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Residents urge fixes to sidewalks, crosswalks and clarity on 56th Street revitalization negotiations
Summary
Multiple Mountlake Terrace residents told the council that raised sidewalks, an unreadable Civic Campus/library sign, and uncertainty about a planned 56th Street widening leave older residents and property owners concerned about safety and a piecemeal project outcome.
Several residents used the Oct. 2 public-comment period to press the Mountlake Terrace City Council for pedestrian-safety fixes and clearer communication about a planned 56th Street widening and streetscape revitalization.
Audrey Reed, who identified herself as a Mountlake Terrace Plaza resident, said sidewalks between her building and the library have been "heaved up" by large tulip trees, creating a fall hazard that prevents some residents from walking to the library. She asked the city to consider replacing trees that cause pavement heaving and to repair or relabel the Civic Campus and library signage, which she said has been painted so it is hard to read. City staff said the city manager would follow up with the speakers.
Paula Guyen, another resident of the MBK Plaza across the street, described nearly being struck in a crosswalk near 50th, Eighth and 236th and urged the council to review crosswalk safety and traffic speeds along the hill where she lives. "If somebody would look into it, that would really be appreciated because somebody's gonna get hit," she said.
Property owners on 56th Street raised a second concern related to the city's Main Street/56th Street revitalization and widening project. Paul Nourancic said he and other owners were negotiating with the city over right-of-way acquisitions to widen the street for bike lanes and wider sidewalks. He said at least four adjoining properties were removed from the city's planned acquisition without advance notice and that an earlier city offer appeared to have been rescinded, leaving owners uncertain whether the project would be completed in a contiguous, attractive fashion.
Paul Haugen, who also owns property on the same block, said the sudden change in the acquisition plan and the apparent lack of notice was troubling and that the block's zoning and lot configuration have discouraged developer interest. Both owners asked the city to reconsider and to work to avoid a piecemeal outcome that would leave part of the block upgraded and part of it unchanged.
City staff acknowledged the concerns and told the speakers the city manager or appropriate staff would follow up with the residents and property owners about sidewalk maintenance, signage, crosswalk safety, and the status of negotiations related to the 56th Street project.
