West Seattle Blog…

Noisier in Fauntleroy? Barton Pump Station bypass work begins

The date’s been changed a few times – but King County says the “wet well bypass” is finally under way NOW at the site of the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project, which means diesel pumps running around the clock for the next few days just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. Ahead, the full announcement: Click to read the rest of Noisier in Fauntleroy? Barton Pump Station bypass work begins…

Fauntleroy ferry dock’s north lane, toll booth to reopen

(Recent aerial of the Barton Pump Station work zone, by Long Bach Nguyen)
If you use the Fauntleroy ferry dock or travel through the area, here’s a big announcement from King County as its Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project north of the dock continues:

Starting Thursday [tomorrow], the north ferry entrance lane and toll booth will reopen. The lane and toll booth have been closed since January due to construction activities at the Barton Pump Station. With the opening of the north lane and toll booth, a uniformed police officer will no longer be on site.

During the closure, crews have conducted activities essential to the pump station upgrade, including jet grouting, which is a soil stabilization technique that will allow a safe underground work zone.

As work on the pump station progresses, there may be a need for occasional daytime lane closures. King County will notify commuters and the community of any short-term or day-long lane closures.

What to expect

· There will no longer be a uniformed police officer to direct traffic
· Flagger to continue moving traffic through site and in and out of the ferry terminal entrance, when necessary
· Work to continue on site, beginning with excavation of the pump station
· Heavy equipment on site
· Work hours typically 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday

West Seattle biznote: ‘Gail Ann has left the building’

A storefront in Fauntleroy has been vacated – but its former longtime occupant has NOT gone out of business. Here’s the announcement we received from photographer Gail Ann:

You may have noticed that after a decade “Gail Ann has left the building.”

Gail Ann opened her photography studio some 11 years ago after noticing a for rent sign in the brown brick building known as the Fauntleroy Shopping Center just up from the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. Locals could always find entertainment value in her window displays featuring local families. Many of you have been photographed by her at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival where she has volunteered her services since its inception or seen her at local auction events capturing candids for posterity.

Says Gail Ann “The studio may be closed but I’m open for business! I’ll be on a short hiatus traveling through Poland. I’ll be back to work in June and look forward to working with all of you again.”

Gail Ann can still be reached at 206-371-0585 or by visiting her blog.

Followup: Why about 400 West Seattle homes are 12 tons lighter

Another successful Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church last Sunday (WSB coverage here) – Judy Pickens reported today that the church’s Green Committee estimates 400 vehicles brought almost 12 tons of recyclables for free dropoff with nonprofit 1 Green Planet. Adds Judy: “We’ll do it again on September 22!”

Happening now: If you don’t need it, Fauntleroy Church’s Recycle Roundup will probably take it!

As today’s Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup got going, their recycling partner 1 Green Planet (a nonprofit) had three trucks on standby, knowing that West Seattleites are ready to fill them up, as they have in past editions. The one in our photo above was rapidly filling with old TV sets of all ages (we’ll probably pitch in some day, having not joined the flat-screen revolution just yet). They’re there until 3 pm – free (though the church’s Green Committee, which organizes this twice a year, is glad to accept a token $ donation from anyone who offers) – look for the signs outside the church parking lot at 9140 California SW:

The list of what they’re accepting is here.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Arbor Heights updates; another car prowl

Two major updates and a new case have come in since our earlier West Seattle Crime Watch roundup, so we’re starting a new one.

First, Lonjina‘s stolen truck is back, and might offer clues for other crime victims:

Was found by a friend of ours at 122nd and Ambaum in the Forest View Apt Complex parking lot. Full of possibly stolen gardening tools. We believe they were not done with the truck! Let readers know if they had their garage or gardening tools missing last night to contact the Burien Police Dept.

Updating the other incident in our earlier roundup – from Al’s wife Christine:

On Friday 4/26 at approximately 4:30 PM a suspicious vehicle was witnessed stopped in front of a home at 10XXX 37th Avenue in Arbor Heights. He was witnessed taking photos of the same car burglarized at the same location on Wednesday 4/24 between 11 PM and 6:45 AM. He sped off toward 102nd when confronted by a neighbor. The prowler’s vehicle was later spotted in the Arbor Heights area.

Vehicle Description: Mid 90s, Dark Green, Chevy S-10 pickup truck

As of Friday this vehicle was making a very loud rumbling engine sound as though it was out of oil.

Suspect Description: White man with an odd long face. Between the ages of 20 and 30. He is believed to be tall due to how he sat in the cab of the truck.

We have overwhelming evidence leading us to believe that this man is prowling the neighborhood with a radio frequency scanning device that allows him to “hack” into smart cars.

Be vigilant and watch out for this truck or suspects pointing tech devices (phones, laptops, etc.) toward cars and houses. Call the Seattle Police Department if you see the truck.

And Carolyn in Fauntleroy reports car vandalism, possibly a prowling attempt:

Just wanted to let you know that the passenger door window in my car was bashed overnight. The person didn’t hit the driver’s side, which was closest to the alley, but had to walked around my car and stand between the fence and my car to take out the window. My car was loaded for a community event but nothing was taken. In the past, someone has rifled through my car but not taken anything on the few occasions that I’ve forgotten to lock it. I’m in 8600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW.

Happening now: ‘Celebrate Lincoln Park 2,’ shore to forest

You have about another hour to go explore and “Celebrate Lincoln Park” with the help of naturalists like Noelle, as well as artists, writers, and local volunteers like these Seal Sitters:

Events from nature walks to kids’ art projects proceeded as scheduled despite the weather’s decision to turn gray and breezy.

The Fauntleroy Community Association organized CLP as a two-part event, with today’s outdoor fun following last Tuesday’s presentations about the park’s history, wildlife, status, and more (our Tuesday coverage includes as-it-happened video of those presentations – find it here). It’s on till 2:30, at multiple locations toward the south end of the park.

Fauntleroy ferry alert: Delays, because one boat’s out for repairs

11:44 AM: WSB’er JayDee asked about a long ferry-wait line near Lincoln Park – from Washington State Ferries, here’s the reason why:

The Klahowya is out of service due to necessary repairs to the vessel. The 11:10 am sailing from Fauntleroy is cancelled. The next two departures from Fauntleroy to Vashon and Southworth are 11:45am and 12:20pm. Customers should expect delays. We apologize for the inconvenience. Updates will be posted when more information becomes available.

1:25 PM UPDATE: WSF has some cancellations, too – if you’re headed that way, ask about the ongoing schedule changes when you arrive at the dock.

Next phase of Barton Pump Station project to require above-ground pumps

As the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project proceeds next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock, a new phase is days away – here’s the explanation from King County:

Starting as early as Monday, April 29, crews will take wastewater flows from underground pipes and move those flows to an above ground bypass – pipes that will run the length of the site directly adjacent to the ferry terminal.

Once completed, the bypass will allow crews to shut down normal pump station operations in order to perform the pump station upgrades. The bypass will connect to a temporary pump station currently under construction. Once the temporary pump station is completed, it will be in use for the duration of the project.

The initial bypass work is expected to take up to two weeks, requiring four days of running two above-ground diesel pumps 24 hours per day.

Click to read the rest of Next phase of Barton Pump Station project to require above-ground pumps…

Two-part ‘Celebrate Lincoln Park’ begins Tuesday night

(Young female Cooper’s Hawk photographed in Lincoln Park recently by Trileigh Tucker)
Think you know everything there is to know about West Seattle’s treasured Lincoln Park? We’ll be so bold as to guarantee you’ll learn something new Tuesday night, during the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s first event in the two-part “Celebrate Lincoln Park” series. Come to The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) to learn about its past, its future, its wildlife, and its ecological importance, via informational tables and speakers. Tables will be set up at 6:30 pm; 7-8 pm, you’ll hear from Seattle Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams, local historian Judy Pickens, Seattle University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Trileigh Tucker, and Friends of Lincoln Park President Sharon Baker.

Then next Saturday (April 27), it’s part two – and there are new details since we first published the announcement:

Celebrate Lincoln Park, Part II on Saturday, April 27, will take advantage of a minus 2.6-foot tide to help park visitors see and learn about sea life along the beach, in the water, and in the forest. Volunteer beach naturalists and Seal Sitters, plus staff from the Seattle Aquarium, will be on hand. Local experts in birds, marine life, plants, ecology, nature photography, and art will lead nature walks and creative activities in the forested upper part of the park. Bring your binoculars, sketchbooks, pencils, etc. Special activities will be available for children. The four-hour window for participating will be 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, with walks and workshops beginning at 11:00, noon, and 1:00. All activities will start in the south part of the park. Signs and volunteers will direct visitors to activities.

For both parts of Celebrate Lincoln Park, everything is free.

Another delay announced: Barton Pump Station pile-driving

Instead of pile-driving next week at the Barton Pump Station upgrade project work zone next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock, King County Wastewater Treatment Division says tonight it’ll happen a week later, April 22nd through April 25th. However, the announcement notes, “Next week at the pump station, you may notice crews pre-drilling the soil in order to prepare for the pile-driving work.”

Next ‘Recycle Roundup’ at Fauntleroy Church set for April 28th

(WSB photo from last September’s Recycle Roundup)
It’s an ever-more-popular component of spring/fall cleaning in West Seattle – the twice-yearly Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. Judy Pickens sends word that the date for the next one is set!

The Recycle Roundup is coming to town again, thanks to organizing by the Green Committee at Fauntleroy Church. It will be Sunday, April 28, 9 am – 3 pm in the church parking lot (9140 California Ave. SW). 1 Green Planet will take almost anything for free, responsible recycling. Here’s the list and contact information for questions.

Pile-driving next week at Barton Pump Station in Fauntleroy

Just got this via an alert from Washington State Ferries, whose Fauntleroy dock is next to King County’s Barton Pump Station work zone: Pile-driving is expected to start next Monday (April 15th), meaning “an increase in noise and vibration in the project area.” According to the project website, this work is expected to be done within four days (by April 18th). A construction notice with even more details can be seen here.

Get closeup with West Seattle wonders during ‘Celebrate Lincoln Park, parts 1 and 2

(Hemiptera, photographed in Lincoln Park by Machel Spence)
The Fauntleroy Community Association has been working for months to plan two “Celebrate Lincoln Park” events – and now, they’re just weeks away. As announced by FCA’s Carolyn Duncan:

Celebrate Lincoln Park, Part I on Tuesday, April 23, at The Hall at Fauntleroy will have information tables from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and presentations about the history, creatures, and ecological importance of the park from 7 to 8 pm.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams will be there to share management and strategic planning news in response to last year’s controversy over a staff proposal to add a commercial zip line to the park. Since dropping the proposal, he and his staff have been working collaboratively with FCA to build a better relationship with neighbors and users of the park. Alliance

Information tables will include representatives from Seal Sitters, the Whale Trail, Fauntleroy YMCA, Seattle Parks, Puget Sound Partnership, Seattle Animal Control, Friends of Lincoln Park, and the Alliance for Lincoln Park Nature. Speakers in addition to Williams will be local historian Judy Pickens, Seattle University Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Trileigh Tucker, and Friends of Lincoln Park President Sharon Baker.

Celebrate Lincoln Park, Part II on Saturday, April 27, will take advantage of a minus 2.6-foot tide to help park visitors see and learn about sea life along the beach and in the water. Volunteer beach naturalists and Seal Sitters, plus staff from the Seattle Aquarium, will be on hand. Local experts in birds, marine life, plants, ecology, nature photography, and art will lead nature walks and creative activities in the forested upper part of the park. The four-hour window for participating will be 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. All activities will start in the south part of the park. Signs and volunteers will direct visitors to activities.

All activities will be free. Watch for updates at fauntleroy.net.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Missing from the porch

What is believed to have been stolen from a Fauntleroy porch today wasn’t a package – just something left for friends, by friends. David is just hoping to get the items back:

Some friends left a Trader Joe’s paper grocery bag on our front porch this afternoon (in the 8400 block of) Fauntleroy Way SW (directly across the street from Lincoln Park, just north of the southern parking lot) and the bag was stolen from the porch. It’s terribly frustrating because the bag didn’t contain much except a couple of kids’ books and kids’ sunglasses (both Easter presents), and my prescription glasses (which I have no backup for). Nothing of value to anyone but me and my family. Hopefully someone might come across the contents (maybe dumped in the park?) and could return to them to us. My phone number is 206-349-5477.

Fauntleroy Community Association celebrates membership, leadership, and – ahead – Lincoln Park

A gift for outgoing Fauntleroy Community Association president Bruce Butterfield last night, at FCA’s annual membership meeting/Food Fest – a cheery plaque (presented by Gordon Wiehler, left) for a yacht club with a name resembling Butterfield’s. With new officers elected, it was time for the changing of the guard – David Haggerty is the new president, following Butterfield’s 12 years in that role – the new president is third from left in our group photo of the FCA board:

Also big last night: Dates/times are confirmed for the upcoming FCA-hosted two-day celebration of Lincoln Park: Come to The Hall at Fauntleroy to learn about the park’s history, ecology, and wildlife, 6:30 pm Tuesday, April 23rd; then four days later, a guided tour of the forest and low-tide walk at 10:30 am Saturday, April 27th.

Fauntleroy’s abundance of nature was celebrated on this night, too – check out Judy Pickens‘ hat:

The clematis vine was a reminder of the Kilbourne Ravine restoration project, involving the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, with which Judy is active. Read about it in the FCA “Neighbors” newsletter.

Ahead – more scenes from the event, which featured FCA membership renewals as well as officer elections and local restaurants offering free tastes:

Click to read the rest of Fauntleroy Community Association celebrates membership, leadership, and – ahead – Lincoln Park…

Interim minister on the way for Fauntleroy Church

Less than two months after longtime Fauntleroy Church minister Rev. David Kratz‘s retirement, an interim minister is on the way. Judy Pickens shares the announcement:

Fauntleroy Church UCC has appointed the Rev. Eric Dale as interim minister, starting on Palm Sunday (March 24).

Ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1981, he has served interim pastorates with the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and most recently, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregation in Elko, Nevada. He has also served as a campus minister. He received his M.Div. from the Pacific School of Religion in 1980.

Rev. Dale will serve the Fauntleroy congregation for 12-18 months, providing full pastoral care as well as guidance through the process of calling a “settled” minister to replace the Rev. David Kratz, who retired at the end of January.

Rev. Kratz had served at Fauntleroy Church for more than a quarter-century, as reported here during his final week on the job. The church itself is more than a century old, having celebrated its centennial in 2008.

Ferry alert: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth on 2-boat schedule Monday

Just in from Washington State Ferries:

The Klahowya will be out of service on Monday, March 11, due to necessary repairs to the vessel. Fauntleroy, Vashon and Southworth will be operating on a two-boat schedule. Updates will occur as more information becomes available.

We’ll update this story if the plan changes tonight; there’ll also be updates in tomorrow’s edition of our daily transit/traffic tracker.

Barton Pump Station, Fauntleroy dock to be on generator power tomorrow

A new problem at the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project site north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, according to the King County Wastewater Treatment Division: “Jet grout” material (which is similar to concrete, we’re told) from the upgrade work has turned up in an underground transformer vault near the station, and has to be removed. While that removal work happens 7 am-7 pm tomorrow, Seattle City Light will cut power to both the pump station and ferry dock; the county says “two ‘Whisperwatt’ generators” will be in action to replace the cut-off power. In response to this announcement, we’ve asked a few followup questions, and will add the answers when we get them.

Followup: Saturday night Barton Pump Station overflow estimated at 50 gallons maximum

Saturday night, we told you about an overflow after a mechanical malfunction at the Barton Pump Station in Fauntleroy. This afternoon, King County estimates the overflow totaled “five to 50 gallons of wastewater.” Their news release adds, “Cleanup crews deployed Saturday evening did not find debris typically associated with a wastewater overflow, further confirming the incident’s minimal impact.” Water samples nearby “showed normal bacteria levels,” so they say area beaches will reopen once the Public Health Department says it’s OK.

Power outage at Barton Pump Station next to Fauntleroy dock

(Recent aerial of Barton Pump Station and project area, by Long Bach Nguyen)
The King County Wastewater Treatment Division says things might be noisier than usual at Barton Pump Station next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock right now, because a power outage has required them to use a generator:

Power was unexpectedly lost at the Barton Pump Station around 3:45 pm today. No overflows were reported, and crews are currently investigating the cause. A generator will be running onsite until power can be restored to the station.

The Barton Pump Station Upgrade includes an onsite generator, which will be housed in an underground vault, for unexpected power loss such as today’s occurrence.

The pump station also had a power outage last June (WSB coverage here) – and that one DID lead to an overflow.

Fauntleroy Community Association: New wildlife-advocacy group’s debut; neighborhood survey; more

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Sixteen people filled the board room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse last night for the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s monthly board meeting. One of the major items of business was something YOU can help with right now – if you live and/or work in the Fauntleroy area:

THE SURVEY: To find out more about how best to serve the community, among other things, FCA is conducting a survey right now. It was announced via their website and Facebook page, as well as via postal-mail postcard, and more than 180 responses have come in so far. As the group gets ready for its annual membership meeting (more on that shortly), they would love to get hundreds more – since it asks about a wide range of community issues and concerns. If you have ties to Fauntleroy, here’s where the survey begins.

Ahead – a new wildlife advocacy group debuted at the FCA meeting, and the group was briefed on two big King County Wastewater Treatment Division projects in the area:

Click to read the rest of Fauntleroy Community Association: New wildlife-advocacy group’s debut; neighborhood survey; more…

West Seattle traffic alert: Reminder for Fauntleroy ferry users

Traffic has been decidedly difficult at times since the Barton Pump Station upgrade project started north of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, with closures including one toll booth and a dock lane at times. But north of the dock, the usual rules still apply, as Washington State Ferries reminded drivers with this advisory:

Customers lining up at Fauntleroy should note that the ferry queue continues along Fauntleroy Way at the gas station at the north end of Lincoln Park; it does not go down 47th Ave. SW toward the beach. Please also note that line cutting is against state law and subject to a fine of up to $124. We ask that customers be respectful of others waiting in the queue. You can report line-cutters by calling 877-764-HERO. All violators are logged and receive a warning letter. Multiple violations result in further action.

Fauntleroy Community Association: Animal-control briefing; more

The Fauntleroy Community Association has set the date for inviting the community to come “Celebrate Lincoln Park” – April 23rd. That was announced at Tuesday night’s FCA business meeting at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. The plan is now to have a big community meeting with lots of information about Fauntleroy’s gem of a park – and follow it up a week or so later with an event at the park itself. FCA president Bruce Butterfield says they would welcome help planning Celebrate Lincoln Park; you can reach FCA through its website and Facebook page.

One ongoing issue at the park – off-leash dogs – was also on the Tuesday night agenda, with a guest appearance by a Seattle Animal Shelter enforcement officer. Read on for toplines from what he told the board:

Click to read the rest of Fauntleroy Community Association: Animal-control briefing; more…

West Seattle New Year’s Eve: Walk the Fauntleroy labyrinth!

(Fauntleroy Fall Festival 2012 photo of The Hall’s labyrinth, by Nick Adams for WSB)
Another unique New Year’s Eve event in West Seattle: The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s Labyrinth Walk (see the flyer here). It’s 6-8 pm Monday in The Hall’s space on the south side of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). The suggested donation, $5/person ($20/family if 4 or more), is to benefit the “Raise the Roof” capital campaign for the schoolhouse (now a nonprofit-owned community facility that’s had $1 million-plus in repairs, such as roof work, to deal with). To find out more about the labyrinth itself, go here.

(The Labyrinth Walk is one of many New Year’s Eve/Day West Seattle/White Center events spotlighted in the WSB Holiday Guide (where you’ll also find the lists of restaurants/coffee shops/grocery stores open on NYE and/or NYD) – more to be added if you let us know what we’re missing!)

Fauntleroy Community Association board sets date for Lincoln Park mega-meeting

First of two notes from Tuesday night’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting: The date’s set for a big FCA community meeting about Lincoln Park – April 23, 2013. When the board talked about it last month, they were focusing on something earlier in the year, but last night, president Bruce Butterfield pointed out that since they hope to follow up the meeting with a park tour a week or so later, April would be better than February. The board has formed a committee to plan the agenda, with presentations by Parks, animal control – given ongoing concerns about off-leash dogs, also discussed last month – and nature groups suggested, along with park history. (Update #2 later today will include the latest on the schoolhouse renovations.)

West Seattle ferry update: 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy this week

Another change for Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth schedule this week – they had warned of a reduced-capacity third boat on the route; now, because three vessels need repairs, WSF says, there will be only an intermittent, tiny third boat:

Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: This route will be on a two-boat schedule with the 124 car Issaquah and the 87-car Tillikum. This service will be supplemented with unscheduled sailings by the 34-car Hiyu.

There are changes to Seattle-Bremerton, too; read about those here.