At the SeaTac City Council meeting on June 28th, City Engineer Susan Sanderson revealed the latest plans for the 10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).
Among the projects coming up in 2012 is the construction of a sidewalk along both sides of South 164th Street that would stretch from 34th Avenue South to Military Road South. This would help to make it safer for children in that area who go to the neighboring schools, such as McMicken Heights on South 166th Street.
Paired with this, though still unapproved, is a rough plan to add sidewalks on 166th and 168th as well, covering more of the local school area. If approved, the plans would be drawn up in 2012, and it would be constructed in 2013.
However, some concerns were raised over the proximity of this proposed project to the South 166th Street project.
It might appear as if SeaTac were favoring certain neighborhoods over others, Councilman Ralph Shape suggested. Councilman Tony Anderson responded by pointing out that "It's not about the neighborhood issues, it's about getting sidewalks around our schools so that the kids aren't walking into ditches."
Anderson went on to praise the effort the city was putting into sidewalk construction. "Our annual budget for sidewalks is about as much as Seattle's. Right now it's around $1.5 million a year," Anderson declared.
Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher agreed that though sidewalks around schools are important, "We need to evaluate the situation every year, I think." As of now, though the 164th street project is preparing for construction, the council wants to consider the second project before coming to a final decision.
Other projects TIP is readying for is the improvements to South 154th Street, which will widen the roadway and include storm drainage, bicycle lanes, landscaping, street lights, curbs, gutters, and sidewalks.
Proposed projects TIP is still trying to obtain funding for include improvements to Military Road South, and extensions to 24th and 28th avenues.
The new Link Light Rail station that will be built at South 200th Street and International Boulevard is also gearing up for construction. Sound Transit officials came before the council for approval of their plans for the public art component.
Their ideas focused on the ideas of 'atmosphere in motion,' 'seasons in motion,' and 'scenery in motion.' The first two would use the seasons and weather as an inspiration for art pieces that could be displayed in the new station. The last is aimed at maximizing the views the site has of Mt. Rainier, the Cascades, and Puget Sound.
Councilwoman Pam Fernald stressed that, especially with the natural beauty the site has, "Less is more."
Anderson agreed, adding, "That's a view people would pay a million dollars for. Maybe you could put the art pieces on the first floor or on the outside, but don't let them get in the way of the view."
