Updates were the order of the night at last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center:

(WSB photo from January, when the barricades/cones went up in the future work zone)
DELRIDGE/ANDOVER PROJECT: Alicia Molina from SDOT said the start of this six-week project – originally planned for this week, as previously reported – has now been postponed until March 2nd. Once the work gets under way, the first three weeks will be focused on the Delridge/Andover intersection, including some pedestrian detours; then “the sidewalk section” will be the focus of the second three weeks, and the connection from Delridge/Andover/23rd will be closed for part of that time. 23rd will be closed to vehicle traffic at times, she says, but there won’t be much other effect on vehicle traffic. The sidewalk – to be shared by walking/running/bicycling traffic – will more than double in spots, six feet to 13 feet, she said.

Willard Brown from the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association asked if drainage will be improved in the project, noting the huge puddle that sometimes blocks the onramp to the bridge during/after major storms. Short answer, yes, said Molina. Michael Taylor-Judd from the North Delridge Neighborhood Council brought up the long-uninhabited house on the slope right by the onramp, again suggesting it would be a good acquisition for the city. (County records show King County sold the property last December as part of a sale of multiple properties on which taxes were owed; we’re researching further.) There was some concern overall about whether the city had done enough community outreach to plan for this project in the context of Delridge community advocates continuing to work on a vision for the road’s entire stretch.

PORT OF SEATTLE: As they had done at the Southwest District Council meeting earlier this month, Port of Seattle reps pitched their upcoming April 25th boat tour for West Seattle community members, to help them learn about the working waterfront – it’ll leave from Pier 66 downtown at 10 am (boarding at 9:30) and free parking will be available in the Bell Street Pier garage. You can get on the list now by e-mailing portregistration@portseattle.org.

The tour will go down the East Waterway and will likely include someone from Vigor talking about its operations, as well as port info about the modernization and deepening projects near T-5, the Lower Duwamish Cleanup, Jack Block Park, seafood processing, and more – one hour of narrated commentary and one-on-one Q/A and briefing. The port reps asked council members’ thoughts about the tour’s focus, and they heard several requests for more information about the Duwamish rather than taking part of the tour to look at what happens on the north side of the waterfront, away from West Seattle. They also heard requests for more information about emergency preparedness and the port’s relationship with the Duwamish Tribe (last year’s controversy over artifacts was brought up).

CITY LIGHT SURPLUS PROPERTY: From City Light, Rory Denovan spoke about the former Delridge substation on 23rd SW, a 20,000-square-foot site that includes wetlands. SCL is “very interested in working with the community to preserve this piece of property,” Denovan said, adding that it’s been talking with DNDA, whose district council rep Brown elaborated, saying a coalition of groups put together “a really good proposal for the restoration of the wetland there,” including urban agriculture, but that it was unsuccessful in the first application for $80,000 from the King Conservation District. So they’re about to try again for grant money. Denovan said community support would be crucial, otherwise SCL will have to sell it for fair-market value, “likely to a developer,” while saying that SCL is hopeful the community plan will work out. The community support already obtained includes support from K-5 STEM, which could use the site as part of an environmental curriculum. Denovan also noted that contamination on the site is planned for cleanup work this summer. He did not have specific updates on the other West Seattle sites that are considered surplus.

DELRIDGE CANDIDATES’ FORUM? They’re exploring what kind of format is best to host candidates for the District 1 City Council seat, pre-primary, so they can hear the candidates’ views about Delridge issues. In addition to the VIEWS forum coming up on March 14th at the Senior Center of West Seattle, it was noted that other forums the 34th District Democrats are planning one on April 8th, and the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council plans one on the second Monday in June. They’re still deciding which monthly meeting they’ll want to invite candidates to visit. Looks like the May meeting, as of this point; Deborah Vandermar from High Point wondered whether translation could be made available. One candidate, at-large position hopeful Alex Tsimerman, was in attendance and tried to speak; chair Mat McBride told him he was welcome to e-mail before a future meeting and ask for time on the agenda.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Amanda Kay Helmick from Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council announced a 10 am March 7th community cleanup in eastern West Seattle via Adopt-A-Street, starting from the Southwest Precinct and working southward … Pete Spalding from Pigeon Point mentioned Delridge Day, set for August 8th. … Watch for an official announcement of signups for PACE (People’s Academy for Community Engagement); Neighborhood District Coordinator Kerry Wade said registration is likely to open next week …

NEXT MONTH: The Delridge District has 11 applications for Neighborhood Park and Street Fund grants, and will be reviewing them at next month’s meeting, which will be on the third Wednesday as usual, 7 pm March 18th, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).