West Seattle, Washington
16 Tuesday
7:26 PM MONDAY: Police responding to multiple calls about suspected gunfire have confirmed it: Officers just told dispatch they’ve found “several casings so far” in the south parking lot of Westcrest Park. No reports of injuries.
12:25 PM TUESDAY: We’ve obtained the police-report narrative, though two points of interest – the number of casings and types – were redacted by SPD, along with names as usual, but the narrative does clarify where exactly the gunfire happened:
On 12/15/2025 at approximately 19:13 I responded to several reports of shots fired in the area of Westcrest Park located at 8800 8th Ave SW in the city of Seattle, county of King. Initial remarks stated, “10 SHOTS FROM 2 WEAPONS, 2 WEAPONS, NOTHING ELSE HEARD, TO THE NORTHEAST”. Multiple callers reported hearing the shots in the area and reported the following to dispatch:
“SOUTH OF 4 SHOTS AND THEN RAPID FIRE 1 MIN AGO, NOTHING ELSE SEEN/HEARD”
“ANOTHER COMPL REPORTING 8 SHOTS HEARD POSSIBLY FROM WESTCREST PARK, NOTHING ELSE HEARD OR SEEN”
“ANOTHER REPORTING HEARING RAPID GUN SHOTS 3 MINS. SOUNDED LIKE MACHINE GUNS COMING FROM WESTCREST PARK”
“ANOTHER CALLER REPORTING HEARING 3-4 SHOTS FROM A HANDGUN AND THEN RAPID FIRE FROM AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON AT 1911. SOUNDED LIKE IT CAME FROM WESTCREST PARK. RP IS AT xxxx AND CAUGHT THE SOUND ON CAMERA BUT NOTHING SEEN”
Others called in as well reporting the same as the above listed callers. I responded to the southern parking lot of Westcrest park where I know, based on my experience in this area, shootings have occurred before. I located several casings on the ground in this area. The casings were all grouped relatively close together on the blacktop near the path leading to the community garden at this end of the park. My backing officers assisted me in XXXX XXXX near the fired casings. I photographed the scene and each individual casing. Each XXXX was XXXX with a XXXX XXXX and XXXX into an XXXX XXXX which was then XXXX with the XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX of XXXX. The photographs have been uploaded to AxonCapture. The casings consisted of XXXX XXXX XXXX casings and XXXX XXXX casings. The XXXX were all branded “XXXX” and the XXXX were branded “XXXX XXXX” or XXXX.
The immediate area was canvassed but no victims or bullet damage were located. None of the callers reported having sustained injury or damage from gunfire. One caller had reported capturing audio of the shooting on video.
(Photo by Kay Kirkpatrick, May 2025 ‘First Friday’)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“This past summer, a thousand people came to an empty lot.”
Amy Durgin, president of the Highland Park Improvement Club board, still marvels at that – the number of people who showed up for First Fridays at the once-and-future HPIC building site on the northeast corner of 12th SW and SW Holden.
It’s an “empty lot” because of the fire that gutted the century-old HPIC building four and a half years ago.
(Photo by Dina Johnson, June 2021)
Less than a year after the fire, HPIC was hoping to rebuild quickly and reopen in 2023. Now we’re on the doorstep of 2026, and reopening is still in the distance. But next year’s city budget includes a much-needed boost for the project, so we asked for a little of Amy’s time to get an explanation of where exactly things stand, at what she declares is “a really exciting time for HPIC.”
First, a quick recap of what HPIC is and isn’t. It’s a nonprofit community organization that happens to own its own site for community-centered activities and events, It’s not government-owned, operated, or funded – except for occasional grants, most notably the $500,000 that District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka managed to get added to next year’s city budget, which has been signed into law by outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell.
What the HPIC building lost to fire – its remains subsequently demolished – was: An old building originally meant as a social hall. What it’s become over the years, and is intended to support with the rebuild: The community’s beating heart.
(Rendering of future HPIC HQ, by Wittman Estes)
What’s gotten in the way along these many months is the need for money. And it’s not just because the new building can’t be as bare-bones as the old one; it’s everything that’s happened along the way, even in the early stage, Amy explains: “We’ve found little anomalies as we dug into the ground .. we’re going to need a little more concrete .. the cost continues to grow.” But “we’re trying to be as thoughtful and strategic as possible.”
Not only does what they find at the scene continue to change, so does the landscape of the grant world. Right now, that’s what they’re focused on, large grants to cobble together the cost, rather than hoping thousands of small contributions will somehow get them over the finish line. Yes, grant-seeking is harder now because of all the federal changes; at all levels, Durgin says, “There’s much more competition for funding, especially for arts and culture groups”- even a fight to keep money, not just to get new funding. “We’ve never had to fight for funds like this before.” And that fight has ups and downs – recently, while the half-million-dollar city contribution was finalized (the largest they’ve ever got for the rebuilding project), they also got word they were turned down for another source of city funding, an Equitable Development Initiative grant.
All the while, the HPIC board is also working on programming for both before and after the new building’s opening, “anything that brings the community together.” Demonstrating how HPIC has done, can do, and will do that is a vital way to show potential funders why they’re worth investing in: “The board is thinking about what’s happening after the build, how are we going to be sustainable?”
On one hand, that’s not difficult – “people are thirsty for HPIC,” Durgin says, as evidenced not only in what they’ve done (the aforementioned First Friday events, most recently) but also in how they’re forging new relationships, with organizations such as African Community Housing and Development, which also got a slide of budgeted city funding for its planned International Public Market at the other end of Highland Park (8850 9th SW).
On the other hand, they need more people power. Volunteers, for example; they can strategize and make plans all they want, but the board can’t also take all the action to turn strategy and plans into reality. “We need more volunteers to do the work,” Amy stresses. They are hopeful that partnerships and affiliations will help with that too, helping HPIC “reach different segment of our community … there’s a big community out there.”
And there’s one simple action people can take: Become a member. Membership has grown exponentially but there’s infinite room (and you don’t even have to live and/or work in Highland Park). The more members HPIC has, for one, the more they’ll be taken seriously by potential funders. Members “are saying this is important to me – that shows grant funders how important this asset is to the community.” So important that HPIC exists even without its building; while First Fridays happened on the site, HPIC also gathers with the community at other spots – this year’s Not-So-Silent Night Parade on New Year’s Eve, for example, will again start at Highland Park Corner Store.
(WSB photo)
Back to the rebuilding project: They’ve completed four of its seven phases, including utilities and other ground work. Phase 5 includes framing the building and weatherizing it. Fundraising is about halfway to this phase’s $1;7 million cost. And optimism is running high: “We can do this. It’s very possible.”
11:21 PM: After 911 calls about possible gunfire in Highland Park, SPD has found someone who says they were shot at while in their vehicle, which has two bullet holes through the window(s). Police are now looking for the scene where it happened, which was reported to be a few blocks from where they found the victim, possibly near 11th SW and SW Cloverdale. No description yet of the shooters, except that they had guns “with lasers on them.”
11:34 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ve found the scene where the shots were fired – one casing, one bullet so far, just south of SW Cloverdale on 11th.
5 PM THURSDAY: We’ve obtained the report narrative from SPD:
On 12/03/2025, at 2305 hours, uniformed Seattle Police patrol officers responded to the area of 8400 block of 12 Ave SW to investigate a report of several shots heard, called in by multiple callers. Additional information stated there were vehicles heard speeding away.
When officers arrived they conducted an area checked, but did not initially locate a scene and or a victim. Officers received information that a possible victim had fled on a vehicle, southbound on 12 Ave SW, towards SW Henderson St. Officers checked that area and located a victim, with his vehicle, at 15 Ave SW/SW Henderson St. The victim was identified as XXXX X. XXXX-XXXX, and his vehicle a gray 2009 Honda Civic sedan, baring license plate WA XXXXXXX.
XXXX advised officers he was driving north on 11 Ave SW, heading towards SW Cloverdale St, when he encountered several cars parked on the street, with multiple people around the cars. As he drove past the subjects and their vehicles he saw lasers then heard gunshots. He then fled the scene. XXXX reported he was not injured.
Officers inquired if XXXX knew the subjects, and XXXX advised he did not know anyone of the subjects. XXXX also advised he was unable to see what the subjects looked like, and could not provide a description, nor was he able to describe any of the vehicles they were with. XXXX further advised he has no problems with anyone, and does not know why anyone would shoot at him.
When officers spoke to XXXX they observed gunshot damage to his vehicle, consisting of a total of two bullet holes. The rear windshield had taken a hit, with a bullet entry hole to the center right, and the front right passenger’s side got hit, with a bullet entry hole near the front door frame.
Officers responded to the area XXXX said he got shot at, and discovered that the actual scene was inside the driveway of Highland Park Elementary school, located at 1012 SW Trenton St. The scene was not on the street, as XXXX claimed, but in the driveway path of the school, within the school property (on the west side), that came off of 11 Ave SW and was in a north/south direction. Officers found a total of 13 rounds, scattered along the driveway path. There were XXXX casings, XXXX spent XXXX casings and XXX unspent XXXX bullet. Officers search the area of the school but did not find any property damage to the school and or anything else in the surrounding area.
Based on the location of the driveway and the shell casings, relative to the driveway and the damage to XXXX’s windshield, it appeared XXXX’s vehicle was traveling southbound, contradicting his statement that he was driving northbound. The shell casings were scattered from north to south in the driveway, with a concentration of the casings being located along a retaining wall that was located on the west side of the driveway. The retaining wall would’ve made it unlikely that the shooter was standing against that wall, and the driveway also descended in a dip, elevated below the street (11 Ave SW). This indicated the gun was pointing directly to the south when it was fired, and ejecting the shell casings to the west, making them land along the retaining wall.
Officers photographed, collected and submitted the casings into evidence. Officers also photographed the damage to XXXX’s car.
Highland Park Elementary students won’t get an outdoor experience unless grant money is raised. Here’s the request we received to share with you:
Let’s Keep the Highland Park Elementary Overnight Camp Tradition Alive!
For decades, Highland Park Elementary 5th graders have spent an unforgettable week at Camp Sealth, building confidence, resilience, and connection with nature.
This year, state budget cuts canceled our Outdoor Learning Grant—and we need to raise $15,000 to make camp possible.
Highland Park is a wonderfully diverse West Seattle school — 71% of our students are from minority backgrounds, and about 60% are classified as economically disadvantaged. Many of our students have never had the chance to experience an overnight outdoor camp, and this program would provide an incredible opportunity for learning, teamwork, and connection with nature.
The crowdfunding link is here.
We don’t know if this sign on the door at 16th SW and SW Holden has been up for hours, days, or weeks, but we just noticed it, pulling over after spotting it while passing by. Considering a huge WE’RE OPEN banner is hanging above the same door, it’s worth a mention. The up-and-down history of what started two years ago as Miso Chef Korea and then morphed to simply Miso seems to be in another down period; the handwritten sign says the restaurant is “temporarily closed due to difficult circumstances.” The restaurant had a temporary closure last year too.
On Friday, we mentioned the list of city-budget amendments that District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka is mulling as the council goes into the next phase of budget revision/review. Another West Seattle project on his possibility list: The Highland Park Improvement Club rebuild. HPIC trustee Kay Kirkpatrick sent word of this along with a status update on the project, 4+ years after fire gutted the historic community center:
HPIC (the Highland Park Improvement Club) is thrilled to be moving along with our next Phase of Replacement of the HPIC building lost to fire in 2021. This groundwork phase includes utilities upgrades and footing & foundation strengthening.
We’ve included some photos of interesting points that happened over the last couple of weeks; including replacement of our power pole (above) and transformer with upgrade to the alley service line, trenching power conduit to the building wall, and trenching for footings for the west side deck and trellis.
The digging of the deck trench revealed old historic footings from the Barbershop that stood west of the first version of the HPIC building in the 1930’s.
As we do this work we continue to fundraise for our next phase, Framing and Dry-In of the building structure. We are thrilled that Councilmember Saka has included HPIC in this proposed list of amendments to the City Budget, which would make significant City funding available to help complete reopening this vital Community Resource.
We are asking fellow D1 residents to consider taking a few minutes to lend support by contacting City Council members as they deliberate on these proposals.
Councilmembers’ official lists of proposed amendments are expected to go public tomorrow. Starting 9:30 am Tuesday, they will be reviewed, department by department. There are also opportunities for public comment – see the Tuesday agenda (which will be updated tomorrow) for information on that.
The fourth Wednesday of the month – tomorrow – usually would be HPAC meeting night, but the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge is skipping this month:
We hope everyone has been making the most of this beautiful autumn season. HPAC’s October gathering won’t be taking place as originally scheduled. However, we’re hoping to reconvene in November or December for a special session where we’ll dive into the revised design for the Highland Park Way SW hill project with SDOT.
SDOT announced last March that it was proceeding with the project to replace a downhill driving lane with biking/walking/rolling infrastructure
Back in May, SDOT held a walking tour in Highland Park (WSB coverage here) – one of several in West Seattle – to gather community input on where new sidewalks/walkways should be built with Seattle Transportation Levy money. Today, the department sent the results, in report format, including the map above, showing blocks that are going to “move into conceptual design.” The report explains:
In most cases, sidewalk or walkway will be designed on one side of the street. Sidewalks and walkways may be constructed from a variety of materials including paint, asphalt, concrete and barriers. Specific design treatments are decided based on factors including the space available on the street, drainage needs, existing infrastructure, impacts to parking, slopes, and estimated construction costs. Projects will be in construction between 2026 and 2029. We will be working closely with adjacent property owners as design progresses. Updates will also be provided on our project website. Project schedules will begin to be available as soon as the end of 2025.
They’re looking for feedback by next Wednesday (October 8) at LevySidewalk@seattle.gov – see the full report here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
From trails through the greenbelt to connections across the blacktop, HPAC‘s first fall meeting covered a lot of ground. The community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge gathered at Delridge Library this past Wednesday night.
POLICE UPDATES: These updates usually start community-coalition meetings, with rotating representatives from the department, this time Community Service Officers. The year-to-date stats they brought for all of the Southwest Precinct were the same ones we’ve reported in coverage of other recent West Seattle community meetings; for Highland Park specifically, shootings, burglaries, motor-vehicle thefts, and thefts in general are down, robberies, aggravated assaults, rapes, and arsons are up, and there’ve been no homicides so far this year (same as at this point last year).
There was some discussion of the new SPD directive to report parking violations by phone rather than via the Find It Fix It app. The point seems to be that SPD wants these reports to come in in real time, rather than in a system where they might not be seen for a day or two. That led to a discussion of encampment concerns and potential new parking restrictions, including a growing encampment at the bottom of Highland Park Way hill. Perhaps the greenbelt gate could be closed at night? was the question. (Nobody from Seattle Parks was there, so that’ll have to be brought up in another way.) There were also concerns about fires in the area; one response from last Monday was mentioned, in the 6700 block of West Marginal Way (categorized as “rubbish fire” but no other info available).
RIDGE 2 RIVER: Speaking of the greenbelt, this organization currently has a survey open to help determine where trails should go in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, the city’s longest contiguous stretch of forest, mostly running through eastern West Seattle. Paul spoke; he explained that his group has a “broader definition of the WDG than the city does.” Yes, the WDG already has some trails; Paul noted that sibling organization West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails has mapped current trails but they’re mostly unplanned, uncoordinated, given that it “over time developed this network of trails which is fun to explore but it’s an adhoc process and not … the best system that could be there in terms of serving the community’s needs, environmental impact, etc. … If we were thinking about the greenbelt holistically,” something different would be created. They’re in the midst of a two-year process to determine that.
Where do people want to go? How do they want to get there? How can they avoid geologically unstable areas? In addition to community input, they’re also launching an expert analysis of the greenbelt. And they’re mapping destinations like həʔapus Village Park and Shoreline Habitat, Westcrest Park, Riverview Playfield, although “we don’t know if people would really use trails to get to those places.” Could there be a spine trail that would get you to almost anywhere in the greenbelt? Current phase, bottom line, information gathering, “and then out of that we’re going to develop some alternatives for different levels of greenbelt improvements” and they’ll have some community meetings for input, then a city process, and probably around early 2027 they’ll have a “preferred alterntive.”
They really want people to take the survey – only 200 have so far – it’s a long survey but Paul said they’re “fun questions.” If you can, go walk in the greenbelt and then take the survey! WDGT has monthly hikes if you want to go with a group – they have two more, in October 18 (from Pathfinder K-8) and November 15 (from the north end of the South Seattle College campus), before winter. The survey will be open until they get enough responses, so probably at least a couple more months. They’re doing in-person outreach too, including tabling at last Saturday’s West Seattle Ecology Fair.
RECONNECT SOUTH PARK: Maria and Jorge were there from the organization exploring the idea of reconnecting the community torn apart by Highway 99; she gave the backstory. They’re currently looking at the “reroute and reclaim” option. She noted she’s never been able to look at the highway the same way since learning it covers what was once a fertile valley where abundant food was grown. People who live by it now live 11 years less on average than others – not just because of the highway, but that’s a large contributor. She explained the state provided funding for them to do a community study and technical analysis. “The highway created 22 dead-end streets in South Park,” Maria said. And of course there’d be a question of where the truck traffic goes. The project has been under way for three years. Before turning it over to Jorge, Maria stressed, “We’re not anywhere near design – this round is about identifying an option and taking a look at whether it’s possible. This is about what we’re leaving for our kids. We all have to look ahead and not just think about us right now.”
Of the possibilities suggested so far, Jorge said the Reroute and Reclaim option would eliminate the freeway. “That could create 2700 new jobs, would reduce South Park traffic by 64 percent.” Second and third options are similar – the highway would turn into a boulevard, like Delridge. 25 percent less traffic or 47 percent less traffic. All the reclaimed land would be available for new housing and parks. The last option is “bridges and trails,” with the highway staying the same but adding community connections “on both sides.” Maria pointed out that the big clover-leaf intersection would be removed.
To some, this may all sound like an impossible dream or foolish venture, but: “We can be bold,” Maria exhorted. Supporters are certain it would increase safety, business, communication. She said they’ve gotten youth involved with this too, including the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps. If you’re interested in finding out more or even pitching in to help, volunteers@reconnectsouthpark.org is the email address.
NEXT MEETING: HPAC is planning to meet at the Southwest Library next month; October 22, since the fourth Wednesday is their usual meeting night. Watch hpaction.org for updates.
Near Westcrest Park, a motorcyclist is seriously injured after crashing at 8th SW and SW Barton. Police have closed northbound 8th until the scene is cleared. They have said they believe no other vehicles were involved.
ORIGINAL 9:55 PM MONDAY REPORT: Police have been at Westcrest Park for about half an hour, investigating gunfire. One resident nearby reported a window broken by a bullet; officers then reported finding more gunfire evidence in a park lot described as near 8th/Henderson. No injuries reported so far, and no suspect/vehicle descriptions have been circulated. If you have any information contact 911 and refer to case # 25-270054.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We requested and obtained the SPD report narrative (XXXX represents redactions by SPD):
On 09/15/2025, I OFC XXXX, was working uniformed patrol as unit 3W22 with OFC XXXX. We responded to 81XX 7 AV SW for a report of a bullet shot through a window at approximately 2119 hours.The call notes are as follows:
1 MIN AGO, SHOT THROUGH RPS WINDOW, NOTHING ELSE SEEN OR HEARD
We arrived on scene and did a prompt area check surrounding the house. I then went to the home and contacted the RP XXXX, and his roommate XXXX. XXXX led us inside the home and into the kitchen. The kitchen window directly in front of the sink was shattered on the outside. The window was double paned and only the exterior glass was broken.
OFC XXXX and I went outside to look at the damage. There was a significant hole that indicated where the projectile struck the windowpane. There was tempered glass on the floor and in the planters directly below the window. No bullet was recovered. Because the projectile did not penetrate or break both panes of glass, it is most likely that the shot was a stray bullet from a significant distance away from the scene.
I took photos of the damage and uploaded them to Axon. I gave XXXX a business card. XXXX and XXXX stated that they were both on the couch and heard the glass shatter. They walked over and realized that it was most likely a stray bullet. XXXX then called police. Neither of them heard any shots being fired.
After clearing the scene, we drove southbound to Westcrest Park where the backing officers were conducting an area search.
OFC XXXX discovered XXXX and took photos of the scene and collected them for evidence. The spent casings were found near a shed inside Westcrest Park where there were indications of damage from the shots. XXXX cartridges were found on the ground. There was also a fired projectile found near the scene.
An officer taped a business card to the shed for staff to find in the morning. When given the evidence at the precinct, I weighed the fired projectile. The bullet weighed XXXX on our scale in the evidence room, which converts to XXXX. It is more likely than not that the fired projectile was a XXXX.
I inspected the headstamps of a few of the spent casings. The majority of the XXXX.
There is no suspect at this time. There is probable cause for SMC 12A.14.071 Aiming/Discharge of a Firearm.
In case you can’t believe it’s free, the sign reiterates it – the Highland Park Elementary PTA‘s Give-and-Take Sale is full of items donated so that people can take what they need. Free of charge, or you can make a monetary donation to the PTA. Thanks to Mel for the photo and for this quick video look at the sale setup at the school:
HP Elementary is at 1012 SW Trenton, and the Give-and-Take Sale continues until 3 pm.
(WSB file photo)
Got garage-sale-suitable stuff but don’t want to, or can’t, have a sale? Here’s an option – donate your gently used items to the Highland Park Elementary PTA for their fundraising rummage sale this Saturday (September 13)! You can drop off donations 8-10 am; the sale is open to shoppers 9 am-3 pm. It’s a “give and take” sale again this year – take what you need, free, or make a monetary donation. According to the announcement we received, “All donations support the awesome teachers and students throughout the year.” HPE is at 1012 SW Trenton.
A year and a half after we first reported on proposed Metro bus-stop changes in Highland Park – seemingly proceeding at the time with little notice or feedback opportunities – the final plan is out. It looks much different from the original plan, though it still includes bus-stop closures. Here’s what we received today from Metro:
Bus stop upgrades on routes 125 and 128 in West Seattle are heading for construction this summer as part of an effort to improve transit conditions along 16th Avenue SW between SW Holden and Henderson streets.
Metro collected feedback from riders and neighbors in 2024 and developed proposed changes to be built by the City of Seattle that reflect rider and community requests. The plan moving forward is to make improvements at five existing bus stops and two new stops.
The improvements include bus boarding zones that are accessible for individuals who use mobility devices, seating and shelter for transit riders, and bus bulbs designed to enhance transit service and reduce pedestrian crossing distances at intersections.
Four current bus stops located at SW Elmgrove and Cloverdale streets will be closed once nearby bus stop upgrades are completed and riders would be directed about one block away to new or improved bus stops.
Location improvements on 16th Avenue SW and SW Henderson Street:
SW Holden Street
Stop No. 21410 (northbound): Accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
SW Kenyon Street
Stop No. 21400 (northbound): Wider sidewalk “bus bulb” for easier crossing and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
Stop No. 22000 (southbound): Accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.SW Thistle Street
Stop No. 21380 (northbound): New bus shelter, new seating, wider sidewalk “bus bulb” for easier crossing and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
SW Trenton Street
Stop No. 21360 (northbound): New seating and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
Southbound: New bus stop location.Southwest Henderson Street
Westbound: New bus stop location with seating, wider sidewalk “bus bulb” for easier crossing and accessibility improvements for people with disabilities.
Questions about Metro’s plans can be emailed to community.relations@kingcounty.gov and questions about construction plans can be emailed to Aidan Bernal at the Seattle Department of Transportation, aidan.bernal@seattle.gov.
We’ll be following up with SDOT regarding construction timeline.
P.S. Thanks again to Juan for the original tip last year!
The photo is from the Dick’s Drive-In truck visiting the Highland Park Corner Store in 2023. It’s returning this weekend, 11 am-2 pm Saturday (August 9), and it’s open to everyone, so if you’re a fan of Dick’s burgers/shakes (still no fries), you can stop by 7789 Highland Park Way SW in that window!
9:55 PM FRIDAY: Kay Kirkpatrick and friends were plenty busy serving up bites of pie tonight at Highland Park Improvement Club‘s Fourth of July edition of First Fridays, and a community pie bake-off was the main event. 13 pies were entered!
Tasters got two votes each – though they could try more than two pies – to determine the winners. Meantime, the past-and-future HPIC site at 12th SW/SW Holden, still awaiting the rebuild, was hopping with other offerings from tamale sales to free games:
First Fridays are all-ages – watch hpic1919.org to see what’s next. P.S. We’ll update when we find out who won the pie bake-off!
11:03 AM SATURDAY: HPIC’s Galen Van Horn sent the update and photo:
Attached is a photo of Katie Weiss, the pie contest winner. She won with a ginger key lime pie with a Ritz crust.
Folks can get the recipe in the next HPIC newsletter.
Thanks for the tip! A reader told us about the message on the sign at the former Morning Star Market at 9th SW and SW Henderson. It’s been almost four years since we reported the mini-mart beloved for its barbecue was closing after the sale of the property. Now there are signs — and a literal one in the form of a marquee—announcing what might come next – coffee shop, perhaps.
We reached the owner, Ben Greene of Greene Information Systems, this week. He told us he initially intended to use property for office space – as we reported in early 2022 – but he ultimately opted against that. Greene has an IT and data-migration business with a location in the Alaska Junction. Because the Morning Star property had been used as a restaurant and convenience store, he circled back to that, but didn’t want to run those businesses himself. Now he’s looking for one or more businesses that would be interested in leasing space, or who might need a business partner. This could be a coffee shop, a restaurant, food trucks, or something else entirely.
Greene says he’s had a handful of calls so far with interest, and he looks forward to talking to more people about their ideas for the space, which he is calling “Backyard West” as a concept name. He calls the location an “underutilized space at a good intersection.” The marquee, as shown in our photo, has Greene’s contact information.
(Screengrab from SDOT camera)
3:43 PM: Avoid the Highland Park Way hill for a while. SFD has arrived to deal with a very smoky car vehicle fire that’s in the southbound lanes just north of Holden.
3:47 PM: Now that the smoke has cleared, the vehicle with the fire appears to be a food truck. Both sides of the street are blocked right now. No word of any injuries.
3:54 PM: The live camera shows uphill traffic still waiting north of the crash scene; firefighters have asked that police be dispatched to help sort out the traffic situation.
3:56 PM: And now traffic is getting by, one lane each way.
5:43 PM: The burned truck (we couldn’t see its name) has been towed, but city crews have remained to deal with the foamy mess in the outside uphill lane, but they may be clear soon.
Just in from the city’s Unified Care Team:
On Tuesday, June 17, the Unified Care Team (UCT) will be performing activities to ensure specific street parking are accessible to the public and conduct a thorough cleaning of the location. As of today, A-frame signs were placed indicating no parking in designated areas from 6/17 – 6/21. A visual map of these designated areas is (above).
UCT has been and will continue to provide regular site cleanings to the above sites as well as other areas in Highland Park in hopes of mitigating public impact by removing trash, debris, and dangerous objects like propane tanks and human waste.
If you observe returning vehicles, not in compliance with city parking regulations, please report them as abandoned vehicles using the City’s Find It, Fix It mobile app. As always, dangerous or criminal activity should be reported to 9-1-1 including drug use, theft, and trespassing.
Please reach out to UCT’s community liaison Tom Van Bronkhorst (tom.vanbronkhorst@seattle.gov) with any further questions.
If you’re having trouble reading the map, it includes the area often brought up at HP community meetings, 9th/Henderson.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered at the Delridge Library on Wednesday night for the May meeting of HPAC, the community coalition that includes Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview.
The meeting was facilitated by HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick, and featured discussion about crime statistics and prevention, an update on the Holden Natural Drainage System (NDS) project, and a presentation on RV waste outreach efforts. Meeting notes are below:
POLICE UPDATE: First on the agenda was an update from SPD’s Jennifer Satterwhite regarding crime stats in the area.
Although the numbers look good, Satterwhite said the summer months typically bring increases in criminal activity, so continued vigilance by the public is advised. She mentioned the increased summer emphasis on Alki and other hotspots, with overtime patrols and public education on burglary prevention. Regarding illegal vending on Alki: There is only one permitted vendor there; most are unpermitted, raising health and safety concerns as well as pushback from local restaurants. Enforcement is complex due to overlapping agency jurisdictions, and fines are often ineffective as vendors just pay the fine and quickly return.
Regarding the recent uptick in car crashes possibly linked to a social media challenge, Satterwhite said she’s been engaged with the community and SPD is investigating and facilitating prevention meetings. There were 4 crashes on the SW Alaska hill west of the Junction, and another in Sunrise Heights, just in the past couple of weeks.
DRAINAGE AND STORMWATER: Next up was a Seattle Public Utilities presentation from the team behind the Holden Natural Drainage System (NDS) Project, which is described on their website as follows:
More than 12 million pounds of pollution are carried into our water bodies through stormwater runoff each year. Stormwater that falls on the roofs, streets, and parking lots in your neighborhood can pick up harmful pollutants before entering Longfellow Creek, which flows into Puget Sound. The pollutants can harm fish, wildlife, and our ecosystems. The Holden Natural Drainage Systems (NDS) Project plans to build natural drainage systems, also known as roadside rain gardens or bioretention, on SW Holden St between 16th Ave SW and 17th Ave SW. The NDS will capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Longfellow Creek and Puget Sound.
The NDS will be built in the space between the existing sidewalks and the edge of the road. The project will include roadway and pedestrian safety improvements such as curb bulbs and ADA ramps, in addition to new landscape plantings.
Project manager Wan-Yee Kuo led the presentation of the latest project plans and designs. Here is a PDF of the slides, provided by team member Val Bak, and you can also visit the “Project Documents” section of the project website which contains the “Final Design Concept” visuals as well as a narrated version of the presentation (“Final Design Narrated Presentation.”)
The NDS will be on the south side of Holden, using the parking lane for plantings. Some driveway and sidewalk reconstruction will be required. Underground water quality infrastructure (“tree cells”) will be installed on the north side to address flooding (which has been an issue in the area), using special filtering soil and structural elements.
Two small crabapple trees will be removed, and one new tree (hornbeam) will be planted. SPU will pay SDOT to plant five additional trees nearby. The NDS will be maintained by SPU, and the trees maintained by SDOT with annual inspections. Contractors will be responsible for plant establishment in the first year, which prompted some questions from meeting attendees about concerns with tree maintenance (or a lack thereof) on for past projects in the area — Kuo said that the contractors for this project will be carefully vetted.
Construction timeline: The final design is complete, advertising will begin in July, and construction is expected to start winter 2025 and last about a year. Planting will occur in appropriate seasonal windows. Construction will involve noise, dust, parking restrictions, and temporary bus stop relocation; clear communication and on-site engineer presence will be part of the project, according to the team.
Want to learn more? SPU will be hosting a project design drop-in Q&A session at BedHead Coffee at 1513 SW Holden St. (SE corner of SW Holden/ 16th Ave SW) tomorrow – Saturday, May 31st – between 11 AM and 1 PM (WSB event listing here). Free drip coffee for attendees! The team will also be providing the public with ongoing updates via flyers, mailers, and their website.
RV WASTE OUTREACH PROGRAM: As part of HPAC’s continuing conversations about challenges with RV camping in the area, special guest Mary Sweeney from St Vincent de Paul (SVdP) gave a presentation (see the slides here) about her group’s RV outreach & support program in partnership with SPU:
HPAC leaders reiterated that this has been an area of concern, which was brought up in last week’s walking tour of Highland Park, and is a “complex problem has no simple solutions – we need many voices and hands to make change happen.”
Sweeney said that the vehicle outreach program, powered by SVdP volunteers (which she affectionately refers to as “Vincentians”), provides direct outreach to RV residents, addressing public health and sanitation by coordinating with SPU to pump out wastewater and offer basic supplies to those in need. She said she has 20 volunteers, and sends out 2-3 people every day.
Sweeney said that many RV residents are local workers displaced by the housing crisis and pandemic. Most RVs are old and nonfunctional, leading to illegal dumping of waste. Residents of the RVs tend to face hostility, frequent displacement, and lack of safe parking options. St. Vincent de Paul initiated the program after discovering the extent of waste dumping in some areas of Seattle. Years of advocacy led to a pilot with SPU, which was later expanded due to demonstrated cost savings and a significant reduction in sewage spills, which in turn saves the city on costly hazmat cleanups and improves public health.
Volunteers accompany SPU staff and provide food (often provided by local churches and schools such as Holy Rosary with their Lunches of Love program) and connect residents to services, with an emphasis on treating residents with dignity and compassion. Sweeney said the program is unique in the U.S., and (as far as she knows) no other utility offers similar services. She said volunteers are always needed, and the program aspires to be a temporary solution until broader systemic changes occur.
OTHER NOTES: After the meeting adjourned, Satterwhite noted that registration for Seattle Night Out opens this week (Tuesday August 5th). Register your block, and hang out with your neighbors! Also, HPAC leaders said that public feedback is still welcome regarding the city’s Sidewalk Development Program, which was a driving force behind last week’s neighborhood walking tour (WSB coverage here).
NEXT MEETING: HPAC meets on the fourth Wednesdays of most months. Be sure to check the group’s website, hpaction.org, for updates and meeting confirmation.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
SDOT reps continued their series of walking tours this past Wednesday in Highland Park, with the same goal as the previous two: Identify areas where sidewalks or walkways could be built with funding from the 2024 Seattle Transportation Levy.
“We want to hear everything and anything to make this neighborhood safer and better for the community,” said Brian Dougherty, deputy director of the project development division, as the crowd gathered in Highland Park Elementary School for the walking tour. The levy, which was approved last year by voters, allows for over 250 new blocks of sidewalks around the city by 2029.
The goal of a walk-along is to give residents a chance to put the city officials in their shoes, walking them through the neighborhood and pointing out areas that need to be fixed. As with the North Delridge tour earlier this spring, the event was also briefly attended by Seattle City Council District 1 representative Rob Saka, who addressed the crowd.
“It is my honor to represent this neighborhood; this is the kind of work that changes lives and helps keep people safe” Said Saka, “There are certain communities, such as Highland Park and Arbor Heights, which are bearing the brunt of this (lack of support), but now we finally have the political support and the resources to invest in this project.”
As the group walked through Highland Park several key issues were pointed out, such as a lack of speed bumps, according to community member John Murphy. “We’ve been asking for speed bumps since 2004. My car’s been hit, and my boat’s been hit. We’ve basically given up.” He was concerned about 14th/Thistle.
Other key issues include adding a curb ramp to Cloverdale and 14th, addressing the dangerous blind turns at 7th and Cloverdale, and improving safety and security measures at Henderson and 9th.
The latter is a location that several community members including Mike York, and Kay Kirkpatrick, of HPAC and the Highland Park Improvement Club, say often sees unhoused people parking their RVs and other vehicless. Kirkpatrick and York both expressed safety concerns, and said they’d like to reduce the amount of traffic the area gets.
A final concern, one which SDOT addressed early on in the walking tour, was the issue of oversized blocks. The levy approves the construction of blocks, within a certain size limit. Any neighborhood blocks which exceed that limit will be considered as two for the purpose of construction. In Highland Park, many streets far exceed the block size standard, which is roughly 240 feet.
“Aside from a few hiccups, all of this is broadly achievable,” Dougherty said at the end of the walking tour. He said the final report should be released closer to the end of the year, and that it will address the concerns laid out by the community. Find out more about the sidewalk-building program here.
That’s the Highland Park area where Seattle Public Utilities plans to install the project known as the Holden Natural Drainage Systems. It’s now reached a design milestone, and construction could start before the year ends. With that in mind, SPU has announced a drop-in info session for a week from tomorrow:
The Holden Natural Drainage Systems (NDS) Project has reached final design. SPU will build natural drainage systems, also known as roadside rain gardens or bioretention, on SW Holden St between 16 th Ave SW and 17 th Ave SW. The NDS will capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Longfellow Creek and Puget Sound. The goal of the project is to improve water quality in the creek, increase landscaping diversity, and provide roadway and pedestrian safety improvements. Construction is anticipated to start in late 2025. To learn more about this project, please visit our website.
Spring Drop-In Session:
Time & Date: Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: BedHead Coffee, 1513 SW Holden St
Contact: Wan-Yee Kuo, Project Manager, at Wan-Yee.Kuo@seattle.gov or 206-684-3957The drop-in session will provide an opportunity for community members to learn about the final design, what to expect during construction, and ask questions and share comments with members from the project team.
Three days before that, the project will also be on the agenda for next Wednesday’s HPAC meeting, 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW). The NDS project has already been in the planning phase for almost three years.
(WSB photo, April 23)
When we covered SDOT‘s South Delridge/Westwood walking tour last month, looking at routes where the Transportation Levy might fund new sidewalks/walkways, a plan was mentioned for a May 21 walking tour in Highland Park. Now SDOT has asked us to share the official announcement:
Building Sidewalk and Walkway Connections
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Highland Park neighborhood? Thanks to the Seattle Transportation Levy we can build at least 10 blocks of new sidewalk or walkway in Highland Park. Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday May 21st, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton St) in the covered area of the playground, and then walk the neighborhood with us!
Kids are welcome!
Rain or Shine
Here’s the announcement flyer.
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