West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
None of the Metro routes scheduled for service cuts or deletions starting this Saturday are in this area. But you might have experienced some related, if temporary, effects of Metro getting ready for reductions. WSB reader Holly did: “I thought I’d pass this along since I wasn’t aware it was happening, until it happened to me. The 56 bus route from Admiral didn’t come last week and this is the response I got from Metro – basically that routes here and there are being canceled due to driver shortages.” Ahead, the reply Holly received after e-mailing a comment to Metro, and the results of our followup:
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6:20 PM: As of 6 pm, midway through the two-hour SDOT open house for the Fauntleroy Way SW Boulevard project, about 45 people had dropped by. You still have until 7 pm to go to the Senior Center of West Seattle and get a closer look at the newest renderings for how this project would change Fauntleroy Way between SW Alaska and 35th SW (they’re also now available on the official webpage), with project manager Thérèse Casper and others standing by to answer your questions, as well as several ways to comment (from sticky notes to computer terminals).
The project is on its way to 60 percent design; if the $500,000 that’s in the mayor’s budget for the remaining 40 percent is approved, that will proceed, and then the city has to figure out how to pay to build the project’s features.
7:02 PM: Here are the renderings that were up on boards around the room at the meeting:
This is the official updated project info-sheet:
Something to say? Say it sooner rather than later – here’s one way to do that. Casper says they’re continuing to meet with local businesses and organizations and have already met with some businesses multiple times, to go over points of concern.
(WSB photo: Planned site of 3268 Avalon microhousing, next to recently opened Footprint Avalon I micros)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 5:30 PM: Two of West Seattle’s three in-the-works microhousing projects face major revisions/reviews because of a recent court decision involving a project on Capitol Hill. PubliCola broke the news that the city sent a letter this week to more than 20 developers of in-the-works projects, explaining that they will now have to go through additional levels of review, including Design Review, if they want to proceed. We found the letter in the online files for two planned West Seattle projects, 3050 SW Avalon Way (here) and 3268 SW Avalon Way (here). Follow either of those links, or read on for the text:
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NEW, 5:09 PM: Since we already have a traffic note atop the page, we’re adding this: If you use the First Avenue South Bridge, beware – a rollover crash is reported south of the bridge, in the southbound lanes. Only one lane reported blocked for starters, but that was before the major emergency response headed that way. (added) One person was in the vehicle, and is reported to be inhurt.
EARLIER TRAFFIC NOTE, 4:39 PM: Update from the road-work plan mentioned in this morning’s traffic watch: Because of the rain, WSDOT has canceled its plan to fully close northbound Highway 99 between the bridge and the stadiums overnight tonight. (You might still encounter lane closures, though.)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:18 PM: Several parents messaged us about Chief Sealth International High School “sheltering in place” for a while this afternoon. It was related to a report that a teenager had been seen in the Westwood Village area with what looked like a gun. Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Stacy Howard says police found the teen, who turned out to have an Airsoft gun, but was not threatening anyone. She says Sealth, Denny International Middle School, and Roxhill Elementary sheltered in place for less than half an hour, and it’s over now.
ADDED 8:50 PM: Denny assistant principal Patricia Rangel has forwarded the letter that Denny and Sealth parents will get explaining the situation:
(First three photos by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli)
1:59 PM: Seattle Fire response is arriving at a “fire in building” response in the 2700 block of California. That’s just across from Hiawatha – sounds like the response is in the alley behind the building, so we’re not sure until we get there how traffic is being affected.
2:08 PM: Police are being sent for traffic control on California, so definitely avoid the area – which is of course a busy one, with Safeway and Lafayette to the north. No word of any injuries so far. It continues to be described as “44th Avenue” on the scanner, despite California on the 911 log, so that street is likely affected too.
2:13 PM: SFD says the fire’s in a garage. Per the scanner, it’s just been declared “tapped.”
2:23 PM: Added photos; we have two crews there. SFD confirms no one hurt. This was centered at the back (off the alley between 44th and California) of the building that includes a martial-arts studio. And if you’re hearing/seeing a helicopter, it’s just TV.
2:38 PM: Lafayette Elementary, just north of the block where this fire happened, gets out at 3:40 pm, an hour from now.
Too soon to say how much SFD equipment will still be there, but if you have to go pick up your child, please be aware of this incident disrupting normal walking/driving/riding patterns, especially on the west side of California/Lander.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Meantime, our crews at the scene are told that much of the damage was in the aforementioned garage (photo added above); no vehicle in there, apparently, but lots of items including appliances.
3:27 PM: We went back to check on traffic. It’s moving again. But one important note – the Evergreen Tang Soo Do martial-arts studio tells us they will NOT have classes for the rest of the day/night; the studio was affected by smoke from the fire.
(WSB photo of 1 Green Planet crew at Recycle Roundup last Sunday)
From the Fauntleroy Church Green Committee, via Judy Pickens:
Despite the sunny weather and afternoon Seahawks game, Sunday’s Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church netted 7.8 tons of recyclables from West Seattle. An estimated 325 vehicles brought everything from water heaters to wire fencing and keyboards. We’ll do it again on April 26.
If you missed the roundup and can’t wait that long – the county website has a directory of who takes what, starting with the search box here. And for items that weren’t accepted on Sunday, the Green Committee has suggestions on this flyer they were offering to participants.
11:39 AM: Big emergency response headed for 11th SW/SW Spokane vicinity, where police are looking for a suspect in a stabbing reported to have followed a “fight disturbance.” We don’t have a full description yet – except for “wearing an orange sweatshirt” and leaving the scene on foot, eastbound on Spokane, per scanner traffic. More to come.
11:56 AM: The scene is difficult to reach so far so this updated information is from SPD via Twitter: The stabbing happened along SW Spokane “near Terminal 18. Victim suffered minor cut to leg. Officers searching for Asian male, blue coat.”
12:02 PM: Since it’s a minor injury, SFD’s involvement has already closed out, and our ground crew isn’t seeing police at the original scene, either.
(“Yarnbombed” bike corral in The Junction, photographed by Don Brubeck)
Two major meetings are part of our highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
2-DAY CLOSURE FOR HARRY’S CHICKEN JOINT: The folks at Harry’s Chicken Joint (WSB sponsor) asked us to let you know that they are taking a two-day break, so they’ll be closed tonight/Wednesday night, back on Thursday, 4-8 pm (and remember, they’re open Sundays now, too).
(Added photo: First sunrise of fall, by Lise Thivierge)
LUAU/HAWAI’I-THEMED PARTY: Special event with a special menu and island music tonight at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing; reservations required, so check to see if there’s still room. (1936 Harbor Ave. SW)
FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD OPEN HOUSE: Years in the making, now in the design phase, the “Fauntleroy Boulevard” plan would bring major changes to Fauntleroy Way in The Triangle, from 35th SW to SW Alaska. At an open-house-format meeting tonight – 5 to 7 pm, drop in at any time, Senior Center of West Seattle – you can take a closer look at what’s planned so far and tell city reps what you think. (Oregon/California, enter on the north side and head upstairs)
REPEAT OFFENDERS – WHAT (IF ANYTHING) CAN BE DONE TO STOP THEM? We’ve reported on some of them – property-crime repeat offenders with countless victims. They get arrested, spend some time in prison, get out, and in many cases, start all over again. Now authorities say they have a new plan. Come hear about it directly from prosecutors at tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct. (Delridge/Webster)
NIGHTLIFE: Multiple listings on our calendar every night of the week – tonight, for example, you’ll find eight listings, including live music, open mike, bingo, karaoke, and trivia. See them all here.
P.S. – DOWNTOWN EVENT FEATURING YOUNG WEST SEATTLE WRITERS: If you are, or could be, downtown tonight, you have the chance to cheer for young writers from West Seattle and beyond. Here’s the announcement:
On Tuesday, September 23, the West Seattle community is invited to the Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Writers in the Schools Anthology Reading & Celebration. The Writers in the Schools Program (WITS) places professional local writers in public schools to develop writing skills and spark inspiration. Since 1994, the WITS program in the Seattle area has been helping students discover their own authentic voices. Featuring creative writing by students in last year’s program, this reading by 50 young authors will move the audience to tears, laughter, awe and wild applause.
This year’s anthology includes writing by Chief Sealth High School students Adam Krzeszowski, Shayla Pilarski, Isabella Renz and Harrison Robel; West Seattle High School students Abigail A. Alishio, Lucas Lavoie, Jackson Oehling and Michael Smith; and Lafayette Elementary School students Kenji Brown, Liam Bunting, Parker Campbell, Savannah Joy Faber, Elanor Gunlogson and Gavin Mountry. A number of these students will be among the featured readers.
The readings will take place in the Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, beginning at 7 PM on September 23. The events are free and open to the public. The young authors will sign copies of the anthology, and a reception will follow, with sweets donated by Cupcake Royale.
In February 2016, Seattle Public Schools will ask you to vote for the next BTA (Buildings/Technology/Academics/Athletics) capital levy. To help decide which projects that levy should include, the district has had a consultant evaluate the physical condition of buildings and campuses around the district. The result: A just-released report on what needs fixing and how much it would cost, school by school. That report’s just been made public, and if you want to jump right to one or more schools of interest, you’ll find the three-part report here, with each part linked separately from that page. If you only have time to look at ONE part right now, it’s the third/fourth page of the third document, featuring this graphic:
That’s the ranking of the “educational adequacy” of district schools, NOT in terms of academics, just in terms of building/campus condition – the **lower** the score, the better. Denny International Middle School, only three years old, is ranked most adequate.
(UPDATED 10:48 AM: Thanks for pointing out the omission – we’ve added the second page of the graphic, which shows the Boren Building is in the worst shape of any West Seattle building not scheduled for replacement and currently in use as a public-school building. Schmitz Park, EC Hughes, and Arbor Heights are “less adequate,” but SP’s program will move into the new Genesee Hill school in 2016, Hughes is leased right now and will be mothballed for “emergency” SPS use starting next year, and the old AH is being torn down for a rebuild.)
WHAT’S NEXT? In the announcement of this report’s availability, the district promises to “engage the community over the next 13 months and ask for input and feedback with regard to projects to be included in the BTA IV capital levy.”
Keeping unneeded, unwanted, and/or expired prescription medicine around the house is a bad idea for a variety of reasons. Tossing it in the trash or emptying it down the drain is a bad idea, too. So what to do? Get rid of it this Saturday (September 27th), 10 am-2 pm, during the next Take-Back Day. The official local drop-off spot will once again be the Seattle Police Southwest Precinct at Webster/Delridge.
(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! Wet roads now that the rain’s arrived, but no major problems overall on West Seattle-area routes.
OVERNIGHT HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURES: WSDOT’s schedule for this week continues:
Tuesday, Sept. 23 and Thursday, Sept. 25
Crews will close all lanes of northbound SR 99 between South Spokane and South Atlantic streets, and the eastbound South Spokane Street ramp to northbound SR 99, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.Crews will close up to two lanes of southbound SR 99 between South Atlantic and South Spokane streets from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Crews will close all lanes of southbound SR 99 between South Atlantic and South Spokane streets, and the Columbia Street on-ramp to southbound SR 99, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night.
‘FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD’ OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT: The city is almost midway through design for major changes to Fauntleroy Way between the bridge and SW Alaska, in the “Fauntleroy Boulevard” project; the mayor’s budget, unveiled yesterday, includes $500,000 to finish the design. Tonight, 5-7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (Oregon/California), drop in and offer comments/ask questions at a key stage in the process, after taking a closer look at what’s planned so far.
4:42 PM: Note that tonight’s overnight Highway 99 closure has been canceled because of the rain.
7 pm this Friday, it’s the West Seattle High School homecoming game, with Rainier Beach visiting at Southwest Athletic Complex. Two WSHS notes, looking ahead, starting with the band:
BAND TUNEUP: Rich DeVore of the WSHS Music Boosters shared photos from the 62nd High School Band Day at Husky Stadium last weekend, with 35 WSHS Marching Band members among the more than 2,000 high-school-band members participating from across the state. They’re the blue-and-white group at left below:
The event included a performance by all the visiting band members (which Rich says included Chief Sealth International High School) at halftime of the UW-Georgia State football game. You can cheer for them right here in West Seattle during Friday night’s game here in West Seattle, when they’ll perform a halftime show, under the direction of Ethan Thomas.
‘FIFTH QUARTER RALLY’ AFTER THE HOMECOMING GAME: From the West Seattle Booster Club:
The West Seattle Booster Club invites you to celebrate WSHS Homecoming with us. This *Friday, September 26th, 7 pm, is the Homecoming Football game at SWAC – please come and cheer on the Wildcats.
After the game, please join us for a “5th Quarter Rally” at Pecado Bueno in the West Seattle Junction. Mingle with friends and family and celebrate our amazing school and students! (Adult function – over 21 only). We hope to see you. Thank you for your support!
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