West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
(WSDOT graphic showing how much tunneling had been done before the machine stopped December 6th)
Tonight for the first time, the state says it’ll be “months” before Highway 99 tunneling resumes. WSDOT published this update tonight:
This evening Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) informed WSDOT and responded to a media inquiry that it is still conferring with its experts to determine how to repair or replace the broken seals surrounding the main bearing of the SR 99 tunneling machine.
Replacing the seals is a complicated process and STP is working closely with Hitachi Zosen, the tunneling machine’s manufacturer, to determine the best path forward. They are looking at two ways to access the seal area: through the back of the machine or by drilling an access shaft from the surface in front of the machine. Either way, this process will take months. They expect to make a decision by the end of the week, and once they do, we will share that information with the public.
STP has not yet fully determined the cause of the seal problems and to date, they have not shown any evidence that suggests the state or taxpayers will be responsible for cost overruns associated with these repairs. We have requested and expect detailed plans on how the repairs will be made and how STP can recover lost time on the tunneling project.
Since the machine is stopped and repairs need to be made, STP has also informed the City of Seattle that they can proceed with seawall replacement construction near the machine’s current location.
This update follows one on Friday detailing what was believed to have brought the machine to a stop two months ago. The tunnel originally was supposed to open at the end of next year.
It’s fundraising gala season, and we have a few announcements to share tonight. First: Pathfinder K-8 is getting the word out about its 20th annual auction event just under four weeks away:
Calling all Pathfinder families and alumni! Pathfinder K-8 will be celebrating our 20th Annual Auction, “Starry Night in the Woods,” on Saturday, March 8 (5:00 pm) at the Jerry Brockey Center at SSCC.
All money raised will go directly to the unique programs at Pathfinder that support our expeditionary learning, like our Earth Project, tutoring, camping trips and environmental education. Pathfinder educates students to become passionate, lifelong learners, respecting themselves, others and the environment.
We have received several generous donations from West Seattle businesses and Pathfinder supporters. Our students and families are also creating original works of art and gift baskets for our auction. Donations are being accepted until February 21. It will definitely be an exciting evening of giving and community building.
Tickets are on sale here, which is also where you’ll find contact information for the auction co-chairs if you would like to donate something.
Another Monday, another weather alert. One week ago, we reported the National Weather Service suggesting a chance of snow the following weekend – and look what happened. Tonight, a new Special Weather Statement looks ahead to tomorrow night and early Wednesday, anticipating wind gusts of at least 40 mph and up to an inch of rain. Stay tuned!
Almost exactly seven years ago, the Admiral Safeway gas station added biodiesel with pomp, circumstance, and even participation by then-Mayor Greg Nickels. It was the company’s first location in the nation to offer the part-vegetable-oil fuel mix. Now, the alternative fuel has been dropped. We found out from WSB reader Jay F, a biodiesel user, and checked with regional Safeway spokesperson Sara Osborne, who confirmed it via e-mail late today, explaining: “Simply stated, there was no longer enough demand to justify the investment..” That leaves the Propel Fuels mini-station at 35th/Barton, which offers B20 and B50, and Hans VW at 35th/Graham, which offers B100. (WSB photo from February 2007 – check those prices!)
Mayor Ed Murray promised he would hold a “Neighborhood Summit” within 100 days of taking office – and today he’s announced the place and date: 9 am-1 pm Saturday, April 5th, in the Pavilion Room at Seattle Center. From the announcement:
Summit planners say this is the first step in what they hope to be an ongoing relationship aimed at rebuilding the trust between the City and neighborhoods. In addition to holding this traditional forum, they plan to use social media and technology so more can participate whether or not they are able to attend.
That part of the effort starts now – with this new city website. It includes a survey to which you can respond right now; go here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Job 1 for the Southwest Precinct‘s new commander, Captain Steve Wilske: Get to know our area and the people already serving it as part of SPD.
He’s moving into his new office at the precinct in West Seattle this week, two weeks after his appointment was announced, following former SWP commander Joe Kessler‘s promotion to Assistant Chief and interim commander Capt. Pierre Davis‘s move to the East Precinct on Capitol Hill.
This is Capt. Wilske’s first time in the role of precinct commander; he’s held numerous leadership positions in his 27 years with Seattle Police, and was promoted to captain last summer. We requested an interview as soon as his appointment here was announced, and sat down for a conversation in a local coffee shop last Thursday.
(King County Executive’s Office photo, KCE Dow Constantine at podium, County Councilmember Larry Phillips at left)
Climate change and equity-building were the key themes of County Executive Dow Constantine‘s “State of the County” speech, presented this morning at White Center Heights Elementary School. Here’s the full text of his speech, which included, toward the beginning, after he spoke about the site of his speech and the children who learn there:
Decades from now, when these kids are grown and look back, what will they say of us? Of what we did, or failed to do, about the great generational challenges of our time?
About the grotesque inequality of means and opportunity in our society.
About the destruction of our planet.
Confronting climate change, and building equity in our community – addressing the physical world and the people who live in it – these are inescapable, global responsibilities.
Big ambitions for a county government, to be sure. But as an organization, we confront them from a position of strength, based on the foundation of all that we have accomplished these past four years.
For background and context on the two big issues, the county supplied “infographics” – climate change here, inequity here. Other topics included “saving Metro” – with the County Council, who convened at WCH Elementary for the speech, meeting back at its downtown headquarters shortly (1:30 pm) with two Metro-related measures on the ballot – the proposed measure to raise car-tab fees and sales tax to cover the funding the transit system is about to lose, and the first round of cuts that will be made if funding isn’t found either from the Legislature or the aforementioned vote (which is expected to be on April 22nd).
ADDED 3:15 PM: Video of the speech, from King County TV:
(WSB photo from 2/22/13 – some of the results from last year’s 100th Day of School food drives)
As noted here last week, Schmitz Park Elementary has challenged other West Seattle elementary schools to join it in another multi-school “100th Day of School Food Drive” – an event launched by Arbor Heights Elementary last year. Judi Yazzolino of the West Seattle Food Bank tells WSB that two more schools have answered the challenge for this year, Alki Elementary and STEM at Boren. That makes three schools participating so far. Anybody else? Still time, whether you do it in one classroom or an entire school.
From the Madison Middle School PTSA, an invitation to a presentation tomorrow night:
Madison Middle School has invited Ralph Fascitelli, President of Washington Ceasefire, to present on February 11 at 7:15 pm at our General PTSA Meeting. Ralph will talk about the ASK-Washington Campaign, a public health and safety campaign dedicated to reducing accidental injury and death to children.
Asking Saves Kids (ASK) – Washington is a public safety education campaign aimed at encouraging inquiry by parents and neighbors about guns in homes where their children play. Our goal is to persuade parents that this conversation—to ensure that their kids play in a gun safe environment — is an essential parental responsibility.
The initiative is explained here. Madison is at 45th/Spokane.
Mostly gone but not forgotten, our weekend snowfall yielded so many great photos. Thanks to Jeff Abel Photography for the Lincoln Park scene above. We’re compiling one more gallery; scroll through our West Seattle Weather archives for the ones already published as well as the as-it-happened weekend news coverage. Now, on to today! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
STATE OF THE COUNTY: King County Executive Dow Constantine is about to deliver his State of the County address to the County Council in a special location, White Center Heights Elementary, as announced last week. You can follow along on Twitter starting at 10 am. (10015 6th SW)
VILLAGE COOP SCHOOL TOURS: 1:30 pm, prospective families and students are invited to tour this cooperative K-2 school at South Seattle Community College. RSVPs requested – info’s in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
BALLOT MEASURE FOR BUSES/ROADS? This afternoon, back in their downtown chambers at 1:30 pm, the County Council will consider voting to put the proposed car-tab fee/sales-tax increase measure for Metro and roads on the April ballot. The agenda also includes the June service cuts that will take effect unless that passes or some other funding is found. (King County Courthouse, 4th/James)
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: “A Death in the Family” by James Agee is the featured book this month for the group open to everyone and meeting at 2 pm today at Southwest Branch Library. (35th/Henderson)
NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 6:30 pm, NDNC meets at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The agenda announcement: “We’ll be hearing from a High Point neighbor about efforts to improve pedestrian crossings near Boren school, hearing from a city representative about pedestrian improvements planned near Delridge and Brandon, and have a time to discuss public-safety concerns in the Brandon Node.” (4408 Delridge Way SW)
NIGHTLIFE: See the listings on our calendar page, and if there’s something we’re missing, e-mail the info so we can add it!
Even if you’re not a member of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, you’re invited to its February lunch meeting this Thursday, focused on one of the city’s most hotly debated current topics – raising the minimum wage. A panel discussion will be part of the meeting 11:30 am-1 pm Thursday (February 13th) at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor). The Chamber announcement says the panel will include “people studying potential impacts … and business owners that will be impacted.” You can register online here (discounted early registration through tomorrow). Whether or not you attend, you’re invited to take an online survey created by a group of business associations in the city; it’ll be open through February 14th, and the link is here.
(Live West Seattle Bridge view via SDOT; more traffic cams here)
Happy Monday! You might still have some slushy snow in the yard or around the sidewalk, but the streets should be OK this morning, with the temperature above freezing and expected to stay that way. If you weren’t around for the Saturday night snow and Sunday aftermath, just scroll on down the WSB home page for countless scenes … fun and not-so-fun. Now, on with the new week…
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Small things affect big things.”
Cited repeatedly by the guest speaker for Sunday’s WestSide Baby Tea, it underscored the group’s mission, supported by donations totaling, in the preliminary count, more than (updated) $255,000 – above last year’s tally despite 100 cancellations following a night-long snowfall.
“It’s kind of serious, why we are here – but it’s OK to have a party while we do it,” said emcee Ian Lindsay.
The guest speaker was Joanne Goldblum, executive director of the National Diaper Bank Network, of which WS Baby is a member, and its own executive director Nancy Woodland a founding board member.
Diapers are at the heart of WS Baby’s work – getting them to families who cannot afford them, which, as WS Baby board vice-chair Chip Hellar reminded the crowd, leaves babies hurting.
But it’s grown to encompass much more.
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