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| 1. |
What is the Talaris Research Institute?
The Talaris Research Institute is a not-for-profit Institute for Advanced
Study dedicated to advancing knowledge of early brain development.
It was founded in April, 2000 with a mission of furthering interdisciplinary
scientific research about how our brains develop. Its focus is on
children from birth to age five. An equally important part of the
mission of Talaris is to translate the findings of brain science for
parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare professionals, the business
community, and all who care about nurturing children.
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| 2. |
How is Talaris funded?
Talaris was created with a pledge of $25 million from Bruce and Jolene
McCaw. Philanthropists with a longstanding interest in education,
the McCaws support Talaris' collaborative effort to improve our understanding
of how learning occurs. Talaris will also raise funds from other sources
to fulfill its mission of furthering the world's leading-edge brain
research.
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| 3. |
Where is Talaris located?
Talaris is currently located on the "Battelle" property
in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Northeast Seattle.
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| 4. |
Who owns the "Battelle" property?
The property is owned by 4000 Property LLC, a company affiliated with
Bruce and Jolene McCaw. The property was purchased because it is an
ideal location to house an institute for advanced study. The site
has natural beauty and a tranquil setting that will promote the innovative
research of Talaris and its partners.
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| 5. |
Is Battelle still there?
Yes, Battelle is still located on site and now leases space from 4000
Property LLC.
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| 6. |
What uses are currently on the property?
Current uses include institutes for advanced study with a conference
center, and lodging for the conference center.
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| 7. |
What kinds of uses are allowed on the property?
The underlying zoning of the land and a legal agreement between Battelle,
the former owner, and the Laurelhurst Community Club determine what
uses are allowed on the land. The land is zoned for Single Family
residential development under the Seattle land use code. In addition
to the uses allowed in single family zones, the agreement also permits
expansion of existing uses. These include institutes for advanced
studies, with conference centers and associated lodging facilities.
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| 8. |
What are the main elements of the Settlement
Agreement?
The agreement provides for expansion of existing uses within a framework
of setbacks, height limits, parking ratios for specific uses, landscaping,
and maximum lot coverage.
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| 9. |
If the Settlement Agreement was with Battelle,
why does that matter for the new owner?
The agreement "runs with the land," which means that its
provisions apply to future owners, as well.
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| 10. |
What is the new owner planning for the property?
The proposal for the property is to expand the existing uses as envisioned
by the Settlement Agreement. Current uses include institutes for advanced
study, with a conference center and limited associated lodging. The
proposal envisions two phases of development. The first phase includes
a thirty foot high building of approximately 124,000 square feet for
use by Talaris. This building is currently being designed by NBBJ,
the original designer of the Battelle campus. The second phase could
include another thirty foot high building up to 163,000 square feet.
There are currently no specific plans nor a timeframe for a second
phase. It is included to demonstrate the maximum development possible
on the site, consistent with the Settlement Agreement.
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| 11. |
Is the proposal consistent with the Settlement
Agreement?
Yes. The Settlement Agreement provides for expansion on the site up
to a maximum of twenty per cent lot coverage for the footprint of
buildings. The proposal respects the Settlement Agreements provisions
for uses, height limit, setbacks, lot coverage, parking, landscaping,
and community review of plans.
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| 12. |
Where will parking spaces be provided under
the new proposal?
While the Settlement Agreement allows parking on the surface, the
proposal is to provide new parking spaces in two underground levels
of the new building. This is a considerably more expensive option,
but it will result in preservation of open green space on the site.
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| 13. |
What is the height of the buildings currently
on the site?
Existing buildings range in height up to 27 feet. The proposal includes
buildings with a thirty foot maximum.
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| 14. |
Will there be an environmental review of the
proposal?
Yes, an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposal will
be prepared, and the public will have ample opportunity to learn about
the project and comment on potential impacts.
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| 15. |
Where are the wetlands on the property and
what will happen to them?
The exact boundaries of the wetlands have not been determined. As
part of the EIS and master use permit process, the wetlands will be
delineated. The community has requested and the owner will consider
wetlands enhancement.
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| 16. |
Will the new owner provide the sidewalk the
LCC has requested?
The LCC asked that the new owner provide a public sidewalk along the
southern boundary of the property to connect existing sidewalks on
41st Street. As part of the EIS and permit review process, the project
managers will explore the cost of such a request, including questions
about drainage and maintenance.
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| 17. |
What is the connection between Talaris and
the University of Washington or Children's Hospital?
The University of Washington, or any other major institution, is prohibited
by the Settlement Agreement from owning, leasing, or controlling the
property. Because of the nature of Talaris' mission and the excellent
research conducted at major institutions in Seattle, Talaris envisions
research and outreach affiliations similar to those that Battelle
has entered into over the years. For instance, Talaris awarded $15
million to support the research of the Center for Mind, Brain and
Learning (CMBL) at the University of Washington. Talaris expects that
some collaborations with other researchers will occur on site, some
will occur at other locations in the Puget Sound region, and, indeed,
the world. The ownership and control of the property will rest with
the private owner.
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| 18. |
What other kinds of partnerships does Talaris
expect to have?
Talaris will sponsor and disseminate the world's leading edge brain
research. As a provider of timely and helpful research-based guidance,
Talaris intends to work closely with many different groups who care
about children and learning. For example, Talaris and the Foundation
for Early Learning, funded by the Gates Foundation, expect to identify
joint opportunities to fulfill their respective missions. As the organization
matures, updated information about Talaris' partnerships will be available
on our website.
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| 19. |
How will children be involved in research at Talaris?
Children will be accompanied by parents to come to Talaris during
the day to participate in research in two ways. The first is through
direct observation of behavior in laboratory and natural settings.
For example, researchers will observe children interacting in a
play group. The second way is examining normal thinking functions
utilizing non-invasive brain imaging technology.
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| 20. |
What kind of brain imaging machines will be
used?
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and Magnetoencephalography
(MEG) machines, both non-invasive, will be used at Talaris. Magnetoencephalography
measures the magnetic fields generated by electrical activity in the
brain, while functional MRI measures the hemodynamic (blood flow)
changes associated to changes in local neuronal activity. There will
also be an fMRI used for comparisons between the developing and the
mature brain.
Use of the MEG is comparable in exposure to standard fluorescent lighting,
and the fMRI poses less risk than a typical x-ray. Because these sensitive
machines require shielding to prevent electromagnetic interference
from outside sources, there is no danger of interference for community
members' electronic or short wave equipment.
A standard molecular biology wet lab is also planned for the site.
The uses are those normally found in a medical technology laboratory
in a hospital, such as analysis of research subjects' blood samples.
State of the art precautions for handling such samples will be employed.
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| 21. |
What is the purpose of the childcare facility?
The childcare facility is intended primarily for the children of the
employees on site. The maximum number of children in the childcare
facility will be fifty. If there is available space, community members
may be invited to enroll their children. Talaris' goal is to create
a childcare facility that will model the best practices available
in terms of both physical and programmatic environments to promote
early learning.
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