|
Restoring Georgetown's historic link with the Duwamish River
This project represents the efforts of both residents and 8th Avenue businesses to create viable streetscape design alternatives and recommendations to the City for the improvement of the area around Gateway Park North and 8th Ave S. at E. Marginal Way S. in Georgetown. Goals include:
- Connecting people to the Duwamish River through safe pedestrian and vehicular access
- Continued stewardship and restoration of Gateway Park North
- Improving the 8th Avenue S. business area for industrial and commercial activity, and
- Work with City and County on drainage, access and way finding amenities at the intersection and along the street.
In addition to the streetscape recommendations, the Working Group continues to encourage community involvement in keeping the park clean and the street useable for all businesses, residents and Duwamish recreation enthusiasts. The Group is anxiously awaiting formal acquisition of the park by Seattle Parks. The project was funded in part through a Department of Neighborhoods Matching Fund award, and is supported by the Georgetown Community Council and Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.
The next opportunity to learn more and volunteer in 2008:
- Design Workshop - GRRP plans to host a design workshop during the summer of 2008. The workshop will be facilitated by local design and urban planning firm SvR . Stakeholders, including residents and local businesses, will offer input on how to address safety issues and other concerns particularly in regard to the intersection leading to Gateway Park North. SvR will gather these ideas and use them to produce an implementable plan to present to future funders and the city. Contact Katrina at kmendrey@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating in a design workshop.
Volunteers
The efforts of the riverview project are sustained by volunteers. Read
To learn more about any volunteer opportunities please contact Katrina Mendrey, Outreach Coordinator, at kmendrey@yahoo.com or 206-595-3085.
Project Accomplishments
- February 22nd 2008 - A Walk to the Park: A walking tour of the area highlighting the project’s accomplishments to date and the group’s vision for the future.
- March 1st, 2008 Work Party: General clean-up along 8th Ave and Gateway Park North as well as winter plantings of native plants and maintenance of the planter boxes installed as part of the project in 2006.
- April 19th, 2008 Duwamish Alive!: Volunteers restored habitat for the wildlife.
A recent episode of Weekday on KUOW radio highlighted waterfront 'pocket parks' and mentioned the Gateway Park North site (it's about 40 minutes into the show).
Since 8th Avenue and the rest of the project area doesn't have any drainage facilities now (curbs, gutters, or storm drains) our project will need to be creative about how to design and implement alternatives for the street, beginning with the drainage. This will require bringing the expertise of Seattle's Department of Transportation, Seattle Public Utilities, Office of Sustainability and Office of Economic Development to the table with area business leaders and residents. This is an ideal project for the Department of Neighborhoods to support through their Matching Fund program, because it gives neighbors and businesses in the project area an entry point into City government to begin to make sustainable changes.
Learn more about Natural Drainage
Last year’s event was a success!
April 21, 2007 - "Duwamish Alive" event at Gateway Park North in Georgetown:
What a day! It started out rainy and overcast but turned into a nice afternoon. We ambitiously set up three large projects for volunteers:
The first was completing the Dept. of Neighborhoods Small and Simple grant to build and plant 2 planter boxes and install about 20 wheel stops along 8th Avenue
The second was planting and mulching two dozen plants at Gateway Park North.
And the third was building some bank stabilizing 'gabions' on the Gateway Park shoreline.
By the end of the day, 25 volunteers had accomplished the projects. Please visit 8th Avenue South and Gateway Park North to see the results. Click here for a map.
Overall Duwamish Alive stats: close to 900 individuals volunteered at 9 sites along the Duwamish and up in the West Duwamish greenbelt.
There was a great news article about yesterday's activities on KOMO TV.
Georgetown Riverview Restoration Working Group members:
Residents: Brian Dougherty, Sherell Ehlers, Patty Foley, Jesse Moore, Lauren Knoblauch, Tom Knoblauch
8th Avenue businesses: Robert Lecoque - Markey Machinery, Peter Whitehead- Nelson Trucking, Jim van der Veen - Crowley Maritime, Chris Martin - CDL Recycle
Thank you
Alaska Logistics,
Bagel Deli,
Caffe D'Arte,
Coliman Restaurant,
Compton Lumber and Hardware,
the Field Roast Company,
Sawdust Supply,
Seattle Iron and Metal,
Starbucks,
Trader Joe's,
Two Tartes Bakery,
United Rentals,
Kate Reedy's Aviation High School Stewardship class,
Mark Johnson of Jones & Jones,
Charlie Cunniff previously of ECOSS,
Karl Unterschuetz of Portage Environmental, and
Judith Noble with the City of Seattle
To learn more about the project please contact Katrina Mendrey, Outreach Coordinator, at kmendrey@yahoo.com or 206-595-3085.
|
|
