Sidewalk+Update+June+2007

From: Jim Curtin Subject: Arbor Heights Walkway Improvement Project To: Cori Roed

Well, this is it! We've finally completed the design for the project and the work request has been sent out to our construction crews. I'm still not entirely certain that this project will be constructed before the end of 2007 but the project will be built in the next 6 months or so.

In the meantime, I will be working with the school to develop a traffic circulation plan to be used while construction is underway. This plan will be distributed to parents before construction begins and should help ease traffic issues.

Attached are the final construction drawings detailing the improvements.

Thanks for all your help with this project. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks again, Jim Curtin Safe Routes to School Coordinator Seattle Department of Transportation

I met Jim Curtin, from the City of Seattle at our school last week and he gave me an update on the city's plans. Below is an email overview he sent me. Any questions or comments? Let me know and I will pass them on. I know that parking during the construction phase has been a huge concern. I'm glad to see that they plan to do the work over the summer. I can be reached over the summer via email at cori@windermere.com or call me at 206-835-5919. Have a great summer! Cori Roed

Right now, SDOT is developing plans to install a new sidewalk with a planting strip and a 7' parking lane on the northwest boundary of the school (along the south side of 104th from SW 39th to the first school driveway). This plan has been discussed with the school and PTSA in years past, and this design was preferred by the PTSA. We currently have funding for this segment of sidewalk and we hope to construct the improvements while school is on summer vacation.

Also, we are currently developing a "Safe Routes to School" Program and we'd like to get the program up and running very soon. Here are the basic principals of the program thus far:

-The program will be based on the 5 E's (Education, Enforcement, Encouragement, Engineering, and Evaluation)

-"School Master Plans" SDOT will work with every primary and middle school in Seattle to develop plans for future improvements (sidewalks, bike routes, crosswalk improvements, signing improvements) within a 1 to 2 mile radius of each school. Having a master plan in place will make potential projects more attractive to grant funding.

-Goal: To encourage and enable more children to safely walk and bike to school.

The program is still in the infant stage of development but we are dedicating a lot of time & energy into getting things moving. I'll be sure to update you as we progress.

Thank you,

Jim Curtin Safe Routes to School Coordinator Seattle Department of Transportation