The City of Seattle is asking for community input on what Ballard needs as the neighborhood grows.
The Office of Planning and Community Development is gathering feedback as it develops the Ballard Regional Center Plan. The survey asks what Ballard needs to become a more vibrant, equitable and resilient neighborhood over the next 20 years.
Ballard is the newest of the seven regional centers identified in Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan. The neighborhood’s mix of housing, retail, historic areas and major destinations, including the Ballard Locks and National Nordic Museum, will help shape the planning process, along with its proximity to the Manufacturing and Industrial Center. Other regional centers include Downtown, First Hill and Capitol Hill, Northgate, South Lake Union, University District, and Uptown.
The Ballard Interbay Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center (BINMIC) is a 1,458-acre industrial area stretching from Terminal 91 and Interbay to Salmon Bay and the Lake Washington Ship Canal. It includes maritime businesses, manufacturers, marine terminals, warehouses, logistics operations, breweries, food processors, and other businesses. Parts of the industrial center are directly adjacent to the Ballard Regional Center, making the relationship between residential growth and nearby industrial activity one of the issues the city plans to address.
The regional center plan will address several issues related to future growth, including the compatibility of residential areas near the Manufacturing and Industrial Center, connections for people who live, work in, and visit Ballard, support for small businesses, and access to affordable housing. Ballard’s regional center designation has also shaped recent proposals to improve bus connections between the neighborhood, downtown Seattle and light rail stations.
The interactive survey allows respondents to place pins on a map and provide location-specific feedback. Participants can choose from one of three categories: Favorite destinations, places visited most frequently, and areas where there are opportunities for improvement. Respondents can then place pins within the survey area and add details about each location.
The survey also includes additional questions about respondents’ experiences in Ballard. People who have trouble using the interactive map can skip to those questions.
The survey is open through Sept. 30. More information and a link to participate are available on the city’s Ballard Regional Center Plan webpage.
Photo: SDOT