SDOT estimates installation will be completed in Spring 2025
The lines are on the streets. The four-color fliers warning of construction arrived in the mailboxes of residents on Carleton Avenue S and Flora Avenue S. Yep, the Seattle Department of Transportation's "Healthy Streets" are about to become permanent on those blocks between South Eddy and South Willow streets.
Soon, weather permitting, the orange and white construction barricades vandalized with spray paint will give way to permanent "Street Closed" signs in concrete bases. Their placement will narrow street entrances to 11 feet creating "gateways" that force vehicles to slow down and very carefully drive through. Pointing to simulations created with design software, SDOT assures that a large truck or SUV will still be able drive through the gateway.
When it is drier and warmer, speed bumps will also be installed. Both traffic calming measures are efforts to slow down drivers or dissuade them from using the streets as shortcuts, which became a noticeable problem when the West Seattle Bridge was closed in 2020-22. Some drivers still speed down Carleton's wide avenue, which at one time was an entrance to Interstate 5.
One set of concrete planters and signs will be placed immediately in front of the Bloom Bistro & Grocery shop at the corner of Carleton Avenue and South Warsaw Street. At one point, SDOT sought to move the loading zone in front of the business and also relocate an ADA parking spot as part of the project. Also, as of a couple months ago, SDOT designs suggested a parklet and large curb bulb with seating could be built in front of the shop.
Both the landlord and the shop's owner/operator expressed concerns about the plan, arguing that removing the loading zone could hurt the shop's operations or that of any future business there. They asked that the signs be moved south and not block the business. They also noted a lack of communication with SDOT during earlier planning phases.
It appears the signs and concrete planters will still be placed in front of the business near the corner, but there will be no parklet. The loading zone will be preserved, but it will be up next to the area with concrete planters likely testing truck drivers' parallel parking skills.
In response to a list of emailed questions, SDOT said it met with the business and property owner and revised plans based on feedback to better accommodate needs. Bloom's owner, Marisa Figueroa, said the meeting in early November was not a discussion, but SDOT presenting their final plans. "They might truly believe there was a conversation, but there really wasn't," Figueroa said.
SDOT estimates the project will be finished in Spring 2025.
For more information, visit SDOT's Georgetown Healthy Street web page or email questions and concerns to healthystreets@seattle.gov.
A permanent "Healthy Streets" sign with concrete base will be placed in front of Bloom Bistro & Grocery, 6601 Carleton Ave. S., and next to the shop's loading zone.
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