As we’ve reported here in the past (e.g., News from the Dump and Dump Update), the city’s efforts to update the Solid Waste Transfer Station (aka the dump) at 34th and Carr is making slow headway in the face of resident law suits. Here’s the latest, courtesy of Cole Gainer and cribbed from the excellent Wallingford eNews:
The King County Superior Court recently affirmed the Seattle Hearing Examiner’s 10/20/08 decision that an environmental impact statement is not required for the North Recycling and Disposal Station (NRDS) project. SPU conducted relevant environmental studies in 2007-2008 and issued a Declaration of Non-Significance (DNS) in April 2008. The plaintiffs have until this August 31 to decide if they will file what would now be a third appeal, to the Washington State Court of Appeals.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will continue to move forward with this project and is committed to working with the affected communities and other stakeholders to design and build a modern station compatible with the neighborhood that corrects many of the problems created by the old outdated facility. The NRDS stakeholder group reconvened earlier this year and has been working with SPU to address issues identified by local residents, organizations, and station users. For example, SPU has provided background information on its subsurface and groundwater investigation as well as drainage concerns. SPU is also in the process of hiring a support services contractor to work with the stakeholder group to flesh out design requirements and resolve community concerns such as the height and scale of the facility prior to selecting a design-build firm to build the facility. The group will also identify a list of possible community benefits in exchange for vacating Carr Place North. A public open house will be held to obtain additional ideas and input as well. The next stakeholder meeting will be held on October 13. Observers are always welcome. Information including environmental studies, summaries of stakeholder meetings, meeting dates and locations are posted on the project website.
South Recycling and Disposal Station:
Proposals for the design and construction of the new South Transfer Station will be received on August 17th. SPU will be reviewing the proposals with input from the Solid Waste Advisory Council, members of the SRDS Stakeholder Group, and Seattle Design Commission. A decision is expected by the end of this year.
Based on our understanding, the “possible community benefits in exchange for vacating Carr Place North” could include the creation of a new community space / park in the area, for which we would be glad.
I’m on the stakeholders’ group for the transfer station and I’m representing the “green” position. That means I am looking at the city’s garbage as an opportunity and I’m advocating for a building that is:
1) Safe for neighbors, community, and employees
2) Functional for users and employees
3) Forward-thinking in planning for a “50-year” ZERO WASTE public building
4) Green Roof
I’d rather spend energy making sure we get a great, safe, zero waste facility than focusing on how we can parlay this project into a community park. Read more and see cool photos at: http://greenwallingford.ning.com/events/north-seattle-transfer-station
Also, we just found out the project has yet another new SPU project manager. That makes the 3rd manager in 6 months. So of course many of us stakeholders feel like we have to build yet another relationship to get to the building we want.