day : 07/12/2016 11 results

The photo and report are from Kate:

There is a car on my block that has been there for a week or so, and has not moved. The front and back plates have been removed. I suspect it is a stolen vehicle and that someone may be looking for it. I have reported it as an abandoned vehicle. It is in the Gatewood neighborhood, on 37th Ave SW, just to the south of Holden. It is a black, late 90s, early 2000s Volvo wagon with a lot of bumper stickers. The door to the gas tank is also missing. There appears to be some kind of wood shelves in the back.

AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: 2-location city ‘open house’ at Youngstown & Shelby’s, to talk HALA rezoning, parking policy, parks’ future, Fauntleroy Boulevard, more

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

5:59 PM: We have crews at both locations of the city “open house” we’ve been talking about for weeks (our final “guide” to it is here) – first crew at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) [photo below], second crew at Shelby’s Ice Creamery and Bistro (4752 California SW).

Here’s what you can expect:

-Most of the easels with information and space for feedback are devoted to the HALA rezoning – upzoning “urban villages, and commercial/multifamily property everywhere, to give developers/builders added capacity in exchange for requiring them to build part of their projects as “affordable housing” or pay a certain percentage into a city fund for it to be built somewhere else.

-You’ll also find the maps – two sets showing current zoning (the multicolor maps) and proposed upzoning (these maps are mostly green) on tables.

-At the SDOT/SDCI station, there’s an easel with information about the potential parking-policy changes, and lots of informational sheets about other projects/initiatives – Fauntleroy Boulevard (as previewed), Residential Parking Zone policy changes, West Seattle Greenway (the next “greenway” in our area, with the route yet to be finalized), RapidRide expansion (Delridge, in a few years). Also you can learn about the Department of Construction and Inspections and how you might interact with it even if you’re not a builder (they handle noise complaints, for example).

Lots of conversation under way here in the Youngstown Theater. And a big table with snacks. This is on at both locations until 7:30 pm.

6:04 PM: First report from our crew at Shelby’s – it’s swamped.

(It was originally the only location for this event, though community advocates had warned the city that more room would be needed.) At both locations, you can write your feedback on the HALA rezoning proposals (which also is being accepted via e-mail at halainfo@seattle.gov and the special site hala.consider.it).

At Youngstown, we’ve seen some early feedback too.

More to come. Again, the city promised that what’s available to ask about and comment on is identical at both locations.

6:25 PM: Just talked to Andra Kranzler from Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office, who is at Youngstown to see how it’s going. Steady stream here, and a continued crowd at Shelby’s in The Junction:

6:54 PM: The buzz of conversation goes on here at Youngstown – and more feedback has appeared on easels:

We listened in as some attendees talked about the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village map. Some wondered how the future potential annexation of White Center might play into decisions made now.

While SDOT had said the Fauntleroy Boulevard project – recently “re-initiated” – would be featured, we found only an info-sheet. No model, map, or other detailed display.

At Shelby’s, the rezoning maps were on display in booths – like the one where we found Eric Iwamoto, co-chair of the Southwest District Council (which had to cancel its meeting, when the city decided to schedule this on the same night):

We’re headed back over there to see how this wraps up.

7:34 PM: We’ve asked city reps for an attendance count here at Shelby’s – where in the early going it was jampacked, and dozens are still here now.

City reps say they won’t be able to put the count together until tomorrow. Meantime, though the official end time has passed, conversations and comments continue:

7:45 PM: We’re in the Parks/Greenways room at Shelby’s. One line item notes that a 34th SW greenway will connect people to Walt Hundley Playfield in 2017, with “bike ramps/bike racks (to) conect to existing paths and High Point Community Center.” Looks like this is close to a wrap, so we’re leaving and will be following up tomorrow.

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FOLLOWUP: Drug, gun charges filed against Corner Pocket’s Michael E. Maine

December 7, 2016 4:30 pm

| 56 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Four drug charges and one gun charge are now filed against 38-year-old Michael E. Maine, who police describe as owner/bartender of the Corner Pocket bar in The Junction.

The bar is closed, its license suspended for six months and facing permanent revocation, in the wake of Maine’s arrest last Friday night. That night, we reported on police serving what they described as a “drug-related warrant” at the bar and at Maine’s home; on Monday, we published a followup with information from the probable-cause documents and the state Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Today, we have obtained the newly filed court documents that charge Maine with five felonies; we also have the LCB’s emergency order suspending the Corner Pocket’s liquor license. Read More

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WEST SEATTLE SNOW: Alert level just dropped a notch

December 7, 2016 3:35 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The potential for snow Thursday night into Friday has lessened a little since the National Weather Service issued the alert. As of this afternoon, the alert level has been reduced to Winter Weather Advisory, in effect 4 pm Thursday to 8 am Friday:

A WEATHER SYSTEM WILL MOVE FROM SOUTH TO NORTH THROUGH WESTERN WASHINGTON THURSDAY NIGHT. WITH COLD AIR IN PLACE SNOW WILL FALL AND SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 3 INCHES IS EXPECTED ACROSS MOST OF THE LOWLANDS. THE SNOW SHOULD CHANGE TO RAIN BEFORE DAYBREAK FRIDAY.

Read it in its entirety here.

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Rezoning, parking, streetlights @ Junction Neighborhood Organization

December 7, 2016 3:12 pm

| Comments Off on Rezoning, parking, streetlights @ Junction Neighborhood Organization

| Development | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Meeting last night at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, the Junction Neighborhood Organization also was looking ahead to tonight’s city-organized “open house” about topics from housing to roads to parks to parking – though it had two other major topics.

First:

REZONING ACTION PLAN: On the eve of the city’s big “open house,” JuNO director René Commons talked about community concerns, especially about how poorly the city had been communicating about the rezoning that is part of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda‘s Mandatory Housing Affordability component. The area is just now feeling the effects of changes in the late ’90s, she noted, with major projects. So input means more now than ever.

“This is a draft proposal… and activism matters,” said Commons. “It’s about not being angry, but about being passionate – to make change, good change.”

One attendee brought up that “this is not the only upzone we’ll be dealing with – Sound Transit 3 will put two elevated stations in our area, and these stations are big, and each one comes with a ‘station overlay,’ to ensure that there’s adequate density around the stations, to make them more viable… (but) people working on HALA are not necessarily talking to the people working on ST3.” For one, he said, the area should have options – “at least two materially different proposals” – for how to accommodate growth, not just the “blanket approach that every urban village should be treated the same way.”

Another attendee talked about finally hearing about the proposed upzoning in late October from coverage on WSB – “oh, that’s my street!” She tried to find out if she had missed some outreach that would have helped her understand; no, she hadn’t. Even the city’s title “Mandatory Housing Affordability” was not conducive to helping people understand about rezoning – “it sounded like somebody’s finally doing something about the rising rents, and that’s not it at all.”

So what kind of feedback should JuNO offer, tonight and beyond? Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Teenager injured in shooting

December 7, 2016 2:08 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

A 16-year-old boy is recovering at home after being shot in West Seattle, and his father is asking for help in the investigation.

It happened around 1 am Sunday near 34th SW and SW Trenton [map]. We didn’t hear about it until the victim’s father contacted us last night. There was no “assault with weapons” medical callout because friends drove the victim to the hospital. The police report we obtained today says that several people called 911 to report suspected gunfire; police found no victim, no shell casings, no blood. Then, about half an hour later, the investigating officer found out that a person with a shoulder wound had shown up at Harborview Medical Center, saying he had been shot at a party in West Seattle. The person whose house was the scene of the party told SPD he didn’t know anything about a shooting. The officer looked a second time and still found no physical evidence of a shooting in the area.

The victim’s father tells WSB that his son is believed to have been shot by someone who pulled up in a vehicle outside the party, opened fire, and left. No description information. The Gang Unit is following up, according to both the police report and the victim’s father, who says his son is not involved with gangs but the shooter is believed to be. If you have any information about the shooting, contact SPD and refer to case 2016-435767. (Anonymous tips can be sent this way.)

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WEST SEATTLE FOOD: Dumplings of Fury adds lunch

December 7, 2016 1:13 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

When Dumplings of Fury opened back in July at 4302 SW Oregon in The Junction, proprietor Ben Jenkins suggested they would likely expand hours at some point. And now it’s happened – Dumplings of Fury has just announced that it’s now open 11 am-9 pm, Tuesdays through Sundays (closed Mondays).

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BIZNOTES: Admiral Theater, Raven’s Nest West, Merryweather Books, Wildwood Market

December 7, 2016 12:42 pm

| Comments Off on BIZNOTES: Admiral Theater, Raven’s Nest West, Merryweather Books, Wildwood Market

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Four biznotes to share:

ADMIRAL THEATER SCHEDULE CHANGE: As the Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) continues its transformation into a 4-auditorium moviehouse, it’s hoping to get the last two done in time for next week’s premiere of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” So before you plan a trip to the movies, check their schedule, which is updated to reflect the temporary changes.

RAVEN’S NEST WEST GRAND OPENING: We told you two weeks ago about this new Native art gallery/shop in The Junction. Tomorrow night during the West Seattle Art Walk, Raven’s Nest West proprietors Sue and Israel Shotridge are celebrating its grand opening:

They will offer tribal songs, drummed by a small group of Alaskan Native tribal members.There will be members from the Eagle and Raven clans to bring a sense of cultural balance and harmony to the Nest.

Original Northwest Coast Native art along with limited-edition art prints, ivory sculptures and wood carvings will be displayed. A wonderful collection of Native engraved sterling silver jewelry along with contemporary silver, copper and brass pieces will be featured. Native designed Holiday Art cards, ornaments and many other gift options depicting Native imagery in all price ranges will be offered. Great stocking stuffers too!

Raven’s Nest will offer refreshments and will be gifting small tokens to all visitors during the art walk at its Grand Opening. The Shotridges also just launched shotridge.com, which is a wonderful ecommerce that is associated with the Raven’s Nest. Customers will be able to place orders online at shotridge.com and pick up their orders at the Raven’s Nest West to eliminate shipping costs.

Business Hours currently are Thursdays thru Sundays 11 am – 6 pm; however, we have been adjusting them from previous postings till we figure out what will work best for the location.

Raven’s Nest West is at 4557 Glenn Way.

ALSO ON THURSDAY, AT MERRYWEATHER BOOKS: 6-9 pm during Thursday’s Art Walk, Merryweather Books (4537 California SW) will be featuring West Seattle Scribes:

Seven West Seattle authors will be showcasing their books this Thursday during Art Walk night from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Merryweather Books.

The authors are: Alice Kuder, Theresa McCormick, Arleen Williams, Christopher Anderson, Lisa Richesson, Janine A. Southard, and Cat Rambo. Art work by Theresa McCormick will also be on display. Come and enjoy free refreshments while viewing the art and talking with our local authors.

WILDWOOD MARKET: We’ve been asked how this new Fauntleroy business at 45th SW and Wildwood is progressing toward opening.

We asked co-proprietor Lonjina Verdugo, who says they don’t have a set date yet but: “We are close! Within the month, we hope. However something to mention that might help speed things along, we are officially hiring! We just posted on our site.” (The listing is also in the WSB Forums West Seattle Jobs Offered section, where local businesses can list local job openings for free.)

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West Seattle Wednesday: City’s multi-department, 2-location ‘open house,’ and more

December 7, 2016 11:02 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: City’s multi-department, 2-location ‘open house,’ and more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(American Wigeon, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Nothing in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide for tonight – aside from ongoing light shows, tree lots, etc. – but the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar is topped by one big event at two locations:

CITY OPEN HOUSE ABOUT REZONING, ROADS, PARKING, PARKS, MORE: Tonight’s the night. We’ve been talking about this for weeks – talking about the central topic, proposed rezoning for the Mandatory Housing Affordability component of the mayor’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda, for even longer – and this is your chance to ask questions and offer comments. Other topics you can learn and ask about and comment on are all listed in our big preview published Tuesday. Tonight’s locations, 5:30-7:30 pm – just drop in, no presentations planned – are Shelby’s in The Junction (4752 California SW) and Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge (4408 Delridge Way SW).

P.S. In addition to the maps we’ve been showing – you will see a second version, just showing what’s proposed (not current zoning), at the open house. These maps have been added to the city’s feedback site at hala.consider.it (look for your nearest “urban village” on the dropdown, choose “expand map,” and scroll through both). Or, see just the second version of all West Seattle maps by going here.

Also happening today/tonight:

NETWORKING MEETUP: Working from home? Running your own business? Home on the peninsula for some other reason? West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) welcomes you to this week’s free networking meetup, noon-1:15 pm. (6040 California SW)

TOYS FOR TOYS, FINAL DAY: As mentioned here yesterday, today’s the final day of the Toys for Tots drive at John Moore‘s Northwest Insurance Group in Morgan Junction – drop off your new, unwrapped toy donation by 4:30 pm! (6055 California SW)

HIGH POINT LIBRARY CLOSURE CONTINUES: Just one more reminder – the High Point Library‘s closure for renovations continues. The reopening date isn’t yet set but it will be sometime in January.

SINGER-SONGWRITER, LIVE: Jim Page performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

HONKY-TONK, SWING, ROCK-N-ROLL, LIVE: Billy Joe Huels and the RC’s perform at Parliament Tavern, 8-11 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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Will rezoning for ‘affordable housing’ displace those who have it now? Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights CC talks HALA in advance of tonight’s city ‘open house’

December 7, 2016 9:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The proposed rezoning for the Housing Affordabiity and Livability Agenda‘s Mandatory Housing Affordability component was a major topic for the two community councils who have met this week in advance of tonight’s city-organized 2-location “open house” about that rezoning, and more.

First was the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, which met Monday night at the Southwest Library. Feedback on the rezoning plan comprised most – but not all – of the night’s discussion; later in this report, you’ll see toplines from other topics including a big change in WWRHAH leadership as well as an SPD update on crime trends.

Back to HALA rezoning:

One member observed toward the end, “The scary part of this is that the majority of the community has no idea about the tidal wave that is headed their way.”

That was a reference to the shortage of direct city communication – no briefings or announcements directly explaining “this is the rezoning we’re proposing in your area and why” – since the draft rezoning maps appeared online in October.

In recent weeks, community groups have taken to organizing their own discussions of those maps in hopes of at least helping neighbors comment effectively – pro, con, or otherwise – online and at tonight’s open house (5:30-7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, and Shelby’s, 4752 California SW).

The rezoning is focused on the city’s long-designated “urban villages,” as well as multifamily/commercial property in all areas. Read More

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TRAFFIC & WEATHER: Wednesday watch

December 7, 2016 7:25 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | West Seattle weather

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

7:26 AM: Good morning! No incidents but frosty out there – below freezing for the first time since the cold snap began.

WINTER STORM WATCH: If you missed it last night – we’re under one for Thursday morning until Friday morning. Here’s the latest version, as of early today. Might bring a few inches of snow, forecasters say.

SDOT’S WINTER WEATHER MAP: Check here to see which roads have been treated most recently. And if you notice any problem spots – let SDOT know; Monica e-mailed to say the bicycle path eastbound out of West Seattle had been oversalted yesterday.

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