Neighborhood Association and blog reborn

We're now Miller Park Neighbors and live at:

http://millerparkneighbors.blogspot.com

Julia Place Apartments

Open house for mixed income green building

A neighbor invites us to the neighbors' open house for a very interesting project she's built on 22nd. In her own words:

 Long story short, I have built a 5-unit apartment building at 136 22nd Ave.E  between John and Madison, and it is ready for occupancy.  It's called Julia Place Apartments, is mixed affordable, one unit fully accessible, and has 5-Star BuiltGreen certification.  Sustainable features include solar power and heat, 5800 gal. rainwater tanks to supply toilets, laundries and irrigation, and all 'green' materials and design. 

See attached re this week's neighbors' preview (Tuesday 8/14/12, 10:30 AM - noon)  of Julia Place, and a public open house will be on Sun. 8/19 from 1-4 pm.

Aegis of Madison - Start of Construction

Dear Neighbors,

Andersen Construction Site Superintendent Reg Clowdsley informs us that tomorrow, May 31^st, construction will commence starting with the clearing of vegetation and the limbing of the elm trees.  Complete tree removal will take approximately 2 – 3 days.

                We know you have already been impacted by the reduction of parking along 22^nd.  Now, congestion and noise will become a regular occurrence and the temporary inconveniences that come with living near a major construction project.  Aegis and Andersen Construction promise to keep you apprised of the schedule and what you can expect beyond the usual hassles.  Please keep us apprised of any concerns or questions you have.  We will do everything we can to make this exciting new project as tolerable for you as we can.

                We appreciate your patience and your feedback,

The Aegis of Madison team

Michael J. Derr

Vice President of Development

Aegis Senior Communities LLC

17602 NE Union Hill Road
Redmond, WA 98052

(O) 425.861.9993

(C) 425.749.2990

www.aegisliving.com

Upcoming construction at 22nd & Madison

(Update on construction plans for the Aegis of Madison assisted living facility that is being built at 22nd & Madison)

Dear Neighbors,

It has been several months since we’ve communicated but our to-do checklist is almost complete and we believe we will be able to start preliminary work in early May.

We have hired Andersen Construction as our General Contractor.  Just like Aegis, they are a local family-owned and run firm that takes pride in being a conscientious and service-oriented builder of high quality multi-family, hospitality, retirement and health care projects.  Paul Hackett and Paul Beethe will be reaching out to the neighborhood as soon as possible to make introductions, provide contact information, and generally open up the lines of communication that will be available for the duration of the project.   We expect construction to be complete in September 2013, which is a long time to impact the neighborhood.

Please know that Andersen and Aegis will do everything we can to minimize the impact and inconvenience to you, but as with all urban construction projects, it will be hard not to notice that something is going on.

My contact information is below so feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns.

We look forward to being a great neighbor even before Aegis of Madison is open and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we build the next great Aegis community.

With Warmest Regards,

Michael J. Derr

Vice President of Development

Aegis Senior Communities LLC

17602 NE Union Hill Road
Redmond, WA 98052

(O) 425.861.9993

(C) 425.749.2990

www.aegisliving.com

Central Area Garden Tour: June 9th

The Tenth Central District Garden Tour (GT12) will be from 11 am to 4 pm on June 9, 2012. Our theme is urban gardens, community/kids’ edible gardening and public art. The CD is one of Seattle’s oldest neighborhoods, and many unique, community-friendly happenings are quietly sprouting and thriving in our midst. We will publicize some of these by listing them as “Check It Out” features. One is Green Plate Special (GPS), an independent garden-to-table pilot program, designed for at-risk and under-served youth, grades 6-8. The initial pilot program is located in the Madrona-Central district, on the corner of East Union Street and Martin Luther King Junior Way. “Our mission is to be part of a movement that provides access to and tools for our low income Seattle youth to become the healthiest next generation, breaking the cycle that surrounds inadequate diet, poor eating habits, and the lack of access to and knowledge of healthy whole foods.” http://greenplatespecial.org/about-2/

(click here for rest of info)

Lilac time

(5/2/12: The 2012 lilac season is just starting. Drop by soon.)

The lilac bush at the bottom of my yard has just started its beautiful, fragrant, but oh so brief flowering season.

So, if you're passing 20th & John, do help yourself to a little bit of the blooms that are hanging over the sidewalk. You might need a ladder, and you'd better not wait too long!

Hope you enjoy them,

Andrew

(Repost from 5/11/08. )

Jim Mueller projects: no news!

See CD News update.

Punxsutawney Phil

by Phil Meneely, Our Punxsutawney Correspondent.
(reprinted from the February 1991 edition of the "Miller Times")

For more than 100 years, the town of Punxsutawney, PA, has been the official home of the groundhog. It is here that, on February 2, the groundhog emerges from his burrow and forecasts the weather for the next six weeks. If he sees his shadow, the groundhog is frightened and sleeps for another six weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, he stays outside to enjoy an early spring. This is not a task that all groundhogs are able to perform. Only a select few, the descendants of a royal line of weather-forecasting groundhogs, are reliable forecasters—or, as we say in Punxsutawney, prognosticators. This groundhog is named Phil. And this groundhog lives only in one place, my home town of Punxsutawney, PA.

To ensure that there will always be an official prognosticator, the town of Punxsutawney built a burrow for Phil and his mate Phyllis in the city hall, between the library and the jail. For 364 days a year, Phil and Phyllis live in relative peace and quiet, their days disturbed only by occasional tourists and well-wishers. This is their residence, but is not the seat of the prognostication. The forecast itself comes from atop a hill outside of town, Gobblers Knob. (The current location of Gobblers Knob is a new one, about a mile from the original site, which is now a gas well.) On February 2, Phil awakens early in the morning and accompanies the members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club from the city hall to Gobblers Knob. Amidst pomp and ceremony, he enters his burrow and emerges minutes after sun up for the forecast that the world awaits. Phil's prognostication is officially interpreted by the President of the Groundhog Club, who alone can speak the local groundhog dialect, and announced to the national and international news media. All of the networks are there, including (in recent years) CNN, and stations from Japan and Germany. The early announcement allows Phil's forecast to be broadcast on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and the other early morning programs, usually with live action footage of the shadow itself. Of course, the most important organ for communication is the Punxsutawney Spirit which holds the presses until Phil's pronouncement is made.

While Punxsutawney has been the home of the groundhog for more than 100 years, the ceremony has not always been this way. Phil is the current regent, but only 20 years ago the groundhog was Pete. Phil's original mate was Philomcna, who died with out producing an heir. Phyllis has been more successful, and the anxiety arising from the lack of a successor has abated. Phil was the first groundhog to occupy the city hall burrow, with Pete and all previous groundhogs being housed with the President of the Groundhog Club. Phil's image has also changed, from a dapper but solemn groundhog carrying an umbrella to a cheerful, buck toothed grin. But some parts will never change. There will always be groundhog tracks on the sidewalks of the downtown streets; there will always be groundhog statues in the park and in front of the school; the high school will get the afternoon out of class to crown the Groundhog King and Queen; the high school sports teams will be the Woodchucks (abbreviated Chucks); the Saint will continue to have a groundhog on its letterhead; and Hungers Stationery Store will be the best place to buy groundhog mugs, pennants, napkins, posters, cookie cutters (essential for making the traditional groundhog cookie), and other souvenirs of the only official groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.

To reach Punxsutawney. From the north, follow the road through Stump Creek and Anna, and turn right where the Church of God burned down. From the south and west, go to Stuby's Farm and turn right in Covode, going past the old Dairy Queen. Turn left where the out-of control semi ran into the beer distributor. From the east, follow the road that flooded during Hurricane Agnes in 1974 to Cloe and Rossiter, and turn right towards Steffeys Market. Be sure to stop and say hello to Murray and Elin..

Feedback needed on Neighborhood Project Funds application

Apologies for very late notice, but I'd like your advice/feedback on an application for  Neighborhood Project Funds that I would like to submit on behalf of the Miller Park Neighborhood. It's a continuation of last year's (unfunded) application to repair the sidewalks on out neighborhood "walking arterial", E. John/Thomas between 15th and 23rd.

Essence of proposal (here's a Google Streetview of an example):

What is the physical location of the proposed project or problem? Please provide the EXACT address and/or cross streets. If it is near a school, please identify.

We seek to continue the repair and renovation of the sidewalks on main East-West pedestrian street in our neighborhood: East Thomas/John Street between 15^th and 23^rd Avenues East. Proposal is near Meany School (NOVA Alternative High School AND Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center). This continues SDOT work started in our neighborhood last year: see this neighborhood blog entry  http://tinyurl.com/3jsfp5j

How does the project address existing maintenance upgrade or repairs to existing city parks and/or streets?

City trees have damaged the sidewalk all along East John and east Thomas from 15^th Ave E to 23^rd Ave E. In many cases sidewalk has been repeatedly shimmed by the city and now needs to be repaired. We understand that some removal of street trees may be necessary to make lasting repairs.

This stretch of sidewalk serves shopping, transit, Meany School (NOVA Alternative High School AND Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center) and the Miller Community Center.

Our neighborhood is judged “Very Walkable” (score of 83, http://tinyurl.com/6uutsuj) by walkscore.com, but this walkability can ony be realized if the sidewalk allows safe and easy walking.

This continues SDOT work started in our neighborhood last year: see this neighborhood blog entry  http://tinyurl.com/3jsfp5j

My proposed application is posted here.

The application is due on Feb 1, so I'll need to hear from you by 2PM Tuesday.
(apologies for very late notice: personal issues).

E-mail me your thoughts, if desired.

Some personal notes

Links to my Annual Family Newsletter, and to a load of photos of what I've been up to and to the blog about his late wife Meg's journey with brain cancer.

The one paragraph summary is that Meg's death in October was expected, left an immense hole in my life, but was made very much easier by the love and support of everyone around me. I apologize if I have not thanked you all personally for your letters and E-mails of support, your kind inquiries, your offers of help.

My intention in the New Year is to ease back into neighborhood activities, and to inquire gently if there is a desire for more active neighborhood participation in the immediate Miller Park area.

Wishing you all a happy and as prosperous a New Year as circumstances will permit!

Emergency preparedness: your voice is needed

Click to enlarge to readable size

"Deano's" Madison Street Project in the news

The September 17th Seattle Times Pacific Magazine main article, "Architecture 2011" is about local architectural innovations:

Seattle AIA's FutureShack showcases projects by local architects, creative responses to our fast-morphing urban lifestyles, across a wide range of building types, budgets, constraints and social agendas. It is part public debate, part recognition of innovative architecture.

The featured designs can also be seen on the AIA website.

Jim Mueller's design for the large empty lot at Madison and Denny is one of the featured projects.

From the Times' article:

Firm's description: Situated on a corner in the commercial core of Madrona, Pike Station is a sustainable community for residents and the neighborhood. Each live/work unit has a retail space opening to the sidewalk. The units have private rooftop decks for urban agriculture and two-bedroom/two-bathroom living spaces. A community courtyard allows south light into each unit and nurtures a living wall. The property owner, an artist, seeks to create a community of artists, environmental activists and architects.There is groundwater recharge with permeable paving, cisterns and a living wall for graywater reuse. Rainwater will be stored in underground cisterns to service rooftop irrigation, toilets and laundry appliances. Photovoltaic arrays provide power for community lighting. Each unit is designed to accommodate photovoltaics and incorporates energy-efficient assemblies to reduce heating/cooling loads.

Jury comments: Promotes sustainability and demonstrates how it can be done within small-scale infill. The idea of live/work combined with sustainability is commendable; reinforces the idea of sustainability with life/work balance. Many live/work units are just lofts, so this could be more flexible. It fits in with the neighborhood despite different style. There is value in keeping artists in the city, not pushing them out.

When will it be built? Maybe Jim will comment on this post!

Madison Street closure, Sept 26th - 30th

Madison Valley Stormwater Project Update – September 19, 2011

Reminder: Stop by a drop-in session to learn more about the planned temporary intersection closure at E Madison St and 28th Ave E starting September 26 for pavement restoration:

Wednesday, September 21, 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Café Flora

2901 E Madison St

The temporary intersection closure to complete this work will require crews to:

·         Detour traffic off of E Madison St to local streets. Detour routes will be one-way and clearly marked (see below and attached map for details).

·         Place no park signs along the detour route.

·         Work extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., starting Monday, September 26. Traffic is planned to be restored on E Madison St on Friday, September 30.

SPU is working to provide temporary load and unload zones along E Madison St to accommodate deliveries to businesses and garbage pick-up to the neighborhood. Emergency vehicles will always have access during this work.

Aegis of Madison (2200 E Madison) Neighborhood Meeting

(links to older posts about this application)

Aegis Senior Communities, the owner of the proposed Aegis on Madison Assisted Living Community, is hosting an Open House for the neighborhood next Tuesday, September 20^th at the Elizabeth James House Community Room (109 23rd Avenue E) starting at 7:00 PM.  

Aegis is proposing a six-story 103-unit assisted living and memory care community with a 1,400 sf retail space on the corner of 22^nd and Madison.  The project will have underground parking.  The project has completed two “Early Design Guidance” submissions and will have its first Design Review meeting the next night, Wednesday the 21^st.  Details of that meeting are located at the bottom of this note.

Representatives from Aegis Senior Communities and Via Architecture will provide an update on the project design and schedule and be available to answer any questions.

As of this posting, design drawings are not available yet on the DPD website.  Aegis will have images to present at the Open House.

(The applicant's presentation slides will probably be available soon at this link. Andrew)

Some essential project information is as follows:

DPD Project Number 3001064

Design Review Board Presentation Information:

Project: 2200 E Madison St

Design Proposal available at review meeting

Review Meeting:	September 21, 8:00 pm
	SU Alumni Relations and Admissions Building
	824 12th Ave  map
	Meeting Room
Review Phase:	Recommendation past reviews
Project Number:	3001064 permit status | notice
Planner:	Lisa Rutzick

Link to the DPD Land Use Bulletin: http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/Notice.aspx?BID=644&NID=12617

Link to Aegis website: www.aegisliving.com;

Michael J. Derr

Vice President of Development

Aegis Senior Communities LLC

17602 NE Union Hill Road
Redmond, WA 98052

(O) 425.861.9993

(C) 425.749.2990

www.aegisliving.com

19th & Mercer development meeting

(development site is just south of Kingfish, on east side of 19th: former funeral parlor, a gift store and a hairdresser, Capitol Hill Hair)

Urban Life, Heavy Sigh...

(from a neighbor on 22nd, near Madison)


For the second time this year, my ancient station wagon has been broken into and things stolen.  More times than not, I street park the car on 22nd.  As with the first time, either I had left windows down to allow for easy access, or simply not locked it, for even easier access.  This is in good part my own damn fault.  There is definitely the "Big City Car Prowl" argument for leaving ones cars unlocked to avoid malicious persons breaking windows, which can come with a big repair cost, but regardless, leaving things of "Value" in the car is never a good idea.  First time the car was gone through it was mostly just rifled through, not much taken.  This time, however, they cleaned me out. Including the car's owners manual, an emergency kit, and the very odd theft of a bag of my dogs' toys we keep in the car to keep them entertained on longer trips.  And a pair of "Crocs", shoes so unpleasant I don't like them in my house, relinquishing them to reside in the car in case of emergency.  Also taken, a set of inclement weather gear, gloves/hats/sweatshirts, that sort of thing - including a nice hooded rain jacket.  Doh!  

One assumes the theft of a crate of engine oil, transmission fluid, and assorted car tools put the neerdowell's off stealing the actual car, which is clearly on it's last legs.  

Upshot of which is - although the neighborhood is so very much improved since the bad ol' days of drugs & guns in the street - it's still urban living and one should still lock one's doors and not leave anything of any even visual interest in one's car, even in the event one owns a very old and rustic car full of dirty gloves, oil, ugly rubber "shoes", and dog toys.  

Sidewalk Repair on Thomas: trees could not be saved

My name is Lou Stubecki. I’m the Arboriculturist for SDOT Urban Forestry working on the sidewalk repair project in your neighborhood. We gave our best efforts, but unfortunately, we were only able to save 3 of the 15 trees involved in the sidewalk repair. We were lucky to have been able to move the sidewalk over at the park, otherwise we may have lost all of the trees. Removing 12 trees is a significant loss of canopy that is inconsistent with the City’s goals for increasing tree canopy. We would love to put trees back in the 1900 block of E Thomas St, but we can’t because the right of way has effectively been shortened from 12’ wide to 8’ wide due to property encroachment. We would like to find spots in the neighborhood where we can plant new trees, and I thought, with your intimate knowledge of the neighborhood, you would able to help me identify spots in need of trees. Please contact me and let me know if we could meet to look over some sights. I look forward to meeting you.

All Best,

Lou Stubecki

Arboriculturist

Certified Arborist /Certified Tree Risk Assessor #483

Seattle Department of Transportation-Urban Forestry

PO Box 34996

(206) 684-7570 office

(206) 423-1837 cell

lou.stubecki@seattle.com

Bilingual Students' Dance and Artwork Show on Saturday

The Secondary Bilingual Orientation Center (the SBOC) is Seattle's and Miller community's own World School - home to middle and high school newcomer students from all over the world.  Sharing the Meany School with NOVA students, SBOC students are learning English and adjusting to their new country.  They bring with them wonderful traditions and each year students perform their traditional dances at the Folklife festival, and this Saturday, for their families, friends, and the larger SBOC community.

We invite the Miller community to the SBOC this Saturday for an informal presentation of multicultural dances, artwork by SBOC students, a show of 

fabulous photos from SBOC students' Club Photo (recently showcased at Seattle Symphony's Benaroya Hall) and a sale of students' art cards to raise funds for student scholarships.  We would love to share our wonderful school with our neighbors - come meet our students, staff, and friends of SBOC.

The dance program is Saturday, June 18th, from 12:30 - 2 -- come at 12:15 to see the art and check out our beautiful art cards. 

any questions:  890-8897 or 784-0843 

Madison Street neighbors in the news

Sunday, 5/22/11, Seattle Times Pacific Magazine "Then and Now" features a streetcar crash at 19th & Madison: the building involved, which now houses the Capitol Hill Alano Club and which recently suffered a fire, seemed little harmed by the collision and looks pretty similar today.

Monday 5/23/11 Seattle Times NW Monday has a big feature about 22nd & Madison fixture , and Central Area Chamber of Commerce Chair, DeCharlene Williams. She's also featured in this interesting book about race, basketball, gentrification and the Central Area (in which I get a cameo appearance).

Bonus (just south of us):  Seattle Times Pacific Magazine article about upcoming June 4th  Central Area Garden Tour.