A North Lake Union Update

CWB is excited to announce recent legislation that revives the discussion related to the potential use of property located at the North End of Lake Union by CWB. Last week, Councilmember Larry Phillips released the following statement:

“I am pleased to announce that today the Metropolitan King County Council unanimously passed legislation (Motion 2010-0601) supporting the potential use of the Metro Transit-owned North Lake Union dock property by the Center for Wooden Boats (CWB).  I was pleased to initiate and sponsor this legislation, and to vote in favor of it.

The motion provides Council support for re-energized discussions between Metro Transit and the CWB with the goal of seeking ways to allow use of the site by the CWB, while addressing the significant environmental and legal issues at the site.  Specifically, the motion directs an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Metro Transit and the CWB modeled on the February 2009 MOU between Metro Transit and Historic Seattle.  It also directs facilitator-guided discussions, and, if agreement is not reached within 12 months, that the facilitator will provide a letter to the Council summarizing policy alternatives.

The CWB’s important programming highlights our region’s unique maritime heritage, and provides opportunities for the public to learn firsthand, on classic wooden boats and on the water.  The North Lake Union site is a rare site with potential for public access to the Lake Union waterfront, so if there is a way to make use of the North Lake Union site for the CWB and the public, I would like to find it.  I am very aware of the complicated environmental remediation realities of the site, but believe that the potential significant public benefit of opening up the site to the CWB and the public warrants this re-energized discussion and creative thinking about options for making this happen.

Thanks in advance for your work with Metro Transit to talk through the issues and opportunities at this site, both in the past and again, going forward over this coming year.”

Learn more about the Northlake Community Wharf.

Learn more about Councilmember Phillips.

Stay tuned for more updates and information about the Northlake Community Wharf.