As community projects in 2008 have been finalized and have come to a successful close, Ballard neighborhood groups have only begun to plan out what they have in store for their communities in the new year with ideas to take advantage of the renewed parks levy, creating safer streets for pedestrians and bicyclists and raising money to expand or create new projects.

14th Avenue NW Visioning Project

The 14th Avenue NW Visioning Project committee made great strides in 2008 and ended the year with a dedication celebration for the completion of the new intersection at Northwest 58th Street and 14th Avenue Northwest.

They also had a memorial fundraising kick-off for community member, Agnes Meserole who was killed at the intersection a year ago.

The group was able to install natural irrigation curb extensions, a planted median and a raised crosswalk using funds received from the Department of Neighborhood Street Fund and Seattle Transportation Cumulative Reserve Funds, said Dawn Hemminger, steering committee member of the 14th Avenue NW Visioning Project.

This year, Hemminger explained, the group will be fundraising for Meserole's memorial to be placed at the intersection, allocating funds for future street improvements and plantings, replacing plantings in current medians, providing guidance for right-of-way improvements along 14th Avenue where new construction will be underway, and continuing to gain momentum within the community to transform 14th Avenue Northwest into a beautiful boulevard.

For more information visit www.14avenw.org or contact Dawn Hemminger at 953-3940 or dawn_hemminger@yahoo.com.

Crown Hill Business Association

The Crown Hill Business Association was organized to create a unified voice when dealing with issues of growth, transportation and city mandates. They have been able to address a number of key issues to distinguish their business community as a destination for shopping and leisure for the past three years.

"This spring Crown Hill will be blooming. Business association volunteers planted hundreds of bulbs last fall and cleaned up the tree well in the heart of our urban village," said Catherine Weatbrook, member of the Crown Hill Business Association.

Using a grant from the Office of Economic Development, their graffiti paint-out team was able to paint a mural on Crown Hill Hardware to help business and property owners with the problem.

For 2009 they will continue with the progress they've made and look forward to continue planning for their park and the rebuilding of Fire Station 35.

The fire station has plans to be temporarily housed on the playfield of the former Crown Hill School this month while the station at its current location is rebuilt to meet earthquake safety standards and accommodate modern firefighting practices.

The Crown Hill Business Association hopes to build the strength of and connection in their business community.

For more information contact Catherine Weatbrook at catherine.weatbrook@gmail.com.

East Ballard Community Association

Reviving the inactive East Ballard Community Association, a new group of coordinators that got their start with the 14th Avenue NW Visioning Project are hoping to bring neighbors and businesses of east Ballard together to build community and become a voice advocating for their neighborhood.

"Spring boarding from the successes of the yearly August Night Out events originally organized by 14th Avenue NW Visioning Project, East Ballard is now sponsoring bi-monthly community gatherings in the east Ballard neighborhood," said Dawn Hemminger, steering committee member of the 14th Avenue NW Visioning Project.

Their next gathering will be in February and will focus on transportation with King County Metro for a community workshop to discuss the Rapid Ride transit corridor.

For more information contact Shannon Dunn at 781-4398.

Golden Gardens Association

The reconstruction of Golden Gardens Drive, which collapsed December 2007, is now scheduled to be complete by mid-January due to delays from the recent snowstorm.

The association says they are centering their concerns on pedestrian safety, bike access to the park and slowing down traffic speeding up and down what they call the "Golden Gardens Raceway," the group, along with neighborhood residents, hope they can implement a new safety plan once the road construction is complete.

For more information contact Julie VanWallendael at ggca@comcast.net.

Groundswell NW

Groundswell NW, which has had a long list of accomplishments in creating community parks and habitat for more than a decade, are getting ready for a busy 2009 and will be continuing work on many parks in the Ballard community in the coming year.

These parks include Ballard Corners Park, Salmon Bay Natural Area, 14th Avenue Northwest Improvements, the New Park on 9th Avenue Northwest and Walkable Crown Hill said Dave Boyd of Groundswell NW.

They hope to look for more opportunities to participate in economic stimulus efforts for improvements to the communities green infrastructure.

An annual meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 2 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with guest speaker Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher (location to be determined).

For more information and volunteer opportunities visit www.groundswellnw.org or contact Dave Boyd at dave.boyd1@comcast.net.

Phinney Neighborhood Association

After a long-waited process and unanimous vote to secure the John B. Allen School as their permanent residence, the Phinney Neighborhood Association became the owners of the surplus Seattle Public Schools property in October.

"This year we hope to complete the purchase of the property with the school district," said Ed Medeiros, executive director of the Phinney Association. " We will continue with our capital campaign to raise money for new elevators and work on improvements to the site."

For more information call 783-2244 or visit www.phinneycenter.org.

Sunset Hill Community Association

The Sunset Hill Community Association hosted many events in the last year and worked directly with public officials on issues that affect their neighborhood and the city, including public transit, local development and quality-of-life issues, the Sunset Hill Community Association has hosted many events in the past year.

Their major goal this year is to increase awareness of the association and to work more closely with other neighborhood and regional groups to help improve their community, said Joe Feese, board member of the Sunset Hill Community Association.

Initially focused on the substation at the southwest corner of Northwest 65th Street and 32nd Avenue Northwest, they are working closely with Groundswell NW and will be applying for a Small and Simple Projects Fund grant from the city. With the funding they hope to study the feasibility of using surplus substations across the city for solar energy and public open spaces.

Feese explained they also have plans to weigh in with an official position on the viaduct debate, which plays a large role in transportation to and from the Ballard neighborhood.

This spring Metro will be repainting several curbs at the request of a Sunset Association member.

Lastly, due to the most recent snowstorm this holiday season and power outages, the association has discussed amongst their board members about using their clubhouse as an emergency shelter in case of power outages, earthquakes or other natural disasters. They hope to form a more concrete plan this year.

For more information visit www.sunsethillcommunity.com.

Allison Espiritu may be reached at 783-1244 or allisone@robinsonnews.com.