Sleepy Bear in a body bag?

| Seen around town | Triangle | West Seattle businesses

Or so it appears, at the only motel in West Seattle, where the Travelodge sign is now tarped over. Tried calling; no answer. Checked the Travelodge website; it says only “dates for this property are not available on our system at this time.” Hmm. (On a somewhat-related note, why IS that the only motel or hotel in WS? We kinda get the Alki angst over the lodging proposal there, but surely there is room somewhere within our borders for a nice non-B&B place to stay … you’d think. We had one a century ago!)

Forest March 4, 2007 (2:02 pm)

No matter what name is out front, that lonely motel will still hold the record for highest murder rate per square foot of any building in West Seattle.

Zizou March 4, 2007 (5:30 pm)

The tripadvsor reviews aren’t terribly surprising, either: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60878-d224865-Reviews-Seattle_West_Travelodge-Seattle_Washington.html

elevated concern March 6, 2007 (9:46 am)

This Travel Lodge is outside of the corporate franchise and is independently owned, not authority to fine them or demand a better facility. As to why the bag over the logo, no idea. For 23 years I have watch as the neon MOTEL sign slowly stopped rotating, finally burned it’s last bulb and hopefully has begun to rust and will blow down in the next windstorm! Not to mention the early morning view from the bus stop across the street as you watch one of Seattle’s most visited prostitution rings in full progress. Criminal activity? The police respond and circle the motel until suspects are caught or conclude that they will not be returning to their room. Now with the West Seattle Hearld building falling down, the MOTEL looks worse than the Bates, and auto repair row soaked in used transmission fluid and oil slicks, can’t someone insist that our “Gateway to West Seattle” clean up it’s act!

West Point Place Resident March 6, 2007 (10:25 am)

I too share the concern for our Gateway to West Seattle. This motel has steadily declined over the years to the point that the Highway 99 corridor looks good in comparison.

After dark, the blocks between 35th Avenue SW and Fauntleroy on Alaska become “mean streets.” The drug deals take place regularly on the street corner of 35th and Alaska. Prostitutes and “Johns” come and go freely.

The former West Seattle Herald buildings have become a black hole, sucking the life out of the north side of Alaska. Add to that, the row of grimey car repair shops followed by lots full of cars and we have the makings of a very negative first impression of our fair community.

With new ownership of our car lots and Whole Foods entering the community, it is time the owners of local business properties roll out a more attractive welcome mat for those coming to our front door.

Ms_F March 6, 2007 (5:50 pm)

Isn’t that West Seattle Herald article one-year old news? The Hainsworth House B&B project didn’t fly, and the “new” owners of the Alki Homestead have been there awhile. The interior of the restaurant and been completely preserved as it was before, and the menu/quality of food has improved.

Ms_F March 6, 2007 (5:52 pm)

Isn’t that West Seattle Herald article one-year old news? The Hainsworth House B&B project didn’t fly, and the “new” owners of the Alki Homestead has been there awhile. The interior of the restaurant and been completely preserved as it was before, and the menu/quality of food has improved.

Nancy38th March 7, 2007 (10:18 pm)

Let’s hope the travel lodge is about to disappear to be replaced with something much more attractive and conducive to good community. Most of the triangle area is an embarrassment to West Seattle. We have property owners there who have no respect for the neighborhood or West Seattle at large. Alki Lumber lets trash of all sorts lie around their properties. They never mow the grass on the parking strips that border Avalon. And the property on 35th south of KFC is always trashy. I’d like to find a way for the community to bring about some changes for the good in this area.