GROUP NAME: THORNTON CREEK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

GROUP NAME: THORNTON CREEK LEGAL DEFENSE FUND

WHO ARE THEY:

Self-initiated coalition of environmentalists and neighborhood activitists led by Bob Vreeland, Janet Way and Noel Lanney.
Incorporated in 1999 and funded through donations and grants (Sierra Club).

GOALS:

To represent all individuals, organizations, and community groups in Seattle and Shoreline who have an interest in the livability, health and restoration of Thornton Creek through ALL LEGAL MEANS POSSIBLE.

ACTIVITIES:

Filed two legal challenges against the construction of the Northgate Mall expansion.
The first lawsuit, filed in March 1999, was against the City of Seattle over the designation of Thornton Creek as a "Creek," which flows in a drainage pipe 20 feet below the south parking lot of Northgate Mall.
The second lawsuit, in July 2000, challenged the Simon Property Group who owns Northgate Mall. The Simon Property Group is the largest publicly traded retail mall developer in the U.S. The Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund, in conjunction with the Maple Leaf Community Council and the Citizens for a Livable Northgate, asked for full detention and retention of storm water coming from the entire 67 acre Northgate Mall site, more open space, and increased pedestrian and bicycle access to the Mall. Most importantly, instead of constructing a two level underground parking lot for the Mall expansion, the Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund called for day-lighting Thornton Creek that would aid in the restoration of Thornton Creek and promote the re-establishment of salmon habitat. The Legal Defense Fund, Maple Leaf and Northgate organizations want the City of Seattle to purchase the land, day-light Thornton Creek and construct a community center and library.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The first lawsuit ruled in favor of the Legal Defense Fund, stating that Thornton Creek is indeed a "Creek" running in a culvert under the southern parking lot of Northgate Mall.
The second lawsuit may have been instrumental in the Simon Property Group’s decision to put the property up for sale in September 2000.

IMPACT:

They have had an extraordinary impact on the political climate regarding Thornton Creek and have brought the topic into mainstream public awareness. Not only did they stop the expansion of the Northgate Mall, they have set a precedent for legally arguing for urban stream health and salmon habitat restoration.

CONTACT:

Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund website: http://home.earthlink.net/~tworthington/Factsheet.html

ARTICLES:

Puget Sound Business Journal April 14, 1999 article: http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/1999/04/12/story2.html
Seattle Times February 16, 2000 article:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/news/local/html98/nort_19990514.html