West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board met this past week, for a meeting mostly featuring short updates, no guest presenters:
CROSSING FLAGS: FCA has long been placing these at various crossings in the area, and they’re depleted, president Frank Immel said, particularly by the ferry dock; board member Bill Wellington said he’d noticed one flag basket was on the ground rather than on the pole (he has 50 that can be used for replenishment) – Immel said he has fasteners. So the problem will be addressed
CROSSING AT SW ROSE: The FCA is still concerned about its design (as shown earlier this year) – some wondered if it’s “overdesigned” – though pleased it does contain a pushbutton-activated signal for crossers. Vice president Catherine Bailey also said she’s glad this will calm/slow traffic. Immel said he’d had a few questions out to SDOT for a while but no reply yet. They’re hoping project-team reps will come to a future meeting.
CULVERT UPDATE: With Seattle Public Utilities‘ 45th SW Fauntleroy Creek culvert-replacement project looming, board members wanted to talk about where they and the community are at with readiness for it. One attendee who recently moved from the project zone said his former neighbors are worried about the logistics of the work, which is expected to close 45th SW to through traffic for two years. Board member Alan Grainger noted that the bottom line remains, “we’re going to have a much-improved environment for the salmon.” There’s still concern, however, that not enough people know this is coming, and more people who live in the area need to come to a meeting and see how it’s going to work and ask questions.” (SPU had a meeting last month; here’s our coverage.) FCA thinks the community should be getting more, and more-frequent, messages about it, and plans to suggest that to the city.
FERRY DOCK: Immel, long the FCA’s point person on ferry issues, recapped the final Community Advisory Group meeting held recently (WSB coverage here) and the general outline with which WSF is going into environmental studies. The project is not yet fully funded, and that’s a big issue, Immel observed.
COVE PARK: Some of the art in the small beach park north of the ferry dock has been damaged, board member Mardi Clements said, and is working on what can be done about it – the raven’s “sun” was stolen (not the first time that sculpture’s been damaged), and there’s a chunk smashed out of the canoe. They’re talking to the county, which now controls the site, about repairs.
$ UPDATE: Grainger, who serves as treasurer, said the Fauntleroy Fall Festival was within about $600 of breaking even, so FCA is contributing to cover that gap.
SURVEY THIS YEAR? FCA is the only community council that regularly surveys residents and businesses. (See the 2023 results here.) Before the next one, they want to focus on building up their email address database. They talked about ways to simplify it, maybe asking people to rank community issues, adding their own priority if it’s not on the list. Board members thought it might be best to develop a “mini-survey” this time.
DIGITAL PROFILE: The group is still grappling with maximizing its online channels – in brainstorming, some wondered, could they find a volunteer? Or maybe send email to its subscriber list more than the current once a quarter – provided there’s good information that’s worth readers’ while.
WHAT’S NEXT: No December meeting, so they’re reconvening in January (6 pm Tuesday, January 13).
(Photos by Ana Del Claro)
Right now in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW), it’s opening night for the Fauntleroy Art Show – not just a show, but an opportunity to shop for locally created art and crafts – organizers sent photos. Below is one of the 19 local artists and artistic crafters (listed here) participating this year, Jessica Rasmusson of HandSlow Pottery:
Quilted creations by Betty Laughlin‘s Pieced Together Design are there too:
If you can’t make it before 8 pm tonight, the Fauntleroy Art Show continues Saturday 10 am-5 pm and Sunday 11 am-3 pm.
(WSB photo, Thanksgiving 2024)
Just in, the official invitation to this year’s free Thanksgiving feast at The Hall at Fauntleroy, presented by its operators for more than 20 years as a gift to the community:
All are welcome on Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, Nov. 27th from 12 pm-3 pm – for this year’s annual Free Community Thanksgiving Meal! The delicious meal, created by Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes Catering Sous Chef Zach Mosely, will include a traditional turkey dinner and all the trimmings, with desserts donated by the community. No need to RSVP, just show up at Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California Ave SW) on Thanksgiving Day between 12-3pm.
This event happens with the help of many wonderful volunteers, and we are blessed that all volunteer spots are just about filled. Here is the link for more information and to see where help is still needed
Gently used warm clothing, new blankets and socks, and dessert donations can be dropped off at our SODO office at 4105 Airport Way S, 98108 on Wednesday, November 26th from 10 AM to 3 PM or can be dropped off at The Hall at Fauntleroy on Thanksgiving Day from 10 AM to 1 PM.
This isn’t just intended for people in need – anybody and everybody is welcome, as has been the case every year.
1 PM: Until 3 pm today, you’re invited to go to upper Fauntleroy Way and SW Director [map] – near the public overlook – and volunteers will invite you down to the banks of Fauntleroy Creek, to see if any coho spawners are in view. We have a team member there and will update as soon as we hear from him!
1:14 PM: WSB’s Torin Record-Sand reports that so far today, salmon watchers have seen two carcasses, no live fish.
Longtime creek volunteer Dennis Hinton says the two were pulled out by a raccoon – but they had spawned before that,
So far, the count this year of coho making it to the spawning area is eight, but they’ve seen about 200 near the creek mouth not far from the ferry dock, where hungry seals have had a heyday, so, of these two and the six others seen: “They’ve made it through a lot of predators to get up here.”
1:55 PM: As of about 15 minutes ago, creek volunteers have counted 54 visitors today.
Many families with little kids, and even though no live fish have shown up yet today, the carcasses have inspired many questions!
2:56 PM: Shoutout to volunteer Elena for the salmon cookies:
Visitors are receiving information on how to volunteer and donate to support the Fauntleroy Watershed Council‘s work supporting and advocating for the creek and its wildlife – all that info is linked here.
MONDAY UPDATE: Creek steward Judy Pickens tells us they counted 100 visitors in all during the two-hour window. And today, two more coho made it into the creek – after somehow surviving a gauntlet of predators, mostly harbor seals, but even a river otter joining the buffet line.
(Monday photo by Dave Gershgorn)
That’s one of the coho salmon seen by volunteers earlier this week near the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek. We don’t know the fate of that particular one – hungry seals have been hanging out there too – but Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council tells WSB tonight that salmon watchers have seen “eight coho spawners make landfall so far,” so they’re going to welcome visitors this Sunday:
Given the forecast of dry and mild weather, we’ve decided to host our open creek this coming Sunday (11/9) from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Salmon watchers will be on duty to talk with visitors and, we hope, give them a view of live fish. People should come to the fish-ladder viewpoint at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW to catch the eye of a watcher, who will invite them down to creek level. Children aged 15 and younger should come with an adult, and dogs should be on leash.
7:35 PM: You might experience delays on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth Washington State Ferries route. The VesselWatch tracker shows M/V Chimacum off course, in Colvos Passage just south of Southworth; a texter whose wife is on one of the boats says the crew told her there’s a rescue operation under way. Nothing in WSF alerts yet but we’re trying to find out more.
7:46 PM: A WSF spokesperson looked into it for us and reports that indeed, the Triangle Route boats were involved in a rescue: A man was taken off an “adrift” 35-foot cabin cruiser. He’s OK. No other details so far. The ferries are now getting back to their usual routes.
(Fauntleroy Creek photo by Dave Gershgorn)
While we await election results, here’s a small but very important count: One! Coho-salmon spawners have been seen off the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek off and on for more than a week, and today, Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council tells us, this one made it to the spawning reach. That meant it was visible from the public overlook across Fauntleroy Way (and upslope) from the ferry dock, but don’t go looking for a closer view – volunteers will figure out the right time for a potential “open creek” window when you’ll have a chance for an up-close look.
(Photo from last week by Tom Trulin)
Emergency repairs continue on the culvert that takes Fauntleroy Creek beneath the short stretch of California SW between the schoolhouse and church, and today they’re digging in the street, so a flagger is helping traffic get through; if you have to travel through there, allot extra time. When last we checked in with Seattle Public Utilities, spokesperson Brad Wong told us work was not expected to conclude before November 7; the no-parking signage in the area has just been updated to potentially run through November 15. This is separate from the culvert-replacement projects that will start next year on 45th SW.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand unless otherwise credited)
After all that rain, dozens of salmon spawners are approaching the entrance to Fauntleroy Creek. That’s what longtime salmon-watch volunteer Dennis Hinton told the 100+ people who gathered to ceremonially welcome them home this afternoon: “They’re out there, and they’re coming!”
(This photo and next by Dave Gershgorn)
It’s a fall tradition, inviting community members to gather near the creek, to sing and drum during a short gathering that also includes writing messages for the returnees.
(Judy Pickens and Dennis Hinton)
The gathering was emceed by Judy Pickens, who – along with husband Phil Sweetland – also has long volunteered for Salmon in the Schools, which will be different for local participants this year as culvert work in Fauntleroy Creek will prevent the release of campus-raised fry, which Judy says will be taken instead to West Seattle’s other major salmon-bearing stream, Longfellow Creek.
But the springtime releases are just part of the circle of life – there’s “home hatch” too, thanks to some of the returnees (347 spawners counted last year). The songs led again this year by Jamie Shilling (above) told the story, as did the drumming – which, as Judy recounted, is meant to mimic the female salmon’s tail slapping the creek bed, making a redd for her eggs.
Participants were discouraged today from going to creekside because – like so many other areas of West Seattle – trees lost limbs last night. But as an afternoon sunbreak peeked through the still-standing trees, a creek-reminiscent blue banner was held over tiny dancers:
Those in attendance ranged from infants to seniors – including 93-year-old volunteer Dick Paynter, honored as the eldermost volunteer in the Watershed Council’s ranks:
(Dennis Hinton and Dick Paynter)
Dick declared himself “overwhelmed” by the honor and explained how much the creek work has meant to him, with his interest dating back to his college years as a fisheries major.
And the singing went on, softly: “Hey, hey, coho … return, return, return.”
Once they do start returning, Judy promises updates, as always, and watch for word of a potential “open creek” event if and when weather, safety, and salmon permit.
Going into the busy Friday afternoon commute period, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route remains down to two boats. M/V Sealth went out of service this morning, in need of repairs, and it’s at the WSF Eagle Harbor facility (Bainbridge Island) to get worked on, so M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet are on the 2-boat schedule (timetables are linked here). Compounding matters, the South Vashon route (Tahlequah-Point Defiance) had some cancellations this morning too.
(WSB photo, 2023 salmon welcome)
After watching the forecast for days, Fauntleroy Watershed volunteers have decided to go ahead with what might be an abbreviated – yet spirited as always – community salmon-welcoming gathering on Sunday. From Judy Pickens:
With an atmospheric river poised to flush pollutants out of Fauntleroy Creek this weekend, the annual drumming on Sunday afternoon will sweeten the invitation for spawners to come in from the cove.
Salmon lovers are a hearty bunch, willing to put up with a little or a lot of rain to give our coho a spirited welcome. Those with drums or other instruments can be under cover for what may be an abbreviated program starting at 4 pm Sunday near the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). The sound of drumming will draw you down to creek level.
The drumming will kick off Salmon Watch 2025. Two dozen volunteers will be checking the lower creek daily to document the number and condition of the coho that come in (last year they counted a record 347).
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(WSB video of Rep. Jayapal’s Town Hall)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal wanted to know who was in the audience at her West Seattle town-hall meeting last night, so she began with a few questions for the full-house crowd at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
Any federal employees furloughed or fearing furloughs, or fired since the White House changed occupants? About a half dozen people stood up.
Any researchers, health care workers, others affected by cuts and policy changes? “Stand and let us give you some love.” Even more people stood up.
Any immigrants, or people who know an immigrant affected by “this administration’s horrific anti-immigrant policies?” Several stood.
Finally, she invited anyone who considered themselves “a concerned citizen … ready to do whatever it takes to take back our democracy” to rise – and the whole room stood.
Jayapal, in her fifth two-year term as U.S. House Representative for Washington’s 7th District, which includes our area, is a West Seattle resident. She noted, however, that while she’s held 125 town halls, she hasn’t had one in her home neighborhood in a while, so they arranged it: “We are in community together and we will get through this.”
Her primary topic was the federal-government shutdown, now entering its fourth week, though she added that it was “Day 32 of (House Speaker) Mike Johnson sending us home instead of taking votes.” She insisted the Democratic members of Congress are holding their ground on their primary demand for breaking the impasse, restoration of health-insurance tax credits. She also threw in a big dig at what she called the “Big Bad Betrayal Bill … that stripped (money) from Medicaid and supercharged ICE … since that bill we have only been in session for 20 days … while the country is suffering, instead of doing the work of Congress, we are not in session.”
While each party blames the other for the impasse, Jayapal insisted that if one party controls the government, it’s their job to negotiate with the other party to reach an agreement. And she said people in Republican-controlled states will be hurt by the loss of the tax credits too: “80 percent of (people who use them) are in states Donald Trump won … 60 percent of births in (Speaker Johnson’s) state are covered by Medicaid … it’s difficult to understand how Republicans continue to vote for things that are going to deeply hurt their constituents.” Although, she added, there’s the occasional outlier – currently U.S. House Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia).
For the Republicans who are trying to say they don’t have to address the health-insurance situation now, they’ll fix it later, too late, Jayapal declared – people are getting notices right now about the rising premiums. She also took on what she says is another lie that Republicans are telling, that Democrats are seeking funding for health care for undocumented immigrants: “Let me be clear, that is not on the table, it’s never been a proposal that’s on the table.”
Then there’s the faction contending they just have to approve a “clean continuing resolution.” Jayapal said that means “non-partisan” and that what’s on the table right now “is a continuation of the partisan budget” approved earlier. She ticked through a list of other concerns, from nutrition-program cuts – “this is the richest country in the world and people are going hungry” – to energy-grant cancellations – to Project 2025 (“this is what we’re seeing in action .. the people he installed are all the people who wrote it”) – to the U.S. Supreme Court (“MAGA-corrupted justices”) – to Speaker Johnson’s refusal to swear in Arizona’s recently elected U.S. House member, a Democrat.
Moving on to address the president sending troops and/or National Guardsmen into cities such as Portland, she noted that some judges have ruled against it, and cited what she said were quotes from rulings, such as:
-Judge in Portland: “This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law.”
-Judge in Chicago: “Oolitical opposition is not rebellion”
The recent rappeling raid of a Chicago apartment complex is “beyond anything I ever could have imagined,” she said, especially as “one of only two dozen naturalized citizens to serve in the US Congress … this is not the couhtry that America is supposed to be … not the country that we are.” She said a majority of those detained do not have criminal records, adding, “in the US, it is not a crime to be undocumented,” it’s a civil violation.
Jayapal said that “if we take back the House” she will chair the committee dealing with immigration, and she is having “shadow hearings” in Illinois in a few days.
Ultimately, she said, “The most important check and balance the founders built in (when setting up the nation) is you… (the first check) Congress failed … (the second check) the courts are teetering … the only remaining check is the people. What you do matters.”
After speaking for 36 minutes, Jayapal moved on to Q&A, getting through 16 open-mic questions/comments in the ensuing hour:
-A federal employee worried about potential furlough
-Someone overwhelmed by daily “outrageous proposals” emanating from the White House (“pick a few things to work on,” Jayapal advised)
-Are our electeds really ready for possible federal troops? Yes, said Jayapal
-A DACA recipient brought here as a baby, worried about removal
-A mental-health counselor who can’t afford health insurance for their own employees
-Someone wondering why no nationwide protests against corporations “who folded”? (Jayapal said she thought “Tesla Takedowns” were “effective)
-Why is president cutting education, nutrition $? (Jayapal said education should be seen as “an investment.”)
-Concern about treaties with indigenous nations being at risk
-Renters’ rights (Jayapal said one solution is for more federal investment in building housing)
-Frustration with “how ineffective the Democratic Party has been … we are where we are because the Republican Party is horrendous but also because the Democratic Party has been so ineffective” … Jayapal said she didn’t disagree but that it’s time to work for change, not to just “throw up our hands.”
-Concern that staffing cuts in programs helping disadvantaged people are rendering those programs impossible to administer
-Medication is too expensive
-Ongoing concern about Gaza (Jayapal said “the genocide is continuing” because not enough aid trucks can get in)
-Gratitude for Jayapal’s “Resistance Lab” program
-Medicare Advantage shouldn’t be allowed to have “Medicare” in its name (Jayapal, a longtime MA critic, said she agreed)
-For the Democrats to hold the line is “defense” when “we need offense” – how can local organizations be better partners? (Jayapal said she agrees and that “structural changes” are necessary “when we take back the House and Senate and White House,” such as Supreme Court expansion and getting rid of the filibuster).
She ended by telling the crowd, “Don’t give up, we can do this!” and then stayed a while for photo ops with attendees.
It’s salmon season in West Seattle creeks!
LONGFELLOW CREEK: Thanks to Manuel Valdes for sending that video of a Monday sighting: “Saw about a half dozen (Monday) afternoon just south of the health club, already trying to get over the first beaver dams.”
FAUNTLEROY CREEK: No official word of sightings here yet but this Sunday (October 26) is the day you’re invited to join in the annual singing and drumming gathering to welcome the coho. 4 pm, show up where SW Director meets upper Fauntleroy Way, across the street and upslope from the ferry dock. Bring something to drum with if you want, but not required. All ages!
2:12 PM: The rain stopped and the sun appeared just in time for this afternoon’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival (indoor/outdoor, both sides of the 9100 block of California SW). We’re here for as-it-happens coverage as usual. First, here’s the schedule:
Cake-judging is one of the first things you can do, inside the lower room at The Hall at Fauntleroy (south side of the schoolhouse) – three dozen cakes are entered, including these:
(WSB photos, video by Anne Higuera and Tracy Record)
The second hand on the clock ticks, by the way. Meantime, be sure to explore before you settle in on a plan – because of the weather as well as the culvert repairs, what’s in the church lot is somewhat less than usual – pumpkin painting, for example, is on the west side of the schoolhouse. … Also inside The Hall, lots of live music. We’re front and center right now for The Jump Ensemble:
(The trombone soloist is Ed Spangenberg.)
2:51 PM: More photos and video! Here’s an unusual feature – a fossil exhibit with the Blevins Natural History Gallery, on the main floor of the north end of the schoolhouse:
Outside the schoolhouse’s southwet side, you’ll find John Prucich, The Falconer, again this year, and his raptors:
John is with Benedict the Saker Falcon in that photo; below is Ladybird, a Eurasian Eagle Owl:
The bunny-petting tent is perennially popular:
Back inside The Hall, Dance! West Seattle has been performing in the upstairs room (first one by the California SW entrance):
3:13 PM: Things are now jumping in the church parking lot, for reasons including the Seattle Fire Department’s arrival with Engine 37.
The rock-climbing wall is in that area too.
Also in the parking lot, B Sharp Studio was the afternoon’s first band (ukulele players are coming up at 3:30 pm):
And it’s not the Fauntleroy Fall Festival without birdhouse-building:
3:36 PM: The “cake trot” is on, after the contest winners were announced (1st place in advanced was taken by the Tucker Family for the pumpkin patch cake above – they also got second place for the spider-web cake). Participants are walking when the music starts, landing on a numbered spot, and if that number is called, they win a cake:
Also happening right now, the West Seattle Big Band is playing in The Hall, as well as Across 35 in the church!
3:58 PM: The last cake’s been won, so the cake trot has concluded. Also, Engine 37 has departed. In the upper parking lot by the church, you’ll find arts and crafts including another tradition, salmon-hat-making:
(They’re great to wear to the annual “call the coho home” singing/drumming, which is next Sunday!)
4:14 PM: We caught up with three more musical acts – here’s Across 35:
The West Seattle Ukulele Band:
And last but by no means least, the West Seattle Big Band, directed by Jim Edwards:
One final photo for now – pumpkin decorating, happening behind the schoolhouse:
The festival continues until 5 pm!
Rain or shine, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is happening Sunday, 2-5 pm. There are indoor activities as well as outdoor activities, as always. We have the map and schedule for your planning – but first, a reminder that the festival includes a cake contest, so if you want to enter a cake, drop it off on festival day by noon at The Hall at Fauntleroy (south end of the schoolhouse, 9131 California SW) – more info here. Here’s the map:
And here’s the schedule (PDF version here if you can read that more easily):
It’s all free except food/drink concessions, supported by donations and volunteers.
(WSF recording of Wednesday’s Community Advisory Group meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A long journey has come to an end for the Community Advisory Group that has been a sounding board for the Fauntleroy ferry-terminal replacement project.
The group was convened four and a half years ago as Washington State Ferries navigated the process of determining a concept for the new dock, and included members from all three communities on the route – Fauntleroy, Vashon, and Southworth. WSF brought them together online last night one last time, 10 months after their previous meeting (WSB coverage here).
Nicole McIntosh, who returned earlier this year to the role of terminal-engineering director, introduced the meeting and thanked the group members for their contributions and said they hope to continue collaborating with them as the project moves forward.
Facilitator was Laura LaBissonier Miller. She turned it over to WSF’s Hadley Rodero for a timeline update (previewed here on Tuesday), with design/construction expected 2028-2031.
A key document discussed at the meeting was the PEL (Planning and Environmental Linkage) report – which led to the decision to settle on a version of “Alternative B,” longer and narrower than the current dock, holding up to 155 cars (almost twice as many as the current dock).
They believe this will minimize impact to Cove Park, north of the dock, among other attributes.
What’s next – environmental review, but they don’t know yet exactly what level of it. Community engagement will be part of it and WSF promises to go above and beyond the bare minimum required.
They’re also working to “secure full funding” for the project (for which $100 million is budgeted for starters – in a question later, they reiterated that this project so far is state-funded so they’re not expecting the federal-funding chaos to affect it).
Q&A ensued. First question: CAG member Susan Frith asked, How will they determine what the final design will hold, since right now it’s a range of 124 to 155? WSF’s Charles Torres said the difference is four lanes versus four-plus lanes, which could help WSF staffers sort – but “we don’t want to overbuild,” he noted.
CAG member Judy Pickens asked if they’ve learned more about what will happen with a dock stretching further out “into the weather.” Short answer, not much; Torres said the initial response was “it’s probably going to be fine, we’re only going out another 240 feet or so.”
CAG member Justin Hirsch says he’s more worried about underbuilding than overbuilding, and had a process question: Do they have to wait for a determination of the level of environmental review before they settle on a footprint, whether B or B-3?
Environmental consultant James Gregory said they’re working on a hybrid of the two rather than expecting the final design will be either B or B-3. So when will they have to settle on a capacity? Hirsch pressed. Not an exact timeline but at some point during the “early part of the NEPA chapter” – the forthcoming environmental review. But once they get there “there’ll be pros and cons to this decision, it won’t be a slam dunk.”
Another question, from CAG member Scott Harvey: Wasn’t the WSF standard for new docks to be one and a half times the vehicle capacity of the boats they serve? (If so, that would be at least 180 vehicles, since the Triangle Route’s standard is 124-vehicle vessels.) McIntosh says that’s just a guideline, and they have to work with the communities that are home to their terminals.
Pickens asked about communication going forward, and when they’d ask for feedback. Rodero said WSF will use public meetings, email updates, the other ways they’ve been communicating most recently. But, she then asked, would this group be interested in advisory-group type involvement going forward? There was no conclusive reply, but Rodero promised to share the “draft commmunication plan” for next phases of the project when it’s available.
Group member Mardi Clements wondered about the difference in required pile-driving between B and B-3 – “is there a big difference in the number of piles and how many are we talking about?” Torres said that’s not finalized yet but somewhere slightly more than 100, and they’ll need two seasons of in-water work.
Why no second slip? was asked in a written question. That’s been suggested but hasn’t been studied; it could result in a smaller trestle, but what they are more likely to do is build something, Torres said, that “does not preclude it.”
There was also an update on the intersection project that’s set to be built before the new terminal: Mark Bandy provided it, with more new visuals beyond the one with the short update sent earlier this week. He said they’ve been working on completing the design and working with the city. They’re going out to bid soon and hope to start construction “early next year.”
Bandy recapped the traffic flow plan – including no left turn onto the dock from northbound Fauntleroy Way. They hope to have it all fine-tuned by next year’s summer peak-traffic season. He also pointed out that the design has the fewest number of poles – but it’s still a view obstruction in some spots.. He showed renderings of how the setup will look, looking out from Captain’s Park uphill, and toward it from the dock.
The pole will not have another street light because they’ve determined that the ones already near the intersection provide enough light.
In Q&A on that, Pickens pointed out that culvert construction will complicate things in the area next year, and also wondered how people coming downhill are supposed to get to the dock if they can’t make a left turn. Bandy said they did talk through the left-turn issue with the city and they settled on 24/7, so peole will either have to find a different route or else figure out how to u-turn or loop further north.
Frith suggested that it would make sense to at least allow left turns during “low-traffic times.” Clements said a signage change will be needed because up around 35th, people are pointed that way to get to the dock. She said her garage door/driveway near the dock are a popular U-turn spot and she can only imagine that getting worse.
Will the new signal have transit prioritization? The project team wasn’t clear, though the new signal certainly would capable of it. Also revealed:
The parking lot at the east end of the dock will be a bit smaller.
Next came a real-estate update, specifically the white house on the Cove Park beach north of the dock.
“We are working to acquire it.” The tenants have vacated it and security is checking daily to be sure squatters don’t come in. King County will transfer ownership to the state early next year, and then the house will be renovated for construction administration, storage place, maybe a break room, ways to. keep it occupied ‘and keep people out of it that we don’t want in it.’
What’s next: They’re promising a community update when the next phase of environmental review starts.
Final questions included: When will the PEL report be finalized? In the next month or two. Rodero said it’s not likely to look much different from the draft report just circulated, but they’ll “share it out” when ready.
And with that, plus another round of thanks to the advisory-group members, their long and winding road … route … on this project ended. “It’s pretty impressive what you all accomplished together,” observed McIntosh.
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Plans and proposals for pedestrian improvements at Fauntleroy/Rose were top of mind, along with final preparations for this Sunday’s big Fauntleroy Fall Festival, as the Fauntleroy Community Association board met Tuesday night at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.
The meeting was facilitated by FCA vice president Catherine Bailey, who said their October meeting attendance was lighter than usual due to vacations. There were a handful of attendees participating via Zoom, as well.
Topline summaries below:
NO UPDATE FROM SPD: There’s wasn’t a police representative at the meeting, so no SPD update this month. Board members agreed that there may have been some confusion about the invitation for SPD to join, but they’ll work to address that for the November meeting.
PUMPKIN HUNT RECAP: As we reported last week, FCA’s annual Great Pumpkin Search was a big success, with 175 pumpkins hidden for searchers to find. Organizer Candace Blue wasn’t able to be at the event, but she prepared a report that was read aloud. Highlights of that: Attendance was strong, with 40 children participating (vs. 6 last year, when weather was an issue, as well as a competing event in the Alaska Junction at the same time). This year, though, there were sunny skies and no big competing event. Blue thanked the many volunteers who helped with the event, including setup, staffing, tabling and membership recruitment, hiding pumpkins, organizing prizes and many other tasks. Avalon Glassworks donated a glass pumpkin, and pumpkin hunters who found prize cards attached to pumpkins can pick up prizes at the Fall Festival. Follow-up tasks include finalizing the expenses for the event, gathering sign-up sheets and doing FCA membership outreach to those who expressed interest. The group also discussed a suggestion for next year’s hunt: Consider holding the pumpkin search the morning of the Fall Festival, to enable immediate prize pickup and strengthen both events.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: FCA Secretary Meredith Sciarrio provided an update about FCA membership, including a year-end push for renewal reminders (neighhbors can join/renew online). The group uses PayPal for online payments, but neighbors are welcome to pay by check also. Current residential membership is around 225. Sciarrio said that the group needs to follow-up with businesses who haven’t yet paid for their FCA business memberships. One meeting attendee asked about the eastern boundary of the neighborhood that FCA serves, asking specifically about the 35th & Barton intersection (where crime near the 7-11 store has been an issue) and 34th Ave to the east of that. Board members agreed that 34th Ave is technically outside FCA’s area, but Bailey called it a “squishy boundary” and said the borders are treated flexibly. Board member Bill Wellington noted that the Seattle Comprehensive Plan calls 35th and Barton “Upper Fauntleroy” (which otherwise is generally west of 35th).
SDOT UPDATE ON FAUNTLEROY/ROSE CHANGES: As FCA discussed briefly in their September meeting (WSB coverage here), the Seattle Department of Transportation is finalizing plans for road/traffic/transit changes at Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Rose St.
Read MoreBy Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight at 6 pm, Washington State Ferries will hold the second of two sessions of their fall systemwide online community meeting.
We watched the first session at 1 pm so you’d know what they’re covering, in case you’re undecided on attending.
Here are the panelists introduced this afternoon:
Bryn Hunter moderated. The first to speak was Steve Nevey, who’s been leading WSF for a year and a half. He said he set three strategic priorities at the start of his tenure and he feels they’ve “made great strides” toward achieving them. “We’re trending better by every metric (but) we still have a lot of work to do.” He said he’d proudest of a dramatic drop in cancellations related to crewing, attributed to hiring and training improvements.
Other numbers:
He then made way for the system’s second-in-command John Vezina. He showed the full tree of system leadership, saying they’re “laser-focused on making things better for our customers and our colleagues.”
Here’s how they’re doing that:
Vezina handed the baton to his successor as director of external relations, Jenna Forty. This summer, she said, ridership on the Triangle Route was up almost 9 percent, and its on-time performance improved in a big way, now up to 85 percent. Forty said vessel supply and stability remains a challenge but they’re doing what they can.
Next, David Sowers talked about his latest role, electrification-program director. He said WSF has embarked on an “unrivaled” program of building new boats and retrofitting existing ones.
He said M/V Wenatchee is now back in service full time after its conversion, with 864 batteries installed; the other two Jumbo Mark II ferry conversions remain on hold until after the World Cup. Meantime, the new ferries to be built on the East Coast will start arriving in 2030, with the other two of the first three to arrive annually after that.
He was the last planned speaker before Q&A. We’re just noting the ones of Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth interest:
-What about terminal support for electrification? They’ve got money to design and build one terminal system, money to design two more. The Triangle Route terminals were not mentioned as being in the early construction plans.
–What can WSF do about line-cutting? (The question was focused on the downtown terminal, but applied everywhere.) Vezina’s answer boiled down to “not much can be done, we know it’s frustrating, has even happened to me.” Another question later: Could camera enforcement be used? Vezina’s answer was mostly, “no.” Among other reasons, he said some people might have the right to “cut,” such as a medical emergency.
–General staffing update and “what’s being done to sustain it”? Nevey said a big concern a few years ago had been shortage of qualified captains, so they’ve invested time and money in training programs so crew can climb the ladder. They used to have unfilled captain’s jobs; now they have a waiting list for people seeking them. “We’re doing very well to set us up for permanent solutions, not just band-aids.”
–Will fares go up every year? And why so “dramatic(ally)”? Vezina explained that WSF doesn’t set its fares – fare policy is set by the Legislature, for starters. Pre-pandemic, he said, WSF had 80 percent farebox recovery (fares covering costs), but now is closer to 50 percent. There won’t be a new “how much WSF needs to make from fares” policy next Legislative session, but there will be one the following year.
–Fleet replacement. Nevey said they’re deciding whether they can keep their three oldest boats in service slightly longer, rather than retiring them as the new boats are completed.
–Passenger-only ferry service? The Legislature ordered WSF out of that business years ago. So counties (King and Kitsap, for example) are providing it. The state did a study last year and it’s being reviewed, but one question, “do you add new service when WSF still has significant needs?” Vezina observed, “Interesting policy conversation going forward.”
–Why can’t you pay WSF fares with ORCA cards? Vezina noted that their fares are so much higher than other transit services (particularly vehicle/driver) that it just doesn’t work with the way ORCA functions.
If you want to watch and/or ask questions at the 6 pm meeting (questions are all in writing, no live voice or video of participants), register here. WSF promises to post meeting recordings to that page too.
That’s a new Washington State Ferries rendering of what the signalized intersection at the Fauntleroy Way ferry-dock entrance/exit will look like. A WSF update sent in advance of today’s systemwide meetings (1 and 6 pm online) and tomorrow’s final meeting of the Community Advisory Group for the terminal project (6 pm Wednesday, online) also reveals intersection construction has been moved to a later date; WSF had been talking about building the intersection this fall, but now they’re saying it’ll be in the spring. The WSF update also includes a date range for the terminal-replacement construction, previously loosely described as late this decade; now they project construction will start in 2028 and conclude in time to open the new dock/terminal in 2031. The update also recaps the WSF choice of a larger footprint for the new dock, potentially holding almost twice as many vehicles (up to 155) as the current one (80).
(WSB file photo)
6:22 PM: One more big-event countdown to mention today – only one week away, this year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival! On Sunday, October 19, 2-5 pm, the grounds of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, Church, and YMCA (WSB sponsor), indoors and outdoors, everywhere will be full of festival fun, including traditional activities like pumpkin painting, birdhouse building, and salmon hat making, plus inflatables, live music, the cake contest (whether you want to enter a cake or “trot” to win one), all brought to you by volunteers and donations (free except for optional food and drink). Later this week we’ll have details on the exact schedule and locations of activities and performances!
8:10 PM: Ben Weagraff from the FFF has sent some updates since we published the above:
We are in good shape for our activities, but we could use a few more volunteers. We’re very excited about an army of neighborhood partners that have come to support us, including: Fauntleroy Community Association, Fauntleroy YMCA, Fauntleroy Children’s Center, Hazelwood Preschool, D Squared Hospitality, STS Construction, Endolyne Joe’s, Wildwood mMarket, Fauntleroy Church UCC, Super Deli Mart, The Birdhouse.
We are also excited for a few new activities this year:
-This year, we will be partnering with the White Center Food Bank, so please bring Pantry Staples, Canned Goods, Sauces & Spreads, and Snacks to support our community members that need additional support.
-We will be featuring a local author table – Elaine Moy is a neighborhood mom and (and long-time fall festival volunteer); she has just published her first children’s book Otter’s Tummy Table, she will be doing readings for the children.
(Photos by Dave Gershgorn. Above, guide Alana Kayat points out where spawners can rest as they move up the creek)
It’s almost arrival time for Fauntleroy Creek‘s spawning salmon, but first, a school group arrived to learn about them. Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council sent this report with a preview of what’s ahead onshore:
On Thursday, 44 kindergarten students from St. Francis of Assisi School in Burien came with two dozen teachers and parents to explore salmon habitat in lower Fauntleroy Creek. Volunteer naturalist Shannon Ninburg designed the experience to build on what the students had been learning about salmon in their classrooms. While escorting small groups along the channel, 10 volunteer guides shared their knowledge of what the students were seeing, hearing, and touching.
(Students, with guide Dennis Hinton, spot something of interest)
The field trip was just over two weeks before the annual drumming hosted by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, which will kick off Salmon Watch 2025. The all-ages free event on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 pm will include drumming, singing, and an opportunity to welcome spawners when they come in from saltwater. Bring a drum or shaker of any kind or just yourself to circle at creek level behind the house below the fish ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). Heavy rain will cancel.
The watch will likely continue to almost Thanksgiving; we will publish updates here, including word of a weekend “open creek” to which everyone will be welcome
Two announcements for West Seattle cake bakers!
(WSB photo, cake-contest entries, 2023)
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL CONTEST: The cake competition – and a fun way for festivalgoers to win a cake – is just a week and a half away! The announcement is from Emer:
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is on Sunday, October 19th at the Fauntleroy YMCA, Church Parking lot and surrounding community spaces, from 2-5 pm.
We will be accepting fall themed cakes by noon that day in the Vashon Room at the Hall.
The cakes will be entered in beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories. Please provide your name and contact details so we can notify you in case of winning.
-Voting will be from 2-3.
-Votes will be tabulated from 3-3:30
-Winners will be announced at 3:30 and from there we will jump into the Cake Trot. Cakes will be given away to Cake Trot winners.Questions can be directed to fauntleroyfallfestfood@gmail.com
And while we’re talking cakes …
DECORATING CLASSES AT BAKED: The nationally recognized custom cake creators at BAKED in the Admiral District are ready to teach you their decorating secrets! They’ve announced three weekend classes this fall – the registration links, dates, and info are all here.
You might have driven/rode/walked past that green structure at 38th SW/SW Barton many times – along the busy route between Westwood Village and the Fauntleroy Y, Schoolhouse, Church, and ferry dock – without knowing what it was. It’s the 98-year-old Barton Standpipe, and Seattle Public Utilities work over the weekend piqued neighbors’ curiosity. Brad Wong from SPU answered our question about what was going on:
Over the weekend of October 4 and 5, crews from Seattle Public Utilities installed a pressure relief valve at the Barton Standpipe property. This new valve will open and discharge water if this zone experiences high pressure. This will protect SPU water mains and private property plumbing. A new drain was installed to capture any discharged water. It is tied into the existing standpipe drain line. The grounds will be repaired after all other work is complete. This work started several weeks ago. SPU, which does not foresee additional heavy construction, expects the work to be completed by November. Crews from SPU’s Utility Operations & Maintenance, Water Distribution, and Drainage and Wastewater teams were involved with the weekend work.
Back at the time of the Big West Seattle Flush nine years ago to address chronic water discoloration, SPU told us the Barton Standpipe had been decommissioned, so we’re following up for clarity on whether it does or does not hold water.
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