West Seattle Blog…

Parking alert: Southwest Library plans lot work later this month

An alert just in from the Seattle Public Library:

Beginning Monday, May 20, parking stalls at the north end of the Southwest Branch parking lot and the entrance from 35th Avenue Southwest will be fenced off and unavailable for several days while improvements are made to the parking lot.

Patrons can still enter the parking lot from Southwest Henderson Street during construction. Work is expected to be completed by Tuesday, May 28.

The Library is improving the parking lot to make it easier for patrons to use. Construction work will involve widening the parking lot and the 35th Avenue Southwest entrance, and moving the bike rack closer to the entrance.

These improvements are funded by the Library levy that voters approved in 2012. For more information, contact the Library at 206-386-4636 or capital.projects@spl.org.

Followup: Still seeking witnesses with info about ‘Zipper’ the dog

After the case of Zipper the dog – rescued from a car in the Westwood Village parking lot – resurfaced in the WSB Forums, we checked today with Seattle Animal Shelter executive director Don Jordan to see if there’s anything new in the case. He reaffirms that, contrary to many headlines, they still don’t know for sure if Zipper was actually in that car alone the whole time the car was in the lot, and says they’d still like to hear from anyone with information to share:

At this time, I can’t offer too much information on the case around Zipper, as we are still conducting our investigation. I can tell you that we will continue to care for him at the Animal Shelter until the case is closed and we determine a course of action. As far as his condition, Zipper appears healthy, happy and energetic. While the police report indicated that the vehicle was parked in the lot for six days, one area of focus in our investigation, as you noted, is determining whether Zipper was actually in the vehicle during that time. We are still taking statements and would welcome any witnesses to contact us at 206-386-7387.

Police rescued Zipper on Sunday, April 21st, and reported the case via SPD Blotter three days later.

West Seattle scene: ‘Soft open’ for Roxhill Castle

Though the official grand-opening celebration isn’t until this Saturday (newest details here), it’s “soft open” time for the community-built Roxhill Castle playground renovations! Val shares the photographic proof.

Tonight: 3rd meeting for Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights council

No time again this morning for a long list of schedule highlights – you can find them any time, 24/7, on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – but there is one reminder we wanted to get out: The third meeting of the new Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights community council is TONIGHT, 6:30 pm, Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) upstairs meeting room. Transportation’s on the agenda, with a rep from SDOT; more details here.

Live/work in Westwood, Roxhill, or Arbor Heights? New community council’s 2nd meeting tomorrow

Though the usual meeting night will be first Tuesdays, this month only, the new Westwood/Roxhill/Arbor Heights community council is meeting on the first Wednesday – and that’s tomorrow night. 6:30 pm, upstairs meeting room at the Southwest Library (35th/Henderson). Guest speaker is our area’s Seattle Police Crime Prevention Coordinator, Mark Solomon, to talk about community crime-prevention tactics including Block Watches, and to answer your questions. Also tomorrow night, council facilitator Mat McBride will help shepherd attendees through some organizational/leadership decisions. If you’re there, as he said last time (here’s our report on the first meeting), you’re a founding member! P.S. The council has a Facebook group here, and there’s a FB event page for the meeting here.

Update: Six escape Westwood house fire; electrical cord blamed

(First two photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
7:45 PM: House-fire call (35th and Cloverdale) drawing the big response right now. More to come.

8 PM: 35th is closed both ways at the fire scene in the 8600 block of 35th SW. Smoke is visible.

8:05 PM: Additional medics were dispatched to the scene; WSB’s Patrick Sand is there and tells us medics can be seen checking out one person so far.

8:10 PM: Medics now checking out two people and trying to determine how many people were in the house. Neighbors tell us it is occupied by “many.” Other neighbors say it was converted to a triplex a while back.

(This photo and next one are by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
8:21 PM: Our crew got an update at the scene. Six people in the house; two were checked out but are not expected to need to be taken to the hospital. The fire is believed to have originated in the basement, though the cause hasn’t been sorted out yet – that’s where the smoke was coming from. 35th SW remains closed from Thistle to Trenton but should be open within an hour or so, authorities believe.

9 PM: Adding photos (including one to replace our original cameraphone picture). Two bearded dragons were rescued from the house, according to this comment from Glenda, who says they and their person need a little help:

The house that burned on 35th & Cloverdale was the home of 2 Bearded Dragons (1 Male / 1 female). Their person got them out, but their set-up is inside & they aren’t allowed to go in for it. If anyone out there has a couple of old glass aquariums & a couple of heat lamps to get them through the night it would be very much appreciated. I’ll watch for responses and give directions.

The Red Cross also has been called in to help the fire victims, according to SFD.

9:12 PM: Southbound 35th SW is opening, per the scanner. Northbound will remain closed TFN.

11:16 PM: Drove by a short time ago to check – 35th is now fully open, and the fire scene is clear. SFD, meantime, has tweeted the fire’s cause: “West Seattle triplex basement fire caused by overheated electrical cord. Damage estimate is $125k to structure, $25k to contents.”

New West Seattle business: SW Skate Shop at Westwood Village

With the Roxhill Park skatespot set to open soon – it’s the perfect time for a new skate shop across the street in Westwood Village. SW Skate Shop is in its second week of business on the breezeway (east of Bed Bath Beyond). We stopped in today and met Ian Mandt, the manager, and Luke Constant:

They told us the shop’s focusing on local brands whenever possible, and it’s carrying boards, components, apparel, even local art – check out Jason Singler‘s work, displayed on the walls (and available for purchase, too):

Mandt says their hours are somewhat flexible for starters, noon-6 weekdays, 11-5 weekends.

Date set for Westwood/Roxhill neighborhood council re-organization meeting (Arbor Heights invited too)

After the recent Roxhill Park robberies, it was suggested that it’s time for the Westwood/Roxhill neighborhood to re-organize a neighborhood council – and, if interested, perhaps even reach southward to Arbor Heights, which doesn’t have an active neighborhood council either. If you’re from any of those areas and interested in potentially being part of this, the date is set for a meeting to come find out more: Next Tuesday, February 5th, 6:30-8 pm at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library (35th and Henderson), according to Mat McBride, who chairs the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council (which includes reps from area community councils and other major organizations). Mat says the agenda’s still a work in progress,

West Seattle businesses: Massage Envy coming to Westwood

About nine months ago, a sign was up briefly in a California-fronting retail storefront west of Admiral Safeway suggesting the national Massage Envy chain was on the way. The company didn’t answer our inquiries; the sign eventually disappeared. Then today, Massage Envy formally announced plans to open on the other side of West Seattle – at 2513 SW Trenton in Westwood Village (by Staples and the liquor store). A spokesperson tells WSB that West Seattle franchisee Jennifer McCollum is expecting to open in March. ME will be the second major massage-therapy chain to open in West Seattle, after LaVida Massage (WSB sponsor), which opened in Jefferson Square in fall 2011.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Roxhill Castle vandalized

If you live near Roxhill Park, or pass by, please take an extra-close look – especially now that Whitney McBride, co-volunteer organizer for the community-built Roxhill Castle play-area project, reports that graffiti/tagging vandals have struck: “Our wonderfully community-built park was graffiti’ed. I’m not sure when, as we haven’t been by lately. Sadly I knew it was bound to happen, just hoped it wouldn’t at least for a while. I’m sure it’ll get cleaned up way before opening, but if folks could keep an eye out & call in anything suspicious, that’d be great.” (As noted here yesterday, the opening was at one point set for this weekend, but it’s been postponed – no new date set yet.)

West Seattle traffic alert: Hit-run crash with bus near Westwood Village

FIRST REPORT, 6:27 PM: We’re on our way to check out a crash reported to involve a vehicle and a bus at 26th and Barton, which is the intersection with the main south entrance to Westwood Village. Police are reported to be looking for two males who fled from the vehicle – a Mitsubishi – and were last seen headed toward Roxhill Park.

6:33 PM UPDATE: Our crew is on the scene. Eastbound Barton is blocked by the crash; westbound is still moving. We can’t tell what route number the bus is from – but it’s not a RapidRide bus; it’s a blue/yellow articulated bus.

7:10 PM UPDATE: Photo added. No word of arrests yet; we’ll be going to check the scene shortly, to see if traffic is moving again.

West Seattle holidays: Chamber After-Hours at Westwood

‘Tis the season of the upside-down tree at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village … which got a special visit Thursday night from Santa Claus, among others:

The occasion – the November edition of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce After-Hours get-together, which not only was a meet-up with Santa, but also a tour of Westwood Village businesses, including Giannoni’s Pizzeria:

At center is Giannoni’s proprietor Donna Burns, with daughter Georgia and friend Hanna. Back over at Santa’s Village (in the former Dress Barn space this year, as noted here), Rick Jump from the White Center Food Bank had a moment with Mr. Claus:

Next up for the Chamber: Mix, Mingle and Jingle, December 13th at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor). Adding that one now to our list of all things West Seattle Holiday-ish – see it here.

Followup: One West Seattle car-attack victim is out of the hospital

One update so far today in connection with yesterday’s attack on two Chief Sealth International High School students across from the school: Harborview Medical Center confirms that the younger of the two girls who police say were deliberately hit by a driver, the 17-year-old, is out of the hospital. The family of the other girl, 18, has asked Harborview not to comment on her condition. So far, there is no word of an arrest; we have a message out to Seattle Police to see if there is any other new information. (12:28 pm note: Just reached SPD by phone. Nothing new.)

Roxhill Castle update: Grand opening planned for December 22

Another update tonight on the Roxhill Castle playground project, almost complete after five extensive days of volunteer work: Volunteer organizer Mat McBride says, “We are targeting the first day of Winter Break, 12/22/12, for the opening of the Castle Park.” (The adjacent skatespot, still under construction, will open separately, at another date.) The finishing touches include a new treatment for the “castle roof,” McBride explains: “Cool as the metal surface is, that’s only the superstructure for a mosaic sculpture. Originally, it was set to look like all of the other crenellations, but local amazing human Mike Henderson was assigned to work it. Mike had other ideas, which he shared with Barry [from Leathers and Associates], and we decided to go with it, on the spot. Because of the unique nature of this park build, we could do that.” He added that other “sculpture elements” are under consideration.

Happening now: Barton Street P-Patch Harvest Festival

One more hour to join the revelry at Barton Street P-Patch in Westwood, finishing its first full spring/summer season and still growing strong:

The Harvest Festival/Potluck is on till 3:30 pm. If you haven’t seen the garden yet, go check it out … this time last year, they were still in the midst of construction, and now, it’s down to the finishing touches.

If you followed the garden-design saga last year, you’ll recall the successful campaign to save the big tree in the background of that view. The garden’s at 34th and Barton, east of the 7/11 and biodiesel station, south/southeast of Tony’s Produce.

Update: Man shot in Westwood, suspect arrested

(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
2:25 AM: Big response right now to the 9200 block of 30th SW (map). Scanner traffic has reported someone with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. There’s a report of the suspect being in a silver van and having possibly been involved in a disturbance in the area earlier; possible physical description – white man, twenties, yellow sweatshirt, light-colored pants.

2:39 AM: The victim is now reported to be a 30-year-old man with one gunshot wound to the chest and is being rushed to Harborview Medical Center. A police K9 team is helping with the search.

2:49 AM UPDATE: Our crew has talked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams at the scene. He says they’re considering this a “drive-by.”

3:36 AM UPDATE: Word’s come over police radio that a suspect is in custody. Witnesses had provided a potential ID that was broadcast earlier – this was not believed to be random – but jail-register information can lag a few hours, so we may not be able to confirm till later today if that’s the same person they have in custody.

9:08 AM UPDATE: New information from police, via SPD Blotter:

A man was shot following a fight disturbance this morning. Just shortly after 2:00 a.m., the victim was walking with some of his friends in the 9200 block of 30th Av SW on the sidewalk in front of a house. Some of the people from the house, including the suspect, came outside. The victim began fighting with the suspect out in the yard/sidewalk.

One of the people from the house had a handgun on his belt. The suspect took the gun and shot the victim in the chest. The suspect then gave the gun back and drove off in his (suspect’s) car.

The victim was taken to HMC, where the doctors were able to stabilize him. His condition is unknown at this time.

The officers learned the name of the suspect, and were able to find his address on Queen Anne. They went to his house, and arrested him without incident. The suspect was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Assault. It is unknown what precipitated the fight disturbance between the victim and suspect or if they knew one another.

Roxhill Playground renovation: New dates for community build

Update on the Roxhill Playground renovation project: Mat McBride, who’s been organizing the “community build” for the new “castle” play structure to go on the site of the now-torn-down “castle,” says a new date’s been set: Friday, November 2nd, through Tuesday, November 6th. (It had been set for mid-October, but as noted here last week, preparation of the site – which is under way, along with construction of the neighboring skatespot – hit some snags that required the schedule to be pushed out.) McBride says they’re signing up volunteers again (and asking already-signed-up volunteers to re-check the schedule) – go here. And he reiterates, “We still need volunteers. Lots of them in fact.” For project updates and information, check out the community website roxhillcastle.wordpress.com – or contact him at roxhillcastle@gmail.com.

Fewer ‘bioswales’ planned for Westwood/Sunrise Heights project, says county

(County map – the larger, shaded area is the entire “basin” that feeds the Barton Pump Station)
After the latest round of research and feedback, King County says fewer bioswales (19, instead of the original 31) are planned for Westwood and Sunrise Heights neighborhoods where “green stormwater infrastructure” is planned to reduce combined-sewer overflows at the pump station the area feeds – and fewer streets will be involved. That’s part of an announcement they’ve just sent about an open house coming up a week from Saturday:

Neighbors are invited to an open house on Saturday, Oct. 13 to learn about design updates to King County’s Barton Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control project in West Seattle.

The open house is set for 10 a.m. to noon at Westside School, 7740 34th Ave. S.W., Seattle.

Combined sewer overflows occur during heavy rain when stormwater fills sewers to capacity in older parts of the city. To comply with state water quality requirements, King County will control CSOs from the Barton Pump Station through a system of bioretention swales and Green Stormwater Infrastructure in West Seattle’s Sunrise Heights and Westwood neighborhoods.

Project staff will share a number of design updates that reflect new technical information and community member feedback, including:

· A reduction in the number of bioswales and impacted streets.
· Fewer and smaller curb bulbs to preserve parking.
· Preservation of property access and tree canopy.
· Rebates and financial incentives for residents to voluntarily install raingardens and cisterns through Seattle’s RainWise program.

Additional information is available at the Barton CSO Control Program website, or by contacting Kristine Cramer at 206-263-3184 or kristine.cramer@kingcounty.gov.

Area residents are receiving a flyer – if you haven’t gotten it already – that you can see here.

Roxhill Playground: Old ‘castle’ closed; date set for building new one

(Seattle Parks file photo)
2:34 PM: After 17 years, the wooden “castle” at Roxhill Playground is now closed forever – awaiting renovation of the playground site and construction of its successor. That word comes from Mat McBride, who is leading the “community build” plan for the new structure – which, like the old castle, will be made by Leathers and Associates. McBride says West Seattle-based Grindline, which is both building the adjoining Roxhill Skatespot and preparing the playground site for the new structure, will dismantle the old one soon; its plaques, he says, have been saved. The dates for the volunteer “community build” are now set for October 17th-21st, according to McBride, and you’re invited: “Still lots of opportunity to roll up sleeves for this park and community.” He is starting a website about and for the project – see it here; there’s history for starters, with information coming soon about other aspects including signing up to help build the new “castle.”

4:05 PM UPDATE: The dismantling already has begun; we went over for a photo and found that the north side of the play area had been taken apart, though the main part of the old “castle” is still standing:

West Seattle businesses: Dress Barn closes at Westwood Village

Thanks to Colette for the tip: The women’s-clothing chain Dress Barn has closed its West Seattle location. The chain is owned by Ascena Retail Group, which made some recent acquisitions elsewhere in the women’s-clothing business and also announced it’s shutting down Fashion Bug (which is what Dress Barn used to be); we couldn’t find anyone at corporate HQ to discuss this closure, but Westwood Village management confirms that the store cleared out after deciding not to renew its lease. No one is locked in to take over the space yet, but they’ve had some interest.

Happening now: Westwood Village Street Fair 2012, till 7 pm

(Scroll down for the newest updates/photos)

Bounce on over to Westwood Village, where we’re live at the Street Fair, and we’re actually seeing a bit of blue between the clouds to the west. Bouncy rides (FREE!), treats, live music (School of Rock at noon!), demonstrations – like this Zumba class:

… and the beer garden, sponsored by the West Seattle Eagles JUST opened.

And bring or buy school supplies to donate at the “stuff the bus” stop:

We’ve seen at least one school among the exhibitors here, too – Seattle Lutheran High School even brought a robot!

There’s a dog contest – says the emcee – coming up at 1:30, and the blue-sky spot keeps getting bigger to the west …

12:19 PM UPDATE: You’ll meet Westwood merchants here, too – above, Curt Keppler from Wyatt’s Jewelers (longtime WSB sponsor), with Evan. And in a booth that’s a few steps from her Eats Market Café, chef Toby Matasar is selling flavored popcorn:

There’s a fire engine for the kids (and grownups!) to check out, too, along the roadway between the central Street Fair zone and the Wyatt’s/Chico’s/etc. storefronts. More to come.

1:08 PM UPDATE: Chico’s is having a fashion show right now, and dogs are showing up for the 1:30 pm competition. We also just met a dog whose person thanked us for the WSB Pets page, which helped bring the little guy home recently:

Thank you to everyone who’s stopped by to say hi – even without bright full-on sunshine, it’s definitely nicer weather than last year, when we were all out here shivering … the temps are comfortable and there’s not a raindrop in sight. At 2 pm, there’ll be a special main-stage storytime with Melissa from Barnes and Noble (who usually does storytimes in the store on Saturday mornings).

1:41 PM: Bulletin – the sun has arrived. “Partly sunny,” to be sure, but it’s sun. Also forgot to mention, the West Seattle-based food truck A Lunch in Hand is here, on the south end of the street-fair area, north of the Taco del Mar/Giannoni’s Pizzeria lot. Here’s their menu:

Another pitch for the beer garden – the proceeds go to charity! It’s right by the stage, outside BBB/Eats.

2:07 PM UPDATE: Melissa‘s onstage with a picture book now (check out her regular Saturday readings at B&N at 11 am):

Among the people who’ve stopped to say hi so far are folks we’ve written about here the past week or two – Jason from “the ex-Petco site” (Sound Ad Group’s temp home) in his West Seattle Podcast T-shirt (here’s our story about the podcast plan); Ellen Bremen, the “Chatty Professor,” who has just published “Say This, NOT That, to Your Professor …” (here’s our story). Longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by to say hi – his big New York City exhibition for his internationally renowned “Big Appetites” photos is coming up this week. And even as we type … a reader who has contributed photos, Diane, stopped by … the most famous one, she reminded us, showed the inflated plastic bag that protruded from a window during last summer’s demolition of the old Denny school site.

2:22 PM UPDATE: The Seattle Fire Department‘s back – an engine was here earlier (we believe 37 but couldn’t leave our post to look) and now a ladder truck (update: it’s Ladder 13, which is currently based at Highland Park’s Station 11) – same parking spot as earlier (which is also right alongside the inflatable obstacle course). Live music is scheduled to resume at 3 pm with Gunn and The Damage Done, and in the meantime, there’s been a heavy dose of classic rock – multiple Doors hits.

3:24 PM UPDATE: BOTH units from Station 11 are here.

And the band plays on:

(added) Video:

Among those here checking out the band: Jeff Gilbert from Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. Rest of the music schedule is here.

4:17 PM UPDATE: The NW Rivals are playing now, and the beer garden activity looks to be picking up. Those blue-sky breaks from earlier are gone, sadly, but still no rain, and the temperature’s pleasant. The bouncy house, slide, obstacle course, etc., are still up and running, but some of the tablers are folding up, particularly near the stage, where the focus is fully on the music for the rest of the event.

5:27 PM UPDATE: We’re the last booth left, but the bouncy toys are still going, and live music continues, with RAF onstage now. Couple more visitors at the booth here, including the Full Tilt Ice Cream family, and Ruth from West Seattle See Dogs, the guide-puppy-raising club, here giving future guide dog Gulliver an idea of what a street fair with live music is like.

Fire call on SW Barton: Electrical problem, handled fast

Just in case you saw/heard the big response – the fire reported in an apartment building in the 2200 block of SW Barton was a small electrical fire that was put out fast. No injuries reported. Building’s being ventilated right now.

Reader report: Fence coming down at field on ex-Denny site

Thanks to Alice Kuder for that photo and word that the fence is finally coming down from around the big open field at what some dubbed “Denny Park” – the former Denny International Middle School site that now holds playfields and tennis courts (and is technically just an extension of nearby Southwest Athletic Complex, all Seattle Public Schools-owned). It’s been four months since the site officially opened for public use.

Can you help sort Stamp Out Hunger donations this Saturday?

(WSB photo from 2011 ‘Stamp Out Hunger,’ donation-sorting at Junction post office)
Since it coincides with West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day each year, so we always ask that you donate to the Stamp Out Hunger food drive before shopping/selling that day – your Postal Service carrier will pick up donations of nonperishable food left by your mailbox or (if you have a mail slot) door. But here’s another way to help Stamp Out Hunger this Saturday – Audrey from White Center Food Bank sends word that volunteers are needed at the Westwood Village Post Office to help with the donated food:

Help Food Lifeline and help the White Center Food Bank. White Center Food Bank gets thousands of pounds of food from this every year…..

Volunteer at the 2012 Stamp Out Hunger food drive! Stamp Out Hunger is the county’s largest one day food drive. With the help of the National Association of Letter Carriers, we at Food Lifeline are striving to collect over 500,000 pounds of non-perishable food in the greater Seattle Area.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Watch for the blue bag in your mailbox for the nation’s largest one-day food drive, Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 12th. Fill your bag with healthy non-perishable food and leave it by your mailbox so your letter carrier, Food Lifeline and White Center Food Bank can make sure it reaches hungry people in your community.

Food Lifeline is recruiting 170 volunteers to serve at 17 postal stations around Seattle, Bellevue and Mercer Island. We’d love to encourage White Center folks to lend a hand at the Westwood Post Office – of all the remaining stations, Westwood is in need of the most volunteers – 14 spots!

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to volunteer this May 12th (especially at Westwood Post Office) to help end hunger in Western Washington!

Food Lifeline told us last week that the Junction Post Office already has all the volunteers it needs. If you can help at Westwood – find out how by going here.

Sunrise Heights/Westwood ‘bioswales’: County insists they won’t be Ballard Raingardens Redux

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

After two community meetings in the past five days, residents of Sunrise Heights and Westwood know exactly which planting strips the county is eyeing for potential “bioswales” to keep rainwater from causing combined sewer overflows (CSO) at Barton Pump Station, miles downhill – specific spots along the 31 blocks identified in early March.

They also know how the county hopes to keep them from “ponding” during all but the heaviest rains – through a complex underground “underdrain” system.

But some remain skeptical that the “green stormwater infrastructure” project will not be Ballard Roadside Raingardens, The Sequel, though the project manager insists it won’t.

The ghost of that problem-plagueed city project has long loomed over this county plan, despite reassurances, promises, and explanations of how the two situations differ. There were more of those Wednesday night at the first gathering inside Westside School (the second meeting was Saturday at High Point Community Center), even as project manager Mary Wohleb tried to keep Ballard from being the proverbial elephant in the room.

Click to read the rest of Sunrise Heights/Westwood ‘bioswales’: County insists they won’t be Ballard Raingardens Redux…

As raingardens approach reality, trepidation grows on a Sunrise Heights block

(7900 block of 30th SW)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Tonight, Sunrise Heights/Westwood residents are expected to find out if the county thinks the planting strips in front of their homes are the best prospective sites for raingardens to reduce sewer overflows miles away.

The plan has been two-plus years in the making, as the county’s preferred solution to the problem of Puget Sound overflows from the Barton Pump Station near the Fauntleroy ferry dock – but only now is it becoming less abstract, more real, as final decisions get closer. And that is worrying the people who live in the 7900 block of 30th SW, who have asked County Executive Dow Constantine to stop the project.

After the county announced two meetings for tonight and Saturday morning, resident Sabrina Urquhart sent a “media advisory” to make sure the meetings would be covered.

We asked if she and her neighbors would be willing to talk in advance about their concerns. So a small group gathered in her living room Monday evening – joining Sabrina were neighbors Heather, Jim, and Kevin.

Click to read the rest of As raingardens approach reality, trepidation grows on a Sunrise Heights block…

Where will ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ go? County reveals potential sites

(WSB photo of test site at 34th/Trenton, March 2011)
Fifteen months after announcing its plan for “green stormwater infrastructure” to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) at Barton Pump Station by the Fauntleroy ferry dock, the county has narrowed down the potential sites where it might place raingardens and swales to keep stormwater from overwhelming the system. (It’s been testing in the neighborhoods – with equipment like the truck above, as well as drill rigs – for the better part of a year.) Here’s the map showing which streets (in green) have been identified for closer study:

(Sorry, the streets weren’t named on that map, but you can see a larger version, along with the accompanying letter and “fact sheet,” by going here.) News of the map follows King County’s announcement of two meetings, March 28 and March 31, promising status updates. Read the announcement in full, ahead: Click to read the rest of Where will ‘green stormwater infrastructure’ go? County reveals potential sites…