OPEN WEST GREEN LAKE WAY AVE N.  WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. SIGN THE PETITION TO RE-OPEN THE ROAD.  

WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR

The closure of Green Lake Way has caused incredible hardship for many thousands of residents as Green Lake Way N is a major thoroughfare for the community.  Residents were given the impression that this was a temporary closure due to construction and Covid-19 restrictions, however this is not true.  Stay Healthy Streets, Mayor Jenny Durkin and the Seattle City Council are now considering a PERMANENT closure of the street without any input from residents.  

Given the recent progress made on construction projects around the lake and the lifted Covid-19 restricts by Governor Inslee we are demanding the road be open to cars in both directions effective immediately.  

There is city council support for the addition of a closed off bike lane along West Greenlake Way N.  While it was extremely poor planning to have not included this in the current construction, we realize it is a benefit to our community.  We were informed that the planning and prep for this bike line has been completed and the project is now “in waiting.”   Due to the impacts listed below, we propose that the bike lane be installed immediately, with full road in both directions be opened following, and BEFORE THE START OF SCHOOL.  If this is not possible, we will be demanding the road be open immediately, with a short planned closure for the creation of the bike lanes at a later date. 

The reasons in which Seattle residents believe Greenlake Way N should reopen immediately include the following.

 

GOVENOR INSLEE HAS LIFTED COVID RESTRICTIONS

With the need for socially distancing coming to an end, as well as ample running, bike, and walking lanes around the lake, including a new bike path, the inner path, and an upper running path, we feel the need for East/West traffic access supersedes the need for expanded walking / biking access.  The signs that were post along the lower and upper paths of Greenlake reminding Seattle citizens to socially distance, walk in one direction, and use West Greenlake Way N and upper sidewalks for wheeled recreational activities have been removed.  Bikes, roller blades, scooters, and more have reentered the lower path, without concern. 

 

THERE ISLIMITED ACCESS AND PARKING AROUND THE LAKE

Due to the loss of parking and driving access, many people, including the elderly population, parents with strollers, and people who use wheelchairs, have stopped frequenting Greenlake due to parking and access issues.  People who have recreational boats, have also reported difficulty accessing the only personal recreational boat launch.

 

GREEN LAKE WAY IS A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE AND THE CLOSURE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED TRAFFIC

Based on a sample of traffic data for W Green Lake Way N - pre-pandemic, the “Average Daily Traffic (ADT) = 11,531” cars utilizing W Greenlake Way N, based on 7 day, 1-Hour Detailed Report, dated June 1-June 8, 2018, as reported by Seattle Department of Transportation.  As noted, the traffic volume was considerable.  With this traffic now being diverted, absent of alternative solutions, residents have reported  a 20-30 minute increase in commuting time, impacting both business and leisure. 

 

RESIDENTS ARE NOT UTILIZING THE ROAD CLOSURE FOR RECREATION 

Since the closure, residents have commented on Nextdoor observations that the road is rarely used for recreation.   Recently a citizen monitored Greenlake Way N on Sunday, June 19, on a beautiful sunny morning from 11:00-11:30, with, "not one person utilizing this road closure for recreational activities.”  These observations have been repeated throughout conversational threads, as minimal to no use during peak hours.   

 

INCREASED TIME SPENT IN TRAFFIC HAS A NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

As we just braved Seattle’s hottest temperatures this June, it is hard not to consider the impact of excessive emission run off, as drivers sit through 2-3 light cycles on the other, limited East / West crossings.   

 

HEALTH IMPACTS OF INCREASED TRAFFIC

Our neighbors whose homes line the alternative routes are now being exposed to increased emission and traffic pollution.  Studies have concluded that living near busy streets result in increased cases of “childhood asthma, impaired lung function, premature death, and death from cardiovascular disease.”   https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outdoors/who-is-at-risk/highways  While they realized their home purchase or rental was on a busy street, I don’t think anyone anticipated living along a virtual parking lot.   

 

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Businesses along 45th St have reported a drop in business from regular shoppers, reporting that people located on the West Side of Greenlake have been shifting their shopping habits to bigger chain stores that are easier to access, due to the current road closure.  During a time when our small businesses are most in need of support to recover from COVID-19, the closure of West Greenlake Way N is further placing them at risk of being able to keep their doors open.   Further, this is greatly impacting those businesses located at the lake, such as Green Lake Pitch & Putt, Bongos and Greenlake Crew, in addition to businesses on Phinney Ridge. 

 

EMERGENCY VEHICLES CANNOT QUICKLY ACCESS RESIDENTS IN NEED

Neighbors are concerned about emergency vehicle access, as the closure of West Greenlake Way N greatly impacts emergency response times for fire, medic, and police emergencies, further putting citizens at risk. 

To the Seattle City Council, SDOT, Mayor Durkan, and StayHealthyStreets, we need you to clearly hear and address our concerns, OPEN GREENLAKE WAY N TO VEHICLES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS!  

In addition to signing this petition to open Greenkake Way N to vehicles, effective immediately, we ask petitioners to email, call, tweet to the following constituents, personally asking them to support the flow of East / West traffic.

 

1.      Jenny.durkan@seattle.gov 

         (206) 684-4000

         jenny.durkan@seattle.gov

 

2.      Councilman Dan Strauss

         206-684-8806

        Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov

 

3.      City Council

         council@seattle.gov

 

4.      Stayhealthystreets@seattle.gov   

         (206) 684-7623

 

5.      Complete this survey asking the city to OPEN GREENLAKE WAY N NOW!  Please note, Greenlake Way is STILL not listed on this survey, so it is important to specify, “OPEN GREENLAKE WAY N NOW” in the “comments” section. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8F9GMKV

 

6.      684-Road@seattle.gov 

         (206) 684-7623

 

7.      City of Seattle's Customer Service Bureau at (206) 684-CITY (2489)

 

8.      Seattle Parks Chief PR

         Rachel.schulkin@seattle.gov

 

9.      Lisa.Herbold@seattle.gov

        (206) 684-8801

*Councilmember Herbold is District 1 (West Seattle/South Park); however, she just introduced an amendment to use future funding to make Keep Moving Streets permanent and conduct community engagement.  Please contact her directly if you feel residents should be consulted with about these proposed permanent closures. 

For ease, here are the emails to copy/paste:  jenny.durkan@seattle.gov; Dan.Strauss@seattle.gov; council@seattle.gov; Stayhealthystreets@seattle.gov; Rachel.schulkin@seattle.gov; Lisa.Herbold@seattle.gov