Video: West Seattleite takes Delridge sidewalk trouble to YouTube

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Late last night, Keith Ramsey sent us that link via Twitter.

If you can’t watch the video, here’s what it shows: He had noticed the sidewalk along the east side of Delridge, near the Southwest Precinct and Home Depot, so overgrown that it couldn’t be used. This is the same kind of overgrowth that can get the average homeowner a citation from city inspectors; Keith looked up the ownership and discovered at least some of the land is owned by SDOT. We asked if he had called to report it – he had – on Tuesday; no action yet. Good news this morning, though – SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner tells us, “SDOT’s Street Maintenance crews have it scheduled for next week.” And Keith just confirmed he’d been told that too. P.S. If you see a road or sidewalk obstruction, the hotline number is 206-684-ROAD.

pigeon hill jim July 1, 2011 (12:06 pm)

This sort of neglect will inevitably increase with shrinking budgets and smaller city work forces. This however is a safety issue that I am afraid will not get it’s due attention until a pedestrian is killed or injured. I find it ironic that the city wants us out of our cars and for the city to be bike and pedestrian friendly (a wonderful goal) but lets this sort of thing happen on it’s own property.

Thanks Keith Ramsey: This sort of advocacy is what Delridge really needs. It’s nice that you you care, even if Mayor McCheese doesn’t.

Jesse July 1, 2011 (12:28 pm)

Keith!! being a former bus taker/walker in West Seattle I’m glad someone is finally trying to get this taken care of! But its been over grown for along time so I doubt they’ll change it now.

A.L. July 1, 2011 (12:42 pm)

I used to run that section of Delridge numerous times a week – I didn’t even think that was supposed to be an “official” sidewalk because it’s been in such disrepair the entire time I’ve lived in the neighborhood.

Way to go, Keith!

Been There July 1, 2011 (1:00 pm)

Thank you for documenting this Keith.
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The same situation exists at Delridge Way and SW Dakota Street where SDOT owns an unimproved and unopened right-of-way extending from Delridge Way eastward to 21st Ave SW.
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The private property directly to the south also has blackberry and brush overgrowth that has to be reported multiple times a year to have the owner respond. The owner, Simpson and Simpson LLC has an office nearly next door at 4034 Delridge. I called them directly over a month ago, trying to save tax payers dollars by not calling the city first, yet they have done nothing. They have been wanting to develop the parcel into apartments and have asked for variances from DPD. They hardly know how to be a good neighbor as it is. They should not be granted any variances.

Lara July 1, 2011 (1:27 pm)

We live not far from this location and the funny thing is my neighbor had some moss growing on his sidewalk, not nearly as bad as this section of sidewalk, and the city ordered him to clear it or he would be fined! Anyway thanks Keith, for being an advocate for our hood.

Aye Jay July 1, 2011 (4:12 pm)

wow, less than 72 hrs and they already have plans to clean it up.

Deb July 1, 2011 (6:12 pm)

That is so dangerous! C’mon Seattle, get out the goats.

Scott July 1, 2011 (10:54 pm)

I have lived for over 30 years in Arbor Heights and I love West Seattle. However when it came to deciding where we would buy our 2nd home last year we chose to move (2 blocks) out of Seattle. A major reason was demonstrated here. Look at the street next to the sidewalk! Check out the new sidewalks and repaved streets of Burien. They know where basic city services should begin.

Mike July 1, 2011 (11:04 pm)

Love it, glad this video was done. I think we should start mounting video cameras to our cars and post pothole hell on YouTube.

sophista-tiki July 2, 2011 (9:06 am)

now can we have a video about how 75% of the street signs around the city are unreadable.
blocked by foliage, or so dirty they dont reflect at night.

WSB July 2, 2011 (9:13 am)

You make it, we’ll run it :) Or tell us your candidates for that designation and we’ll take photos – TR

Caker July 2, 2011 (6:06 pm)

I live a block from the area in question and they dont care at all about the whole area.
Drive up from the shell station toward sanislo school… You will see that this whole area is not cared about all. We are not special enough for real street maintinance or real sidewalks!
That stuff is for the worthy wealthy hoods like bellevue or kirkland! Only the white hoods get that kinda stuff!

DWHJ July 7, 2011 (8:03 am)

budget cuts smudget cuts no excuse the person responsible for that area should be fired what about myeres hill the west sidewalk has been buried for years halfway up the hill when someone doesn’t do a job there being paid for they should be fired ….

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