The Long Road To Getting A Traffic Circle

For several years, Victory Heights residents along 23rd Avenue NE have been trying have a traffic circle installed at the intersection with NE 105th Street. The Victory Heights Community Council was reconstituted partially to help get funding through the North District Council (they respect “recognized” organizations over individuals).
Last April the District Council voted to forward the application (along with two others) to the city’s Parks and Street Fund. At the District Council meeting on Wednesday July 3rd, there was a vote to prioritize the three projects that would allocate the approximately $90,000 in funds that are available. In addition to our traffic circle proposal (estimated by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) at a cost of $26, 750), there is a project to improve pedestrian access at NE 143rd and 30th Ave NE in Lake City ($23,000 for design only, but actual construction would likely be more costly because of proximity to Littlebrook Creek), and improved access to crosswalks in Maple Leaf ($65,000).
Each group being represented at the District Council got one vote. The ballots asked for each project to be ranked either 1 (highest priority), 2 (second highest) or 3 (third highest)  Every ballot had to include all 3 projects, ranked 1-2-3.  Lowest total weighted score would be highest priority. The results were:

In theory SDOT could allocate the $90,000 by spending $23,000 for the Design of the Ped Access project, then $26,750 on our traffic circle, and still have some money left for Maple Leaf.  But there is no guarantee it will go that way.
The pedestrian access project had a lot of supporters at the meeting urging the council members to approve it. Which only proves that the squeaky wheel gets the oil when it comes to city politics.
No one knows how SDOT will ultimately decide, but it’s just another step in eventually getting the traffic circle. Stay tuned!
Please take a moment to “Like” the Victory Heights Blog Facebook Page.