day : 20/04/2017 12 results

(4220 SW 100th massing rendering by Lemons Architecture)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We changed a lot.”

That’s how architect Jonathan Lemons described what’s happened since the first meeting for the second project that went before the Southwest Design Review Board tonight – a nine-unit proposal for the ex-church site at 4220 SW 100th in Arbor Heights,

SWDRB members present for this hearing were chair Matt Zinski, Don Caffrey, Alexandra Moravec, and fill-in Robin Murphy (a former board member). The project’s assigned city planner, Tami Garrett, was on hand too.

You can see the design packet prepared for tonight’s meeting here, and/or embedded below:

This was a second round of Early Design Guidance, as ordered at the conclusion of the project’s first review back in January (WSB coverage here). That means it’s the phase where the focus is on massing – size, shape, placement on the site – rather than appearance details.

Architect Lemons opened the meeting, per the standard format:

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UPDATE: Crash at Fauntleroy/Oregon

April 20, 2017 10:58 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:58 PM: Though the original callout was at 10:10 pm, we’ve just received multiple tips that a crash is still blocking Fauntleroy/Oregon. We’re off to look.

11:26 PM: SFD was gone – we’ll have to ask tomorrow about injuries (from the incident log, doesn’t look like anyone was taken to the hospital by medic unit) – and two vehicles had been moved to the sides of the road, both in the process of being towed, so the scene should be clearing.

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Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader, report #1: 4754 Fauntleroy Way SW, ‘The Foundry,’ advances despite live-work concerns

April 20, 2017 8:06 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

(Edmunds side of The Foundry – rendering by Mithun)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The first project of tonight’s Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader, 4754 Fauntleroy Way SW, just got 3-1 approval in the second and final phase of the process.

It’s a project dubbed “The Foundry,” on the northeast corner of Fauntleroy/Edmunds, planned as a 7-story, 108-unit apartment building with 10 live-work units at ground level and 103 offstreet-parking spaces underground.

The live-works – spanning the ground floor, where a building of this size and zoning might instead have commercial spaces – were the biggest topic of concern, both for board members and for the neighbors who came to comment.

Board members present for the meeting at the Senior Center/Sisson Building were Matt Zinski, Todd Bronk (both of whom disclosed that their respective employers have done work with the developer Holland Partners, but not on this project), Alexandra Moravec, and Don Caffrey. From the city planning team at SDCI, Josh Johnson is the planner assigned to this project, which last came before the board in August 2016 (WSB coverage here).

You can see the “design packet” prepared for the meeting here. Here’s how it unfolded:

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car broken into; bicycle found

April 20, 2017 6:11 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car broken into; bicycle found

| Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch, two reader reports:

CAR BROKEN INTO: Ashley reports, “My boyfriend’s 2013 Mazda CX-5 was broken into on 41st and Edmunds, they went through everything, only took some change. Just wanted to give anyone else who parks on that street a heads up.”

BICYCLE FOUND: From Jason, the photo and report:

Picture attached of a bike, probably stolen and ditched, without a seat. Been sitting just south of the pedestrian bridge on Fauntleroy & Andover for a couple of days.

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DOWNTOWN ALERT: Closures, detours for investigation of shooting that injured officers

April 20, 2017 3:36 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

3:36 PM: We haven’t mentioned this downtown situation sooner (aside from comment discussions) because of the 35th/Morgan crash closure (updates here), but now that the pm commute is starting and the situation is not yet resolved: Some blocks in the heart of downtown are still closed for the investigation of a shooting that injured two Seattle Police officers after a store robbery downtown. Both are at Harborview Medical Center. SPD says it found two suspects and is seeking a possible third. The closures have been affecting Western, 1st, 2nd, from Spring to Madison to Marion, so if you’re trying to get through downtown, heading as far east as you can, before heading south, is a good bet.

3:50 PM: SPD tweeted that they are no longer looking for someone else, “all suspects in custody.” At about the same time, authorities briefing media at Harborview said one officer is in stable condition, one is in serious condition. No new updates on road closures/bus changes.

4:34 PM: Updated road closures downtown, per SDOT: “Western Ave between Spring St & Marion St.; Marion St between Western Ave & 1st Ave.”

4:48 PM: Now SPD says there might be a third suspect after all. Meantime, thanks in advance to commenters sharing any updates on how things are going getting from downtown to West Seattle – Mary took RapidRide and says “no issues.”

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UPDATE: 35th/Morgan reopens after 4-hour crash investigation

April 20, 2017 1:38 pm

| 59 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:38 PM: Thanks for the tip: A sizable “heavy rescue” Seattle Fire response has been sent to 35th and Morgan. Details to come.

1:45 PM: Per scanner, at least one person from this crash is being transported by medic unit. There might be a second victim.

1:50 PM: Adding a photo. Police tell us at the scene that the driver apparently hit a bus – which is pulled over further north on 35th, by the car wash. Avoid the area. A second medic unit was dispatched, so we’re trying to find out more about the second reported victim.

2:03 PM: The Housing Authority van above also is reported to have been hit by the driver of the car shown above. In all, fire/police at the scene tell us that 4 people are hurt – 2 are going/have gone to Harborview by SFD medic unit, one is going to a hospital via private ambulance (AMR), and the fourth person is refusing medical assistance so far. Police say the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is coming out, and that means the intersection is likely to be closed for a few hours – they’re taping it off right now.

3:16 PM: Photo above shows TCI investigators just after they arrived at the scene. We’ll be checking back in about half an hour to see if it’s still closed. Metro has finally sent an alert for the Route 21 reroute – “Use stops south of SW Holden or north of SW Alaska.” (Added: Here are some additional 21 details.)

3:41 PM: And Metro has just sent Route 128 reroute information: “Use stops on SW Orchard east of Delridge Way or on California SW north of SW Holden.”

4:12 PM: Intersection still closed, wrecked vehicle still there. We will check back in another half-hour.

5:10 PM: We are back at 35th/Morgan. Tow trucks are hooking up to the car and van.

Should be clear before too long. Meantime, SFD tells us a man and woman were taken to the hospital, both in stable condition.

5:47 PM: Just checked again – 35th/Morgan has reopened.

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FAUNTLEROY BOULEVARD PROJECT: A call for ‘compromise’ and a promise of ‘negotiation’ as changes are considered

April 20, 2017 1:03 pm

| 20 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though no one said it aloud, an undercurrent of “can’t SDOT just scrap this?” seemed to be running through the Q/A at the latest community meeting about the Fauntleroy (Way) Boulevard project, held last night in the new meeting room at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor).

If not, one attendee said, at least “compromise” would be appreciated.

By meeting’s end, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold had spoken up to remind people that SDOT didn’t initiate the project – community members did, many years ago (1999, as the city reps’ slide deck pointed out) – and that the final phase of design is a “negotiation.”

The timeline reminder rankled some, who suggested that in booming West Seattle, the time for a boulevard along the last almost-half-mile to the West Seattle Bridge is long past.

But before the discussion, SDOT presented some new information, including a few tweaks to the 60 percent design, a few highlights from the newest traffic studies, and a couple potential changes along the way.

The meeting was originally announced as the second gathering of the Fauntleroy Way Neighborhood and Business Association (whose first meeting six weeks ago was covered here), with the Junction Neighborhood Organization joining in as co-host, and SDOT sending a raft of reps. Here’s how it unfolded:

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Port of Seattle expecting truck-traffic increase at Harbor Island’s Terminal 18

April 20, 2017 11:16 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(Photo by Scott Sweeney, from WSB coverage of January 2015 truck-traffic backup on westbound bridge)

According to the port, its terminal operators say they are ready to handle it – but just in case, here’s what you might call an advance traffic alert, from a flyer sent this morning by the Port of Seattle, on behalf of its joint venture with the Port of Tacoma:

The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) expects to see changes in truck volumes at several of its container terminals in the coming months. These changes may affect local traffic.

What is expected?

The NWSA expects a reduction in truck volumes at Washington United Terminals in Tacoma. At the same time, the NWSA is expecting a significant growth in truck volumes at Terminal 18 in Seattle and a modest increase at Husky Terminal in Tacoma. These shifts in truck volumes are expected to occur later this month and peak in early- to mid-May.

Why is this happening?

Over the last several years, ocean carriers have formed alliances to better utilize their collective
assets to manage costs in light of weak market conditions. In April, the members of these alliances are set to reshuffle, creating three major alliances engaged in the trans-Pacific trade instead of the previous four.

The new alliance configurations mean changes at which terminals the different carriers and their alliances call. This will likely mean corresponding changes in truck traffic at these various terminals.

What is the NWSA doing about this?

The NWSA is working closely with terminal operators to ensure they do everything practical to manage their operations to minimize truck backups at their gates. Terminal operators assure the NWSA that they are prepared to handle these changes.

NWSA staff continue to encourage our tenants to consider a variety of options at their disposal including, but not limited to, extended gate hours, appointment systems and other operational tools.

Over the long-term, the NWSA continues to explore opportunities for gate redesigns, expanded truck staging facilities and off-dock container yards that could help. These infrastructure investments are expensive and will take time to fund and develop.

Terminal 18 is on the east side of Harbor Island, as shown on this map of Port of Seattle terminals.

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West Seattle Thursday: From dancing to Design Review, and beyond…

April 20, 2017 9:22 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(One more look before the petals all fall: Cherry blossoms in Fauntleroy)

Morning to night, highlights of an option-filled Thursday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ACTIVE DADS PLAYGROUP: 10 am-noon at Neighborhood House High Point Center, open play and socializing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30-11 am at Southwest Library, bring your toddler(s) and preschooler(s), ages 1-5. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

AFTERNOON DANCE TIME: 2-4 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle with Lauren Petrie. All ages, abilities, skill levels welcome; no-host bar for 21+. No host bar with $3 beer, wine, and cocktails. “Join our fun and friendly community of dancers!” Admission $7 nonmembers, $5 members. (4217 SW Oregon)

4.20 @ ORIGINS CANNABIS: 3-7 pm, live music, deals, and fun to celebrate 4.20 at Origins Recreational Cannabis (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. (4800 40th SW)

TINKERLAB DROP-IN: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library, drop in for a fun STEM-based craft or challenge. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

BEER TASTING: 5-8 pm at The Beer Junction, certified cicerone Melissa Twist from Pennsylvania’s Victory Brewing visits. (4511 California SW)

ENVIRONMENTAL SLAM: 6-8:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, middle- and high-school students’ multimedia presentations inspiring others to take action. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

JUNCTION, ARBOR HEIGHTS PROJECTS @ DESIGN-REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: Two projects return to the Southwest Design Review Board tonight, with both reviews at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (California/Oregon): 6:30 pm, 4754 Fauntleroy Way SW, a 7-story, 108-apartment, 103-offstreet-parking-space proposal on the NE corner of California/Edmunds; see the design packet here. 8 pm, 4220 SW 100th, an 8-townhouse, 1-live-work-unit, 8-offstreet-parking-space proposal; see the design packet here. Both reviews include public-comment opportunities.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with the agenda including discussions from transportation projects, including the SW Admiral Way Pedestrian Crossing, to the off-leash-at-the-beach crackdown. (6115 SW Hinds)

HUMPBACK & GRAY WHALES IN PUGET SOUND: 7 pm at the Dakota Place Park Building, as previewed here, The Whale Trail presents John Calambokidis talking about the increase in humpback and gray whales in Puget Sound. Tickets available online. (California/Dakota)

FREE STRETCHING CLASS: 7:30 pm at West Seattle Performing Arts in The Junction, free class with tonight featuring input from a physical therapist. (California/Edmunds)

‘FROZEN’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest Playhouse, it’s opening night for the newest production – details in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE AND MORE … on our complete-calendar page.

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Memorial planned May 19th for Janis B. Gedney, 1952-2017

April 20, 2017 9:00 am

| Comments Off on Memorial planned May 19th for Janis B. Gedney, 1952-2017

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather on Friday, May 19th, to remember Jan Gedney. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Jan was born and raised in West Seattle and attended the University of Washington. She was an incredible artist, avid football fan, and musician. She was exceptionally intelligent, witty, imaginative, and loved to laugh—unable to ever pass up an impromptu game of word play or jump into comedic sing song. She was generous, thoughtful, loved life, people, and animals. She brought joy to all who knew her.

Jan passed away at her home in Silverton, Oregon. She is preceded in death by her parents Asa and Betty (Greenman) Gedney and sister Mary (Gedney) McClane. She leaves behind her brother Mike Gedney and his wife Arlene; her nephew Mike McClane and his wife Jennifer Stephens; her niece Shawn (McClane) Williams and her husband Brian; grand nephews and nieces Jason, Tide, Tally, Elly, and Cash, their children; and many extended family members and dear friends.

A memorial service will be held May 19th at 2 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Ave SW. Reception following.

Jan’s family encourages donations in her memory to the American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org). With each donation, the Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a recently damaged national forest.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates

April 20, 2017 7:06 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far.

7:54 AM: Still relatively quiet. If you missed it last night – Metro has a new survey asking your thoughts on two options for “simplifying” fares.

8:05 AM: Via scanner, word of a collision at 35th SW and SW Juneau. Police and fire are going.

8:23 AM: Texter reports the 57 is packed. Have not heard of any cancellations or changes for West Seattle buses this morning that might lead to unusual conditions, but if you’ve experienced anything – please let us know, when you can!

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FOLLOWUP: School Board meeting touches on ‘unfair labor practices’ ruling related to Chief Sealth IHS wood-shop dispute

April 20, 2017 1:30 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(School Board meeting agenda item about unfair-labor-practices ruling starts at 1:13:00 into the clip above)

One year ago, we reported on what at the time was described as an internal budget battle over the future of wood-shop classes at Chief Sealth International High School.

At Wednesday night’s Seattle School Board meeting, the final section of superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland‘s report to the board involved a state Public Employment Relations Commission ruling on a case into which that situation factored (though the case was initiated months earlier). Read More

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