Combined RV ‘safe lot,’ tiny-house village proposed for southeast West Seattle site that’s seen encampments before

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Mayor Katie Wilson vowed less than two weeks ago to “accelerate the expansion” of shelter capacity to get homeless people off the streets.

We just found a permit filing for a West Seattle site that might contribute space for almost 100 – a site identified more than a decade ago as a potential “transitional encampment” site.

This is state-owned property known as the “WSDOT Glassyard” site in southeast West Seattle, officially 7201 2nd SW [map], and it has a “site plan” on the drawing board for a combination RV safe lot and tiny-house village – up to 72 RVs and. 20 tiny houses. This area has been the site of unsanctioned encampments before, and is adjacent to the original location of the first encampment to draw widespread attention 18 years ago, the original “Nickelsville.”

The filing is very preliminary; it summarizes the proposal as:

WSDOT Glassyard RV Safe Lot

Establish a religious controlled emergency transitional encampment, per the land use code. Site will consist of (20) tiny homes and parking spaces for up to (72) RV’s on existing impervious surface. Construct decks and install buildings accessory to emergency transitional encampment, per plan.

What “religious controlled” means is not explained on the site plan, which bears the name of the secular Low Income Housing Institute, the nonprofit that operates other tiny-house villages, including the first and only one in West Seattle, Camp Second Chance on Myers Way. The site plan also has these notes:

1. All Offices, tiny houses, laundry buildings, check in offices, and family rooms are under 120 square feet in size and are considered wooden tents.
2. Site will be for resident and staff use only. No part of the site will be open to the public at any point during operation.
3. Finish height of the deck will not exceed 18″ at any point.
4. Storage will consist of an 8′ x 20′ metal storage container. Structure will be anchored to the ground.
5. The existing site surface is compact gravel. Land disturbance activities will be under 5000 SF. There will be no added impervious surfaces. There will be no clearing or grading activities.
6. The hygiene trailer, laundry room, and kitchen tent will be connected directly to new water and sewer
branch lines from 2nd Ave SW.

The site plan also carries fire-safety notes including the stipulation that RVs will be “drained of gas and oil before connecting.”

Checking WSB archives, we’re reminded that one of Mayor Wilson’s predecessors, Ed Murray, identified this site in 2015 as a potential “transitional encampment” site. In 2016, a proposal to put a small RV safe lot on a nearby parcel was shelved. Unsanctioned RV camping in the area was the subject of multiple sweeps just a few years ago. Also in the site’s history: City consideration for a new misdemeanor jail, a plan also shelved, after intense community pushback in the late ’00s.

We’ll follow up on this tomorrow with the city, state, and LIHI, to find out more, including a timeline, approvals needed, and whether any community briefings are planned. The site’s status as state-owned property would fit with the focus on public lands mentioned in the mayor’s executive order issued earlier this month.

‘Not theoretical any more’: West Seattle’s Adopt a Day Labor Corner volunteers ready for reinforcements

January 27, 2026 8:50 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Since September, a small group of West Seattle volunteers has gathered multiple days a week at an undisclosed location where day laborers seek work. Their efforts are aimed at standing in solidarity with immigrant workers, and providing resources as needed.

The group formed as an extension of the nationwide Adopt a Day Labor Corner Campaign. With increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence and concerns that the agents’ aggression will spread here, they are looking for new volunteers to join their team, with an information session scheduled this weekend.

“You know, we’re just kind of there to be a presence because we hope that it will deter ICE from coming in the first place.” said Erin, a West Seattle volunteer. “In the fall, we just thought this was a good thing to do just in case, but it felt sort of theoretical at the time and now it feels very much not theoretical anymore.”

Volunteers often bring coffee, food, multilingual know-your-rights cards, and other resources available to day laborers to use while looking for work. They also share local and legal resources with anyone who approaches in need of help. But potentially witnessing or deterring ICE is what they value most about their volunteering.

“It was really important to us to get the whole project started before immigration enforcement was really ramping up in the Seattle area because it was important for us to have all of those connections before we needed to have them,” said Kate, another West Seattle branch volunteer.

She is one of the organizers who helped “adopt” West Seattle’s branch of the campaign, finding out about the opportunity over the summer while at a courthouse, supporting her neighbor who had been detained by ICE. A fellow supporter at the courthouse approached her and told her about it.

The Adopt a Day Labor Corner Campaign has more than 200 branches nationwide, set up through the guidance of the National Day Labor Organizing Network (NDLON), which existed long before the campaign. According to NDLON’s website, campaign volunteers work as , “allies, witnesses, neighbors, and friends.”

“We aren’t there for a charity purpose, we are there to be in community with people – that’s a really important part of the work,” Kate said.

Volunteers are looking to expand their network and provide a presence at the day-labor corner more than the current three days a week. Additionally, to cover afternoon slots. Currently, they are having trouble converting interest in the organization into joining chats and showing up, though interest has increased recently for obvious reasons.

West Seattle’s branch of the Adopt-a-Corner movement will host its first in-person information session this Saturday, January 31, from 10 am-12 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond). It’s a drop-in session for people with questions about the organization and its purpose, and how to get involved. New volunteers are required to participate in an hour of training before their first volunteer day; some members have also completed additional rapid-response training.

More information about the Adopt a Day Labor Corner Campaign and how to get involved can be found on this page; specific questions about the West Seattle group can be answered through the in-person session.

SEATTLE SUPPORT FOR MINNESOTA: Vigil at VA tonight; pastor’s presentation tomorrow

January 27, 2026 8:12 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Two notes on this fourth night since the second Minnesota shooting death at the hands of federal agents:

VA VIGIL: The photos above and below are from Don Brubeck, one of the West Seattleites who went to the Seattle Veterans Administration medical center on Beacon Hill tonight for the vigil in honor of Alex Pretti, the. Minnesota VA nurse killed on Saturday morning.

The newest developments in Minnesota are here.

PASTOR’S PRESENTATION: A demonstration downtown last night featured speakers including Fauntleroy Church pastor Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski, who had been in Minneapolis days earlier with a delegation of clergy joining in community support and patrols. Tomorrow night she will speak to her congregation about her trip, and we’re told it will be streamed, Wednesday at 7 pm.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package prowler

January 27, 2026 6:33 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

If you’re expecting a package in Admiral, take note of this reader report about another package prowler:

Images of a bald man on video wearing a large puffy jacket and driving a dark small sedan (we think a Prius) stealing packages off our front steps just before 11 pm.

He is actively prowling the neighborhood; images taken on the corner of Belvidere and Stevens, three blocks west of WS High School.

The reader says that’s as clear a screengrab as they could get, as the thief appeared to be deliberately keeping his head down to keep his face out of camera range.

You asked, so we asked: Here’s why Seattle Parks removed Don Armeni Boat Ramp’s long median hedge

January 27, 2026 4:50 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

If you’re familiar with the layout of the lot at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, you’ll notice something missing in the photo above: The long hedge that has long filled the median between the park’s northwest road and a row of parking. Stewart L. sent the photo, wondering why Seattle Parks had to remove that much foliage. He emailed us on Friday, we inquired with Parks, and got this reply today:

The hedge at Don Armeni Boat Ramp was removed as part of a long-planned project for several reasons:

Updated landscaping practices: Moving away from hedges to more natural, low-maintenance plantings that improve visibility and allow for greater plant variety.

Environmental concerns: Hedges often collect litter and debris, which is difficult to clean.

Safety improvements: Hedges created blind spots for vehicles and spaces for people to hide.

Plant management: The laurel hedge had invasive species like English Ivy and Himalayan blackberry growing within it, and the irrigation system was damaged and inaccessible for repair.

The new landscape will feature native, salt- and heat-tolerant plants, driftwood, and rocks, similar to other areas along Alki Ave. Public feedback on the removal to our grounds crews has been overwhelmingly positive.

We’ll keep an eye out for the replacement landscape, but also have to admit a bit of sadness because of an unmentioned part of the hedge that’s now gone too – the Darwin’s barberry bushes (considered invasive Down Under but uncommon up here) that bloomed vividly orange every spring.

BIZNOTE: New owner of South Delridge-based Mountain Madness hopes to take it to new heights with community events

January 27, 2026 2:57 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Mountain Madness photo: New owner Lisa Thompson with previous owner Mark Gunlogson)

Though West Seattle is home to hills and not mountains, it’s also home base to a variety of businesses tied to the latter. Among them: Mountain Madness in South Delridge, which has a long history, as the announcement explains:

Mountain Madness, a global leader in guided mountain adventures, was acquired by Lisa Thompson, founder of Alpine Athletics. Thompson will lead Mountain Madness as its new President and sole owner, bringing together Alpine Athletics’ expert coaching and training with Mountain Madness’ 40+year legacy of guiding transformative climbing, trekking & skiing adventures worldwide.

With nearly 20 years in the mountains, Lisa Thompson is an accomplished climber and coach. Among her achievements are the Seven Summits and becoming the second American woman to reach the top of K2, as told in her best-selling memoir, Finding Elevation. In 2018 she founded Alpine Athletics to prepare climbers of all levels for the physical, mental, and tactical requirements of mountaineering.

Mountain Madness was founded in 1984 by legendary climber Scott Fischer and partners. Fischer is widely known for his role in the 1996 Mount Everest expedition, chronicled in Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air, which brought global attention to the risks and rewards of high-altitude climbing. Under Fischer’s leadership, Mountain Madness became synonymous with bold expeditions, but most importantly, a passion for sharing the magic of the mountains.

In 1997 the company grew under the new leadership of Christine Boskoff, one of the first prominent female 8,000-meter high-altitude climbers. Her vision took guests to new uncharted, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and strengthened Fischer’s dream to guide more 8,000-meter peaks. Longtime guide Mark Gunlogson, who began guiding for Mountain Madness in 1994, took the reins in 2008, expanding the company into a globally respected adventure travel leader while honoring its founding values of exploration, education, and empowerment. To honor Mountain Madness’s legacy and ensure its future thrives, Mark will remain onboard to guide and mentor the team.

Since 2021, Alpine Athletics and Mountain Madness have partnered on unique initiatives such as fundraiser climbs and all-women’s expeditions in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership continues with an all-women’s Ama Dablam expedition. With a shared vision to inspire and empower climbers to go beyond what they thought was possible, Thompson will further this by offering a fully integrated client journey — from the first training session to summit day — and everything in between.

Mountain Madness’s headquarters is at 9249 17th SW. That’s where you’re invited to attend Ski Film Night at 6 pm Friday, February 6, with screenings, beverages, and raffle. prizes including a drawing for a rescue course. Watch for more community events (we’ll add them to our calendar as we get them).

FOLLOWUP: Upgraded crossing awaits its beacons

January 27, 2026 12:59 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

One year ago, SDOT announced “next steps” for the Alki Point Healthy Street, including an upgraded crossing at its south end, at 63rd SW and Beach Drive SW. Crossing work has been done, as shown in our recent photo above, but the poles have been in place, beaconless, for a while. So we asked SDOT for an update. The reply: “The RRFB equipment for the upgraded crossing at the south end of the Alki Point Healthy Street has been ordered and we are waiting for them to be delivered.” No timeline estimate so far.

COUNTDOWN: Four days until Recess Monkey’s Westside School concert benefiting West Seattle Food Bank!

January 27, 2026 11:49 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

If you don’t have tickets yet for Saturday’s Recess Monkey show at Westside School (10404 34th SW; WSB sponsor), we just checked and some are still available for this fun kid-music concert open to the entire community – it’s a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank! As the original announcement notes, “Known for their clever lyrics, playful personalities, and upbeat sound, Recess Monkey delivers a lively, interactive musical experience that gets everyone — big and small — up and moving.”

Tickets are only $10 per family. The show starts at 10:30 am Saturday (January 31). Get yours here!

22 things to know for your West Seattle Tuesday

January 27, 2026 9:31 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Jen A)

Here are today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is open today, 9-noon -just drop in! (42nd SW and SW Juneau)

WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY TOUR: First of four chances this week to tour West Seattle Elementary (6760 34th SW), 10 am.

KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Also open, 10-11:30 am free playgroup for kids 0-5 and their caregivers, at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW).

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today featuring Meg Estep Woolf talking about Age Friendly Seattle (4470 35th SW).

NURSING PATHWAYS AT SSC – ONLINE INFO SESSION: 1 pm today, learn about studying nursing at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing has info on how to RSVP and get the link.

CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.

DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS @ HIGH POINT LIBRARY: 2-5 pm, drop by and discuss! (3411 SW Raymond)

CITY COUNCIL: At 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. The agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.

DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: At High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – volunteers available to help K-12 students, 4-5:45 pm.

RESTAURANT POP-UP: “Tonight at The Neighborhood (6503 California SW), Crave returns with their Filipino street-fusion fare. 4 pm-8 pm or while supplies last.”

CRAFTING AT HARRY’S: 5-7 pm crafting event at Harry’s Beach House (2676 Alki SW) – registration link is in our calendar listing.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: Monthly meetup, 6 pm monthly evening meetup, all ukulele players welcome – email for location.

TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you don’t work for Boeing – email in advance to RSVP.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.

SOLD-OUT SHOW AT EASY STREET RECORDS: 7 pm, The Format performs in-store. This is just a reminder for those whose album purchase has already secured their spot! (4559 California SW)

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.

BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 5: Five locations for trivia on Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.

If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Remembering Marilyn M. Henry, 1947-2026

January 27, 2026 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Marilyn Henry and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Marilyn Margaret Henry, a sweet, sassy, and loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and aunt, passed away on January 10, 2026, in Seattle, at the age of 78.

Marilyn was born on February 3, 1947, in the Philippines, where her parents Edward (Ted) and Enriqueta (Katie) Lenton met/married during WWII. They moved to Seattle when she was 1 and where she spent the rest of her life. She had 3 younger brothers, Jim, Ron and David, whom she was very close to. She was a lifelong West Seattle resident having attended Jefferson Elementary, Madison Middle School, and West Seattle High School. She married Charles (Tom) Henry, and they raised two daughters, Tracey Hilton and Amey Nutter, in a house in the Riverview area of West Seattle. And, although she had a successful career supporting the finance operations of various auto dealerships in the area (Gene Fielder and Huling Bros.), the focus of her life was always her family, her friends, and her church. In addition to watching closely after her nieces and nephew (known to them as Auntie Mimi) over the years, Marilyn or “Lola” was a devoted grandma to her two grandkids Olivia and Ryan. Lola is Grandma in Tagalog, but she was called that by other friends and family because it just fit her. She was everyone’s grandma.

Marilyn did not travel much but when she did, it was almost always to visit family – grandkids in California, family in Missouri – you get the picture. That was what filled her cup. Learning about what other people were up to and spreading the word gave her great pleasure. For her, a life well lived really just involved being there for other people. Anytime anyone needed help with anything, all they had to do was ask – ride to an appointment, trip to the airport, dog sitting, babysitting for the weekend – you name it. Everyone knew that Marilyn had their back.

Over the years Marilyn was involved in a few different churches around the Seattle area. Although she was not deeply religious, she loved the routine and the fellowship. She also had close connections to her pastors over the years many of whom she stayed in touch with even after they had moved on. That was another display of her loyalty – once you were included in Marilyn’s world you were there for life.

Marilyn was also an avid reader and after retiring she spent much of her time doing just that. There was not a book that Oprah recommended that she did not read. She enjoyed her afternoon “stories” and doing the Sunday NYT crossword puzzle. She loved Dim Sum, Lumpia, Salmon Dip, and Chicken Adobo. She loved classic movies, golden age of Hollywood celebrities and music, in particular Frank Sinatra but also more modern crooners like Steve Tyrell. “Good wishes” videos she received from both Steve Tyrell and Smokey Robinson just a few weeks before she passed may have been a final highlight.

For the family and friends that Marilyn has left behind, it is difficult to picture a life without her. She was such a stable figure for so many people for so many years. But, while she will be deeply missed, she will always be remembered as our Lola.

The family is hoping to dedicate a bench plaque in her honor in the park located directly across the street from her house so that we can sit with her and enjoy the view of the Cascades.

In lieu of flowers, if you are interested in contributing, please send donations to @Amey-Nutter (Venmo – please include Marilyn’s bench in notes). A more formal memorial service will be held in the Spring and date and location will be shared as soon as set.

And, if you have your own memories of Marilyn that you would like to share, you can do so on her guestbook at emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/marilyn-henry

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: January’s last Tuesday

January 27, 2026 6:01 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

After two weeks without rain, today’s forecast says it’s likely to return in the pm, high in the low 50s. Sunrise at 7:41 am; sunset at 5:03 pm.

(Monday sunset photo by Bob Burns)

TRANSIT TODAY

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular three-boat weekday service has resumed; check WSF’s alerts in case of last-minute changes.

Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.

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:

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 a problem 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!

VIDEO: Fauntleroy Church pastor tells anti-ICE rally in Seattle what she saw – and didn’t see – in Minnesota

January 26, 2026 11:59 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

Earlier we mentioned that Fauntleroy UCC pastor Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski was just back from a trip to be Minnesota, where she and other faith leaders from the Northwest had gone to support community members standing against violence and violation of rights by federal agents. The video above, recorded by parishioner LeeAnne Beres, is what the pastor told a downtown Seattle anti-ICE rally this evening about what she saw in Minnesota – and, in one key moment, what she didn’t see.

She also mentions that she and the others were headed home when they learned federal agents had killed Alex Pretti. Meantime, another reader sent word that a rally and vigil in honor of Pretti, a VA nurse, is planned Tuesday night outside the Seattle VA hospital on Beacon Hill.

VIDEO: Seattle Public Schools proposes making new Alki Elementary regional site for Highly Capable program

January 26, 2026 10:38 pm

| 31 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Alki Elementary currently has 265 students enrolled, but will be moving into a brand-new building this fall with a capacity for almost twice that many. Now the district is proposing making Alki Elementary a regional headquarters for a program that could significantly boost its enrollment. At last week’s School Board meeting, a briefing on the district’s Highly Capable (gifted) program included the announcement that Alki Elementary is proposed as a new Southwest Region site for the “cohort pathway” format of HC learning, along with Rainier View Elementary for the Southeast Region.

Right now, HC-identified students from those regions have to go to Thurgood Marshall Elementary to access a “cohort pathway” – self-contained classes offered there and at only two other SPS elementaries. So how many more students could that mean for Alki? Last week’s briefing projected that the Southwest Region will have 266 second through fifth graders identified as HC next school year:

Next school year is when the new Alki Elementary will open. Meantime, the proposal to make it and Rainier View sites for the HC program will be part of a proposal the board is scheduled to vote on February 11. (The full slide deck from the board meeting, which also touched on the feedback collected in community meetings around the district, is here. And thanks for the tips on this!)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another van dumped in greenbelt; gas theft

January 26, 2026 8:19 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

ANOTHER VAN DUMPED IN GREENBELT: Kalem reported seeing this on Sunday, and then Craig sent photos today: “Just came across this van from Food Lifeline parked on the trail to the north of the Peewee fields.”

Craig says this area of the West Duwamish Greenbelt has been an intermittent problem for this kind of activity, both with access from below and above: “The van came and went from above this time. Some minor damage to the trail but between both events the trail and Peewee access are in rough shape.” He reports the van was gone when he went through the area hours later; another local community advocate, Kay, says the tow truck that was first brought in by SPD wasn’t able to extract it, so apparently they got a second one. The van found abandoned and burning in the same area earlier this month was described as belonging to another nonprofit (Navos).

GAS THEFT: Nate reports, “I just walked out to my Toyota Tacoma [this afternoon] to find someone drilled a hole in my gas tank and drained the gas. I live in Arbor Heights neighborhood on a dark, very quiet street, south of Roxbury on 33rd Ave.”

New parking restrictions on 16th SW? South Seattle College to host community discussion

January 26, 2026 6:26 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2022)

Some of the longtime RV-encampment areas along West Seattle streets have been addressed with added parking restrictions – Harbor Avenue SW and SW Trenton, for example – and 16th SW alongside South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) might be next. The college has just announced a community meeting, and though the announcement doesn’t specifically mention RVs, it does mention the city’s Unified Care Team, which works solely on encampments:

South Seattle College is hosting a community meeting for members of the campus community and neighbors of the college in the Puget Ridge neighborhood of West Seattle on the evening of Wednesday, February 4.

The City of Seattle contacted South Seattle College about the possibility of installing parking restrictions along a portion of 16th Ave SW in front of the college to address long-term vehicle parking.

This meeting will be an opportunity to hear from Seattle Department of Transportation staff and the Unified Care Team about the work they do and possible solutions for our area. We will then shift to a community conversation where folks can ask questions, share their experiences, and provide feedback to the city and college about preferred solutions.

Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Location: Cascade Hall, Room 107
South Seattle College Main Campus
6000 16th Ave SW

Cascade Hall is listed as “CAH” on the campus map. Parking in the North Parking Lot will be free, and closest to the building.

What local, state leaders are saying about preparedness here in wake of federal agents’ deadly violence in Minnesota

January 26, 2026 4:02 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

Local and state leaders all had Minnesota on their mind today. Three notes:

First:

(Governor’s Office photo)

“It’s outrageous in the extreme and it has to stop.”

That’s what Gov. Bob Ferguson said today about what’s happening in Minnesota, appearing at a media briefing with state Attorney General Nick Brown (a West Seattle resident). He wasn’t only speaking about the killings by federal agents of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, but also about their enforcement tactics, “plucking people off the street” and going into homes without judicial warrants.Ferguson and Brown detailed some of the steps they’re taking in case a federal escalation happens here, though they said they’re not revealing all the steps they’re taking in preparation, so as to not reveal their “playbook” to the feds. “We will not allow this administration to turn our nation into an authoritarian regime,” vowed Gov. Ferguson. Attorney General Brown said what’s happening has nothing to do with the president’s vow to “go after the worst of the worst” and described the administration as a “cabal of cruelty.” He also said it’s important to not just “hunker down and try to survive the next few years,” but to focus on preparedness and action. “Everyone in our state” has a role in that, they said. You can watch the entire news conference here.

Second:

Seattle City Councilmembers voiced their outrage at their weekly “briefing meeting,” where each member provides updates and observations. Our area’s Councilmember Rob Saka, noting that he’s a Minnesota native, decried the killing of Alex Pretti as “another horrific execution-style … murder of a resident.” Saka said it’s “appalling and outrageous” that federal agents are “running amok … killing people for no reason.” (His remarks are 47 minutes into the meeting video above.) Councilmembers reiterated the call to ensure the city is prepared, including the Public Safety Committee‘s chair Councilmember Bob Kettle, whose committee meets tomorrow morning.

Third:

We’ve learned that Fauntleroy Church‘s pastor Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski was part of a Northwest clergy delegation that went to Minnesota as a show of support. She is back and slated to speak during a protest rally at the Federal Building in downtown Seattle tonight, around 20 minutes into the 5 pm rally. We hope to speak to her about her Minnesota trip soon.

LAST CALL! Final week for ‘free’ curbside recycling of Christmas trees

January 26, 2026 1:21 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

Seattle Public Utilities just sent the reminder – this is the last week for “free” composting of Christmas trees and other holiday greenery – either via curbside pickup, or transfer-station dropoff:

Remove all decorations, cut into sections 4-foot or less, and place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your regular collection day. Apartment residents may place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge. You can also drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station.

The “free” tree-cycling continues through Saturday (January 31). After that, you’ll have to chop up your tree so it fits in your yard/food-waste cart, or take it to the transfer station (South, in west South Park, is the closest)

You asked, so we asked: When will Jack Block Park’s long-closed public pier be rebuilt?

January 26, 2026 11:59 am

| 18 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, 2021)

A recent walk in Jack Block Park (2130 Harbor Avenue SW) inspired a reader to ask when its long-closed pier will be rebuilt as promised. It’s been closed for safety concerns for more than five years; our last followup was two years ago, at which time some money had been budgeted, and design was supposed to start before the end of 2024. But the project has not proceeded much if at all since then. This is in a Port of Seattle park; the Northwest Seaport Alliance – comprising the cargo ports of Seattle and Tacoma – is funding it, so NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh Babst responded to our inquiry about timeline, design, and $ status. She says construction is still at least two and a half years away:

The Jack Block Pier replacement is early in the design phase, so we do not have any design drawings to share yet. The current estimated project cost is between $10 – $14 million and our project team is exploring some design opportunities that account for this range. At this time, the estimated construction start is Q4 2028.

Funding for the pier and plaza repairs will come from the NWSA, but there are additional scope elements that will be funded by Port of Seattle.

The damage that ultimately led to the long-range closure was attributed to a vessel hitting the pier, though it’s never been disclosed which vessel did it, when, and how.

12 options for your West Seattle Monday

January 26, 2026 9:54 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen at Lincoln Park this weekend – photo by Betty Scott)

Here’s what’s on our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

FREE HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in assistance for K-12 students at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!

‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP here. (4034 California SW)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 4: Four venues for trivia/quiz tonight! Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm, free, all ages … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

CHESS NIGHT AT MISSION CANTINA: 7 pm, players welcome in the upstairs mezzanine! (2325 California SW)

MEDITATE IN ALKI: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is back this week, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)

POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

MEDITATE IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

LIVE JAZZ: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

SING! 9 pm Mondays, karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks as always to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

YOU CAN HELP: Invest in Youth needs a few more tutors at West Seattle schools

January 26, 2026 9:02 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Local educational nonprofit Invest in Youth tells us that some of their best tutors come through WSB, so they’re again asking us to help with recruitment. If you can help with a small weekday gift of time, here’s how!

Are you interested in giving back to our community, narrowing achievement gaps for neighborhood students and promoting educational equity right here in West Seattle? Invest in Youth offers a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with a local student.

Tutors meet one day a week with the same student in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs, and work on math and reading fundamentals, all while serving as a mentor to foster lifelong academic success.

No experience is necessary; just a commitment to show up for one hour, one day a week. Two local schools need tutors:

Roxhill Elementary at E.C. Hughes
Sanislo Elementary

Visit our website for more information or complete our tutor application to reserve your spot to begin tutoring.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: January’s last Monday

January 26, 2026 6:02 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, January 26, 2026.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

After another night in the 20s, today’s forecast is for clouds and a high in the upper 40s. Sunrise at 7:42 am; sunset at 5:01 pm.

(Sunday morning photo by Chris Frankovich)

TRANSIT TODAY

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.

Washington State Ferries – According to WSF’s alerts, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is back to three-boat service as of today.

Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.

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:

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.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Updated – two gunfire incidents; stolen mail found, returned

January 25, 2026 9:12 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:

PARK GUNFIRE AGAIN: For the second consecutive night, police have found evidence of gunfire in the south lot at Westcrest Park, after a 911 call. No other details yet – this happened within the last half-hour – and no reports of injuries.

(added 10:30 pm) SECOND GUNFIRE INCIDENT: Second gunfire incident of the night was reported before 10 pm in the 9000 block of 17th SW – casings found after a man driving a gold or beige pickup was reported to have fired from/inside his truck.

STOLEN MAIL FOUND, RETURNED: Vanessa sent the report and photo:

Just heads up, this morning I found a trail of open package materials and stolen mail on Bradford and 41st all the way down to Olympia Coffee on California. I sorted and delivered the mail I found and returned it to people’s homes. Some of the group mailboxes definitely had some damage from them being pried open. Just be on the lookout! Some of the mail was W-2s so lots of sensitive info. Also saw a broken window on a car on the same block where mail was stolen. Maybe the same thieves?

CONGRATULATIONS! Seahawks fans celebrate as team wins Super Bowl spot

January 25, 2026 7:19 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

If you heard fireworks a little while ago, they were probably a lot closer than Lumen Field – seen above in Jerry Simmons‘s photo – but same reason: The Seahawks beat the L.A. Rams 31-27 and are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015 – February 8, 3:30 pm, in Santa Clara, California. Where will you watch? First Super Bowl party announcement we received – even before the Seahawks’ win – is from Ounces in North Delridge (all ages, “well-behaved pups” welcome too). We’ll add all the announcements we receive to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!