Weigh in on Ballard Ave street improvements

Meghan Walker Ballard

The City is asking residents to share feedback on the new street improvements on Ballard Ave.

In early August, SDOT completed interim street improvements on Ballard Ave between 20th Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW. Their goal, the department says, is to “make Ballard Ave more people-friendly and improve access to local businesses by creating better spaces to walk, roll, and enjoy Ballard Ave.”

SDOT has created a survey to gauge residents’ feelings about the changes which is live now until Sept. 9.

The City made the following changes (from SDOT):

Project area map along Ballard Ave NW, between 20th Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW, that shows locations of parking, loading, curb bulbs and cafes.
Project area map along Ballard Ave NW, between 20th Ave NW and 22nd Ave NW, that shows locations of parking, loading, curb bulbs and cafes. Graphic: SDOT
  • Updated the striping on Ballard Ave NW to reflect the existing one-way northbound street. New striping and painted areas on the street help make these changes clear  
  • Added interim “curb bulbs” with paint, flexible posts, and planters to open up intersections and crosswalks so people walking are more visible to people driving  
  • Converted the intersections on Ballard Ave NW at 22nd Ave NW, NW Vernon Pl, and 20th Ave NW to all-way stops  
  • Painted parking areas on Ballard Ave NW between street cafes for easier access  
  • Clarified vehicle loading locations and hours based on ongoing conversations with local businesses  

SDOT says that later this summer, they will improve the street tree pits with firm and level walking surfaces.

“Ballard Avenue has seen some exciting changes over the last two years, and we recently implemented changes that were created during our design charrette last year,” Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss said in a statement about the changes.

“We are going to host a follow-up design charrette next month and we would love to hear what you think so we can make appropriate alterations. What is working well? What needs improvement? Is there anything we should scrap entirely or missed in our implementation plan? I’d love to receive your input ahead of our next charrette!”

The online survey will help SDOT determine what’s working well and what could be improved along Ballard Ave.

Photo: SDOT