Jam-packed agenda last night for the Southwest District Council (representatives from neighborhood groups and other key organizations in the area of West Seattle that the city defines as the “Southwest District”; you can see the map here), with a Spokane Street Viaduct project update, the latest from Seattle City Light on street lights, and more – read on:

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT: In May, we talked with SDOT for this in-depth look at the upcoming project and how it will change the way you drive between West Seattle and the Sodo vicinity – including road closures during the work. Now the city has updated its website with the visuals seen in our report, and more – check it out here. Consultants who attended last night’s SWDC meeting on behalf of the city said some of the first work you’ll see will be in August, when a water main will be replaced on a section of lower Spokane Street; the first longterm closure is scheduled to be eastbound Spokane, for about a year and a half starting in fall. (See our earlier report for detour maps, etc.)

STREET LIGHTS: We wrote about Mike Eagan‘s appearance at the Delridge District Council in May, including information about how to handle malfunctioning street lights. Most of the information he presented to the Southwest Council last night was similar to that report (read it here) – but City Light has made it easier to file these reports online (something Pete Spalding at the DDC highly recommended) – and points to this webpage, seattle.gov/light/streetlight. But be sure to get the number on the pole before you call to report it – that really helps. Eagan also told the SWDC that its response time to street-light calls is getting faster — 5 days now, compared to at least two weeks when he talked to the DDC in May. SCL is working on a new plan to be more proactive about lights, fixing/replacing every light in the city at least once every four years, which is more efficient than just reacting to outage reports.

COMMUNITY HARVEST OF SOUTHWEST SEATTLE: This also was a presentation similar to one made at the Delridge Council in May, regarding Community Harvest’s increased efforts this year to pick backyard fruit that otherwise might go to waste, and distribute it to those who can use it. Mary Ellen Cunningham from the CHoSS board said volunteer picking help will be needed in late July, later than originally planned because of the effects of this year’s weather. You can reach the group at its website, gleanit.org.

GATEWAY TO WEST SEATTLE CLEANUP: Plans for the previously reported cleanup from Walking on Logs to Fauntleroy/35th on September 13th are proceeding — Nancy Driver says “the job is huge” and some heavy equipment will be involved a day or two before the volunteer cleanup. On the day of the cleanup, volunteers — should be at least 14 years old — will work in 2-hour shifts, between 9 am and 3 pm. Mayor Nickels is expected to make an appearance.

JAIL-SITES FIGHT: Dorsol Plants from Highland Park Action Committee briefed Southwest Council members on recent developments, most notably the first city-organized forum (last week in South Park; WSB in-depth coverage here). He said HPAC is reaching out to the other two neighborhoods with potential jail sites — Interbay and Aurora — to discuss a consistent message of “the city doesn’t need a new jail, ANYWHERE,” considering the county has more capacity than expected. (The County Council, by the way, will on Monday take up the proposal to reopen talks with cities about extending the jail-services agreement.) Upcoming meetings include HPAC on 7/21, the next city-organized public meeting on 7/26 (at South Seattle Community College), and two jail-project meetings in August covering State Environmental Policy Act-related issues … Plants said the dates are 8/9 and 8/21 but no word yet which meeting will cover which site(s).

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE UPDATE: Duwamish rep Cecile Hansen said the project is slightly ahead of schedule; city inspections start next month. The longhouse is getting a kitchen, thanks to a matching grant from another tribe in Michigan that brought in more than $90,000 needed to make it happen.

NO SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING NEXT MONTH: In September, the SW and Delridge Councils will meet together, with an Alaskan Way Viaduct update the focus of the meeting.