Aldercrest "Park" Good News!

Friends of Aldercrest has great news about their project to create a new community park. The old Aldercrest School site was previously considered as a a nominee by Shoreline for the jail proposal. There were six sites considered in that process by north King County cities. 

But the "new jail" proposal was soundly rejected by this community and many others. A new solution was found for jail space by King County and City leaders last year.

The Aldercrest Community used this situation to advocate for a much needed community park. They have been meeting in a process with Shoreline and School District staff and are announcing a break through!

The organization has a website that can be checked for additional information.
http://friendsofaldercrest.org/

Congratulations to the Friends of Aldercrest for an outstanding effort and great outcome for our entire community!

We are happy and proud to announce that an agreement has been reached to ensure a permanent city park at Aldercrest Annex! Through the collaboration and hard work of the Shoreline School District, City of Shoreline, Ballinger Neighborhood Association and the Friends of Aldercrest, we have crafted an agreement that is a true win-win-win for the District, City and our neighborhood.  Once the 16-acre site is sold by the School District to a new owner, a 6 to 7-acre park will be dedicated to the City while the remainder will be developed under one of three scenarios (see more about the details below and on our website). We want to thank not only the District and City, but most of all our partners at Ballinger Neighborhood Association and the many neighbors and friends who have supported our efforts to save our park!

What happens next?

To provide an opportunity for interested community members to learn more about the agreement, the Friends of Aldercrest and Ballinger Neighborhood Association will hold a community meeting on Thursday, January 27 from 6:30-8:00 PM at Living Wisdom School in the Aldercrest Learning Center (north side of NE 200th St directly across from Aldercrest. City staff and Superintendent Sue Walker will also be available to answer your questions.  

Next, the agreement must be approved by the City of Shoreline through an open and public process. The City’s Planning Commission will hold a single public hearing on the two parts of the agreement:

1.     Proposed new language for the City’s Comprehensive Plan 

2.     Proposed zoning provisions to govern future development and the dedication of park space.

The public will have an opportunity to weigh in, so please make it a priority to come to the hearing and speak on behalf of the agreement.  The tentative date for the hearing is Thursday, February 17 at 7:00 PM at Shoreline City Hall.

What can YOU do?

·       Attend the community meeting to learn more about the process and the agreement.

·       Write letters of support to the Planning Commission prior to the hearing. The Commission reviews all correspondence received prior to the hearing, but please do not wait until the last minute. Send your e-mail comments to plancom@shorelinewa.gov. 

·       Attend the public hearing and give testimony in support of the agreement.

·       Tell your neighbors about the agreement and encourage all of them to help us push this across the finish line!

For more information, see  www.FriendsOfAldercrest.org