I was at the meeting and I was troubled by the rude crowd. I understand that people are concerned about the tunnel but there is no reason to be unkind to the people from the city and county who were trying to explain it. Chill out everyone.

I got the feeling that the group tonight thought the viaduct plan should have been made with Magnolia as the number one concern.

C’mon people, this is the best option for the entire city, and it sounds like it might work OK in some ways for Magnolia too.

If you decide to live in Magnolia, you know that you will not have the best access to the main arterials. That is the trade off. It is also what has kept our neighborhood from becoming too crowded like Queen Anne.

Based on what I heard tonight (and I actually listened instead of yelling at the officials) it sounds like there are some ways this will be better for Magnolia and some ways it will be worse.

That’s life.

The lack of access to the tunnel does not just affect magnolia, but also Ballard. I currently drive surface streets from Magnolia to downtown and can’t imagine how those roads will look once all the traffic heading south will be rerouted along those roads – combine that with a Mariners game, summer tourists, and now with several large crusie ships docking in Magnolia attracting more traffic from the airport to our area and it will be a huge mess.

I’m nto saying it shouldn’t be built, but I do think the issue should be fully identified and alternatives, including an additional access point seriously considered.

A few Magnolia residents need to learn some manners. Last night’s meeting was embarrassing.

In case there is any confusion, this is how you don’t want to act: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rude

I was at the meeting last night. I live in Magnolia. Here are my observations, in no particular order, for what it’s worth:

• We (the audience) tended to repeat the same issues over and over again… which helped to convey some of the level of frustration involved, but after a while, it was counterproductive.
• It seemed to me that there were two big sources of friction and frustration, which made it hard to have a meaningful discussion: the fact that this new bored tunnel alternative came out of nowhere, and the fact that previous efforts by some/all of these gov’t agencies have left us less than trusting regarding their intentions, or confident in their competence. The 15th Ave BAT lanes were brought up again and again as an example of both… so how can we trust that plans/estimates that the surface option for heading South, along the waterfront, won’t suffer from the same stumbles? I think they heard this clearly last night (and presumably not for the first or last time).
• It is clear that travel times will increase, whether you’re traveling South via surface streets or the new Tunnel, or East, via a newly-configured Mercer corridor. Elsewhere, gov’t officials have stated repeatedly that they will readily trade increased car transit times if it means improved rapid transit capacity or trip times. While I sympathize with those who have lived in Magnolia for 30-50 years and who avoid I-5 as much as possible… the times are a-changing. We have already seen this with the BAT lanes on 15th. The same tradeoffs will be made elsewhere.
• Larry Philips said it best when he said that this Bored Tunnel approach is a win, considering just how far the “Surface Street Only” proposal had gone. We would be truly screwed if that plan had progressed any farther along.
• Someone in the audience summed up well, in my opinion, some of the dissonance we were hearing about the Surface Streets option for heading North/South: we want a world-class waterfront, but we also want 4+ lanes of fast-moving traffic. “This is not the Embarcadero.”
• I was surprised that no one from the Port was in attendance (at least, not that I could tell)… the Port represents a big user of, and stakeholder in, this part of our transportation system. For instance, the new Cruise terminal will generate quite a bit of traffic…
• When I arrived at the meeting, I was undecided. I left the meeting mostly in favor of the tunnel, simply because of the rock/hard place situation we’re all in when it comes to the Viaduct. The bored tunnel plan is a reasonable compromise that causes the least disruption and delivers the most good for the greatest percentage of the entire region. I still have serious doubts about how competently all this will be executed, of course (see BAT Lanes comment above).
• I definitely got the impression that Magnolia, as one of the least dense and most isolated parts of the city, will always get the short end of transportation planning considerations… our numbers just don’t show up on their car or transit planning radar, as compared to Queen Anne, even. I was surprised to hear, for instance, that there’s no timeline for funding for the Magnolia Bridge.
• My biggest lingering fear revolves around this question: how safe would the Bored Tunnel be in a major earthquake… Maybe that’s a topic for a separate meeting.

My final takeaway was that we should accept this new plan, but work in a focused and diligent manner to make the most of it… the details here will matter. Let’s get specific concessions and plans that reflect our needs. Examples:
- Let’s make sure that Mercer is ‘fixed’ all of the way to Elliot (although, this morning, as I took the left from Elliot to Mercer Place (is that a two minute light now??), that narrow hill climb that leads to Mercer Street, it wasn’t clear to me just how that stretch could be expanded to 4 lanes without significant impact to that neighborhood…).
- Let’s push for improvements to the heavily-traveled 15th/Elliot corridor, for cars, busses, bikes alike.
- Let’s get the city and Port to actually coordinate on their respective traffic-generating development dreams (all of the new development along Elliot, Cruise Ships, ‘North Bay’, Jail, etc).
- How about more park space near Terminal 91?

We can’t ask the city to not grow up and become more dense, but we can focus on the key things that are most important to us to preserve as much of what we like about our little island while ensuring that we don’t go nuts commuting to/from our jobs and other obligations.

It’s good to see magnolia residents doing something positive about the viaduct problem.

This tunnel should not be built.

It’s the wrong solution for solving the traffic problems of Ballard, and Seattle in general.

Hey Thomas, got anything to back that up?

Or are you just spouting off?

I live in Ballard (west of 15th), and accessing the tunnel via 99 will not be any different than how I currently access the viaduct via 99.

Ballard Guy,
I was at the meeting and based on the info we got, you will no longer access the tunnell in the same way you do now. You will have to take 15th to the new four lane Alaskan Way surface street…then access the tunnel at Royal Brougham.
They admit that it will take more time. That is what most of the fuss is about. You wont have an exit from the tunnel like we do at Western either.
I support this tunnel option but it is definitely going to be more challenging for those of us who live in Magnolia and Ballard areas.

So when you are traveling northbound in the tunnel, where will it emerge?

Thanks for actually reading my post before responding, by the way.

This is a great site. Good sparkling interface and very informative articles. I will be coming back soon, thanks for the great article. The cable TV filter has proved helpful in other areas as well.

Good info and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is in fact the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to get some professional writers? Thanks

It is a pity, that now I can not express – it is compelled to leave. I will be released – I will necessarily express the opinion on this question.

I found your weblog on google and check several of the early posts. Preserve up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading through additional from you later on!…

You made some good points there. I did a search on the issue and found most people will approve with your website.

Hi! Your article rocks and is really a very good understand!…

I enjoy your wordpress layout, where did you get a hold of it?

I like the writing theme of your blog and it does a pretty good job of presenting the info.

You are a very smart individual!

This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.

I found your weblog on google and check several of the early posts. Preserve up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading through additional from you later on!…

You made a number of nice points there. I did a search on the issue and found mainly people will have the same opinion with your blog.

Thanks for an excellent and useful posting My partner and I certainly recognize all of the effort that went to the publishing.

I found your blog looking about a totally different subject on yahoo, bizarre ……
in any case, i spent some minutes studying this and another entries and gonna come again often, i liked it

Cheers for this posting, guys, retain up the fantastic operate…

I really loved reading your blogs. The scoop is awesome since I can now prove to my friend that I’m right about this info. LOL! Fantastic find

Cheers for this excellent statement. I absolutely appreciated looking through it and shall share it with individuals.

Excellent stuff. I can not describe how much your blog has helped me in my academic research on the subject. I am now going to get top marks for sure. Thanks a million. I owe you one.

You got a really nice blog there man keep it up watching out for most posts.

Love is the self-delusion we manufacture to justify the trouble we take to have sex.

Pretty good post. I’ve really enjoyed browsing your site posts. Whatever the case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon! The information here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful. Merry Chrismas!

Dude, please tell me that youre going to create a lot more. I notice you havent written an additional weblog for a while (Im just catching up myself). Your blog is just also important to be missed. Youve acquired so much to say, such knowledge about this topic it would be a shame to see this weblog disappear. The internet needs you, man!

This is really a extremely beneficial read for me, Have to admit you might be 1 in the most effective bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.

Thank you for another good write-up. Exactly where else could anyone get that kind of info in such a ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am around the look for these info.

I

This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like ‘Mixview’ that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of “neighbors” will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune “Social” is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.

Hi, I found this blog post, but are looking for shopping information on Google, and found it very good article to share, thanks greetings and cheers!I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles. You obviously know what you are talking about! Your site is so easy to navigate too, I’ve bookmarked it in my favourites. . . . .

some truly grand work on behalf of the owner of this web site , dead great articles .

Jau dat geht, bzw. wie man auf englisch sagt: nice job

Fantastic article! I’ll subscribe correct now wth my feedreader software package!…

Truly value you writing this information. Really Cool!

Can I post your put up to my wordpress weblog? I will add a back link to your forum. That’s one really nice post.

Wow! Thank you! I permanently wanted to write on my website something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my site?

You made a number of good points there. I did a search on the theme and found mainly people will have the same opinion with your blog.

How would you create a walls decal stick? I place a massive walls decal on my doorway and yes it retains ripping off. My partner and i completely washed the doorway just before My partner and i put it up but it still wont stay. I had been thinking of super glue?

I’ve a little issue (no pun planned) but it’s that a lot of the free male enhancement physical exercise clips i watch are quite a hardship on me toperform due to the fact i’ve a really small penile, 5 in . actually and that i oftenget erections really quick making it difficult to do a lot more variable exercisesthat requirement a partially flaccid penile. might anyone recommend anything at all please. Some other portion of my question for you is when any one is doing these type of exercises, should i expect tenderness and discomfort just like a typical exercise?

The amount of top quality content on this website has totally made me realize the authority your site contains. Incredible posts and articles everywhere. Keep up the good work.

You made a few fine points there. I did a search on the theme and found most persons will agree with your blog.

In my opinion. Your opinion is erroneous.

Looking at some of your posts I must say i found this one to generally be very creative. I’ve a blogging site as well and want to repost a number of snips of your respective content on my personal blogging site. Would it be alright if I do this so long as I personal reference your site or build a backlink to the post I took the snip from? Otherwise I realize and would never do it without having your approval . I have book marked the article to twitter in addition to myspace account intended for reference. Anyway appreciate it either way!

You are sharing lot of useful information on your blog, I’m glad I came to your blog

A nuż jesteś w mocy mi pomóc: piszę forum: jednakże na inny temat, ale nie to jest konkretem mojego pytania: najogromniejszy szkopuł mam ze spamem i nijak nie potrafię sobie z tym dać rady… Widzę, że Twój blog jest ładny i widocznie nie borykasz się z tym problemem. W jaki sposób to robisz? Z góry dziękuję za odzew na Twoim blogu. BTW: niesłychanie wciągający artykuł

A definitely excellent article by you my friend. I have bookmarked this page and will occur back following several days to verify for any new posts that you simply make.

Thanks some great information here keep up the good work. i actually provide a more constructive comment as I’m a bit out of my deph but i will be checking back here for further updates. Goodluck

Great post and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is truly the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to hire some professional writers? Thanks in advance

I gotta say this internet web site is actually helpful, hold posting beneficial data.

You completed some fine points there. I did a search on the issue and found mainly persons will agree with your blog.

Merry Christmas. I hope you’ve been nasty so Santa won’t come to you (more gifts for me hahaha)

An impressive article, I just given this onto a workfellow who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner because I discovered it for him. smile.. So let me rephrase that: Thanks for the treat! But yeah Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more info? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blogpost!

I guess you have made numerous rather interesting points. Not too many others would really think about it the way you just did. I am truly impressed that there is so much about this subject that has been uncovered and you did it so nicely, with so considerably class. Outstanding one, man! Truly special things right here.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.

As a Newbie, I am constantly searching online for articles that can aid me. Thank you

You made certain fine points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found mainly folks will go along with with your blog.

After all that’s sounded out and done I ‘m curious to hear how many peoples genuinely learn what the writer has only revealed.

You made a number of good points there. I did a search on the theme and found the majority of folks will go along with with your blog.

You have some bugs in html or css code in the footer.

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it! Good job friend!

I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case, great info…I will bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!

Interesting article. Were did you got all the information from?

You got a definitely helpful blog I’ve been right here reading for about an hour. I’m a newbie and your accomplishment is quite a lot an inspiration for me.

Outstanding piece, thanks for sharing!

I don’t usually reply to posts but I will in this case, great info…I will bookmark your site. Keep up the good work!

I always visit your blog and retrieve everything you post here but I never commented but today when I saw this post, I couldn’t stop myself from commenting here. Fantastic article mate!

Hi there, I just needed to state how interesting I find this blog!

I know this is really boring and you are skipping to the next comment, but I just wanted to throw you a big thanks, you cleared up some things for me!

Thank you for another fantastic posting. Where else could anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a speech next week, and I was looking for more info

Very good post. I have really enjoyed visiting your website posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and i also hope you write again soon! Many thanks, I’ll attempt to visit often. Happy new year!

I’d like to visit your blog more usually but recently it appears to be taking ceaselessly to come back up. I go to from work, and our connection there’s fairly good. Do you think the issue could possibly be on your end?

Excellent. I’ve been looking everywhere for this. THX

This really is such a excellent resource that you simply are supplying and you give it away for free of charge. I found it on Bing

There is obviously a lot for me to discover outside of my books. Thanks for the great read

Thanks so much for this information … I’m already doing some of these suggestions but there are many others that are new to me.

I was wondering what would be the best …Now I think I be known . I’ve got more informations about this . I uncover new ways here.

Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject. Great job mate!

Between me and my husband we’ve owned more MP3 players over the years than I can count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.

This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.

I keep listening to the news bulletin talk about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?

When are you going to post again? You really inform a lot of people!

You have some bugs in html or css code in the footer.

I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!

Wonderful story! I will need some time to entertain your blog!

Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also use Blog Engine, and I was wondering about your situation; we have developed some excellent practices and we would like to exchange thoughts with others, please Email me if interested. That’s a simple fact, and it’s one that you’re best understanding right off the bat.

I was been after the Internet for this information and just wanted to thank u for this post. By the way, just off topic, how can i find a version of this theme? – Thank you

Outstanding job once again! Thank you.