A group of Ballard businesses is appealing Judge Rogers’ April 16th decision on the ‘Missing Link’ of the Burke Gilman Trail.
The judge ruled in favor of the city on eight of the nine issues but also ruled that the Seattle Department of Transportation must do an environmental review of a five-block section of the proposed trail between 17th Ave NW and NW Vernon before the project can move forward.
According to our news partners, the Seattle Times, the group of businesses is now appealing the eight issues. “My clients want a trail that is safe and which does not undermine the viability of the maritime and industrial businesses and provides benefits for the entire community,” attorney Josh Brower told the Times. Brower represents the Ballard businesses and says that his clients believe that the entire trail should be studied as a whole, not just the one section.
Erin Ferguson, an assistant city attorney, tells MyBallard that the environmental review of the five-block section is still underway. She’s not sure how much this appeal will delay the entire project. “It’s somewhat unexpected,” Ferguson told us. “The decision looks to us like an early appeal.” The city decided back in April not to appeal the environmental review.
The Missing Link is a 1.5 mile stretch of the Burke-Gilman Trail through Ballard without an actual trail. Bicyclists currently ride along Shilshole Ave., sharing the road with cars and large trucks while maneuvering over railroad tracks. The city’s plan to bridge the link sparked a lawsuit from a coalition of Ballard industrial businesses worried about the impact on safety, traffic and parking.
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> “It’s somewhat unexpected,” Ferguson told us.
> “The decision looks to us like an early appeal.”
I’m a bit confused by this pull quote. Swedes, do you think she meant that she was surprised that the appeal happened, or surprised that it came this soon?
I really hope the city’s attorney’s aren’t surprised that this appeal happened. This was about as inevitable as it gets.
another sickening delay tactic.
shame on you, Ballard Chamber of Commerce
My friend and I rode our bikes yesterday from my condo (in Canal Station) on Leary and 20th to Golden Gardens. Along the way, we were so confused about where we were actually supposed to ride our bikes. We ended up taking Shilshole back up to Market and then riding on the sidewalk until we got to the locks where the trail starts up again, but were sure there had to be a better way. Apparently there isn’t, and that’s a huge bummer. Is the proposed trail improvement going to cover the entire gap between 17th and the locks?
Wow, the free parking on public right of way must be really important to that “group of Ballard businesses”.
How is it that businesses along the rest of the Burke Gilman have managed to coexist and these folks can’t?
“a coalition of Ballard industrial businesses worried about the impact on safety, traffic and parking.”
oh sure, safety is #1. BS
By saying that the entire trail must be studied, not just the missing link, do they really mean the whole trail… from GG to Bothell? Is there hope that they just mean the Missing link and say, 2 miles on either side or something considerably more reasonable?
I had to double-check the date on this post, what with the re-re-re-appeal and the tired old photo of that guy bike-salmoning up the shoulder.
My understanding is that “these folks” like Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel, have large trucks going in and out all day in what is and has been as long as they’ve been there (107 years), an industrial work area.
There is an inherent added danger in mixing large semi’s with heavy loads and lots of bicyclists (many not very experienced) and pedestrians and children and pets.
It is also my understanding that the city will not assist them with liability if there is an accident. So, even though the city is attempting to force a park like area to co-exist with their busy and pre-existing industrial work area, they will not extend any protection or insurance if they get sued.
So, if some inexperienced biker darts out in front of a cement truck and gets creamed, the family sues, they have to pay and deal with the bad PR, even if it was in no way their fault.
“safety is #1. BS”
Of course it is, do you know how difficult it is to pull spandex out of truck tire treads?
It’s worth noting that each time a driver comes and and goes from the lot where SBS&G park their trucks, between 41 st and 42 nd off of Leary, they have to cross the BG.
So if their drivers are unable to drive safely around people wearing spandex how do they safely navigate this crossing twice a day?
Pure B.S. I would like most of the industrial organizations along that route to see how Kvichak (Fremont- BG trail), Foss shipyard (South Ship Canal), and countless other light and heavy industrial organizations along bike trails are faring. All have very large tracks coming and going next to a bike trail without incident.
This is about a loss of free parking and city provided right of way. Not safety, not insurance, not liability. If they are safely conducting their businesses and operating their trucks there should be nothing to worry about.
As a commuting cyclist of 25 years I have never come closer to death at any time than cycling along Shilshole. Both incidents involved Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel trucks and I could have sworn they tried to scare me. If they weren’t trying then they didn’t see me which is even more scary.
I avoid it now and cycle up Ballard Ave. Until this is sorted out I encourage all cyclists to do the same. It’s just too dangerous.
I guess you can’t post a link on here anymore? Anyway, if you want to see a better article that includes a photo that we haven’t seen 10 times already check out the Ballard News Tribune site. They even name the mysterious “Ballard Businesses” that are appealing the ruling.
In case anyone here thinks the cycletrack alternative the businesses are peddling is reasonable … it’s not.
And I’m a BIG fan of such bicycle infrastructure. But to install a cycletrack on Leary and Market would require removal of parking or traffic lanes (imagine the hissy fit), and expose cyclists to a LOT of turning motorists and intersections. Not safe, feasible, or practical.
It’s yet another bald-faced delaying tactic, and a juicily ironic one as the main beef Ballard businesses have with the Missing Link is loss of free parking spots, although the Chamber was the only appellant foolish enough to (briefly) admit it on its website.
And what they’re proposing would undoubtedly reduce parking elsewhere. Which I’d be fine with, but to hear it coming from these guys is almost as absurd as their new-found appreciation for trendy European bike infrastructure.
Sigh. It’s deja-f-you all over again with these guys.
“There is an inherent added danger in mixing large semi’s with heavy loads and lots of bicyclists (many not very experienced) and pedestrians and children and pets. ”
wb, have you ever been to Granville Island in Vancouver? this scenario seems to work fine there. of course, it is Canada–maybe that’s the difference
Maybe we should turn Ballard Sand and Gravel into parkland and relocate it. That type of business is outdated for Ballard anyway and its a win win for everyone. Why not have the waterfront be for the entire community, as it should be.
JM – they just mean the whole *missing link* should be studied (i.e. from Fred Meyer to the Locks), rather than just the few-block stretch from 17th to Vernon.
Webster makes a great point. I’ve also tried riding on the sidewalk on the north side of Shilshole.
Katie – your safest bet is probably to ride up and across Market (at 20th or 22nd) to 56th or 57th, then head west on one of those streets. There is a stoplight at 57th and 24th, so I like that route. 32nd will take you down to the locks or up to Sunset Hill.
Name, some might decide that the lot under your dwelling is much better for the “entire community” as a park — win, win?
Well, if someone gets killed by a truck and puts Ballard Sand and Gravel under with a multimillion dollar law suit, we could just have the city take over the property for a bike park, anyway. They might as well go now.
Too dangerous, these business owners are right. Now watch, they get the trail, people are killed, and somehow the city will blame the businesses and take no responsibility. This is bull, train should NOT go there.
people are already riding, running, walking with strollers, etc. along this stretch and will continue to do so.
why is it so wrong to make something safer?
Here is the list of organizations behind the appeal, from the Ballard news tribune site…
Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel, the Ballard Chamber of Commerce, Ballard Oil, the Ballard Interbay Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center, the North Seattle Industrial Coalition and the Seattle Marine Business Coalition.
More tax dollars will be wasted, while people continue to be injured, Continue the boycott of all Ballard chamber of commerce members.
Any one else find it weird that their lawyer who filed the appeal is the Commission Chair for the Seattle Planning Commission? I can’t post the link, but google “Josh Brower Seattle planning” and click on the city website. Does Mike McGinn know this guy, appointed by the Mayor, is pulling this crap?
This is about parking and the ability to haul ass, in a truck, on a public right-of-way, not safety. Just ride the Burke thru Fremont and behold the Salman Bay Gravel trucks. I ride slowly, we smile, we wave and we go our seperate ways, safely. How can they drive safely there, and not elsewhere?
wildernessbarbie, give me a break. Have you ever ridden any part of the BG? I ride daily and encounter trucks crossing in Fremont often and have never had or seen an incident. It’s ridiculous to assume that it’s not possible in Ballard. Are you saying that the Ballard drivers aren’t smart or responsible enough to be careful or that there would be a different brand of cyclist on this portion of the trail? The BG crosses businesses, driveways and streets for miles and miles and the world hasn’t ended yet.
I 100% agree with Julian regarding cycletrack on Market. I support improvements for cyclist, pedestrian and automobile safety and this option isn’t safe. There are many more turns on this route that would be exposing everyone to more danger than trucks crossing at designated points on Shilshole. They’re upset about the city reclaiming the land they’ve been using as a parking lot for years. I have no sympathy for that and even less when they’re trying to couch any of their conversations as a safety issue.
Is it just me, or is the solution to have a flagger there when the trucks are going in and out? Yeah, I know it’s not free, but the bike path is going to be there eventually. It’s the cost of doing business where they are, and I’m sure it’s far less than the cost of picking up the plant and moving it to South Seattle.
re: the cycle track.
Imagine the intersection of Leary and Market as it is now, with huge backups in rush hour and someone running the westbound light every single cycle.
Now imagine it with the addition of a bunch of cyclists who get their own signal from Leary onto a track on the south side of Market.
That’s gridlock. No sane Ballard driver should want anything like that to happen.
The thing I miss most about the ol’ country is the cycletrack. That said, a lone cycle-track isn’t the answer to the missing link. This is a classic stalling tactic. There is plenty of space available to continue the trail and it makes good public policy, as well as economic sense.
Tell The Ballard Chamber of Commerce that we simply do not want them in Ballard anymore.
Don’t go to their events. Period.
WB… I realize that you are trying to give a balanced view, but how is that different than the current safety situation? People are riding their bikes on this road everyday. The businesses are simply adverse to change and their days are numbered, that’s just reality. It is only a matter of time (years) before environmental laws catch up with these businesses and people reduce their use of oil.
yep… I was going to say the same thing about Granville Island in Vancouver. They have a cement plant in the middle of what is essentially Pike Place Market.
“There is an inherent added danger in mixing large semi’s with heavy loads and lots of bicyclists (many not very experienced) and pedestrians and children and pets.”
This is happening already and without any safety measures a well marked trail would add. I encourage you to bike or walk the missing link. It currently dumps you off at a 5-way stop sign, to cross the street and ride on a narrow strip of road, cross train tracks by swerving into the middle of the road to negotiate them properly and then ride along a free for all of a road where there are cars parked every which way and SBS&G trucks entering and exiting. This is what the signs direct cyclists (many of them inexperienced) to do. Putting in a well marked and separate trail for bikes here will only improve the situation, not ruin it.
wb, you and the BCoC are full of it. the businesses don’t want to give up their abuse of the public right-of-way.
the businesses won’t fold up, and nobody is taking any land from them. this is something the city approved and the good ol’ boy network here in ballard is fighting it tooth and nail.
waste of tax payer money, waste of time in general…this wiil be built one day, like it or not, oil and gravel folks.
I love watching all the New Ballard hipsters throwing tantrums and getting their shorts in a bunch every time this issue comes up. Calm down, spoiled children.
I’ll continue to patronize the longtime local businesses that were here long before the spandex crowd invaded and declared that Ballard must be transformed according to their whims, and to hell with anything or anyone who was living here before they arrived and demanded the neighborhood remake itself for their convenience.
There are plenty of other good ways to ride your bike from Ballard to the Burke Gilman (I do it all the time). If you don’t like the way the road is now along Shilshole, ride somewhere else and stop whining about it.
Old Ballard folks want the missing link completed as well, such as myself. This change would be good chancge, despite what trolls like you and Wilderness Barbie proclaim.
No tantrum here. I believe this tantrum belongs to the Ballard Business Appellants.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Just taking a nap here. Wake me up Saturday so I (and the other 60K people) can spend our money at SeafoodFest and support Ballard businesses, community and jobs..
Check that. I’m heading down Friday to the Elks for the SeafoodFest Kickoff and dropping my hard eaned money to help support the Seattle Fisherman’s Memorial and eat fricken awesome Smokin Pete’s BBQ.
Hmmm that’s what the Chamber does.. Helps supports families of fisherman and woman lost at sea who are part of our community. I read the comments here and just have to say… wow.
Really don’t understand why the trail doesn’t just run along Leary. Or the north side of Shilshole.
Have to agree with BallardDINK… there are better locations which seem like they would cost less (both in legal and construction fees), but then again I’m not an expert so I could be wrong.
Also unfortunate that those that disagree with the majority on this forum are called trolls – can’t we just have some friendly discourse?
: ) l do love the whining neo ballardites.
“I encourage you to bike or walk the missing link” Why? Sounds like a bore. Only a tiny percentage of people in this city ride bikes along this route and it is foolish to build it for so few. Stussy get used to that fact you are a minority. Also why would I want to walk by an industrial area when there are plenty of walkable routes to the same place? Really! The idea is absurd.
Really I think the answer to all Seattle transportation issues is tolls on all thoroughfares. That means a toll for bikers and for cars alike. Ride on the trail and pay a toll. Drive I5 and do the same. It could all be done with cameras like on the Tacoma Narrows. That way everyone pays for exactly what he or she uses. If the BG can raise enough money for an extension then by all means build it. If the east side wants a bridge they pay for it. If you would like these places maintained then you pay also. My guess is the BG would be one big pot hole in three years and likely be abandoned in 5.
Bmvaughn those with a sense of entitlement cannot have a friendly discourse. It’s all about their own wants.
Please stop comparing the trail that runs through Fremont and the “missing link” apples to oranges, the section through Fremont does not run along a major access road (Shilshole has heavy traffic going to and from Ballard) it’s much easier for trucks to cross the trail in fremont that would be the case along Shilshole.
The issue is if a biker is hurt and sues a business the resulting insurance costs (if they can get insurance) would be prohibitive.
The majority of Old Ballard folks don’t want the trail along Shilshole.
Please boycott, we don’t want you there.
Bikers on Shilshole are a pain in the ass. Please go away.
Why if there re realty so many who would use this waste of time they would raise enough revenue to make Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel an offer they can’t refuse in just a few short years. We all know of course that is fantasy.
As the era of cheap oil passes the majority will NOT be riding bikes. They will be riding public transportation, meaning trains, for example, and the tracks that we would lose with this idiot idea would have to be replaced at a huge cost. Necessary business such as SBSG will also be using trains and water way transportation and thus are perfectly located as they were when they were built. We will not be able to afford to have needed industry all located miles away in other cities. As it was before the era of cars, industry will need to be located right where we live to be affordable.
Floyd really if they want to be sincere in their boycott they need to leave Ballard altogether. I have no idea why they would want to live in such a place to begin with.
Tell me again whty exactly did all you whiners move here?
Most of these pro bike trail posters are drinking the CBC koolaid, they don’t live in Ballard. Please go away and take the missing link with you.
Sweetrose, I agree, they are welcome to leave. I’m third generation Ballard and realize the importance of our industry that made Ballard the town we love. Another example of the few trying to force their wants on the many.
” I (and the other 60K people) can spend our money at SeafoodFest and support Ballard businesses, community and jobs”
if the BCC wasn’t foolishly backing a few deep pockets, many of us wouldn’t boycott this event and they’re would be 80k people.
if they actually built the damn trail, this event would attract 250k people who’ve ridden their bikes from redmond or renton.
Wrong, Sven.
Many of us are not ‘pro bike trail posters’ – we are trail supporters, we live here. ( 23 yrs now).
I won’t repeat the observation made above about the Ocean Cement plan on Granville Island – there is a way to look at this issue and conclude that trail supporters and local businesses both could ‘win’ – for reasons that still elude me, the litigants have chosen this path.
And i will repeat what most everyone should know by now – the sections that are being litigated right now DO NOT run in front of Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel – the plan was intentionally designed and vetted to avoid the heavier truck traffic in that location. It was a compromise.
No entitlement here – no whining here – no spandex even (what is spandex?)
yep if 250k from Renton or Redmond it would be a miserble event.
The BCC is doing what they are there to do, support Ballard business.
So you think there are 20K people boycotting the seafoodfest? That’s a good one. I’ve counted six, that’s assuming that they aren’t the same poster.
So 250K bikers are going to ride to the seafoodfest from Redmond and Renton if they build the trail? You must be stoned because that is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in years. We are are all now dumber for having read that mindless argument.
Old Ballard people are too fat to ride bikes. It also interferes with the chain smoking!
i like tacos:)
West Ballard, great addition to the conversation! When you mature a little come on back and add something a bit more intelligent.
might help the “pro-missing link” cause if this article’s photo didn’t show a cyclist riding on the wrong side of the road…just sayin’
I’m with Floyd, Sven and the others who support this community. 99.99% of the people who go to SeafoodFest year in and year out will still go despite this “boycott” of a few commentators on a blog. Given a choice of Ballard business’s that have contributed to this community forever and making a few bike riders happy because their given an additional trail to ride on I think anyone who has any common sense will make the right decision.
BTW, loving those ads I hear on KEXP every hour or so promoting SeafoodFest!
bbb1, I’m not anti bike, anti trail. I am against a trail on Shilshole. If you are a proud Ballardite then support Ballard business and advocate for a trail elsewhere
“So 250K bikers are going to ride to the seafoodfest from Redmond and Renton if they build the trail? You must be stoned because that is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in years. We are are all now dumber for having read that mindless argument.”
I am really stoned Floyd, but that has nothing to do with my logic.
Is it that difficult to imagine the vast benefits we will reap when the ‘chain’ is completed and people can really use the Burke Gilman as a safe alternative to using their car? apparently.
Many years ago, there was a guy around here trying to establish an elaborate park system, the jewel of the continent, a coup for the landscape design profession.
He wanted to connect these parks so that you could move throughout the city in these greenbelts, removed from traffic while connecting with nature. The network would’ve been known as the ‘Emerald Necklace’ and you can see disjointed vestiges of it today (Ravenna Park, Arboretum, etc.)
Thank goodness there were curmudgeons around then that stopped old man Olmstead from instituting this insiduous plan. Even without any perceived injustice to a concrete company, think how horrible this would have been!
Too many Republicans along that street. Be thankful they haven’t hired Sarah Palin to cast an evil spell.
I don’t know why I keep clicking on these Missing Link stories, hoping to read something new. It’s just the same thing. Same story, same comments.
Go Lance!
Last I looked democrats were for family wages… the type of wages that sustain families and the middle class.. you know the middle class that is disappearing in this country. Those are the jobs being threatened by this lawsuit. But I guess if you can bike to Fremont that is more important.
Fred, it’s a parking issue, not a jobs issue.
This from the Ballard Chamber website, referencing the study of the 17th to Vernon segment required by the judge in his April 2010 ruling:
“With the completion of this study, concerned parties will have all the accurate and up-to-date information that is necessary for the creation of a trail solution that will serve the Ballard business community, local residents and cycling enthusiasts. ”
Now that’s not enough for the Chamber, and they’re appealing all the other studies that the judge ruled were legit. Clearly just another stalling tactic.
There is no reason that the trail and the industries cannot coexist here, as they do in Fremont and many other areas. The argument that the trail will put industries out of business is a red herring.
Look at the traffic volumes along Shilshole, Leary and Market that a trail would have to negotiate if diverted to the north. Let the bikers deal with a few professional truck drivers at a limited number of well designed crossings, rather than thousands of distracted drivers on those streets.
Let’s hope that these stalling tactics run their course and that the City moves forward next year with the final trail alignment along Shilshole, rather than the ill-conceived interim route along Ballard Ave.
Jobs are an issue, but I agree with Bjorn, too. Parking is an issue that affects everyone who lives, works or plays in the Ballard core, including the owners of Ballard’s retail shops, restaurants, bars and other local businesses. Many local businesses are struggling to survive, especially in this economy. If customers and clients have no place to park, they’ll just go elsewhere and businesses will end up laying off employees or closing down altogether. We’ve all been down there on Friday and Saturday nights, not to mention Sunday mornings for the Farmer’s Market – Shilshole is wall to wall parking, much of which would be eliminated by running the trail along that route. So if you think this is just a “Big Business” issue, think again.
Please don’t compare the truck traffic of Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel to Kvichak and Foss. That just exposes your ignorance. The former is in the business of dispatching trucks all day long, while truck traffic of the latter two is secondary to their core business.
If you don’t believe me, sit out in front of each at 0900 on a Monday morning. Night and day difference.
“many of us wouldn’t boycott this event and they’re would be 80k people.”
It must be hard to pull figure out of your backside while wearing spandex.
Bjorn, Yep and the rest of ya-
Parking is a bi-product of the issue. The real issue is Jobs because that’s what impacts more people. If a biker is hurt and sues a business the resulting insurance costs (if they can get insurance) would be prohibitive. That is what it comes down to plain and simple. The business leaves because the cost to do business here is beyond what that business can handle. They leave and so do the jobs. Businesses don’t sue for the fun of it and they don’t sue just to piss bikers off.
Getting back to the bi-product of parking. There are 140 spaces along Shilshole Ave that are used evenings and weekends by people that go to retail businesses. Parking in Ballard is already a nightmare. Take those spots away and less and less people go to Ballard to buy their shoes, records, CD’s, listen to Jazz, go to Artwalk (and the million other things to do in Ballard) because not everyone rides a bike around.
The people who claim they are for the trail AND business are really not or haven’t thought it out to the extent that they should. People have a romantic view of bikes. I love to ride, but the reality is families can’t ride with little ones, the majority of people middle aged or older (like it or not) are not fit to ride a bike every time they want to go out. Also it rains a lot here… 9 months of the year. The vast majority of us can’t/won’t/ not capable of taking advantage of biking 3/4 of the year.. even if we would like to…
I can’t believe so many are complaining about parking of all things.
With the exception of your hip-swinging Friday nights or Sunday markets, parking is a CINCH in Ballard compared to many, many other cities, and many other parts of Seattle for that matter.
If people really like a store/restaurant, they’ll deal with the parking. It’s hard to park downtown and in capital hill, yet people still flock there.
Now if you give them another reason, something those aforementioned places lack, something so ridiculously progessive yet simple all at once:
an easy, safe way to get to these shops, restaurants, festivals, etc. on their bikes.
there will still be enough parking around. people will just have to walk a bit farther and that’s sure not going to hurt anyone.
sweetrose, I wouldn’t expect you to walk anywhere given your size. Plus EF clothing doesn’t work well for strenuous exercise. My suggestion was to wildernessburbie to educate herself for once before she runs her ginormous mouth again and again. It’s clear where and why her interests lie (mealticket), but if she’d like to give such impassioned arguments regarding potential inexperienced cyclists on this route she should at least be informed.
“a coalition of Ballard industrial businesses worried about the impact on safety, traffic and parking. ” You meant to say, a coalition of arrogant businesses who are too stubborn to realize they are hurting the other small businesses, while being poor neighbors to everyone else in Ballard.
Most of the people who I know who go into Ballard complain about the lack of parking. If someone here tells me differently then they don’t frequent Ballard enough to have an opinion or live in downtown Ballard so they don’t commute accept by foot.
I doubt that even on the sunniest mid 70’s day that biking accounts for 1% of all traffic that goes to businesses in Ballard. Best case scenario by building a trail were going to increase biking by 100%, (take it up to 2% of total business commuters) yet take away so many parking spaces that 20% of the cars decide that parking is too much of a problem.
Ballard’s retail businesses don’t have the convenience of I-5 like Capitol Hill and Downtown to bring people in and rely heavily on the local community. Most “bikers” won’t bike 3/4 of the year because of the weather and everyone else won’t bike because they don’t.
Why in the hardest economic enviornment would we make it HARDER for businesses?
Puck 11 you couldn’t be more wrong. All the businesses along Ballard Avenue, Leary and Market would be impacted in a very negative way by stripping the parking from the area. In a climate where every dollar counts it’s sad to see people who are rooting for people to lose there jobs.
After reading this story earlier, I decided to ride the Missing Link for myself on my way home from work (I always go up to Leary right where the BG ends at 11th). Yeah, I ate it on the railroad tracks, and while it was largely my own fault, I realized what everyone has been talking about as I walked my bike home, bleeding and bruised, along the rest of the Missing Link (until 17th, anyway). It was scary and I’m definitely not riding back down there again until a solution is put in place.
The solution is to not ride up Shilshole.
Katie it sounds like you already know the better route.
Arrogant? Trying to fend off the cbc hoard and maintain a business that was here before the bikers is arrogant?
Name one business that has been damaged by their efforts.
I have an answer to this problem.
Here’s an easy solution to the problems that are plagueing Ballard.
All this dufus mayor has to do is pass an ordinance that says “anyone that moved to Ballard in the last 5 years get the F out”.
Problem solved.
What the hell. He won’t be around too long anyway.
Is this another example of why Republicans are so hard to work with?
I thought all these microsoftie/Lance Armstrong wanna be types were republicans Bjorn. They always struck me as so being so rigid, conforming and such.
“If people really like a store/restaurant, they’ll deal with the parking. It’s hard to park downtown and in capital hill, yet people still flock there.” Actually yep both areas are hard to compare to Ballard. Downtown is a ghost town after happy hour and Capitol Hill is a denser more walkable area so parking is not such an issues.
Stussy can we assume that you have no interest in feeding yourself thus a meal ticket is unimportant to you? Really son! You have a great deal to learn about exactly what insults others. : )
Fred THE ONLY Ballardites who do NOT complain about parking are those living in the cruddy apartment in the downtown Ballard area. And yes Fred the bars and small retail places are also against the trail.
I am real disappointed in the actions of the chamber and Salmon Bay. I want nothing to do with any company that supports the chamber. This is a sad day for Ballard.
Actually, anyone owning a home south of 65th can easily walk to the downtown core. I suppose if they got rid of the parking, our streets will end up clogged with cars. Homeowners will either not be able to find parking at their own homes or get blocked into their driveways by those who don’t understand leaving a space before a driveway.
Can does not mean they do or will Plastic.
Parking is available under the Ballard Landmark for only $1 an hour (cheaper then parking on the street). If businesses are so concerned about parking, maybe they could reimburse their customers this cost.
Why not make Ballard Ave cyclist and pedestrian only?
Who owns the property in question? These brief updates to the missing link crisis should include more of the basic info. The Times story doesn’t help much.
Nine out of ten doctors agree, riding a bicycle is better for you than sitting in bar growing a beer belly.
I love Seafood Fest. Now made even better with the whiny little spandex turds staying home. Businesses will not change because of you. You are unique…just like everybody else.
If Ballard Sand and Gravel can’t get with the times and become more Eco-friendly, socially responsible and carbon footprint aware, then we need to boycott the event. The bikers need to be brought into Ballard, not chased away because they are the ones keeping Ballard Sustainable. The businesses and car drivers should be heavily taxed until the are forced to bike to work, rather than create greenhouse gases for no reason at all. You can bike to work and many workplaces offer showers when you arrive these days. Unless your handicapped, walk or bike to work. Period! I do, even during the so called “rainy” season, which is a myth.
Wow. Some people are really jealous of WB’s intelligence, success and looks.
Bitter much?
Yes landscapers, plumbers, carpenters and contractors will carry their tools on their bikes. Moron! Do you think the tax will just get passed on to the consumer???
as usual, it’s all about you wb.
Boo bikers.
yeah Business!
Is it more enviornmentally friendly to uproot a business from a well established industrial area and have them move to an area that is pristine but has land that is affordable and cheap, or leave it to continue it’s business where it has operated for decades-
I think people here really need to think about the real carbon footprint involved with uprooting a business like SB&G. They will survive the question is it here or someplace else (taking jobs with them), and what type of message are we sending to the maritime industry which has been the backbone of this community for century.
I don’t think anybody should uproot and leave. That’s just petulant whining to be so boneheaded to think that bikes/peds/pets and business can’t coexist. It happens all over the world and it’s a shame that some are selling Ballard short.
The last few comments are about as ignorant as they come, “spandex turds”, “boo bikers”.
People choose to commute to work on their bicycles as they have done for a century. They are endangered along Shilshole and something needs to be done.
I use Ballard Avenue as I have had one too many near misses with a truck along Shilshole. But that is my choice, just as it is the choice of other cyclists to ride on Shilshole. Don’t belittle somebody because they choose to ride a bike on a road they have paid for.
Boo Webster21.
I commute regularly on my bike and always use Ballard Ave. Much more pleasant and safer than Shilshole.
Sven, and others
No one who supports the currently planned trail nor any serious trail supporters want any of the industrial businesses to leave Ballard.
Specifically, the City chose NOT to put the trail in front of SBSG in recognition of the potential conflicts –
Parking will be lost – about 70-80 spots from Vernon Place West, and the about 80 spots from 17th NW East – I have, on many nights, toodled into Ballard, and watched cars cruising for their ‘free’ parking – a block a away was $1 or $2 dollar Evening parking –there is plenty of parking in Ballard, most on street, but plenty in very low cost lots.. Where is the creative thinking of the Chamber and other businesses to direct customers to this excess capacity (which income helps support jobs), and perhaps offer to offset that cost ?- ‘Free Glass of Wine’ for using the XX lot…? And what about employees? Are retail and commercial businesses asking/encouraging their employees to use those lots so customers can use the street spots?
Where’s the creativity and marketing to urge locals to walk, bike, transit into Ballard for their entertainment, rather than clog up the ‘free spots’ on the street? And offer the same incentives? Think of the PR boon this would be – and outsiders would have a different view of the Chamber and their members.
And where’s the shred of evidence that an accident between a pedestrian walking down NW45th hit by an exiting vehicle under current conditions is a greater risk to a business than if that pedestrian is on a trail or sidewalk? When the City finally builds a sidewalk in front of a business, does the liability go up? What if a SBSG truck backing into a construction site next to a grade school hits a child? Is that situation more dangerous than a 10 foot wide trail in street right of way where trucks are traveling parallel to it?
Finally, in 2002, every business along the rail right of way was surveyed, for opinions about the BGT being constructed in the rail right of way. 42% of businesses responded. 52% were either in favor of the trail or had no opinion. The rest were opposed. It is fallacious to say that ‘every’ business along the route is opposed – many appear to be intimidated by the bluster of a few.
This whole process could have gone another way, a way that reflected some forward thinking, acknowledgment of the community’s wishes (#2 priority of the Ballard/Crown Hill Neighborhood Plan was trail completion) , and not wasted so much time, energy, money, and venom.
All of the planning, public comment and etc was done with the trail going on the railroad right of way. Since it is no longer an option the whole process should be repeated with the new design.
Gilmore – Let me get this straight.
We agree to this inferior interim route to appease SBSG and Ballard Oil, it gets approved and funded, and now not only are they now suing to block the compromise route that avoids their businesses, people like you think we need to repeat the whole study process with the craptacular compromise route?!?
I’ve got a better idea. Build the original “future route” now. If the businesses and city would spend just a fraction of the time and money they’re wasting on lawsuits on coming up with safe driveway crossing designs, this would be a win win.
As it is, the businesses and Chamber will lose, eventually, having lost a lot of community goodwill. Maybe they’ll get a parking deal out of it, who knows. I’m with bbb1 on the parking non-issue.
Is it possible to support local Ballard businesses without supporting the Chamber? If pizza place X is a Chamber member and pizza place Y is not a member, one could just choose one over the other.
Unfortunately I can not locate a list of Chamber members beyond the obvious main players in this lawsuit. Is this why the Chamber’s website does not list its members?
I recommend talking to the board members of the Chamber and let them know that you are a Ballard resident (wearing spandex or not) who would like to be safer while biking in the ‘hood. Let them know that you have trouble patronizing their business as long as the Chamber is in this obstructionist posture that pits one set of Ballardites against another.
President
Michelle Rosenthal (Garvey Schubert Barer)
Vice President, Finances
Carlye Teel (Northwest Senior Center)
Vice President, Issues
Barry Hawley (Hawley Realty)
Vice President, Membership
Jordan Van Horn (Axia)
Vice President, Programs & Special Events
Brent Siewert (Majestic Bay Theater)
Treasurer
Timo Nørring (Sterling Savings Bank)
Board of Directors
Kerri Lonergan (Lombardi’s Neighborhood Italian)
Darrell McManus (Merril Lynch)
Dante Rivera (Dante’s Inferno Dogs/Snack)
Erik Stangvik (Nordic Heritage Museum)
Greg Swanson (Viking Bank)
Monique Tran (La Tienda)
Of course, there are also many other businesses who put a Chamber sticker on their door or window, so you can talk with them as well.
Buy local that supports local.
KEXP just promoted SeafoodFest a few minutes ago and have been for a couple of weeks… supporter and sponser of SeafoodFest The blog your reading… member. Same with the Ballard News Tribune. All up and down Market, Leary and Ballard Avenue SeafoodFest posters and festival guides. This festival weekend 60K strong coming out. Over 300 business members in Ballard. This weekend the Chamber will be supporting the Eagles, Boys and Girls Clubs, Wooden Boat Center, Seattle Fishermen’s Memorial, Las Senioritas…. What do you do? Do us both a favor boycotters and go take a ride out to Woodinville and enjoy some wine and let the Norse be with you. The rest of us will jam to the Maldives, Eat BBQ and have our kids play in the new KidZone while going out to Artwalk Saturday evening.
I have the Ballard Business directory, brought to you by the Ballard Chamber of Commerce. I have seen copies at the Ballard neighborhood service center, they were available online at the Chamber website. I will be using this as my guide as to where to do business, and where not to do business. The Chamber members appear to have a medallion next to their listing. I will NOT do business with any chamber member. But, note that most businesses listed do not have a medallion. For example under automotive sales/service/parts/leasing there are 43 listings but only 5 have the medallion. Because I am boycotting these businesses does not mean I am anti Ballard, many other options exist within Ballard. Do your business within Ballard just be more selective and let them know why.
This so-called “boycott” is laughable. None of the businesses that all six of you are boycotting are going to notice. By all means, knock yourselves out with your mighty boycott – I’m sure the Ballard Chamber trembles in fear.
Sailor and the rest of ya.. myballard. member of the BCOC. myballard loves that you make comments about the missing link becuase it only drives traffic which turns into dollars which turn into business for a Ballard chamber member. You guys are so funny. Selective boycotting.. LOL!! Ballard News Tribune… member also! Go to the CBC blog site… pretty sure they are not a member.
Please boycott the seafoodfest while your at it boycott Ballard by moving your ass out of town. We don’t need you! Please leave. Nobody will miss your business.
Piss off.
Srangeloop, if you don’t support SBSG and all the others you are not local.
To be local you have to earn it.
How long have you lived here? Please be honest.
Julian, let me set you straight. We don’t want this. Ballard doesn’t want this. The driving force behind it is political BS and the cbc.
THEY DON’T SPEAK FOR BALLARD.
Gilmore, YOU don’t speak for Ballard!
If we took an actual vote on the trail issue I am willing to bet that there are more people that want the trail finished than those that don’t!
And really, you don’t have to live in Ballard to be a part of this issue. And the “how long have you lived here” question is sillyQ
Finishing the “missing link” will not make any of these well established businesses have to leave Ballard! That is another silly miss-conception that a lot of you seem to believe.
Many of you who are posting on here really should read all the information that is available to you on the web.
The City of Seattle has a number of pages on their web site that gives you a history of the “missing link” and many of you have obviously not taken the time to read this infomation.
The rail road tracks will not be removed when the trail is finished.
The Burke-Gilman Trail is a multi use trail, not a bicycle trail.
All of the land that is currently used as parking on Shilshole Ave. is owned by the city.
AS many people have posted on this site before, there are other places on the BGT where heavy vehicles cross the trail almost every day and walkers, skaters and bicyclist appear to have no problems at those locations, Two crossings that I suggest people to look at are in Fremont where 41st and 39th cross the trail. At the 41st crossing Salmon Bay Sand and Gravel trucks cross the trail every work day! And at 39th other gravel trucks cross every work day. Both of these crossing are similar to what will be on the completed “missing link”.
The Burke Gilman Trail is a multi-use trail, that means that it is not a bicycle trail. Many people walk, run and skate on the trail and to suggest that a multi use trail that runs, uninterrupted from Marymoor Park to 11th Ave NW and NW 45th St. be diverted to city streets until NW 54th St. and the Locks is insane. Where do all the walkers and runners and skaters go?
I apologize if I am offending anyone however I have to say that some of the posts on the topic are way off the point, please read all the information available to you on the web about this topic before you go typing inaccurate and frankly ignorant information.
The completion of this trail will not take away the rail road tracks; it will not change the industrial nature of the area.
FYI the “old” Yankee Dinner lot has a notice on it stating that it will be developed into a multi story retail, business building with parking for over 150 vehicles, The lot on the corner of 24th Ave NW and NW 54th Street also has a notice on it for development. So what the “coalition” seems to fear most is about to happen, the industrial “missing link” area may soon be “gentrified!
Quite honestly, if you have ever walked along this stretch, I walk my dog here frequently, a touch of “gentrification” would do it a world of good.
So to all of you on here that want this trail completed please continue to support the City and Cascade Bicycle Club, Friends of the Burke-Gilman Trail and others in their fight to complete the trail.
Bikers and trail supporters-Drive your cars down to ballard during seafest and take up as many parking spots as you can. Then ride your bike away from the area and join the boycott of the fest and the businesses. The chumps being suckered by the selfish and greedy businesses can enjoy their festival. THey will just have to walk further or drive around longer on bicycle infested streets. When this ridiculous situation comes to an end, which it will, the trail will follow shilshole. SB$G will move by their decision and the land will be sold, they hope for a huge profit leaving their supporters in a cloud of cement dust embarrassed and used. Hopefully SB$G and Ballard oil have wriggled themselves into a zoning straight jacket that will limit their profits. They have pi$$ed off a lot of offices and people that they will need later on and my understanding is that the last laugh will not be theirs. The chumps are being duped into supporting companies that will sell out and move in a heart beat when it suits them. And it is coming. In the meantime you fall for their act and fight for their private use of public land. Wish I could pull that off. But in the end, those businesses fighting the trail will try to maximize their profit off the land and move. How many of those jobs are local? The end is coming, the outcome is obvious as the community is different now. If industry needed to be in this area, Fred Meyer and Ballard Blocks would not exist. It would be industrial businesses. How stupid are you people? So you will end up more bitter and disappointed at being used.
So trail supporters, consider ways to make a trail and bike travel more of a benefit to the community. By showing the community how much worse it is when EVERYONE drives and parks. Then ride to the locks or the beach. But do not buy anything from chamber members. It is not difficult.
MOTORRAD, thank you for posting on this site. MyBallard is a Ballad Chamber Member and your posting creates traffic and in the end creates revenue that a portion goes to the BCOC. YOUR SELECTIVE BOYCOTT KEEPS ME IN STITCHES LOL!!
Oh please. Everyone knows that Chamber member or not motorrad will go anywhere where there is a remote possiibity he MIGHT find a woman.
If he is typical no one need worry over any boycott.
If the right of way belongs to the city and the citizens voted to approve this project many years ago, the missing link trail is coming eventually. I am sure the professional truck drivers can navigate the changes. Once the trail is completed, this back and forth sniping will look pretty stupid. We are looking forward to the new museum and other improvements to old Ballard.
Thanks for setting me straight, Gimore.
Your suggestion to re-study the whole thing was delaying, obstructionist BS (are you one of the appellants? you’ve got a knack for their shtick), since you’ve clearly made up your mind, and all of Ballard’s.
Never mind that only a minority of businesses along the Missing Link oppose completion, and never mind that #2 priority of the Ballard/Crown Hill Neighborhood Plan is completing the Missing Link. I guess they’re not “local” enough for you.
I’m as annoyed by strident calls for boycotts as anyone, but you “we’re local and you’re not” commenters take the cake. Ballard = the people who live in this community, not some cement company. And you don’t have to “earn” anything to have a stake in this issue.
A delaying game that costs the taxpayers more money? Not appreciated.
Sven: I have lived in Ballard since 2003 and my husband, who agrees with me on this issue, has lived here since 1993. I know that I am a Ballardite and don’t need you to confirm or deny it.