#2HoursInSLU - AMLI South Lake Union

This month, we are introducing a new feature to the SLU Review entitled #2HoursInSLU.  We ask representatives from our member organizations to tell us a bit about themselves and their business.  Additionally, we uncover what they do when they have a couple of hours free in our fine neighborhood.

Heidi Isaacson, Marketing Coordinator for AMLI Residential, was kind enough to sit down and chat with us about her life, work, and love of South Lake Union.  A lifelong Seattleite and former Sea Gal, Heidi spends most of her time out in the community connecting people with their ideal living situation.  She creates perks programs for AMLI residents that offer discounts to local shops and services, puts together fun activities like “Ping Me,” a table tennis contest where neighbors get to know one another, and creates an outstanding living environment for all AMLI residents. 

When Heidi has a few hours to spare she grabs a chai latte at Caffé Torino and enjoys a long walk with her boyfriend Mike and their dog Ellie.  During the warm summer months, all three take to Lake Union on their paddleboards (Ellie shares her board with Heidi, of course).  A nice dinner at Cactus followed by a nightcap at Paddy Coyne's round out a great evening in SLU for this family. 

Heidi looks forward to enjoying even more of the area’s amenities this June when they move into AMLI South Lake Union.  She can’t wait to enjoy the serene 3,600-square-foot sky deck including outdoor entertainment facilities with a green roof, grilling station, fire-pit and views of Lake Union.  Ellie should be pretty pleased as well because their new home features a pet run and pet spa!

Thank you to Heidi for taking the time to talk with us.  For details on life at AMLI South Lake Union visit
www.amlislu.com.

Denny Substation Draft Environmental Impact Statement

Notice of Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Public Hearing 

Denny Substation Project

Seattle City Light

March 27, 2014

Seattle City Light, in accordance with the Washington State Environmental Policy Act (RCW 43.21), issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the proposed Denny Substation Project, which is a proposal to construct:

* a new electrical substation on Denny Way in the Cascade area of Seattle Washington's South Lake Union neighborhood

* a new primarily underground high-voltage transmission line to connect the new substation to the existing Massachusetts Substation in the South of Downtown (SODO) neighborhood

* a new underground electrical network distribution system to serve the South Lake Union area

The DEIS also evaluates installation of electrical equipment (inductor) at the Broad Street Substation.

The DEIS includes 3 alternatives for the new Transmission Line and 3 alternatives for the substation.  Project components would be constructed in stages between late 2014 and approximately 2020.

The DEIS addresses Aesthetics, Noise, Transportation, Land Use and Housing, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases, Historic and Cultural Resources, Hazardous Materials, Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF), Energy and Natural Resources, Water Resources, and Utilities.

The DEIS and background materials are available on the web at:  http://www.seattle.gov/light/dennysub/.

Copies of the DEIS may also be reviewed at the Seattle Public Library Downtown Branch (1000 Fourth Avenue, Seattle); International District/Chinatown Library Branch (713 8th Avenue South, Seattle); Capitol Hill Library Branch (425 Harvard Avenue East, Seattle); and the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, Public Resource Center (700 5th Avenue - 20th floor - Seattle).  Copies are also available to purchase for cost of reproduction by contacting the project hotline at (206)257-2142. Agencies and Tribal governments may obtain copies free of charge by calling the project hotline and leaving their contact information.

Individuals may comment on the DEIS by emailing or mailing written comments to:

Kathleen G. Fendt, Senior Environmental Analyst

Seattle City Light

700 5th Avenue, Suite 3200

Seattle, WA 98124-4023

Email: SCL_dennysub@seattle.gov<mailto:SCL_dennysub@seattle.gov>, Attn: Kathleen Fendt

Commenters should include "Denny Substation" in the subject line of the email or letter.

Individuals may also provide comments at the DEIS public hearing to be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on April 16, 2014.  An open house will precede the public hearing from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The public hearing/open house will be held at: Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room, 600 4th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA 98104

To be considered in developing the Final EIS, all comments must be postmarked or Emailed by midnight, April 26, 2014.

SLU Chamber Offers My Future 401(k) Plan

The SLU Chamber has worked with industry leaders to create and offer an exciting new membership benefit  - The MyFuture 401(k) plan.  The My Future 401(k) Plan is a Multiple Employer Plan that enables unaffiliated employers (and members) to adopt and offer a retirement plan, built on a model of aggregated shared services. By leveraging economies of scale, the My Future Plan provides adopting employers with lower costs, a lessened administrative burden and reduced fiduciary risk.

Each adopting employer retains control of the vesting, eligibility requirements, matching contributions, profit sharing, and general plan design.  It makes the 401(k) experience easier and more cost-effective for your company.

For 401(k) retirement information contact Jodie King (206) 547-2577, or Jason McKinney (206) 271-9916.

  

Key features include: 

• Low Cost - Only $500/year with valid SLU Chamber Membership
• No set-up fee
• Flexible Plan Design
• Reduced administrative burden - one TPA
• Annual compliance testing and preparation of IRS form 5500
• Institutional grade investment options, including professionally managed risk-based portfolios
• Onsite education and enrollment services from a local investment advisor
• Participant website with online tools, calculators and investment materials

Umpqua Bank Introduces Next-Generation Flagship Store in SLU

Located at 200 Westlake Avenue N., the store integrates technology and design to create a compelling and inviting space for customers and the community. Umpqua’s SLU location includes elements from the company’s recently opened San Francisco flagship, which won the Retail Design Institute’s 2013 Store of the Year Award.

Store features include an interactive digital wall showcasing products and services, open spaces for browsing, reading and recharging digital devices, and private conference rooms available to the community and businesses.

As part of the store‘s opening, Umpqua commissioned interaction design studio Daily Tous Les Jours to transform its storefront into a Conversation Wall - an interactive installation to engage with South Lake Union's community directly on the street. Passersby can text conversation topics they care about and Umpqua will curate a series of events in response to community interest. Events will be posted at www.umpquabank.com/SLU. The Conversation Wall will be up through May 31st.

The store also features Umpqua’s Local Spotlight program, a rotating retail display featuring local companies that share Umpqua’s passion for innovation. On display this spring are products from three Seattle technology start-ups – Poppy, Touchfire, and Micro Phone Lens. Their products are available for trial and purchase, and visitors can nominate other forward-thinking businesses they’d like to see in the spotlight.

Learn more at www.umpquabank.com/SLU.

Happy New Year from the South Lake Union Chamber Board

On behalf of the South Lake Union Chamber Board of Directors, I want to wish you a happy and prosperous 2014!   If last year was any indication, we have much to look forward to in 2014.  We can expect more businesses, restaurants and residents moving into the South Lake Union neighborhood, which presents more opportunities for all of us to live, work and play!

As a valued Chamber member, you also have the opportunity to show off your business in front of SLU and your greater Seattle neighbors in the New Year.    We’d like to thank the following members for their support and sponsorship in 2013:

American Lung Association of the Mountain Pacific,  Antioch University,  Athletic Awards, CleanScapes, Group Health, King County Metro, NBBJ, PEMCO Insurance, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance - Shine, SpringHill Suites Seattle, Vulcan Real Estate, and Zipcar.

We still have a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available in 2014, and these can be a terrific way to market your business. Chamber events and programs are highly publicized...and so are our sponsors!

Sponsorship benefits could include:

• Prominent logo visibility on event promotion materials and event webpage
• Public recognition/opportunity to promote your brand during breakfast or lunch meetings
• Exclusive brand awareness building via marketing material placement at tables
• Complimentary registrations to events
• Recognition on our monthly newsletter
• Recognition on South Lake Union Chamber’s social media channels and more!

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can sponsor an upcoming 2014 South Lake Union Chamber event, please contact Jodie King at director@sluchamber.org today.

Happy New Year!

Michelle Sievers
President, South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Community Relations Manager, PEMCO Insurance

How do you climb Rainier in the middle of winter wearing a t-shirt?

Join the Fight for Air Climb at Rainier Tower in Seattle on January 25, the first stairclimb event ever held in this iconic 40-story downtown skyscraper.   Presented by Fidelity Investments, the event is drawing hundreds of participants and volunteers to support the mission of the American Lung Association.   

In addition to a new building this year, organizers have added repeat options – climb 40, 80, 120 or 160 flights total, making it one of the most ambitious of similar stairclimb events across the country.  There is also an opportunity for back-to-back climbs, with Portland’s Fight for Air Climb following the next day.   For first time climbers to elite athletes, there is a challenge fit for anyone, and a real test of your own lung capacity.  Award presentations will follow Seattle’s event, with an after-party at Rock Bottom Brewery in Rainier Square.

Participants in the Fight for Air Climb pledge to raise a minimum of $100 for the American Lung Association and will receive fundraising tools as well as training tips from event organizers.  On event day, climbers will also receive commemorative “I Climbed Rainier” performance t-shirts.  For registration, visit www.ClimbRainierTower.org.  Use Discount Code 'SLU' for $10 off.

The sport of stairclimbing has grown in recent years and has many benefits, especially as a winter fitness alternative. 

For those that really want to climb Mt. Rainier (in summer) registration is open and limited spots are available in the American Lung Association’s Climb for Clean Air, an exclusive mountaineering program designed to help novice climbers achieve this dream in a supportive team setting.  For details visit www.climbforcleanair.com or attend an informational meeting at REI Seattle on January 23 at 6:30PM.

6th Annual SLU Chamber Awards Breakfast

The South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce hosted its 6^th Annual SLU Chamber Awards Breakfast, at the Pan Pacific Hotel on Tuesday, November 19, with nearly 100 in attendance.  The awards serve to recognize excellence in local business and service in South Lake Union, and are determined by popular vote of the community. 

The winners are as follows:

Volunteer of the Year: John Carrico, Excellence Health & Fitness

Excellence in Business – Large: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Excellence in Business – Small: Athletic Awards

Excellence in Sustainability: Sellen Construction

Retailer of the Year: Shine

Non-Profit of the Year: Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

 

Special keynote speaker Kate Joncas, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, delivered the “State of South Lake Union” address, discussing the progress of Seattle in growth and development, specifically praising South Lake Union in its consistent standard-setting.

Kate Joncas, Downtown Seattle Association

The South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce is enjoying its seventh year of playing a key role in shaping the neighborhood’s business and culture, and is currently led by new Board President Michelle Sievers from PEMCO.  

 

Our next event is a Holiday Celebration on Wednesday, December 4 at the South Lake Union Discovery Center. This event is free, and we ask that guests bring a donation for YouthCare, as part of Athletic Awards' Fill The Cup drive. Their wish list for items is on our event page. Register here.