(WSB photo)

FIRST REPORT, 12:01 PM: Two months ago, we reported on “soft demolition” for an upslope structure that’s part of the long-in-the-works project including the ex-Alki Tavern site. Today, demolition of the street-level structures along Harbor Avenue is under way.

(Photo by Carolyn Newman)

The crew started at the west end of the site; the former tavern – closed almost 4 1/2 years ago – is one of two structures on the east end. What’ll be built on the site: A six-floor mixed-use building with 15 residential units, office and “light manufacturing” space, ground-floor retail/commercial, 41 offstreet parking spaces, and a public hillclimb/breezeway between California Way and Harbor SW. We’ll be checking on demolition progress late this afternoon.

3:22 PM UPDATE: We went back just under an hour ago and the two structures on the west end were both gone, as was the crew.

At the left edge of the photo is the brick west side of the ex-tavern.