Subject: West Seattle Eagle nest update
Date: Mar 7 17:33:51 1995
From: Laura Saavedra - lsdb at u.washington.edu
Here's an update on the Bald Eagle nest off Harbor Avenue (near Salty's
restaurant) in West Seattle: The property adjacent to the nest (appr.
80-100feet) is owned by Metro/King County. The City of Seattle has had an
opportunity to put in a proposal to buy the property for the Parks Dept.
or Open Space. Apparently, no bid was submitted, so Metro/King County
considered the property "surplus" and put it out to bid. A developer (Hoy
Development, I believe) bid on the property to construct a condominium
complex. Unless the City and County can come up with a proposal to 1)
purchase the land "at market value" (which is now over $2 million); 2)
agree to an arrangement whereby the City essentially "buys time" while
funds for acquisition are procured; or 3) some other agreement (e.g.,
swapping land between the County and City), the sale to the developer will
go through. Residents in the area (Fairmount Ravine) are not only
concerned about the Eagle nest, they are also trying to keep one of the
last remaining open areas on the Alki Peninsula undeveloped. The ravine
just up the hill from the property is a wooded green belt and a source of
pride for local West Seattl ites. Residents fear the construction of a
large complex will have multiple negative impacts on the ravine, the
neighborhood, and the Eagles. If you want to help, write to the City (Norm
Rice, Holly Miller, Director of the Parks Department, and the Council) and
to the King County Council (Gary Locke and Greg Nickels would be best) and
urge them to come to an agreement for the City to purchase the property in
the 1900 block of Harbor Ave. SW for Park or Open Space. The Dept. of
Wildlife is aware of the nest and will conduct a nest survey to determine
if it's active (which it is). If the sale to the developer goes through,
there will undoubtedly be a lot of mitigation on the part of the developer
(which they say they are willing to do) in order to accommodate the eagles
and the neighbors. Let's hope it doesn't happen.
Addresses:
Norm Rice, Mayor Holly Miller Don Harris
Municipal Bldg. Supt. Parks Dept. Open Space Program
Room 1200 100 Dexter Ave. N. Facilities, Maintenance
600 Fourth Ave. Seattle, WA 98108-5199 & Development
Seattle, WA 98104 2911 2nd Ave. 4th Fl.
Seattle, WA 98104
Greg Nickels Gary Locke, County Executive
King County Council 400 King County Courthouse
516 Third Avenue 516 Third Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104 Seattle, WA 98104
e-mail: greg.nickels at metrokc.gov
Thanks everyone!
David Buckley----------------------------------------------------------------
lsdb at u.washington.edu
West Seattle, USA