Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 7, Issue 10, October 2003
Copyright 2003 Seattle Sun. Please feel free to use the article below in your research. Be sure to cite the Seattle Sun as your source.
Seattle Sun news briefs
Green Lake to get alum treatment
Mayor Greg Nickels recently announced the inclusion of $1.5 million for an alum treatment for Green Lake in his proposed 2004 budget for the City. Growth of blue-green algae in recent years has required closure of the lake to water-contact activities. The phosphorous in the lake sediments stimulates algal growth, which in turn can produce neurotoxins that render the water unsafe for humans. The 1991 alum treatment inactivated the phosphorous and solved the problem for about six years. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department believes the 2004 treatment will last for eight to 10 years. Green Lake is the city's most heavily used park.
Lake City Library still open
The Lake City Library, originally scheduled to close this summer for renovations, will remain open until early 2004. Seattle Public Library spokeswoman Caroline Ullmann said that the Lake City branch could remain open through mid-February. The library plans to seek bids from potential contractors for the Lake City project this fall. The Lake City Library is located at 12501 28th Ave. NE. For information about the branch's programs and hours of operation, call 684-7518.
Going, going ... not gone, yet
California businessman Charles Medlin on Sept. 13 cast the winning bid for the historic Kalakala ferry (pictured), but failed to fork over the $140,000 he pledged by the deadline, leaving the fate of the 1930s-era Buck Rogers-style vessel uncertain as of press time. The second-highest bidder, a group of local investors, also passed on paying the $135,000 they initially pledged, saying they now are only willing to shell out $60,000 for the rusting ship, which they would move to Tacoma. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported Sept. 20 that Medlin, who wants to move the Kalakala to California, still intends to pursue his claim on the boat. For a little while longer at least, the Kalakala remains moored at north Lake Union where it's been since a team led by Fremont sculptor Peter Bevis rescued it from a mudflat in Alaska in 1998.
Wallingford council to meet
The theme for the Wallingford Community Council's meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 1, will be "Urban Challenges."
"As we increase living density in the neighborhood, some other things seem to be increasing as well: crime, noise, parking problems, graffiti, traffic, abandoned cars, speeding buses, and so on," according to an e-mail sent out by the council. "What can a good citizen to do to deal with these problems? Come to the October WCC meeting to find out, and to share your issues and solutions."
The meeting will also feature speakers Diane Horswill, Seattle Police Crime Prevention Officer, who will discuss the newly enacted City Noise Ordinance, as well as Blockwatch and other Police issues, and Anthony Mattlock, Seattle Public Utilities Community Project Manager, who will address concerns about graffiti and litter.
The meeting will be held at the Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, room 202, from 7-9 p.m.
Fremont Library open house
Design proposals for the renovation of the historic 1921 Fremont Library can be viewed at an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library, 731 N 35th St.
Project manager Justine Kim and designers from Hoshide Williams Architects will discuss the design and answer questions from participants. Comment forms will be available.
The project's $579,076 budget will go to convert a 780-square-foot storage area to library space, update the branch's 27,000 volume collection, add seating and computers, and improve the building's ventilation system.
The Fremont Library will close in early 2004 for the renovation and reopen in fall 2004. The project is funded through the $196.4 million Libraries For All bond issue, approved by Seattle voters in 1998.
For details, call Justine Kim at 615-1329.
Ravenna Creek mtng, Oct. 9
A meeting to review the revised design for the daylighting of a section of Ravenna Creek within Ravenna Park will be held Thursday, Oct. 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of Roosevelt High School, 1410 NE 66th St.
The revised design incorporates community comments from an August 19 public meeting. It attempts to balance concerns for greater daylighting of the creek, while retaining the existing baseball field. The revised design, if approved, will result in the daylighting of an additional 480 feet of the creek.
The plan also provides for wetland enhancement and native riparian landscaping. It is intended to create a welcoming entry to the park from NE 55th Street.
Info: Colleen Browne at 684-4155.
Power wheelchairs available
The Senior Mobility Program makes power wheelchairs available to senior citizens and disabled persons at no cost, provided they meet program guidelines.
Wheelchairs are provided to people who have difficulty walking, are at risk of falling, and need them for in-home use. For details, call 1-800-890-9265.