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:
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
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.
The Great Pumpkin Search is on in Fauntleroy! Volunteers hid 175 pumpkins similar to that one around the Endolyne business district, and organizers with the Fauntleroy Community Association are now presiding over the search from a tent at the corner of 45th SW and Brace Point, across from Endolyne Joe’s:
Some of the pumpkins are redeemable for prizes – one per searcher. The search is on until 3 pm, or until all the pumpkins are found – just a few searchers in the early going, so you have time to get there!
By Jason Grotelueschen Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Fauntleroy neighbors gathered on Thursday night at The Hall at Fauntleroy to hear from Seattle Public Utilities representatives and to ask questions about several culvert projects impacting the area currently and in the near future.
The community meeting was focused on two of the culvert projects happening in the area:
Emergency repairs (underway now and expected to wrap up by the end of October) to the failing culvert that carries Fauntleroy Creek under California Avenue SW near the Hall and Fauntleroy Church/YMCA/Schoolhouse (see WSB coverage from August 28 and September 21, as well as the official SPU construction notice).
Long-term replacement of the culvert further west that carries the creek under 45th Ave SW (near SW Wildwood Place). The project is currently in its final design phase, with a two-year construction timeline expected to begin September 2026 and last until mid-2028 (see WSB coverage from June 11, as well as the official SPU project website which also includes longer-term replacement work for the California Avenue culvert that could begin as early as 2028).
These projects will directly impact the area and its neighbors, but also commuters and neighbors further away because the area is a key connector between Delridge, 35th Ave SW, and the Fauntleroy business district and ferry dock.
Neighbors and project coordinators agree that it’s crucial to get the word out and to keep the community involved, and Thursday night’s meeting was part of that ongoing effort. Project reps will also be onsite to answer questions at the upcoming Fauntleroy Fall Festival, happening Sunday, October 19 from 2-5 pm, as noted on signage posted in the area:
Presenters on Thursday night included Robert Lee (SPU project manager for the emergency repairs happening this month), Jonathan Brown (SPU project manager for the 45th Ave SW culvert replacement), and Tracy Belding (design consultant for the 45th Ave project). Also in attendance were reps from the Seattle Police Department — crime prevention coordinator Matthew Brown and officer German Barreto — to answer questions and represent public-safety aspects of the projects.
As project coordinators point out, there are actually three culverts on Fauntleroy Creek: a lower culvert at Fauntleroy Way SW (just east of the ferry terminal), a middle culvert at 45th Ave SW, and an upper culvert at California Ave SW. The projects in question are for the middle (45th) and upper (California) culverts, not for the lower culvert because it (and the associated fish ladder) were built in the late 1990s and not due for replacement.
Meeting toplines from Thursday night are below:
After a brief delay to resolve technical difficulties with the projector, first up was Robert Lee to talk about the California Avenue emergency culvert repair, which is happening this month. Lee said the project was fast-tracked as an emergency (which needed to be done prior to the larger replacement that will likely begin in 2028) because the pipe is “in really bad shape.” The team does not believe it will last two years without intervention, hence an emergency approach with expedited design, permitting, and coordination.
The project involves temporary stabilization of the severely deteriorated culvert by installing a plastic liner inside the existing pipe to add strength and extend service life until a full replacement project occurs. Lee said the crews will be working quickly because the liner has a short installation window (about five days from when it is “wetted out” with resin). It must be delivered from Idaho and installed quickly because if the lining cannot be completed, a more invasive repair approach (including damming sections) would be required.
Current status and near-term work includes:
Seattle City Light will energize power to support crane positioning.
Crane and equipment mobilization this week and next week, with the actual “pipe lining” planned the week of Oct 13th. “Curing” is targeted for Oct 15th and 16th, and per Lee “will be a noisy operation.”
Target completion near the end of October, with some restoration work to follow. Crews are expected to mostly be out by the first week of November.
In response to attendee questions about parking, traffic and other topics:
There will be no full closure of California Ave; rather, during key phases there will be alternating one-way traffic with flaggers, and potential holds/delays up to 10 minutes. Lee emphasized that “this is your only north-south corridor in this area, so we’ve got to keep it open.”
The parking lot adjacent to the schoolhouse/Y/church will be open and accessible for the fall festival on Oct 19, and generally open and accessible on weekends.
One neighbor noted that he had received notice from Seattle City Light about a seven-hour outage on Friday the 3rd. Lee said that he wasn’t aware of the details, but confirmed that it’s likely that homes in close vicinity to the area will have occasional impacts to power, but crews will do their best to mitigate impact and inform neighbors.
Next up was Jonathan Brown and Tracy Belding to talk about the 45th Avenue culvert replacement.
The existing 24-inch culvert under 45th is in very poor condition, a complete barrier to fish passage, and difficult to maintain. Not an emergency yet, but urgent. Goals of the project are to replace (not repair) the culvert, upsize the culvert to meet state and federal fish-passage requirements, improve maintenance access and enhance habitat and water quality. Details on those items:
Culvert dimensions: The new culvert will be approximately the same length as the existing one, but significantly wider and taller (planned width is 14 feet).
Stream alignment and channel: There will be vertical realignment of the natural stream bed; a more natural stream channel constructed within the culvert to aid fish passage.
Habitat enhancements: “Spawning gravels” will be placed in the creek and within the culvert, and the addition of large material to increase stream complexity and support habitat.
Water quality: New roadway runoff treatment to improve creek water quality.
Up on the surface, the project will also involve street-level restoration as the project is completed: The roadway, sidewalk, and parking areas will look similar to today after construction is complete. On the east side, there will be a fence and locked gate, similar to current conditions (for maintenance access only). On the west side will be the “45th Landing,” the small public amenities area within the right-of-way. The fence will include perforations to allow peekaboo views of the creek while also screening adjacent residences. Access to the ravine will remain controlled for maintenance only.
On the subject of parking, roads, traffic and bus lines: Lots of Q&A and back-and-forth discussion with attendees, on these topics. Some highlights:
The three existing parking spots on the west side will be replaced with three new spots along the curb; total count remains the same.
Road closure: 45th will be closed to through traffic during construction; local resident access to driveways will be maintained “for the most part.”
Pedestrian access: Detours will be provided. A pedestrian bridge over the excavation is planned; it will be open as much as safely possible and generally reopened in the late afternoons after each workday, but may be closed during certain construction activities/phases.
Detour strategy: In coordination with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), SW Director St will be opened to two-way traffic temporarily during construction. The intersection of 45th and Director will become a four-way stop with narrowed approaches to create a more standard 90-degree configuration, slow vehicles, shorten pedestrian crossings, and improve sight distances.
The existing marked crossing on California between the church and school will remain unchanged.
Removal of the north-side curb bulb at Director St is planned, to enable westbound traffic.
One attendee requested adding “local access only” signage on Director west of 45th and to install stronger traffic bumps. The presenters confirmed that this can be evaluated.
All affected streets will be returned to existing conditions after construction.
Bus service: The C Line is not expected to be interrupted, although there may be some challenges with pedestrian movement and access at times.
Emergency access: A temporary bridge over the excavation may be installed for emergency vehicles when safe; it will not be open to the general public.
Driveway access: This will be maintained where feasible; some parking restrictions will be necessary to keep the work zone safe.
A resident of the nearby Alpine Chalet apartments asked about apartments in the construction zone losing on-site parking: Project team is exploring nearby alternative parking options (acknowledging limited availability) and will designate the closest feasible load/unload zone for deliveries, hailing rides and rideshares, and residents’ short-term use for loading/unloading (20–30 minutes). These temporary parking areas could also be used for emergencies (such as ambulance/emergency vehicle parking).
Business deliveries (for places like Wildwood Market): Plans include a load/unload zone on the south side of Wildwood (east of 45th) and maintaining delivery windows for the cafe on designated days (such as Monday/Wednesday/Friday, for example).
ADA stalls near senior housing: Those existing spaces are in the public right-of-way; SDOT asked the building management to coordinate with them on locations during and after construction.
Attendees cited frequent speeding and wrong-way driving near 45th/Director and Wildwood, worsened by ferry-traffic surges. The project team acknowledged these patterns and will coordinate with SDOT; they are planning a four-way stop and lane narrowing to calm traffic, with additional calming (e.g., speed humps) under consideration.
An attendee asked if traffic revisions will extend south to Brace Point, and the team said no.
A neighbor asked about “no parking” signs that indicated 24-hour restricted zones, but there isn’t always work happening. Can the team try to use signage as efficiently as possible, to only restrict parking when there is work actively happening? The answer: Yes, the team will do the best they can.
A neighbor who has lived on 45th and Director for 30 years said they’ve always experienced issues with people driving too fast (and in the wrong direction) on side-streets in the area, and while they’re thankful that a 4-way stop, they hope that at some point there can be true speed bumps (not smaller bumps) to help regulate speed in the area. Another neighbor agree that there was “too much road rage” in the area. The team thanked them for the feedback and pledged to do their best to help in this regard.
For vegetation/landscape removal and restoration, and well as slopes/grading:
Geotechnical guidance: The project team has consulted with geotechnical experts. Steep ravine slopes will be regraded and re-sloped in instances in which they get disturbed during construction. The ideal maximum slope is 1′ vertical to 2′ horizontal — for reference, some existing slopes are as steep as 1:1 in places. Regrading and revegetation are intended to immediately improve stability and provide long-term slope reinforcement.
An attendee asked if an archeological survey is part of the project, and the team said yes.
Vegetation: Much of the existing vegetation will be removed within the project zone’s active construction area (but certainly not the entire ravine). Salvageable plants will be retained where possible. Replanting will emphasize native conifers, shrubs, and groundcovers. Invasive species will be removed.
Erosion control and stabilization: Coir matting and other erosion and sediment control measures will be used to protect the creek during construction.
Maintenance period: The project’s permits require five years of post-construction establishment and maintenance to ensure site stability and the survival of plants and landscaping.
Regarding the project schedule, construction approach, and concerns about noise:
Design work: Final design is in progress. Overhead power relocation is planned for spring of 2026 to allow safe construction.
Main construction: Target start in late summer/early fall of 2026, with a duration up to two years.
Sequencing: Although project organizers stressed that the details of the order/duration of individual tasks and phases is difficult to pin down at this point (and much of it will be proposed/defined by the contractor), a rough potential sequence could be: Pavement demolition and utility work, temporary erosion and sediment control, installation of shoring (drilled—not pile driven) to support excavation, culvert construction and finally the site restoration.
There were questions from attendees (including one neighbor who works from home and lives “about 20 feet” from one of the main construction areas) about the actual noise/timing/duration of that work. The team said that the “shoring/drilling phase” may take several months overall but will move along the site to different locations, reducing the time it’s happening directly in front of any one property. The team also said they are bringing on consultant for noise analysis, noise barriers etc.
Noise and mitigation: A noise consultant will evaluate impacts and mitigation (e.g., barriers). The team will pursue electrical power for the bypass pump to avoid having to use a loud generator where possible.
Work hours: Subject to the City’s noise ordinance. The team recalled general weekday limits around 7 a.m.–7 p.m., with the most impactful work restricted to roughly 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Weekend work is not typically planned but may be proposed by the contractor. Meeting attendees requested clear, advance notice of daily start/stop times, and the project team agreed that this would be important.
Construction materials and equipment will primarily be stored/staged on the 45th Ave right of way, but the team says they will likely also talk to the group that owns Fauntleroy Schoolhouse about storing some items onsite.
Notifications: Door hangers and ongoing communications are standard. The slide deck will be posted on the project website; an email list is available for updates.
As it relates to site security and concerns about unauthorized encampments and trespassing (the SPD reps in attendance chimed in, on these topics):
During construction: Contractor will secure staging and storage areas (e.g., separate access, locked gates, fencing).
Long-term design: Fencing with locked maintenance gates on both sides of the culvert will restrict access to the ravine and the interior of the culvert. The “Landing” area will allow limited public views while still controlling access.
One of the key concepts that the project will employ is CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Matthew Brown (from SPD) noted that the department conducted and prepared a detailed assessment (driven by Jennifer Satterwhite). Brown confirmed that the project team has been very receptive to the recommended measures. An attendee asked if the assessment could be shared on the project website, and the presenters confirmed that it would be. Broader city shelter/resource issues were also brought up and discussed, particularly around unauthorized campers (there will similar issues in nearby Fauntleroy Park as recently as this past summer). Brown said he couldn’t speak regarding overall citywide initiatives, but emphasized that the team is committed to designing the project to limit unauthorized access.
The team emphasized that construction companies typically take site security very seriously, to protect people and also because they don’t want their equipment to be vandalized or stolen.
As the main portion of the meeting drew to a close, the project team invited attendees to stay and ask more questions and share feedback with team members, and many attendees obliged:
Comment cards were handed out, for attendees to share feedback and thoughts. Jonathan Brown (SPU) encouraged neighbors to stay connected with the official SPU project website, sign up for the email list, or contact him directly (Jonathan.Brown@seattle.gov or 206-561-2581.
The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is two weeks from Sunday, and we’ve mentioned before that it runs entirely on volunteer power and donations. If you can help out at the festival this year, organizers would be thrilled to have you on the team. That includes young volunteers: “Students who have a volunteer hours requirement, we’re more than happy to sign their documentation that they volunteered to help the community.” The festival is 2-5 pm Sunday, October 19,in and around the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, Church, and YMCA. Go here to see what help is needed and how to volunteer!
It’s a fall tradition in Fauntleroy – bring the family, look for pumpkins hidden by Fauntleroy Community Association volunteers, maybe win prizes (some of the hidden pumpkins will be marked for prize redemption at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival on October 19)! This year’s Pumpkin Search is on the early side so we’re reminding you today that it’s just two days away, 1-3 pm Saturday (October 4) in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne business district. Look for the FCA booth across from Endolyne Joe’s (9200 block of 45th SW).
One day after pulling the third boat from Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth because of a ferry breakdown elsewhere, Washington State Ferries says it expects that the Triangle Route “will be on the two-boat schedule for the next couple of weeks.” But starting this afternoon, WSF is adding back an unscheduled third boat, the 64-vehicle M/V Salish. (Check the Vessel Watch tracker to see when it’s officially on the run.)
Because of system shuffling forced by the breakdown of a ferry serving Mukilteo-Clinton, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is down to two boats and will officially use the two-boat schedule this afternoon. The alert from Washington State Ferries says, “The first sailings today on the two-boat schedule will be the 12:35 p.m. Vashon to Southworth on the #2 Issaquah and the 12:40 p.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy on the #1 Kittitas. ” The two-boat schedule is linked from the WSF alerts page.
More than two dozen local restaurants, cafés, caterers, wineries, breweries, and specialty food vendors were there to dish up and pour out some of what sets them apart from the rest. The desserts looked especially delectable. A team from Margie’s from the Center for Active Living wanted to add extra whip to this berry cobbler before its photo op:
Nearby, Dolcetta’s Artisan Sweets offered beautiful candy – and won the attendees’ vote for “Best Sweet”:
Beautious Bakin’ and Kakin‘ had a table stacked with mini-cakes:
At least one venue brought sweet and savory options – The Neighborhood, Morgan Junction’s new restaurant, offered hummus and chocolate mousse:
From further south, White Center’s The Roll Pod served achaari aloo rolls and won “Best Veggie” taste:
We also found a pocket of Admiral participants – Joanie Jacobs and husband Dan Jacobs on behalf of the shop she runs, West Seattle Grounds, with – what else – brewed coffee, roasted by Caffe Vita:
The Jacobs are also on the leadership team of the Admiral Neighborhood Association, whose meeting guests two nights ago included Seattle School Board president Gina Topp, who tonight was steps away from them on behalf of her restaurant Mission Cantina, serving shrimp ceviche:
From The Junction (and beyond) Molly Moon’s Ice Cream brought mini-sundaes:
Also in the dairy division, A Butter Place offered tastings of their title specialty:
Want to wash that down with wine? Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) was there – no surprise as winemaker Ben Viscon is a longtime bigtime Food Bank supporter; Viscon was the winner for the night’s “Best Pour”:
The parade of main dishes continued – beef stew and rice from Ku Mana‘s (Burundian cuisine):
Red beans and rice, mac and cheese, and cornbread from Peninsula Soul Food, the winner for “Best Savory” taste:
Nola’s Catering had meatballs and “meatless balls”:
And that’s just, well, a taste of what was offered. (The winners’ list included one we hadn’t photographed, La La’s Lemonade, “Best Non-Alcoholic Beverage.”) Taste’rs were also serenaded by music man Jim Page, who we recorded at the start of his story-song about bus drivers:
Guests also could play Plinko and/or enter gift-basket raffles. Before the event, WSFB’s Robbin Peterson said this Taste had the biggest advance ticket sales yet; we’re expecting the fundraising tally later today and will add it here!
3:11 PM: And here’s the WSFB report:
We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support the Taste of West Seattle! Together, our community raised an incredible $40,120 for the West Seattle Food Bank. While we fell short of our $60,000 goal, every dollar makes a real difference in helping neighbors access food, rent and utility assistance, clothing, and other vital resources. If you weren’t able to attend—or if you’d like to help us close the gap — contributions can still be made online. Thank you for showing up with such generosity; with your continued support, we can make sure every neighbor feels the strength of this community.
Special thanks to:
All the vendors who participated and brought their best food and drink, and to our sponsors and supporters: Hunt Jackson CPA, Pet Supplies Plus, Electric Butter Marketing, West Seattle Blog, eDesign Creative, MVP Photo Booth, Dsquared Hospitality/Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes, LD Techniques, Jamison Johnson Photography, and Jim Page.
We are deeply grateful not only to our attendees but also to the many small businesses who couldn’t join us in person yet still gave generously to our raffle. In the end, Taste of West Seattle 2025 was as much a celebration of small, local businesses as it was of community—and we’re honored to be part of such a caring, connected neighborhood.
Just one week after Washington State Ferries announced a date for their fall online-only system-wide community meetings, they’ve changed it: The meetings are now set for 1 pm and 6 pm Tuesday, October 14. If you’d already registered for the original date, you’ll have to re-register for the new one; you can register for one or both (WSF promises duplicate content) right now by going here.
Area residents and businesses cast a strong vote for the environment on Saturday by dropping off 11 tons of recyclables during Saturday’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. That brings to 395 tons that the congregation and zero-waste recycler 1 Green Planet have collected since partnering for these free community events in 2010. The spring roundup is set for Saturday, April 25, 9 am-3 pm in the church parking lot (9140 California Ave. SW).
(Photo by Dennis Hinton: Gerry Goit finishes clearing channel so spawners coming in under ferry trestle can reach the creek’s mouth)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Saturday’s work party to clear the way for coho spawners to reach the mouth of Fauntleroy Creek was mostly about weeding. A dozen volunteers moved a few drift logs mired in the sand, then turned to addressing beach vegetation chocking the channel. They had the way cleared an hour later but will keep an eye out to make sure it stays open through spawning season.
(Photo by Diana Spence: Fred Fleischmann and fellow volunteers survey magnitude of weeding task)
Salmon Watch 2025 will officially start with the annual drumming on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 4 pm at the house below the fish-ladder viewpoint (SW Director & upper Fauntleroy Way SW). A few volunteers will get a head start by monitoring Fauntleroy Cove for schooling spawners, then two dozen watchers will begin checking the spawning reach daily.
The first spawners in modern history came into the creek in 1994. Since then, 20 has been typical for this small urban creek. Last year was anything but typical, however, when a record 347 had come in by Nov. 24.
If spawners come in, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council will host a weekend open creek for the general public and we’ll announce it here.
Though Seattle Public Utilities had said the emergency culvert repairs beneath California SW in Fauntleroy could start tomorrow, the “no parking” signs in the area all are dated to start Tuesday (September 23). Whenever the crews arrive, remember that the repair work will change things up for about a month in the Fauntleroy Church/Y/Schoolhouse area, which is also a key connector between Delridge, 35th SW, and the Fauntleroy business district and ferry dock. The repairs – as announced in August – are intended to keep the culvert that carries Fauntleroy Creek under California from failing before permanent replacement work can begin. (For more on the replacement project, which will first focus on 45th SW, don’t miss the recently announced community meeting on October 2.)
The second hour of today’s six-hour Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church has just begun. We were there for photos half an hour ago and one volunteer told us it had been “nonstop.” However, no backup – it’s always a very efficient operation with partner 1 Green Planet, with multiple bins, trucks, and boxes ready for whatever you’re dropping off:
Here again is the long list (PDF) of what you can bring for free recycling (and a shorter list of what they won’t accept). They’ll be there till 3 pm.
But don’t wait until the last hour unless that’s absolutely the soonest you can get there – they try to avoid an end-of-day backup. The church offers this service to the community twice a year; if you miss today’s Recycle Roundup, watch for advance announcement of the date for the next one, in spring.
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