FoS.blog: The Friends of Seattle blog

Boomtown

BOOMTOWN: If regional leaders get their way.

The combined populations of Seattle and Bellevue could grow by nearly 300,000 under a plan that attempts to direct much of the region's projected growth to its largest cities.

That's from the Puget Sound Regional Council's Vision 2040 plan. That goal fits well with our own goals:

Dramatically increase the housing stock   to accommodate significant population growth in the next 50 years.

Amend the Seattle Comprehensive Plan and change the appropriate zoning codes to allow for substantial increases in multi-family developments.

       

Skycrapers planned for Denny Triangle are on hold

SKYSCRAPERS PLANNED FOR DENNY TRIANGLE ARE ON HOLD: The Wall Street Journal Reports.

Citizens Will Advise Council on Parks Levy

ONE STEP CLOSER: The City Council appointed an advisory council to evaluate a new Pro Parks Levy. The advisory group is scheduled to have public meetings May 12, 14, and 15  from 6:30 to 9 p.m., locations TBD.

Friendly and unfriendly streets in Seattle

FRIENDLY AND UNFRIENDLY STREETS IN SEATTLE: How can new housing create great streets? With "street walls," says hugeasscity. Right on.

TO MANAGE GROWTH OR NOT TO MANAGE GROWTH

TO MANAGE GROWTH OR NOT TO MANAGE GROWTH:  One camps says land use regulations pushes out the middle class.

Seattle and Washington state's land-use regulations have increased home costs by $200,000, even taking into account inflation and demand. That's a whopping 44 percent of the total price of a $450,000 median home.

Another camp says land use regulations are smart (and good) but the Growth Management Act stinks :

An unwieldy, politically vulnerable Growth Management Act should be replaced by a professionally staffed Washington State Planning Agency. This agency should be tasked with the mission of designing an objective state plan, dispersing population, and assisting local communities in preparing for growth, global warming, environmental sustainability and housing for all.

What's up with the Viaduct?

WHAT'S UP WITH THE VIADUCT? Here's your answer.

Members of the Seattle City and King County councils, in an unusual joint session, heard Monday about dozens of ways to handle diverted traffic if the viaduct is permanently removed or while its replacement is constructed.

Ideas centered on increasing the capacity of Interstate 5 through downtown, making more traffic on side streets possible, and increasing east-west connections across the city. All or some part of the 103,000 vehicle trips on the viaduct daily would have to be diverted or eliminated during construction or after a permanent teardown.

Read the whole thing.

Little Saigon neighborhood won't benefit from big-box mall

THE HEADLINE SAYS IT ALL: Little Saigon neighborhood won't benefit from big-box mall.

To preserve Little Saigon, growth needs to happen at a reasonable pace with focused management. Seattle knows this. We had these values in mind before when we fought to save Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square and the International District. If we don't fight now for Little Saigon, it could suffer the same fate as Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown, which has been reduced by nearby big development to one block.

If a big-box mall is to be built so close to Little Saigon, there must be adequate mitigation to lessen the blow and foster the survival of this unique community. The developers, who are asking the city for a rezone and a street vacation, stand to profit handsomely. The leaders of Little Saigon are asking them to give back by investing in the community that their development will gravely impact.

Indeed. We're proud members of the Dearborn Street Coalition for a Livable Neighborhood, which is fighting the developer's current proposal for that site. Quang and David, the op-ed's authors, are leaders of the Coalition.

Design firms are envisioning urban farms built in skyscraper form

FOOD FROM THE SKY: Design firms are envisioning urban farms built in skyscraper form.

Nickels' street projects plan hits roadblock

SOUTH LAKE UNION MAY GET THE SHAFT! But if Magnolia gets its way, it may get a new bridge. The hubbub:

Mayor Greg Nickels' new financing plan for the Mercer and South Spokane Street improvement projects raised a long list of questions Tuesday at City Hall, prompting members of a key City Council committee to postpone action for at least two weeks.

. . . .

Gene Hoglund, a board member of the Magnolia Community Club, told the committee the club is urging the city to spend money to replace the earthquake-damaged Magnolia Bridge "before a slide or an earthquake takes it down."

They love their buses in Snohomish County

BUS RIDERSHIP GROWS UP NORTH TOO: They love their buses in Snohomish County.

Community Transit reports that its annual ridership grew by 10 percent last year, to a record 10.9 million riders. Similar increases are being seen this year, too. Ridership between Snohomish County and Seattle was up 7.6 percent last year over 2006, but the biggest gains were on routes within Snohomish County -- 11.4 percent. And given that local service accounts for about 70 percent of CT's total ridership, that's some significant congestion relief on local roads.

Via Sightline Daily.