Southwest District Council tonight: Quick news notes

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From tonight’s monthly meeting of the Southwest District Council, which includes representatives of neighborhood associations and other major organizations in the area of West Seattle that the city considers the “Southwest District” (map of all “districts” here):

HELP CLEAN UP A MAJOR GATEWAY TO WEST SEATTLE: It’s been discussed here before, and now the date is set: The volunteer cleanup from 35th/Fauntleroy to “Walking on Logs” is set for Sept. 13, as announced at tonight’s meeting by Nancy Driver. Mark your calendar!

WATER TAXI RIDERSHIP UP: King County Councilmember Dow Constantine attended tonight’s meeting and provided a quick preview of recent ridership stats — Elliott Bay Water Taxi operation: Through the middle of May, readership is up 17 percent over last year. (We’re expecting the full May stats soon.) Two factors are considered to be in play — higher gas prices and higher Water Taxi awareness.

RAPIDRIDE REACTION: With the latest news about West Seattle RapidRide (WSB coverage here), Constantine got an earful of concerns about the latest details on the forthcoming bus service. He promised to report the concerns to Metro leadership and his colleagues.

VIADUCT MEETING: The Southwest and Delridge District Councils plan to discuss the latest on The Viaduct at their next joint meeting, coming up in September.

JAIL-SITES FIGHT: Monday night’s Highland Park meeting on the jail sites (WSB coverage here) was summarized, and new Highland Park Action Committee chair Dorsol Plants spoke to the SWDC and asked the council to write a letter expressing concern about the two proposed West Seattle sites; council reps agreed to do that and are consulting their respective organizations. Councilmember Constantine said that tomorrow is when he plans to introduce the proposal he mentioned at Monday night’s Highland Park meeting — proposing that the county extend its agreement to house cities’ misdemeanor offenders till a regional solution can be found, rather than having Seattle and other cities each pursue their own potential new jail sites. He says the county council’s Committee of the Whole, which he chairs, will get the proposal on Monday, with a hearing and action scheduled later. (If you missed it earlier, this morning the city announced dates for its public meetings on the jail sites – details here.)

Dow Constantine June 5, 2008 (9:28 am)

A couple of slight clarifications to the above: 1) The 17% Water Taxi ridership increase is through the middle of May. Month-end numbers are not yet available. 2) On the council motion regarding regional cooperation on jails, that is being introduced today with the signatures of a majority of councilmembers, and will be referred to committee during Monday’s council meeting. This is a ministerial action. The actual hearing will then be scheduled for a subsequent committee meeting, likely next week.

WSB June 5, 2008 (11:06 am)

Thanks for the updates! Will tweak the copy.

austin June 5, 2008 (11:15 am)

How does one volunteer for the Fauntleroy cleanup mission?

WSB June 5, 2008 (11:21 am)

Good question. We will find out. The Southwest District Council announcements are usually sort of an “FYI, stand by for more info to come” but I will check with the sponsors of this (if they don’t see the comment thread first and chime in on their own) … TR

Dorsol Plants June 5, 2008 (1:50 pm)

Just one more clarifications, the SW District Council did vote in support of writing a Letter of Concern to the city regarding the city’s two choices in the Highland Park area.

The Highland Park Action Committee will be meeting again on June 23rd, this will be our regular monthly meeting, but the jail will definitely be a topic of discussion.

Dorsol Plants
Acting Executive Chair
Highland Park Action Commitee

CM June 5, 2008 (2:42 pm)

Not to hijack these comments too much, but I just have to mention how incredibly cool it is that Councilman Constantine actively interacts with the WSB. That demonstrates not only his dedication to our community, but the importance of this blog.

Thanks to both!

WSB June 5, 2008 (2:57 pm)

Thanks, Dorsol. Will update that too.

Nancy38 June 5, 2008 (9:09 pm)

The Fairmount Community Association, in conjunction with the West Seattle Neighborhood Service Center (Dept. of Neighborhoods) is organizing a major clean up of the green area from the Walking on Logs sculptures up to the intersection of Fauntleroy and 35th. The date for the clean up is SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13th. The City of Seattle will be providing equipment, tools and assistance but this clean up is a substantial project and we will need lots of volunteers. Additional details will be posted on the WS Blog in the coming weeks. If you are interested in helping out with this project, please email your name, email address and phone number to ndriver@quidnunc.net. This will be a fun event and a chance to help beautify your community so get your name on the volunteer list and mark your calendar.

WSB June 5, 2008 (9:12 pm)

thanks, Nancy! we will post this at the top of the page tomorrow morning too so it’s seen by people who might not think to check back on comments here. glad this is happening, so many people have talked about it, can’t wait to cover it :) – TR