Category: notes and events

April 2 “What’s Happening in Ravenna-Bryant” – agenda & updated list of participating groups

“What’s Happening in Ravenna-Bryant”
Monday, April 2, 2018
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave NE

Agenda

6:30: Welcome & RBCA business

Election of 2018-19 board members
Slate of Nominees:

Sharon Alper
Jorgen Bader
Scott Campbell
Garrett Cobarr
Michelle Chen
Chris Fiori
Oralea Howard
David Katz
Katherine Mackinnon
Inga Manskopf
Andrew Sang
Sarah Swanberg
Josephine Pompey
David Ward

Vote – Bylaws Amendment
Proposed change: Eligible new board members may be voted onto the board at any regular board meeting.

6:40: Guest speaker – Assistant Police Chief Steve Wilske

In the community center gym, it is difficult to hear people providing a formal presentation if others are talking. Therefore, we request that from 6:30-7:15 participants join in the formal meeting and sit with all other participants or take conversations out into the community center lobby.

7:15: Open house – visit tables

Participating groups:

Councilmember Rob Johnson’s office
D4 Neighborhood Action Council
Friends of Ravenna-Cowen
King County RainWise
NE Seattle Equity & Social Justice Council
NE Seattle Greenways
NE Seattle Together
NE Seattle Tool Library
Prevention Works in Seattle
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center
Ravenwood United
Roosevelt & Ravenna for Everyone
Sand Point Naval Air Station Historic District
Safe 35th Avenue NE
Save 35th Avenue NE
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
Seattle Department of Transportation
Seattle Police Department
Seattle Public Library, NE Branch
U District Moblity
University of Washington

Find out what’s being built:
6600 Roosevelt Project – Bellwether Housing, Mercy Housing Northwest
Aegis Five Corners – Aegis Senior Communities

Expected behavior: As with all RBCA events and meetings, it is expected that participants treat each other with respect. We are all neighbors who want a welcoming, thriving, safe, diverse, and connected neighborhood. Treating others with respect includes:

Listen to what others are saying.

Refrain from making negative comments and assumptions about others.

Disagreement with others is okay. Making personal attacks is not.

Hear and respect minority opinions.

Be courteous and sensitive to the feelings of others.

Good allies speak up. Do not ignore inappropriate behavior.

Sunday, November 19: Walk & vigil in remembrance of people killed on NE 65th St in 2017

On February 4, 2017, a Saturday afternoon, this was the scene at NE 65th Street and 20th Avenue NE. Doris Van Allen (age 89) was struck by the driver of a pick-up truck as she walked in the crosswalk. She was taken to the hospital with serious head injuries and later died.

On Sunday, neighbors are invited to remember Doris Van Allen and Junhui Wang (age 26), who was struck and killed as she crossed NE 65th Street at Roosevelt Ave NE on January 26, 2017.

#Fix65th: World Day of Remembrance Memorial Vigil & Walk

WHEN: Sunday, November 19, at noon

WHAT: As part of World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, join Councilmember Rob Johnson and neighbors in commemorating the two people killed while crossing NE 65th Street in 2017.

WHERE: Meet at the corner of Roosevelt and NE 65th Street, where a silhouette will be placed in remembrance of Junhui Wang. The group will then walk east on NE 65th Street and place a silhouette on the corner of 20th Avenue NE and NE 65th Street in remembrance of Doris Van Allen.

In 2016, RBCA joined with the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association and NE Seattle Greenways to create the #Fix65th coalition to advocate for changes to NE 65th Street and to make it safer for all who use it.

SDOT to host 35th Ave NE paving project open house October 21

Over the past several years, plans have been developed with the goal of creating a safe and pedestrian-friendly experience for neighbors wishing to walk to businesses and services on 35th Avenue NE from NE 55th Street to NE 85th Street.

Future of 35th Avenue NE Plan

Planning for the future of 35th Avenue NE public workshop circa 2014. Photo courtesy of Future of 35th Ave NE blog.

Between 2012 and 2015, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association, the Wedgwood Community Council, and neighbors from both communities worked together to develop a plan, including  design guidelines, for creating a vibrant 35th Avenue NE.

After 3 years of public meetings, field trips, data collection, Coffee Talks, surveying, being awarded a grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, selecting a consultant team, hosting public workshops, collecting more data, the Future of 35th Ave NE Plan was released in 2015. The plan contains a streetscape toolkit that includes recommendations for making 35th Avenue NE pedestrian-friendly.

Pedestrian safety improvements along arterial roads

While the RBCA board has focused most of our mobility-related advocacy efforts on improving safety along the NE 65th Street corridor most recently, all arterial roads in the neighborhood have been identified as needing changes to make them safer for all who use them.

In a 2016 survey about neighborhood mobility concerns, pedestrian safety was the primary concern.  The most common complaint regarding pedestrian safety, as well as motorist and biker safety,  was people speeding in their cars along both arterial and residential streets. The second most common complaint was about how difficult it is to cross arterial roads and, interestingly enough, it wasn’t only pedestrians and bikers who identified this as a big problem. Motorists thought it was a problem, too. Reducing the number of speeding cars on arterial roads, like 35th Avenue NE, is one of RBCA’s priorities in our 2017 mobility safety action plan.

Seattle Bike Master Plan

Bike Master Plan in Ravenna-Bryant

The Seattle Bike Master Plan (BMP) was adopted in 2014 and includes changes to 35th Avenue NE. The BMP provides a blueprint for increasing safety features for people who use bicycles to get around the city, including NE Seattle.

On 35th Avenue NE, sharrows (shown as yellow dotted lines in the map to the left) are planned from NE 45th Street to NE 65th Street. From NE 65th Street to NE 75th Street on 35th Avenue NE protected bike lanes (blue line) are included in the plan.

In addition to increasing safety for bikers, bike lanes can reduce the speed at which cars travel and, therefore, increase safety for all who use the road, including motorists.

SDOT paving project

In NE Seattle, 35th Avenue NE is one of streets scheduled for re-paving. According to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), paving is an opportunity to cost-effectively update street designs to promote safety, build features called for in citywide transportation plans (like the BMP), and coordinate with other projects. As part of the 35th Avenue NE paving project, SDOT is taking the opportunity to make planned changes all at once, instead of in a piecemeal manner.  The project includes re-paving most of the road, adding safety improvements, and improving reliability for transit users. Detailed information about the paving project is available online.

SDOT open house

On October 21, starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church, 7050 35th Ave NE, SDOT will host an open house for neighbors to learn more about the paving project.

SDOT’s conceptual view of changes to be made looking north from the corner of 35th Avenue NE and NE 55th Street.

The meeting will begin with an open house during which attendees will be able to review project boards and ask one-on-one questions.  From 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. those who would like to go on a walking tour will break up into groups and visit either NE 75th St & 35th Ave NE or NE 65th St & 35th Ave NE.

Community members are encouraged to learn more about plans that will guide changes to the 35th Avenue NE corridor within the not-so-distant future. As the population of our city continues to grow, the way people get around the neighborhood is going to change. Now is the time to become familiar with what is planned, think about how the implementation of those plans will change neighborhood mobility safety, and ensure that what is created is sustainable, supports a livable and vibrant community, and meets the needs of a diverse population.

Seattle Public Utilities to host community meeting February 4

From Seattle Public Utilities (SPU):

SPU is in the process of updating its Strategic Business Plan (SBP), the roadmap that guides investments and service levels. During the development of the original SBP, customers provided valuable feedback at focus groups, public meetings, and via online surveys. Now SPU is asking for community input to help to update the plan. How should SPU plan for the future? How can SPU improve service delivery? Attend a community meeting and tell SPU what you think! In NE Seattle:

February 4, 2017, 9 – 11 a.m.

Magnuson Park Community Center

7110 62nd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115

Chinese, Vietnamese, and Spanish-speaking interpreters will be present. Call (206) 684-3000 for questions or to make other language interpretation arrangements.

Remembering Pearl Harbor Day December 4

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Sunday, December 4

1-3:00 p.m.

Sand Point Community Church

4710 NE 70th Street

The Friends of Sand Point Magnuson Park Historic District invite community members to hear remembrances from six elders, three women and three men, about Pearl Harbor Day and its impact on their lives. Four are local community members: Marie Cribley-Horsley who was at Pearl Harbor; JW Roundhill and Jerry Sheller who were in WWII; and Mary Johnson who was a UW student at the time.

12:00 p.m.: Flag changing ceremony at the flag pole inside the main entry of Magnuson Park

12:30 p.m.: Cookies and coffee at Sand Point Methodist Church

1-3:00 p.m.: Oral History Project in Perry Hall.

Free and open to the public.

Discuss proposed Urban Village zoning changes December 13

The Department of Neighborhoods will host a conversation about proposed zoning changes to NE Seattle neighborhoods related to the Mayor’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda (HALA) and the implementation of the recently-adopted Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) program. Maps of the Fremont, Green Lake – Roosevelt, Lake City, Northgate, Upper Queen Anne, and Wallingford Urban Villages will be shared.

uv-expansion
Proposed Green Lake-Roosevelt Urban Village MHA-related zoning changes will be discussed during the December 13 meeting. Citywide maps are available on the HALA website.

NE Community Meeting: Affordable Housing Neighborhood Map + Other City Services

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

6-8:00 p.m.

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

6535 Ravenna Ave NE

Re-Imagining NE 85th Street project seeks volunteers

Earlier this year, neighbors in the area surrounding NE 85th Street between 21st Avenue NE and Ravenna Avenue NE engaged in a major cleanup effort in the area. The work included clean-up of trash, greenway overgrowth, and illegal dumping. Neighbors also began initial restoration of the wetlands on the east end of the street. With vouchers from the City of Seattle, neighbors removed over 15 tons of brush and debris and over 1 ton of illegal dumping.

 

85th-before
NE 85th Street during the clean-up.

 

Neighbors submitted a Neighborhood Street Fund proposal, called Re-Imagining NE 85th Street, that ranked in the top 5 among proposed NE Seattle projects. Though the proposal was not funded, neighbors are now in the process of obtaining permits from the Seattle Department of Transportation to implement part of the project to restore the native habitat along a planting strip on the south side of the street. The goal is to create a visually appealing and vibrant landscape.

The project includes planting low-growing native shrubs and other native perennial plants within the city right of way. Members of the Seattle Green Partnership have volunteered their time for the conceptual design and a local non-profit is donating 200 native plants.

Organizers are now looking for volunteers.

  • Volunteer with clearing and planting. Several work days will be planned in December and January, pending permits by SDOT.
  • Volunteer to support ongoing stewardship. During the first year, new plants will require some attention to become well-established and volunteers will continue removal of invasive plants.
  • Participate in fund-raising. Minor expenses are expected for permitting and additional plants.

Interested in learning more? Contact Ana at 206-527-2452.

85th-after
NE 85th Street after the clean-up.

 

Clean out your medicine cabinet & safely dispose of unwanted drugs on Saturday

tbym2016From the Seattle Police Department:

This weekend, the Seattle Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are hosting the 12th semi-annual event to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft by disposing of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted drugs.

This Saturday, October 22nd, the city’s five precincts will serve as drop-off locations between 10 AM and 2 PM for any unwanted prescription drugs. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last April, Americans turned in 447 tons (over 893,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,800 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in its 11 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 6.4 million pounds—more than 3,200 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

RBCA board meets Tuesday

The RBCA board of directors meets Tuesday, July 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center playground. (The community center building will be closed. In case of rain, we will meet at Harissa.) The board does not meet in August.

Board meetings are open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

AGENDA

6:30                  Welcome & Introductions

6:35                   Board Reports

  • Secretary’s Report: Minutes
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Land Use Committee Report
  • Transportation Committee
    • In Motion event
    • #Fix65th Safety Walk
    • Mobility Assessment

7:05                    Sameer Ranade, candidate State Rep for 43rd District

7:10                    Learning more about proposed land use changes

  • Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA)
  • ADU/DADU
  • Updates
  • Policies for discussion during future board meetings

7:45                    Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center Funding

8:05                    Emergency Preparedness

8:15                    Reports from Associated Community Groups

  • Children’s Hospital Community Advisory Committee
  • City University Community Advisory Committee
  • North Precinct Advisory Council
  • Northeast District Council
  • Ravenna-Eckstein Advisory Council

8:25                    Announcements

Will HALA increase access to opportunities for more community members?

During their May 3 meeting, the City Council’s Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee was briefed about Equity in the Seattle 2035 Comprehensive Plan and the Equitable Development Implementation Plan. Policies contained in the Mayor’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda (HALA) are part of the City’s plan for creating equity in Seattle. Learn more about HALA during RBCA’s upcoming annual meeting.

RBCA Annual Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

6:30-8:30PM

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

How equitable is Seattle right now? When developing the drafted Comprehensive Plan update, access to opportunity was considered in all areas of our city. Access to opportunity includes things that contribute to social, economic, and physical well-being. As is shown in the map below, the Ravenna-Bryant neighborhood is identified as a neighborhood that has average to high access to opportunity.

Equity Analysis Seattle 2035

The May 3 committee meeting presentation indicates that the City’s equity goals include increasing opportunity in neighborhoods that are currently considered areas of low opportunity and increasing housing choices in neighborhoods currently considered areas of high opportunity.

A recent article in the Seattle Times reports that living in a low income community is among the aspects of poverty that are particularly damaging and can be addressed by public policy. In addition to addressing low family income and poor education, which are also among the aspects identified, local policy can impact where people live.

The roots of current equity disparities in our city may be found when reviewing local history that included severe segregation policies. For instance, from the 1910s through the 1960s, many Seattle neighborhoods, including Ravenna-Bryant, practiced overt racial exclusion through land use covenants. To this day, communities are still working to right the wrongs of the past and create equity throughout the city. Now that we are coming to terms with past policies that created segregation and contributed to poverty, and now that we can identify the factors contributing to continued poverty, we have the opportunity to establish new policies that can reduce disparities and increase equity in our city.

Housing Levy to be on August ballot: Learn more May 17 at RBCA’s annual meeting

BrettlerFamilyPlaceLarger
Brettler Family Place at Sand Point Naval Station was built in part with Seattle Housing Levy funds. The current levy expires at the end of the year.

The Seattle City Council yesterday unanimously voted to include a $290 million Housing Levy on the August 2, 2016 Primary Election ballot. The levy proposal focuses on increasing affordable housing production and preservation, supporting homelessness prevention, and fostering home ownership for low-income residents.

The levy is part of the Mayor’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda (HALA) which will be the focus of RBCA’s upcoming annual meeting. Join us and learn more about the levy and other HALA policy proposals.

 

RBCA Annual Meeting

Focus: HALA

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

6:30-8:30PM

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

More housing & businesses along NE 65th Street?

Most Ravenna-Bryant residents are comfortable with more development along NE 65th Street, according to a 2013 survey conducted by RBCA. Will the Mayor’s Housing Affordability & Livability Agenda (HALA) set the stage for increased development on NE 65th Street? Attend the RBCA’s annual meeting and find out.

RBCA Annual Meeting

Topic: HALA

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

More about that survey . . .

Of the 610 residents who took the survey,  most agreed that traffic congestion is their biggest concern.  People also agreed that the community needs better pedestrian and bike safety features; to work with developers to ensure neighborhood-friendly development; and ensure parking spaces are included with property development.  Many people who reported being comfortable with more development stated that they want to discourage automobile usage while people who reported not being comfortable with more development were more likely to be concerned with the loss of parking.

The biggest concerns among the 64% of Ravenna-Bryant residents who indicated that they are comfortable with more development were:

  1. Traffic/congestion*
  2. Pedestrian and bike safety
  3. Driving should not be encouraged.
  • Need to cater to modes of transportation other than cars
  • Limit parking so people will choose other modes of getting around.
  • Need for bike lanes/walking amenities/better streetscape
  1. Need for better transit
  2. Ugly, cheap apartments/development/businesses/townhomes
  3. Parking should be included with development, parking on side streets
  4. Buildings shouldn’t be too tall
  5. Businesses need to cater to neighborhood residents
  6. Property value
  7. Density/crowding
  8. Noise
  9. Crime/vandalism
  10. More retail needed, reduce vacant businesses, keep retail west of 25th and east of 20th
  11. Transit/bike/pedestrian safety around light rail station
  12. Bike lanes inappropriately placed
  13. Losing “hole in the wall” charm of some buildings
  14. Increased rent
  15. Decreased livability
  16. Prevent removal of trees

The biggest concerns among the 29% who said they are not comfortable with more development along NE 65th Street were:

  1. Traffic/congestion
  2. Increased crime
  3. Adding to already over-crowded schools
  4. Loss of parking
  5. Pedestrian and bike safety
  • especially with increased congestion
  • especially for students in neighborhood schools
  1. Lack of appropriate planning
  • “City does not listen to neighbors or neighborhood.”
  • “I don’t want Ravenna Bryant to become condo-ville like Ballard.”
  • Lack of green space
  1. Increased density
  2. Bike lanes should not be developed on NE 65th Street
  3. Noise
  4. Need for increased police, fire, bus and other services
  5. Property values
  6. Eliminating single family houses
  7. Increased rental costs
  8. Undesirable businesses

*Italicized answers indicate issues of common concern  among those in favor of more development and those not in favor of more development.

As rents climb, can Ravenna-Bryant be diverse & welcoming?

d1d07395-8df8-7101-8b99-a91558799b14
An older apartment building on NE 55th Street. This stretch of NE 55th Street is currently zoned Neighborhood Commercial and can include buildings up to 4 stories.

Rents in the area south of NE 65th Street in Ravenna-Bryant increased 10-14% between 2014-2015 according to a recent Seattle Times article. Rents in the neighboring University District rose by more than 16% in the same time period.

The article notes that communities like the U-District and parts of Ravenna-Bryant are desirable because of their density which tends to mean that there are amenities like restaurants and easily accessible transit. With the UW light rail station opening last month, and with the Roosevelt light rail station opening in 5 years, the area will become even more desirable.

As Ravenna-Bryant becomes a more desirable place to live,

Ravenna Present (Bryant Heights)
Rendering of new apartments being built on NE 65th Street.

rents will continue to increase, pricing many people out of our community. The RBCA board recently adopted a vision statement that puts in words what we want our community to be like in 10-20 years. “Welcoming” and “diverse” are two adjectives the RBCA board chose to include in our vision statement. If rents continue to increase as they have in the past few years, Ravenna-Bryant may not be very economically diverse nor welcoming to all.

 

To address these issues throughout Seattle, the Mayor released a Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, commonly known as HALA. HALA contains multiple policies with the common goal of increasing affordable housing options throughout Seattle and, at the same time, maintaining and creating a livable city.

The RBCA’s annual meeting this year will focus on HALA. The meeting is open to all community members who want to learn more about the policies contained in HALA.

RBCA Annual Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center

Agenda

  • Open House – Learn about HALA and get your questions answered one-on-one with city staff members.
  • RBCA Business: Electing 2016-17 board members
  • HALA Panel Presentation
  • Public Q&A

Bryant Elementary wants you to have a Blast!

Please considering visiting Bryant Elementary (3311 NE 60th)  on Saturday, May 9th from 1-5 pm for their annual school carnival – The Bryant Blast! Threre will be magic shows, carnival games, pony rides, craft booths, face painting, tasty sno cones, awesome raffle baskets, and much much more. The raffle baskets are always a big hit, and you can now buy tickets online to support the school.
Students looking for community service hours are encouraged to volunteer at the Blast. Use their Community Volunteer SignUp Page to reserve your volunteer slot.

Blast

Have Your Say: Open House on Proposed Ravenna Protected Bike Lanes

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is proposing a number of investments and additions to current bicycle infrastructure in the Ravenna/Green Lake neighborhoods, including new bike lanes and upgrades from buffered to protected bicycle lanes, and new bicycle signage.

On Tuesday, SDOT will be in the neighborhood hosting an open house with a formal presentation:

Project Open House
April 7, 2015
6 to 7:30 PM
Presentation at 6:30 PM
Ravenna Eckstein Community Center
6535 Ravenna Ave NE

The proposed project would require moving or even removing parking along some parts on Ravenna Boulevard and 12th. It will also install a new protected bicycle lane on 15th adjacent to Cowen Park and links into the broader Bicycle Master Plan. Funding comes from the 2006 Bridging the Gap levy.

And here’s a map of the project area:

Bike Map - Proposed Ravenna Upgrades
Project Area

Can’t make it to the open house but want SDOT to hear your input? Adan Carrillo is the project’s Community Outreach Specialist at Adan.Carrillo@seattle.gov or (206) 684-8105.

Footnote: the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association will meet that evening at 7pm at the Ravenna Eckstein Community Center for its monthly board meeting. Feel free to drop in and join us after the SDOT presentation.

Applications for Seattle Youth Commission are now online

The 2012-2013 Seattle Youth Commission applications are now available at seattle.gov/syc, along with full details for the Youth Town Hall.

Application deadlines are March 30th for early decision (everyone who applies by then will be guaranteed an interview slot) or April 13th for a standard application; two references are also required, and the reference forms are available on the website as well.

The Youth Town Hall will be happening from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm at City Hall (601 5th Ave) on Saturday, April 7th. Food will be provided, and the schedule is as follows:

  • 10:30 – 11:00: Tabling/mingling
  • 11:00 – 12:30: Town hall with Mayor McGinn, Council President Clark, and Councilmembers Burgess, Rasmussen, Bagshaw, and Licata
  • 12:30 – 1:00: Tabling/mingling

Anyone who’s interested in being on the commission next year is highly encouraged to come to the Youth Town Hall if possible.

Please forward this post far and wide, and consider making personal asks to any Seattleites in your lives between the ages of 13 and 19 who are interested in working with local government officials to make our city a better place!

Need funds to support your neighborhood project?

Come to a Neighborhood Matching Fund workshop to learn about applying to the Large Projects Fund which provides matching awards of up to $100,000 to neighborhood groups for community-building projects. Attendance at one of the workshops is required in order to submit an application in July.

At the workshop attendees will get an overview of the Neighborhood Matching Fund, learn about the new Large Projects Fund application process and requirements, and hear from other city of Seattle departments and Seattle Public Schools.

Interested applicants can choose from one of the following workshops:
Thursday, April 19; 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Douglass Truth Library, 2300 E Yesler Way

Tuesday, April 24; 5:45 – 7:45 p.m.
Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave N

Saturday, April 28. 10 a.m. – 12 noon
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW

For information contact Mercedes Tenuta at 206.233.0093 or email Mercedes.tenuta@seattle.gov. To request an interpreter contact her at least one week before preferred workshop. And remember, attendance at a workshop is mandatory if you want to apply to the Large Projects Fund.

To learn more visit www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/nmf/largeproject.htm.

Spring Community Meeting guest speakers line-up

RBCA President Sarah’s letter to the community in the Spring 2012 Newsletter is below, and includes a list of the guest speakers for the Spring Community Meeting next Tuesday, April 3:

Letter from the President
by Sarah Swanberg

It’s been a busy year for your community association.  Since you elected us last April, we have formed a Land Use Committee, a Transportation Committee, and a Communications and Community Resilience Committee, and we’re continuing to represent you on many neighborhood and city-wide associations such as the Northeast District Council, and the City Neighborhood Council.

We recently devoted a large chunk of time to seeing that the Roosevelt Rezone wouldn’t adversely affect the gateway to our neighborhood.  Things didn’t go our way; however, we are part of the design team working with the Roosevelt Development Group and their architects, GGLO.

Now we’re regrouping and looking forward, we’ve put together a fantastic community meeting for Tuesday, April 3, at the Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, where we’ll hear from:

  • Jim Diers, former (and founding) director of the Department of Neighborhoods: Jim will present stories about the power of communities working together.  He’s known around the world for his work — check out his website at neighborpower.org.
  • Seattle City Council Member Sally Bagshaw, Chair of the Parks and Neighborhoods Committee: Councilmember Bagshaw will speak about the bourgeoning Greenway movement (more here: http://bit.ly/fzKax4), and answer your questions about the City’s relationship with neighborhoods.
  • Tom Donnelly, from the RBCA Land Use Committee, will discuss efforts to develop and review planning ideas for our own neighborhood, and hopefully get you thinking about ways that you can get involved.

We hope to see you at the upcoming meeting!

Friends of the Ravenna Ravine work party this Saturday, March 3

Did you know that there’s a group of volunteers who work on restoring the Ravenna Ravine (through Ravenna Park) to its former native glory?

The group meets every third Saturday in Ravenna Park. Invasive species (such as Himalayan blackberry) are removed, and native species (such as woodland strawberries) are planted in their place.

This month, the group is holding an extra work party — 200 plants have arrived this week that need to be planted!

If you would like to help out, here are the instructions:

Meet at the Kiosk (near the Tool Box). Ravenna Park lower play field in SE Ravenna Park, North of NE 55th St. and North of the ball field at 10Am on Saturday. We work until 1PM.

You will be most comfortable if you wear layers of clothes, and sturdy shoes, that you don’t mind getting dirty. bring water. Tools and gloves will be provided.

If you’d like to be added to the Friends of the Ravenna Ravine list, send an email to FRR@98115.net.

Community meetings this week

  • TONIGHT, Tuesday, January 10th, there will be an RBCA Land Use Committee meeting at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center (6535 Ravenna Ave NE) from 7 -8:30 p.m.. Our Land Use Chair, Andrew Miller, will give an update on the Roosevelt Legislative Rezone and give ideas about a message for the City Council before it votes. (We have requested that the vote be delayed until January 30th.)

 

  • This Wednesday January 11th the RBCA Communications Committee will meet at Ravenna Third Place Pub from 7-9 p.m. If you are able to help out with our communications (website, newsletter etc.) please come. Look for the RBCA sign on the table.