As Seattle's building boom goes forward at warp speed in the name of "urban density," we are all trying to catch up.

We are bustling - we are growing - higher and higher. There are three major developments planned just in the Alaska Junction. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, but what's the rush?

Everywhere we turn, people are saying, "slow it down" and "what can we do about all this change?" Those are statements often misread as anti-progress or anti-change, but that's not what people mean.

We all have a right to protect our communities. We all have an obligation to protest when things seem to be moving forward without us and without our input. It's normal that people want to have a say in things that sprout up almost literally in their backyards.

We understand and share the frustration of residents in communities all around Seattle. After all, we must remember that this "boom" isn't just affecting us.

So then, what can we do to effect our own change? To get our city leaders to listen, really listen, and take into account our comments? Sorry, but eye rolling doesn't count as listening.

A spokesperson for the city's planning and development department told one of our reporters, "Once that big white sign goes up ... there is a lot of opportunity to comment. We take that into account in looking at what (buildings) to approve."

Is that it, really? We can do better.

Part of the problem is a lack of community knowledge and sometimes a refusal or resistance on the part of outside developers to work with the community on the design of new developments. They sometimes see outspoken members of the community as a direct threat to their multi-million dollar land investment.

Sure, that makes sense, if it was just about the land. But it's not. It's about community and history. We have history that should not be ignored no matter how much the character of our neighborhoods have changed, no matter how many fancy proposed development.

Some seem to think that slapping on a coat of paint or jazzing up a wall passes for improvement.

Message to developers: This community is not a hostile one. We support and respect those that support and respect us.

But still, so much happens so fast. Even with public meetings and comment periods, are our concerns just taken and then simply filed away and ignored?

Take the proposed condominium and grocery store project on Alaska and 42nd. There are design concerns about another blank wall along Alaska. Should we just accept a walled canyon and keep quiet? East a couple of blocks is the new Whole Foods and condo development where the developer has seemed to listen to concerns about how a major intersection will look.

If they really listen, then things will work. Otherwise our beloved West Seattle will become like some of the lesser places in the city.