FERRIES: See what WSF heard about fixing Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth woes
Traffic flow at the Fauntleroy ferry dock emerged as the top issue for people who participated in Washington State Ferries’ three recent meetings about what’s called the “triangle route.” We covered the start of the Fauntleroy meeting a week and a half ago; now we have the document WSF put together with all the comments it received at all three meetings, which it says were “the starting point for a community process to develop solutions by summer 2017.” Read the 400 comments from 120 people in this document:
(If you can’t see the embedded Scribd version, here’s the PDF version.) No time to go through the document? WSF’s summary:
… We received a diverse range of ideas, opinions and questions. Many of the themes we heard varied by community. For example, many comments from Vashon Island asked about a bypass lane on the Fauntleroy dock and revised ticketing procedures. Many comments from Southworth asked about specific schedule changes. And a large portion of Fauntleroy’s comments dealt with neighborhood parking.
Importantly, there was one area of broad agreement between routes: Improving traffic control, safety, and the flow in and around the Fauntleroy terminal. The feedback includes many different ideas on how to achieve these improvements.
Over the next two months, WSF will assemble a public task force to review these comments and available data, with the goal of identifying “quick wins” to improve service by next summer and exploring strategies for longer-term solutions. The task force’s meetings will be open to the public, and one of the first things they will consider is the feedback gathered at WSF’s listening sessions.
If you would like to be notified about updates, please sign up for notifications at WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov.
Problems on the route came to a boiling point over the summer when vehicles headed for the Fauntleroy dock backed up past Morgan Junction, and when it was noted that ferries were leaving without full loads to try to stay on schedule.
ELECTION NIGHT: West Seattle viewing parties?
Maybe everyone’s planning to watch election results at home Tuesday night … we’ve been asked for a list of West Seattle viewing parties/events/gatherings, and so far, it’s a very short list. If your establishment/organization is having an event that’s open to the public, in West Seattle or White Center, please let us know – comment, or e-mail editor@westseattleblog.com, or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
FOLLOWUP: How Chief Sealth IHS students voted in ‘mock election’
Last Tuesday, Chief Sealth International High School invited the news media to stop by as students participated in a statewide “mock election,” making their choices on five ballot measures as well as President, U.S. Senator, and Governor. We checked in with social-studies teacher Noah Zeichner to see how it turned out. He pointed out that the Secretary of State’s website published results from participating schools around the state. Sealth for some reason was counted in two groups – 767 votes as Chief Sealth, 17 as Sealth. Here’s how the larger group of students voted:
I-1433, state minimum wage
Yes 84%
No 16%
I-1491, “extreme risk protection orders”
Yes 81%
No 19%
I-735, constitutional rights for individuals, not corporations
Yes 66%
No 34%
President/VP
Clinton/Kaine (D) 69%
Trump/Pence (R) 11%
Stein/Baraka (G) 8%
Johnson/Weld (L) 5%
Kennedy/Hart (SW) 2%
La Riva/Puryear (SL) 2%
Castle/Bradley (C) 2%
U.S. Senator
Murray (D) 81%
Vance (R) 19%
Governor
Inslee 79%
Bryant 21%
King County Charter Amendment #2, gender-neutral language
Yes 65%
No 35%
Seattle I-124, hotel workers’ health/safety/standards
Yes 88%
No 12%
Same winners for the small group, though the percentages varied a bit, especially in the presidential race, where some of the third-party candidates got no votes. You can see all the results by going here – the dropdown lists many schools statewide, though many show no results, or what appear to be less-than-schoolwide results.
FOLLOWUP: West Seattleites’ donation drive for Standing Rock, one week in
Last weekend, we published Giles Stanton and Cathy Morgan‘s announcement of a drive to collect items for the Standing Rock Sioux-led oil-pipeline-route protest, before they drive to North Dakota later this month. After collecting donations at two locations on Saturday, they sent this update, including word of a meeting for people who have expressed interest in a caravan to ND:
Well, thank you, West Seattle! We spent a soggy morning collecting nearly a truckload of stuff, from heavy winter coats and wool socks to sleeping bags. Big thanks to Again and a Gain on California, who donated 20 pairs of brand-new heavy winter boots for children and women. And to the Olympic Athlete who gave us his (or her?) winter coats. And to the two children who hand-delivered two sleeping pads. Beautiful.
We very much appreciate the W.S.U.U. for letting us store all of this. And to the Duwamish Tribe, who had nearly another truckload of donated stuff stored and ready for pickup in their beautiful longhouse. Q-13 sent a reporter round to film us, so that was good. We were also interviewed by Jack, a UW student/journalist working for an online publication called The Globalist.
A number of people have wanted to help but have no materials, so we are launching a Go Fund Me site to help with the costs of the trip.
gofundme.com/StandingRockSiouxSupplies
With regard to the caravan, we’d like to offer a meeting at Uptown Espresso on California (4301 SW Edmunds) on Saturday (November 12th) from 5 to 6 p.m. A coordinated convoy seems a bit tricky, but let’s talk through it and see what is possible. Come by if you want to join, find a ride, offer a vehicle, or have a good idea or two.
Wonderful to live surrounded by such a community.
Cathy and Giles
West Seattle development: 9030 35th SW done with Design Review
(Rendering from newest design “packet” for 9030 35th SW)
Southwest Design Review Board members thought it might have been one of their shortest meetings ever, as they gave their final blessing to the four-story, 40-apartment mixed-use project planned for 9030 35th SW. The review at the Sisson Building/Senior Center on Thursday night lasted 45 minutes; no one showed up for public comment.
The board agreed that the project team had addressed the issues that came up in the previous review last May. As shown in the new project “packet,” the architects added a green roof and upgraded the plans for exterior materials; the exterior remained an area of concern for board members, recommending high-grade concrete and siding material. The dark brown/gray color scheme was superior to the one shown in the spring, they agreed, and they warned the project team against oversized signage. After the aforementioned 45 minutes, board members voted unanimously in favor of final design approval. If you have comments/concerns about the project, its assigned city planner is still the person to send them to – bruce.rips@seattle.gov – until the final permits are issued some weeks/months down the line.
UNSUNG HEROES: West Seattle Amateur Radio Club’s Harvest Parade communication
Were you at the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival last Sunday? Maybe part of its bigger-than-ever Costume Parade (WSB video above) – or one of the spectators? Again this year, the parade’s unsung heroes were members of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club. David Hillier shared the photos and report:
Members of the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club provided radio communications during the festival’s costume parade, with radio operators at strategic positions in the parade. Jim Edwards WS7JIM, led the parade on his motorcycle with installed radio gear. Ken AB7X and Adeline (16) AA7HH followed in the middle of the parade, while Dave AA7XX and Meredith (12) KG7EUM followed at the rear of the parade. Cora W7COR communicated with the members in the parade from home through the club’s repeater, helping with coordination. Radio communication helps Jim know how to pace the parade and provides an added element of safety.
We in HAM radio love these events. It is a nice way to help out – and to be part of a fun event! Look us up online or go to the ARRL website if you think you might be interested in HAM radio.
P.S. As you can see in the photos of the parade volunteers, amateur radio is for all ages!
TRAFFIC ALERT: Delridge/Andover crash
9:58 AM: Thanks for the texts reporting a crash at Delridge/Andover, one saying a car has gone sideways. On our way to find out more.
10:14 AM: Just arrived in the area. A Route 125 bus is stopped on the northbound side on Delridge north of Andover; a fire engine is on the same side, just south of the intersection, and the crashed car is east of it (perpendicular to traffic – see photo added above). Traffic is getting by both ways on Delridge, westbound on Andover, but if you have to come this way, take it slow. Police say no one was hurt. They’re still talking to drivers and witnesses to see what happened.
10:24 AM: The injury situation may have changed. An AMR ambulance just pulled up near the crashed car.
Southwest Library community art showcase postscript: Pickup time!
Jane Gibson from the Southwest Library shares two collages from the Community Art Showcase that just wrapped up. And she has this reminder: If you participated, please go get your work!
If you’ve been holding off because you didn’t want to bring your art out into the rain – today’s a great day, with the forecast only calling for a slight chance of showers. The library is open 1 pm-5 pm today.
West Seattle Sunday: From salmon to Sousa
(Thanks to Kathleen Steele for another view of the leaf art that someone’s been creating in Lincoln Park)
Highlights for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
RUN ON ALKI: Fitness for Vitality‘s 3-run series on Alki offers 3 options from 2.5K to 10K, all starting at 9:30 am, with registration starting at the Alki Bathhouse at 8:15 am if you’re not already signed up. Details here. (60th SW/Alki SW)
MOSS TOUR: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler‘s nature walk in Lincoln Park starts at 10 am (meet by kiosk in Lincoln Park’s north lot); optional coffee hour at Caffé Ladro (California/Myrtle) at 8:30 am. Details in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction. Time to think Thanksgiving! (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
SALMON SPOTTING: As reported here last night, a spawner has been seen in Fauntleroy Creek, and if you’d like to go have a look, stop by the overlook between noon and 4 pm today and a volunteer will escort you to a close-up viewing spot. (SW Director St./upper Fauntleroy Way SW)
FROM BACH TO JOPLIN: That’s the musical range promised at this free (donations accepted) concert featuring organ music and more, 2 pm at Hope Lutheran Church; details in our calendar listing. (4456 42nd SW)
COUNTRY/FOLK/POP: Original music by Kari Lynch and Matt Gabriel at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
ANNUAL SOUSA BIRTHDAY BASH: It’s the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band at Kenyon Hall at 7:30 pm, celebrating the composer’s birthday and the band’s longevity. Info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
MORE! See our complete calendar for the rest of what’s up today, tonight, beyond.
Another crash on Olson Place SW
Thanks to Collin for the photo and tip – yet another crash on Olson Place SW [map], at the east end of the Roxbury corridor. Part of the road is blocked, as you can see in the photo, but apparently no serious injuries, as the dispatch does not include a medic unit.
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