Stories

Check out this Seattle Times article from the weekend in which Hugo Kugiya takes readers on a rather delicious tour of some of Seattle's more hidden eateries, including Aurora's own, Paladar Cubano.  Interestingly, Paladar Cubano was the first restaurant ever reviewed on the Aurora|Seattle "Reviews" page.  For a while it was the only restaurant reviewed... until reader "kateinbitterlake" added multiple reviews recently.  Thanks, Kate!

Kugiya has some great things to say about Aurora food:

SEATTLE, A FORWARD-LOOKING city in a New World country, serves plenty of well-prepared, creative food, but not very much traditional food. Here, most traditions have to be imported, then somehow nurtured without the benefit of large numbers, sometimes in a Chevy panel truck parked on a gravel lot.

That is where, 50 blocks north of Paseo, Pedro Vargas, a drummer raised in Bahia Honda, Cuba, serves the real Cuban sandwich. He came to Seattle years ago to perform at Jazz Alley, staying because he fell in love with a...

The Aurora Traffic Safety Project announced today on their Facebook page that the left turn signals from 80th St. onto Aurora are now up and running!

The Project's Public Task Force reported that drivers often made risky left turns at this intersection. This put both drivers and pedestrians at risk - especially students walking to Bagley Elementary School. Thanks to the Aurora Traffic Safety Project, drivers now have a green arrow allowing them to make this turn without putting the pedal to the metal and putting others at risk. 

See all of our planned improvements on our website by clicking on "Action Plan".

 

Mayor Mike McGinn's Youth and Families Initiative community meetings, which were kicked off a week ago at the Rainer Community Center, will continue this week on Monday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in our neck of the woods at Northgate Elementary School.

According to the invitation extended to Seattleites on McGinn's website, the series of meetings have been convened around the city because, "The children and families of our city are facing many difficult challenges. As a community, we need to talk about what we want for our kids and how best to create a healthy, positive and equitable environment for all families in our city."

Indeed we must talk, says one emerging Seattle organization, Seattle Against Slavery, which sees the Youth and Families Initiative conversation as a fitting context within which to advocate for victims and survivors of human trafficking.  "The theme of these meeting is 'what's best for our kids'," stated Deana Berg, Metro Government Relations Director for Seattle Against Slavery (SAS)...

Aurora|Seattle partner, the Seattle Times, reported yesterday that the half-developed apartment building at Aurora Ave on 72nd Street known as the Tyee condo project has been sold to GramorDevelopment:

A half-built apartment building on the site of the landmark Twin Teepees restaurant near Green Lake has a new owner, who says it plans to resume construction and have the 24 units ready for leasing by June.

GramorDevelopment of Seattle purchased the property at Aurora Avenue North and North 72nd Street this week for $2.14 million, according to county records.

Work on the four-story project, Tyee at Green Lake, stopped a year ago when the previous developer, Bristol Homes, ran into financial trouble. A receiver was appointed to manage the project last March.

The neighborhood will have to wait and see how this project, which currently looks like a big orange box, turns out.

A few months ago we reported on the new Aurora Traffic Safety Project billboards located on Aurora at 47th Street and 107th Street.  While these billboards had to do with combating speeding on the corridor, the next billboard campaign will aim to reduce distracted driving and remind drivers to expect pedestrians.

According to the SDOT blog, which gives a shout-out to Oprah's "No Phone Zone" pledge website, billboards stressing the themes of distracted driving and pedestrian safety will appear on Aurora Avenue North beginning this summer.

Currently, the billboard campaign is being developed by the task force Aurora Traffic Safety Project.  Once the group has solidified the themes, they will work with a focus group to gauge their effectiveness and work with Clear Channel to identify billboard locations, an SDOT representative told Aurora|Seattle.

Presumably, billboard content and locations that do not cause distraction will be chosen...

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) got the word out early this week to residents on streets neighboring Aurora Avenue about the SR 99 Intelligent Transportations Systems Project.

The project, which is a joint effort of WSDOT and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), involves the installation of "Intelligent Transportation Systems," such as traffic cameras, new signal timing equipment including traffic sensors, and overhead electronic message boards.  According to the project website, these traffic information tools are part of a $11.5 million project that will "bring more real-time traffic information to drivers on SR 99" in an attempt to "keep traffic and freight moving during construction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement."

While much of the project work, which began in January and is expected to finish this July, will take place Monday through Friday during the day, some of the construction will happen at night to avoid significant traffic backups since multiple...

Our next door neighbors over at Phinneywood alerted us to this:

The Seattle Department of Transportation will close the right hand, southbound lane of the Aurora Bridge on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day to repair the exterior surface of a bridge column.

So if you’re heading downtown, be prepared for some slowdowns.

An interesting letter to the Editor over at shorelineareanews.com proposes that the Shoreline City Council change the name of their section of Highway 99 from Aurora Avenue to Shoreline Boulevard.  Among the advantages cited for changing the name are the following:

The name change gets rid of the old negative connotations associated with the name of Aurora.

It will be an aid to Economic Development.

It will strengthen the sense of Community.

It will tie in with the new City Hall

It will tie in with the work being done to create a new “ City Center.”

It only requires a Resolution by the City Council

What do you think about this idea?  Should they go for it?

Hopefully this idea doesn't migrate south - we'd have to rename this blog!

Aurora|Seattle has been tracking the Aurora Traffic Safety Project for quite some time, but we don't catch everything!  Thanks to our neighbor blog, MyGreenLake, we were reminded about an event taking place at the Aurora PCC (okay, it's usually known as the Greenlake PCC) this Saturday, February 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..

According to the SDOT blog, 

The Aurora Traffic Safety Project has partnered with PCC Natural Markets – Greenlake on a traffic safety education event to take place on Saturday, February 13^th.  The goal of this effort is to reduce unsafe behavior that contributes to collisions on Aurora such as speeding, failure to yield to vehicles and pedestrians, and inattention.   

We will be handing out informative cards containing facts about Aurora as well as safety reflectors and reusable shopping bags branded with the PCC and Aurora Traffic Safety Project logos (see photo below). 

According to an aware neighbor and an SDOT confirmation, the Seattle Department of Transportation has begun the process of installing left-turn signals for vehicles turning from 80th Street onto Aurora Avenue.  The process will also include the installation of new control boxes and a replacement utility pole "arm" for one that was repeatedly damaged by passing vehicles.  If the installation process continues as planned, the signals should be functioning by March.

In an email to Aurora|Seattle, Cindy Potter, Parent Teacher Association President at Daniel Bagley Elementary, stated:

Bagley Elementary parents and neighbors have been concerned about pedestrian safety at this intersection for many years and have asked SDOT on several occasions to install a left-turn signal. This intersection is heavily used by students walking to Bagley Elementary. In an informal survey last year, Bagley parents determined that approximately 14% of our student population walks or bikes across Aurora Avenue at least...

If your driving or walking or bus riding happens to be bringing you through the intersection at 85th and Aurora, just be aware that there is a temporary slowdown while some changes are being made on the wiring and the switches for the intersection's traffic lights.  Police officers are in the middle of the intersection directing traffic, so watch out!

A man trying to cross Aurora Avenue at around 45th Street was struck by a southbound vehicle in the evening on January 28.  He was transported to Harborview, where he later died from injuries.  According to the SPD Blotter:

On January 28th, at approximately 8:12 pm, a Chevrolet Blazer was travelling southbound on Aurora Avenue North approaching the 4500 Block.  At that time, a pedestrian was crossing Aurora Avenue westbound.  When the pedestrian reached the southbound lanes, he was struck by the Blazer.  The male pedestrian was transported to Harborview Medical Center by SFD Medics.  He died from his injuries at the hospital.  Officers evaluated the driver of the Blazer for any signs of impairment, but none were found.  Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad responded and processed the scene.  The southbound lanes of Aurora Avenue at that block were closed for a time while detectives conducted their investigation.  The driver was interviewed...

Aurora|Seattle, a 9-month old neighborhood blog, is pleased to announce today a new partnership with the Seattle Times, a trusted news source in the Northwest for over 113 years.  The Times also unveiled seven other sites that will join their original hyperlocal and specialized news site partners, bringing the total number of partner sites to 19.

According to the Times' announcement, executive editor of The Times and Seattletimes.com, David Boardman stated, "We're thrilled to welcome these new partners to our network of quality sources for neighborhood and specialized news.  Together, we can offer this region depth and breadth of coverage that none of us could provide alone."

Aurora|Seattle is honored to join some stellar Neighborlogs sites, such as Capitol Hill Seattle and Central District News, as well as other excellent local news blogs in Seattle area as a partner of the Times.  

What does this mean for this site?  No money or contracts.  Just the sharing of news tidbits...

On the evening of January 18th, two women were assaulted at North 92nd Street and Aurora Avenue North by three female suspects.  Unfortunately, one of the victims was pepper-sprayed, while the other was assaulted and had her purse stolen.  Fortunately for the victims, however, police officers from the North Precinct were nearby.  

On bikes.

The assaulted women flagged down the bicycle officers, who speedily tracked down and arrested the suspects three blocks north at 95th and Aurora.  The officers retrieved some of the stolen items, while the Fire Department aided the pepper-spray victim on the scene.

The Seattle Police Department, it seems, hopes to respond to - and prevent - more incidents like this along Aurora Avenue by increasing their bike patrol emphasis along the corridor.  Recently, area residents and local business employees have reported an increase of SPD bike patrol sightings, in particular between North 85th Street and North 105th Street.  

While the North...

One can never receive too many reminders to drive safe during the holiday season.  

Similarly, it seems that one can't receive too many reminders about driving safe on Aurora Avenue these days.  In mid-December, the Aurora Traffic Safety Project, which was officially launched last June, unveiled its second in a series of billboards that are a part of the project's effort to improve safety and reduce collisions along the Aurora corridor.

Located on Aurora facing northbound traffic at 47th Street, the billboard features a picture of a police officer with a radar gun next to the words, "Speeding? Expect a $144 ticket."  And, apparently, this isn't just an empty threat.  

According to the Aurora Traffic Safety Project's Facebook page, the Seattle Police Department has written over 3000 speeding tickets since the project, also called the "Expect the Unexpected" campaign, began back in mid-June.  In addition to increased enforcement, other measures of the two year effort include:

New...

Murals have been popping up all over Aurora lately.  Want more?  Check out this announcement/invite from GAIN, Sustainable Green Lake, and the Seattle Department of Transportation:

Are you interested in seeing more ART on Aurora?

Aurora mural locations include empty storefront windows and/or sides of buildings. The first project site is 7615 Aurora Avenue N.

The artists hired are from Seattle Mural Art. John Osgood, Zachary Bohnenkamp & Kevin "Sensei23" Sullivan are known most recently for their work creating an art mural for the safety wall next to the Greenwood businesses destroyed by arson [see also there work on Aurora]. 

Join Sustainable Green Lake, Greenwood Aurora Involved Neighbors (GAIN) and Seattle Department of Transportation to meet the artists and discuss our visions for Aurora. The basic themes for the artwork will include sustainability, traffic safety and community. Come share your ideas and enthusiasm for a new Aurora!

Monday, January 11 from 7:30-8:30pm at The Greenwood...

The SeattlePI reports that the Seattle Motor Inn at 125th and Aurora Avenue North closed this past Monday.  The motel, one of five Aurora motels operated by Dean and Jill Inman (whose names you might recognize from this past summer), was known as a hub for criminal activity.

An Aurora Avenue North motel that police say has long been an area of criminal activity, has closed, staff said Wednesday.

Most rooms at the Seattle Motor Inn were empty, and a stack of remaining lamps and furniture grew outside the front office. Staff refused to answer questions other than saying the business at 12245 Aurora Ave. N. had been closed since Monday.

"I think there will likely be a reduction of criminal activity, both in that area of Aurora and the adjacent neighborhood," Assistant City Attorney Ed McKenna said. "Although I'm hoping we don't have an increase elsewhere."

While the residents of 84th street west of Aurora keep an eye on the bus stop plaza being installed by SDOT, the 84th street east-siders have plenty of their own neighborhood happenings to keep them busy.

Two weeks ago, two boys, 12 and 14, were arrested after committing armed robbery at the Union 76 gas station on Aurora between 84th and 85th.  But in the days before the gas station hold-up, the boys attempted to break into a home on 84th street two days in a row, one resident reported.  The boys were chased away by a neighbor, who also got a picture of the suspects that helped the police identify them on the day of the Union 76 robbery.

Not only are the neighbors on 84th street vigilant, but they're also creative.  Recently, they hired Seattle muralist Ryan Henry Ward to paint a small building on the Union 76 property (for another recent Aurora mural, see here).  The project was spearheaded by a few neighbors who then spread the idea around via their block watch list and received positive...

The Seattle Department of Transportation broke ground last week on the pilot Aurora Bus Stop Plaza.

The project will "expand the rider waiting area, boost bus stop capacity, and provide landscaping and lighting at this major transit transfer point and future Rapid Ride Station."  But for now, anticipate a closed sidewalk between 84th and 85th, and plan on boarding the 358 just south of 84th during construction hours.

If you haven't already noticed, the Aurora property just south of 80th which was most recently home to Stupid Prices (for better or worse), but will forever be remembered as the home of  Chubby & Tubby, is now temporarily home to "the finest quality [Christmas] trees in the nation."

The trees, freshly handpicked in Sublimity, OR every week, are going for $40-$60, but the sellers are open to negotiating the price.  This certainly is not the bargain deal that Chubby & Tubby used to offer, but a superior quality tree is being offered this time around.  Paris Herbert, the business owner, told MyGreenLake a bit about his noble firs: "the layered, full perfectly shaped trees that have just enough air inside to clearly see the trunk and plenty of space for ornaments to hang."

Check out the MyGreenLake post before you head over to get your tree - because if you mention it, you'll get 10% off!

A piece of legislation of particular interest to some Aurora area businesses was passed Monday by the Seattle City Council in an 8-0 vote (Richard Conlin excused).

The Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance, "designed to stop frequent criminal activity at commercial and residential properties across the city," has been in development for over a year. 

According to Councilmember Tim Burgess, the sponsor of the legislation,

The new law will help people protect their neighborhoods, including some who have lived with drug trafficking, prostitution, and other street-level crime for years.  Unfortunately, there are some property owners who don't care about their neighbors and they allow all sorts of criminal behavior to flourish.  These owners destroy neighborhoods and the Council said today with its vote that we've had enough.

Check out more coverage at the Seattle Times and the Seattle PostGlobe.

According to the Seattle Department of Transportation Blog, SDOT plans to break ground on the Aurora Ave Bus Stop Pilot Project at 84th and Aurora this week, with construction expected to last about two weeks.

SDOT reported:

How do you improve a major transit stop with narrow sidewalks and limited space for facilities?  Answer: use the street.  That’s exactly what the Aurora Ave Bus Stop Pilot Project intends to do in an effort to improve the busy southbound transit stop at N 84^th St and Aurora Avenue North.

Born from the Aurora Action Agenda, which aims to improve the neighborhood along Aurora, this project will partially close N 84^th St and use the former street space to build a new and improved transit stop.  The new facility will expand the rider waiting area, boost bus stop capacity, and provide landscaping and lighting at this major transit transfer point and future Rapid Ride Station.   Pedestrian access will be improved by placing the new bus shelter...

Dancing, singing, feasting - these aren't the usual activities identified at Aurora Avenue motels.  But this past Saturday afternoon, these were exactly the things that were taking place at the Everspring Inn at 8201 Aurora Ave.  The Aurora's Day of Gratitude celebration was organized by active neighborhood residents Lisa Etter Carlson and Karen Cirulli in conjunction with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

A host of neighborhood volunteers participated in making the event a success, while neighborhood businesses provided prizes for the raffle - the Everspring Inn, Aurora Grocery, Pro Ski, Precision Tune Auto Care, Paladar Cubano, Chocolati, and last but not least, Beth's Cafe, awarding one lucky winner its infamous 12-egg omelette.

Other event contributors included Greenwood's Upper Crust catering company, the Green Bean, the Freemont Abbey, and Fushion Beads.  Event sponsor Awake Church provided the food, while volunteers from Aurora's Freemont Fellowship...

Mayor-elect Mike McGinn wants to hear from you. Please join him:

Monday November 30

7:00 to 9:00 pm

Northgate Community Center

10510 - 5th Ave. NE

Seattle, WA 98125

Read more about Mike McGinn's transition process and outreach at:  http://new.seattle.gov/

Just a reminder that Aurora's Day of Gratitude celebration is taking place tomorrow afternoon at the Everspring Inn.

Aurora's Day of Gratitude

Homelessness Awareness Week

Many of you may not know that November 15-21 is National Homelessness Awareness week. Each year this week is set aside with the desire for communities, such as ours, to honor and give a face and voice to those whose lives are encompassed in the hard journey of homelessness. The purpose of this week is to listen to the poor among us, learn from them, partner with them, and dream with them. We believe we must work together to eliminate the myth that homelessness is someone else's problem and embrace the reality that homelessness exists in our community and therefore their pain is our pain, their needs, our needs.

Some of the businesses on Aurora are our “hidden heroes”, for they are the ones who live in day to day relationship with the those that do not have a home among us. We see this event to be a clear picture of a community...