Concept image from the 19th and Madison park’s blog

So the Parks Department is now looking for community ideas for a name. You can submit your idea and explain why in an online survey. Deadline to submit is June 22.

From the park organizers:

It’s time to name the park! (New park at 19th and Madison is getting to be kind of a mouthful after all). So come on- give the Parks Department your best suggestions!

Please submit suggestions for a park name by June 22.

Criteria the committee consider in naming parks include: geographical location, historical or cultural significance, and natural or geological features. A park may be named for a person no longer living (deceased a minimum of three years) who made a significant contribution to parks and/or recreation.

We will collect all names and then put selected names up to a vote to garner community support. We do not have the final say on the name of the park.

Seattle Police arrested four including at least one known gang member and seized three vehicles tracked down on 34th Ave after a man was found lying naked and semi-conscious in the street behind Garage Billiards on Capitol Hill early Thursday morning.

According to the SPD report on the incident, police were called to the Garage after receiving a report of two men in an altercation on Broadway CT near the IHOP.

When they arrived just before 1 AM, police found the victim lying down and dazed in the street with dilated eyes. And he was also completely naked. The victim was taken to Harborview for further treatment.

Police found a black Camaro spotted at the scene later that night in the 900 block of 34th Ave. Police approached the group and their parked vehicles and identified a man matching the description of the Broadway Ct. suspect.

Inside the vehicles, police found “several small white colored rocks wrapped together in a clear plastic baggy” believed to be drugs, the victim’s wallet and a pile of clothes believed to belong to the victim. Police arrested one man for the drugs, one woman on a warrant, one woman who had the victim’s wallet and the man suspected of assaulting the victim and stealing his clothing.

Neighbors in the area reported that police also searched area yards during the arrest incident on 34th Ave.

We have got to take a better Bailey Gatzert stock image…

You shouldn’t speed anywhere you drive, but you’re gonna want to be extra super careful to stay below the limit near Bailey Gatzert Elementary School.

After installing the cameras in four school zones around the city late last year, the cameras have caught 16 percent fewer speeders than when they were first turned on, suggesting that people have learned to slow down because of the cameras. Only four percent of people who have received a ticket have sped again and received a second, according to the mayor’s office.

Since speed is a big factor standing between a tragedy and a close call, the cameras are increasing safety near school, the mayor said in a press event Tuesday.

The city is using revenue from the $189 tickets from the first school zone cameras to fund the new cameras.

More details, from the mayor’s office:

Today Mayor Mike McGinn announced five new locations for future school zone speed cameras at locations across Seattle. The existing school zone cameras have led to a combined 16 percent reduction in citations for speeding across the four schools.

“The public has been clear that we need to do more to protect children as they travel to and from school,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “The data shows that the existing cameras are helping improve safety near schools by reducing travel speed and cameras should be installed at additional schools.”

“Increasing safety in our school zone and beyond continues to be a high priority for me and for our school community,” said Sherri Kokx, principal of Nathan Eckstein Middle School, a potential location for future school zone traffic cameras. “School zone cameras are one more tool that can help increase safety.” Continue reading →

ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES. Used with permission.

The 2013 Juneteenth International Festival was this weekend at Pratt Park. The Seattle Times’ Erika Schultz captured the photo above of Hollywood St. James at the celebration.

The festival was the 30th annual Seattle celebration of emancipation. Organized by the Central Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s festival expanded its scope to include many international cultures.

Do you have photos from the festival to share? Comment below of email [email protected].

Police searched the area the King County Juvenile Detention Center in vain Saturday morning after a purse snatching was reported at 18th and Spruce.

No confirmed details from SPD at this time but according to police radio dispatches, police were called to the area after a woman reported having her bag grabbed around 9:30 AM.

Police set up containment as a K9 unit searched the area for two possible suspects described as black males — one with cornrows and wearing a grey hoodie and grey pants and the other in a red shirt and black jeans. Despite reports from residents who saw a person matching the description of one of the suspects in area backyards, police were not successful in their search.

Image from a Landmark Nomination document

The Horace Mann building is on track for a major renovation and addition. The Department of Planning and Development approved Seattle Public Schools’ plan, which will get the building ready for the return of the NOVA alternative high school.

NOVA has been housed in the old Meany building near Miller Park since 2009. But with voter approval of the BEX IV schools levy in February, the District now hopes to reopen Meany as a middle school and get Horace Mann back in shape.

Meanwhile, a group led in part by Wyking Garrett of Umojafest PEACE Center have been pushing for more community space and programming in the Horace Mann building. From the More 4 Mann campaign:

Our vision is for Horace Mann to be a hub of dynamic programming and activities, focused on positive education, culture, youth and community economic development outcomes that honors our heritage in the Central District. Consistent with the vision of what every school should be, we want Horace Mann to become a place where our children’s education, dreams and community intersect.

Details on the project, from the Determination of Non-Significance document:

Continue reading →