FOLLOWUP: Metro Route 56 to get more service, after Councilmember Herbold’s request
Back in February, we reported on District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s request to SDOT to see what it would take for the city to spend some of the “more bus service” Transportation Benefit District money on the underserved Admiral/Alki corridor. Tonight, Herbold tells WSB that SDOT, via the TBD, “has agreed to fund two route 56 trips each Monday-Friday beginning in September 2018. One in the am arriving downtown at about 10 AM and another leaving downtown at about 7:15 PM. Folks in Admiral and Alki have been super helpful in making this happen.” That’s just a start, though; Herbold had pitched for hourly 56 service but was told that would cost close to a million dollars and due to other factors such as fleet availability could require reductions in Route 50 service. She has been promised by SDOT that “we’ll definitely continue to work with the County to improve service to the North Admiral area.” She notes that research done by her legislative assistant Newell Aldrich revealed a few things strongly supporting increased service to Admiral, such as that it’s “the only Urban Village with no off-peak bus service to Downtown, one of only two Urban Villages not included in the High Capacity Transit Network, and … the only Urban Village not served by the current Frequent Transit Network.”
West Seattle light-rail planning: Stakeholder Advisory Group rolls on to Level 2
(Slide deck from meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Progress is being made.”
So declared facilitator Diane Adams as the Stakeholder Advisory Group for Sound Transit‘s West Seattle/Ballard light-rail extensions kicked off meeting #5.
The Wednesday evening meeting at ST’s downtown board room didn’t result in any major pronouncements or advances. It did mark the start of the second of three levels of screening that are planned to result in a “preferred alternative,” ready for full environmental study, early next year.
ST’s Cathal Ridge and Andrea Burnett reviewed what had happened since meeting #4 five weeks earlier. She said 300 people participated in the six neighborhood forums held in April and May (that would mean the May 5th West Seattle forum accounted for almost half the turnout); she said the next round is being planned for September. Before that, you’ll see ST at a variety of summer events, including three in West Seattle:
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West Seattle restaurants: Vine & Spoon finally about to open
Almost two years after we first told you Vine & Spoon was on the way to The Junction – it’s finally about to open. 5 pm tomorrow (Friday, June 1st), the restaurant on the west side of Junction 47 at California/Alaska will serve its first patrons. We just confirmed this by stopping in after a tip that the paper was off the windows after all these months; we had noticed recently that they were hiring, which suggested opening was imminent. Vine & Spoon will be “serving fresh farm-to-table cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails.” Opening night is by reservation only; preview the dinner menu here.
FRIDAY: Lou Cutler’s birthday run at Pathfinder for Make-A-Wish
(WSB photo, June 2017)
Since this will likely get started before our usual morning highlights list goes live, we wanted to remind you about an annual event tomorrow that you are invited to join or support – retired Pathfinder K-8 PE teacher Lou Cutler‘s annual birthday run for Make-A-Wish. In June, Lou turns 67, so he’ll be circling the Pathfinder field on Pigeon Point 67 times. It’s just one way he supports Make-A-Wish>, whose official news release for this year’s run calls him a “wish-granting superstar.” He’s volunteered for the group for more than 20 years; this is his 15th year of Laps with Lou. If you can stop by the Pathfinder field at 1901 SW Genesee tomorrow, you’re welcome to join the run – as most of the school’s students and staff do at some point during the day – or just cheer him on! You can also donate online in honor of his dedication and the kids who have unforgettable experiences as a result. He expects to get going around 9 am, and last year the run went past 1 pm.
West Seattle’s new Fire Station 32 gets LEED Platinum certification
(WSB photo from November 2017 open house at Station 32)
A rare honor for our area’s newest Seattle Fire station – it’s been certified as Platinum LEED, the city has announced, recognizing sustainable design and construction practices. From the announcement:
… The Fire Station 32 project incorporated sustainable features such as solar hot water systems, photovoltaic arrays, green roof, water-efficient landscaping, energy-efficient LED lighting systems, energy-efficient HVAC systems, recycled building material use, low volatile organic compound (VOC) building material use, natural daylighting of common spaces, and individual thermal controls of sleeping areas. …
Station 32, the city says, is one of only two Platinum LEED-certified fire stations in Seattle, one of three in the state. The Bohlin Cywinski Jackson-designed station opened last August, on the same site in The Triangle (38th/Alaska) as the former Station 32.
Wondering why Admiral Way Viewpoint is more like Admiral Way View-less-point?
That’s most of what’s left of the view at Admiral Way Viewpoint, which is technically part of Belvedere Park. Here’s a 180-degree version:
The WSB inboxes have recently yielded multiple questions about whether Seattle Parks plans to trim trees to restore the almost-fully blocked view. We inquired and found out they won’t be doing it any time soon. Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin‘s reply to our inquiry:
Parks & Recreation is pausing any view trimming while we review and update our viewpoint and tree trimming policies. We are assembling a task force to help us with this process.
The longer story is that we are very frequently asked to trim trees to preserve views at various sites, some official viewpoints, some unofficial viewpoints. We are not funded sufficiently to be able to keep up with all these requests, and we’d like to work more proactively and regularly to keep these viewpoints clear. That will require us, along with the task force, to determine which sites require view point trimming and with what frequency.
She promised an update would be available “soon” regarding “the formation of that task force, and its progress.” Official Seattle Parks policy (see page 5) says that “Views from designated public view parks and viewpoints will be preserved through maintenance and management of parks vegetation in front of or below the viewpoint.” (Page 16 of that same document shows that this viewpoint is indeed on the designation list.)
West Seattle’s next fun run/walk – and obstacle course! How to be part of Loop the ‘Lupe on Saturday
(2017 photo courtesy Loop the ‘Lupe)
Four ways to participate Saturday in the second-ever Loop the ‘Lupe – and three ways left to sign up. First, a recap – it all happens at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), with four start times:
-Obstacle course [photo above] at 11 am
-5K run/walk at 11:45
-Senior Saunter at 12:15
-Youth Dash at 1 pm
They’re all explained here. Here’s how to register – for a discount!
SIGN UP ONLINE BY TONIGHT: Online registration closes at midnight – you can still save $5 on the obstacle course and 5K by using the code WSB10.
SIGN UP AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TOMORROW: 4-7 pm Friday, West Seattle Runner (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts an in-person signup event. You can still mention the discount code there too!
SIGN UP AT WALT HUNDLEY PLAYFIELD: If you don’t make your participation decision until the last minute, show up starting at 10 am and sign up on site! And yes, you can mention WSB10 there too.
It’s more than a fun way to move, it’ll also be a party – food/drinks, beer, live music. We’re this year’s media sponsor and we’ll see you there!
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