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. 

Upcoming Work

As …

The eponymous Mike Dunn sent this report from Chris Huckins of Dunn Lumber of excitement this morning:

This week’s Lake Union Dunn Promise Awards go to Luis Velazquez (Yard) and Ben Dominick (Yard).

Luis spotted a Japanese balloon carried lantern landing on the roof of our common lot shed early in the morning (about 5 AM) of 5/14/2020. The lantern immediately caught the roof on fire.

Luis alerted others in the yard, and Ben Dominick immediately contacted the fire department who quickly responded. Needless to say that the Lake Union crew are extremely grateful for this excellent first responder response …

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 …

The Seattle Parks Department is moving ahead with a plan to replace the Green Lake Community Center and Evans Pool. In these days of social distancing they can’t hold the community meetings for input that would normally be a part of the Seattle Process. So they have posted a survey to their website to gather the opinions of neighbors.  (Follow the instructions to the “Online Open House.”) It can be quick, with just a few questions to answer, or you can take your time filling up the open comment boxes. This is our community center, so Wallingford needs to weigh …