Business owners appeal Burke-Gilman Trail ruling

A group of Ballard business owners have filed an appeal of a King County Superior Court ruling on the "missing link" of the Burke-Gilman bicycle trail through Ballard.

The appeal was filed with the state Court of Appeals by the group of marine and industry businesses, who argue it's unsafe for the trail to pass through the heavy industrial area of Ballard.

In April, Judge Jim Rogers upheld most of the proposed trail through Ballard, but said one section, from 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Vernon Place, must undergo an environmental review. The city decided not to appeal that ruling and will do the review, expected to take six months.

But the Ballard businesses, which lost most of the court case, said it would appeal Roger's ruling. "My clients want a trail that is safe and which does not undermine the viability of the maritime and industrial businesses and provides benefits for the entire community," said Josh Brower, an attorney representing the Ballard businesses. He said the businesses support Rogers ruling on one part of the trail, where he ordered the new environmental review, but said the entire trail should be studied.

Roger's ruling delayed the completion of the $14 million project that would complete the popular trail through Seattle.

Businesses along the proposed trail long have protested the routing, arguing it would destroy maritime businesses in Ballard.

This "missing link" of the trail stretches along Shilshole Avenue Northwest from 11th Avenue Northwest by the Ballard Fred Meyer's store to the Ballard Locks.

The Ballard businesses are pushing for a Copenhagen-style cycle track through Ballard, protected bike lanes between the road and the sidewalk.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com