commences along the follow route (map):
7:55 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Walk concludes at the intersection of 16th Ave SW and SW Holden St
Participants can use the Find It, Fix It mobile app on the walk. This smartphone app offers mobile users one more way to report selected issues to the City. Make sure to download the app before the walk.
In partnership with Cities of Service, the City will offer up to $3,000 in grants for community-led projects to each 2017 Find It, Fix It Walk neighborhood. The Highland Park Community Project Grant Application is available at seattle.gov/finditfixit until June 8. If you have an idea for a project in Highland Park, please apply today!
For more information on the Find It, Fix It Community Walks program, please contact Paige Madden at paige.madden@seattle.gov or visit http://www.seattle.gov/finditfixit.
Requested attendees:
Pierre Davis – Police Dept.
Scott Kubly – Dept. of Transportation
Jim Curtin – Dept. of Transportation
Lisa Herbold – Councilmember West Seattle
Newell Aldrich – CM Herbold’s Office
Lorena Gonzalez – Councilmember At-large
Nicolas Welch – Office of Planning and Community Development
Representative – Public Utilities (illegal dumping)
Representative – Metro
Representative – Parks Dept.
For more information please contact Paige Madden at Paige.Madden@seattle.gov or at (206) 233-5166.
http://www.seattle.gov/finditfixit
Weds., May 24th – HPAC Meeting
All HPAC meetings are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, WA 98106 on the 4th Wednesday of the month (from Jan – June & Sept – October) Doors open at 6:30 – Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Agenda Includes:
Open Discussion on Timely Issues
Final Planning for Find It, Fix It Walk Highland Park
May HPAC & Highland Park Happenings
Weds., May 24th – HPAC Meeting
All HPAC meetings are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, WA 98106 on the 4th Wednesday of the month (from Jan – June & Sept – October) Doors open at 6:30 – Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Agenda Includes:
Open Discussion on Timely Issues
- Final Planning for Find It, Fix It Walk Highland Park
Find It, Fix It Walk – Next Steps
The second Community Walk Action Team (CWAT) meeting will be held at the Highland Park Elementary School Library on Tuesday, May 16 from 6:30-7:30pm. Encourage your neighbors to get involved!
If you live or work in Highland Park and would like to let us know of a community concern (overgrown trees, graffiti, street light outages, litter, damaged sidewalks, etc.), please complete the Community Input Survey and email it to Paige.Madden@seattle.gov or Lemmis.Stephens@seattle.gov.
Potential topics/stops:
- Pedestrian and motorist safety, potential roundabout (Holden & Highland Park Way SW)
- Intersection needs left turn lanes/signals (Holden & 16th)
- Plans for SCL surplus property – request to have café and senior/affordable housing (Holden & 16th)
- Highland Park is a “food desert”
- Lack of access to Georgetown and Southpark
- State of Riverview Playfield Park
- Lack of upkeep of open green spaces
- Stairways need maintained, many blackberry brambles (Holden & 14th, Thistle & 14th)
- ADA accessibility throughout neighborhood (along Holden St)
- Litter at Metro bus stops
- History and community involvement of the Highland Park Improvement Club
- Success of the community effort to move invasive species in Westcrest Park
- Success of working with the City to paint a crosswalk and install flashing lights (Holden & 11th)
Potential starting/ending points:
- Riverview Playfield
- Highland Park Improvement Club
Requested attendees:
- Pierre Davis – Police Dept.
- Scott Kubly – Dept. of Transportation
- Jim Curtin – Dept. of Transportation
- Newell Aldrich – CM Herbold’s Office
- Lorena Gonzalez – Councilmember At-large
- Nicolas Welch – Office of Planning and Community Development
- Representative – Public Utilities (illegal dumping)
- Representative – Metro
- Representative – Parks Dept.
For more information please contact Paige Madden at Paige.Madden@seattle.gov or at (206) 233-5166.
www.seattle.gov/finditfixit
Join HPAC, HPIC, Neighbors, Mayor Murray, and City Officials at the Find It, Fix It Highland Park Community Walk on Thursday, May 25th
City of Seattle Community Conversation
Re: Homelessness at Myers Way
Monday, May 15
7:00 – 8:30 PM
Joint Training Facility
9401 Myers Way South
City of Seattle has organized another public meeting about broader concerns about how homelessness is impacting Myers Way, including the unauthorized encampments outside of Camp Second Chance. Come join the conversation.
For more information contact George Scarola, Director of Homelessness
City of Seattle | Office of the Mayor
O: 206.684.0969 | george.scarola@seattle.gov
Get Involved in Planning the Highland Park Find, Fix It Community Walk
ATTEND the Highland Park Find It, Fix It
Community Walk Action Team Meeting
Thursday, May 4th, at the Highland Park Elementary School Library from 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Initial walk time and starting location to be announced at the meeting.
Find It, Fix It Walk Coming to Highland Park
The Find It, Fix It Community Walks are a series of Mayor-led walks that help to improve neighborhoods one block at a time. During these walks, neighbors, police, and City officials walk together to identify physical elements in the neighborhood that make it feel unsafe or poorly maintained.
The Community Walk Action Team (CWAT) is a collection of community members, non-profit leaders, and business owners who live or work in a Find It, Fix It Community Walk neighborhood.
CWAT members help to:
- Inform City officials about neighborhood needs
- Plan the walk route
- Recruit neighbors, friends, and family to join the community walk
- Find additional outreach opportunities like neighborhood events and meetings
The time commitment involves a few weeknight meetings, as well as participation at your neighborhood’s walk (3-8 hours total over a span of 5 weeks). If you are interested in helping plan the Find It, Fix It Community Walk in your neighborhood, please contact Paige Madden at Paige.Madden@seattle.gov or at (206) 233-5166.
Apply for Community Project Grant
In partnership with Cities of Service, the City of Seattle is offering up to $3,000 in mini-grants for the 2017 Find It, Fix It Community Walks neighborhoods to support community-led revitalization and beautification projects.
What you can do with a Community Project Grant:
- Host litter pick-ups or graffiti clean-up events
- Paint a mural on a public space
- Create and install new educational or wayfinding signage
- Plant flowers along a sidewalk or street median
For more information please review our Community Grant Application or contact Paige Madden at (206) 233-5166. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for each Find It, Fix It Community Walk neighborhood. Completed applications can be sent to Paige.Madden@seattle.gov.
HPAC’s April Meeting – Did you get our invite?
Next Meeting is Weds., April 26, 2017
All HPAC meetings are held at the Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden, Seattle, WA 98106 on the 4th Wednesday of the month (from Jan – June & Sept – October)
Meeting from 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Let us know if you got this postcard in the mail!
Agenda Includes:
Guest Speakers
- Seattle Police Dept update including crime stats
Lemmis Stephens, Find It, Fix It Program Coordinator, will give an overview of what to expect for Highland Park’s Find It, Fix It walk scheduled for May.
Find It, Fix It Walk Coming to Highland Park
Open Discussion on Timely Issues:
- Discussion and Planning our suggested route for Find it/Fix it walk.
- Discussion and Planning for HPAC Neighbor Fun/Work Day
- Discussion of Coordinated/Neighborhood effort for Pothole Palooza!
- Still looking for volunteers to help Develop a Neighborhood Survey
HPAC Updates
- Update on HPAC Outreach Campaign Update
- Update on Neighborhood Parks and Streets Fund Highland Park Projects moved to Phase 2
- Update on Myers Way Encampment and Community Advisory Committee – Next community meeting is being scheduled
Community Announcements
- HPIC events
- Other announcements
Got Agenda Items? Email hpacchair@gmail.com for more information.
Check out our Facebook page for announcements, events, and other timely happenings.
HPAC 