West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
8:30 PM: Thanks to Kanit Cottrell for that view of tonight’s sunset, from Gatewood – the most vivid sunset so far this spring. Among the views shared via social media – Stacy directed this one our way via Twitter:
Wow. Never get tired of looking at THIS. #sunset #westseattle #pugetsound @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/TGbW5CgTSM
— Stacy McCauslin (@Aloha_Stacy) March 30, 2016
Tomorrow night looks promising too!
ADDED 10:08 PM: One more view – by David Hutchinson at Alki:
ADDED AT MIDNIGHT: And from Jamie Kinney in Fauntlee Hills:
DCIM100GOPROG0017013.
(ADDED: WSB photo)
7:27 PM: If you are hearing the sirens – a sizable emergency response is en route to a crash at 15th and Henderson.
7:41 PM: Eastbound Henderson is blocked at 16th. An ambulance has been summoned for one person.
8:07 PM: Two vehicles collided; they have since cleared to the side, SFD has left the scene, and a passenger from one vehicle has been taken to the hospital. The road was reopening after some debris cleanup.
From the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA:
Chief Sealth International High School sends out a big THANK YOU to our community, especially the Westside Universalist Unitarian Congregation and St. John’s Episcopal Church, for their generous donations of clothing, school supplies and funds. Our students appreciate not only the useful items they get from the Clothing Closet, they are grateful that their community cares about them.
We have many students looking for gently used 2-piece business suits, white dress shirts and ties (thinner is more on-trend for youth) for their college, job and internship interviews. We can use all sizes and especially sizes that will fit slim young men. Donations can be dropped off at the front office Monday-Friday or contact Lisa Conley at lisalconley@hotmail.com to make other arrangements. Thanks!
Sealth is at 2600 SW Thistle; this year’s bell times are 8:40 am-3:10 pm, if you’re timing a donation dropoff.
Four West Seattle development notes this afternoon:
MORE EARLY DETAILS ON PCC-SITE PROPOSAL: When we most recently reported on the early-stage plan for 2749 California SW – current site of the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) West Seattle store, purchased by Madison Development Group a year ago – little information was available. But a new document in city files has a few more tentative details: According to the “pre-submittal” form, the proposal is currently envisioned for 92 residential units, 145 parking spaces, and 24,000 square feet that are described as “grocery/retail.” Will that be PCC? When we last checked with Madison, they did not have a tenant signed; PCC told us they expected to be in West Seattle for a long time, whether at this location or elsewhere, but had nothing to say yet either. Stay tuned for updates.
AEGIS LIVING PROJECT UPDATE: Also in Admiral – the land-use permit for the Aegis Living project at 4700 SW Admiral Way cleared a major hurdle this week, with the key decision detailed here. We checked today with Aegis regarding its plans for demolition of the three-years-empty former Life Care Center; spokesperson Charlotte Starck says they are expecting the demolition permit in June. As reported in our coverage of this month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, police say the property is now part of a trespassing-crackdown program that gives SPD the ability to boot people found there. Meantime, this week’s approval opens a period for appeals – deadline is April 11th; this city page explains how to file one.
4528 44TH SW COMMUNITY MEETING: We stopped by the Senior Center of West Seattle on Monday evening to ask a few questions at the project team’s “drop-in community meeting,” part of the community outreach they needed to do while the permit’s being finalized for the 6-story, ~58-unit building. Toplines: They’re expecting to get started around the end of April. The work shouldn’t affect the alley behind nearby businesses, except when they’re getting deliveries, which they will try to schedule to avoid conflicts. Their staging area should be limited to the paid-parking lot closest to the building’s south side, steering clear of the Wells Fargo lot south of that.
4 PROJECTS UPCOMING AT DESIGN REVIEW: The Southwest Design Review Board hasn’t met this month because the city hasn’t scheduled any projects for review. Starting next week, that changes. We reported two weeks ago about the project reviews scheduled for 6058 35th SW (6:30 pm April 7th) and 1606 California SW (6:30 pm April 21st). Now a second review has been added for April 21st – at 8 pm, the board will have its third Early Design Guidance review for six-story, 84-unit 4532 42nd SW, which you might recall is the site where a big tree was cut after the last review, despite the board’s interest in seeing it remain. And a May 5th review is scheduled (6:30 pm) for a proposed 40-apartment building at 9030 35th SW in Westwood, coming back to the SWDRB eight years after its first review.
(Pets, kids, everyone welcome! WSB photo from 2015 West Seattle 5K)
Today’s sunshine is a reminder that this year’s big spring/summer events are getting closer all the time – including the eighth annual West Seattle 5K, the season-opening run/walk on Alki, coming up May 22nd. Race director Jeff Mensing sends a reminder that the early-registration-discount deadline is this Thursday night (March 31st), so if you’re thinking about taking part this year, you might as well sign up now. Not only do you get a discount – you’ll also be registered to win a pair of running shoes. Race proceeds support West Seattle High School students and staff; we’re among the race sponsors again this year. You can sign up right here, right now.
(ST3 draft-plan map section with proposed West Seattle light rail)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Today – five days after the draft Sound Transit 3 plan went public – the monthlong comment period officially begins.
That will include a community meeting at 5:30 pm April 26th at West Seattle High School, it’s just been confirmed.
And more information is being added today – fleshing out what was outlined last Thursday – to the official Sound Transit 3 website.
Of course, commenting informally started the moment the plan was circulated that afternoon.
Hours after the announcement downtown, it was a hot topic at the March meeting of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition – though not until about two hours in – and while group members had opinions, the question of an official position wasn’t settled. (The agenda also included the Metro Long-Range Plan – more on that in the second half of this report.)
Washington State Ferries is changing concessionaires for its food and beverages, including on-board galley service. Eight firms made proposals; Connecticut-based Centerplate was chosen. WSF’s announcement says features of the new contract include:
·Consistent hours of service across the system, with additional service in the San Juan Islands.
·Creative, fresh and healthful product offerings, including local brands such as Hempler’s beef and ham, Uli’s sausage, Beecher’s cheese, and Stimson Estate Cellars wine.
·Creative concepts for using existing spaces, such as opening additional coffee and beer kiosks on the Jumbo Mark II class ferries.
·Promotions and incentives, such as commuter-reward programs.
Centerplate also provides concessions at Safeco Field and Tacoma Dome, WSF’s announcement notes. The transition from current concessionaires is expected to be completed by mid-June.
(Monday sunset, by Chris Frankovich)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DREAM DINNERS FREEZER SALE: This is one of two times a year when you can stop by Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) and pick up pre-assembled entrees, sides, desserts, etc. Today’s day 1, 4:30-7 pm – details in our listing. DD is on the street-level eastern exterior of Jefferson Square. (4701 41st SW, Suite 110)
BILLY JOE AND THE RC’S: Live at Parliament Tavern, no cover, 7-9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
YARN FANS, UNITE: The West Seattle Crochet and Knit Circle welcomes all, 7-9 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction. (California/Edmunds/Erskine)
SINGER-SONGWRITER SHOWCASE: Weekly showcase at Shadowland in The Junction, 9-11 pm. (4458 California SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … with a quick trip to see our complete calendar.
It’s been years since our last reader report about an owl attack. This morning, Rose e-mailed this report of what happened while she jogged along Harbor Avenue:
On my run this morning at about 5:20 am on Harbor Ave SW just a bit south of the 7-11 [map] I was attacked by an owl. It is literally that one stretch of Harbor that if you scream no one hears you!
It clawed my head and it looked like it was considering another swipe.
I run that stretch of road every day and have never seen an owl there. So I want folks to be alert that one was there this morning.
ps – it did break my skin and there was a little blood but I am okay. and I was able to finish my run.
Our archived reports include encounters on Bonair in 2010 and in 2011, and, later in 2011, in Lincoln Park. And web searches reveal more than a few reports from elsewhere in the city. The state’s “Living With Wildlife” one-sheet about owls offers explanation as well as advice.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:16 AM: Good morning – no incidents so far in/from West Seattle and vicinity. As noted yesterday, it’s spring-break week for some private schools (primarily faith-based).
8:26 AM: Work has started on the Avalon/Yancy/30th Safety Project. We just went past; 30th is closed at Avalon – no effect on Avalon so far, though.
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