On September 29, 2012, there will no longer be a Ride Free Area in downtown Seattle, for passengers of King County Metro. It’s primarily a cost-cutting change to help deal with Metro’s budget woes. Metro can’t afford to forego all those fare dollars from people who might otherwise pay.

Even if you are not downtown taking a bus on Saturday, you may notice the change, because the perplexing “Do I pay as I get on or as I get off?” question will have vanished as well. From the 29th on, you will pay as you enter the bus by the front door.

If you’re standing at a congested bus stop, that may add time to the boarding procedure; if you’re lucky, everyone will already have their ORCA card. In the future, Metro will likely add fare readers at high-traffic spots, similar to the ones at Link light rail stations.

Not everyone is delighted by the disappearance of the Ride Free Area, and they plan to march funereally down Third Avenue to let everyone know: “The Transit Riders Unionplans the march and rally on Friday, Sept. 28, the day before King County Metro Transit ends the downtown Ride Free Area,” reports Seattlepi.com.

The Ride Free Area’s service to low-income passengers will continue in the form of aSolid Ground downtown connector. This free bus service begins Monday, October 1, 2012, and travels around the downtown core every 30 minutes, with stops at food banks, shelters, and medical services. At the outset, the connector will make its first run at 7 a.m. and leave for its last loop at 4 p.m.

The Seattle Times has a link to a Solid Ground connector flyer, with more information.

The SunBreak is an online magazine of news & culture. A conversation about the things on Seattle’s mind.

Following two years of hard times and cutbacks, city and county leaders brought happier forecasts to the table Monday with new budgets that officials say reflect a sunnier outlook for the Puget Sound. For Capitol Hill, the 2013/2014 financial plan for the city is the first time where operational line items for the First Hill Streetcar appear as well as new revenue from changes at the Volunteer Park Conservatory. Both, it should be noted, present opportunities for trimming back — or at least not spending more — as the city looks to leverage the economic recovery.

Here’s what Mayor Mike McGinn had to say about the improving economic climate:

But there are indications that the degree of the City’s financial challenges is easing as the distance from the end of the Great Recession grows. Forecasts suggest that the rate of real (inflation adjusted) revenue growth is slowly increasing, with the City’s general tax revenues forecast to return to their prerecession peak (2007) by 2014. In fact, in nominal terms, the pace of general tax revenue growth isprojected to pick up in 2014 to 4.4% relative to 2013. While still not at the 7% rate of previous postrecessionaryperiods, this rate of nominal growth is rising as compared with rate of growth over the past couple of years.

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You can read his office’s full statement on the 765-page document (embedded below!) here. Meanwhile, the Seattle Times is already a little freaked out by King County Executive Dow Constantine’s plan to impose a $20 car fee in unincorporated areas of the county to fix roads.

In addition to rising revenue forecasts, the City of Seattle also says employment statistics look better for our area than the rest of the country.

Here, by the way, is how the City’s plan to spend our $4 billion breaks down:

Capitol Hill-focused highlights from the 2013-2014 proposed City of Seattle budget are below. We’ll see how things shake out by the time City Council — and everybody else — has their say in November when the budget is finalized.

• The First Hill streetcar plays a small but interesting role in the new budget proposal with a nearly $5 million line item for 2014 operations. The good news for the city: Sound Transit pays for that —

 The 2013-2014 Proposed Budget increases appropriation authority in 2014 to reflect the anticipated expenditures for the operations and maintenance of the new First Hill Streetcar line, which is expected to be operational beginning in the second quarter of 2014. These costs will be fully supported by Sound Transit revenue, as detailed in an interlocal agreement. The City in turn will contract with King County Metro Transit to operate the new First Hill Streetcar line.

Overall, the budget proposal includes $5 million in city spending to extend rail transit service in the city. Also not part of that: Federal money coming to study the extension of the First Hill Streetcar beyond its currently planned Denny terminus. More on that soon.

• How about thousands to develop rapid transit along Madison? Seattle Transit Blog wrote about the possibilities here a year ago. The 2013/2014 budget has a line item to help make it happen.

 Using one-time fund balance from the Bridging the Gap Levy, the 2013-2014 Proposed Budget adds $350,000 in 2013 and $500,000 in 2014 to the Transit Corridor Improvements project, which implements projects that improve transit speed, reliability, access, and convenience, consistent with the Transit Master Plan. This funding will be specifically focused on the Madison corridor as identified in the Transit Master Plan. This funding will support conceptual design work and environmental review of the corridor.

• Seattle Bike Blog highlights the budget proposal’s line items impacting the future of cycling in the city including a downtown bicycle network.
• Volunteer Park Conservatory’s new entrance fee is forecast to generate $100,000 to help operate the facility:

The fee changes in 2013 include a new $4 admissions fee at Volunteer Park Conservatory, increased fees at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center (LHPAC) based on the new renovations, and fees for the new Challenge Course at Camp Long. The fee at Volunteer Park Conservatory is estimated to generate an additional $100,000 annually, which will be used to cover ongoing maintenance costs at the facility. The fee increases at LHPAC are anticipated to generate about $30,000 in 2013 based on the estimated increase in usage of the building. Although LHPAC is being transferred to the Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Parks will continue to collect and process revenues associated with LHPAC in 2013. The new Challenge Course is expected to generate an additional $55,000 annually.

• Public safety spending: 10 more cops and, possibly, a $1 million gunshot locator system are in the proposal.
• Some new or changed fees are in the offing. It’s about time those damn swimmers paid their fair share, we say.

The 2013-2014 Proposed Budget also achieves General Fund relief through adjustments to fee-based revenues, including:

Swimming Pool Fees: The Parks Department will generate $300,000 in revenue through modest increases in swimming pool fees, bringing those fees to levels that are comparable with other regional swimming pool facilities.

Parking Fees at City-Owned Garages: The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) will increase the parking rates at the SeaPark and Seattle Municipal Tower parking garages to bring the rates more in line with market rates. This change will generate $235,000 annually in revenue.

Seattle Animal Shelter Fees: FAS makes a number of changes t how fees are collected by the Seattle Animal Shelter, which will collectively result in a $220,000 annual increase in revenues. As part of this plan, the Seattle Animal Shelter (SAS) will implement a Pet License Partnership program, which will further enhance and coordinate pet license sales efforts in Seattle by encouraging people to license their pets. There are an estimated 250,000 unlicensed pets in Seattle. To reduce the feral cat population, in Seattle, SAS proposes to exempt the pet licensing requirement for feral cats that are brought into the shelter for sterilization. This change is expected to bring in an extra $15,000 annually in fees charged for spaying and neutering cats.

Fire Marshal Fees: The Fire Marshal’s Office, which charges for fire prevention services to direct service users, is adjusting its fees in 2013 and beyond in an attempt to move toward a full-cost recovery model over time for these service-based fees.

• The Capitol Hill branch of the Seattle Public Library gets cash for a “modest” refurbishment in the plan.
• $276,000 will help add hours of operation at Miller Community Center after repeated cutbacks.

20132014ProposedBudget_Sep19_9pm

Given our small role in Seattle’s media industry, we have to admit to a little extra love for the Capitol Hill Community Council an its newly installed publisher/president George Bakan. Curious to know how a council meeting run by a Seattle media mogul goes? Here’s our set of notes from last Thursday’s September council session in the Cal Anderson Shelter House. You can learn more about the CHCC and plan ahead for the next meeting in November at capitolhillcommunitycouncil.org.

• Capitol Hill Station: Vanessa Murdock of the Department of Planning and Development talked about Monday night’s meeting which will “touch on designs of the urban design framework (in relation to Capitol Hill Light Rail Project).” “Monday is the night!” says council member Michael Wells, it is “a cumulative effect of years and years of work…Capitol Hill should be proud.” President Bakan agreed, adding, “It’s a fascinating project…go to the meeting.”
• Microapartments: The most vigorously discussed issue of the night was on building density and the concern that some developers of “apodments” and microhousing are skirting proper building planning review via loopholes.  “These are incredibly vague rules,” remarked an attendee. “We have identified 10-11 (microhousing units) on Capitol Hill,” said a presenter fromReasonable Density Seattle.
  

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After an hour of debate about microhousing and the wording of a letter to be sent to the Seattle City Council — in a nutshell, “We don’t like that apodments don’t have building review signs, look into it.” — the meeting moved on.

• Melrose Promenade: The Melrose Promenade Project presented on its future endeavors in the area. They hold a community clean-up event every 2nd Sunday of every month. Check out the Melrose Promenade Facebook page for details. UPDATE: We’ve removed erroneous details regarding clean-ups that have already occurred. A representative says a $20,000 grant will be used for a community “visioning” process.
• Streetcar route art project: Claudia Fitch of SDOT made a presentation about an arts project that will be part of the under construction streetcar line. This will include creating light posts representative of the area around each part of the route. In the International District the light posts will be based on the cultures of the boroughs they represent. On Broadway it will be bright and a modern-deco design. The arts projects will also include “eye of the needle” posts which will carry catenary wires along the street car line and she also presented ideas for artistic partitions between bike lanes and using cross-hatching patterns on crosswalks. These projects are in the conceptual stage.

• Omnivorous: David Dologite presented on behalf of Capitol Hill Housing and shared details of this Friday’s Omnivorous fundraiser which will have “unlimited nibbles” and “chocolate in there somewhere.” 
• Cal Anderson safety: Police will be stepping up patrols; working with school (Seattle Central has stepped up security to operate 24/7). Michael Wells of the council said, “Nagle Place has gotten sketchy.” SCCC will be putting up more lights.
• East Precinct Advisory Council: Next Thursday, EastPAC will be holding a meeting and are looking for people to get involved with the council. It will be held at Seattle University in Chardin Hall.

More notes:

• A woman made a presentation on a potential QR project (QR are those funky looking bar codes that smart phones can read). This would involve setting up QR codes around Capitol Hill that link to online polls which residents can use to voice their opinion on issues affecting the community. The presentation was associated with Small Sparks.
• A logo contest is being held to create a new one for the Community Council. An undetermined prize will be given to the winner.
• The CHCC treasurer spoke about the various issues they have with Bank of America and their plan to move to BECU. The CHCC currently has $1,896 in their back account to which Bakan said, “We need more money.” Another asked how people can donate, to which the treasurer replied, “Just give it to me!” Bakan also notes that CHCC is not a non-profit.

How has the business of Pike/Pine clubs changed and what do Monday nights have to do with it? The Seattle Weekly’s Eric Grandy explains:

Monday nights aren’t typically busy at nightclubs. Along with Sundays, they’re often promoted as “industry nights,” with discounts for service employees on reprieve from work. But at Moe Bar and Barboza, and now at Chop Suey, Mondays have become a lucrative prize.

“If you don’t have to get up at the crack o’ dawn, it’s the place to be on Monday,” says Neumos co-owner Steven Severin. “[There’s] a bunch of sexy-looking people all wanting to dance and have a good time. We got a ton of ballplayers. Felix Hernandez was in there two nights before he threw his perfect game.”

You can read the whole thing here.

With a consolidated two-party circuit, tenants and Seattle supporters of R74 gathered at two Capitol Hill apartment buildings Saturday for a celebratory counter-punch to landlord Breier-Scheetz’s $20,000 donation to reject marriage equality in Washington.

CHS stopped by to check out the scene and enjoy a snack. We found a group of neighbors and friends enjoying the start of fall with a warm afternoon.

We also found some VIPs stopping though like City Council member Mike O’Brien. We did not find Breier-Scheetz head — and Capitol Hill resident — Frederick Scheetz in attendance. Nobody from the company has responded to CHS’s inquiries regarding the situation.

Donations are still being tallied from the two parties held at the Granada on Belmont Ave and Bellevue’s New McDermott Apartments. The donation site for the Party to Raise $20,000 for Marriage Equality shows the online effort at nearly $11,000 raised. 

Josh Castle, an organizer for Washington United, warned that, despite a big lead in fundraising and strong support in Seattle, the marriage equality cause will have its work cut out for it as November approaches. His message: Make sure your voter registration information is up to date.

Ben Allen, in stripes below, who helped to organize the Granada party, said the event was also about tenant rights. If you’ve run into issues showing your support for R74 or any other cause this campaign season, the Seattle Gay News reported on some useful details about your rights as a tenant.

There are more R74 Capitol Hill-area events planned. Here are a few we know about. Add more in comments.

• SOSea March for Marriage — Oct. 6th:

Cal Anderson — Calling ALL LGBTQ and allied communities in WA state: Social Outreach Seattle and defend the freedom to marry Saturday, October 6, 12 – 2 p.m. for the Social Outreach Seattle (SOSea) MARCH FOR MARRIAGE!

• Capitol Hill Supports Marriage Equality! MME Fundraiser — October 7th

Saint John’s, Solo Bar and Ghost Gallery have teamed up to raise money in support of marriage equality.

Join us on Sunday, Oct. 7th from 5-10pm for a celebratory fundraising event! 

DJ’s Nitty Gritty (Sophisticated Mama), Mike Steve and Gin & Tonic!

Silent Art, Jewelry and Gift Auction including fabulous pieces by Ellen Forney, Derek Erdman, Jody Joldersma, Jennifer Zwick, &c. Jewelry, Joan Hiller, Marc Tweed, Joey Veltkamp & TONS More!

Raffle for local Gift Certificates and other prizes!

Silent Auction will run from 5-9pm (plenty of time to outbid one another), with the winners announced at 9:30pm

***100% of proceeds from the raffle, silent auction and drink specials will go to MUSIC FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY!***

• A Night at Q for Marriage Equality — Oct. 10th:

Join Q Nightclub and Music for Marriage Equality in support of Referendum 74: Featuring Q resident DJs Riz Rollins (also of KEXP), Nark (Q creative director), and Almond Brown… with guest Terry Hecker (aka DJ TROUBLE), Emmy Award recipient for the “It Gets Better” Project. Bar hosted by Q & food provided by Cupcake Royale, Poquitos, Marination, Skillet, and Madison Park Conservatory. Ticket purchase covers entry, food, and drinks. Contact Mea with questions at [email protected].

At yesterdays Seattle AIDS Walk I saw lots of remarkable people reaching out to help those so much in need- 

I spoke with this man for a bit about this and that.

When I wandered over to watch the beginning of the race/walk I noticed him pulling up to the path. At first I thought he was going to ride some distance in support of the event. What I saw when he stepped out his chair says it all-

A couple of steps were enough—courage, conviction, dedication, support—-

Here is a short video that says it all-

At yesterdays Seattle AIDS Walk I spotted Congressman Jim McDermott standing alone with his phone. Knowing he is a very approacable man I walked over and introduced myself. After a few minutes of conversation about all his years of support for the AIDS Walk, and the community that suffers from the disease, I asked him about his thoughts on whether or not young people were getting involved in the politics leading to the November election.

Here is his response to my question.

I wrote what’s below the night before and include it to show some context to my questions.

Last night I attended a precinct organizing meeting at a location equidistant to the University of Washington, Seattle University, North Seattle Community College, and Seattle Pacific University.
When I walked in the hall my first reaction was that I’d stumbled into what I envision an AARP meeting to be.
In one corner Edwina was pitching her award winning brownies and in another Mabel was pushing her oatmeal, chocolate and raisin cookies.
Of the eighty plus people in attendance there were only two people who were anywhere south of 50.
Where were/are the younger people?
Once I got over my first reaction to the crowd, and the meeting began, I got caught up in the crowds enthusiasm to get out and get people to vote.
The attendees are doing some good work and could use all the help they can get-
King County, in the last election, voted, per capita more than any other county, though only 46% of registered voters voted!!!
I couldn’t get over wondering where the college students were-
Quote of the night. “If it wasn’t for King County (greater Seattle area) we would be Idaho!”

The family at 12th Ave’s Osteria La Spiga will remember a loved one Sunday. The restaurant will be closed for regular business to host an “open benefit” for the family of employee Stefvin Caswell.

Caswell, an avid skateboarder and artist, died Thursday following a collision with a truck while he was skateboarding in Shoreline.

The following message was posted to the La Spiga Facebook page Friday along with this photo of Caswell:

Last night we lost a co-worker, a skateboarder, an artist, a friend. An all around very good person. We miss you Stefvin

With thousands of walkers, a few hundred runners and a gaggle of politicians warming up for November, the 2012 Seattle AIDS Walk hit its financial, meteorological and spiritual goals Saturday.

On a gray Saturday with only a few sprinkles, organizers said Lifelong AIDS Alliance raised more than $300,000 close to $400,000 on the day.

Pre-walk and run speakers included gubernatorial candidates Rob McKenna and Jay Inslee. Republican McKenna managed a few claps here and there. Inslee used his time at the mic to push people to get out to the polls and support R-74. 

A few pictures from the 2012 crowd are below. We’ve posted 70 more on the CHS Facebook page.