Pedestrian Issues: Business and Commute Travel in South Park Existing Facilities, Gaps and Recommended Improvements

About Feet First Feet First promotes walkable communities by: Mobilizing people to take action Informing policy makers to prioritize funding/policies Educating and energizing the community Providing relevant programs, tools and infrastructure

__________________________________________________________ Goals of Study To provide safe pedestrian facilities for commuters to walk or access transit in South Park To further educate the South Park business community about pedestrian commute opportunities To provide viable facilities for pedestrian access to transit and promote non motorized business commuting for employees __________________________________________________________ The Congestion Management / Air Quality (CMAQ) grant specifically addresses non motorized commutes (to and from worksites) in, out and through South Park.

Approach to Study Reviewed the following plans/reports: South Park Action Agenda/Neighborhood Plan City of Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan Feet First Walking Audit Report Consultations with: City of Seattle-DON/SDOT, Concord Elementary, Sea Mar, SPNA Traffic Subcommittee, King County Metro Conducted Field Assessment Community Walk March 31st from Concord Elementary to Sea Mar Developed Recommendations

Presentation Contents Existing Inventory/Facilities Major Gaps Recommended Improvements

Traffic Volume (8th Avenue S) The majority of traffic on 8th Ave S, from the north and south industrial areas, is distributed onto Cloverdale St. Note: RED lines indicate highly traveled walking routes Source: SDOT

Traffic Volume (Cloverdale St) Buses use Cloverdale St as their main corridor. There is a high level of pedestrian activity accessing transit service here. Currently, most of the vehicles on Cloverdale St arrive using the South Park Bridge. The upcoming closure of the bridge may shift this pattern. Note: RED lines indicate highly traveled walking routes. Source: SDOT

Truck Routes In, Out, and Through South Park Official SDOT routes: Highway 99 SR 509 Unofficial truck routes exist on most streets, e.g.: S Cloverdale St 8th Ave S 14th Ave S Note: The effect of closing the South Park Bridge on these and other unofficial routes is unpredictable. Source: SDOT

Current and Revised Bus Routes There are currently four major bus routes in South Park: Route 60 – Service from White Center to Capitol Hill Route 131 – Service between Highline Community College and Downtown Route 134 – Peak hour service between Burien Transit Center and Downtown Route 132 – Service from Highline Community College to Downtown (Route 23 includes service between White Center and Downtown in the northernmost part of South Park.) Note: Although these routes share start and endpoints, they serve different communities along the way. Source: King County Metro

Transit Service Changes/Re-routes Transit will be re-routed to the 1st Ave S Bridge after the closure of the South Park Bridge in June, 2010. Route 60 will drop service on S. Cloverdale St to the South Park Bridge and reroute north to 1st Ave S Bridge.

Transit Service Re-Routes Routes 131, 134 will travel through South Park to the 1st Ave S Bridge. Routes 132, 23 will not be affected.

High Priority Area for Walking Improvements City of Seattle’s Pedestrian Master Plan identifies high priority areas for improvements, both for walking along the roadway and crossing the roadway. Tier One projects receive high priority for improving pedestrian conditions. Along-the-roadway improvements may include traffic calming and sidewalks. Note: Improvements in these identified areas are dependent on dedicated funding in the Pedestrian Master Plan. Source: SDOT

Sidewalk Inventory Sidewalks and walking conditions in the manufacturing/industrial areas function poorly, if at all. Most lack any pedestrian infrastructure and are given high priority in the South Park Action Agenda and mentioned in the Pedestrian Master Plan. Sidewalk data from the City of Seattle Pedestrian Master Plan. Employer data from Reference USA.

Lighting Inventory Lighting inventory is currently being studied.

Recent & Planned Improvements A new pump station (7th Ave S & Riverside Dr) is going to be installed, which will solve drainage problem Paved bus platforms both ways at 5th Ave S and S Kenyon St and 5th Ave S and S Holden St Traffic bulbs on 8th Ave S in front of the South Park Community Center. New sidewalk 7th Ave S and Concord St (Bridging the Gap) New sidewalk on 7th Ave S between S Director St and S Henderson St (Bridging the Gap) Plans for improving the Pedestrian Bridge at 8th Ave S and S Henderson St (Grants currently supporting this effort: Neighbor to Neighbor and SDOT)

Recent & Planned Improvements Installed curb ramps and repaired sidewalks throughout South Park Updated, replaced and relocated drainage catch basins and inlets and resurfaced asphalt, pavement and rebuild portion of roadway with concrete paving on 14th Ave S Restriped crosswalks on 14th Avenue South and S. Cloverdale St/14th Ave S and S. Henderson St Installed traffic camera on corner of 14th Ave S and S. Cloverdale St Installed new curbs on 14th Ave S Restriped crosswalk 8th Ave S and Cloverdale St Constructing a multiuse trail between S Henderson and S Director Streets Source: South Park Action Agenda

Major Gaps #1 Lack of signage at intersections to identify stairs (10th Ave S and 12th Ave S, at Trenton St). Debris, moss, and overgrown foliage on the staircase make it difficult to use the stairs safely. The 12th Ave S and 10th Ave S staircases are direct links to Sea Mar Administration Building, South Park’s largest employer. Homeless encampments and loitering discourage their use for commuting. The RED lines indicate highly traveled walking routes.

Major Gaps #2 Lack of sidewalks along bus stops in the northwest part of South Park contributes to low bus ridership. Bus platforms, installed in recent years, provide protection from poor stormwater drainage in this area. A bus platform is needed at 2nd Ave S and S Holden St, in the eastbound direction. (South Park Action Plan) Photo: bus stop eastbound direction of S Holden St & 2nd Ave S Bus Route

Major Gaps #3 Along 8th Ave S there are trees uprooting the sidewalk creating a hazard. Crime and trash are barriers to pedestrians accessing transit on 8th Ave S, 14th Ave S and Cloverdale St On 14th Ave S and Cloverdale St drug dealing is a major deterrent to pedestrians

Major Gaps #4 The unmarked crosswalk and the lack of pedestrian scale lighting make the walk along Cloverdale St between 14th Ave S and 5th Ave S difficult and potentially dangerous. Intersection of Highway 99 and Cloverdale St pictured

Major Gaps #5 High levels of traffic along S Cloverdale St and 8th Ave S make it difficult for commuters walking to transit, particularly peak period weekday business commutes. Both streets provide direct access to bus service to White Center, Beacon Hill and downtown. The RED lines indicate highly traveled walking routes. map

Additional Pedestrian Commute Concerns The intersection of W Marginal Way, S Holden St and 2nd Ave S provides access to Pioneer Human Services, Northwest Center and several other South Park businesses from nearby transit. Crosswalks are needed in two places: Crossing 2nd Ave S on the north side of S Holden St Crossing the off-ramp from W Marginal Way on the south side of S Holden St Drainage issues and flooding of the unpaved streets from stormwater runoff, particularly in the manufacturing and industrial area, restricts pedestrians from walking to and from transit stops S 96th St (located in unincorporated King County) lacks sidewalks to serve businesses at this location The south side of SW Michigan St, just west of 2nd Ave SW, lacks a sidewalk. There is a bus stop here for Route 23 and several businesses across the street, including Seafreeze Cold Storage. The crosswalk at 2nd Ave SW and Michigan should be re-striped.

Preliminary Recommendations HIGH Level of Investment Complete pedestrian lighting. (Supports South Park Action Agenda) Lighting inventory is currently being studied Complete sidewalk network in South Park, including: Arterial bus route in northwestern South Park: 5th Ave S, S Holden St, and S Kenyon St S 96th St in unincorporated King County South side of SW Michigan St, west of 2nd Ave SW Develop a program to pave roads in South Parks’ manufacturing industrial area: Re-pave old arterials, such as S Holden St, 5th Ave S, Kenyon St, and 8th Ave S south of Trenton St. Pave gravel roads Provide/improve bus platform for transit users at 2nd Ave S and S Holden St. Complete drainage work in lower basin creating improved pedestrian transit access Repair, rebuild and realign stairs at 10th Ave S and Trenton/12th Ave S and Trenton Work with community, government officials, agencies etc., to advocate for funding to replace the South Park Bridge in an expedited manner.

Preliminary Recommendations MEDIUM Level of Investment Improve the intersection of W Marginal Way S and S Holden St with additional crosswalks to provide transit riders access to nearby worksites. Investigate opportunities to connect bike and pedestrian infrastructure adjacent to the new transfer station (5th Ave S west of Highway 99) Post signage to identify stairs at intersections Evaluate drainage issues in the lower basin of South Park Create an “Adopt a Walkway” business maintenance program to keep stairs free of debris. Adopt similar program for sidewalk cleaning in retail core Identify and paint unmarked crosswalks and determine the need for signage near transit service for pedestrians (S Cloverdale St.) For example, provide a crosswalk at Cloverdale St and Highway 99 intersection. Work with the freight community to identify patterns of unofficial truck route use so necessary pedestrian commute improvements can be implemented. Develop a “Neighborhoods on Foot” Walking Map to highlight key transit access locations and walking routes with business identification for commuter use. Provide on-street pedestrian wayfinding signage throughout South Park, highlighting transit locations.

Preliminary Recommendations LOW Level of Investment Create/Maintain bilingual South Park business announcements (via designated block leaders) with updated information including: South Park Bridge public mtgs/notices, changes in access to transit and walking routes, etc. Use existing resources/collaborate with non-profit agencies such as ECOSS and the Duwamish TMA to identify opportunities to pool/match funds to complete pedestrian improvement projects. Work with business community to secure small grants to cover costs of business outreach programs and materials (bilingual) to include: Incentive programs/Pre-tax benefits offered by TMA / King Co. Metro for pedestrian/transit commuters Business Watch programs where businesses watch streets and report incidents to increase safety for pedestrians/community Develop a map of South Park identifying rerouted transit stops and businesses to inform pedestrians of new access to transit Work with King Co Health Dept to distribute literature about the health benefits of walking as a means of commuting Anti-litter campaigns: Seasonal schedule for business clean up days to make walking more desirable Advertise Feet First Walking Ambassador program to encourage walking. Provide “practice” walks/walking buddies from their worksite as start up program incentive Host a Feet First business community “Walk and Talk” with Councilmember Tim Burgess to discuss barriers to walking: crime and safety issues. Create a brochure for businesses/employees with customized commuting information for their worksite. Provide a map showing their worksite and key residential areas (highlight theirs) Provide employees with pedestrian commute options: best walking routes, access to transit and transit schedules.

 Things to Keep in Mind In addition to the closure of the South Park Bridge, there are two larger transportation projects that will impact the South Park neighborhood: the Viaduct/Tunnel project and Spokane St Viaduct. Both will cause increased pressure on the 1st Ave S Bridge. The South Park Bridge replacement should be built without delay to absorb congestion from those projects. During the bridge “down” time, marketing alternative commuting options and providing improved facilities for pedestrians to access transit will help offset the resulting increased congestion. The South Park Bridge closure will force the majority of the freight community, (local, regional and statewide) to shift north to the 1st Ave S Bridge. The demands on the 1st Ave S bridge to accommodate additional commuters and freight traffic will grow exponentially. Non motorized commute options (biking, walking to work/walking to transit) save money, are a healthy alternative and a green solution. Collaborate with the King County Department of Health on outreach/marketing activities. The Duwamish Transportation Management Association (TMA) is South Park’s local non-profit organization that provides assistance with non motorized commute needs. They are a resource and referral organization that serves as a liaison to WSDOT, SDOT, City Councilmembers, King County Metro, the Port of Seattle, and other Seattle transportation leaders. They are available to help South Park businesses .