If you’ve been following the activities of Queen Anne Greenways, then you know that they’ve been advocating a 4-way stop at W McGraw and 7th Ave W. Located just a block away from Coe Elementary on a busy arterial, the intersection poses risks to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.
Thanks to the efforts of Queen Anne Greenways, SDOT has proposed 3 options for the intersection – all result in a 4-way stop. According to Queen Anne Greenways, “elements in the three concepts can be mixed and matched based on community preference”.
The 3 preliminary options are all preliminary and subject to change. The proposed changes are listed below:
Option 1: the Plaza:
- extends the curb on the southwest corner
- creates a small area for shrubs and plantings
- maintains two of the three street trees at the corner
- installs a mini plaza with decorative paving and a bench for seating
- maintains the existing sidewalk in its current alignment
- adds sidewalk extensions to the new corner
Option 2, the Nature Spot:
- extends the curb on the southwest corner
- maintains two of the three street trees at the corner
- creates a larger area for plantings and additional street trees
- installs boulder/granite seating within the nature spot
- removes the existing sidewalk and replaces with vegetation / bio swale
- extends the sidewalk to meet the new corner
Option 3:
- all of the Nature Spot options at the southwest corner, plus the following at the southeast corner:
- extends the curb
- creates space for new plantings / bio swale
- creates a new mini plaza with decorative paving and benches
- creates space that could be used for bike parking
- may displace two car parking spaces
Queen Anne Greenways has grown from a small meeting in a Queen Anne living room to a community group that is impacting change in the neighborhood. The group is happy with SDOT’s proposed changes and points out that SDOT is proposing greenery and a potential green storm-water infrastructure (GSI), at the corners rather than concrete, a more environmentally friendly approach.
This particular arterial crossing is on the planned Queen Anne Crown Greenway, which is noted in Seattle’s Bicycle Master Plan. It’s one step closer to Queen Anne Greenways goal, and an improvement that will increase safety for both residents and visitors.
Stay tuned for more news from Queen Anne Greenways on the option chosen and progress in the future. If you’d like to get involved, check out the QAG Facebook page or attend one of their regular monthly meetings, all are welcome.