CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the John Lewis Memorial Bridge constructed under the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Northgate Bridge and Cycle Track Project; accepting the Northgate Easement Agreement granted by the State of Washington, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, on behalf of North Seattle College, dated February 28, 2019; accepting a Pedestrian Bridge Easement Agreement granted by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, a regional transit authority, dated April 22, 2021; accepting the Trail Lease granted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, dated September 29, 2021; placing the real property interests conveyed by such easements and lease under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Department of Transportation; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts. (This ordinance concerns portions of property in the west half of the Northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 26 North, Range 4 East, Willamette Meridian and the east half of the Northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 26 North, Range 4 East, Willamette Meridian.)
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WHEREAS, as part of the Northgate Bridge and Cycle Track Project (the “Project”), the Seattle Department of Transportation (“SDOT”) constructed a pedestrian and bicycle bridge (“Bridge”) that crosses over Interstate 5 in the Northgate area; and
WHEREAS, the Bridge connects North Seattle College at N 100th Street with Sound Transit’s Link Light Rail Northgate Station (the “Northgate Station”) and King County’s Northgate Transit Center (“NTC”) at 1st Avenue NE; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 126412, the Bridge was formally named the John Lewis Memorial Bridge; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Project, Seattle Department of Transportation constructed related mobility improvements, including a two-way protected bicycle lane along the west side of 1st Avenue NE between NE 92nd Street and NE 103rd Street, and a multi-use path along the east side of 1st Avenue NE between NE 103rd Street and NE Northgate Way and along a portion of NE 100th Street, and made related safety improvements, including traffic signal upgrades, added crosswalks, bus stop relocations, and street reconfigurations; and
WHEREAS, portions of the Project lie within or adjacent to real property, public right-of-way, and transit infrastructure owned by North Seattle College, the Washington State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”), and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (“Sound Transit”); and
WHEREAS, the Project required the negotiation and execution of easements with North Seattle College and Sound Transit and an airspace lease with WSDOT, which allow the City to construct, maintain, and operate the Bridge and related improvements constructed as part of the Project on North Seattle College, WSDOT, and Sound Transit property; and
WHEREAS, the Project provides pedestrians and bicyclists a safer and faster route for crossing Interstate 5, thereby increasing the safety of the public by separating motor vehicle traffic from pedestrians and cyclists; increases public access to the Northgate Station and the NTC, the largest facility in the King County Metro system; and connects Northgate’s retail center, employment destinations, and residences to reliable transportation through beautifully designed infrastructure and public spaces that will enhance the transportation experience and facilitate Northgate’s continued growth; and
WHEREAS, the Project also brings together historically divided North Seattle neighborhoods and provides new connections for people walking, rolling, biking, and taking transit, and with Sound Transit’s Northgate, Roosevelt, and U District Link Light Rail stations now operational, the public has expanded safe, affordable, and accessible options for traveling across the region that position Northgate to become one of the region’s most active transit hubs; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Northgate Easement Agreement granted to The City of Seattle by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, on behalf of North Seattle College, dated February 28, 2019, and recorded under King County Recording Number 20190725000613, attached as Attachment A and incorporated into this ordinance, is hereby accepted for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, operating, and repairing the Bridge and related improvements.
Section 2. The Pedestrian Bridge Easement Agreement granted to the City by the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, a regional transit authority, dated April 22, 2021, recorded under King County Recording Number 20210511001975, as modified for recording to conform with State law, attached as Attachment B and incorporated into this ordinance, is hereby accepted for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, operating, and repairing the Bridge and related improvements.
Section 3. The Trail Lease granted to the City by the Washington State Department of Transportation, dated September 29, 2021, attached as Attachment C and incorporated into this ordinance, is hereby accepted for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, operating, and repairing the Bridge and related improvements.
Section 4. The real property interests conveyed to the City under the Northgate Easement Agreement, the Pedestrian Bridge Easement Agreement, and the Trail Lease are hereby placed under the jurisdiction of Seattle Department of Transportation.
Section 5. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken prior to its effective date is hereby ratified and confirmed.
Section 6. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2022, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2022.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved / returned unsigned / vetoed this _____ day of _____________, 2022.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment A - Northgate Easement Agreement
Attachment B - Pedestrian Bridge Easement Agreement
Attachment C - Trail Lease