West Seattle Junction updates: Check out the new banners! Plus, Farmers’ Market move countdown

Two West Seattle Junction notes:

BRAND-NEW BANNERS: It’s magic! Overnight the faded old West Seattle Junction banners disappeared and these new ones materialized.

It was planned, of course, and happened very early this morning (sometime between 1:15 am, which is when we drove through The Junction, wondering if the installation was under way yet, and 9:30 am, when we took these photos).

West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose explains the banners’ inspiration:

The colorful series of five designs is meant to inspire neighborhood pride for all of West Seattle. Design elements include the Alki Lighthouse as a symbol of our strong connection to water, the West Seattle Bridge, a salute to history with the streetcars, our weekly farmers market, and The Junction’s iconic Walk-All-Ways. We hope the neighborhood enjoys this addition to The Junction.

The artist is Jeff Rodriguez of Horsepower Design, who also designs other art used by the Junction Association, from posters to advertising. The banner spotlighting the West Seattle Farmers’ Market brings another reminder:

Today’s market (continuing until 2 pm as usual) is the second-to-last time you’ll find it in its longtime spot at 44th/Alaska. Two weeks from today – June 14th – is the day the WSFM moves out into California SW between Oregon and Alaska. Market management is reminding people that means a change in parking, if you drive – no parking on the market block 7 am-4 pm (flyers are under windshield wipers of cars parked on that block right now) but 45 spots will be open in the lot the market is vacating. And if you bicycle to the market – Bicycle Benefits continue. The market move means “new local Washington State farmers (and) more non-profit community groups ” every Sunday. (WSFM is sponsoring WSB for the next month to help get the word out about the big move.)

Ray May 31, 2015 (11:26 am)

Like the designs, but iffy on the “streetcar” one. The other four reflect WS as it is TODAY. Adding in the historic one is kind of irrelevant to what we are, given how much WS is an afterthought in regards to public transportation.

Diane May 31, 2015 (12:10 pm)

agree; the streetcar banner makes me wistful about what we lost, wish we had now, hope to bring back

WSB May 31, 2015 (12:22 pm)

The trolley (streetcar) has long been a symbol in/for The Junction because, well, that’s why it’s “The Junction.” But when we first saw these this morning – we had heard they were coming but hadn’t previewed the designs – the streetcar looked more future-hopeful to me because it’s a design more resembling the Lake Union streetcar or the coming-soon First Hill streetcar http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/03/a-colorful-start-to-seattles-first-hill-streetcar-testing than the classic trolley. Or maybe we can just re-caption it “Future Light Rail?” :) – TR

Ray May 31, 2015 (12:28 pm)

True, but two alternatives that would be nice to see (maybe added) would reference our awesome beach/mountain/sound view that can’t be beat and/or Highpoint, being the highest spot in Seattle proper.

Regardless, the new designs ARE nice, and the colors look good on the streets.

JayDee May 31, 2015 (2:14 pm)

The banners are nice; We are lucky to have a strong Junction organization that has kept the free 3 hour parking lots. While we may look like Ballard, parking with those lots makes it a lot easier to shop the Junction. Which makes it easier to keep the lots as lots and not zero-parking apodments.
–
When I see the streetcar rails holding together the retaining walls on lower Admiral I always wish that someplace had resisted General Motors supported push to ban streetcars.

Cj May 31, 2015 (2:32 pm)

WS Bridge great tee shirt design

Silly Goose May 31, 2015 (5:13 pm)

Love the new banners, bright and colorful, we needed a change, and I love the historical nod to the past street car and the WALK ALL WAYS my favorite!!! I would love a set of note cards with this art on it!! HINT HINT Christmas is after all only 218 days away!! HO HO HO

Heather May 31, 2015 (9:17 pm)

Simply love the banners! Really nice designs! And yes, a return of the streetcar wb awesome!

steve June 1, 2015 (7:03 am)

I have lived in WS for 55 yrs. and I am all for refreshing our neighborhood. But I can’t under stand why the the entrance to W.S. from the mill to 35th has to look like a blackberry jungle.It’s a shame that the statues stand in just a clearing provided by someone who cares. after all it is our driveway. What can be done?

Jelly June 1, 2015 (9:14 am)

I think the banners are lovely and would make beautiful stain glass designs.

miws June 1, 2015 (9:48 am)

Very nice banners.

I like how the pic of the Farmer’s Market one incorporates the upper part of the Vann Bldg.

Mike

West Seattle Hipster June 1, 2015 (10:54 am)

I dig the banners, but would love to see coffee and/or beer represented.

miws June 2, 2015 (7:42 am)

steve, doing a quick search within WSB, I found this 5+ year old story, which at a glance seems to pretty well explain how maintenance of the Walking on Logs area has been handled, starting with well known West Seattleite Earl Cruzen:

https://westseattleblog.com/2010/03/walking-on-logs-1st-step-toward-a-better-maintained-future/

I know there have been other volunteer efforts to maintain the area, since Mr. Cruzen no longer became able to do so on his own, but don’t have time to dig deeper right now.

I put “Earl Cruze”, with the quotes, into the WSB Search Field.

Mike

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