City on UserVoice

When protesters impede downtown during rush hour on a Mariner night, ticket for jaywalking. [updated]

2010-07-30T04:28:40+00:00

There is no right to disrupt traffic of workers going home or fans going to a M's game. Today 6/23 such an unpermitted/illegal protest was allowed and enabled by our city officials who tied the hands of police. Reasonable time and place restrictions on free speech are allowed, and this is one.

J. Davis said:

Why only on Mariners night? And what about when the protesters ?? And when they are King Co. Council memebers...??? Yes I agree..More fines, arrest something ; before someone is ran over or killed.

Why not make the viaduct "tunnel" a ditch?

2010-07-29T18:30:40+00:00

SuggestionBox suggested:
There is a ton of complexity to do with digging a tunnel next to the water front like the proposed plan, why not dig from the top down and make a two-tiered ditch? Seems like its worth considering at least. Could be feasible. I'm not a tunnel/traffic expert.

Immediately shut down the viaduct before assessing need

2010-07-29T18:10:48+00:00

alexjon suggested:
The city should advocate immediate shut down of the Alaskan Way Viaduct as a major public safety risk. Although a state road, it will be entirely upon the city to handle and manage the immediate effects of any catastrophic failure. In order to avoid such a risk, the city should advise an immediate closure of the structure and begin a full-on campaign for replacement based on need that arises after the viaduct's closure, be it tunnel, elevated or basic surface enhancements.

support street food in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-28T18:27:54+00:00

Amanda said:

As an aspiring food vendor I was surprised at the lack of support from the city. Come on Seattle, don't make me move to Portland :(

Set aside park beach areas for European-style, clothing-optional recreation (sunbathe + skinny dip) [updated]

2010-07-28T17:13:59+00:00

The Greater Seattle Area has long hosted the world's most renowned, colorful, family-friendly and free-spirited clothing-optional cultural events and groups in the world including: The Fremont Solstice Cyclists (17 years), World Naked Bike Ride, Body Pride Ride, Seattle Free Beach Campaign, Gardens Everywhere Bike Parade, Seattle Critical mAss, Hemp Ride, Love Every Body, Seattle Swims rentals at Seattle Parks Department Aquatic Facilities, Sun Lovers Under Gray Skies (SLUGS), Magnuson Beach Bares, Friends of Denny Park, Friends of Secret Beach, Fraternity Snoqualmie, Bare Buns Fun Runs, Nudestock, Body Freedom Collaborative, and Naked Pumpkin Run. Additionally, a handful of shoreline park areas have seen quiet yet significant clothing-optional use for decades. In 2008, after a considerable grassroots public campaign by local skinny dippers, the Seattle Parks Board recommended that the Parks Department look into establishing designated and signed areas for clothing-optional use. Let's make it happen!

arionm1 said:

Setting asside a beach park for european styly Cloghing Optional recreation is an excellent idea, and agree totally.

zip line [updated]

2010-07-28T16:34:15+00:00

Seattle should create a zip line in one of our parks (consider one of the many parks along lake washington or possibly near the zoo. Having a zip line in the city would be relatively inexpensive (I've contacted a provider and gotten some quotes on construction and insurance, which is reasonable). Anything that you do to make the city more intersting and unique (like a zip line) will bring Seattle positive attention and a reputation for being a fun and worthwhile place to visit. Vancouver did it, so we should too.

Chris Wiswell said:

There is a small zip line in Cowen park, if you look for it.

叶帆 [updated]

2010-07-28T16:32:39+00:00

我的名字是叶帆来自中国``嘿嘿

Chris Wiswell said:

Totally.

Permit liquor sales after 2am in licensed establishments [updated]

2010-07-28T06:14:19+00:00

Lobby the state to permit liquor sales after 2am by venues (bars, nightclubs, etc) with a special license. This license would be more expensive than the standard liquor license, with the additional revenue going to fund additional (post 2am) police services. This would help the city become a true 24 hour city, while also reducing the (sometimes violent) impacts of having numerous bars all empty onto the street at the same time.

John said:

Read the article from the BBC on 24 hour drinking, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10784060 for another take on this

Raise the number of taxi medallions issued for the city

2010-07-28T04:54:20+00:00

Chris Wiswell suggested:
The city of Seattle currently only allows 200 taxis to operate in its borders (last time I checked the city code). For people who want to go carless, cab travel is a very valuable alternative to owning a car with a number of advantages: door to door transport, doesn't require parking, works for people who can't drive, flexible schedules.and you should be able to just hail one- except you can't because we don't have enough.

Houseboat races

2010-07-28T04:46:06+00:00

Chris Wiswell suggested:
Start boating season with houseboat races on Lake Washington

stop harrassing local nightclubs! [updated]

2010-07-27T06:15:30+00:00

Someone said:

Stop harassing residential neighborhoods with drunk people on the streets.

Encourage development that keeps Seattle a liveable city for all--artists and arts orgs included [updated]

2010-07-27T06:14:00+00:00

aka - Keep Seattle Interesting. Affordable space to live and work is something that the majority of residents, organizations and small businesses need and is absolutely mandatory to keep Seattle a vibrant home for artists and arts organizations. What would Seattle be without its music, dance, visual, literary artists and the network of organizations and small businesses that thrive around them.

Louismai said:

Absolutely!!! we need to figure out a way for the entertainment industry to thrive without being dependent on increased Blood Alcohol Content. We'd be so much more money ahead to spend it supporting livable wages for entertainers and service industry folks. They are essential pieces to our community, we need to figure out a way to support them and have safe, reasonably quiet places for people to live at the same time.

Permit liquor sales after 2am in licensed establishments [updated]

2010-07-27T06:09:37+00:00

Louismai said:

Why not just stop over serving people alcohol? Ever read the WAC?

Partner with local nightlife establishments to form Nightlife Business Areas [updated]

2010-07-27T05:59:33+00:00

The reasoning: Putting the 100% of the burden on individual bars and clubs, to manage the behavior of bar-hopping patrons, inside and out of their establishments is not exactly realistic or fair. Existing bars and clubs have applied for, and have been granted licenses to operate their businesses in certain areas. If overtime, areas become increasingly residential or popular nightlife destinations, it is unreasonable to go back to these individual businesses and blame them for a problem that is in part due to their success, but more importantly, a break down in regulation. This is unheard of in any other industry—even Seahawks fans are responsible for their own behavior once they hit the streets after a big win—and the police are there to keep the peace. For some reason, nightlife is considered differently—even though it is one of the oldest and largest industries in Seattle. The idea: Creating a Business Improvement Area (BIA) for nightlife businesses in nightlife neighborhoods would be a legal and prudent solution to much of the frustration neighborhoods like Belltown are experiencing today. Seattle and other cities have used the model of the Business Improvement Area in order to assist cash-strapped municipalities deliver services such as public safety and sanitation—two of the biggest issues surrounding nightlife. The creation of a Nightlife Business Area (NBA) would achieve many of the same objectives and address some of the impacts felt in communities that have a healthy nightlife. How it would work: The NBA would essentially operate as a voluntary association of businesses that would agree to tax themselves in order to pay for the higher level of services that nightlife areas need, but (in this economy) city government is unable to provide. The NBA would hire and pay for City-trained private security or off-duty police officers to patrol nightlife areas like Belltown and Pioneer Square. The NBA, in conjunction with other initiatives like a staggered last call, better building codes, and late night transportation would seriously address the public safety and noise pollution problems that result from public intoxication and the honking of cars. Through the NBA, nightlife businesses would also hire additional sanitation services to effectively address the impact of increased litter around bars and clubs. The NBA could also act as a liaison between the nightlife community and local government—advocating for innovative solutions and coordinating the various agencies through the process of implementation. The NBA could also assist businesses through the licensing and renewal process and go a long way towards easing the tensions between communities, nightlife businesses and the City, while giving nightlife entrepreneurs a formal role in the process and addressing the problems often associated with a vibrant nightlife. Most importantly, the NBA has the possibility of serving as a “good neighbor” association, for which there would be self-imposed standards of operation for member establishments. Neighbors and patrons could then choose to frequent bars that promote responsible nightlife.

Louismai said:

Good thinking here.

Sell surplus schools such as MLK to the highest bidders as long as some community use is retained [updated]

2010-07-26T15:17:00+00:00

Sell the surplus MLK school to the highest bidder, an independent school such as Bush wants to make a playfield and playground that will also be open to public after school hours. This does not cost the taxpayers anything and gives the neighborhood what they wanted most, a play area. The school district could really use this money, and Bush bid is millions more that others.

T.C. said:

I agree with Will, a few people made a lot of noise for their own gain-including the corrupt politicians of the 37th who would rather bankrupt the state than cut spending. I live a few blocks away and that school has always been a problem area. Most of us would rather it be gone! A nice open playarea and field would be most welcome, and being private (with access to community) means it will be safer than the old Harrison school grounds.

Synchronized traffic lights to reduce carbon emissions. [updated]

2010-07-26T05:14:16+00:00

Except for a few streets like 23rd and 2nd Ave, most streets in Seattle are not synchronized at all. The fact is that stopping at almost every red light in this city uses a lot more gas and puts out more carbon emissions on just one un-synchronized street than a single trip down I-5 to Tacoma. All the streets need to be synchronized to the posted speed limits and become more user friendly. Going up and down Boren, for example, can be very stressfull and aggravating. When I drive up Boren in the evenings from Yestler my VW registers at about 9-13 MPG until the road peaks around Cherry St and then its all down hill which should more than make up for that low gas mileage. Proceeding down Boren on a green light at the speed limit of 30 MPH my VW will register at almost 200 MPG until I end up stopping at every single red light from Madison to Denny. I find that more often driving in Seattle when a light turns green by the time you get to the next light, going the speed limit, it turns red. By stopping my VW so frequently at red light traps my higher gas mileage vehicle may as well be an old Ford F150. With the way Seattle is set up with it's terrible traffic congestion and un-synchronized lights, it almost seems apparent that someone in charge of transportation is being paid off by oil companies and these people need to be stopped and thrown out of office. Until we are able to build more efficient vehicles and reduce emissions all together, we need to act now to reduce this idiotic racket from this city as much as we can because tomorrow might be too late.

David Fields said:

Never mind! I went up 23rd today, 7/25/10, from the Montlake Bridge to Yestler and hit every single red light going the speed limit. This is bull shit!

Repeal the Mandatory Helmet Law [updated]

2010-07-26T02:17:56+00:00

The bicycle helmet law punishes cyclists for the dangerous behavior of drivers. The safety of the public is better served by getting more people riding than by making committed cyclists wear helmets, reinforcing the misguided perception that bicycling is dangerous.

rezkiy said:

Dear Karen: if you believe that the helmet saved your life (as opposed to made you hit something with your head), wear one. Don't push the helmet happines down the throats of other people.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-24T01:14:53+00:00

Ketta said:

Agreed! This should be a national issue, but it's good for Seattle to lead. :)

Small Engine lanes on 520 and I-90 bridges [updated]

2010-07-24T00:05:07+00:00

Add small engine lanes (1 - 249cc) to the 520 and I-90 bridges across Lake Washington. Right now it is not possible for small engine vehicles to cross either of these bridges. Both pedestrians, bicyclists, and larger engine vehicles, legally, have ways across Lake Washington. Is it not time for small engine vehicles and their owners to share the same privelage?

J. Davis said:

Id say your asking for major prolems trying to get small engines vechiles operating at full speed next to full trcuks and cars. I would oppse these idea Mayor, if I was in your shoes. The cost and tor the benfit of two people isn't worth it!

Seatle should take the lead in dispelling a misconception that "illegal immigrants" just arrived. [updated]

2010-07-24T00:00:38+00:00

Here is a historical FACT: "illegal aliens" a.e. Undocumented immigrants did not just arrive recently. They have been coming to the USA for 200-plus years. So it's time to stop the GOP hypocrisy and give them their "earned" American Citizenship. Start by stopping the POLICE BRUTALITY. Thanks to UNIVISION, I just saw how a SEATTLE cop BEAT UP A HELPLESS, UNARMED LATINO/HISPANIC. Were it not for Univision TV News, we in Texas would not know about your POLICE BRUTALITY in your city of Seattle. I think the Cop is Guilty of a HATE CRIME!! And he should go to Jail and be stripped of his job as a SEATTLE Police officer! SHAME ON SEATTLE IF YOU ALLOW THE COP TO GET AWAY WITH THIS!! We Hispanics in Texas will be watching to see what you do about it! Regretfully your, Rosi- Texas Journalist.

J. Davis said:

I am white Male and can atest of being "man-handled" by black female Police officers as well as white ones here in the Seattle Area! As far as immagrants coming to the U.S.A., it took over 100+ years for 12 million people to legally enter the U.S.; Now all the illigals not only Lations, but all the Asian, Russian and Mid -eastern or African Illigals? Try over 40+ million illigals are in the USA now in just over 10 years. Would any country in there right mind want all those extra mouths to feed and then drain what little resourses are left? Of course not, so to your veiws Texas Hispanic, you are wrong. If you want in, get in line aned do it legally. Period, No amensty no nothing.

Establish a Department of Permaculture [updated]

2010-07-23T23:49:39+00:00

Permaculture is about designing ecological human habitats and food production systems. It is a land use and community building movement which strives for the harmonious integration of human dwellings, microclimate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, and water into stable, productive communities. The focus is not on these elements themselves, but rather on the relationships created among them by the way we place them in the landscape. This synergy is further enhanced by mimicking patterns found in nature. (PermacultureActivist.net) This new municipal entity would increase interdepartmental cooperation across City Departments as well as intergovernmental collaboration across county, state and federal agencies. It would leverage the vast network of local green businesses and non-profit organizations as well as connect with other permaculture organizations + projects across the globe. Consider watching the "Introduction to Permaculture Design Trailer" with Geoff Lawton at http://bit.ly/7pZYCq, listen to local permaculture designer Jenny Pell in "How do I Invite You to Grow Food" at bit.ly/1JNWgV and check out "The Permaculture Concept" with Bill Mollison, co-founder of Permaculture at http://bit.ly/6qaUpI Current activities include establishing perennial edible gardens in Seattle Parks, collaborative design of new reservoir lid projects, food forests on public lands, developing a Cascadia region edible perennial plant list, social events, film projects, citywide permaculture organizations, codifying promising permaculture-oriented codes gleaned from all over the globe, training and retreats for city employees, web/gov 2.0 projects, scheduling a Seattle-area permaculture convergence social potluck, Olmsted Vision 2.0, Best Management Practices, permaculture tours, intersection painting, skills workshops and smaller collaborative neighborhood projects. For more information on how to get involved in this initiative as well as how to get involved in the many exciting collaborative permaculture projects in Seattle and special events contact Daniel Johnson (Seattle Permaculture Guild http://SeattlePermacultureGuild.org + City Repair http://cityrepair.info) at (206) 369 - 2661 (mobile) or by e-mailing him at urbangardens@comcast.net

J. Davis said:

Sounds like a commune to me..what's next Jonestown? Don't drink the Kool-aid!

Permit liquor sales after 2am in licensed establishments [updated]

2010-07-23T23:46:19+00:00

J. Davis said:

How much more the poeple will be drunk by 4 a.m. then compared to now and every alcholic in the county would flock downtown to drunk. How many more DWI's would comeabout and or deaths from drving while under the influence? Many I tell you. As far as the crime problems that assocatie the downtown area, you can go back to the Donut House days of the 1970's and what the problem was then...Many Homeless youth, street crime, robbery and drug dealeing. Nothing has changed since! Only now all the people who got suckered into moving into the downtoan areas and pay very high rents or morgages. Then to get all the other unkown problems ; its easy to see why all the new citizens of Seattle feel duped! As far as a fix? I'd suggest about 20 -mega tons of T.N.T and then we can talk about rebuilding the area.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-23T23:04:01+00:00

C-A Roberge said:

Giant purses and murses (man bags) are all the rage. Carry your canvas tote or those little tiny nylon bags with you at all times. No need for plastic. Pretty darn easy.

Re-evaluate the staffing levels on fire engines and trucks. [updated]

2010-07-23T21:28:58+00:00

I don't understand why it takes 10 big firefighters...all making over 100K per year to help me when I call 911 for a service call?

J. Davis said:

Ya, your dead wrong on your facts Sir! Most firefighters do not make 100K or more per year! In fact in all of America, there are only 300,000 + professional Firefighters. The vast Majority get paid nothing; there are over 2.1 Million vilunteers through-out the U.S
My question to you now is, why you bad mouthing Firefighters when you probaly called 911 cuss your cat was in a tree or did you burn the popcorn??.

Clean up Pioneer Square [updated]

2010-07-23T21:24:22+00:00

The Elliot Bay Bookstore closing isn't about book sales, it's about the decay of the Pioneer Square neighborhood. To fix: * Close down the Saveway minimart * Encourage the missions to relocate. They do good work but should they be one of the most beautiful and historical neighborhoods of Seattle? Why not West Seattle or Lake City? * More street lights and police patrols * Panhandling and doorway sleepers are a problem. What about a daily stipend for not panhandling, and someplace to sleep. Not a shelter, like a permanent place.

Phil said:

I think one of the things neglected in this idea is that Pioneer Square has a history of handling the population of needy people in Seattle. What, we should do away with THAT history to make more room for condos, and plastic-beer-cup bars for transient college students who did not grow up in Seattle and plan to leave once they get their degrees? Make the area safer for sports fans? People who wear rayon shirts? Utilikilts? What about our fellow man? NIMBYs typically don't know history, nor do they want to honor it once informed about it. Also, Seattle is A CITY. People are down and out IN CITIES.

Turn Station 37 into a Fire Education Center [updated]

2010-07-23T21:21:13+00:00

My idea is to re-store Station 37 in West Seattle and then turn it into a Fire Education Center & Muesum. It's main purpose would be to educate school age children on Fire & Life Saftey.

J. Davis said:

I belive the re-storeing of Station 37 can be accomplished through public donations and volunteers for the labor of most of the work. Turning the site into a Fire Education Center & Muesum is a grand way for this great piece of Seattle History to be preserverd and still be useful for decades to come. I strongly believe this can be done through grants or again public dontions. Please let the Mayor's office know if you agree with this idea or if you dfis-agree; what your idea might be? We can not let this building go and not be part of the City's future; when it has portected it's people and property for so long!

All DWI offenders get a minimum 10 year prison term [updated]

2010-07-23T21:10:21+00:00

It is time to start prosecuting idiot drunks so they quit killing people.

Phil said:

Hang on. Let's not expand the role of jail/prison in society. I can't believe that everyone is saying we should expand jail/prison populations. I mean, really. Something simple like a mandatory "vertical" (i.e., underaged, I can't drink) license for 10 years would be more appropriate. Expanding the connotations of the vertical license would be great - can't buy alcohol, can't get into 21+ venues or shows, regardless of age - that would be sort of debilitating. If they were really slaves to the drink, then they can still stay home and do us all a favor. If they are caught drunk behind the wheel with a vertical license, then jail it is, IMO. Believe me, I'm no fan of drunks, but I am less a fan of the prison industrial complex.

Recruit and hire firefighters that within the City Limts. [updated]

2010-07-23T21:06:31+00:00

I believe there is a disconnect between our public servants and the community. In most cases they dont really care about the community they are serving. They dont understand or care to understand the different cultures in the community they serve. We need to give more incentive for City of Seattle residents to apply for these jobs. Give extra points for being a Seattle resident. I would like to know what is the percentage of firefighters who do not live within the City limits? Maybe if more public servants lived in the City we would get better service?

J. Davis said:

You are mistaken, most public servants do not get paid enough to life within the City limits. And you are dead wrong on how they feel, I know for fact most will give there lives in defesive of these communities.

Turn Station 37 into a Fire Education Center

2010-07-23T21:02:16+00:00

J. Davis suggested:
My idea is to re-store Station 37 in West Seattle and then turn it into a Fire Education Center & Muesum. It's main purpose would be to educate school age children on Fire & Life Saftey.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-23T20:54:31+00:00

Annie B. said:

From reusable totes to biodegradable plastic-alternatives, there are so many viable options if we look for them. We have potato-wear that acts like plastic cutlery and degrades safely, no reason we can't have sacks that do that, too.

America’s Marine Highway

2010-07-23T20:48:01+00:00

Anthony Gibbs suggested:
What about recharging the port and shipping sectors with the Fed's money? The US Department of Transportation has released a plan to pump up interior and coastal shipping routes. Seems to me this area already has much of the infrastructure for this type of development. Throw in some Federally funded updates and we could be good to go. Here's the first paragraph of the press release: "U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today unveiled a new initiative to move more cargo on the water rather than on crowded U.S. highways. Under the “America’s Marine Highway” program, the Department’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will help identify rivers and coastal routes that could carry cargo efficiently, bypassing congested roads around busy ports and reducing greenhouse gases."

PICKLEBALL on the Maple Leaf Reservoir [updated]

2010-07-23T18:48:18+00:00

The Maple Leaf Reservoir is being capped and we have the opportunity to put a pickleball court on the reservoir.

Chris said:

anything come from this? economy has hit hard and can't take kids to anything that cost $$$ Anyone know of any courts I could take them to? We live in Northgate but can drive, preferably closer then Redmond. thank you

BOYCOTT Seattle businesses. [updated]

2010-07-23T04:03:52+00:00

Since Seattle has decided to boycott dealings with Arizona who is swimming in debt due to illegal aliens using all their services for free, I and my friends will not be using any business or service from within the City of Seattle. This includes sporting events. For Seattle to try to punish Arizona for enforcing Federal law is un American and one of the stupidest ideas I have ever seen come out of local government. Wake up and pass the same law here, to uphold Federal laws.

Steve said:

I would really like to come to Seattle to see a Mariners game, but since Seattle is boycotting Arizona, I am boycotting Seattle. I will not visit or shop or spend money in Seattle until Seattle stops supporting illegal immigration, drug smuggling and the Mexican cartels. Get your act together.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-22T19:35:37+00:00

Amy said:

100% Agree - there is absolutely no need for single-use plastic bags; it's a sign of our vast disposable and wasteful culture. It's time that we start to internalize the far-reaching effects of our (thus far, unconscious) actions. Global pollution of plastic bag manufacture and disposal has begun to spiral out of control (see: The great pacific garbage patch. It's almost entirely plastic waste), and it's time to do something about it.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-22T18:38:13+00:00

dede said:

Got along without them before we got them we can get along without them now! Ban, ban, ban!!!

Stop junk mail and flyering

2010-07-22T16:45:58+00:00

josh suggested:
So much paper is wasted by on unsolicited weekly supermarket circulars and unwanted flyers (some of which are put onto car windshields and end up as litter on the streets). By stopping these practicates, the city can decrease the amount of paper wasted and decrease the trash on the streets.

Ban leaf blowers from downtown Seattle. They pollute in so many ways - senses and environment. [updated]

2010-07-22T16:21:23+00:00

Plus,do they work? I suggest bringing back the broom for a more civilized and peaceful community.

Alan Murray said:

I just noticed a guy with a leaf blower outside by shop in Ballard blowing all the dust and detritis he had "cleaned up" out onto Leary Way. What kind of nonsense is this -- listening to and smelling these things ad nauseum only to have the users polluting our public spaces. Many California towns have banned these things with 100% approval from the public -- so what is green Seattle waiting for?

resolve incongruity betw gov't's attitude toward cars and gov't approach toward downtown residents

2010-07-22T06:15:38+00:00

Tom Hundley suggested:
If the city's objective is to emphasize greater urban density, partly in order to significantly reduce the number of cars on the road, why don't the mayor and city council place the liivability of the Lower Queen Anne to the International District communities at a much higher level on the agenda? Why are the bars and pubs and their patrons allowed to continue disrupting these neighborhoods? Do the mayor and city council really want the Lower Queen Anne to the International District to be attractive environments for as many people as possible from the entire economic spectrum to live at? Do they really want people to be less dependent on automobilies by living in the urban core of the city? If so, why isn't there a greater push to make these neighborhoods resident-friendly?

Fix the Viaduct (99) instead of replace it! Will cost Billions less and won't disrupte traffic.

2010-07-22T03:38:07+00:00

Mike suggested:
The tunnel will only create more problems with traffic than reduce it. With no on or off ramps to downtown, the exit at the end of the tunnel will backup with traffic thru the tunnel everyday of every hour. We can fix the viaduct and retrofit it for billions less and in this ecomony isn't that the right thing to do?

Make Seattle the most Bike Friendly City in the US [updated]

2010-07-21T18:22:42+00:00

(1) Create an extensive network of true bike lanes (not just "sharrows") including protected lanes along major bike commuter routes. This may necessitate removing on-street parking in some locations. We will know we're successful when older people or inexperienced cyclists can feel comfortable commuting on city streets and parents are not afraid to let their kids ride their bikes to school. (2) Work with building owners to create bike commuter stations downtown, where commuters can park their bikes, shower, have a locker, etc. (3) Make sure all public transit options can accommodate bikes. (4) Implement a data driven system to identify and address problem areas for bike commuters (such as Cascade Bicycle Club's site www.bikewise.org (5) Work with major employers to encourage bike commuting, including possible B&O tax incentives. (6) Create an ambitious civic vision celebrates bikes - as a great transit solution, as fun, as healthy, as good for the planet, as cool, etc.

Scott said:

Charge bikes like cars to help pay for all the road improvemnets and park improvements.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle [updated]

2010-07-21T14:30:54+00:00

Sabrina H. said:

I propose to introduce legislature to ban disposable, single-use plastic bags. Introduced 25 years ago, these bags are now consumed at an astounding rate of approximately 500 billion per year globally, or 1 million per minute. It is estimated that 1% or 5 billion of these bags end up as wind blow litter each year. These bags that take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade, often wind up in waterways or the landscape, becoming eyesores and eventually degrading water and soil as they break down into tiny toxic bits.

Their manufacture and disposal also uses large quantities of non-renewable resources, especially petroleum, a key ingredient in plastic. Large amounts of global warming gases are released during their production, transportation, and disposal. Environmentally, disposable plastic bags are a serious problem. Hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including endangered sea turtles, die every year when they eat plastic bags mistaken for food.

Ban plastic bags in Seattle

2010-07-21T14:28:51+00:00

Use an underwater sunken tube tunnel routed west of our piers

2010-07-21T13:36:26+00:00

George Lawrence Storm suggested:
Have we considered an underwater sunken tube tunnel such as used on the Fort McHenry Tunnel in Maryland? <http://www.roadstothefuture.com/Fort_McHenry_Tunnel.html#Sunken_Tube> If it could be built in our region, it would have less risk than tunneling under the city, would cost less, would allow the existing viaduct to be used during construction and probably could share costs with the Elliott Bay Seawall Project.

All DWI offenders get a minimum 10 year prison term [updated]

2010-07-19T23:59:01+00:00

It is time to start prosecuting idiot drunks so they quit killing people.

Tiger said:

I could not agree with this idea more. I HATE degenerate drunks. They are a stain on our society. They are the scum off the earth. The only people who are worse than drunks are people who commit adultery. Other than adulterers, drunks are the worse people on earth, period. I hate cheating S.O.B.’s and drunks. Lock them both in prison and throw away the key. We don’t need these type of people in our society.

All DWI offenders get a minimum 10 year prison term [updated]

2010-07-19T23:47:41+00:00

It is time to start prosecuting idiot drunks so they quit killing people.

Duke said:

I would not expect the Seattle politicians to make a wise decision like this, but I suppose we can pray they have brains; however, I seriously doubt it. They seem a little simple to me!

Create More Mini-Dog Parks [updated]

2010-07-17T23:09:17+00:00

We need small off-leash areas throughout our neighborhoods. These would be a city lot or two in size, be adopted by the neighbors (supported by those volunteers) and much, much smaller in scale than the limited current mega-dog parks like Magnuson. No extra parking, simple fence, trash cans, and neighborhood work parties to support. Use salvage spaces at existing community centers, city lots, etc. Let them form from the grassroots up via petition from the neighborhood group to identify location and need.

dana.litt said:

I just moved from Washington, DC which has several small parks. Each neighborhood has it's own park, and although small, provide a place where the dogs can run free in a fenced area and socialize. It's also a great community building thing for people!

Tear down the Alaskan Way Viaduct and DON'T rebuild it.

2010-07-16T17:16:51+00:00

Ryan suggested:
Sound crazy? Read this. http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/07/06/huh-4-cases-of-how-tearing-down-a-highway-can-relieve-traffic-jams-and-help-save-a-city/ Replacing it with a 2-lane both-ways tunnel will not only increase congestion, but is not a viable plan to deal with the growth of traffic in the future. Removing the viaduct will re-route traffic to less congested areas and away from the waterfront.

More police downtown [updated]

2010-07-16T05:49:41+00:00

I have not felt safe in downtown fow a long time, it is past time to clean up the crime. The police should run the streets not the thugs.

Jeff said:

CLEAN UP,and OUT Broadway!!!! As a 30 yr. Capitol Hill Res., I'm really getting tired of not feeling comfortable about walking down broadway. I'm tired of having to duck up alleys to avoid the daily/nightly gambit of PANHANDLERS and DRUG ADDICTS asking for DRUG money!! It's SO nice, but very rare, i can walk Broadway without being repeatedly asked for money. I'm so sick of it!!!!
The bums, drug addicts run rampant up here every day. Sitting on the sidewalks and getting up and leaving a pile of bottles and garbage in their wake. Its sickening to walk down broadway every day and see garbage everywhere that the hippykid transient bums, alcoholics, drug addicts, and crows lv. behind.
They are constantly leaving heaps of trash every where they plunk their ass, dragging The Stranger and garbage out of the paperboxes to sit and sleep on, then walking away to lv it all just blow down the street in the wind.
Please, instead of the cops just cruising broadway, they get off their asses and out of the cars and walk the beat and tell these people not to show their faces on broadway again!
Place impenetrable Trash Cans like YOU have downtown, so the crows and the bums arent constantly dragging trash out, or overfilling them.
I also propose that EACH and EVERY business commit 30 minutes morning and nite, or all day for that matter, seeing that their portion of the sidewalk be kept CLEAN! Its sickening to see all the garbage littering the sidewalks every day i walk broadway, or anywhere else. Its shameful and embarassing to me that visitors to our nice city, see all the CRAP left on the streeets ev. day! Especially places with sidewalk seating! They just lv. the trash and rake in the money. Its disgusting!
Broadway is upgrading and growing, and its only going to get worse. City cleanliness and peacefulness walking the streets need not be ruined by the addicts, trash, etc. Thank You! Broadway and Harvard Res., JeffM.

Get rid of the hookers, pimps, and drug dealers in Chinatown [updated]

2010-07-16T05:36:14+00:00

Rob Haroldsmith said:

Friends from LA arrived. Took them on a drive around Seattle. They liked Chinatown until they saw the hookers & drug dealers. When is the city going to do something about this?

Get rid of the hookers, pimps, and drug dealers in Chinatown

2010-07-16T05:35:18+00:00