day : 30/09/2012 10 results

4755 Fauntleroy Way design review, report #2: Early look at ‘true retail-based mixed-use project,’ and what’s next

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Southwest Design Review Board‘s first decision about West Seattle’s biggest development proposal in years – sending it back for a reboot – wasn’t a surprise to the development team.

But they have some challenges to hurdle before they can bring back 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW for a second round of Early Design Guidance, at a yet-to-be-scheduled date.

Round one was last Thursday night. We reported the toplines immediately afterward. This story’s for anyone interested in the detailed play-by-play.

The cast of characters was a unique mix. For one, the board members included two substitutes – both past members, Catherine Benotto and Vlad Oustimovitch – filling in for Robin Murphy and Daniel Skaggs. Oustimovitch and Benotto joined Myer Harrell, serving as chair, Norma Tompkins, and Layne Bennion. They were joined by city Department of Planning and Development staffer Bruce Rips, the city’s point person for this project.

By our estimate, at least 40 people were in the audience.

First: If you would like to see and hear how it went for yourself, we recorded most of the meeting on video. (Due to a camera change, we’re missing a few minutes of board deliberation. Also forgive us some odd camera angles during the public-comment period, since some of the speakers didn’t come to the front of the room, and the best we could do was to turn the camera in their general direction.) Here’s the first hour, beginning with the developers/architects’ presentation, continuing with board members’ questions, and then public comment:

The second section, 24 minutes, continues the public comment – this begins where clip 1 left off, with the most impassioned commenter – and then moves on into the start of board deliberations:

At the end of that clip, we lost about six minutes of board discussion before the final recorded section, about 40 minutes.

Now – on to what was said, and what happens next:

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Quick reminder: School district deadline for levy feedback

September 30, 2012 9:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Something to say to Seattle Public Schools about the latest draft of the BEX IV levy? After the most recent round of community meetings – including the one we covered last Monday – the district asked for feedback by September 30th. That’s tonight. So hurry up and send it to capacity@seattleschools.org. P.S. And if you want to offer public comment at this Wednesday’s regular Seattle School Board meeting, you have to sign up by phone or e-mail TOMORROW – as explained in this district document.

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West Seattle scenes: Saying ‘so long’ to September

September 30, 2012 9:17 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

So many wonderful photos shared this weekend – thanks again. Here’s one final (we think!) set for the weekend – both of these are by Craig Young. Above, tonight’s moonrise; below, Friday’s sunset (didn’t get a chance to share it till tonight, but it’s certainly representative of what we’ve been enjoying):

Though the National Weather Service forecast envisions some clouds early in the week, there’s no rain predicted – so far – for at least another week.

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Update: Traffic alerts, including full 99/Viaduct closure next weekend

September 30, 2012 8:12 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Here’s the weekly list of traffic alerts – including a look ahead to NEXT weekend, when a full 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct closure is planned from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon:

TONIGHT (Sunday 9/30): Southbound 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge fromm 9 pm tonight till 5 am Monday morning.

MONDAY (10/1): Two West Seattle projects continuing all week: First: Intensified work at the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project may lead to intermittent lane closures at and near the Fauntleroy ferry terminal as soon as today, as explained on the 2nd page of this flyer. Work hours are expected to run 7 am-5:30 pm, Mondays-Fridays. Second: Ongoing Arbor Heights sidewalk and signal work at and south of 35th/Roxbury.

TUESDAY (10/2): Same as Monday. (Added: Highland Park Way work during the day, explained here.)

WEDNESDAY (10/3): Same as Tuesday. (Added: The West Marginal Way manhole work announced Tuesday – details here.)

THURSDAY (10/4): Same as Wednesday, plus: ~~One brief early-morning closure for the almost-complete Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project.~~ (Moved to Saturday)

FRIDAY (10/5): Same as Wednesday.

SATURDAY (10/6): In addition to the 99/Viaduct closure (see next item), the offramp to 1st Avenue South from the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled for closure 3 am-9 am.

NEXT WEEKEND, AVOID 99: Both directions of 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and West Seattle Bridge for the semiannual inspection and maintenance, 6 am Saturday 10/6 till 4 pm Sunday 10/7. And a North Seattle note: Highway 99 across the Aurora Bridge will be one lane in each direction from 9 pm Friday 10/5 till 2 pm Sunday 10/7.

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West Seattle scene: Fireboat Leschi, with a show & rainbow

September 30, 2012 4:34 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Thomas Marx)
The fireboat Leschi was off West Seattle’s north-facing shore this afternoon, and WSB’ers shared two very different views (thank you, Thomas and Carolyn!) – above, the beautiful expanded-fleur-de-lis-like sight of its multiple streams, and below, a rainbow prism through the mist:

(Photo courtesy Carolyn Newman)
Want to know more about the Seattle Fire Department‘s fireboats? Go here.

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West Seattle scene: WSUU rallies for marriage equality

September 30, 2012 3:37 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo courtesy Whitney Young)
We’ve reported previously on two West Seattle faith organizations taking action to support marriage-equality Referendum 74 on the November 6th ballot, the Alki UCC/Kol HaNeshamah-led phone bank at their shared home on Thursday nights. Today, another local congregation took action – Westside Unitarian Universalists demonstrated at noontime in The Junction.

(Photo courtesy Rev. Peg Morgan)
WSUU’s Rev. Peg Morgan tells us they’ll be back this Friday, and are inviting you to join them there, 5-6:30 pm (that’s October 5th), as well as noon-2 pm on Sunday 10/14, Saturday 10/20, and Sunday 10/28.

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Happening now: CityFruit cider-pressing, bake sale

September 30, 2012 1:52 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

That’s Betsy from CityFruit pouring some just-pressed cider at West Seattle Nursery, where CF welcomes you to bring your own apples – or enjoy cider from theirs – till 4 this afternoon. Along with the free cider, we discovered it’s a baked-goods-and-more sale too – apple pies, plum jam … But the real fun is helping with the press:

This is the first of at least three cider-press events in West Seattle and vicinity this fall. On October 13th, at 1 pm, you can go to Village Green Perennial Nursery (WSB sponsor) to be part of theirs (details here, including pumpkin carving!); on October 14th, 1-4 pm, there’s a cider-press party in the North Delridge P-Patch (details here). And if you want to do some cider pressing yourself – you can check with the West Seattle Tool Library to see if theirs is available!

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Happening now: Beat the Burn family festival, post-5K

September 30, 2012 10:09 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

10:09 AM: About 150 runners and walkers participated in this morning’s Beat the Burn 5K run/walk from Jack Block Park, along Harbor/Alki Avenues and back, presented by Port of Seattle firefighters, benefiting a camp for young burn victims.

(That’s the starting siren you hear first – followed seconds later by the runners & walkers)
Kelly Spady was first to finish this morning – as he was at the Alki Beach Run last month.

Kathy Edris was the first female finisher.

But today, unlike most 5K events, the race was just the start of the fun. A festival on the path by the park’s beach is under way till 2 this afternoon, with live music and free family fun, as well as a few things you’ll want to bring $ for (the Lumpia World food truck is here, for starters, and there’s a beer garden). More photos to come, including the Kids’ Dash that just began (added – two photos):

(The littlest Kids’ Dash-ers had some adult encouragement:)

Scroll all the way down this page for the schedule of events.

11:20 AM: Ryker is one of the Northwest Disaster Search Dogs scheduled to give a demonstration at the festival this afternoon (12:45 pm):

The live music is courtesy of Slacker – covering some great oldies (from the ’70s to the ’00s) while we were there:

And you can get a close-up look at Port of Seattle Fire Engine #2:

Kids’ games/crafts, too, and Alki Kayak Tours is on hand with stand-up paddleboards (this is the same beach opened to the public for the first-ever Northwest Paddling Festival they sponsored last year). Again, you have till about 2 pm to go join the fun.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen truck; found mail

September 30, 2012 8:31 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes this morning:

That’s Sean‘s truck. He sent the photo and this report:

Got up this morning to hitch up my boat and sure enough no truck. Stolen sometime before 4 am. Police report filed. Not sure what dimwitted fool would steal it considering how identifiable it is; the truck is covered with fishing decals. 2008 Toyota Tacoma, WA St. B48224E, Silver w/canopy.

If you see it – police ask that stolen vehicles be called in via 911. (Sean didn’t mention which neighborhood so we have e-mailed back to ask.)

Also, Sheridan sent this note Saturday afternoon:

I wanted to give you a heads up. I was just at my parent’s house in 24th just south of Roxbury, and we found some stolen mail in the yard of an abandoned house next door. I called the non-emergency line, and per their instructions, packaged it up to give to the mailman on Monday.

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West Seattle Sunday highlights: Beat the Burn 5K; cider press

September 30, 2012 8:07 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday highlights: Beat the Burn 5K; cider press

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Claire for the photo from this morning’s moonset. Today’s big event: The Beat the Burn 5K at West Seattle’s Jack Block Park, and the festival that follows – the run/walk (to help young burn survivors go to camp) is at 9 am but that’s just the start. Events continuing till 2 pm, free to the community (including Bubbleman at 11:30 am), are listed toward the bottom of this page.

Also today, a cider-press event at West Seattle Nursery, with City Fruit, noon-4 pm – bring your own apples, or if you don’t have any, they’ll share.

Lots more going on – all listed on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar.

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