Back in January, we noted that the 45th Street Viaduct (that huge bridge that takes 45th Street from the U District into University Village) would be closing temporarily for repairs in late Spring. Thanks to Bill for reminding us that it is now officially Late Spring, and as of this coming Monday, the duct is done. From the press release:
SDOT is closing the NE 45th Street Viaduct on Monday, June 14 to replace the aging west approach (the raised roadway at the west end of the bridge). NE 45th Street will be completely closed to all traffic, bicycles and pedestrians between Montlake Boulevard NE and 20th Avenue NE from June 14 to September 10. Detour routes will be in place during this time. Please visit SDOT’s project website for specific information on detour routes and options to bus, bike and walk during the viaduct closure.
SDOT will host an open house on June 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the University Heights Community Center (5031 University Way NE) to talk with neighbors about construction impacts and prepare the traveling public for the closure and detour.
June 14th through September 10th! That’s a long time for a long detour.
All the more reason to stay in Wallingford and shop local. What do you need over there, anyway?
All the more reason to stay in Wallingford and shop local. What do you need over there, anyway?
You know, the incessant boosterism in this blog is a big turn-off. If it’s a joke, it’s not funny; it just makes me roll my eyes every time. What it means mainly is that I don’t trust any recommendations that come out of this blog because I think this blog would recommend anything out of Wallingford for that reason alone. (Not to mention the breathless mentions of your paid sponsors.)
It’s closed from the day after graduation and supposed to reopen the day before the first home football game. Tight window. I haven’t heard much about the chaos this is likely to create on Montlake and 25th Ave. Should be an interesting summer.
Michael, it’s a fair criticism, and I appreciate you raising it. To the extent that we come across as boosters, relentlessly positive, it undermines the trust you put in our words. It’s something that I and the other writers have talked about dialing down, and we need to do a better job of that.
That said, I will admit to a blatant belief in a locavore mentality, which is where the “shop local” thing comes from. I believe politically, economically and environmentally that we should all endeavor to buy from our own local community rather than from far away as much as possible. Granted, the products being sold in our community are being manufactured elsewhere, but the retail jobs are, at least local.
Also, the “breathless mentions” of our paid sponsors are not intended to communicate “you should love them because they sponsor us”, but rather “disclaimer: there is a potential conflict of interest here, and we want to make explicit that we are writing an editorial piece about someone we have a business relationship with.” We think it would be dishonest NOT to mention that. It is our policy not to favor sponsors either in quantity or valence of coverage, but we’re human.
To shop local is more like earth boosterism to me. Clump those errands on foot and use vehicles as a last resort so Wallingford uses just slightly less Gulf Crude. I think a good ‘hood joie de vivre creates a connected platform from where challenges can get tackled such as: the boarding house where it is obvious there is major drug activity of a scary nature; how the Seattle School District is quietly co-opting the south edge of a public park at Wallingford Playfield; all the people who drive while talking/texting on the phone, hand-held or not; the on-going challenges to being a pedestrian here, especially at crosswalks on 45th at Wallingford; that there are residents who are short on work and short on food . . .
Also, the boosterism gives an old-timey feel to the blog – like you’re reading a small town newspaper. I like it, it’s fun, and I just take things with a grain of salt.
@Wallyhood – your patient and respectful rebuttal to commenter #1 is something to be admired. Please, allow me to be the jackass to say what really needs to be said:
Holy sh@#!!! It’s a neighborhood blog for Christ’s sake! Take the lump of coal out of your ass dear sir. The incessant boosterism is one part sarcastic, one part snarky, and ten parts “who in their right mind would take offense to an obvious joke about the privileged elite down at u vill?” note to Wallyhood: for what it’s worth they do have a mac store and a j crew.
And how does one have a problem with the “breathless mentions” of the paid sponsors? I’m sorry, but isn’t that the fuc@ing point? They pay money, (which rewards Jordan to keep spending time and energy on this thing), and the sponsors get their sh@& mentioned. And as a reader of this blog, I get to read it for free. Am I missing something here? Or am I an idiot?
@Wallyhood again – I moved out of WA in January so no more clean-ups. Lo siento mucho. However, on the bright side, I do check in on the blog periodically to feel like I never left. Keep up the good work.
In the meantime, I hear there’s a bike/ped trail that connects Wallingford to University Village. I’ll check it out and report back.
I don’t take offense, I just get a bad feeling from it, and Wallyhood said he appreciated me raising it. That doesn’t mean the blog has to change to suit my views, but I think expressing them is more helpful than just moving on without saying anything. At least you’ll know why you’re losing at least one reader.
I subscribe to this and several neighborhood blogs, including Fremont Universe, U-District Daily, and the now basically defunct “wallingford seattle blog.” They engage in almost zero boosterism, mainly relying on the facts to excite people, and have a much, much lower level of promotional activity mixed in with the editorial comment, whether that be of their sponsors, or self-promotion of things like forums. Of course, those blogs don’t even *have* forums (and I like the forums here even though I visit seldom).
As I’ve thought about it some more, I’ve realized there are really two aspects about the blog that get on my nerves:
Reading this blog sometimes feels like talking to that guy I know that is always trying to sell me something. (Already addressed, I know.)
When I see the things here that I am apparently supposed to be excited about, sometimes it makes me feel like I live in a really lame neighborhood.
Anyway, it might be that this blog just isn’t for me. I know I am not alone in my feelings about this blog (see previous comments on too much “kids stuff”), but quite possibly I am in a minority. It might be time for me to unsubscribe and just stop by from time to time instead.
Thanks, Jordan!
I just realized I’ll need this info about the closure soon, and decided to come straight to Wallyhood cuz I knew you had it covered!