Bear Creek Parkway construction alters "look & feel" of Saturday Market

Trees are a integral part of Redmond's Saturday Market culture, as you can see by the sign

OPINION:  Invaluable improvements to traffic circulation around and through the downtown will be achieved once the Bear Creek Parkway Extension is completed. Unfortunately, the removal of significant trees near the Saturday Market is noticeable. According to city Project Planner Lisa Singer, 13 trees were removed from the Saturday Market gateway. As you enter Redmond on Leary Way the Saturday Market has lost it's park-like appearance. I haven't been to the Market recently to see how it feels. Please comment on this post if you have strong feelings about the changes.

Below, is a short clip of the parkway construction's impact to the Saturday Market, Heron Rookery, and Gateway. Councilman Vache' was noticably absent during the Council's 4-2 decision to go ahead with this unpopular roadway alignment. Councilman Cole was forced by Vache's absence to change his voting preference to keep the project moving forward. Councilmembers David Carson and Kimberly Allen voted against this alignment. Below is a 2 min. clip of the construction around the Saturday Market and heron rookery.  Opinion and photos/video By Yoder

Most trees in Redmond's oldest city park are saved - for a price

I just got home from the "Arts in the Park" event at Anderson Park and thought of this 2008 report when looking at an historical society exhibit. The photos are poorly displayed but it's better than nothing! Bob Yoder, 6/25/16

Anderson Park is Redmond's oldest park and also the home for two city drinking water wells. The wellheads are old and are being replaced. To save many of the park trees the city bought some expensive land a block north to house the treatment plant. 6 trees still had to be removed; 2 were unhealthy. The Board of Parks commissioners led by Chair Lori Snodgrass fought hard for this expensive proposal to preserve Anderson Park. Councilman Vache requested a "fiscal note" to recognize the high cost ($11.6M) of the project.

water treatment construction off-site..................................truck is drilling new well in park

View 1.5 minute video clip of Anderson Park under construction HERE

The photo on he right is looking south to one of Anderson Park's old pump houses. It was removed. Click the City of Redmond Notice sign to read the price tag for this project. In my narration I said two new wellheads were "drilled." This is not the case. After this video there's an interesting video on the construction of  Bear Creek Parkway.

City Description of Proposal: To comment or request information contact: city planner

Steve Fischer

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PUMP HOUSES TO REPLACE TWO AGING, OUTDATED WELL FACILITIES LOCATED WITHIN ANDERSON PARK

(7802 168TH AVE NE). THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE APPROX. 520 FEET OF NEW 12 INCH WATERLINE BETWEEN THE WELL HOUSES AND THE TREATMENT BUILDING. THE NEW PUMP HOUSES WILL BE APPROX. 16' X 24' IN SIZE AND DESIGNED TO REFLECT THE HISTORIC LOG CABIN APPEARANCE OF THEIR STRUCTURES IN THE PARK. THE ASSOCIATED TREATMENT FACILITY WILL BE LOCATED ONE BLOCK NORTH ON PROPERTY AND WILL BE 44' X 58' IN SIZE. A PACKED TOWER APPROX. 30 FT IN HEIGHT WILL BE USED TO ALTER THE PH OF THE WELL WATER. THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE AND OPEN THE ALLEY TO TRAFFIC ON THE WEST SIDE...

Bob Yoder

Leary Way Regional Stormwater Treatment "Wetland"

Leary Stormwater Run-Off Treatment Facility "Wetland" under construction

As you drive into Redmond on Leary Way you'll notice construction of a large earthen "lake" to the east. It's actually one of five new regional stormwater treatment facilities the city is building to service Redmond's downtown. This wetland facility will drain Leary Way, 198th, and Bear Creek Parkway. The 6 month floods will will drain into the Sammamish River. The city is calling it a "wetland". 75 trees will be planted around the facility. The Redmond Dept. of Natural Resources will plant native shrubs and aquatic plants in two feet of wetland mix soil throughout the pond. You can see the impermeable plastic liner under the soil -- to keep the water close to the plants. Some day it may look and function like a wetland. To get the straight scoop on this project, city planner Kelsey Larson may be able to help you.

Redmond's Senior Stormwater Engineer Steve Hitch designed this innovative project and had the following to say about it:

The City project at Leary Way & 159th Place NE is a future Stormwater Treatment Wetland. The pond was lined with a PVC geomembrane so it will not leak. Stormwater will flow through the pond to remove sediment and other pollutants, with help from biological contact with the wetland plants. The pond must be lined so that the water is treated before being released to the environment, and so that the wetland plants are kept wet. The pond will look a bit messy as they bring in the topsoil that will overlay the liner and until they plant the pond, but the contractor will be required to keep any muddy water from being released to the river. 10-08-08

View a 4 Min. video clip of the stormwater wetland pond under construction here .

For technical information on stormwater treatment wetland facilities visit: Stormwater Wetland Facts.

Councilmember Jane Hague hears public comment on our county's park jewel: 60 Acres South Park

Subject: Hearing tomorrow (9/23) at 9:30am on 60 Acres South
Mon, 22 Sep 2008 From: Jane Hague

Dear Neighbor:

Tomorrow is a key committee meeting for discussion on our regional park jewel, 60 Acres South. The following is an update for you on how public comment will be handled on the 60 Acres South agreement legislation.

I will start the public comment period in tomorrow's Utilities & Parks Committee with a panel presentation by three major stakeholder groups. The following people have been selected by their organizations. Each organization will have five to seven minutes to give their presentation.

1) Seattle Area Soaring Society
Seth Arlow

2) Valley Estates Homeowners Association
Chuck Quenneville
Michallea Schuelke

3) Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association
Curt Bateman
Andy Hill
Steven Hopp

It is my hope that the organizations listed above will answer questions that have been generally asked by the community. For those individuals who indicated that they want to speak tomorrow, the committee would greatly appreciate remarks being limited to those other than the ones addressed by the panel. Please note that each individual speaker will have a maximum of two minutes to speak.

The King County Courthouse is located at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104. The Utilities & Parks Committee meeting will take place tomorrow at 9:30AM on the 10th floor of the Courthouse in Council Chambers. Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to come and testify on this important agreement.

Sincerely,

Jane Hague

Councilmember King County Council

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comments welcome here:

Morning Report: 166th Avenue NE remains "haunted" by construction

City Letter of Apology for the traffic congestion on Education Hill.

7:25 am, Junior High students crossing 166th to school on the temporary crosswalk.

7:15 am. I walked up the sidewalk from NE 100th Street this morning at 7:15. The traffic was cued uphill again towards the intersection, similar to last night. Most cars had a student and were turning right on 104th on their way to school.

In the picture above you see the right lane is shut down by orange barrels for construction. Unfortunately, even when the right lane opens up on 166th most traffic will be turning right to school. (Thus, emphasis for walking and biking to school.) Fortunately the slow, long line to the intersection dissipated around 7:35 am. So, drivers were haunted by delays on 166th northbound for only about 20 minutes. Once more students start walking and biking things will get better. I was amazed to see a little HORACE MANN EL. kid biking to school on the 166th AVE. sidewalk. Just think when students start hiking the Ashford Trail (Perrigo Woods Trail) to school!

I ran into Jeff Palmer, City Traffic Calming Manager. He was friendly and helpful. Apparently, the road project is dynamic and it's "tweaked" regularly to keep the traffic and construction moving. Mr. Palmer pointed me to the traffic flow improvements at Redmond Junior High. Signage (see photo) was posted to encourage parent chauffeurs to pull forward; and drop-off lanes were marked off.

I met Principal Prato Barone 'standing watch' in front of the school. He said the new signage and marked lanes help move traffic during the busiest 5 minutes of the morning. Look at the bikes! Mr. Barone plans to eventually install a covering over the bike parking area. And, he plans to initiate a week long "bike to school" clinic, recruiting teachers, who bicycle, to give the clinic.

When asked, Prato told me he still hopes the District will approve connecting the two parking lots to improve traffic flow. I wonder, could the large flag-pole possibly be an obstacle towards this mobility & safety improvement? Only one egress and ingress to the school would be safer.

I didn't notice any students walking between the lots in the open space. This huge promenade, boulevard or whatever you want to call it was noticeably desolate & unused. The impervious concrete platform area appears much better suited for an eco-friendly "open green space" than a "corridor space" for students and their bikes. I hope LWSD will revisit this wasteland and approve the parking lot connection.
{click to enlarge photos}

Evening Report: 166th Avenue NE gets spooked by improvements

City Letter of Apology for the traffic congestion on Education Hill

Wednesday, 6:30 PM looking north to 104th & 166th Ave intersection

4:30 pm I knew it was bad when I got a phone call from my neighbor, Kay, about a near-miss car accident on 166th ave & NE 100th St. I met Kay during our Neighborood Block Watch potluck and she wanted to know who to talk to in the city. I gave her Councilwoman Kim Allen's email. Kay thought the city should keep cones up for a while longer.

5:00 pm My wife then told me a basketball mom, Lisa, phoned while driving up 166th Ave. "How do I get around this mess?" Lisa had been on 166th for a half hour.

6:15 pm I vacillated with my wife about taking some pictures of 166th. It was getting late and I figured most of the traffic would be dissipated, but I went anyway. My jaw dropped. Cars were moving about 5-6 mph on 166th from as far as I could see to the bottom of the hill (from 100th) to the intersection at 104th. Unreal.

A number of drivers were mad. Most just upset. One yelled, "make sure you send those pictures to the Mayor!" One driver said it was worse earlier. I asked her which way?

6:30 pm When I got to the intersection, I could see the problems: 1) NO TIMED TRAFFIC LIGHT YET and 2) the right turn lane is closed at the intersection for construction. As you approach the intersection: very few cars travel from the north on 166th or the east on 104th. A few more cars travel from the west; but mostly its a trickle. Thus, until construction is completed 9o% of the traffic at 6pm is stuck IN one lane as it enters the intersection. The sooner that light and extra lane goes in the better.

6:45 pm By the time I walked back to NE 100th Street intersection the line of cars driving up the hill to 100th St. had dissipated. Though, cars will still cued up to 104th.

Trouble spot: This is a shot of 100th & 166th looking South. You can see the cross-walk in the foreground.

Turning left out of 100th St. you have no left turn lane ("safety spot"). Those yellow dots do not delineate a turn lane. You have to drive across 3 lanes (!) to make a left turn. When traffic is heavy in the morning the left turn "option" will be out...unless you are willing to risk an accident and fellow travelers are really, really nice to you.

I hope most of the congestion can be cleared with the new traffic light. I encouraged my wife to hold off on her frustration until the city has a chance to put that light in and finish the intersection. I'll take pictures for Part Two tomorrow morning.

Hurricane IKE reminds us to PREPARE for Redmond's winter storms!

"East Firs Neighborhood Block Watch" National Night Out Against Crime Potluck

Hurricane IKE's blast into the Gulf states this month kindled my fears and memories of the severe wind storms our neighborhoods and city encountered last December 6. Some citizens had no electricity or heat for almost a week. Grocery refrigeration was shut down at some stores. Power lines draped the roads. Some seniors and families with small children sought shelters. Fallen trees took out roofs, cars and shut down roads. You couldn't even find a fix for your coffee habit. How soon we forget? A similar storm struck Redmond in 2006.

As far as my family is concerned we have two months to prepare for the next one. I've since bought a wind-up AM Radio. The city has a new Emergency Community Radio 1650 AM. We'll be tuned in for sure. I even bought a generator. Hope I know how to use it!

We've also added another layer of protection in our East Firs Neighborhood. We started our Neighborhood Block Watch Program this year. We will now have the comfort, support, and friendship of our neighbors in times of the next severe storm. We've shared our phone numbers, names and addresses and we met over a potluck in August during "National Night Out". We are ready!

I'm posting a few pictures from our National Night Out celebration. My next door neighbor and his nephew volunteer for King County's Search and Rescue. They came out in force! The "White Whale" - our city's Emergency Response Vehicle was visited by many of the of the neighborhood children and parents. A Certified Emergency Response Team volunteer gave tours. My favorite city vehicle was the sleek, unmarked police car used to chase down aggressive drivers. The officer was cool. Council President Nancy McCormick gave us a surprise visit. Most neighbors had no idea of the tremendous work she puts in for us to write local laws, set policy and fund our needs.

It's not too late to start a Block Watch network with your neighbors. Collect phone numbers. Map out your neighborhood. Share phone numbers and the map with your neighbors. If EVER in doubt, CALL 911.

The city is holding a 3 Block Watch Meetings

for neighborhoods interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch.

My "lunch buddy" standing next to the "White Whale". This sophisticated, retrofitted van is deployed for Presidential and other high profile visitors. Besides "police presence" it serves as a "Command and Control Center" during emergencies. Direct lines hook into Public Works (roads and lights), Police, Fire, the Mayor, FBI, King County, State Patrol, and more.... A C.E.R.T neighbor and police volunteer operated the Whale. Approximately 50 parents and children attended. The 35 dog and cats were left at home to protect their property!

According to Jim Bove Community Relations, Redmond: The city will hold three (3) "Introduction to Neighborhood Block Watch" meetings this winter:

*Wednesdays, October 8th, 2008 – December 3rd, 2008

Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: Emerald Heights Retirement Center10901 -176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052

Cost: $35.00

Contact: Janeen Olson at jro5@u.washington.edu for questions or register with Debbie at the Redmond Fire Department at (425) 556-2200.

Nine additional soccer fields are proposed for 60 Acres Park! -- SPEAK UP on September 15

Citizen: when you decide how you would "vote" on the LWYSA proposed 9 soccer field & parking complex think "why'? Why do we need 9 more soccer fields when the game is already saturated with 29% of all LWSD youth? (My daughter is one). LWSD enrollment is flat. Fewer youth now have more sports to play! Boys and girls lacrosse, cricket, skateboarding, BMX and mountain biking; and passive sports like Disc golf, gliding planes, model rockets, dog trials. And these are just some of the outdoor games. Kids play digital games, chess, the arts....

King County Executive Tim Hill said it well, in August 23, 1988:

"We do not believe it is King County's role as a public service provider to dedicate park land for the development of "premier" level facilities for one group while another interests of unserved, or served at disproportionately low levels. As its population grows, King County is coming under increasing pressure from taxpayers who have become more vocal in demanding an equitable share of facilities to accommodate their varied activities...These valuable resources must be shared by all County residents."

The City of Redmond will be holding "Neighborhood Meeting" on the "Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association" (LWYSA) proposal to develop 9 soccer fields on Sixty Acres South. Click HERE to see the site plan for the parking and 9 soccer fields.

This meeting will serve as an opportunity for interested parties and nearby property owners to review, comment, and ask questions of LWYSA soccer association regarding their aggressive proposal to build 9 premium grass soccer fields with parking on a county park.

This neighborhood meeting will be held prior to the City taking final action on this project.
Meeting Date: September 15, 2008
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: City Council Chambers, Redmond City Hall, (a short walk west of the library).

Make yourself heard as a "Party of Record" so you are allowed to participate in any appeal process. Contact city planner Kelsey Larson (425-556-2409) to make yourself a Party of Record. Her email is klarson@redmond.gov. Or, sign in at the meeting to be a Party.

CC: Kelsey Larson, C.O.R.

Teacher Jim Anderson organizes LWSD's first "Bike to School" Clinic.

Attn: Education Hill parents and students. When you read this article, think of the severe traffic congestion we will be experiencing during the 166th & 104th construction project!

When Chris Thomas of Sammamish Valley Cycle told me about a new "Bike-to-School" clinic at Rosa Parks Elementary I decided check it out. Much to my surprise, Teacher Jim Anderson an old friend from lacrosse was giving the clinic! Jim initiated the clinic and is pioneering his pilot program for LWSD .

I took lots of pictures and two short video clips of Jim's Bike to School Clinic. The
slide show is on the right sidebar. Jim had 5 clinic stations where students learned to look over their shoulder, stop, take tight turns, and follow other bikes. Safety! Safety! If a student passed the driver test and their bike was checked out by Sammamish Valley Cycle, Teacher Jim issued purple stickers upon parent approval. Scores of students (4th - 5th grade) have graduated and are biking to school this year! Jim has high goals to expand the program widely throughout LWSD schools.

The final clinic was given by Chris Thomas, owner of Sammamish Valley Cycle. The three types of bikes were demoed and discussed. Helmets and other safety equipment were described. I was amazed how Mr. Anderson could keep his students so attentive and involved! Jim didn't forget to instruct his students about the benefits to our environment from bicycling. And they listened!

Chris is holding up a "U-Lock" in the right photo. The City of Redmond recommends this lock for their green Street Art Bike racks. Personally, I find them expensive, heavy and bulky and prefer a cable. But, I did see a lot of them on a recent trip to Victoria, B.C. where biking is everywhere.

According to Jim and Chris, the City of Redmond and the RJH Principal Barone are solidly behind Jim's Bike to School program and want to bring it to Redmond Junior High and other bikable schools. If you'd like a program for your child contact Joel Pfundt, city planner in charge of the Pedestrian Bicycle Citizen Advisory Committee. Or call or email Chris Thomas. She is on the Advisory Committee.

HUGE KUDOS to Teacher Jim Anderson and Chris Thomas of Sammamish Valley Bicycle. Chris and her husband have a fabulous bicycle store and service center in Redmond (8451 - 164th Ave NE) at the base of Education Hill. Jim is a community jewel and has shaped literally thousands of Redmond youth with his teaching expertise, role modeling and passion for our children.

Come on students! Get out on your bikes, enjoy the fresh air, get to school faster, sleep in longer!

[Aside: Jim Anderson is known throughout Redmond as a pioneer for youth lacrosse on the Eastside. I coached briefly in his 6th grade program. Last year Jim started the Lake Washington High School Lacrosse Club. They made the championship tournament after only one year. But, that's another story!]

OPINION: PROCLAIM THE GREAT BLUE HERON OUR CITY'S SPECIES OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE!!

OPINION:  Updated: 2/9/2011  The Great Blue Heron is the City of Redmond's Species of Local Importance.  This designation does not "protect" the species from the Critical Areas Ordinance.  Development regulations still apply.  The SOLI designation raises awareness of the cultural and natural value
of the species to Redmond residents and city government. B.Y.

Letter to Council President Nancy McCormick

Hi Nancy - I agree with the lady who complained at the last Council meeting that the Great Blue Heron (GBH) is indeed important to the city....for many reasons. Personally, though common across the country, I like the bird a lot and even did my senior Biology project on it in college.

My only request is the city issue a formal proclamation the heron is our "Species of Local Importance." AND, to amend the Critical Area Ordinance designation regulating the Species as law. In the three years since inception of the heron law, the ordinance has proven to have no "teeth"; yet it causes a bottleneck in land use progress on projects like the Bear Creek Pkwy Extension. If anyone watched your tortured deliberations about the Parkway extension they'd have seen the how the heron law created havoc and total confusion in your final vote. Everyone appeared to be stepping around the "heron law" - even Kim Allen and Hank Margeson.

Richard Cole told me he loves the heron and couldn't believe we no longer have active rookeries in Redmond, including the Leary Rookery across from the Saturday Market. But, without a rookery, our heron have no nest where they can "come home" and have chicks. When our city consultant from Berger Associates, Guy Michealson, told us that the Leary Rookery had no active nests, I was shocked too. I asked Cathy Beam, our environmental planner and she concurred with Guy. She said it wasn't the higher densities but the crows and eagles from Lake Sammamish that drove heron away. Sad. But, what law can stop that? I asked about the Safeway "rookery" and the one east of Avondale. Richard Cole asked about Keller Farm. No active nests there either, according to Cathy. In disbelief, I visited all the sites. They looked "dead" with no white excrement, no heron visible in the trees and few if any inactive nests. If anyone doubts me contact cbeam@redmond.gov. "Our" heron migrates to Redmond waterways and forests from rookeries outside the city limits to forage for food. They come to forage for fish sand small mammals, not to nest. Please ask Mr. McGruder of the the Audubon Society, too.

Guy, our consultant from Berger Associates sees the Leary "rookery" absent of heron colonies and as a uniform forest remnant. I see it as having potential for a trail tying the Burlington Northern Corridor trails to the Haida House Park. Wouldn't that be nice to walk through a forest to a city park in downtown Redmond after shopping at the Saturday Market? This city feature is out with the heron law.

Finally, I think we are fooling ourselves to ask developers to trace a heron sighting on a plat back to a "nest" in a Redmond rookery that doesn't exist e.g. Pearce PRD. Everytime council discusses any property or project near a heron siting they have to do a political tap dance. Let's take our officials off the hook and be honest with ourselves!

The bottom line is we can still honor our beautiful, graceful "Great Blue" and symbol of our city without having to be burdened by agency regulations and law. Nancy, I ask you to proclaim our Great Blue Heron as a Species of Local Importance and amend the ordinance.

Beside our heron, I hope you will honor the green riparian habitat bordering our creeks and Sammamish waterways in which our Great Blue Heron (and salmon)forage for food. The city spends millions of dollars restoring our riparian habitat. Millions. Our urban forest habitat is being decimated. Nancy, proclaim Riparian habitat as Locally Important, too!

OPINION by Bob Yoder
Internet photo

Citizen Vicky sends her thanks to council and the Mayor Marchione Administration

I've worked with Vicky on several city projects. Vicky is an outspoken, articulate leader on the podium in City Hall. She does her homework and the city listens! Vicky agreed to my posting her letter about our city representatives and her name.

Mayor and Council,

I am so impressed with the progress that has been made in our City over the past 8 months. All of you deserve a big pat on the back from one of the City’s very outspoken critics.

I have joked over the past several years that my hobby has been “Fighting City Hall” and all of you are working very diligently to force me to find a new hobby! As of now, it has been accomplished. I am sure there will be things that get my attention from time to time, but for now, I don’t have a single issue that has not been addressed.

I am so pleased, but more so impressed. Very refreshing to see that so many things have come so far and we are getting better when so many others are faltering.

Kudos to you all, and thank you! I look forward to attending meetings again soon.

Vicky Methven

Vicky runs a successful identity theft business

Independent Associates - Prepaid Legal Services, Inc. - Identity Theft Services
Contact information:
www.vickyandtim.com/biz Small Business Plan 0-99 employees
http://www.prepaidlegal.com/group/vmethven Group Plans (Large or Small)