While talk of defunding the police department has drowned out all other budget news, there’s plenty of fiscal pain to go around as a result of decreased city tax revenues due to Covid 19. We learned recently that SDOT will be reining in some of their work here in our neighborhood:

As of today, the City of Seattle and Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) are putting a pause on many of our transportation projects, including the N 40th St spot bicycle improvements. While this part of the project is on pause, the remaining construction for the paving and bicycle improvements …

For those living near 40th St. the first half of 2020 has seen an increased pace of construction to smooth sidewalks, improve pedestrian crossings and lay new asphalt. Along with those benefits, though, have come some necessary ills: noise, dust, traffic delays and detours for pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicles alike. (Residents up near 50th St. have already endured a far longer period of the same. That work is now complete.)

But the end is now in sight. We received word from SDOT this week that they intend to finish the paving of 40th from Stone Way to Latona, the …

It takes a long-ish memory to recall what, if anything, once stood near Molly Moon’s at 1624 N. 45th. In fact, it was Kitaro Bento Sushi (or is it Kitaro Sushi Bento?) that burned there almost eight and a half years ago as we wrote about here. While we have had periodic updates on the charred remains (Kitaro News Flash: It’s Still a Burned Out Shell), there has been little in the way of action at that property.

But perhaps I’m not the best one to recount such ancient history. When a reader recently wrote to us to say that …

The Seattle Public Library closed way back in March with the first stay-at-home order, putting the kibosh on all manner of activities at our libraries including at our own neighborhood branch on 45th St. The banner above the SPL website says the closure will last at least until May 31, the current end of King County’s Phase I, but this could, of course, be changed. (A second banner announces a closure on Monday, May 25 — Memorial Day — making it double-closed that day, I suppose.)

While libraries these days offer many activities and services, book borrowing has always been …

[Editor’s note: We received the following from Darrell Bulmer, Communications Lead, Seattle Department of Transportation]

This week, work has begun on N Midvale PL and N 45th St. The new configuration is reflected in the graphic at bottom.

Work this week included clearing of vegetation, fence placement, drainage improvements, and removal of concrete in the project work zone. Crews will work this weekend installing the conduit crossing for the new rapid flashing beacon on N. Midvale Pl.  East and West bound traffic will be detoured on Saturday, May 16 while we work in the roadway. 

As …

Some much-needed improvements to the street crossings near Midvale Ave and Midvale Place will get underway on Monday, May 11 (today). You might know the crossing points as the places you pass by on your way from Stone Way to Aurora Ave., or perhaps the nearby Meowtropolitan is more familiar to you. Crossing the streets in this area can be a challenge, in part because of the irregular, triangle shape of the intersection.

While the triangle shape won’t go away, there will be some important additions that should improve safety for pedestrians and improve transit for bus riders. (See graphic …

Happening now, on Meridian Ave. Hopefully, coming soon to a street near you!

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