Seattle to gain $20M for transportation from land sale

Seattle will collect an unplanned $20 million this summer for its transportation budget, a boost that should help a number of street, bridge or pedestrian-bicycle projects move forward next year.

A triangular parcel of land known as the Rubble Yard, along Aurora Avenue North, is being sold to the state for the north portal of the planned Highway 99 tunnel. Dirt and concrete scraps are stored there now, behind a reddish fence and thorns.

The deal was endorsed Tuesday by members of the City Council's Transportation Committee, for final approval by the council next week. The state wants to make the purchase this month, before its fiscal year runs out. The 1.7-acre property, appraised by King County at $13 million, is about four blocks north of the Battery Street Tunnel, near the new headquarters of the Gates Foundation.

Mayor Mike McGinn and council members haven't decided how to spend the money, but will discuss options in the next round of budget talks this fall.

"It's a windfall," said budget director Beth Goldberg. The land sale wasn't in the 2011-12 budgets, but came together a few weeks ago. On the other hand, transportation director Peter Hahn said he has assumed land proceeds would help support major projects, including conversion of Mercer Street to a two-way boulevard.

For perspective, the Rubble Yard dollars are equivalent to five transit rail cars, a pair of bicycle overpasses, or six months of routine street repairs.

Goldberg said she will announce next week the city transportation fund will make it through the year with only modest reducations.

There's no shortage of ways to spend the cash, after city leaders in the past decade proposed far more than can be delivered based on current taxes.

Hahn mentioned several options:

• A contribution to a new Elliott Bay sea wall, estimated at near $300 million.

• The city's $15 million pledge to help fund King County's new South Park drawbridge.

• Two-way Mercer Street west of Dexter Avenue North.

• Street resurfacing.

• Pedestrian, bicycling and transit improvements to boost the Walk Bike Ride program suggested last year by McGinn and a coalition of green groups. One backer, Cascade Bicycle Club advocacy director David Hiller, has since been hired by the mayor.

Councilman Tim Burgess said his top priority is to catch up on street and bridge maintenance, and to fix dangerously broken sidewalks.

Councilman Nick Licata called for smoothing potholed streets. "That certainly would make it easier for both vehicles and bicyclists to commute safely around town, and there's certainly enough of them to choose from."

Hahn said his department hopes to resurface streets to prevent potholes from occurring.

Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Rasmussen said he would not spend Rubble Yard money for the South Park Bridge, because the county doesn't need the city's share right away.

Before making proposals, Hahn wants to see what ideas emerge from a volunteer citizen-advisory committee on transportation. To fund improvements, that group is considering a ballot measure for car-tab fees of up to $80 per vehicle, on top of the $20 increase that began in May.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com