West Seattle, Washington
01 Wednesday
Washington State Ferries has announced a milestone for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal replacement project. The next step is construction of the traffic signal where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way SW – above is a rendering of the intersection with the signal – but here’s what else is happening, as announced by system leader Steve Nevey:
Our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project has completed its planning phase. The Federal Highway Administration recently approved the final Planning and Environmental Linkages study, closing a five-year process of exploring options for replacing the terminal. Based on community feedback, we are moving forward with a design that adds more dock space and increases capacity from about 80 to 124-155 vehicles. This option also avoids impacts to nearby Cove Park, and we will continue refining the design to reduce effects on other sensitive areas. Later this year, the project will enter the National and State Environmental Policy Act phase. This is when we’ll begin preliminary design, complete environmental review and permitting, and continue seeking funding. Major construction is expected to begin in 2028. The new terminal is expected to open around 2031.
WSF says the signal construction, meantime, is expected now to start this fall. Also happening right now, the state is in the permit process to convert the beach house immediately north of Cove Park into an office for the project, among other potential uses.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s not naptime. It’s advocacy time at the South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools, one of more than a dozen community college programs statewide that provide co-op preschool to kids while allowing their parents to earn college credit and learn effective parenting skills in the process. The majority of these programs, which are unique to Washington state, are now facing the possibility of closure this summer after the state board that governs community colleges voted to direct enrollment dollars only to courses that lead to a certificate or degree, something parent education programs don’t necessarily do. That leaves a popular program that’s been in place for 70+ years suddenly without the state funding on which it has relied.
A statewide parenting education group is now organizing to keep as many of the programs open as possible, including the West Seattle program and its 5 preschool locations. Here’s what that group, the Organization of Parenting Education Programs, wants you to know about why this program that calls parenting a vocation is so important to keep:
By offering parent education through vocational and technical colleges, Washington State aligns family support services with workforce development goals. Parent education programs enable parents to balance family responsibilities with careers and the demands of modern life. Additionally, parents develop workforce skills through running small nonprofit businesses in their communities guided by college instructors. Parents who are better supported are more likely to complete credentials, maintain employment, and contribute to a stable labor force. Over time, this investment strengthens Washington’s economy by increasing earning potential, reducing public-assistance dependency, and supporting intergenerational economic mobility.
Parent education and associated cooperative preschool lab schools represent a cost-effective use of public funds. By addressing challenges early and strengthening family systems, these programs help prevent more expensive interventions in child welfare, education remediation, healthcare, and criminal justice systems. Continued funding is a fiscally responsible strategy that emphasizes prevention, maximizes return on investment, and reduces long-term state expenditure.
The West Seattle-based co-op program points to statistics suggesting a significant return on investment for funds allocated to these programs. “Conservative estimates across multiple parenting and early-intervention models show returns ranging from $2 to $6 for every $1 invested, largely through avoided downstream costs.”
The program has its own advocacy page, with an array of different ways community members can contribute toward the effort to keep their program open, from making a crafty handprint plate with a child to send to their state representative, to signing a petition or calling a legislator. They made a call for action in their winter newsletter:
Over the last several years we have seen multiple programs across the state close. Most recently, the Bellevue Co-op, a long-standing leader in Parent Education, is scheduled to close this June. This has raised urgent concerns about the future of similar programs across Washington, including ours. We need your voice.
We are collecting personal testimonials, letters of support, and stories about how this program has shaped your family’s life. Your words will reach decision-makers in ways that data alone cannot. If this program has mattered to you, your voice can help protect it, for today’s families and for those who will come after you.
The Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges did not explicitly close the parenting education programs as part of its decision to change the way it allocates funds last year; it just ended enrollment funding for most of them. That leaves open the possibility that the programs that lost funding could be restructured to meet the new funding allocation rules or a new way might be found to fund them.
Find out more about the South Seattle Cooperative Preschools program here.
(Photo from spl.org)
A year and a half ago, we told you that the Seattle Public Library had obtained a $5.5 million federal grant to pay for air conditioning at five branches, including West Seattle (Admiral). Since the library has been without AC, some heat waves have forced it to close. But those days are close to over. We got a tip (thank you!) that the branch was tentatively clearing its schedule later this spring in anticipation of the work. So we asked SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry about the project. Here’s what she told WSB:
The Library looks forward to installing a new HVAC system with air conditioning at the West Seattle Branch! We do not yet have a confirmed start date for the work as we await final permitting and begin the construction bidding process.
We anticipate it will take approximately 3 months to complete the work, and the branch will be closed during that time.
We will be sure to give West Seattle patrons as much advance notice as possible for this closure. We hope to have more information about a project timeline in the next couple of weeks.
The West Seattle branch is a historic Carnegie library, opened in 1910.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Spring is garden time! See what’s new at the center, open today, 10 am-3 pm at north end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free indoor playtime for little ones and their caregivers is back at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd), 10-11:30 am.
SPECIAL SALE AT EMILIE’S TREASURES: The shop at The Mount (WSB sponsor) has a special collection up for sale again today and tomorrow, 10 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
BABY STORY TIME: 11 am at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).
FREE TAX HELP: Free tax help at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) 11 am-4 pm but check if any appointments remain – we’re told there hasn’t been time left for drop-ins in recent weeks.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about and enjoy local history – open noon-4 pm today.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Three games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) today – 4 pm softball with Chief Sealth IHS vs. Nathan Hale and West Seattle HS vs. Holy Names; 7 pm baseball with Chief Sealth vs. Cleveland.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle.
ALKI ELEMENTARY STUDENTS’ MAKERS MARKET: Students are selling what they made – support fledgling entrepreneurs – the community is welcome! 5:30-7 pm at Alki Elementary‘s temp home at ex-Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane)
COFFEEHOUSE COMEDY: Midnight Mystery Theater brings radio-style comedy to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm.
LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET: 7 pm listening party at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) for new music by Robyn; free, all ages.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Live music with The Scrunchies, Denny Way, Cupcake. Doors at 6, music at 7. All ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SPINNING: Revelry Room is open tonight (4547 California SW), with DJ Mike Illvester, 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to live music with Skarkeologist, Johnny Nails, & The Shakedown, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Help them help you, is the pitch from a new club at West Seattle High School. Here’s their announcement, with a call for ideas – and new members!
(Interact members with Rotary Club of West Seattle members)
A new student-led community service club, Interact, seeks to support its community. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of West Seattle, Interact meets at the West Seattle High School library at 3:50 pm Mondays.
The club is actively planning an annual service projects for the local community and a project that fosters international understanding. It is soliciting ideas from the community on both fronts.
“We need members, so if you or someone you know is interested and a student at West Seattle High School, email us for more information at rotarywshs@gmail.com,” said club president Wynn Johnson. “And if you are a resident in the West Seattle area in need of or have an idea for a service project, please email us as well.”
“Help us help you,” added Interact member Dexter Fleener.
Interact has grown from 3 to 8 active members in its first five months. Past service projects include helping the Rotary Club of West Seattle clean up trash along Delridge Way and raising $890 for the West Seattle Food Bank when SNAP benefits were put on pause during the October government shutdown.
“We do good things for our community,” said club Vice President Dylan Dreier.
Contact: rotarywshs@gmail.com
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, March 27, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Partly sunny, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise at 6:57 am; sunset at 7:32 pm.
(Thursday sunset, photographed by Yvonne Frankovich)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule through April 10.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for last-minute changes. The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is now on its spring/summer schedule, with 3 boats on weekends as well as weekdays.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes. Remember that tomorrow brings Metro’s service change, with buses changing from Barton to Trenton in preparation for the repaving project.
STADIUM ZONE
The Mariners‘ season-opening homestand continues, with a 6:45 pm game vs. Cleveland.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (fully open but 25 mph speed limit):
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
12:23 AM: Rescuers are headed by land and sea to respond to a report of a “young female” in the water south of the bridge. This came shortly after a report of a girl or woman on a bridge offramp, looking over the edge; police had been dispatched to look for her. Even before rescuers arrive, someone in a boat is reported to be trying to help her out of the water.
12:26 AM: An SFD boat has made contact with her, according to what dispatch just told officers.
12:31 AM: She’s now aboard a fireboat. Where exactly she was pulled out of the water isn’t clear; right now radar shows the fireboats grouped near Terminal 5. They’ve decided to transport her to Fire Station 5 on the downtown waterfront to transfer her to a medic unit, so the land response that’s gathered at T-5 is being dismissed.
12:37 AM: The firefighters with the rescued girl just said over the radio that she is 11 years old.
If you or someone you know is thinking about self-harm, the 988 hotline has help 24 hours a day.
In recent years, summer hours and patrols at Alki Beach (and Golden Gardens) have started around Memorial Day and ended around Labor Day. This year, the city Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners was told tonight, they’ll start earlier and end later – May 1 through September 30. While the “Summer of Safety” briefing did not get into specifics like park hours, some other details were discussed such as plans for more patrols by Park Rangers, police, and Animal Control, plus larger signs about park policies, and a “really fun” social-media campaign including the mayor and police chief.
The city’s 31 rangers will be spread out on shifts between 9 am and midnight.
And they’re trying a pilot program with overnight private security guards to be posted at two parks – Golden Gardens and Magnuson. One other note, though “summer” will start earlier and end later, beach-fire season will remain as it’s been, Memorial Day through Labor Day, and there’ll be a “support program” to go with that. We’ll follow up with Parks to see what other details are available for this summer’s plan.
If you’re having trouble with a CenturyLink (Lumen) phone line in West Seattle, you’re not alone. We’ve heard from multiple readers having trouble, and one told us the technician they saw this morning said they were the fourth customer they were seeing with the same problem. We don’t have any official info so far but when we hear from multiple readers experiencing a problem, it’s at least a “you’re not alone” occasion.
Thanks to Lura for the tip and photos. It’s a reminder that the rainy season is slide season – part of the hillside slid in the 5000 block of Beach Drive SW on Tuesday. Seattle Fire sent several units; spokesperson David Cuerpo told us after we inquired Wednesday, “Crews evaluated the debris from the landslide and determined no one was trapped or reported injuries.”
He suggested we follow up with the city Department of Construction and Inspections, which is charged with ensuring that buildings are safe, among other things. Spokesperson Wendy Shark told us today that the slide affected 3 properties: “1 above the slide area, and 2 below. We posted a yellow tag on each property meaning they are required to hire a Geotechnical Engineer to evaluate the slide area. There are no limits on using the structures.Debris slid down the hill onto the 2 properties below. One house had some impact on the North side of their property. Soil and debris were pushed over their fence. The other house below the slide has a large soil/debris pile in their backyard.” We’re getting close to the end of slide season, but if you live in or near a slide-vulnerable zone, it’s worth availing yourself of prevention education.
Thanks to Juanita for the tip. “No Parking” signs line SW Trenton from 35th all the way to Delridge as the bus switchover approaches – as we’ve reported, starting Saturday – a little early to coincide with Metro‘s spring “service change. Buses that would usually travel on SW Barton east of 35th, with a layover zone alongside the north edge of Roxhill Park, will instead be traveling on SW Trenton and using 25th SW as a layover zone, while Barton is repaved. At least one lane of Barton will remain open to other vehicles. If you’ve missed previous reports on project details, here’s the project website. The No Parking signs are related to restriping work that’s starting this weekend too.
4:33 PM: Thanks to Janelle for this report verifying a dispatch we heard on police radio a bit ago:
FYI there’s a bus stuck in the left lane of the WSB up to West Seattle where there are only two lanes. As of 4:20 they said they are trying to get another bus here to take passengers off. But that means this bus is likely going to be stuck here causing traffic for a long time.
10:19 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that pic of the resulting backup.
This summer, the Arts in Nature Festival is making a comeback, for the first time post-pandemic! It’ll be one day – June 27 – at Camp Long, presented by DNDA. And with that news comes word they’ve opened their call for artists:
They’re looking for both performing artists – musicians and dancers – and artists who can provide an immersive art experience at Camp Long’s rustic cabins. You can get details and apply via dnda.org/festival.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
SDOT‘s contention is that converting a downhill lane on the Highland Park Way hill will make the road safer.
“For bikes or cars?” asked an attendee at last night’s HPAC meeting, loudly.
“For people!” retorted another attendee.
HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – has long been asking SDOT for an in-person meeting to answer questions about the lane-conversion project, which is fiercely opposed by drivers who say removing a driving lane will lead to traffic jams on one of the few ways out of West Seattle. Last night, they got that meeting. Judging by various bursts of applause and jeering – which HPAC co-chairs Kay Kirkpatrick and Barb Biondo tried to discourage – that viewpoint dominated among the 50+ people who filled the Southwest Library meeting room, but at least a few supporters were present too.
SDOT has remained resolute that driving-lane removal is not up for debate, but other aspects of the project are. Earlier this week, they unveiled another option for configuring the bottom of the hill, where Highland Park Way meets West Marginal Way. Before that, they announced they would separate the converted lane from the vehicle lane via jersey barriers that could be removed in case of catastrophe like another West Seattle Bridge long-term closure requiring restoration of the second downhill lane. But that didn’t seem to placate those whose memories of the 2020-2022 bridge closure remain fresh. Two people even brought signs, one reading “Fix Existing Problems Before Creating New Ones.”
Last night’s meeting was held in three parts – first, SDOT reps recapped where things stood, then everyone was invited to engage them in conversation around the room, and finally a reconvening of the full room for questions/comments. We recorded the first and third parts on video. Here’s part one:
SDOT reps who spoke were project manager Tony Roberts, project engineer Luke Larson, and project communicator Dan Anderson. They opened by trying to clarify a statement made at the online meeting earlier this month, in which this was described as a “safety project” rather than a “bicycle project.” Yes, but, they said, the money – $4 million – comes from Bicycle Master Plan funding and Vision Zero. In addition, the bicycle lane is intended to address a gap in how riders can get from West Seattle to the Duwamish River Trail. Regarding the newly unveiled Option 2B for handling traffic at the bottom of the hill, SDOT feels that its configuration means two lanes aren’t needed to feed into it any more. Larson said they’d done “modeling” to verify this. They also intend to use plastic center-line posts (like Sylvan Way and Alki/Harbor Avenues) and a high-friction surface treatment – all that will be part of a separate project but concurrent with construction on the lane-conversion. They reiterated that putting jersey barriers on the center line is not an option because they need two feet of width.
When the time came to circulate, about half the attendees did, while the other half stayed in their seats until the full-group session – here’s our video of that:
One of the first to comment declared, “You need to give precedence to the cars over the bikes, I’m sorry.” Anderson acknowledged “this is where we get into disagreement … there’s a lot of expertise … we feel with this it will still work OK.”
In the face of repeated contentions that “this will make it worse,” he insisted, “We don’t believe it will.”
The “what if the West Seattle Bridge goes out?” question also repeatedly arose. Larson said the jersey barriers could be removed to reopen a car lane “within a couple of days.” Anderson also tried to use this to reinforce that SDOT had listened to feedback on some points, saying that SDOT did not expect feedback to include “what if the West Seattle Bridge goes out?”
Another attendee declared, “You’re not solving the crashes – you need to separate the downhill and uphill. Put in some trees like you did on Delridge.”
Then, the question, why not improve the existing sidewalk on the downhill side?
“There’s not room,” said Larson, saying it’s six to eight feet now but they need 10 to 12 feet, adding that the steep dropoff from the existing sidewalk would require “tens of millions of dollars (to be spent) on retention walls.”
A man who spoke in favor of the lane conversion said he’s biked up Highland Park Way “100 times, and downhill maybe once” because of the bumpy path. When this is built, he said, he can put his kids on a bike and ride to South Park. “I will not be driving that street in the future if I can ride the street safely” – one less car, he noted.
A number of concerns were raised by people who live on Othello, a southward turn off the hill. Anderson said SDOT would come out to talk with those residents before long. He also acknowledged that the concept of adding a traffic signal there was mentioned at the meeting, though it hadn’t come up previously.
The SDOT replies to concerns didn’t win over the doubters. One concern about “so much road rage” on the hill was met with a reply that it would be less prevalent with one lane of traffic, if you’re only looking at a car directly in front of yours. That drew derisive hoots.
If the goal is to slow drivers down, why not speed bumps? someone asked. Larson said they’re generally not installed on slopes steeper than eight percent – HP Way is 11 percent.
What about a speed camera? someone else asked. Short answer: That would have to be enabled by state law (which currently limits speed cameras to school zones; the HP Way hill is not part of one).
What about widening the path on the uphill side? Kirkpatrick reminded everyone that the uphill side has had slides, and trees fall fairly frequently.
The SDOT team kept trying to reassure the room that they had “looked at a lot of concept.” Larson mentioned Alki and Green Lake. Those are flat, someone countered. Yet another attendee who described himself as “the most seasoned cyclist in Highland Park”
“By reducing the number of lanes, you’re reducing our quality of lives!” someone said. Another: “This plan is pitting drivers against bikes, but we should be working together.” Another: “This is planning for the future.”
Meantime, alternatives were suggested. Rumble strips? Turtles?
One person also noted that Highland Park has been saddled with a lot over the years, dating back to the municipal-jail proposal that HPAC fought tooth and nail more than a decade and a half ago, and multiple encampments, both RVs and tents, not to ention the future Glassyard Commons tiny-homes-and-RV-lot site close a short distance east of the Highland Park Way hill.
Another tried a final line of questioning: “Is there a date by which you have to spend the funding for this?”
SDOT didn’t really answer that, but Roberts noted that construction is currently set for next year.
Sent by Jeff:
I found a Mercedes-Benz wheel lock kit on March 25 in Morgan Junction. The wheel lug nut key is inside which will be
necessary for the owner to remove their wheels. Perhaps it was left on the sidewalk by mistake, but it looked as though it had been thrown in the bushes. The owner can contact me for pickup in Morgan Junction.
Yours? Email us and we’ll connect you.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s ahead today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more – thanks again to everyone who sends events for us to list!):
FREE PLAYSPACE: West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is hosting playspace today until noon. (42nd SW & SW Juneau)
SPECIAL SALE AT EMILIE’S TREASURES: The shop at The Mount (WSB sponsor) has a special collection up for sale today and the next two days, 10 am-3 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4831 35th SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY RUN/WALK: Free, fun gathering, 10 am, starting from Lincoln Park parking lot #2 – so if you didn’t see it in our calendar in time, make a note on yours for next week! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Whether you’re planting or planning – the center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm – north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
TODDLER STORY TIME IN WESTWOOD: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME IN ADMIRAL: 10:30 am at West Seattle Library (2306 42nd SW).
SUPPORTIVE STRATEGIES FOR REGULATING YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM: Join Dr. Zoë Kelly Linkletter online at 12:30 pm for a free webinar to support your health. Our calendar listing has details, including how to get the link.
LEARN ABOUT SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: 12:30 pm online info session to introduce you to SSC’s offerings. Here’s how to get the link.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: From newbie to pro, all levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today. (Even if you just want to know so you can go listen!)
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One home match today – West Seattle HS boys’ soccer vs. Seattle Academy at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle).
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is on today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two Thursday night events at HPCS this week – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Bai Tong on Wheels.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
HELP HARVEST FOOD: Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon) needs volunteers to help harvest fresh food that will be donated to food banks (and you can take some home too). Just be there 5-7 pm!
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 5-8 pm for your tool-borrowing needs. (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center)
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), for wine by the glass or bottle!
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Animal Instinct musical showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), 5-8 pm.
POKEMON LEAGUE: 6 pm Thursdays at Fourth Emerald Games (4517 California SW, upstairs) – bring your own console.
GRIEF IS CRAFTY: Monthly craft circle to deal with grief, 6 pm (5446 California SW) – RSVP link and other info in our calendar listing.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm, now starting from Good Society (California SW and SW Lander), you’re welcome to join the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: If walking is more your speed, meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fontanelle for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Intrinsic, Jared Mitchell & The Wingtips, Isabel Leanette, 7 pm, $10 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
’80S DANCE PARTY: 7-9 pm at The Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon) with a DJ.
LIVE AT TIM’S: Doors 7, show 8 pm, drag with Stellar Queens, all ages. (16th SW and SW 98th, White Center)
TRIVIA NIGHT AT THE VOID: A relatively new West Seattle trivia night! 7:30 pm, with prizes, at The Void (5048 California SW).
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Spinning happens tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Kingblind & DJ Smack & DJ Teenage Rampage, starting at 8 pm. 21+.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
8:10 AM: Currently off Jack Block Park, reports Kersti Muul.
8:21 AM: She says these are the mysterious “cookie cutter” orcas again.
8:43 AM: Now off Duwamish Head.
8:58 AM: Thanks to the texter who sent a photo.
10:40 AM: And thanks to Joan for sending that video!
7:02 PM: Thanks to everyone who’s sent more photos and video! The two photos below are from Greg C:
This next one is from Robin Sinner:
And video sent by Mark Rhea:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, March 26, 2026. While pro basketball has been grabbing the headlines, today happens to be opening day for the Seattle Mariners, hosting Cleveland at 7:10 tonight, which means traffic and bus effects in the SODO and Pioneer Square areas.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunshine for opening day (night), high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 6:59 am; sunset at 7:31 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, winter schedule through April 10.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for last-minute changes. The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is now on its spring/summer schedule, with 3 boats on weekends as well as weekdays.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes. Note that Saturday brings Metro’s service change, with buses changing from Barton to Trenton in preparation for the repaving project.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge (fully open but 25 mph speed limit):
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Story and photos by Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Alki Lumber will make its final sale in West Seattle sometime this Friday afternoon, after more than 100 years as the peninsula’s only full-service lumber yard. Preparation for the move to their new building in South Park has been under way since last month, but they’ve been open for business at 4422 36th Ave SW even as the shelves continue to empty. They will reopen as Alki Marine Lumber on Monday morning at 558 S. Kenyon Street.
(Alki Lumber’s retail area has little left on its shelves in West Seattle)
“It’s an odd mix between sad and exciting,” says Korey Love, Alki Marine Lumber president. Love has worked for Alki Lumber for 18 years, and says the goal at the new location is to keep things as they have always been—just in a new place. “We’re going to do our best to not change anything: Same service. Same product.”
Love says the new location has 2,500 sf of office and retail, a 17,500 sf warehouse and the lumber yard, for a total of 2 acres. In comparison, the West Seattle location, essentially the same size at 1.98 acres, is made up of multiple buildings and lumber storage yards with a street in between them following the angles of the triangle area. That means the size of the new location will be familiar, just consolidated and more efficient.
(Charlie moves fixtures bound for South Park using a forklift)
There’s a lot of history here, most of it far beyond even the longest employees’ memories. That’s what happens with a business founded in 1921. Charlie, who was hired for his first job at Alki in 1980, points out the building just east of Alki’s retail entrance that looks like a house. He says it was moved from across the street to its current location many years back. Alki Lumber’s website identifies that as the building it operated out of on 36th and Avalon after leaving its first location on Harbor Avenue. It was subsequently moved to its current location in 1957. Just as Alki Lumber moved again and again in its early years, Charlie sees Alki Lumber’s move to South Park as part of the inevitable change that happens with growth. “The city wants progress. The city doesn’t want a lumber yard. It’s a key development area — the writing was on the wall.”
After owning it for 100 years, the Sweeney family sold Alki Lumber to Marine Lumber in late 2021. “The plan was always to merge the two into one location,” says Love. That plan was spurred along by the Sweeney family’s plan to develop the West Seattle acreage into hundreds of apartment units called the Sweeney Blocks. Despite Alki vacating the property this year, there is not yet a projected date for demolition or groundbreaking for the development, family spokesperson Lynn Sweeney told WSB last month. Alki’s new building is right next to Marine Lumber’s longtime location with an address on S. Chicago Street. Marine Lumber’s operations will stay where they are, but the office staff will join Alki’s in the new building. “Come Monday, everyone will be under one roof.”
(Alki Marine Lumber President Kory Love at the West Seattle sales desk)
As Love took a phone order today, framed photos of 3 generations of Sweeneys still hang above the counter, along with vintage tools on the nearby wall. Some of it will go to the new location, and some will become keepsakes. Practical fixtures, like the drawer system for specialty nuts, bolts and other hardware is being wrapped up on pallets, ready to move to the new space. Other things won’t be making the trip. “We purged some of the inventory we’ve had for 20 years and haven’t moved,” Love said, smiling. Jerry, who’s worked at the store since 1999, quipped, “We’ll have a clean store this time.”
(Blue-wrapped fixtures ready to be moved to South Park location with Alki’s original building from 36th & Avalon in the background)
Moving all of the inventory will be a monumental effort, and Love says some of their vendors are offering up their own delivery trucks to help make it happen. He’s aiming for the middle of April to have it all cleared out. While Alki Lumber has a lot of loyal West Seattle customers, they only make up about 30% of sales, so they will actually be closer to the majority of their customers and to their own employees’ homes in the new location. Love says he hopes West Seattleites will find the trek down the hill worth it. “We’re bringing the coffee pot and we’ll still have doughnut Wednesdays,” and he says if the 10-minute drive is too much, “We deliver.” A grand-opening celebration will be planned for late spring.
Meantime, the West Seattle location was not noticeably less busy two days before it is permanently closed. Love says the new space will be an improvement for operations, but the old location won’t be forgotten. “This has 70 years of dirt and dust and all the other good stuff.”
(Seller photo from 2024 West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day)
What’s in YOUR basement/attic/storage unit/storage bins? Maybe something you don’t need any more – if you ever did – would be an amazing treasure for a West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day shopper. Or maybe you just have stuff someone else would find useful – dishes, outgrown kids’ clothes, toys, books … Whatever you might be considering selling – or looking to buy – the biggest shopping/selling day of the year is coming up, West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, coordinated by WSB, 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 9. The first step toward a fun sale day is for sellers to register to get their spots on the map – same fees we’ve charged for 18 years – and registration opens in exactly one week, on Wednesday, April 1. It’ll be open for about three weeks, so you have some time to decide, but if you know you’re having a sale, write that up-to-20-word description and be ready for our registration announcement in a week! After we close registration, we get busy making the map and list, which will be available online one week before WSCGSD. Thanks to everyone who makes this a fun day of meeting neighbors and finding treasures!
(WSB photo, June 2025)
This Saturday (March 28), thousands of “No Kings” rallies are planned around the country. In case you’re wondering what’s planned in West Seattle, here’s what we have:
WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: Our area’s major resistance group is emphasizing the main Seattle rally (Cal Anderson Park, marching to Seattle Center), and last we heard had sold out seats on four buses to take more than 200 people there: “WSI is focusing our attention on the big march downtown, we will have a very visible presence with our ‘we ARE the people’ theme with colorful tall pole signs.” The buses are departing at 11 am.
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: This group that rallies every Sunday at California/Alaska plans to be there 10 am-2 pm on Saturday.
SINGING RESISTANCE: This group sent the following announcement:
Singing Resistance is a movement grounded in love, nonviolence, and solidarity. In the context of escalating violence towards our communities and federal invasions of our cities and towns, we sing because song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect to each other, and through song we can name and protect what we hold sacred. We sing publicly in the streets for the sake of solace, strength, solidarity, to voice our dissent, and to refuse cooperation with oppressive and autocratic forces.
Join us at the West Seattle Resist: No Kings Day protest in the Alaska Junction
Saturday, March 28th, 2026
Meet at 10 am at Junction Plaza Park, one block EAST of the Junction on SW Alaska St.
We’ll learn and practice songs and then join the larger protest in the Walk All Ways intersection.Anyone with a voice can sing these songs. Bring signs, rhythm instruments, a friend, and your joy!
OLD TYME ADULTS FOR DEMOCRACY: The senior-led group that has protested at Admiral/California will be there 2-3 pm on Saturday.
(Any other “No Kings”-related gatherings in West Seattle on Saturday? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.)
(WSB file photo)
We’ve received a few recent reader questions about a longstanding problem – the “When Flashing, Use High-Level Bridge” signs not necessarily reflecting what’s actually happening with the low bridge, particularly the one on Delridge. So we asked SDOT if this problem is on their radar for a fix. They’re “working on a plan,” says spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
The issues with the road signs alerting travelers when the low bridge is open or closed are due to a combination of factors including aging equipment and multiple instances of wire theft. We are working on a plan to upgrade and replace the components, and do not yet have a definitive timeline for these repairs.
Checking back email, the oldest note we can find on this dates back to 2024, at which time an SDOT staffer told a reader, “We have been working to troubleshoot and correct the issue for the past few weeks. Our electricians recently replaced a bad relay in the system, but unfortunately that did not completely correct the issue.”
2:37 PM: Police are investigating gunfire reported to have happened on the Highway 509 offramp near Myers Way. According to radio exchanges, a driver heard two pops from bullets breaking glass on windows of his Silverado. The shooter was reported to be in a mid-2010s black Acura Integra with fully tinted windows and last seen headed back onto Highway 509 and northbound toward the 1st Avenue S. Bridge. No injuries reported.
2:45 PM: Since it’s been determined this happened on the state highway offramp, dispatch told officers, the investigation will be taken over by the State Patrol.
ADDED THURSDAY: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:
At 1417 hours, victim reported he accidentally cut off a vehicle when he merged into a lane of traffic. The driver and/or passenger in the suspect vehicle fired two rounds at the victim. One round hit the head rest and stopped. The other round nearly missed the victim’s head as well. No suspect information was available other than a black sedan. Two rounds were located inside the victim vehicle.
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