Hospital Helipad Moves To Permanent Location

 

This week, the new new helipad on top of the Forest B building, also referred to as "Building Care" became active. 

Last year, the helicopter landing pad moved to the roof of Forest A (176’), known as Friends of Costco Building, during Phase 1 of the expansion. The landing pad was active until this week when Building Care was fully completed. With the last location, noise was louder than the former ground-based helipad used for decades. 

The Laurelhurst Community Club,said in a newsletter at the time:

Children’s Helistop 

Seattle Children’s Helistop has been located on the ground level since the early 1990s. It accommodates the transport of sick children by helicopter directly to the hospital or to landings at a UW sports field on east campus. Twice a year, the number and type of landings are reviewed by an independent committee of professionals and LCC. In the six months from January to June 2018, there were 73 landings, 61 at SCH and 12 at the UW field, compared to 54 in 2017 and 53 in 2016 for the same period.  

As part of the latest expansion by SCH, the helistop location will change to the top of the Friends of Costco Building (Forest A) on October 17. EIS predictions suggest noise will be more intense for some Laurelhurst residents, since the prior ground-level location sheltered the noise. 

Lighting will be as low as permissible; however, each patient transport takes a minimum of 20 to 45 minutes. Noise likely will be louder than the ground-based helipad. When Forest B is complete, the helistop moves to its permanent location on top of Forest B (same height). Noise levels will remain increased at nearby residential sites in Laurelhurst. LCC will continue to monitor and work with SCH on any issues that may arise with the new location.

In 2013, the Hospital's helistop was located in the southwest corner of the parking area while construction was underway.

For any questions or concerns about the helipad, contact construction@seattlechildrens.org.

Laurelhurst Community Club Collecting Dues And What The Funds Go Towards

The Laurelhurst Community Club is currently collecting annual dues which go towards supporting a variety of neighborhood projects and issues.

LCC invites neighbors to its monthly meeting on the second Monday of each month at 7pm at the Laurelhurst Community Center Fireside Room. 

This information was recently published in a recent LCC newsletter:

Annual Dues Drive and a Look at LCC’s Stewardship on Behalf of Neighbors

LCC’s 2020 membership drive brochure and dues statement have been mailed out. While all Laurelhurst residents and businesses are members, collection of annual dues is necessary to pay for professional services such as legal fees, expert studies and reports, design, and printing.  Land use efforts require consultants, attorneys, and communication costs, plus tons of volunteer hours.

Dues support LCC’s proactive efforts on land-use matters, traffic and transportation issues, neighborhood improvements, crime prevention, newsletter publishing, email updates, and website maintenance. An extra $20 contribution pays for landscape maintenance on the Mary Gates Way / NE 41st Street planted median. Additional contributions are always welcome to support special neighborhood projects. 

Your neighbors on LCC’s all-volunteer Board of Trustees contribute hundreds of hours each year on your behalf to maintain the livability and vitality of our community and stretch the membership dues.

Highlights of LCC’s 2019-2020 goals and accomplishments: 

• LCC advocates for a context-sensitive solution for development on the  17+ acre Talaris site. LCC dues pay for legal counsel and expert consultants on historic preservation as well as on hydrology and soils.
• LCC representatives attend the Seattle Landmark Board deliberations and its Architectural Review Committee meetings in reference to Talaris and other local landmark preservation issues. 
• LCC works with SPD on public safety and increasing coverage. 
• LCC works closely with the LEAP (Laurelhurst Earthquake Action Preparedness) team and supports its efforts. In 2018, LEAP secured funding and began preparations for the neighborhood HUB. LEAP helps create and organize local clusters for emergency response and participated in UW’s resilience research project for local communities. 
• LCC works with the UW, Sound Transit, and Metro to improve the  neighborhood’s needs for transit connections and pedestrian safety. 
• LCC funds maintenance for public median strips along NE 41st Street and replaces dead plants and maintains the irrigation system. 
• LCC successfully advocated for more City of Seattle budget support to restore Laurelhurst Community Center operating hours and programs. 
• LCC works with City Council as it develops a new tree ordinance to provide improved urban habitat and enhance its tree canopy. 
• LCC is working with the car share providers to create more access at the Montlake Light Rail station. 
• LCC participates in SR520 construction and design meetings to ensure continuous access from the northern approach to the Montlake Interchange and worked successfully to reduce glare lighting and expansion joint noise.
• LCC researches, produces, and delivers 10, in-your-mailbox editions of the Laurelhurst newsletter, offering neighborhood news and prospective on key issues.
• LCC provides the private security patrol subscription service, which is especially utilized for vacation house checks.
• LCC monitors Seattle Children’s Hospital’s new building construction process and advocates for low noise and traffic easing.
• LCC representative attends the semi-annual SCH helicopter landings review committee and offers feedback on issues.
• LCC trustees regularly address or write the Seattle City Council to comment and share views on issues such as priorities for the City budget, election reform, climate change, affordable housing, transportation, and land use issues.
• Trustees also meet regularly with our District 4 council member and state legislators.
• LCC hosts City Council members at monthly trustee meetings to offer views on programs and policies.
• An LCC representative is a member of CUCAC, which addresses land use, safety, parking, and issues related to the implementation of the UW Campus Master Plan.
• LCC provided specific design and traffic analyses for proposed new developments in the area, such as the planned Aegis facility on Five Corners, as well as for mixed use residential projects on adjacent parcels.
• LCC continues to address neighbors’ concerns regarding transportation issues and gridlock through letters to City Council, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University Village, and the University of Washington.
• LCC supports and offers volunteer staffing for Laurelhurst Park’s Spring Egg Hunt and Salmon Bake.

Pay dues on LCC’s secure website or by mail to:

Laurelhurst Community Club

PMB #373

4616 25th Ave. NE

Seattle, WA 98105

For more information go here. LCC:

Tonight Laurelhurst Community Club Board Meeting

Tonight at 6:30pm, the Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) is holding its monthly Board meeting, open to all neighbors, at the Laurelhurst Community Center in the Fireside Room. 

Here is tonight's agenda:

6:30pm Welcome 

Removal of the Laurelhurst Firepit, Cara Brown, Community Center Coordinator and Justin Cutler, Seattle Parks and Recreation Director

ADMINISTRATION · Minutes
· Calls/Concerns from Neighbors · Treasurer's Report
· Announcements

7:20

· Metro Planning Changes for Bus Routes

· Crime Prevention/ Public Safety

· Helicopter Landings Update

· Talaris Update

· Tree Ordinance Update

· Centennial Celebration Planning

8pm Adjourn

Hospital Helicopter Landings Increase Significantly

The Laurelhurst Community Club published this information in a recent newsletter:

Helicopter Landings Increase Significantly 

Recently released data show that Seattle Children’s Hospital has relied more on direct helicopter landings onto the new rooftop helipad (84 percent), rather than helicopter landings at the UW field with transport by ambulance to the hospital.  

In 2015, there were 25 direct SCH landings, 30 percent of all emergency transports by helicopter. In 2016, 51 SCH landings represented 59 percent of total helicopter transport. In 2017, 65 SCH helipad landings comprised 84 percent of total landings between the UW field and the hospital.  

As this trend persists, and another helicopter operator now is authorized to land, LCC will continue to monitor that landings are consistent with the established SCH guidelines for the transportation of sick and injured children. The ground safety of those in the fly zone must be of concern as well.

In October of last year, the new helistop landing was activated. The new temporary
location, on the rooftop of Forest A, known as Friends of Costco Building, will be located there until Building Care is completed in 2022. In early 2022, the helipad will be permanently moved and located on top of the Forest B building, currently under construction.

The helicopter landing pad sits at 176 feet. The hospital advised that noise would likely be louder than it was with the former ground-based helipad location of the last 5 years, near the Emergency Room.

Hospital's New Helipad Landing On Top Of Newest Building Now In Use Till 2022

This week, Children's Hospital new helistop landing was activated. The new temporary
location is on the rooftop of Forest A, now known as Friends of Costco Building, until Building Care is completed in 2022.

The helicopter landing pad will sit at 176 feet. The hospital has advised that noise will likely be louder than it was with the former ground-based helipad location of the last 5 years, near the Emergency Room.

A couple of weeks ago Airlift Northwest conducted two test flights to the new helistop location. The test flights included one daytime and one evening landing and takeoff, along with simulation work by Seattle Children’s personnel on the rooftop.

The Laurelhurst Community Club,said in a recent newsletter:

Children’s Helistop 

Seattle Children’s Helistop has been located on the ground level since the early 1990s. It accommodates the transport of sick children by helicopter directly to the hospital or to landings at a UW sports field on east campus. Twice a year, the number and type of landings are reviewed by an independent committee of professionals and LCC. In the six months from January to June 2018, there were 73 landings, 61 at SCH and 12 at the UW field, compared to 54 in 2017 and 53 in 2016 for the same period.  

As part of the latest expansion by SCH, the helistop location will change to the top of the Friends of Costco Building (Forest A) on October 17. EIS predictions suggest noise will be more intense for some Laurelhurst residents, since the prior ground-level location sheltered the noise. 

Lighting will be as low as permissible; however, each patient transport takes a minimum of 20 to 45 minutes. Noise likely will be louder than the ground-based helipad. When Forest B is complete, the helistop moves to its permanent location on top of Forest B (same height). Noise levels will remain increased at nearby residential sites in Laurelhurst. LCC will continue to monitor and work with SCH on any issues that may arise with the new location.

In early 2022, the helipad will be permanently moved and located on top of the Forest B building, currently  under construction.  The new eight-story building will include diagnostic and treatment facilities, labs, new state-of-the-art operating rooms, 20 inpatient beds, and a lobby. Two floors underground are for parking and sterile processing. This will bring SCH bed total to 409, up from 200 before its expansion 2012 plan. 

Outside surface parking at that location will be eliminated and 323 parking places will be located under Forest B, a net increase of 137 spaces. There will be exits to Penny Drive and 40th Avenue NE, an already heavily congested route and which serves as the main entrance to Laurelhurst for fire, police and emergency vehicles. 

For more information go here. 

This Week Helicopter Evening Test Flights at Hospital

Children's Hospital published this information on their Construction Blog:

To prepare for construction of Building Care at the hospital campus, the existing helicopter landing pad (helistop) will be relocated to the top of Forest A. 

Airlift Northwest will conduct two test flights to the new helistop location, on Thursday at 10pm and Friday at noon.  In order to receive final approval for the new helistop, one of the test flights must take place at night.

These test flights will include both landing and takeoff, along with simulation work by Seattle Children’s personnel on the rooftop.  

The test flights will generate noise as the helicopter lands and takes off. 

On October 17, the new helistop will be activated, if everything goes according to plan.  The Forest A rooftop location will be used until Building Care opens in 2022.

For questions contact 206-987-8000 or email construction@seattlechildrens.org.

Early Tomorrow Morning Loud Helicopter Landing

(5/18 update: UW said that the low cloud cover between JBLM and campus forced the unit to cancel the flight for safety reasons. They may try to do this again next year.)


Tomorrow about 5:50am, the UW's Officer Training program  (ROTC), will land a very loud helicopter at Intermural Field #2 Landing Helistop in the parking lot near Union Bay.

The UW said that the landing needs to happen early so as not to avoid conflict with UW classes, which begin at 8:30am.

The UW said "that a team of JBLM reigning commanders are visiting to meet with army ROTC students. Students will meet with their future leadership and learn about loading and unloading a Blackhawk." 

The helicopter will follow instructions from AirLift NW for their approach, including making an approach from the water, not over residential neighborhoods.  

The UW ROTC Commander told the Laurelhurst Community Club  (LCC):

I will make sure that the helicopter shuts down its engines as soon as possible after landing and that we minimize the amount of time that the engine is running during the morning.  

If any of your residents are interested, they would be more than welcome to come down and observe the training.   

We generally conduct our leadership labs (our equivalent of a chemistry or physics lab) from 6-8am every Thursday.  We conduct physical fitness training most other mornings of the week.  

We do try to be considerate of the local community whenever we are conducting training at this hour. For example, if we are running in the local neighborhoods, we ensure that our students travel in smaller groups and do not call cadence or sing as they move.