West Seattle, Washington
24 Sunday
(Brant flying along Alki – photo by Mark Wangerin)
Here’s what’s up for the rest of your Wednesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER FOR NEW LEAF BISTRO FAMILY: Since we first reported late Monday night on what was at the time two restaurants’ plan to donate 10 percent of proceeds today to the suddenly bereaved family that owns New Leaf Bistro in Admiral, the list of participants has grown to six:
*Peel & Press (WSB sponsor)
*The Westy Sports & Spirits (WSB sponsor)
*Circa
*Mission Cantina
*Baked
*Itto’s Tapas
Full details are in the original story, which we’ve continued to update. If we hear from anyone else participating today, we’ll add to the list here. (Here’s our report from a week and a half ago about the reason the community is helping the family.)
Also happening today/tonight:
TOUR AND MEETUP: Two events at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), our area’s only coworking center: 11 am-11:30 am tour, noon-1:15 pm biz meetup. (6040 California SW)
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am-noon, free and fun for you and your up-to-year-old baby at the High Point Library. (2306 42nd SW)
POLITICAL POSTCARDS: At Ounces in North Delridge, you’re invited to fill out postcards 4-10 pm. as part of the event dubbed “Ides of Trump.” (3809 Delridge Way SW)
TELEPHONE TOWN HALL WITH LEGISLATORS: As previewed here last week, your state legislators are calling 6-7 pm – but if you don’t get the call, you can call in (or click in) to be part of their “telephone town hall.”
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: Tonight’s big topic is the suddenly-at-full-speed planning of the Delridge RapidRide (converting Route 120 into the H Line in 2020) – come hear from, and bring your questions for, SDOT. 6:30 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club. (12th SW/SW Holden)
WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES: “The Ides of March: Resistance and Immigration,” 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). With Donna Miscolta and Shankar Narayan; Favorite Poem by ACLU of Washington. Full details in our calendar listing. (5612 California SW)
NIGHTLIFE X FIVE: 5 West Seattle listings for music, karaoke, open mic, trivia tonight – all on our complete calendar!
A reminder, an update, and a followup, all related to the Fauntleroy Boulevard project:
WALK-AND-TALKS TOMORROW, SATURDAY: The two SDOT-hosted “Walk-and-Talk” tours announced last month are tomorrow and Saturday. On Thursday, it’s scheduled for noon-1:30 pm; Saturday, 10:30 am-noon, both starting outside LA Fitness at 39th SW/SW Alaska and continuing east to end at West Seattle Brewing, 4515 Fauntleroy Way SW. The plan, SDOT says, is to “share the latest design, discuss early construction planning, introduce the project team to the public, and gather feedback.”
PROJECT ARTIST ANNOUNCED: As with most such projects, this one will have public art, funded by the city’s 1% for Art program. SDOT announced this week that “a panel of community leaders, project staff and local artists selected Jill Anholt to develop the public art component.” The Vancouver, B.C.-based artist will be on tomorrow’s Walk-and-Talk tour. SDOT says she’ll be working with community suggestions:
Pick up a pre-paid postcard from a West Seattle Junction restaurant, coffee shop, or community center, fill in your West Seattle story, and mail it back to help inform the new art for Fauntleroy Way SW. You can also pick up a postcard at the Walk and Talks this week or fill out an online postcard on our project webpage.
According to the “call for art” from last year, the budget is $150,000.
ABOUT THE RIGHT-OF-WAY: As highlighted at the recent launch meeting of the Fauntleroy Way Association (WSB coverage here), one concern for some businesses along the route is that they’ll be losing parking. The city says its plan is to build entirely in the “right of way.” So we followed up with SDOT (which wasn’t at the community group’s meeting) to ask about the public/private property delineation in the area. Project spokesperson Rachel McCaffrey replied:
… in much of the project area, the sidewalk and street are poorly defined and people have become accustomed to using the public right-of-way for parking or loading. This means that people are sometimes driving and parking on the sidewalk. One of the main project goals is to organize the street to be more predictable and comfortable for all users. We achieve this, in part, by defining clear sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and vehicle lanes. Throughout the design process, we have been working with individual business owners to adjust our project designs for the right-of-way to accommodate their business operations; for example, by relocating loading zones and adjusting driveway placements.
The paved triangle just north of Wardrobe Cleaners is City-owned right-of-way. In the project design, this area will be converted into green stormwater infrastructure landscaping to help manage stormwater runoff. Based on our meetings with the owners of Wardrobe Cleaners, we have also incorporated into the design a “load zone driveway” in the right-of-way space between the new landscaping and the Wardrobe Cleaners’ building for customers to use for short-term loading.
At the 4480 Fauntleroy Way building, some of the area out front currently used as a parking lot is private property and some is public right-of-way. To access the parking area on private property, people drive their cars over the public sidewalk, and often inadvertently end up parking on the sidewalk/public right-of-way. We have been working with the property owner and business owners at this building to adjust the driveway placements in the design to maximize the amount of parking space on their private property. Even with these changes, the parking capacity in front of their building will be reduced from the mix of private and public space they’re accustomed to using for parking.
Even if right-of-way has been used in that way for a long time, McCaffrey says, “Washington State courts have held that property owned by governmental entities, including the City of Seattle, is not subject to adverse possession by private individuals or entities.” (Around residential property, for example, the “right of way” doesn’t end at the sidewalk.)
McCaffrey also addressed some concerns raised by Rudy’s Barbershop reps in relation to the recent meeting:
They noted that the design is based on out-of-date traffic data. Based on community feedback, we are in the process of conducting an additional traffic study on Fauntleroy to validate the findings of our original traffic study in 2012. We will share this data and any design adjustments it indicates with the community next month. Rudy’s Barbershop also raised concerns that the project does not add new pedestrian crossings. The project adds an additional crosswalk across Fauntleroy at 38th Ave SW. We have heard requests from the community for an additional crosswalk between SW Avalon Way and SW Oregon St. As we refine the design, we are examining the feasibility of adding an additional mid-block crosswalk in this area; as a part of our current traffic study, we are considering how this addition would affect safety and vehicle movements.
We’ve also asked about the status of the crosswalk that is supposed to be installed just west of the project zone, at 39th/Alaska/Fauntleroy, as part of the “public benefit package” for the alley vacation granted to The Whittaker (WSB sponsor) project, and are waiting to hear back from SDOT on that.
ADDED 1:52 PM: The reply on that: “The Whole Foods/Whittaker project design includes construction of a new crosswalk across SW Alaska St (crossing from the Whittaker to the Spruce, as you described). Based on our understanding of the Whittaker’s construction schedule, their project – including the new crosswalk – will be complete by the time we begin construction on the Fauntleroy Boulevard Project, anticipated to begin in late 2017 or early 2018. If for some reason this crosswalk has not been installed by the time we are completing construction at that intersection, it is something that our project could build.”
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:33 AM: No incidents in our area but slow going around the region this morning, and rainy yet again.
8:16 AM: Crash reported on NB 99 in the stadium zone. SFD has been sent; SPD is on the way.
8:23 AM: Crash at 35th/Avalon. Thanks for the tip; SFD is being dispatched now. Tipster says two vehicles are involved.
8:39 AM: SDOT has found the NB 99 crash on the Lander camera (featured above). Blocking the right lane, they report.
8:55 AM: Now moved to the shoulder and no longer blocking, says SDOT. Meantime, the 35th/Avalon situation has moved to the Taco Time parking lot, so far as we can tell from the scanner.
Tough weather for baseball today – West Seattle High School‘s scheduled home opener was rained out. But you can see the Wildcats play Saturday in an all-weather stadium – Safeco Field – free! Once again this year, WSHS is part of the High School Baseball Classic at The Safe. At 4 pm Saturday (March 18th), they play Auburn Mountainview HS.
As part of the deal for a berth in the Classic, the team sells tickets for a Mariners game later in the season. This year, to work toward the 2018 Classic, they’re selling tickets for the Saturday, June 24th, game against the Houston Astros. If you’re interested in buying one or more tickets ($18 each), and/or if you have a question, e-mail WSHSMarinersTickets@gmail.com – here’s the official flyer (which points out that June 24th is Turn Back the Clock Night, going back 40 years to the M’s inaugural season in 1977!).
(UPDATED with change of location)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:10 PM TUESDAY: Play soccer on Sunday afternoon in West Seattle for fun, and for a good cause! We just got word of this all-ages fundraising “soccer carnival” tonight from co-organizer Savita Wilson, who explains:
My friend Allegra and I are hosting a soccer event on March 19 from 1-3 pm @ Delridge
PlayfieldPlayground.During the summer, we went to Costa Rica with a soccer organization called Woza. During our two weeks there, we worked closely with two partners: Ricardo and Roberto. Both of them have started their own organizations which helps to keep kids off the streets through soccer. Allegra and I are also members of the Student Leadership Board for Woza and we want to raise money in order to help Ricardo and Roberto reach out to more kids by being be able to rent field space, new equipment, more coaching staff, etc.
The activities that will be run at the event are a 3v3 tournament, a juggling challenge, a chip challenge, and a dribbling competition. Also, there is a pre-signup for the 3v3 tournament available which gets each team a few dollars off of their signup price. Our hope is that you are all willing to help us make this exciting event happen!
They are coordinating signups through this event page. Meanwhile, you can go here to find out more about Woza Soccer.
UPDATE, 8:31 PM WEDNESDAY: Savita just e-mailed to say that they’ve lost the use of Delridge for Sunday because of double-booking so they’re not sure that the event will be in West Seattle after all. We’ll update when they get word of a location.
SECOND UPDATE: The event will be in the Delridge Community Center Park/Playground area near the skate park. Bring cash!
Two recent Saturdays, you were invited to donate items at Hope Lutheran Church to help refugee families. Tonight, we have a wrapup and thank-you message from organizers:
A tremendous thank you to both our community and our congregation for the response to our collection of items for the Refugee Kits. We are happy to send the following items to Lutheran Community Services to aid in helping incoming refugee families:
8 personal care kits, 25 kitchen kits, 16 bathroom kits, 3 teapots, 12 blankets, 5 throws, 7 sets of sheets, one pillow, two crock pots, large box of extra kitchen items, large box of feminine products, large box of personal care items.
What a beautiful example of loving others as ourselves! Thank you!
While the official notices are not yet out, the city has penciled in a date for the Southwest Design Review Board‘s next look at two local projects of note. Both are now on the SWDRB calendar for Thursday, April 20th:
4754 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: This Triangle project on the site of a former pawn shop (and the parking lot to its north) is proposed for 108 apartments, 10 live-work units, and 107 offstreet-parking spaces. The review set for 6:30 pm on April 20th is the second and potentially final one for this project; here’s our report on the first one last August.
4220 SW 100TH: This Arbor Heights project proposing 9 three-story live-work units and 8 offstreet-parking spaces on the site of a former church is set for the 8 pm spot on April 20th. After the board took its first look at the project in January (WSB coverage here), it ordered a second round of Early Design Guidance – the stage in which size/shape comprise much of the discussion – so that’s what’ll be happening.
The “design packets” for these reviews – both happening at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the SWDRB’s regular venue in recent years – aren’t out yet; we’ll publish followups when they are.
(Photo courtesy The Westy)
Going to the Sounders FC match on Sunday (March 19th)? The Westy Sports and Spirits (WSB sponsor) is bringing back the Westside Sounders Shuttle, starting with Sunday’s home opener vs. NY. Here’s the announcement that shuttle tickets are on sale now at The Westy:
Since this is the Opening Ceremony coming off the Seattle Sounders FC MLS Championship, the shuttle will be departing 90 minutes (all other games, 60 minutes) before the scheduled game time.
Dates currently available for purchase: 3/19, 4/8, 4/29, 5/6, 5/20
Tickets are $25 each and include:
-Round-Trip transportation from The Westy
-One Beer/Wine/Well Cocktail
-20% off at The Westy on your Shuttle Game Day
-Plus other Bonus itemsPre-buy tickets for 4 Dates and save $20 – making it $20 per ticket.
Shuttle will operate for Sounder Weekend Home Games. Shuttle is all ages; however, the full benefit of the ticket package and The Westy are still 21+.
Buy your ticket(s) in person at The Westy, 7908 35th SW.
If you’ve driven Myers Way today, you probably noticed the Seattle City Light crews working on the east side of the road. It’s part of preparations for the expansion of Camp Second Chance on the west side of Myers, now that it’s a city-authorized encampment. Last Friday night, the city’s homelessness director George Scarola sent a round of updates related to the CSC authorization/expansion, and it included word of the City Light work as part of commitments made to the community:
… *Seattle City Light will install street lighting on the east side of Myers Way from Olson Place to the King County border starting Monday, March 13.
*The City engaged an environmental firm to do surface soil testing, and the results show safe levels of contaminants in surface soil.
*The City installed a perimeter fence to delineate the site and protect the wetlands.
*Seattle Police Department (SPD) has cited and towed several RVs parked along Myers Way. …
The need for more lighting on Myers Way was brought up at February’s community meeting by Highland Park Action Committee chair Gunner Scott. Scarola’s update promised a third community meeting soon, and also said that new campers would be accepted at CSC as soon as this Thursday. Applications are also being accepted for the Community Advisory Committee promised as part of the encampment’s presence; here’s the application, if you’re interested. The camp is now formally authorized for one year of operations, with a potential to renew for a second year.
Firefighters tell us four people are being taken to the hospital by private ambulance after this crash on the Spokane St. offramp from the westbound West Seattle Bridge. Police, fire, and wreckage are blocking the ramp. Police say the vans driver lost a tire while coming down the ramp, and her vehicle hit the wall.
(Photo courtesy Genesee Hill Elementary)
Congratulations to the lone West Seattle team to make it into the finals of this year’s Seattle Public Library Global Reading Challenge – the Literature Lions from Genesee Hill Elementary! The finals are at the Central Library downtown, one week from tonight, Tuesday, March 21st. The LLs’ semi-final-winning session was one week ago, but we’ve been waiting for the official list of citywide finalists from SPL following the eight rounds of semi-finals, and just got it:
Genesee Hill
Literature LionsBailey Gatzert
Global GangLowell
Reading Rock Star PandasJohn Muir
Readers and RoarersSand Point
Mutant SquirrelsGraham Hill
Blue PandasThurgood Marshall
Who Are We Again?Leschi
Leschi Boom ReadersLoyal Heights
Pink Porcupines
To compete in the GRC, described as a “Battle of the Books” for fourth- and fifth-graders, they read books from a specified list (here are this year’s books) and answer questions about them. After on-campus and regional competition, the finalists emerge. Here’s the list of all schools citywide that participated in the GRC this year. If you want to go cheer for Genesee Hill in the finals, it’s open to spectators, no admission charge, 7 pm next Tuesday; the downtown library is at 1000 4th Ave.
(WSB photo)
Above are the West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA‘s current and future leaders – Josh Sutton and Shalimar Gonzales, photographed at the Y’s Triangle headquarters this morning. This announcement from the Y (a longtime WSB sponsor) explains:
The West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA will be changing executive leadership this spring, with Shalimar Gonzales coming over from the Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA and Josh Sutton headed to the Bellevue Family YMCA.
These moves are part of a larger Seattle YMCA reorganization to ensure continued strong programs and services locally and success for our 2020 Opportunities for All Campaign, including the completed new Sammamish Y and the West Seattle Y’s expansion and renovation. A new Kent Y that will break ground in 2018 and the University Y are major projects still in the works, and Josh will also manage the construction for the Kent YMCA.
“It’s been an amazing time here and I’m so happy with all we’ve gotten done,” says Josh, “I’m thankful for the educational & youth programs we have established in schools, the support of the community as we raised over $4 million locally for our expansion and renovation- just fantastic. I’m especially pleased to have Shalimar here next – she’s a great Y leader for our West Seattle community.”
Shalimar brings nearly 15 years of Y leadership to her new role, most recently as the executive of the Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA in the Central area of Seattle. “I’m excited to hit the ground running in West Seattle as the board, staff, and community continue to develop what it means to be a YMCA in the 21st century.”
The two executives began planning the transition earlier this month, along with the West Seattle & Fauntleroy Y Board. Josh will wrap up his work at the end of March, with Shalimar coming over in the following weeks.
Gary Potter, current Board Chair, shares: “We thank Josh for his steadfast and positive leadership throughout his many years here. Our Y is in a great position to serve the growing and changing needs of West Seattle because of his work. We’re excited to partner with Shalimar as we look forward to what the community needs next from our YMCA.”
Sutton has been leading the West Seattle Y since 2001, and working with the regional organization since the mid-’80s, preceded by years of Y membership and volunteering while growing up in our area.
(Photo by Chris Frankovich)
Highlights for the rest of your Tuesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
JOB SEARCH SUPPORT: 2-4 pm, weekly help at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
FREE SELF-DEFENSE WORKSHOP: 3:30 pm-6 pm at Chief Sealth International High School – details here. (2600 SW Thistle)
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Home openers today for Chief Sealth IHS softball (vs. Vashon Island, 4 pm, at SW Athletic Complex), West Seattle HS baseball (vs. Thomas Jefferson, 4 pm, at Hiawatha), CSIHS soccer (vs. Bishop Blanchet, 4 pm, at SW Athletic Complex) and WSHS soccer (vs. Seattle Prep, 4 pm, at Walt Hundley Playfield).
DIY BIKES: You bring the bike and willingness to learn about repairs, DIY Bikes provides space and materials, 5-7:30 pm every Tuesday in March at West Seattle Tool Library. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: UPDATE: ANA says the guest speaker from SPD has canceled. Meeting’s still on. As previewed here last weekend, the Southwest Precinct Community Police Team is in the spotlight at tonight’s ANA meeting. Bring your neighborhood safety/crime questions/concerns. 7 pm, The Sanctuary at Admiral. (42nd SW/SW Lander)
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm is this month’s board meeting at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse. Public welcome as always but next week is the really big event – the annual membership meeting/food fest on March 21st. (9131 California SW)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … on the complete calendar.
The good news: The newest National Weather Service forecast discussion says, “Drier weather is possible Sunday and Monday.” The bad news: Rain off and on until then. And as a result, a Special Weather Statement is out, warning of increased slide risk, because: “Continued wet weather over many weeks has kept the soils of western Washington near saturation.” So if you’re in a slide-prone zone (here’s the official city map) – be extra-watchful. Here are slide-related do’s and don’ts.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:48 AM: Welcome to another rainy morning. No incidents currently reported in/from West Seattle, but watch for the usual extra-water spots, because some particularly intense rain cells were part of what moved through in the past few hours.
ADVANCE ALERT: If you drive I-5 north of downtown in the very early morning, here’s an alert from City Light about intermittent stops/slowdowns while they do power-line work next week.
6:56 AM: Just in from SDOT, trouble on the eastbound bridge: “Collision on West Seattle Bridge EB partially blocking the right lane. Use caution, expect delays.” It’s currently on the top-left camera.
7:04 AM: Good news – that was cleared quickly.
(UPDATED 12:18 AM WEDNESDAY – now six venues participating)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:56 PM MONDAY: Over the weekend, we published a followup about the community generosity toward the family that owns New Leaf Bistro in Admiral, as they cope with the sudden loss of father, husband, and co-proprietor Geoffrey Ly. That generosity continues with this announcement sent tonight by Dan Austin of Peel & Press in Morgan Junction:
This Wednesday [March 15th], Peel & Press and The Westy will donate 10% of our sales to Shi Qiu Chen of New Leaf Bistro. We were very saddened to hear about the passing of Geoffrey and wanted to create an additional way for folks to support the family. Being small-business owners is incredibly hard, and to add the loss of a loved one is just unimaginable. Peel & Press will also be selling two $50 gift cards with all proceeds going to the family. Our friends over at The Bridge have also offered to donate gift cards that will be available at Peel & Press for cash donation. If any other restaurants would like to join us, please reach out!
Peel & Press is at 6503 California SW; The Westy is at 7908 35th SW. (Both are WSB sponsors.)
ADDED 10:10 AM TUESDAY: As noted in comments, Mission Cantina in Admiral is joining the fundraiser: “Mission Cantina will also be joining in and donating 10% of their sales from Wednesday night. We will be selling $25 gift cards with all the proceeds going toward the fundraiser. They will be available at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) or Peel & Press.”
ADDED 4:41 PM TUESDAY: Another Admiral District restaurant, Circa (2605 California SW), is joining in donating 10 percent of Wednesday’s proceeds.
ADDED 10:24 PM TUESDAY: And more – the Admiral custom bakery Baked is “selling cake at Circa and the Admiral Bird tomorrow and donating all proceeds to New Leaf,” as well as 10 percent of the proceeds of their own sales tomorrow.
ADDED 12:18 AM WEDNESDAY: We’ve also heard from Itto’s Tapas (4160 California SW), joining in to donate 10 percent of Wednesday proceeds.
That image shows the burglars who drove up to, and broke into, Hal‘s shipping container on Beach Drive SW around 12:30 am today and stole tools. The burglary was caught in its entirety on a neighbor’s security camera – it’s not embeddable but you can try watching it here (it worked for us on Mac Safari but not Chrome) – the actual break-in starts just after two minutes into the clip. Hal says, “What was stolen was SnapOn tools, engraved “Snyder” and a SnapOn special edition (Rick Mears) toolbox I believe it is one of 500. Also other tools in the Husky bottom box.” If you have any information about the burglars and/or the stolen property, you can contact SPD and refer to incident #2017-88925.
Concord International School is in South Park, but serves part of West Seattle too. And you can stay right here in WS next Saturday night to be part of its benefit dinner/auction supporting what Lesley, who e-mailed us about it, describes as a “very small PTA who supports an incredibly diverse, predominantly low-income population.” She adds that besides reaching out to help Concord’s students and teachers, reasons for you to go include “some awesome stuff to bid on and a delicious dinner.” The party’s at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th SW/SW Holden), 7 pm Saturday. You can buy a ticket right now by going here – only $20/person, $35 couple.
Organizers of the June 3rd celebration of West Seattle High School‘s centennial are sharing new information about how the event will unfold:
100th Year Commemoration of the opening of our School Building!
West Seattle High School Alumni Association along with the SW Seattle Historical Society will be celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the opening of our school building at the 2017 All-School Reunion on June 3rd, 2017.
This year’s West Seattle High School’s All-School Reunion has a special community photo to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the landmark West Seattle High School building.
2017 Schedule of Events:
4:00 – 4:30 pm Pick up programs, name tag and roam the halls
4:30 – 5:15 pm Individual Class Reunions in assigned rooms.
4:30 – 5:15 pm “92 Years of Westside Pride” video in the Theater
5:15 – 6:15 pm Presentations in the Theater: Hall of Fame induction, Scholar-ships Awarded, Recognition of the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1967
6:15 – 6:30 pm Assemble outside the North Entrance for the Group Hug Photo
6:30 pm Photo shoot – please be promptALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR THE GROUP HUG PHOTO EVENT:
The photo known as a Group Hug for West Seattle High School will be taken at the conclusion of the annual All-School Reunion that afternoon.
Mark the date, June 3rd, 2017!
For more information, or to volunteer to help, contact Jim Biava, All-School Reunion chair, 206-387-2683, jim@jimbiava.com, or Clay Eals, executive director, Southwest Seattle Historical Society, 206-484-8008, clay.eals@loghousemuseum.info
To see what the “Group Hug” photo shoot will resemble, check out our coverage of other “Group Hugs” orchestrated outside West Seattle landmarks by the SWSHS – the Admiral Theater last June and the Alki Homestead a year before that.
That’s the “packet” (also viewable here, PDF) with graphics and information for the next project to be reviewed by the Southwest Design Review Board – the mixed-use building proposed for 2715 California SW, which gets its first review this Thursday night at 6:30 pm (Senior Center/Sisson Building, 4217 SW Oregon). This is the phase known as Early Design Guidance, which focuses on project aspects such as the building’s size and shape. The architect is Clark Design Group, which summarizes the project as:
… a four-story mixed-use building with 48 residential units over ground floor commercial
use (2,404 square feet.) There are 1½ levels of below-grade parking for 46 vehicles that is accessed from the alley. There is a roof terrace garden and green house for residential amenity use.
This is the same block (across from Hiawatha and West Seattle High School) where the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) site is set for redevelopment into a much-larger mixed-use building with 108 apartments and a commercial space in which PCC will be the lone tenant.
If you’ve been wondering about the police and fire response near Admiral Way and 42nd – and/or the subsequent police response at California and Spokane – sorry for the delay, it took a while to sort out exactly what this is about.
(California/Spokane, photo courtesy Bill Schrier)
The southernmost scene (photo above) is where police took one person into custody in connection with what was reported to be an assault near the northernmost scene (photo below).
(WSB photo)
A Seattle Fire crew apparently was among those who witnessed the assault, which police say is believed to be a case of domestic violence, and did not result in major injuries, but initial concern led to a dispatch for both police and fire on a “fast backup” basis.
Three weeks after we reported that the Delridge RapidRide plan is moving ahead – including a name, the H Line, and a later launch date (2020) – a new planning phase has just launched, with questions for you including one major decision between two options for how Delridge Way will be configured along the route.
It’s in the form of an “online open house” that starts here. The introduction confirms that what is currently Metro Route 120 will “become” the H Line. And you’ll want to click all the way through the “online open house” to get to the big decision – what you think about Option 1 (PDF here, embedded below) vs. Option 2 (PDF here, embedded below):
They’re summarized on this SDOT fact sheet as:
OPTION 1 focuses on improving bus speed and reliability in the corridor by adding bus only lanes, both all day and at peak times. A widened sidewalk would accommodate people who bike and walk along key sections of the corridor in addition to the neighborhood greenways, which run parallel to Delridge Way SW.
OPTION 2 would add bus-only lanes in the north section of the corridor between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Alaska St. It would also add about 3 miles of protected bike lanes along Delridge Way SW.
The “online open house” also includes this comparison (PDF here, embedded below) of what the cross-section of parts of Delridge would look like under the two proposed options:
After all that, as you continue through the “online open house,” you’ll get to a survey section. It doesn’t ask you immediately about your preference for the two options, but it does get there, so be sure to keep going. Then, you’ll reach this list of in-person outreach events coming up:
Visit us in person as we spend time out on the corridor the week of March 20. We hope to see you!
3/20 from 7 – 8 AM at the southwest corner of Delridge Way SW and SW Andover St
3/20 from 11 AM – 1 PM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/21 from 7 – 9 AM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/22 from 5 – 6 PM at 21st Ave SW and SW Dawson St along the neighborhood greenway east of Delridge Way SW
3/23 from 4:30 – 6:30 PM at bus stops along Delridge Way SW
3/24 from 8 – 10 AM on the east sidewalk at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and 17th Ave SW
(We’ll be adding those to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, with reminders in our weekday-morning traffic coverage.) Even if you don’t have time to deal with this now – you’ve got two-plus weeks; the city says the “online open house” will be up and running through the end of the month.
P.S. If you’re concerned about the crumbling pavement on parts of Delridge Way – particularly the northern half – we recently asked SDOT about plans for repaving, and the reply was that it would be done in connection with the RapidRide project. How much, when, and where, we don’t know yet. You’ll see the state of the pavement mentioned in the “online open house.”
(WSB photos and video)
11:36 AM: That’s Gov. Jay Inslee reading a letter from first-graders at Highland Park Elementary during his visit this morning. They asked if he would consider more money for their school because they need it for afterschool programs, playground equipment, and supplies including pencils. “Can you please think about it and get back to us?” they concluded. The governor was there to talk about education funding, as well as to tour the school:
(L to R with governor, First Lady Trudi Inslee, HPE assistant principal Sharon Stone, principal Chris Cronas)
We got a few minutes to speak with the governor; among other things, he says he expects to sign the “levy cliff” bill – which will alleviate some of the current public-education-funding crisis – within a few days, as soon as it arrives on his desk. We’ll be adding to this story later, including video and more photos.
ADDED MONDAY EVENING: The governor spoke with students, including a sort of quick quiz on civics:
He looked in on what they were working on:
And he read from a book he and Trudi wrote and illustrated for their grandchildren:
Then a few minutes were set aside to talk with reporters – our photographer and two TV crews.
The governor said he expects the school-funding situation to be resolved this year. And he said it’s vital for kids like the students at Highland Park – many of whom need extra support at school because of trauma in their lives outside school: “These kids deserve schools that function.”
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