Central District Healthy Streets

Updated July 18, 2023

What's Happening Now?

Thank you to everyone that provided feedback on our Central District Healthy Feedback Form. The form is now closed and we will use the responses we recieved as part of our evaluation. 

New Temporary Central District Healthy Street Signs

As early as July, we will be installing new temporary Healthy Street signs at select Healthy Street locations. We have heard concerns from neighbors and our SDOT crews regarding Healthy Street signage being repeatedly moved. To help manage this, we will be installing new temporary signage with a large round concrete base that will reduce movement of the signs.  

The signs are considered temporary until our evaluation of the Healthy Street is complete and the Healthy Street is either determined to be permanent or goes back to a Neighborhood Greenway. The new temporary Healthy Street signs for the Central District will be located at 25th Ave and Cherry, north and south side of the intersection.  This is a draft drawing of what it could look like

New Sign

Thank you to all who joined us at our Bike Everywhere Station at the Central District Healthy on May 19th at 22nd Ave and Union St! We enjoyed connecting with Central District neighbors about Healthy Streets! 

Central

Bike Everywhere day

Bike Everywhere Day Community Engagement Event at 22nd and Union. Photo credit: SDOT

Project Map

A graphic map showing the location of existing Neighborhood Greenways in the Central District shown in green, and additional connecting streets currently under review shown in purple.

Program Overview

What are Healthy Streets?

Healthy Streets are closed to pass through traffic, but open to people walking, rolling, biking, and playing. The goal of this program is to open up more space for people rather than cars—improving community and individual health.

Healthy Streets can include:

  • Traffic safety features like easier crossings at busy streets, speed humps to slow down drivers, and sign and pavement markings to help people find their way
  • Neighborhood activities like hopscotch and basketball (that you would otherwise need to get a street closure permit for)
  • Intersections with traffic circles and street murals to discourage people from driving on Healthy Streets unless they have to

What does this mean for drivers?

  • People driving who need to get to homes and destinations along Healthy Streets are still able to drive on these streets; drivers should use extra caution and yield to people
  • People enjoying the street should be mindful of drivers trying to get to homes and destinations as well

We’ve been updating our Healthy Streets across Seattle based on trends we’ve seen, and data collected for community use and public feedback. Now we are making some locations permanent Healthy Streets, returning some locations back to neighborhood greenways, or continuing to evaluate and gather additional input from neighbors on the Healthy Street location.

In 2022, we conducted evaluations of Central District Healthy Streets at three locations:

22nd Ave East
25th Ave South
East Columbia Street

Based on these mixed evaluation results and public feedback, we will be continuing to review the Central District Healthy Street locations and conducting more outreach to determine next steps. These locations will remain Healthy Streets until further notice. This coming spring, we will be reaching back out with more opportunities to provide input on the Central District Healthy Streets. We look forward to connecting with Central District neighbors, and in the meantime if you have questions or comments please email us at Healthystreets@seattle.gov.

Permanent Treatment Options

Below are options available for permanent Healthy Streets.

Schedule

Spring 2023: Additional outreach to determine permanent Healthy Street status or reversion back to a neighborhood greenway.

Materials

Transportation

Greg Spotts, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.