West Seattle late-night notes: 5 quick stories in 1

5 notes tonight – no relation except that they’re all West Seattle, of course:

BRIGHT HORIZONS TO LINK: When we took you on a sneak peek tour of Link (38th/Alaska/Fauntleroy) earlier this fall, we noted that 12,500 square feet of the building’s commercial space is slated for a day-care center, though its operator had not yet been publicly identified. Now, as Diane posted in the WSB Forums, the national/international Bright Horizons is acknowledging that they’re the tenant. Emi McKittrick of Harbor Properties (developer of Link) confirms it and says the official media announcement is yet to come – we’ll publish more details when they’re available. The building is expected to be ready to occupy early next spring. Meantime, a few miles south:

35TH AND GRAHAM: Several people have e-mailed to ask about “the construction” at this High Point corner. It’s not construction. As first reported here back in June, it’s a “petroleum contamination” cleanup – there’s still a development proposal for the site, but nothing’s advanced with it lately.

JUNEAU STREET MARKET: So much for the people who told us they were “remodeling” —

Thanks to multiple WSB’ers who sent word of spotting the “For Lease” signs in the past two days. This store was closed for 8 months after a fire in the apartment above it – then reopened this past spring, but apparently couldn’t make a go of it. Now, to the water …

FISHING IN WEST SEATTLE WATERS: For the third consecutive autumn, someone has sent a photo after spotting the Quandary seine-fishing off our shores. This one’s from Bob Bollen, shared this morning. Bikehugger‘s DL Byron posted a photo on Flickr showing two boats in action, including the Quandary on the right. (The 2009 photo is here; 2008 is here.)

Last but by no means least:

SOUTH SEATTLE CC PRESIDENT @ WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER LUNCH: Took the photo at lunchtime Wednesday, as South Seattle Community College president Gary Oertli (left, with Chamber board president and fellow Chief Sealth graduate Jerome Cohen) talked to the WS Chamber’s monthly lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki. We also covered his appearance at last week’s Southwest District Council meeting, and he shared many of the same SSCC datapoints with the Chamber membership. But what’s important to note here is the Chamber’s growing collaboration with SSCC – what it sees as one of West Seattle’s key resources. P.S. Big event coming up next Monday at the college’s main campus on Puget Ridge – the fall wine release – 5-7 pm, you can taste, you can buy, you can see where SSCC’s famous wines are made. Then next Wednesday, Oertli speaks to the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s weekly meeting (7 am November 17th, Be’s Restaurant).

GenHillOne November 12, 2010 (6:02 am)

“Bright Horizons manages child care centers for many of the world’s leading corporations, hospitals, universities, and government agencies.”

Does that mean a new employer might be coming to WS too? When you look at their locations, they all have large businesses around them. Funny though, in the site search they have West Seattle listed as a its own city instead of part of Seattle.

Good to hear that they’re getting tenants lined up!

coffee November 12, 2010 (9:06 am)

That market had minimal stock, and their hours seemed to be greatly reduced. I would think that on that corner they would have done well.

Dawson November 12, 2010 (11:44 am)

Probably not a major employer coming to WS. Rather a significant number of large employers’ employees living in WS that can’t get their children into daycare at work. Starbucks and Boeing for example. It’s a welcome addition.

WSB November 12, 2010 (12:03 pm)

While we are still awaiting the official full announcement, to my knowledge thus far, this is a facility open to all, NOT attached to any particular company or its employees – but of course, for example, the future Trader Joe’s is kitty-corner from Link, and that would have dozens of employees, plus there are many surrounding businesses in The Triangle … TR

Diane November 12, 2010 (12:02 pm)

GenHillOne, good question that I hadn’t really thought to ask when chatting with all the Bright Horizon directors few days ago; perhaps they’re starting new concept to offer convenience in neighborhood where families live; there are several Bright Horizons options downtown near employers, but I can’t think of any in outlying Seattle neighborhoods
~
I work with infants/toddlers in the home, and when it’s time for them to graduate to daycare, some parents prefer a site near their work, some prefer closer to home with easy drop off before they head downtown; in that case, this Link site is perfect; there are plenty of folks who live in West Seattle and work at Amazon, Microsoft, etc, who can take advantage of employer sponsored child care benefit

Diane November 12, 2010 (12:11 pm)

Yes Dawson, that is also true; the wait list for quality child care is crazy, and most families wait too long to research options; then they’re shocked by how hard it is to find something they like, can afford, and hardest part, getting their child in; the timing now is excellent with a newish Bright Horizon center downtown on 8th, and the brand new center in SLU that is ramping up gradually with families and teachers, to maintain quality

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