Take a look around Wallingford (though, I DO NOT recommend this during a torrential downpour). Do you see any sidewalks that need repair, or any streets that would be safer with a traffic circle? The Department of Neighborhoods has what’s known as Neighborhood Projects Funds (NPF) comprising both Neighborhood Street Funds and Cumulative Reserve Funds, totaling $1.2 million. These funds will be divvied up among chosen applications and will be spent in 2012 for neighborhood improvements for streets and parks. The coolest part is that these are projects that can be proposed by neighbors. The Bike Boulevard proposed by Cathy Tuttle is a fine example of a project funded through the Neighborhood Projects Funds. We’ve got the specifics about the program listed below, but take note that 2011 Applications are due Tuesday, March 8. You can access the application and a fact sheet by clicking here:
2011 Fact Sheet
2011 Application
According to the Department of Neighborhoods:
NPF money can be used for small-scale (up to $90K per project) street or parks improvements, such as sidewalk repair, traffic circles and traffic calming, sidewalks, school zone speed limit signs, playground improvements, etc. NPF projects are required to meet the following criteria:
- Projects funded by the Cumulative Reserve Subfund (approx. $1 Million total) can only be used for maintenance or repairs, projects which address safety issues, or upgrades related to the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) like wheelchair access improvements; and must relate to the implementation of an existing Neighborhood Plan. View Neighborhood Plans online.
- Projects funded by the Neighborhood Street Fund (approx. $200K total) must be transportation-related. These projects may include new construction and do not have to relate to Neighborhood Plans, but there is less money to go around in this fund.
Who decides which projects will be funded?
Each District Council will review applications and choose three projects for detailed feasibility and cost analysis. Then the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and Seattle Parks and Recreation (Parks) will perform the analysis and provide feedback. The District Council will rank their top projects in order of priority and the City will make funding recommendations to the Mayor based on these priorities.How are proposals evaluated?
District Councils are looking for projects which meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Significant Impact: The project will have a widespread positive impact on the neighborhood as a whole.
- Neighborhood Plan Implementation: The project implements one or more recommendations in an adopted neighborhood plan. Priority will be given to projects that are located in or provide service to urban centers and villages.
- Broad Support: The project has the support of multiple neighborhood or community groups. Both residential and business groups are encouraged to apply.
- Leveraging Opportunities: The project also qualifies for funding from another City source, and therefore leaves more NPF money available for other projects.
- Equity: Funding is to be equitably shared among the districts over time. Neighborhoods that are already receiving significant public investment from other sources may be also given lower priority.
What is the project review timeline?
- Timeline: January 1 –March 8
- District Councils submit their “Top 3” projects to SDOT/Parks on April 25.
District Councils can also submit two additional projects that will be analyzed only in the event that the costs for the “Top 3” don’t add up to total budget allowed.
SDOT will review
- Timeline: April 25 – June 13
I am thinking about looking into making the walkability of 50th, near Latona, all the way from the freeway to the 7/11. Both more walkable and more crossable. The new school is opening up and that area needs to be less of a divide. I once asked for a crosswalk by the deli and was shot down, but with the school opening up it seems it would be a good idea to try again, and to get the sidewalk cleaned up.
Is there anyone else interested in this? I am not sure how it is approached, but I am game to write something up.
Claudia
we need a big dance yoga neighborhood center which houses the market
we need the hole in front of the Post Office repaired
we need Winchells leveled
we need Solid Ground to have its own parking
we need a library with books!
we need graffitti removed
I believe the Letter of Intent was due last month, a part of the process that reserves you a place to submit an application. I like the idea of generating more community projects!
The letter of intent for the Neighborhood Matching Fund was due last month, but the Neighborhood Project Fund has open applications up until the 8th (as reported in the article).
The difference in the funds is that the Matching Fund is run by the department of neighborhoods, requires community matching efforts or money, and typically targets playgrounds and the like. The Neighborhood Project Fund is run by SDOT, does not require a match, and is transportation related.
Thanks for the clarification Eric.
Has anyone worked on the painted traffic circles? We have a large raised circular speed bump planned for our intersection that would benefit greatly from some color!
how about someone from chamber or council keep a list of what we nneed and request adn then NEXT YEAR with lead time write up a few requests?
Until someone from the neighborhood chooses to take on more organized submissions the list of projects will just be all submissions received up until the 8th. The councils (Wallingord, Lake Union) will review the submissions after that. Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in volunteering to improve that process.
thereis just nto enough time
NEXT YEAR tell us earlier.
KEEP a list of what has been suggested and have the chamber or whomever work on a few.. with a year lead time nothing will go away or improve .. only the writing can becoem more persuasive.
Who likes to have to go to Greenlake to go to a library because ours has becoem a bookholder?
Who likes to wreck their car tire rims in fromt of the PO?
How about those crosswalks which could use repainting and a few signs?
Graffitti removal? Sorry, i guaranteeyou we will still need it.
Removal of Winchells? Removal of Subway?
How about the now defunct 7-11?
How about the continuous stream of homeless unhappy disabled veterans who populate the front sidewalk of the PO?
We havemuch which can be considerred and bettered.
I am submitting a request for SDOT to designate Meridian Avenue North as a bicycle boulevard which would connect the population centers of 45th St and South Wallingford, and would connect the 43rd/44th St bike boulevard to Gasworks Park. I hope that some Wallingford residents would be interested in supporting this proposal. I envision a Portland, Oregon style boulevard with prominent sharrows, bicycle-specific signage, bike specific calming measures on 40th St, and other improvements.