Ballard Ave improvements to start in late July

Meghan Walker Ballard

A number of improvements are coming to Ballard Ave later this summer to improve mobility and access on the busy cafe street.

SDOT says the upgrades are meant to build on 2020 efforts to bolster local businesses during the pandemic.

In the next few weeks, SDOT plans to start the following projects:

  • Updating the striping on Ballard Ave NW to reflect the existing one-way northbound street. New striping and painted areas on the street will make these changes clear.
  • Adding interim “curb bulbs” with paint, flexible posts, and planters to open up intersections and crosswalks so people walking are more visible to people driving.
  • Converting the intersections on Ballard Ave NW at 22nd Ave NW and NW Vernon Pl to all-way stops.
  • Improving street tree pits with a firm and level walking surface. We won’t affect planting areas maintained by adjacent businesses.
  • Painting parking areas on Ballard Ave NW between street cafes for easier access.
  • Clarifying curbside loading locations and the times of day for loading based on ongoing conversations with local businesses.
Project area map along Ballard Ave NW, between 20th Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW that shows locations of parking, loading, curb bulbs and sidewalk cafes.
Project area map along Ballard Ave NW, between 20th Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW that shows locations of parking, loading, curb bulbs and sidewalk cafes. Graphic: SDOT

SDOT says the work will take place on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and should take about three weeks. From SDOT:

  • Week of July 25: We’ll start repairing bricks on Ballard Ave NW to get ready for future flexible posts. Intersections will be temporarily closed during working hours to allow crews to complete this work safely and efficiently.
  • Week of July 25: We’ll put out “no parking” and “no stopping” signs along Ballard Ave NW and begin marking where crews will add new paint to the street.
  • Week of August 1: We’ll install new signs, planters, and flexible posts.

 Photo credit: Jordan Samson/SDOT