FOLLOWUP: Metro expects Junction shelter-removal decision in ‘weeks’

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from October; shelters proposed for removal are the two on the right)

Last Friday was the deadline set by Metro for comments on the proposal to remove the two westernmost bus shelters on the south side of SW Alaska, east of 44th SW. It originated as part of a “problem-solving plan” promised by Metro and Transit Police (who are part of the King County Sheriff’s Office) reps following a walking tour/outdoor meeting in early October that also included reps from Seattle Police, the city Department of Human Services, the West Seattle Junction Association, and the WS Chamber of Commerce, as well as some local merchants.

Metro subsequently announced, via posted paper notices, that the two shelters, considered a draw for loitering and drinking, would be removed in mid-November; a subsequent uproar led them to “pause” the plan and take comments through November 18th. Now that the deadline has passed, we checked today with Metro to see what’s next; spokesperson Jeff Switzer replied, “We’re reviewing the comments that we received and will make a decision in coming weeks.”

JanS November 22, 2016 (1:16 pm)

has anyone considered a compromise…just remove one shelter, and remove the benches. Yes, I know that it’s nice to sit waiting for a bus. I’m disabled, so am familiar with that. At least having a place to wait out of the elements would help those that are not loitering , but no benches would hinder people who just want to hang out . Just a thought.

NW November 22, 2016 (1:37 pm)

Regardless if it stays or they remove the bus shelters this area the junction free parking lot will in the next five years be developed ,hopefully the free parking remains in the garage, and a 5 to 10 story apartment building will be in its place retail space on the bottom. A little bird told me this is in the works.

Seattlite November 22, 2016 (9:27 pm)

I think at least two of the shelters should go to cut down on loitering. Just a week or so ago on my way to Pharmaca two women were screaming obscenities at one another across Alaska…really unpleasant.

Gas November 22, 2016 (11:05 pm)

I’ve heard that too. If people don’t have bus shelters, they are significantly less likely to shout obscenities and misbehave. Science!

Gene November 23, 2016 (6:43 am)

Gas- snarky comment– not all bus shelters have a problem – nor is anyone saying that–but this one does- fix it so the bus stop is a safe place for all.

Artsea November 23, 2016 (8:21 am)

Maybe if we just stopped always being so politically correct and would just tell those people to stop loitering there, there wouldn’t be so many of these ridiculous problems. The rest of us have some “rights” too.

Truth November 23, 2016 (12:52 pm)

The problem is that the Police have been told by the City to leave the homeless alone and that having drugs or using drugs in not important. Drinking in public is not high on the list. This cities Mayor and Counsel have a very, very liberal stance on these things and the city is being driven into the ground. Other cities laugh at Seattle and send there homeless here. We need to hold them to a higher stander and remind them that they work for us and not the people that are straining our resources and tax dollars.