UVillage "Walk For Animals" May Impact Traffic in Laurelhurst Sunday

The Universiy Village is holding its "Walk for the Animals" which will have potential impacts to traffic along NE 45th St and Mary Gates Drive.

A resident told us about the event:

I am not against fundraising walks, I just wish that U-Village Management would take responsibility for events which start and end on their site. Not mention bring "good will" publicity to their shopping center.

Usually large events which will be adjacent to cross city streets would coordinate with the police department, provide their own traffic control flaggers, and oh by the way notify affected neighborhoods. How is it that walkers (how many 200-1000?) will cross Mary Gates Way where there is no crosswalk and somewhat limited visibility for cars going westbound around a curve?

It would be interesting to understand why University Village and the Seattle Humane Society believes that they are outside these usual steps.

The Special Events Director from the Seattle Humane Society said:

We will have walkers using sidewalks exiting the southern entrance of U Village on Sunday Sept 22 around 10am. Walkers will cross 45^th and walk along the sidewalks on the southern side of the street. The only interference really should only be along 45^th until about 11:15 or so. We will not be walking directly through any neighborhoods.
 

I would like to invite your readers to join us for the Walk and FidoFEST, where there will be an Adoptable Dog Parade, Seattle’s Favorite Fido Contests (winners get a $50 U Village gift card!) and the Seattle Humane Society’s Top Dog Contest – all while raising important funds for the Seattle Humane Society.