Pacific Northwest - Missing Link of Burke-Gilman Trail under lawsuit threat by local businesses

http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/15/ballard-businesses-sue-over-burke-gilman-trail/

Ballard businesses sue over Burke Gilman trail
Posted by Geeky Swedes on July 15th, 2009

A coalition of Ballard industrial businesses, industrial associations and the Ballard Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit with the Superior Court challenging the city’s plans to fill the “missing link” of the Burke Gilman trail. Specifically, the lawsuit questions the city’s environmental review of the project. “The city has, so far, completely failed to evaluate and analyze impacts from alternative routes, safety impacts from insufficient sight distances, safety impacts from mixing cyclists and trail users with heavy trucks and industrial traffic, impacts from lost parking, and the inconsistency of locating a recreational trail through an industrial area,” explains Eugene Wasserman, President of the North Seattle Industrial Association. Wasserman says the city has not conducted the same level of environmental review that it would require of any industrial business. “We’re not anti-trail,” :rolleyes: he said. “The city’s decision is just another example of the Seattle Department of Transportation not treating people equally.”

The city has, so far, completely failed to evaluate and analyze impacts from alternative routes,
IOW - "We don't want it here."

safety impacts from insufficient sight distances,
"We employ drivers who can't pay attention to where they're going."

safety impacts from mixing cyclists and trail users with heavy trucks and industrial traffic,
"We're already tired of having to dodge you on our street. Now you want a right of way?"

impacts from lost parking,
Well, OK... This one is exactly what it sounds like. They're P.O.'d about losing some parking.

and the inconsistency of locating a recreational trail through an industrial area,”
Because there's certainly not a trail connecting 21st and Alaskan through an industrial area. And the West Seattle Bridge/Harbour Island bike paths aren't in an industrial area...

Wasserman says the city has not conducted the same level of environmental review that it would require of any industrial business.

Ummm, maybe it's just me... but paving over the pavement isn't going cause any problems.

Sounds like a great opportunity to organize a mass bike ride to roll through the existing streets during business hours, you know - to claim your right to ride the streets in the absence of a trail.

I'd do it if I lived up there - I rode the B-G trail 2 weekends ago before StP, and loved it - it'd be great to see that link fixed.

impacts from lost parking,
Well, OK... This one is exactly what it sounds like. They're P.O.'d about losing some parking.


Wasserman says the city has not conducted the same level of environmental review that it would require of any industrial business.

Ummm, maybe it's just me... but paving over the pavement isn't going cause any problems.


Lost parking spaces + more bicyclists on the road = better air quality.

Industrial businesses = worse air + water quality.

I think these people need to think a little harder before opening their mouths. :roflmao2:

Sounds like a great opportunity to organize a mass bike ride to roll through the existing streets during business hours, you know - to claim your right to ride the streets in the absence of a trail.

I'd do it if I lived up there - I rode the B-G trail 2 weekends ago before StP, and loved it - it'd be great to see that link fixed.

A CM-style protest is the last thing we need to gain support for the issue. Especially in an area where one of our own was just shot with a blowgun a couple days ago.
The entire Seattle metro area is seeing an increase in violence towards cyclists. Some kids were arrested for shooting riders with a pellet gun during Chilly Hilly. Tacks were scattered on the road during the Daffodil Classic and Tour de Cure rides. More riders than I've heard of in past years have accounts of being hit by objects thrown from cars (I've personally had loose change thrown at me twice, plus an apple core and a can of soda.) Now somebody shot with a blowgun.
I don't know if it's the weather or something in the water...

and the inconsistency of locating a recreational trail through an industrial area,”
Because there's certainly not a trail connecting 21st and Alaskan through an industrial area. And the West Seattle Bridge/Harbour Island bike paths aren't in an industrial area...


Where are you going to put a trail in Ballard otherwise?

Where are you going to put a trail in Ballard otherwise?

There's a few houses up there. I suppose that changes the zoning to a sort of resindustridential area.

(What saddens me the most about Ballard is that all the Scandanavian shops are closing.) :(

Remember, they are complaining about losing 'free' parking. All the taxpayers in Seattle pay for that parking area because it isn't being used for a more productive use. Cars don't pay their fair share of city space.