Water Taxi Town Hall: Ridership revelation; big questions/answers
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Just under 30 people turned out tonight for the King County Water Taxi Town Hall at Alki Community Center, hosted by County Councilmember Jan Drago, who also chairs the King County Ferry District board.
Joining Drago were Hank Myers, who became KCFD Executive Director in March, and Scott Davis, director of the Marine Division of the King County Department of Transportation. The trio answered questions from attendees, provided updates on the state of the service and its two routes, and gathered information via a survey handout and a “Where Do You Live?” posterboard. Also in attendance was Chris Arkills, transportation adviser to County Executive Dow Constantine, a longtime Water Taxi champion.
The West Seattle-to-downtown run of the 2010 Water Taxi season has been underway for just over two months since its April 5 kickoff. Although the county leaders touted the overall success of the program (which features an upgraded West Seattle dock, relocated downtown dock, new vessel, and new fare structure), Davis reported that overall West Seattle-to-downtown ridership is down about 40% from the same period in 2009 (which was way up from 2008). Vashon-to-downtown ridership, he added, is strong.Read More
Also looking ahead to Saturday: Tool Library, Junction park updates
In addition to the Morgan Junction Community Festival (here’s our latest preview), we have new info on two other major events coming up Saturday – First, volunteers getting ready to open the West Seattle Tool Library on Saturday got together at its South Seattle Community College location last night for some last-minute work. One big thing they want you to know – repeated in an announcement toward the end of tonight’s 34th District Democrats meeting – you’ll need two forms of ID to borrow tools (the second one can be a library card or current utility bill. Tools they still need: Electric pressure washer and portable table saw. The grand opening is 9 am-2 pm on Saturday; go to the SSCC north entrance on 16th SW. Another event on Saturday centers around under-construction Junction Plaza Park:
Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems in The Junction sent that photo tonight – he noticed a big crew working fast after the rain stopped: “Bricks going in, landscaping, lots of workers. Like Extreme Home Makeover – only for a park!” On Saturday, it’s the rescheduled planting party to put 800 plants in at the park, which is to be dedicated in less than three weeks – the evening of June 29th. If you’re not already signed up to volunteer Saturday, you can check to see if they still need help – info’s here.
Happening now: 34th District Democrats, South Park biz, more
7:31 PM: That’s Mayor Mike McGinn at the South Park businesses-coping-with-bridge-closure meeting – one of four events we’re covering right now. One of the others is the 34th District Democrats’ meeting in Fauntleroy, where the mayor is expected to arrive within the next hour. We’ll add any big news that emerges – with full stories to come later. 8:43 PM UPDATE: 34th DDs is a great meeting so far. But the big news – the Molly Moon’s Ice Cream truck, which tweeted earlier that it was thinking of coming to West Seattle tonight, has turned up OUTSIDE The Hall at Fauntleroy – and the 100+ people in here are suddenly distracted! 8:49 PM: After a brief discussion of the previous point, the Admiral Neighborhood Association leadership asked their question about the 47th/Admiral stoplight request. The mayor said he’s not prepared to answer that question but will check with SDOT. Councilmember Bruce Harrell, who is also here, as is Council President Richard Conlin, says he’d like to know more, but it belongs with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s committee (Transportation). Conlin says, “We must be more creative, innovative and responsive in dealing with neighborhoods on these issues.” 10:09 PM: Meeting ended about half an hour ago. Full story to come, as well as separate coverage of the Triangle, Water Taxi and South Park meetings.
Update: Assault with weapons call; Trenton reopened
ORIGINAL REPORT: Just arrived at the 29th/Trenton assault with weapons call. More shortly. Trenton is blocked eastbound -westbound traffic is still getting by. 7 PM UPDATE: Scene cleared quickly – someone was being transported in an ambulance (which generally means less-serious injuries than if someone was transported in an aid/medic unit – the officer at the scene said he had to follow the ambulance. We’ve got a call to the media unit looking for more details. Trenton is now back open both ways.
Countdown to Morgan Junction Festival: Who’ll be there
Three days till the next big festival – the Morgan Junction Community Festival on Saturday (11 am-6 pm in Morgan Junction Park and behind the Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor]/Zeeks Pizza buliding) – More information to share about what you’ll see and hear while you’re there. The Morgan Community Association website has the full list of live-music acts and other entertainers – it’s an eclectic lineup, too, including jazz, country, rock, and punk music, plus belly-dancing and bubbles! Then there’s the Taste of Morgan (free coupons for food samples at area eateries) – and in the exhibitor area (behind Feedback/Zeeks), you’ll find us – we’re co-sponsoring the festival – and you’ll get to meet reps from more than two dozen other local businesses/groups … including Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), West Seattle Natural Energy, MISSIONmoto, Madrid Frame, West Seattle Food Bank, Sustainable West Seattle, Furry Faces Foundation, Animals First Foundation, 34th District Democrats, Wahine Sport, Barefoot Books, The Kenney, Solstice Park P-Patch, West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB), Penguina Designs, Emergency Preparedness Communications Hubs, Pacific Rim Emergency Planning, Bruce Savadow Photography, Alice Kuder from Prudential NW, Tatayna Graphics, Emerald Spiral, SDOT, and of course the Morgan Community Association itself. 11-6 Saturday, see you there (and at the West Seattle Junction Health Fair the next day!).
2 traffic alerts: ‘Low bridge’ inspection; SW Genesee paving
First, just in from Peg Nielsen at SDOT:
Tomorrow, Thursday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., SDOT will be conducting a maintenance inspection on the SW Spokane Street Bridge in the eastbound pedestrian and bike lane. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be flagged around the equipment involved in the work activities. Bicyclists will be asked to dismount through the work zone.
(Photo from Genesee work zone, added Wednesday evening)
Second – Heidi on Genesee Hill e-mailed to ask about what appeared to be an unannounced paving project in the works. We checked with SDOT, whose Marybeth Turner replied:
DOT crews are paving SW Genesee from 47th to 49th. It wasn’t on the lists because it was not certain that there would be funds for it this year. When it became apparent that there would be sufficient funds, they started the job. The plan is to pave on Friday or Monday. One lane will remain open in each direction.
Lincoln Park beach alert: Local family reports finding 2 syringes
Since major minus tides return to our beaches starting tomorrow (here’s the chart), that means more people on the shore, and additional importance for this heads-up just sent by Ted:
A disturbing find today – playing with 3 of my kids on the beach and found a syringe washed up with the seaweed. Picked it up and put near the garbage. Thought that was the end of it until I found another in with the driftwood about 300 feet away !! That’s 2 within 15 minutes – wonder what else is down there? I left both of them near the dumpster near one of the covered picnic areas on the waterfront.
He asked for advice on who to report it to – we suggested the Parks Department, for starters. (We also have a followup out to him, asking exactly where on the LP beach.) As for the question of what you should do if you find one – here’s some advice on the King County Public Health website – note that it is against the law to place them in a regular trash or recycling container.
Restaurant news: Change ahead at West Seattle Bowl
Got a note from Kristina saying she’d heard that Terrace West Chinese Restaurant inside West Seattle Bowl will be closing; she wanted to “let the nice family who runs the current space know they will be greatly missed.” The restaurant is part of WS Bowl, whose boss Andrew Carl confirms to WSB that they are making a change, including remodeling, in the bowling center’s eating/drinking space. He says it’s too soon to say much else, except that the next restaurant will not be Chinese food, and that he hopes it will be open by September 1st (though he says a closing date for Terrace West isn’t yet finalized). “We should have a much clearer picture for everybody in early to mid-July,” he says. Right now, though, they’re “still in the development area.”
‘Cancer never sleeps’: Nor does Relay for Life of West Seattle
(WSB photo from June 2009)
Just nine days till a unique all-night cancer-fighting event takes over West Seattle Stadium – Relay for Life of West Seattle. Rebecca sent this announcement to be sure your calendar’s marked:
The West Seattle Relay for Life is just around the corner and we hope you all can make it! Whether you are part of a team or just interested in checking out what is going on – all are welcome. 20 teams made up of more than 200 participants plan to join the festivities – why don’t you!
Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society held in communities around the nation and the world. The event runs from 6pm on Friday June 18th through 12 noon on Saturday and our teams have a member on the track at all times because just like us… Cancer never sleeps either. There will be activities and games for all ages going on all throughout the event, and lots of prizes to win and donations to pick up from some of West Seattle’s greatest supporters!
Have you heard of Relay before but been too intimidated to dive head in? This is your perfect opportunity to come and check it out without any reservations! Join us for our opening ceremony on Friday night at 6 pm where King County Executive Dow Constantine will give an opening address, followed by our Survivor Celebration.
Come out and help us celebrate, remember and fight back! We have raised more than $21,000 toward our goal of $75,000 so far – we hope you will come out and join us and help us reach our target! www.relayforlife.org/westseattlewa Any questions, contact Rebecca Polivy (bec@busstop.org).
Admiral Neighborhood Association pushes for 47th/Admiral light
(Google Map removed because of technical problems for some site visitors)
Three and a half years have passed since it was the site of a much-publicized deadly crash … but area residents say the Admiral Way crosswalk at 47th is still a place where you take your life into your hands just to cross the street. So the Admiral Neighborhood Association is leading a new push to get the city to install a pedestrian-activated stoplight. The crosswalk goes between two busy businesses – Life Care Center on the north side, Alki Mail and Dispatch on the south side – with residential neighborhoods behind each. Since the fall 2006 death of Tatsuo Nakata, “traffic-calming” measures have gone in nearby – in 2007, the intersection was marked by a “Crosswalk” sign with flashing lights overhead and narrowed by curb bulbs, while more recently, a radar speed sign was placed on the eastbound (uphill) side of Admiral at Garlough. The ANA says that’s not enough. Karl de Jong brought up the issue at last month’s meeting, and since then, a group also including ANA’s president Katy Walum and Jim Del Ciello has explored the concept, including talking with SDOT. Del Ciello said he’d also spoken with an Alki Community Council rep who suggested they’d be willing to partner on the safety advocacy too. Tonight Walum plans to be at the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting to make the case for a pedestrian-activated light directly to Mayor Mike McGinn.
Meantime, when this was discussed at last night’s ANA meeting, talk also turned to the study on eastern Admiral Way – where SDOT is looking at possible rechannelization, as first reported here May 21st. Walum says SDOT’s study will include measurements of bicycle traffic as well as cars, and then, she says they’re promising a “well-advertised open house” in “early fall” to unveil what the study revealed. She also said SDOT has assigned project manager Virginia Coffman to that Admiral Way study.
West Seattle Wednesday: Water Taxi, Triangle, 34th Dems, more
Busiest night this week, and here are some of the reasons why:
WATER TAXI TOWN HALL: The passenger ferry between West Seattle and downtown has made news for a long list of reasons these past few months. If you’ve got questions, concerns, ideas, about any of them, or anything that hasn’t come up but is on your mind, this is your chance to bring it directly to the people responsible for the service. King County Councilmember Jan Drago, who chairs the Ferry District board, hosts a Town Hall at Alki Community Center, 7 pm. (Earlier in the day, the Ferry District executive committee meets this afternoon to discuss the new cash-handling policies promised in the wake of the theft arrest announced last week.)
4TH PLANNING MEETING FOR THE TRIANGLE: The city-convened advisory group meets for the 4th time tonight – and the scheduled discussion centers on what may be the hottest topic yet: Land use. Some of the businesses that have thrived in the area over the decades have expressed concern that they will be squeezed out. Will Triangle zoning change, and should it? These meetings include a public-comment period, so you’re invited to be part of the discussion, 6 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: This year’s elections are nearing, with the August primary now two months away (check here and here to see who’s filed so far), and that means even more than usual for our area’s biggest political group to discuss. But center stage on tonight’s scheduled agenda are city leaders including Mayor Mike McGinn and Council President Richard Conlin, plus a legislative update from Rep. Eileen Cody (the lone 34th District legislator running for re-election to her current job). 7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.
SOUTH PARK BUSINESS SURVIVAL: The mayor is also expected at this pivotal meeting for the future of the businesses whose customer access will be dramatically affected when the county closes the South Park Bridge permanently on June 30th. This meeting’s at 6:30 at the South Park Community Center (we have a message out to the mayor’s office to ask what time he’s subsequently due in West Seattle).
WEST SEATTLE SNOWSPORTS COUNCIL: As previewed here last night, this group – still in the planning process – has its second meeting at 6 pm at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle, 3602 SW Alaska.
Lots more on the list – see the WSB West Seattle Events calendar for more (and if we’re missing something, please let us know!)
Today’s
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