SeaSk8 Declared Non-Significant

I know it sounds weird, but this is actually a good thing. Let me do my best to bore you…

Any time the city builds anything new, they have to prove that the new project will not damage the environment per the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). Normally this would be a good thing, but in the past people like that defeated Lower Woodland neighbor, have abused this process by accusing the city of harming the environment by building something they find unsavory to the eye. For skateparks, which are a relatively sustainable option as far as recreational facilities are concerned, the SEPA process is usually just a way for savvy opponents to stall development.

Today the City Of Seattle released the declaration of non-significance for SeaSk8, which basically says that they looked into it, had a meeting, and there seems to be no one that has an environmental beef with this project. There is one condition in the declaration about construction noise, and limiting the work time to 7:00am to 6:00pm, but that’s it.

However, these declarations can be challenged. While One Reel, the people behind Bumbershoot, have been openly communicating with skaters and are mostly supportive of the skatepark, others have not been so welcoming. The organizer of the Bite of Seattle, Alan Silverman, has made several threats to fight the skatepark because it conflicts with his use of the buildings on the proposed site. One might ask why someone who uses said buildings for three days out of the year, would want to stand in the way of a year-round use scenario that benefits mostly kids, and they should. Especially if he follows through on his threat to stall the project.