Central District Healthy Streets
Updated December 1, 2023
What's Happening Now?
Thank you to everyone that provided feedback on our Central District Healthy Feedback Form. We are excited to announce that two segments of the Central District Healthy Street will be permanent: on 22nd Ave E from Union St to Columbia St, and on Columbia St from 12th Ave E to 22nd Ave E! See the “Project Map” section below to see which segments are becoming permanent. We will continue to evaluate the remaining segments of the Healthy Street. Please click here to read our evaluation.
Upgraded Temporary Sign Bases
We’ve installed new temporary Healthy Street signs on the Central District Healthy Street, as well as at other select Healthy Street locations. We heard concerns from neighbors and our SDOT crews regarding Healthy Street signage being repeatedly moved. To help manage this, we installed new temporary signage with a large round concrete base that will reduce movement of the signs. The new signs are located at 25th Ave and Cherry, on the north and south sides of the intersection.
In addition to the upgraded signs at 25th and Cherry, we will continue upgrading the signs along the Central District Healthy Street route this winter. 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 reverted back to a Neighborhood Greenway.
Project Map
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 continued our review of the Central District Healthy Street locations and conducted more outreach to determine next steps. In fall 2023, we announced two segments were becoming permanent, while evaluation will continue on the remaining segments. These locations will remain Healthy Streets until further notice. If you have questions or comments please email us at Healthystreets@seattle.gov.
Permanent Treatment Options
Example of permanent Healthy Street sign base and planter from the Ballard Healthy Street.
Schedule
Spring 2023: Additional outreach to determine permanent Healthy Street status or reversion back to a neighborhood greenway.
Fall 2023: Permanent announcement for two segments of the Healthy Street: 22nd Ave from E Union St to E Columbia St and E Columbia St from 12th Ave to 22nd Ave, and continued evaluation for the remaining segments.