Residents around the area of 21st and Cherry received a notice from the city earlier in January announcing planned upgrades to make the intersection safer for pedestrians. An endearing hand drawn map accompanied the notice.

The notice says, “The project consists of a curb extension on the southwest corner and a new wheelchair ramp on the northwest corner. This project was requested by the community through the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund, a city-administered program that works with communities to prioritize and build neighborhood projects.”

The project’s aims are to “reduce pedestrian crossing distance of E Cherry Street, improve pedestrian visibility, and improve accessibility for people with mobility challenges by installing new curb ramps.”

Cherry Street is notoriously difficult for pedestrians to cross — and even more so if you’re in a wheelchair. Motorists rarely obey Seattle laws requiring cars to grant pedestrians the right of way in most cases, even when there is no marked crosswalk. And they tend to move at high speeds as they come down the hill towards 21st Avenue.

The notice did not say when construction would begin, only that it would last two to three weeks and is scheduled for 2014. The city will place temporary “no parking” signs in the area three days before construction.