West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
That photo shared by the Admiral Theater might not be oozing Hollywood glamour … but it’s the next big step toward the historic moviehouse’s bright-as-the-stars future. The Admiral’s two new laser digital projectors are here, and manager Dinah Brein says that the first audiences to see them “commented on how amazing the high definition, crystal clear, and bright screen resolution enhanced their viewing experience. No more platters, no more bad film prints, no more stoppage in the middle of the movie.” That’s because, Brein adds, “these two new projectors (with two more to come by the end of the year) utilize all new laser technology replacing the standard projector light bulbs used in most theaters. Now, with *all* the light energy coming from lasers … the on-screen image is bigger, brighter and better.” And it means the film days are almost over:
It’s been four months since The Admiral announced it had the green light to proceed with renovations that will turn it into a modernized four-plex; that in turn came a few months after it started showing first-run movies.
(WSDOT photo from early June, installing new part for the tunnel machine’s cutterhead)
When will the Highway 99 tunneling machine be ready to resume digging?
(Added Monday – slide deck from stakeholders’ meeting)
WSDOT told its longrunning Highway 99/Viaduct stakeholders group today that it really has no idea – its contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners still hasn’t provided a new schedule for when it thinks the machine will be fixed and ready to go. So technically, they still only have a schedule that says it was expected to get going around August 1st, said Brian Nielsen, the new deputy program administrator (replacing Matt Preedy, who left for a job at Sound Transit). “Clearly they’re a couple months behind” where they would have had to have been to make that timeline, he said, but they haven’t heard from STP and will let the public know when they do. Once they start up, Nielsen said, they consider the session “a test section” with “essentially a new machine” for the first 500 feet or so, until they get to “Safe Haven 3,” where they’d have to stop down before going under the Viaduct.
We were the only news organization at the stakeholders’ meeting, held in a meeting room at Safeco Field, so we took notes on a few other items of general interest – they’re ahead:
Thanks to the person who just texted with word that a crash is blocking the north end of Delridge, right by the ramp to the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. Everyone headed that way is being diverted onto the bridge, according to our tipster. So if you’re trying to get to West Marginal or the low bridge – try another route for a while.
It’s hot already – 86 degrees at the top of the hour, according to the closest official National Weather Service gauge at Boeing Field, and this isn’t even typically the hottest time of day. But the NWS now verifies it’s going to get hotter, and has issued an Excessive Heat Watch alert for Friday/Saturday – see it here. By Saturday afternoon, it could be into the mid-90s, says the NWS. The mayor’s office, meantime, has published a list of “cooling centers,” including, in West Seattle, the Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW) and High Point (35th/Raymond) branches of the Seattle Public Library, and the Senior Center of WS (Oregon/California). We’ll be compiling a list of other air-conditioned locations – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
We’ve been talking about the new pedestrian-safety beacons at local crosswalks – recently installed at California/Dakota, in the process of installation at 11th/Holden, and in the works for the 5900 block of Delridge Way by the front entrance to the Boren Building, home to K-5 STEM and interim home to Arbor Heights Elementary. This afternoon, SDOT announced the timeline for installation of the latter, along with the promised crosswalk and curb ramps, and curb bulbs: “Crews plan to begin work on Monday, July 6, with construction expected to last approximately two weeks. Crews will work weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. During this time, pedestrians will follow signed detours next to the school or into a temporary walkway using the parking lane.” The improvements, which the school community and other safety advocates have long sought, are funded by the Neighborhood Park and Street Fund and SDOT’s Safe Routes to School program. (The same area is also getting a speed-enforcement camera system, as reported here two weeks ago.)
A Celebration of Life is planned this Saturday for Diann Marie Sales, who died on June 9th at age 46. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing:
Diann Marie Sales was born to Daniel C. Higgins and Florence Marie Higgins, on March 11, 1969, in Seattle, Washington. She went to Auburn Senior High School and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. Diann met Ryan Jay Sales in 1994, and married him in Seattle in 2004. Diann worked as a visual artist and art framer at Northwest Art and Frame in West Seattle. Throughout her life she worked in mixed media, including photography, painting, and handcrafts. Diann’s dream of becoming a mother was realized when she and Ryan adopted Elliot, born in 2011, and Frances, born in 2013. Their adoption was finalized hours before she passed away after a courageous, nine-month battle with uterine cancer.
Diann was loved by all, from the children she cared for as a nanny, to regular customers in the West Seattle community, to co-workers, to longtime friends, to a large extended family, to her sister and brother-in-law, her beautiful niece and nephew, and especially her husband and two extraordinary children. She was a much-loved, unique, creative, and singular woman who will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of her exemplary life may be directed to Amara Parenting and Adoption Services, the organization who facilitated the adoption of her two children.
Celebrating the Life of Diann Marie Sales: Saturday, June 27th, 2015, 6:30 pm, Arbor Heights Community Church, 4113 SW 102nd St; Facebook link here. For anyone interested in attending, please contact Ryan J. Sales by 6 pm Friday: 206-225-9586.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
(City-provided photo of one of the stolen fish)
FAUNTLEROY CREEK OVERLOOK ART THEFT: Fauntleroy Creek steward Judy Pickens tells WSB that someone has stolen part of the art installation at the fish-ladder overlook across from the ferry dock:
I’m sorry to report that someone cut through the base of both the bronze coho
salmon and cutthroat trout that have been part of “Stream Echo” since its installation at the fish-ladder viewpoint in 1998. … The city’s Office of Cultural Affairs has contacted artist Tom Jay to request replacements. Because Tom is very involved with art installation at Cove Park, we have no idea when he can recast the fish.If the thief still has the fish, we would welcome them back, no questions asked, on our front porch – 4539 SW Director Place.
Judy’s husband Phil Sweetland discovered the theft yesterday, but she says it could have happened any time in the past several days. Though this is on a smaller scale physically, we still couldn’t help but be reminded of the as-yet-unsolved Walking on Logs sculpture theft, which happened almost exactly a year ago.
MOONDROP COFFEE & TEA BREAK-IN: Proprietor David Livingood from the little coffee shop across from Seacrest sent word this morning that someone broke into their shop late last night. They’re still trying to assess what was stolen but wanted to get the word out. (We were headed that way this morning when diverted by the crane fire and are still planning to go over and find out more – we’ll update when there’s more information.)
(Mount Rainier @ 5:40 am today, by Rolly Francisco)
Busy news day already, but we want to remind you about four important events tonight before we move along to more news:
WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK/HELPLINE OPEN HOUSE: Everyone’s invited:
Please join the Board of Directors of both the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline for our Open House, tonight, June 25th from 5 – 7:30 pm in conjunction with the West Seattle Chamber After Hours. Both the Food Bank and Helpline will have board members, staff and volunteers on hand to answer questions, give you a behind-the-scenes look at how both of our programs and collaboration help those in our West Seattle community that are in need of our help. Appetizers will be served and provided by Pecado Bueno in the Junction and Seattle & Oregon Wine Awards. West Seattle’s own 11 Olives will be doing a tasting of their Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Everyone is welcome including the kids. We have limited parking in our garage but there is plenty of street parking. We hope to meet you all tonight.
This is happening in the building where WSFB and WSH both have HQs, at the southeast corner of 35th and Morgan.
DESIGN REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: Two projects are on the Southwest Design Review Board agenda tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle. 6:30 pm, it’s the second Early Design Guidance review of the proposed CVS drugstore at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW (previewed here; design packet also viewable here), and then at 8 pm, it’s the first Early Design Guidance review of the latest proposal for developing High Point’s last big stretch of vacant land at 35th/Graham, described on DPD’s website as “a 4-story structure containing 89 residential units, 8,500 sq. ft. of office space and 1,500 sq. ft. of retail space located at ground level. surface parking for 98 vehicles to be provided” (design packet here). All welcome – both meetings will include opportunities for public comment. (Upstairs meeting room at SC-WS, Oregon/California)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm monthly meeting at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. The agenda, sent this morning by the WSTC, focuses on outlining the group’s legislative priorities. All welcome. (6400 Sylvan Way)
PARKS BOARD PUBLIC HEARING ON ‘GUIDELINES’: Earlier this week, we reported on Seattle Parks‘ proposed “guidelines” for Natural Areas and Greenbelts, which have sparked concern among those who fear that’ll open those areas to commercial/disruptive uses. Tonight at 6:30 pm at Parks HQ downtown, it’s the Board of Park Commissioners‘ official public hearing on the plan for anyone with something to say, pro/con/otherwise. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)
THOSE ARE JUST FOUR OF TODAY’S CALENDAR LISTINGS … please go here for the full slate.
(WSB photo)
10:11 AM: Two cars have collided and are blocking all but one lane – the outside southbound lane – at 35th and Cambridge. A private ambulance has arrived for one person who medics have been checking out; two tow trucks are arriving, too, so it should clear before long.
10:25 AM: Police report that all lanes are open again.
(Added above: Photo courtesy Bryan & Janet Jones; below, WSB video by Patrick Sand)
FIRST REPORT, 8:27 AM: Seattle Fire is upgrading a “car fire” call in the 4700 block of SW Andover to a “full response” so lots of units are heading that way and we’re told the smoke is visible for some ways around. (added) First units on scene are describing it as a “well-involved crane” with “power lines below the crane” – dangerous situation – avoid the area.
8:33 AM: Thanks to Kimberly for the photo:
Our crew just arrived and says it’s in the alley between 47th and 48th. From the scanner, the fire is “confined to (the mobile crane) and fence.” Firefighters are working to keep it from spreading.
8:38 AM: We’ve added a short Instagram video clip from our crew atop this story. Firefighters say the fire’s under control.
(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
No injuries reported. The smoke was visible from as far away as downtown – here’s one of the views tweeted to us:
@westseattleblog View from Downtown. pic.twitter.com/SYOL9YHaAI
— Hubert Ka (@TPW1981) June 25, 2015
8:46 AM: Update from our crew at the scene: The mobile crane was lifting roof trusses for a construction project nearby. Those items are largely undamaged.
(WSB photos from here down are by Christopher Boffoli unless otherwise credited)
The fire response is scaling down. No report of flames spreading to nearby homes – firefighters got it handled in time.
8:54 AM: SFD tells us they believe the fire started when the crane touched a wire, which would explain commenters’ reports of a brief power outage at about the same time.
9:00 AM: Thanks to John for the video we’ve just added above this line. We still have crews at the scene but also just have heard via scanner that Seattle City Light has advised SFD to keep a 30-foot safety perimeter around the burned crane.
The project with which it was associated, according to our crew, is at 4007 47th SW, which is showing in city permit files as an addition to a single-family house.
9:23 AM: Thanks to everyone who sent photos, and to those with additional scene info in comments. Adding to the story, as well as adding photos shot by WSB’s Patrick Sand and Christopher Boffoli. The scene, meantime, has stabilized to some degree; we will be checking back later.
9:39 AM: Also via scanner – the power lines “are still energized” and they’re awaiting City Light’s arrival to cut the power as well as a salvage crew to remove the crane.
10:07 AM: Not sure how this will affect people in the area but now they’re saying SCL won’t be able to shut down the power until noon or so. At least one SFD engine is remaining on scene TFN.
5:05 PM: It’s been pointed out to us that power’s been out since just after noon, for more than two dozen customers (homes) in the surrounding area. The City Light website projects restoration soon.
10:30 PM: The power outage is over. But a quick drive through the area shows the fire-damaged crane is still there.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:07 AM: So far, no trouble headed outbound from West Seattle.
7:33 AM – TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY: Since it’s quiet – we’ve gone back into the Seattle Municipal Archives for a look back. No date for this photo, but you can narrow it down fairly well since it was taken during the construction of the “high bridge” in the early ’80s:
Click the image to go to an SMA page where you’ll see the photo in a much-larger size (when you do, scroll right for a closer look at the vehicles waiting to cross, including early ’80s-era buses).
8:03 AM: Thanks to the texter for alerting us to a crash at 40th/Oregon. They report a driver and motorcyclist involved; the SFD 911 log says it’s an “aid response,” which generally means injuries are NOT major.
8:08 AM: Per scanner, eastbound traffic on Oregon will be diverted at 41st. If you usually use Oregon to head outbound, avoid it TFN – head for Alaska, or even 35th, to get to the bridge.
9:32 AM POSTSCRIPT: After arriving at the crash scene and finding out traffic was no longer being diverted, we ourselves had to divert to the 47th/Andover fire (separate story). But WSB’s Christopher Boffoli covered the crash for us too:
He reports:
Driver of the small silver car told police she was headed westbound on Oregon when the motorcycle, headed southbound on 40th, ran the stop sign and they collided. The woman driving the car said it was her birthday today. She had two very small children with her but everyone was OK. Scared and a little shaken up but physically fine.
Again, this is more than an hour ago now, and as far as we know, the scene is clear. The motorcycle rider was transported by private ambulance, indicating non-life-threatening injuries.
9:59 AM: We’re checking out another crash now – 35th and Cambridge, reported to be blocking all lanes. Update as soon as our crew arrives – we’ll break it out into a separate story if it seems major. (We did – and then it cleared fairly quickly.)
10:42 AM: If you will be riding Metro downtown this Saturday, you might want to know about this advisory we just received:
On Saturday, June 27 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the bus stops northbound and southbound on 3rd Av at Virginia St will be closed due to construction. Affected buses will operate via their regular routes, but will not serve the regular stops at Virginia St.
During this closure, board or exit northbound routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 16, 24, 26, 28, 33, and the RapidRide D Line and RapidRide E Line at the temporary stop northbound on 3rd Av just north of Lenora St.
Board or exit southbound routes 2, 3, 4, 13, 14, 16, 21, 27, 33, 40, 120, 124, 131, 132, and the RapidRide C Line and RapidRide E Line at the temporary stop southbound on 3rd Av just north of Lenora St.
Riders can also board or exit buses at their regularly scheduled and posted stops prior to or after Virginia and Lenora streets.
Visit the Metro Service Advisories page for specific stop information.
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