West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Another grab-and-run theft tops West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports tonight:
PURSE STOLEN AT SALON: From Sue:
Tonight at approximately 6:30 pm, a male ran into this salon @ 35th Avenue [6500 block] and stole my purse. He ran out and got away in a black car. I am hoping to … have neighbors be on the lookout for a brown over-the=shoulder purse. I am sure they tossed it somewhere in West Seattle. It had everything card, gift card, credit card, library card, ID I have. I know the $$ is gone and they have tried to use my cards. I am hoping the rest was nothing to them and some good Samaritan finds some of my stuff.
Police incident # is 2018-038121.
BURGLARY: A resident in the 4500 block of Delridge Way SW called us this afternoon because her dog was missing after a break-in. We quickly published a notice on the Lost/Found Pets page, and her dog was found relatively quickly, but we thought you’d want to know about the break-in too. No details.
PROWLER: This one’s short on details too but FYI for Junction-area residents, Stephanie sent the brief clip from her boyfriend’s security system:
She says the prowler was recorded around 9:30 pm last night.
PACKAGE TAKEN: From Luke in Shorewood, who says this happened at 3:22 pm Tuesday:
Luke is in the 2600 block of SW 112th, so this is a King County Sheriff’s Office case. He adds, “He actually drove by 5 minutes before the theft while he was casing the neighborhood. Luckily FedEx is smart enough to leave packages out of sight in the carport, so the thief didn’t see those packages. USPS not so smart.”
That sign is on the corner of Fauntleroy and Trenton, which is now confirmed as part of the reroute for buses once SDOT starts its two weeks of work – announced Monday – closing the intersection of Fauntleroy/Wildwood, just south of the ferry terminal. Metro has now finalized the reroute plan for the C Line and Route 116 buses, and has published it here (PDF). The project replacing some of the road panels and adding a curb ramp is scheduled to start next Monday, lasting up to two weeks.
(WSB file photo – 38th/Fauntleroy, in the zone set for the now-on-hold project)
FIRST REPORT, 3:53 PM: Tonight, as we’ve been reporting, the Junction Neighborhood Organization has a Fauntleroy Boulevard project update on the agenda. This afternoon, we’ve learned it will be a MAJOR update: The project is on hold, because of concerns that have long been raised by some community members – including that it might conflict with Sound Transit‘s light-rail plan, leading to the same stretch of busy roadway being torn up twice. Just posted to the project webpage:
We’re putting construction of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project on hold.
… Based on community input and continued coordination with Sound Transit, we are putting construction of the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project on hold. This decision responds to community concerns about prolonged construction and effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Sound Transit’s current proposed route for the voter-approved West Seattle Light Rail Extension includes an elevated rail line on Fauntleroy Way. If built after the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project, there is the possibility that Fauntleroy improvements would need to be removed and potentially rebuilt.
During our recent design outreach, we heard community concerns about dealing with major construction twice in such a short amount of time. The community also asked whether constructing the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project now, and potentially having elements of the project removed later, would be an effective use of public dollars. Our decision to put construction on hold will help to ensure that SDOT’s and Sound Transit’s plans for this stretch of Fauntleroy Way don’t conflict. We recognize West Seattle has multiple paving and transit priorities, and we will reallocate Fauntleroy Boulevard Project funds to address the community’s needs.
Sound Transit is still in the early stages of their design for light rail to West Seattle, and they anticipate choosing a preferred alignment by mid-2019. Last month, the City announced plans to work closely with Sound Transit over the next 18 months to identify a preferred route for the light rail tracks and stations to the West Seattle Junction.
The Fauntleroy Boulevard plan stemmed from a community-generated proposal dating back to the turn of the millennium. It proposed a rechannelization of Fauntleroy Way SW between SW Alaska and 35th SW, adding safety and multi-modal features, and stretches of landscaped median. It was idle for some years (concepts were explored in 2010) and then “re-activated” in 2016, with the final design announced last year. But as the Sound Transit West Seattle to Ballard planning phase ramped up recently, so did the questions and concerns about why millions would be spent on this stretch only to potentially see it torn up again a few years later (it’s in the draft alignment, and ST hopes to start construction as soon as 2025).
ADDED 6:09 PM: We asked City Councilmember Lisa Herbold for comment. Her reply:
We’re working to insure that if Sound Transit builds the representative alignment then Sound Transit will be responsible for rebuilding to project-level standards if they dig up the same portion of the street. If Sound Transit, on the other hand, chooses a different alignment and we move forward with the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project and SDOT determines that there are increased costs as a result of cost escalation due to the delay, then we’ll work to see that Sound Transit picks up those extra costs. Sound Transit won’t make final alignment decisions until late 2019, so in the meantime, we need to be working to prepare for a possible reallocation of levy dollars, based on what we have heard and will hear from the community about West Seattle’s transportation priorities. We don’t want to wait on Sound Transit to keep delivering levy improvements in West Seattle.
3:28 PM: Thanks for the tips – there’s a multiple-vehicle crash on the eastbound high bridge, where traffic from the Admiral (etc.) ramp merges. SFD is arriving on scene.
4:30 PM: SDOT says the scene is clear.
12:40 PM: Big police search under way in an industrial area in the south end of South Park right now after two people were shot in the 9200 block of 10th Avenue S. [map] According to radio communications, a suspect is believed to have fled in what’s described as a dark-colored Toyota Camry. Traffic is being blocked on some roads around the scene. Updates when we get them.
12:47 PM: According to radio communications, both victims are men, one in his 40s, one in his 20s, and both are being rushed to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medic units.
2:01 PM: We just talked with police at the scene. They believe one person shot both men, whose injuries are described as non-life-threatening. They don’t yet have a good description of the shooter but do hope to at least have more of a description of the getaway vehicle soon. No word on a motive, either; this is an industrial area in southwest South Park.
ADDED: Above is video of the briefing we covered at the scene, with SPD spokesperson Det. Patrick Michaud.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
What you see on the barge in our photo above are hundreds of creosote-treated pilings removed from the north end of the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 in West Seattle. We reported back in October that the removal was about to begin, as explained in this document. This morning, the port invited news media to T-5 for an update.
So far, the port says, 2,300 pilings have been removed; back in 2000, the port had an estimated 18,000 of them, and with this and other removal operations, they are down to 8,000. As the port news release explains:
Creosote-treated pilings and timbers were used for more than 100 years throughout Puget Sound, as fundamental structural elements in marine cargo and transportation infrastructure. Present-day marine facility piers and docks have replaced creosote construction with inert steel and concrete pilings, and in many cases fender systems requiring no piling have been installed.
The show-and-tell today also included an underwater camera nicknamed Ringo, used in the removal operation:
This part of the cleanup operation also involves restoration of more than four acres of habitat. The importance of the continuing restoration and cleanup was underscored by James Rasmussen of the nonprofit Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition:
Port commissioner Fred Felleman, who has a decades-long background in marine conservation, spoke as well:
And state Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz was there.
The $6.8 million pilings-removal project has a state angle, as noted in our October report – this part of the cleanup was related to the termination of a state lease more than a decade ago.
Our October report also included details on exactly how the pilings were to be removed. They are to be barged up the Duwamish River to the Waste Management facility, from which they will be sent to the Columbia Ridge landfill in Oregon for permanent disposal.
(Another long-lens look at Uno the harbor seal, from David Hutchinson, who explains that the dark eye rings mean Uno is well-hydrated)
Highlights for today/tonight from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TINKERLAB STEM CHALLENGE: Fun for all ages, free, at Southwest Library, 2:30-4 pm. (9010 35th SW)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. The agenda, from JuNO director Amanda Sawyer:
SDOT – Fauntleroy Way Boulevard – Presentation of the 100% design and project update.
Avalon Substation – Brandon Herman will present renderings of the Avalon Substation SF Zoned Lots leased to Pecos Pit to gain feedback from the community.
JuNO Land Use Committee – Christy Tobin-Presser will give an update regarding SCALE and JuNO’s legal challenge to the HALA/MHA Final Environmental Impact Statement.
HALA/MHA Discussion – Outside of legal challenge, what ideas are other Urban Villages evaluating to add density and affordable housing to their neighborhoods?
ST3 WS Light Rail – Next steps for community input. Introduction of Kevin Freitas, JuNO’s liaison between the community and Sound Transit. Presentation of Tomasz Biernacki’s renderings of elevated Light Rail and discussion of the future vision for the West Seattle Junction.
JuNO Volunteers Needed – Have great ideas for the WS Junction? Want to plan an event or be involved in applying for a neighborhood grant from Department of Neighborhoods? JuNO is looking for volunteer committee members and officers to create a more effective and inclusive neighborhood organization.
JuNO meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. Working together to make our West Seattle Junction and Triangle Neighborhoods a better place to work, live and play!
(4217 SW Oregon)
BASKETBALL: One home game tonight – the West Seattle High School girls, undefeated in conference play, host Cleveland, 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)
THE BILLY JOE SHOW: This is a fifth Wednesday, and that means it’s The Billy Joe Show at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
TALARICO’S TRIVIA: Wednesday means the legendary trivia game with Phil Tavel at Talarico’s Pizzeria in The Junction, 8:30 pm. (4718 California SW)
AND THERE’S MORE … on our complete-calendar page!
(Photo courtesy Olympia Coffee)
We reported back on Monday that the long-awaited Olympia Coffee shop in West Seattle was close to opening and expecting to make an announcement soon. That arrived this morning, saying this is opening day:
Olympia Coffee Roasting Co announces today the opening of their new cafe at 3840 California Ave SW. Hours are Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm and Saturday and Sunday 7 am to 6 pm.
The neighborhood cafe is Olympia Coffee Roasting Co’s fourth location. However, it’s their first retail store in the city of Seattle.
Olympia Coffee Roasting Co’s award-winning Fair for All coffees will be brewed with La Marzocco Strada AV customized by legendary craftsman Jacob Elul-Blake with Pantechnicon Designs, Fetco Batch Brewed coffee, and pour-over options with Kalita Wave brewers.
Pastries are from The Bakehouse 55. Olympia Coffee will be The Bakehouse 55’s first customer in the city of Seattle. Their namesake 55 layers of butter and dough are born from a sourdough starter, adding a more complex delicious pairing with coffee.
Design and Construction by The Artisans Group with respect to Olympia Coffee’s brand and aesthetic. This is the third retail store that Olympia Coffee has constructed using all sustainably sourced materials working with Windfall Lumber.
Olympia Coffee’s location is in one of the live-work units at Rally, the townhouse complex at the site of the former Charlestown Café, also home to other businesses including Welcome Road Winery (WSB sponsor).
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:14 AM: Good morning! Too cloudy to see this morning’s eclipse – we looked. But right now, the brake lights and headlights are shining bright as usual on the roads, which do not have any incidents reported in/from West Seattle right now. Notes:
NO SCHOOL: Today is the “day between semesters” for Seattle Public Schools.
SCHOOL BUS STRIKE TOMORROW: As announced last night, First Student bus drivers (the company that provides yellow-bus service for Seattle Public Schools) will be on strike starting Thursday.
FAUNTLEROY/DIRECTOR STAIRWAY CLOSED: As reported yesterday (with info on other stairway projects ahead this year in West Seattle). And nearby …
FAUNTLEROY/WILDWOOD INTERSECTION CLOSING STARTING MONDAY: As announced two days ago. We are still waiting for reroute details for Metro, which may have them following a meeting today – we’ll publish an update when they’re out.
(WSB photos)
Right from the tipoff, it was a fast-moving faceoff Tuesday night for the boys-varsity teams of West Seattle High School and visiting Cleveland High School. The first minute alone contained two fouls and a jump ball. But the Eagles’ swarming defense and more-robust rebounding led them to the win, 66-53.
Cleveland forced WSHS into more outside shooting – the first Wildcat basket was a three-pointer, two minutes into the game, part of a short stretch in which the lead see-sawed before Cleveland started pulling further ahead toward the end of the first quarter. During the lead-swapping stretch, #2 Elijah Nnanabu had a memorable shot – a backhanded layup midway through the first quarter. He had nine points on the night:
9 was also the tally for #10 Roman Barnet, but the Wildcats’ top scorer was #5 Abdullahi Mohamed, with 13.
#23 Anthony Giomi had 8 for West Seattle, including two back-to-back baskets toward the game’s end, as the Wildcats worked on a comeback.
But throughout most of the game, the Eagles let little go unanswered, and kept up intense pressure, forcing turnovers they mostly managed to convert. The Wildcats’ fans, however, kept cheering them on – at one point as Cleveland built on their lead mid-second quarter, West Seattle battled for a basket and foul shot that led to big cheers as the Eagles’ lead was trimmed to 10. But Cleveland fought on and built to a 43-22 halftime lead.
Opening the second half, West Seattle kept pace, but wasn’t able to chip away at Cleveland’s edge, with the third quarter ending 57-38. The Wildcats’ fourth-quarter comeback started a few minutes too late.
Head coach Keffrey Fazio and his team are home again on Friday night for the final game of the regular season, vs. cross-town competitors Chief Sealth IHS (4 pm girls’ JV, 5:30 pm boys’ JV, 7 pm girls’ varsity, 8:30 pm boys’ varsity).
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