Our Town Center - A Place That Matters in Shoreline!

We've talked a lot about Places That Matter in this blog. And today, I'm responding to a statement made in Shoreline LFP PATCH.

Shoreline's Ronald Place
preserved! 

Columnist Larry Lewis has an interesting column about the Town Center proposal which recently passed at City Council. He made a lot of correct statements, but I believe he's not correct in his final statement where he stated that there are,

"very few historical artifacts and places here." 

I responded that in fact we DO have many historical elements left, though some are not obvious. Here's my statement to him in a comment. http://shoreline.patch.com/blog_posts/we-do-have-many-worthwhile-places-that-matter-here-in-shoreline-that-are-historic-you-can-see-them-if-you-just-use-a-sharp-eye-and-imagine-what-we-might-be-with-a-little-creativity

Good column on the Town Center. However, I beg to differ with your last statement that we have "very few historical artifacts and places here".

In point of fact, the Red Brick Road (Ronald Place or North Trunk Road) is VERY historical and though it may be a bit below the radar of many, it is right there guiding us to a possible future that honors our heritage and especially points the way to a town center that can be a vibrant commercial area, where people can live, work and recreate. It is eligible for the National Historic Register.

The Red Brick Road can be highlighted and continued up through Firlands Way, which can be a "walkable street" potentially. The Town Center Park, could be a place that highlights the "RBR" and compliments it with places of interest to visit, such as a "interpretive center" about our history of development along Aurora Ave, maybe gardens, art, and how about an "arcade" to use as a shelter for events?
Also, as you mention we do still have other remaining historical elements and gems that can be highlighted. They are there if you care to look like the Richmond Masonic Lodge, Highland Ice Arena, Ronald Methodist Church, Auto Cabins and yes, the "outside" of the Ronald School. We also have many other historical elements in Shoreline, such as in Richmond Beach, The Crest Cinema, the Fircrest Chapel, and the old Firlands buildings, amazing parks, huge trees and many more.
The trick is we need to allow beneficial development that does not inadvertently destroy what's left and which can enhance our remaining heritage. Look at what some other cities have done to take advantage of their "main streets", like Bothell, Snohomish and Anacortes. We can still do a lot to make this a great place to live and also to visit.

Shoreline's Red Brick Road (Ronald Place or North Trunk Road), was built in 1912. That's right, next year will be the Centennial of this wonderful artifact. It is the last remaining piece of the original Aurora Ave, Hwy 99.  Shoreline became a place, because Judge J.T. Ronald advocated, cajoled and invested in having it built (he was a former Mayor of Seattle who built a summer home here). He dug the curving section that remains (Ronald Place) himself to ensure that it went around his house and well. He then donated the property for the Ronald School, because he believed in education. He's previously demanded a trolley station on the Interuban Rail, which ended up being named for him, though he had wanted it named for his daughters.

Let's make the Town Center Park a "Centennial Walk" to celebrate 100 years of our community's development, that extends up Firlands Way and provides an informative trail all around out Town Center.

Red Brick Road

Of course we also have many, many other historical elements here, which could be highlighted as we develop our Town Center and Town Center Park, if we plan carefully, and creatively. Let's get this right Shoreline! So many worthwhile things in Shoreline, if you just know where to look!

Shoreline Town Center Public Hearing TONITE 5/5

Shoreline Planning Commission is holding a Public Hearing TONITE (Thursday, May 5th)
at City Hall on the Town Center process. 

Ronald Place (S) just south of N 175th and City Hall
The original North Trunk Road

Now is the time for you to give your input and opinions on what should be done to make this "Heart of the City" a truly special place to visit, work or shop. 


Town Center considerations include zoning, impacts to neighborhoods, parking and traffic impacts, historical elements, design standards, Town Center Park and how it relates to the surrounding areas, and many other subjects.  The hearing will start at approximately 7pm, and citizens may address the Planning Commission with their ideas.


From our perspective, the Red Brick Road (Ronald Place and/or North Trunk Road, N + S) 
which will be 100 years old next year, should be a primary, unifying feature for the entire Town Center, beyond the park. It can provide a path to the past and future of Shoreline.

Town Center Subarea Plan and Development Code AmendmentsThe City is proposing the creation of a Town Center plan that is located between N. 188th and N. 170th and between Fremont Ave N. and Stone Ave N. The plan is to guide development into a distinctive district that encourages public services, retail services, improved design standards, residences, a park, single-family protections, and a walkable environment that is serviced by Bus Rapid Transit.

The City expects to issue a Draft EIS which may include mitigation measures under applicable codes, and the project review process may incorporate or require mitigation measures. The Draft EIS and its comment period will be publicly noticed when completed.

Interested persons are encouraged to provide oral and/or written comments regarding the above project at an open record public hearing. The hearing is scheduled for May 5, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall at 17500 Midvale Ave N., Shoreline, WA.

• Meeting Agenda for Public Hearing

Copies of the proposed subarea plan and development code amendments, and SEPA Checklist are available for review at City Hall or online from the Town Center page.

Questions or More Information: 

Paul Cohen
Senior Planner 
City of Shoreline 
(206) 801-2551pcohen@shorelinewa.gov
http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?page=21&recordid=703&returnURL=%2findex.aspx
Planning Commission Agenda Information

Comprehensive Plan

Letter from Red Brick Road Supporter

Reprinting this letter (originally sent to Shoreline Area News) with permission of the author, 
Vicki Westberg.

Shoreline's Red Brick Road
a historic treasure

http://www.shorelineareanews.com/2011/04/letter-to-editor-town-center-is.html

(We couldn't have said it better!) 

Vicki Westberg is
a Ridgecrest resident
and longtime supporter
of historic assets  

Letter to the Editor: Town Center is an opportunity to show off our history and uniqueness

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011

To the Editor:

Regarding the Town Center Plan Options, it seems to me that the Town Center is a wonderful opportunity to “show off” our history and uniqueness. Two of the three plans offered would destroy the landmark quality of one of the most unique features of Shoreline, the Red Brick Road, by moving it and/or “lifting it to grade”. An outdoor stage is also a feature which would only be usable in summer, and any performances or productions would have to compete with Aurora's traffic congestion, air pollution, noise, and attention span of attendees. Where would people park? Aside from an interpretive kiosk, these two plans present more of the same elements to be found in our other already fine park system.

It's in the remaining plan (Option #2) that there is something really unique and culturally significant to preserve, the Red Brick Road, aka Ronald Place. It is not only a rare piece of history, but a source of pride for the community, a link to our past that you can feel with your feet! What better way to experience it! It is a point of interest and a draw for tourism. Without including a revenue source (tourism) in our planning we have a recipe for higher taxes and a wasted opportunity for historical significance. And what a benign artifact! It doesn't block anyone's view, requires no maintenance, costs nothing to preserve, and it's already there.

Like a creek running through Town Center it appears above and below ground. Sections of it still can be seen as it winds alongside Aurora and then due to development it goes underground and disappears where it crosses Aurora about N. 185th St. veering northwest towards Linden St. What a beautiful way to commemorate history and honor local businesses by preserving the thing that brought community, utilities, and business here in the first place!

These two sections are what is left of a very long road from Seattle and we are the owners! Let's not lose it forever! Let's move forward with the plan option that respects the integrity of the RBR, leaves it undisturbed, and ensures its continued existence with landmark status for us and future generations to enjoy.

Vicki Westberg

Shoreline

Shoreline's Town Center and the "Red Brick Road"

The "Town Center" Planning Process

Inquiring minds want to know; Why is the City featuring a design on their website and two 

out of three options for a "Town Center" Park which have the Red Brick Road dismantled?

The Red Brick Road (North Trunk Road) is eligible for listing on the National Historic Register.

So we are asking those who care about our heritage to consider carefully how we plan our town center

and how we integrate this historic element into our concept of ourselves.

Shoreline's Original North Trunk Road
aka Ronald Place

So, what's the big deal about this "Red Brick Road" anyway?

Ronald Place "South section" runs past the
soon to be rebuilt Aurora Rents and Skyline Windows

Shoreline is now undertaking a big planning process for our central area, termed the "Town Center" Planning Process. The "Red Brick Road", known officially as the North Trunk Road or Ronald Place runs North/South from below 175th and continues North through the "Interurban Park". It continues invisibly under Aurora Ave and on up Firlands Drive North-west of 185th N. 


It was built as a part of the original Highway 99. Judge JT Ronald, a Shoreline pioneer (former Mayor of Seattle) worked with developers at that time to bring the highway north as automobile travel became popular. His family's cottage was actually located right at the intersection of N 175th and the center of Aurora.  The story goes that he personally went out and dug the road himself to direct it around his home.

The City's own report dated 8/7/2007, "Cultural Resources Assessment for the Aurora Avenue North Multimodal Corridor Project: N 165th - N 205th St, City of Shoreline, WA" Glen D. Harman, Principal Investigator states; 

"The remnants of the North Trunk (Brick) Road on Ronald Place North, thus, are eligible for inclusion in the National Register under crtierion A due to its association with the region's commercial and residential development during the teens and 1920's. During this era development had become more auto-oriented, and centered along major arterials such as the North Trunk Road. In Shoreline, growth spread along the Interurban rail line and the expanding road network centered along the North Trunk Road. While a section of the brick road north of 175th was recently demolished for commercial development, the remaining segments of the Brick Road have retained integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. These segments are the only surviving examples of the North Trunk (Brick) Road, and one of the few brick roads left in King and Snohomish Counties.

But here is the way this precious piece of our history is currently being treated. 
Junk storage!

The City is now conducting a process, asking citizens to contribute their opinions about how to 
design our Town Center area (located between 173rd-189th and between Linden and Stone), which is 
scheduled for a "Rezone".  Also up for consideration is the "Town Center Park" which is now known as the Interurban Park between Midvale Ave N and Aurora.


These are crucial design processes which will make a huge difference on the character of our City as we move forward in the 21st Century.   


If you would like to contribute and let your voice be heard follow this link.
http://www.cityofshoreline.com/index.aspx?recordid=29&page=757
Next Thursday there is an important Planning Commission meeting to discuss these issues.
It will be held at 7pm at City Hall.

It is up to the citizens to oversee and watchdog this process. Otherwise it will be the OUTSIDE consultants who make the crucial decisions about OUR City. Our future and our history!

Some Good Environmental News for 2010 Holiday Season!

Top 10 Reasons for Holiday Cheer for 

Our Environment at End of 2010
So "Of Paramount Importance" is happy to report a few pieces of good news and progress this year, even though there is never any shortage of things to be concerned and appalled about the in state of our environment.  Let's look at the bright side this Christmas Eve!

• 1 - Good News on Climate and Clean Air from Environmental Defense Fund

• 2 - US Senate Approves START Treaty

• 3 - WA State Regulates Copper Brake Pads - Good News for Salmon and Streams 

• 4 - Food Safety Bill Passes Congress 

• 5 - Electric Cars Are on the Market and Cities are Creating Electric Plug in Networks

• 6 - Bureau of Land (BLM) Management Announces  New 'Wild Lands' policy protects BLM potential wilderness!

• 7 - Safe Baby Bottle Act Signed by Governor Gregoire - Bisphenol A banned in WA State! 

• 8 -  Shoreline Begins Installation of Largest "Silva Cell" Tree Project in State on Aurora Phase II Project

• 9 -  Shoreline's Backyard Wildlife Project Achieves SUCCESS!

• 10 - City of Shoreline Requires Mitigation on Aurora Rents project to include signage to commemorate Shoreline Pioneer Judge JT Ronald and meaning of Ronald Place!

Entry Path to Paramount Park
at 12th NE, November 2010
photo creek - Janet Way
Good News on Climate and Clean Air from 
Environmental Defense Fund -
Environmental Protection Agencyended years of delay and announced it would commit to a schedule for establishing legal limits on global warming pollution from new and existing coal-fired and other fossil fuel power plants.

The EPA will issue draft emission standards by July 2011and then a final rule by May of 2012.

The announcement comes as a response to a 2006 lawsuit filed by EDF along with numerous states,Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club.

Polar Bears on Ice Flow -
photo credit- EDF

#2 - US Senate Approves START Treaty - Story from NPR 
and certainly a small step for peace in this time of seemingly endless wars!

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/12/22/132262684/senate-ratifies-start?sc=nl&cc=brk-20101222-1504

US Senate Speech from Sen Robert Byrd a few years ago

#3 - WA State Regulates Copper Brake Pads - Good News for Salmon and Streams 

Story from Stormwater - Journal for Surface Water Quality Professionals

Adopt-A-Stream Logo

#4 - Food Safety Bill Passes Congress - 

Story from ABC News 

http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/12/back-from-the-dead-food-safety-bill-passes-senate-in-unexpected-last-minute-move.html

Back from the Dead: Food Safety Bill Passes Senate in 

Unexpected Last-Minute Move

While it may not be perfect, most experts believe that the passage of this food safety bill is a big improvement over the alternative, which was doing nothing.

Lake City Farmers Market - Billy's Produce Stand
photo credit-Janet Way

#5 -  Electric Cars Are on the Market and Cities are Creating Electric Plug-in Networks -

Well it's taken a long time, but finally there are choices available on Electric Vehicles! 

Leading the Pack is the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt.  - Story from  Hybrid Cars 

Electric Cars: A Definitive Guide

Some other offerings which are coming on the market in near future are: BMW Megacity, 

BYD E6 (from CHINA!), CODA Electric Sedan, Ford Focus, Mercedes BlueZero, 

MINI E (from Mini Cooper), Mitsubishi iMiEV and many more.

Shoreline has joined this network via the new City Hall Parking Garage and its policies to comply with WA State legislation (WAC). The garage hook-ups are ready, but need to be made more available to actual electric vehicles to charge. 


#6 - Bureau of Land (BLM) Management Announces 
New 'Wild Lands' policy protects BLM potential wilderness!

In a press conference yesterday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a new federal policy that requires the Bureau of Land Management to take a fresh look at lands with wilderness characteristics, and set them aside as 'Wild Lands' to protect those characteristics. The Biodiversity Conservation Alliance works on public lands protection issues in the Wyoming area and their efforts have been beneficial to wilderness protection advocates nationwide.

#7 - Safe Baby Bottle Act Signed by Governor Gregoire - Bisphenol A is banned in WA State! 
WA Toxics Coaliton Blog has the story - 
http://watoxics.org/toxicswatch/breaking-news-victory-on-bpa

Surrounded by supporters, Gov. Chris Gregoire returned home Monday to sign key legislation into law.

Robert Whale/Reporter
Buy Photo Reprints
Governor Signs Bill To Ban BPA In Children's Dishware and Sports Bottles

# 8 - Shoreline Begins Installation of Largest "Silva Cell" Tree Project in State on Aurora Phase II Project

Silva Cell elements installed on Shoreline's Aurora Phase II
to provide part of the "natural drainage systems"
required by project as approved by City Council
in 2007

see Of Parmount Importance article from 5/10/10 http://ofparamount.blogspot.com/2010/05/silva-cells-aurora-phase-ii-is-top.html

# 9 - Shoreline's Backyard Wildlife Project Achieves SUCCESS! Shoreline is a Certified Backyard Wildlife City! 

Congratulations to Sustainable Shoreline, WOWTA, SCWHP and all the partners who achieved this goal! WELL DONE!

# 10 -  City of Shoreline Requires Mitigation on Aurora Rents project to include signage to commemorate Shoreline Pioneer Judge JT Ronald and meaning of Ronald Place!

Shoreline's Ronald Place (Red Brick Road) eligible
for listing by National Trust for Historic Places

See article from Preserving Shoreline Blog.

http://preserveshoreline.blogspot.com/2010/12/shorelines-ronald-place-aka-red-brick.html

Some might ask why we've included this in our "Top Ten" list.  The reason is that it is significant for Shoreline to recognize it's history in conjunction with a development process.  The history of the Ronald Place is vital to our development of our new Town Center, which will also be significant to our local economy. Sustainable development must recognize historical elements. In fact the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) requires this recognition in it's SEPA Checklist. 


For the City of Shoreline to make this point, requiring a plaque marking a vital piece of our history is very important.