West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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month : 07/2014 310 results

West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Guilty plea in deadly crash
July 9, 2014 4:20 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

One Saturday night in July of last year, a pickup truck sped through a red light on southbound Delridge Way at Kenyon, hit an SUV (its wreckage is at right), and rolled. 43-year-old Michael Fisher was thrown from the truck and died at the scene; another passenger was hurt, as was the SUV’s driver. The pickup’s under-the-influence driver, 44-year-old William Edmon, was arrested that night and has since pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment. We just discovered it in a periodic check of ongoing case files; the plea was entered in late May. Edmon has a long record, as reported here when he was charged last year, including 13 instances of driving with a suspended license, three DUI cases, and cases including inattentive driving, ignition-interlock violation, reckless driving, property destruction, harassment, hit-and-run, malicious mischief, plus several “failure to appear” charges along the way. Because of his record, prosecutors are recommending a prison sentence that would total 160 months – just over 13 years – with 72 of those months as a “DUI enhancement.” The sentencing is scheduled for July 25th, postponed from a date last month so the victim’s relatives can be present.

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Assault, harassment charges filed against 3 in downtown kicking case, 1 from West Seattle
July 9, 2014 2:35 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four months after regional media first reported allegations that three people – including two off-duty Seattle firefighters – attacked a homeless man downtown, the City Attorney’s Office has filed criminal charges, and court documents confirm that one defendant is a West Seattle resident.

The incident happened in March at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Occidental Park downtown.

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Update: Highland Park duplex fire, nobody hurt; caused by ‘improperly discarded smoking materials’
July 9, 2014 12:21 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(UPDATED THURSDAY with fire’s cause, damage estimate)

(WSB photo by Katie Meyer)
12:21 PM: Now there’s another fire call in Highland Park – this one for a house in the 7500 block of 11th SW (map). First crews on the scene are seeing smoke.

12:26 PM UPDATE: Fire crews say the house is fully engulfed in flames. Per scanner, they’re saying they’ve been told no one is inside. It’s a duplex and they report the fire is “knocked down.”

(This photo and next by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
1:10 PM UPDATE: WSB’s Katie Meyer confirms from the scene that everyone got out OK, including a cat and dog. Firefighters are still working to figure out how the fire started.

2:04 PM UPDATE: Also from the scene, WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports that SFD plans to keep a crew there on “fire watch” in case it rekindles.

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says the investigation determined the fire was caused by “improperly discarded smoking materials, discarded into a couch. The damage estimate is $60,000 to the structure and $10,000 to the contents.”

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Update: Industrial fire in ‘bin of metals’ in Highland Park
July 9, 2014 12:01 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Seattle Fire Department photo via Twitter)
12:01 PM: The big Seattle Fire response is for an industrial building in the 7000 block of Highland Park Way SW, near the intersection with West Marginal Way SW. SFD describes it via Twitter as a machinery fire and says all employees have been evacuated.

12:05 PM: Per scanner, the fire is declared “tapped.” The address checks to Pioneer Industries/Human Services. Firefighters are working to ventilate the building because of the smoke.

12:57 PM: SFD says the fire was “limited to a bin of metals” and that the “smoking bin” is being taken out of the building.

1:25 PM: SFD also has tweeted a picture of the aforementioned bin:

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Fauntleroy Schoolhouse centennial celebration: You can help!
July 9, 2014 11:34 am
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy Schoolhouse centennial celebration: You can help!
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

That photo was taken on the grounds of the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, shortly after its 1917 opening. Though it’s not in service as a public school any more, it’s part of the heart of the Fauntleroy community, and that’s why planning is already accelerating for the schoolhouse’s centennial celebration. Fauntleroy communicator/community advocate Judy Pickens shares this information on how to help, starting now:

The Fauntleroy Schoolhouse will turn 100 in 2017, and a planning committee is laying the groundwork for several events to honor “A Century of Serving the Community.” Here’s how you might help:

§ Photos and memorabilia from your time at the school, either donated or loaned.

§ To build a database, your full name, contact information, and year(s) you were a student or staff member at the school.

§ Centennial event planning. If you would like to help, meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, at the Original Bakery.

If you can help with any of the above, please email faunt.schoolhouse100years@gmail.com.

The first centennial event will be an open house next May. Grander celebrations will follow in 2017.

The schoolhouse (file photo above) has been community-owned since the purchase from Seattle Public Schools was completed four years ago.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Give blood; buy produce; enjoy music; meet candidates; more…
July 9, 2014 10:22 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Mark Wangerin for today’s featured photo, a rhinoceros auklet photographed off Duwamish Head. Mark explains:

This bird shows the breeding plumage well. The Auklets are Puffin relatives and feed by diving for fish and “fly” underwater. They are fairly difficult to photograph in that they prefer deeper water and tend not to get too close to shore. They do come close occasionally and can be seen from our shoreline. When approached by boat they escape by diving under the water. Photography is quite difficult from a moving boat on choppy seas.

Back on land, today’s highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOOD DRIVE: Summer is a challenging time for keeping supplies up at Puget Sound Blood Center – so if you can give, please do, at today’s Our Lady of Guadalupe blood drive, 1-7 pm (closed 3-3:45 pm) – details in our calendar listing. (35th/Myrtle)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN: Today’s the first of 12 Wednesdays this summer/fall when you can visit the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand 4-7 pm and buy organic produce that was grown just steps away. Here’s our preview from earlier this week. (32nd/Juneau)

CANCELLIERI AT SALTY’S: Live acoustic folk on what promises to be another beautiful evening on the water, starting at 5:30 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), no cover, no minimum. (1936 Harbor SW)

CANDIDATE RECEPTION: As previewed here Tuesday, you can meet and talk one-on-one with more than 20 candidates/elected officials from around the area at tonight’s reception at The Sanctuary at Admiral, co-sponsored by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Seattle Business Association. (California/Lander)

TALK WITH COUNCILMEMBER RASMUSSEN: West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s next “Little City Hall” conversation opportunity is tonight at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center at 6 pm. Question? Comment? Idea? Drop by. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: Rasmussen is one of two City Councilmembers on the agenda tonight for our area’s largest political group. As previewed here last night, Councilmember Nick Licata is scheduled to speak about the alternative tax proposal he and Councilmember Kshama Sawant have proposed to raise money to avoid Metro Transit cuts in Seattle city limits; the 34th DDs will be considering endorsing it. Rasmussen is scheduled to speak about the August 5th ballot measure to create a permanent Park District for extra Seattle Parks money (he spoke about it at last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, and we’ll have that story here later today). See the rest of the agenda here. (9131 California SW)

MUSIC BINGO AT THE CASK: Described as “a cross between bingo, trivia, and karaoke” at The Cask (WSB sponsor) – starts at 7 pm. (2350 California SW)

AND MORE NIGHTLIFE … on our calendar!

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West Seattle Summer Fest countdown: Nurturing Expressions’ invitation for parents with babies/toddlers
July 9, 2014 9:04 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Now just two days until West Seattle Summer Fest – and the countdown continues with news for parents of babies and toddlers: Again this year, Nurturing Expressions (WSB sponsor) wants you to know that its booth “will have a cozy place for moms to nurse their babies and for parents to change diapers … We’ll be located right across from Northwest Art & Frame as usual.”

You can also find the booth number for Nurturing Expressions (and any other local business or visiting vendor that’s part of the festival) on the online directory here – then find the number on this map. And during the festival, we’ll be in the Information Booth for the seventh year, right in the middle of California/Alaska, so if you can’t find something/someone, we and the community-organization volunteers joining us will do our best to help. Festival hours are 10 am-8 pm Friday/Saturday (with music running later) and 11 am-8 pm Sunday.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; road work, closure reminders
July 9, 2014 6:16 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; road work, closure reminders
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! While we watch the roads, first reminder of the day – California SW paving between Holly and Fauntleroy is scheduled to continue today, and Morgan Junction businesses remind you they ARE open, even if the California-fronting access is blocked.

SUMMER FEST REMINDER: Tomorrow (Thursday) night at 6 until late Sunday night, California SW will be closed between Edmunds and Genesee and SW Alaska between 44th and 42nd for West Seattle Summer Fest (presented by the WS Junction Association, co-sponsored by WSB). Here again are the announced Metro reroutes – each link goes to the Metro PDF explaining the temporary changes;

*RapidRide C Line
*Route 50
*Route 55
*Route 57
*Route 128
*Route 773 (Water Taxi shuttle)

Transportation news in case you missed it:

BIKE CORRAL ON THE WAY: As first reported here Tuesday afternoon, the stalemate over installing on-street bicycle parking (a “bike corral”) in The Junction is over, and SDOT says it will be in place on the west side of the SE corner of California/Alaska by month’s end.

SEATTLE TAXES TO AVOID METRO CUTS? As previewed here last night, Councilmember Nick Licata will be at the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting tonight (7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy) to pitch his and Councilmember Kshama Sawant‘s alternative proposal, which also goes before a council committee this afternoon.

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‘Head tax’ and parking tax for transit? Councilmember Licata pitches 34th District Democrats on Wednesday
July 8, 2014 10:38 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

If Seattle’s going to increase taxes to raise money to avoid bus cuts, which (if any) taxes would you prefer? As reported here two months ago, Councilmembers Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant are proposing commercial parking and employer “head” taxes instead of the sales-tax increase favored by Mayor Murray. Licata will be at the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting at The Hall at Fauntleroy tomorrow night to pitch the idea and seek the group’s endorsement, after the proposal comes up for a discussion and possible vote by the Council Finance and Culture Committee (which he chairs) at 2 pm – read the proposal here. In short, the proposal would raise commercial-parking taxes 5 percent, to 17.5%, and create a “head tax” of $18 per employee per year. The council could pass it without sending it to voters. Here’s the resolution the 34th Dems will consider at their meeting; the agenda is here.)

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West Seattle summer: 1 week until Hi-Yu Concert in the Park
July 8, 2014 8:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)
Just in case this isn’t already on your calendar: A West Seattle summer-outdoor-music tradition is just one week away – 7 pm next Tuesday (July 15th), the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, featuring the West Seattle Big Band. Bring your family, friends, picnic dinner, blanket and/or chairs, and enjoy great music for free on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California, but the concert area faces Walnut, to the east).

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Update: Stolen car crashes at Walnut and Hinds, 1 teenager hurt
July 8, 2014 4:42 pm
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:42 PM: In South Admiral, the big fire/police response in the past 15 minutes or so was for an “automobile rescue” call at Walnut and Hinds (map). Turned out not to be as bad as reported, so many of the responding units have been canceled. Our crew is en route to find out more.

5:04 PM UPDATE: Added a photo. We’re told the car was stolen from a lot at/near the YMCA building in The Triangle; it hit a tree. Police say a juvenile from the car was injured and taken to a hospital; others were in the car and took off running.

5:47 PM UPDATE: Added a photo that includes the tree (thanks to Paul for sending).

7:37 PM UPDATE: The photo above this line was sent by Mark, whose tree was hit in the crash. He tells us, “This is the 3rd accident of this type (my other huge cedar got hit by some joyriding kid last year) at this location in 7 years. … The city needs to put in traffic circles here. If I had been home, they would have totaled my car, because that is exactly where I park every night.”

THURSDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: We’ve been trying for a couple days to get more information from police. So far, one important update from the information originally available at the scene – the person who was hurt, and trapped in the car, was a passenger, not the driver. We’re still following up on a few more points before writing an update.

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Followup: Bike-corral breakthrough in The Junction; installation soon
July 8, 2014 4:35 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

FIRST REPORT, 4:35 PM: A week and a half ago, we published an open letter decrying the delay in installing the planned West Seattle Junction bike corral. Today, in a comment on that letter, an SDOT spokesperson says there’s a resolution and installment is nigh:

We’ve been working with the developer at this corner on a system for requesting temporary closure or removal of the corral should construction require access to the entire frontage curb space. In the meantime, we are planning to move forward with the installation of the corral on the east side of California Ave SW, immediately south of Alaska St, and expect this to happen later this month.

The city already has 25 bike corrals (see the list, and a photo of what they’re like, by scrolling down this page) – but none in West Seattle; this will be the first.

ADDED 9:55 PM: West Seattle Bike Connections has been working to make this happen and sent this news release tonight:
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West Seattle Summer Fest countdown: Meet ‘Seymour History’
July 8, 2014 4:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Three days until West Seattle Summer Fest – our area’s biggest party of the year, in the heart of The Junction, Friday-Sunday, July 11th-13th. We’re continuing to roll out previews of what you can see and do, and today we have an update from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which will have a booth at the fair to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the “high bridge,” partnering with Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor). SWSHS’s Clay Eals sends word that in honor of another anniversary – the state’s 125th birthday – you can “meet” Seymour History at the booth. That’s Seymour at left; he is a 10-inch-high doll replica of an Olympic Marmot, the state’s official land mammal, available for photo ops at the booth, where you can also enter a contest to win him or other prizes including two “History Is Not for Wimps” T-shirts, the book “Washington Curiosities,” and four guest passes to the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. If you stop by the booth 11 am-3 pm on Summer Fest day 1 this Friday, you’ll also meet staffers from the Washington State Historical Society; other hours, SWSHS volunteers will do double duty as Seymour’s handlers, while also leading the bridge-a-versary activities including an interactive art opportunity and more chances to buy commemorative T-shirts and coffee beans. Get ready for everything Summer Fest has to offer by browsing the official site here.

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Questions for local politicians and elected officials? West Seattle Chamber/GSBA event tomorrow
July 8, 2014 2:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Today is the deadline for advance registration for an event tomorrow night offering you the chance to mix, mingle, and chat one-on-one with more than 20 candidates/elected officials from around the region. It’s co-presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Seattle Business Association, 5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday at The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd/Lander). We checked with WS Chamber CEO Lynn Dennis to find out about the format and who has RSVP’d. She confirms, no political speeches – but if you want to do a bit more than just wander around the room, a “bingo-mingle card” will be offered with suggestions of who to look for, including West Seattle business owners (fill in 5 of the 9 bingo squares and you’ll be able to enter a drawing for free airline tickets from Alaska/Horizon Air, the event sponsor). Click ahead for the list of who’s RSVP’d, who’s likely, and how to get a ticket (with the discount rate for WSCC/GSBA members expiring end-of-day today):
Read More

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West Seattle road work: Morgan Junction businesses still open
July 8, 2014 2:01 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle road work: Morgan Junction businesses still open
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo taken this morning)
Just drove through Morgan Junction near the California SW paving zone. While the east-west part of the main intersection is open, unimpeded, right now, it’s one lane each way in the actual paving zone between Fauntleroy and Holly, and that means no street parking next to the businesses on the west side of the street. On behalf of their business and others in the area, Second Gear Sports asked if we’d remind you (a) they ARE open as usual despite the road work, which is scheduled to continue until Wednesday evening, and (b) there’s still other parking you can use while you’re visiting the businesses – alongside/behind the Subway/Pet Elements/WS Vision/Starbucks building, or across California in the Thriftway or BECU ATM (etc.) lots.

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Followup: More details of the Fauntleroy Expressway re-do plan
July 8, 2014 11:40 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(2012 WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
How did more than 600 “bearing pad” cushions get installed on the Fauntleroy Expressway end of the West Seattle Bridge with a design flaw that made them too soft? The City Council Transportation Committee got a few more answers in a briefing this morning. The agenda including that briefing is what led to our report last Friday about the problem, which means that much of the work done two years ago, requiring multiple nighttime closures so the bridge deck could be jacked up for bearing-pad installation, will be re-done next year.

First: What exactly was the problem?
Read More

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Extra work Saturday at sewer-overflow project by Lowman Beach
July 8, 2014 11:18 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Project site aerial photo by Long B. Nguyen)
Work is scheduled this Saturday (July 12th) at the sewer-overflow-control project across from Lowman Beach, where King County is building a million-gallon underground storage tank to reduce overflows from the nearby Murray Pump Station. The county sent special notice of this today since it’s outside the bounds of the usual work; the notice says the work will be done between 9 am and 5 pm Saturday, and: “Nearly all the work will be completed with hand tools. No drilling, pumping or other construction activities will occur. Some materials may be moved around the site with a forklift.”

The notice described the work as “repairs” so we followed up to ask what was broken; project spokesperson Doug Marsano replied that it is “general maintenance work on the drill equipment used to install the outer ring of the tank. Some of the project’s support equipment may also be maintained in order to prevent breakdowns. Doing the maintenance on Saturday when the equipment isn’t being used helps keep the project on schedule.” And so far, he said, it is “going well and is on schedule.” That schedule calls for completion in 2016.

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West Seattle Tuesday: 5 ways to get involved with your community
July 8, 2014 9:18 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: 5 ways to get involved with your community
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

As is usually the case for the second Tuesday of the month, it’s a busy night for community meetings. Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BRIDGE WORK RE-DO @ CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: As first reported here last Friday, the 600-plus “bearing pad” cushions installed to strengthen the Fauntleroy Expressway end of the West Seattle Bridge three years ago all need to be replaced. This morning at 9:30 am, the City Council Transportation Committee’s meeting includes the official briefing on what happened and what’s happening next. If you can’t get to City Hall, watch live via Seattle Channel – on cable or online. (seattlechannel.org)

SUMMER LUAU: The Senior Center of West Seattle is celebrating summer with an island-style lunch party, 11:45 am. Check to see if there’s any room left. (Oregon/California)

*editor’s note – this happens WEDNESDAY* WATCH THE WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS: 1 pm in the air-conditioned meeting room at High Point Branch Library, you’re invited to watch the World Cup semifinals with fellow fans. Doors open at 12:30 pm. (35th/Raymond)

HIGH POINT NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 6 pm meeting at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)

SOUND TRANSIT @ WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Though right now Sound Transit service to West Seattle is just a bus route, ST is of intense interest because it’s updating its Long-Range Plan and might include a light-rail route for this area. As previewed here Sunday night, two ST reps are scheduled to talk with WSTC tonight. 6:30 pm, Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way)

HELP A GUIDE DOG GROW UP: Find out about becoming a guide-puppy-raiser by attending a West Seattle See Dogs meeting – just happens to be one tonight at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 6:30 pm. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

PARK DISTRICT FORUM @ ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: As part of tonight’s ANA meeting at The Sanctuary at Admiral, the August 5th ballot measure to create a permanent Park District will be discussed by supporters – including City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen – and opponents. The agenda also includes a look ahead to the ANA-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, which starts on July 24th. No ANA meeting in August, so this is the last one until September 9th. (California/Lander)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse meeting room, with the agenda announced as including:

discussion of play streets, the possibility of conducting another community survey, traffic issues, boat storage at Cove Park, new neighbor bags, an update on the Fauntleroy Swing into Summer Dance, reports on the Southwest District Council and Ferry Advisory Council, and issues related to our partners, the Fauntleroy Community Service Association (owners of the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse).

No FCA meeting in August, so this is the last one until September 9th. (9131 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE: Music, bingo, trivia, karaoke … see tonight’s listings on our calendar.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday notes, including California SW repaving south of Fauntleroy Way
July 8, 2014 6:03 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
First thing on the list this morning: SDOT is scheduled to start two days of work today, repaving a block of California SW in Morgan Junction, just south of Fauntleroy Way, where the intersection was repaved weekend before last. The work schedule is 7 am-7 pm. The city says it will maintain one lane of through traffic “in each direction,” though the weekly “lookahead” says California will be closed – we’ll check after 7 am and update here.

SUMMER FEST REMINDER: We’ll remind you every day – Thursday night at 6 until late Sunday night, California SW closes between Edmunds and Genesee and SW Alaska closes between 44th and 42nd for West Seattle Summer Fest (presented by the WS Junction Association, co-sponsored by WSB). That means bus reroutes, too, now published on Metro’s site – again, these are for Thursday night (July 10th) through Sunday night (July 13th) – each link goes to the Metro PDF explaining what will change and where:

*RapidRide C Line
*Route 50
*Route 55
*Route 57
*Route 128
*Route 773 (Water Taxi shuttle)

8:37 AM: Thanks to Jennhx for confirming that the repaving zone on California *does* have one lane open each way.

10:31 AM: Via Twitter, Wonder reports a crash has Northbound 99 down to one lane just before the stadium zone.

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Congratulations! West Seattle Little League Majors prepare to play in state tournament on home field
July 8, 2014 2:05 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Meet another set of district-champion West Seattle Little Leaguers – the Majors, who will take their District 7 title into state play on their home field, Bar-S, where their division’s tournament will be played starting Saturday. We mentioned their win briefly in this story over the weekend; now, thanks to Porter Hammer, we have the victory photo, and the roster:

Manager – Jason Woodward
Coaches – Stan Debiec, Jon Muench
Players – Max Debiec, Konrad Gerhardt, Ulee Hammer, Will Holmes, Paul Johnson, Henry Muench, Justin Murphy, Walker Nelson, Isaac Patchen, Jackson Sullivan, Jack Summers, Kenji Suzuki, Jarek Woodward

The tournament starts Saturday (July 12th) and runs through the following Saturday (July 19th): here’s the bracket/schedule, and you’ll see that the West Seattle team is scheduled to play its first game at 1 pm Saturday vs. the champs of District 4 in southwestern Washington.

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West Seattle development: See the newest renderings for next 3 projects going before Southwest Design Review Board
July 7, 2014 10:12 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle development: See the newest renderings for next 3 projects going before Southwest Design Review Board
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The “design packets” for all three of the Southwest Design Review Board‘s scheduled July reviews are all available online, if you’re interested in an early look at what will be presented at the meetings. All three of these are “early design guidance” (EDG) meetings.

First, this Thursday, July 10th, at 6:30 pm, it’s the first EDG for 7520 35th SW, Clearview Eye Clinic, planned on a site that currently includes Red Star Pizza. We first told you about the project two months ago; a three-story building is planned, with retail/commercial on the first floor, while the clinic would be on the second and third floors. Depending on the final design, it’s expected to have up to 41 parking spaces. See the design packet here.

Second meeting that night, 8 pm, is the third EDG meeting for 3824 California SW, 28 townhouse/live-work units on the site of the former Charlestown Café. We reported key changes to the project – including a new architect – here last week. The packet wasn’t available then, but it is now – see it here.

Finally: The design packet is also available for 2626 Alki Avenue SW, which goes back to the board for its second EDG meeting at 6:30 pm July 17th, the only project going before the board that night. This is a three-story, mixed-use building proposed for 13 apartments and commercial space at the corner of 59th/Alki, on a site holding three buildings with a variety of tenants, including several businesses. See the design packet here.

All these meetings are at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon); all include public-comment time, but if you won’t be able to go, you can e-mail comments via the projects’ respective planners, all listed here.

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Fire Station 36 upgrades done; dedication/open house Saturday
July 7, 2014 8:40 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

(Station 36 rendering courtesy SFD)
You’re invited to Seattle Fire Station 36 11 am-1 pm this Saturday, for its dedication/open house. Station 36 has been going through upgrades and renovations for nine months, with the station’s crews temporarily relocated to a site off Harbor Avenue, but now the work’s done and it’s time to celebrate. First 100 visitors get free hot dogs courtesy of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 27; special kids’ activities too (as if touring the station and checking out the firefighting equipment wasn’t enough to impress most kids!). Station 36 is at 3600 23rd SW (map)

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Followup: Repairs complete, so Colman Pool reopens Tuesday
July 7, 2014 4:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)
After a three-day shutdown because of mechanical trouble, Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park WILL reopen tomorrow, Seattle Parks spokesperson Joelle Hammerstad just confirmed. We asked earlier for details about the breakdown, and along with apologies from Seattle Parks for the closure and inconvenience, she explained:

One of two pumps for the main circulation system failed. This was a 40hp motor attached to a pump; the coupler sheared off of the motor that was attached to the pump. There would have been a loud explosion noise, but was not heard by the caretaker because of the 4th of July noise.

The broken pump allowed water to drain out of the pool into the sanitary sewer. No water went into Puget Sound. An estimated 200,000 gallons drained out until detected about 4 a.m. on July 5. The pool capacity is 450,000 gallons.

The pool was refilled overnight on July 5 and 6 during the highest tide. The pump has been repaired and is being laser-aligned this afternoon.

The clarity of the water is poor and needs at least 6 hours of circulation to meet Health Code requirements. The temperature of the pool is cold, currently 70 degrees. The water when it comes in from Puget Sound is around 60 degrees. The ideal temperature for the pool is about 82 degrees. We expect the pool will be close to 80 degrees for swim lessons on Tuesday.

Regular pool pricing will be in place when we reopen. Those with 30-day swim passes can be extended by three additional days if request is received at the pool by July 9.

P.S. Remember that the pool will be closed to the public this Friday and Saturday for a swim meet, so you have three days to swim there before that.

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