Local Democrats urge "no" on both viaduct options

None of the above.

That's what Democratic Party activists around Seattle are recommending in the upcoming advisory election on replacing the earthquake-damaged Alaskan Way Viaduct.

Neither a new viaduct nor a tunnel has received a "yes" vote in Democratic district organization meetings over the last week. In different ways, the groups — ranging from the 46th District in northeast Seattle to the 34th in southwest Seattle — have turned thumbs down to both ballot options.

Some political observers see the results as an indication that voters will reject both ballot options in the all-mail election.

In a Tuesday night meeting at University Heights School, the 43rd District Democrats became the last group to just say "no," despite a pitch for a new viaduct by one of its best-known members, House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle.

With arms waving and voice rising, Chopp told Democrats that a new elevated highway was affordable, unlike a tunnel. If money were no object, Chopp said, his view would be "no problem, build your damn tunnel."

But members of the 43rd voted 36-11 against a new viaduct; the tally was 29-15 against a tunnel. Bill Sherman seemed to summarize the group's strongest sentiment when he said a new viaduct would create "a giant wall" dividing downtown Seattle from the central waterfront.

The two other state lawmakers from the 43rd District, Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, and Rep. Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, oppose an elevated highway.

Chopp said he interpreted the 43rd's position as a vote against a bulky design for a new viaduct put forward by state transportation officials. "People are clearly sending the message they don't want the tunnel because it's unaffordable and they don't like the design for the elevated. If you look at the materials that were passed out [at the meeting], they picked the worst possible design for the elevated to show," Chopp said Wednesday.

Even Democrats in the 34th District, which represents West Seattle — considered one of the parts of Seattle most likely to support a new viaduct — couldn't muster a majority to endorse a new elevated highway. The group voted against a new viaduct and tabled a vote on the tunnel.

The 46th District, which stretches from Green Lake and Laurelhurst to Seattle's northern limits, adopted a similar stand. And the 36th District, covering Ballard, Magnolia and Queen Anne, came up with a different, although still negative, message. The group voted against a tunnel and took no position on a new elevated highway.

Democrats in the 37th District, representing South Seattle and part of downtown, decided not to take any position on the ballot, said Rob Holland, chairman of the group.

Democratic activists aren't the only ones souring on the ballot options.

The Sierra Club said Wednesday it's mailing postcards to its 8,000 members in Seattle urging "no-no" votes, saying neither option would be good for the waterfront or the environment. Friends of Seattle, a new group of urban activists, is calling for two "no" votes.

At the 43rd District meeting, Chopp suggested Seattleites would need to work on a viaduct compromise after an inconclusive election.

"Despite all your emotions on this, we've got to come back together again on this ... I'm urging people to re-energize yourself after the vote," he said.

Staff reporter Andrew Garber contributed to this report. Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com