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You asked for it – Car2Go says it’s coming to West Seattle
February 20, 2013 6:05 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Jason, who just called our attention to the Facebook announcement that Car2Go is committing to West Seattle expansion. No date is mentioned; we’ll be contacting the company to ask, but in case you hadn’t seen it there, we’re noting it here, as its recent arrival in the city generated lots of buzz – and disappointment that West Seattle wasn’t part of the original plan.

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West Seattle road work: Delridge-Trenton intersection closure postponed again
February 20, 2013 5:36 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle road work: Delridge-Trenton intersection closure postponed again
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT says the forecast looks bad so they are postponing the Delridge-Trenton intersection repaving for the second consecutive weekend. (Last weekend, the forecast looked bad – but the weather didn’t live down to it.)

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Charges filed against suspected West Seattle/White Center serial robber
February 20, 2013 4:37 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(2/13/13 WSB photo by Katie Meyer; scene of robbery that led to Willis’s arrest)
46-year-old Paul Eugene Willis – the man arrested in connection with six recent armed robberies in West Seattle, White Center, and vicinity – is now charged with three counts of first-degree robbery. Partner site White Center Now had first word of the robbery spree in January; then we learned the same suspect was also believed to be responsible for both recent holdups of the Smoke and Beverage Shop at 35th and Roxbury, the second of which led to his arrest, reported here last Friday (when we also reported that he served prison time for other holdups on Roxbury – including the same 76 station he allegedly recently robbed). The charging documents exhaustively detail the detective work that led to Willis’s arrest – from studying similarities in the robberies’ M.O., to discovering a certain vehicle on surveillance footage. We’ll summarize as soon as we can, but wanted to get word out about the charges. Willis remains in jail, with bail set at half a million dollars, and arraignment scheduled in early March. (Mug shot is from state Department of Corrections, taken in 2006; they tell us he’s been out since 2008 after serving time for those earlier robberies.)

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As-it-happened: Surveillance-camera briefing at City Hall; West Seattle meeting(s) ahead
February 20, 2013 2:05 pm
|      39 COMMENTS
 |   Seattle Police surveillance cameras | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

(TOPLINE: Public discussion promised – starting with Alki Community Council board meeting Thursday night; scroll to end of story)

2:05 PM: We’re at City Hall for the City Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee briefing/discussion on the Seattle Police surveillance-camera/”wireless mesh” network first brought to light here three weeks ago (archived coverage here). In advance of the meeting, which is about to begin, two documents were added to the agenda today, one including more background detail on the federal-grant-funded $5 million project. Here’s here’s the background document; here’s the PowerPoint intended to illustrate a few of its points. The meeting is just getting under way. You can watch live here – or here:

(Editor’s note: The archived video from the meeting is now embedded above)
First – public comment. First up: A woman who says she wants to share “lessons we have learned” using security cameras in the International District. She says that the cameras installed there (part of a private network) have helped bolster safety and security in the area and provided evidence that will stand up in court. She says they only show the street in front of whatever building they’re installed at. The second speaker says she is a former Alki resident now living on Magnolia, and she is concerned about terrorist attacks via water. She is in favor of 24/7 surveillance and thinks “it’s a miracle” there hasn’t been a terrorist attack yet.

Third speaker from Stand Up America says that he is concerned about terrorists – “the terrorists sitting at (the council) table.” He accuses the government of terrorism and “ridiculous behavior.” He adds, basically shouting, “You guys are eroding our civil rights … don’t stand against the people, stand up for the people.” Councilmember Harrell has accused him of a “showboating tactic” after the speaker called him “a criminal.” Fourth speaker also has a red “Stand Up America” sign and identifies himself as an immigrant from the former Soviet Union who also is concerned about government oppression.

Fifth speaker – Jennifer Shaw, deputy director of the ACLU, which has already asked the city to reconsider these cameras, and makes it clear their concern is government surveillance – “government keeping track of the movements of individuals throughout our city.” She says the recent drone controversy was evidence that people in Seattle are not happy about having surveillance “thrust on them.” She refers to the fact that a city official (as noted in our early coverage) has been quoted as saying this is a potential step toward a citywide camera network, not just focused on waterways. Sixth speaker is Will Washington, who identifies himself as a Beach Drive resident. “This is a big issue for us,” he says, referring to conversations with neighbors in the Constellation Park area, where one of the cameras is installed. He says everyone is bothered by “the fact this was never brought to our attention … we never had a discussion about this.” He says the sentiment is that it’s a symptom of a growing “police state.” Seventh speaker says she is concerned about “be(ing) fearful of who I’m being watched by” as she is out walking her dog on Alki. She says she speaks for a friend who couldn’t be here but isn’t happy about being watched either. She says that if the cameras “were only meant for port security, they would only be facing the port.” She doesn’t want to feel like she’s being watched by somebody “for some reason or another … every time I walk out of my house.”

Eighth speaker is another Alki beachfront resident who says he lives just down the street from some of the cameras. He wants to talk about history. “Coming from a law enforcement family, I’m disappointed that a choice was made to purchase this technology that breeds complacency on the job.” He says this is the first time he’s spoken at a Council meeting. Ninth speaker is John Loftis, a former vice chair of the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission, and 20-year Alki resident. “It is not a high-crime area … One of the main reasons for this is that Alki is flanked by a high-density residential neighborhood. Most of us seldom close our blinds … and represent hundreds of sets of eyes at any one time.” He says that’s a very effective type of surveillance and “don’t need this type of camera to monitor the beach.” He thinks someone should be embarrassed that one of the cameras is across the street from a popular volleyball and sunbathing spot, and calls it Bikini Cam. “One of these women might have a bomb in her bikini top, I guess.” He says he just hopes his wife does not become “Miss Torso” to someone who can point and zoom the camera.

Tenth speaker is a woman who says she doesn’t want to be seen on camera because she doesn’t want the government “all in my business. … I’m calling you out because you’re wrong.” She says “I came down here to say you’re out of control.”

At 2:32 pm, the briefing begins as SPD and others introduce themselves. Councilmembers sit at a smaller table during committee meetings. Harrell and O’Brien still are the only members here. Councilmember Licata has not arrived (he is due at an unrelated West Seattle meeting tonight, though).

**EDITOR’S NOTE, POST MEETING – IF YOU ARE READING THIS FROM THE HOME PAGE TO GET THE REST OF OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE AT THIS LINK: Read More

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‘100th day of school’ food drive: Cometa Playschool’s results
February 20, 2013 1:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The photo is from Manuela Slye of Cometa Playschool, one of the local schools that responded to the “collect 100 food items by the 100th day of school” challenge from Arbor Heights Elementary teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her students. (First report was from Holy Rosary School, whose “100th day” arrived earlier. Anyone else with results to report today? Please let us know!)

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The WSBeat: The case of the mysterious trunk, and more
February 20, 2013 12:29 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WSBeat

By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog

As always, the WSBeat summaries are from reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers that (usually) have not already appeared here in breaking-news coverage or West Seattle Crime Watch reports, but that might at least answer the question “what WERE all those police doing on my block?”:

*A Valentine’s Day low tide brought an artifact seeker to the banks of the Duwamish. In the muck, he came across what looked like a disintegrated steamer trunk. It contained pieces of gold-edged dishware and what appeared to be human remains — including a hip bone. Officers transported the items to the Medical Examiner’s office.

Five more summaries ahead:Read More

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West Seattle Wednesday: Delridge District Council talks marijuana; City Council talks surveillance cameras…
February 20, 2013 10:42 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Nice catch!

(From Flickr member YLev; shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Five things YOU can catch, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you will find even more of what’s happening today/tonight):

TODDLER INDOOR GYM: If your little one (or one you care for) has big energy to burn off, check out Delridge Community Center, 1-4 pm, for one of its thrice-weekly drop-in Toddler Indoor Gym sessions.

SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT SPD SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS? The City Council committee that in May 2012 approved the cameras – without discussion of their intended placement in recreational/residential areas like Alki – plans a briefing/discussion at 2 pm today at City Hall downtown. The meeting of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee starts with a public-comment period. (Here’s our archive of coverage since we first learned and reported January 29th what and whose they were.)

SOMALI STORY TIME: One of many library story time programs every week; this one is offered entirely in Somali; all welcome. 5 pm at the High Point Branch Library (35th/Raymond).

DISTRICT COUNCIL TALKS MARIJUANA ZONING, NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROJECTS: Big agenda for the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council tonight, and you are invited (as always). First up, City Council President Sally Clark and Councilmember Nick Licata will discuss the city’s proposal for marijuana zoning (part of what contributed to this unofficial map we showed you February 5). If you have questions, this is the time/place to ask. Second, the council has to decide which neighborhood-grant proposals it will support – here’s the list of presentations that community members will make:

1. Highland Park Playground— Matt Whitman/Rachel Wright
2. Cloverdale Dog Park Trail— Mike Shilley
3. Findlay St between Delridge Way SW and 25th Ave SW Curbing and Street Trees— Patrick Baer
4. 9th and Henderson Curb and Crossing Improvements—Craig Rankin
5. Trail improvement in Riverview Ball Fields—Craig Rankin

The meeting’s at 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge).

NOT IN WEST SEATTLE, BUT … the Northwest Flower and Garden Show is sponsoring WSB right now to make sure you hear about it; this is day one, and it’s on through Sunday (February 24). Details in our calendar listing.

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West Seattle power outage leads to Lowman Beach sewage overflow
February 20, 2013 9:21 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

Another effect of the power outage covered here early this morning: The Murray Pump Station at Lowman Beach lost power, leading to an overflow, according to this news release from King County:

King County’s Murray Avenue Pump Station is operating normally after the system was disrupted by a power outage that hit the West Seattle area just before 2 a.m. Wednesday.

An estimated 18,000 gallons of wastewater overflowed for 20 minutes through an emergency outfall into Puget Sound near Lowman Beach Park, which prevented raw sewage backups and equipment damage. Wastewater Treatment Division utility crews responded quickly and deployed a portable emergency generator in the pump station as a source of temporary power.

Division employees notified health and regulatory agencies about the overflow. King County will install a permanent generator at the pump station as part of the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project.

The Murray Avenue station pumps wastewater from West Seattle to the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle’s Magnolia neighborhood. West Point treats about 133 million gallons of wastewater daily, and up to 440 million gallons during rainy weather.

Construction of the CSO project is scheduled to start later this year; its main component is a million-gallon storage tank replacing a block of residential buildings across from Lowman Beach Park.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday’s watch
February 20, 2013 6:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(“Live” cam looking at the eastbound West Seattle Bridge; more cams here)
Here’s hoping for an uneventful commute. And here’s another reminder about the two closures coming up this weekend – Delridge/Trenton intersection, and parts of Highway 99; details here.

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West Seattle power outage: Cable failure cuts electricity to 3,200 homes, businesses
February 20, 2013 1:59 am
|      72 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Added 2:34 am: Screengrab from City Light map, at outage’s peak)
1:59 AM: Power went out a few minutes ago here at WSB HQ on the Upper Fauntleroy/Gatewood line. So far we have reports from further north in Gatewood and one in High Point. Nothing on the City Light map just yet (we’re calling). Anyone else?

2:07 AM UPDATE: Pending a drive around to check boundaries, so far via WSB, Facebook, and Twitter reports, Gatewood/Fauntleroy/High Point/Morgan Junction/Seaview are affected. We’ve looked south from outside the house and points south such as Arbor Heights look OK.

2:11 AM UPDATE: Just checked the City Light recording again – they say more than 3,100 homes and businesses are out of power. Estimated restoration time, which is always a guesstimate this early on: 8 am.

2:28 AM UPDATE: It’s on the City Light map now, and the total affected is past 3,200 homes/businesses (aka “customers”). The cause is listed as “investigating.” If you’re seeing a power crew in your area, let us know – the sudden sighting of repair work somewhere may be the first hint of what caused this.

3:06 AM UPDATE: High Point’ers say theirs is back. City Light has sent its first news release but there’s nothing in it we haven’t already reported – no word on the cause, still.

3:13 AM UPDATE: Lots of new information as we correspond with SCL’s John Gustafson – a thousand people have their power back; the cause has been determined as “failed main stem underground cable,” and he adds, “We should continue to see more customers restored in next half hour or so.”

3:20 AM UPDATE: We’re back after about an hour and a half. Thanks again for all the reports – text (206-293-6302 any time with breaking news), e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, etc. – that gave us all an idea on the boundaries long before SCL’s map came online.

3:47 AM UPDATE: Still more than 700 out, according to the City Light map.

POSTSCRIPT: All power was restored by 4:27 am, says SCL – 2 1/2 hours for the last ones to get service back. (Just for the record, though their news release cites a 2:07 am start, since we were in the outage zone, we can verify it was actually around 1:50 am; as the timestamp shows, we launched this coverage around 1:59.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Building break-in; car back; more
February 20, 2013 1:27 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports from one Avalon Way condo-building break-in top this round of West Seattle Crime Watch. First one came from Blair, whose building is in the 3200 block:

The intruder broke into the lower parking garage and stole things from a few storage units, including mine. There was a white specialized woman’s bike and a bunch of tools including a Bosch Saw. They broke out a piece in the garage door to get in and broke the locks off our units. The case # is 2013-54488.

Later we heard from H:

We had a break-in last Friday night (2/15/13) that I’d like to let you guys know about. It happened at about 10:50 pm and he was captured pretty clearly on our building’s security cameras. A single male dressed in baggy cargo pants and a camo-colored parka removed a metal grating panel in the door of one of our building’s two garages. He was able to climb through and spent quite a while in the garage, breaking in to several storage units, making off with a bicycle, tools, clothes, and other random stuff. He wasn’t able to get into the second garage or into any other parts of the building. The amazing thing is that at least three residents came into the garage while he was in there, but nobody noticed anything out of the ordinary. It’s a good reminder for those who live in multi-unit buildings to stay alert and know who your neighbors are. And don’t leave valuable stuff in your car, even if you’re in a secured garage! Police were contacted.

Jamie reports a package theft:

We’re missing a package – UPS has it listed as delivered and someone with the initials “MO” signed for it around 11:30 today. We weren’t home during that time. Unfortunately (neither) my initials, nor my husband’s are MO, and the neighbors didn’t sign for it. Ironically, our mail in our mailbox was left untouched. I’m in Highland Park near 14th and Trenton – please give the neighborhood notice.

And on a positive note – Jeff‘s stolen Subaru is back:

I’m happy to report our car has been recovered. It was found up on Capitol Hill by the Seattle Police. Other than a dead battery and a scattered glove box, it appears to be OK. Many thanks to the SPD, they were very helpful.

P.S. We’ll report later today on Tuesday night’s Crime Prevention Council meeting, which included an update on a recent burglary arrest of even more value than it seemed of the time, plus new crimefighting technology.

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Beach Drive boat woes: The trimaran’s builder tells his story
February 19, 2013 9:53 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(Saturday photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
By Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

As we’ve covered the Beach Drive boat-woes saga, the now-wrecked trimaran’s background has started to emerge, particularly once commenters discussed having seen it advertised online for free.

Finally finding that expired ad led us to the man who built the trimaran that is now in pieces south of the Harbor West Condos. He had not heard about the fate of the Nunga Nunga Nue until we contacted him today.

Bob Sinclair is 85, a mainframe programmer who retired from Boeing in 1992, and who originally built the trimaran himself decades ago: “Originally, I had dreams of building something large enough that I could go anywhere in the world if I wanted to, and small enough that I could sail it myself.”

Read More

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West Seattle schools: From Madison to Microsoft, high-tech field trip
February 19, 2013 9:38 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle schools: From Madison to Microsoft, high-tech field trip
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Madison Middle School counselor Lauren Divina shares the photos with news of a recent high-tech field trip:

We had another group of girls on an IGNITE field trip to Microsoft on Feb. 8, this time doing ROBOTICS (Learning with Robotics) conducted by Technically Learning and IGNITE. They were taught how to build and program a robot and again introduced them to professional women with fulfilling careers in STEM fields. Technically Learning is a Seattle-based non-profit organization that enables teachers to inspire and engage students in science, technology, engineering and math.

We hope that activities like this allows students to realize that learning and school can be creative and fun.

Opportunities like this hopefully advances their science knowledge and that along with skills development, they may think more critically, make better life decisions through more informed choices, and work more creatively and collaboratively.

SIDE NOTE #1: Microsoft, by the way, was one of many companies represented at Madison’s recent Career Day (as was WSB!), where dozens of professionals came to the school to talk about what they do. It was a terrific morning, and we especially appreciated the chance to answer students’ insightful questions about West Seattle news and how we cover it.

SIDE NOTE #2: Madison’s evening open house/tour event for prospective families is coming up this Thursday, 6:30-8 pm.

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Japanese -American Day of Remembrance at SSCC
February 19, 2013 7:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Japanese -American Day of Remembrance at SSCC
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Photos by Glenn Gauthier)
A day to remember – and for remembering – at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). From communications director Kevin Maloney:

71 years ago today, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order that will never be forgotten. In 1942, Roosevelt signed executive order 9066, which authorized evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry, living on the West Coast; most of whom were U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Today, SSCC hosted a series of events dedicated to that historic day that is known as Japanese-American Day of Remembrance. Above, actress Narea Kang starred in “Within the Silence.” The performance captured a first-hand account of a Seattle family affected by the order. Here’s Kang with SSCC’s May Lukens (left) and Chanda Ishisaka:

In addition to today’s events, South Seattle’s library will feature a collection of photos from the National Archives through the end of the month that captures life in the internment camps during World War II.

At the campus art gallery, you’ll find the exhibit “Meet Me at Higo”:

It includes artifacts from what Maloney explains was “a well-known dime store that served as a community meeting place for the Japanese community in the Seattle area.”

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Update: Electrical fire damages home in North Admiral
February 19, 2013 4:22 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(UPDATED Wednesday morning with fire’s cause)

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
4:22 PM: Fire crews are in the 1700 block of 46th SW in North Admiral on a house-fire call. First units on scene say it’s a possible wall fire in the back of the house.

ADDED 4:31 PM: We have a crew on scene who says some smoke is visible. Per scanner, fire crews have isolated the fire to “the electrical panel area” in the house.

4:38 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. Some units are being dismissed from the scene, as the relatively small fire is in check.

(Photo by Craig Baerwaldt)
No injuries reported.

4:51 PM UPDATE: WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand talked with firefighters at the scene. A resident was home when this happened and has been going through the house with fire crews to check everything else. SFD’s investigator is on the way to doublecheck/verify the cause.

UPDATED WEDNESDAY MORNING, 10:12 AM: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore verifies: “The cause of the fire was … a malfunction at the electrical panel. The fire extended to an interior wall. The estimated loss is $25,000.”

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‘Robust’ discussion of surveillance cameras promised for City Council committee meeting tomorrow
February 19, 2013 4:21 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Seattle Police surveillance cameras | West Seattle news

Three weeks after we published first word of the Homeland Security-funded, Seattle Police-managed surveillance cameras installed from Alki to Fauntleroy – and destined for dozens of other spots in the city – the City Council committee that approved them last year will talk about them again. We had first word last week from Councilmember Bruce Harrell that the Public Safety, Technology, and Civil Rights Committee, which he chairs, will talk about them during its meeting tomorrow at 2 pm. Here’s the official reminder sent out today:

Councilmember Bruce Harrell, chair of the Council’s Public Safety, Civil Rights and Technology Committee, will have the Seattle Police Department at the committee table this Wednesday to discuss the port security cameras along Seattle’s shoreline. The security cameras are part of a wireless Mesh Network, a network composed of wireless access points and fiber optic cables around the city to provide first responders like SPD, Fire, and the Coast guard access to a dedicated wireless network during emergency responses.

The equipment included in the funding package from the Port Security Grant Program is vital in advancing our goal to make Seattle the most prepared city in America. City departments, along with regional and federal partners determined prevention and protection was not adequately represented in the region. Such prevention, protection and response capabilities is particularly important for public safety to the Port of Seattle, the sixth busiest in the US, Harbor Island, Washington State Ferry terminals, and cruise ship terminals.

At the committee hearing in May of 2012, the committee determined that SPD had made a strong business case for the use of these public safety cameras as part of the municipal mesh network for use only on waterways, port facilities and facing the Puget Sound. Installation of surveillance cameras installed in recreational/residential zones for general surveillance was and will not be supported by the committee.

Before the cameras can go online, the committee will have legislation in place to restrict and regulate its use to protect the public’s privacy and civil liberties.

While cameras were mentioned by SPD in the May 2012 committee briefing, Councilmember Harrell said they were not at the time described as being destined for recreational/residential areas – yet the six that were up in West Seattle by the time WSB readers pointed them out to us in late January are all in such areas.

Mayor McGinn, meantime, first told WSB on February 11th that the cameras would get a “thorough vetting” before they can be turned on.

The system apparently has been on the drawing boards since long before even the Council discussions last spring; the first version of the camera map shown publicly, displayed to us at Police HQ downtown February 1st and then published on SPD Blotter February 4th, is dated July 2010 – follow the link and note the lower-left corner.

P.S. All WSB coverage on this topic, dating back to when we broke the news about the cameras January 29th, is archived here, newest to oldest.

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West Seattle Junction added to Gigabit Squared demonstration project, says mayor in State of the City
February 19, 2013 3:35 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Announced by Mayor McGinn in his “State of the City” speech this afternoon: The West Seattle Junction area has been added (along with Ballard) to a demonstration project involving a “public/private partnership with the University of Washington and Gigabit Squared to bring next generation high-speed broadband infrastructure to Seattle. … More than 3,300 people have signed up with an interest in using Gigabit Squared services, along with more than 130 businesses and numerous apartment buildings. Gigabit Squared has also secured the funding they need to begin detailed engineering.” More about the company here. Its Neighborhood Gateway program is described as working toward broadband “100 to 1,000 times faster than what Americans have today.” (We will be following up with Gigabit Squared to get West Seattle-specific answers – but they’re headquartered back east so we may not get more info till tomorrow. [added] As commenters note, G2 has a Seattle-specific website.)

P.S. Here’s the prepared text of the mayor’s speech, which includes another West Seattle reference of note: “We’re also working with Sound Transit to accelerate their planning process, including a Ballard to Redmond [rail] line via 520 and a route from downtown to West Seattle.”

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Closures this weekend: Delridge/Trenton intersection and Highway 99
February 19, 2013 2:57 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Never too soon to plan for the weekend ahead. First, we have the detour map for the Delridge/Trenton intersection closure, rescheduled for this coming weekend, 7 pm Friday (February 22) till 6 am Monday (February 25):

Traffic will be detoured as follows, with local access maintained (see attached map):

· Northbound Delridge Way SW to SW Barton Place/Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Thistle Street to Delridge Way SW
· Southbound Delridge Way SW to SW Thistle Street to 35th Avenue SW to SW Barton Street/Place to Delridge Way SW
· Westbound SW Trenton Street to 16th Avenue SW to SW Henderson Street to SW Barton Place to 25th Avenue SW to SW Trenton Street
· Eastbound SW Trenton Street to 25th Avenue SW to SW Barton Place to SW Henderson Street to 16th Avenue SW to SW Trenton Street

Evening construction, including pavement removal using impact breakers, may be performed until 10:00 p.m. under the conditions of a noise variance to expedite construction.

Second – We have clarification on the closure plan for Highway 99 this weekend, as traffic is reconfigured for the upcoming “Timber Bridge” work just south of the West Seattle Bridge. WSDOT’s Broch Bender tells WSB that the closure plan outlined on their website is correct:

4:30 am Saturday, Feb. 23 through 5 am Monday, Feb. 25: Southbound SR 99 will be closed between the Battery Street Tunnel and S. Nevada Street. Northbound SR 99 will be closed between S. Nevada Street and the West Seattle Bridge.

Monday morning, Feb. 25, the overpass reopens with one lane southbound and two lanes northbound. Traffic stays in this configuration through June 2014

Bender says the eastbound bridge exit to northbound 99 WILL be open.

Last but by no means least – EARLY warning: Alaskan Way Viaduct/99 is scheduled for an inspection closure all day Saturday, March 2nd. Here’s the full regional roundup of shutdowns.

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Beach Drive boat-woes update: Small boat’s on shore, but what about trimaran debris?
February 19, 2013 12:50 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

The smaller of two boats that have been in trouble for almost a week off the Beach Drive shore is now out of the water. Good Samaritans helped the boats’ owner get the Bayliner off the shore north of Harbor West Condos and onto the trailer. Now, as for what happens to the wreckage of the trimaran just south of the building:

We have spoken this morning to representatives of two state agencies that have gotten involved with the situation to some degree, the Department of Ecology and the Department of Natural Resources. Here’s the short version, with more details to come: Ecology was on site over the weekend, helping remove fuel and oil from the power boat – the trimaran, he says, had never held fuel – and adds that there are no more “pollutants” on the trimaran (the owner removed possibly hazardous everyday substances like cleaning fluid). Now, as the Ecology spokesperson told us, it’s more of a “solid-waste issue” than anything else. A DNR spokesperson, meantime, says the fact the broken-up boat is on private property is compounding things – they are determining jurisdiction, but were expecting to have someone come out sometime today and take a look to start sorting things out. The Ecology spokesperson says they always try to recover the cost of these operations from the boats’ owner, but in most cases – as appears to be the case in this one – the owner’s lack of financial resources was a big reason for the trouble in the first place. More to come.

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Congratulations to Bakery Nouveau’s William Leaman: James Beard Award semi-finalist!
February 19, 2013 11:58 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

11:58 AM TUESDAY: It’s the most prestigious award in the food world, and Bakery Nouveau‘s chef/proprietor William Leaman is a semi-finalist in the James Beard Foundation Restaurant/Chef Awards, category – of course – Pastry Chef. The winners will be announced in New York City in May, after the finalists are announced in March.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: We stopped by Bakery Nouveau this morning for a photo of the proud nominee. He says he got the word from his wife, and is most appreciative of the congratulations (and continued patronage) of their loyal customers. He says work’s going well on their expansion location in Capitol Hill and he’s particularly proud of the “Slayer” coffee machine they’re getting – a rare and amazing thing – you can even see how the deal brewed.

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Followup: City Council not likely to talk again about White Center annexation for months
February 19, 2013 11:42 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | White Center

(Video from today’s council discussion)
Bottom line to today’s Seattle City Council briefing on possible annexations: While they’re planning to continue to pursue annexing two areas around South Park, now collectively known as “Sliver-Q,” council staffers suggest that even talking about the status of North Highline “Area Y” – including White Center – be put on hold till all that is settled, no sooner than late 2013. Just because Area Y said no to Burien doesn’t mean an automatic “yes” for Seattle, the councilmembers were reminded. Details are on our partner site White Center Now.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Greenway design; crime prevention; real-estate careers; aging forum; avalanche awareness; more
February 19, 2013 10:38 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Machel Spence for the photo from Lincoln Park! Here’s a look at what’s up for the rest of today/tonight

ROXHILL CASTLE HELP: As noted here on Monday, every day this week, the Roxhill Castle turret project – final part of the playground construction – can use help, 10 am-2 pm daily all week. Details here.

DISCOVERY SHOP: From the cancer-fighting nonprofit shop at 4535 California SW in The Junction:

Our popular Antiques, Vintage and Collectibles event starts today with many one of a kind items on display and available. The all volunteer run, non profit American Cancer Society shop is open Sundays 11 am to 3 pm and all other days 10 am to 4:30 pm.

WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING: Noon today at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), the Chamber’s annual lunch meeting has a big agenda including introducing the new Board of Directors, revisiting 2012 successes, and looking ahead to 2013. If you haven’t already made a reservation, call the office to see if there’s room.

TOUR K-5 STEM AT BOREN: Final scheduled tour for the new elementary at 5950 Delridge Way SW, 1 pm.

PRUDENTIAL REAL-ESTATE CAREER NIGHT: Wondering if real estate might be the right career for you? Prudential Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor) is presenting a “Career Night” event at 6 pm tonight at their offices in Jefferson Square, 4700 42nd SW, Suite 600. Details here.

OPEN FORUM ABOUT AGING & FAMILY DYNAMICS: Big topic for so many families, the change in dynamics as they care for aging family members. Come talk about it during an open forum, 6 pm at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor; 2326 California SW).

SAFETY IN THE SNOW: Avalanche awareness is the topic of a free event at Mountain to Sound Outfitters tonight in The Triangle, 6:30 pm, 3602 SW Alaska. Details – and signup link – in our Monday preview.

DELRIDGE GREENWAY DESIGN: 6:30 tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, come to a city-led meeting to find out about the design for the Delridge Greenway, an off-arterial route that would be safer for walking and biking. Find project details here.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: Tonight’s guest speakers will deal with park safety and victim assistance, as previewed here. 7 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster), all welcome.

(added) SUSTAINABLE WEST SEATTLE: The announcement for tonight’s 7 pm meeting:

Bring your Green Project Incubator grant ideas to tonight’s Sustainable West Seattle meeting at the Senior Center in Alaska Junction (4217 SW Oregon St. around the corner from California Ave. SW.

At our February Sustainable West Seattle meeting, groups or individuals with a proposal will be asked to present their idea and to interact with the audience describing their idea and the impact that project will have on the community. We will hand out comment cards to everyone for each project and as each presenter gives their idea, we will ask everyone to add a comment or suggestion to their card. At the end of all presentations we will ask the presenters to staff a table where they can further explain their project. The comment cards will be given to the presenters at their tables so that the reaction and additional suggestions can be integrated into their proposal.

We will also have a listing of all the proposals on a white board and will hand out stickers and request that everyone place stickers next to the various projects listed based on their priority. We will use a weighted system so everyone will get about 10 stickers and can distribute them as they wish, e.g. all 10 could be used to support a single project or the stickers could be distributed among several projects.

Nightlife and lots more on the calendar!

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What’s ahead on the roads and underground? South Portal Working Group briefed
February 19, 2013 9:26 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news


By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

WIth the south mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct gone and the tunneling to the north about to begin, WSDOT is planning to consolidate the quarterly meetings of its citizen/business advisory groups.

The groups, it should be noticed, are far from perfunctory. The map above – showing the traffic reconfiguration in the works for the about-to-start “timber bridge” project on Highway 99 – is an example of the groups’ value, the result of a recent request by one West Seattle member.

More on that, ahead. First: After gaining some reassurances that their issues won’t be lost in the ensuing shuffle, members of the South Portal Working Group – which has focused on what’s happening and coming up in the West Seattle/SODO areas — agreed that would be OK with them.

That was the final point on the agenda of that group’s most recent meeting, held in the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Project headquarters’ 23rd-floor conference room downtown. The group had been meeting in Sound Transit‘s board room, but that location was described as “unavailable … for a while.”

Toplines from the wide-ranging agenda – tolling, tunneling, even RapidRide ridership – ahead, along with the details on the map’s origins and the project launch:

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