(WSB photos)

7:01 PM: Emergency responders are arriving in the 8100 block of 31st SW [map], where someone is reported to have been shot, according to scanner traffic. Police are reported to be looking for a suspect. More to come.

7:14 PM: According to radio transmissions, a black Jetta might have taken someone away from the scene, headed south from 31st. The victim, a man around 25-30 years old, with at least two gunshot wounds, was said to be undergoing CPR.

7:27 PM: SFD confirms that the victim has been declared dead at the scene. That would make this the fourth homicide investigation of the year in West Seattle, less than two weeks after the third.

7:55 PM: Homicide Unit detectives have arrived, our crew reports, as has citywide media. Police say they are looking for one suspect, but no description has been made public.

9:15 PM: We are back at the scene, where Det. Mark Jamieson has just briefed media. No arrest, no description – the killer is believed to have fled on foot and then gotten into the aforementioned car. The victim was found in the street, and evidence – shell casing(s), we learned earlier – indicates he was shot there, but there’s no info about whether he lived in the area. Police are expected to be on scene at least a few more hours. 31st is blocked at Thistle on the south.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: One suspect is in jail, another is being sought, police tell us. We’ve started a new story here.

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UTILITY-WORK ALERT: 57th SW in Alki

September 19, 2017 4:49 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news

The flyer’s for another Seattle Public Utilities project that’s getting ready to start in West Seattle: Drain and pipe replacement along a section of 57th SW in Alki. SPU’s Brian Mickelson says work will begin in about two weeks. We asked for a few more details:

The project will replace 240 feet of 18-inch diameter storm drain, which will enable 6 side sewers to be reconnected to the existing 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer without sumps. Additionally, 40 feet of the existing 12-inch diameter sanitary sewer is deteriorated and will be replaced.

The 57th Ave project is part of SPU’s Sewer Rehabilitation Program, which focuses on repairing and rehabilitating sewer mainlines throughout the city, generally in city-owned street rights-of-way or city easements on private property.

As noted on the flyer, the work should take about a month.

SIDE NOTE: Reminder, SPU’s on-site info session about the SW Spokane Pump Station project in East Admiral is tomorrow (Wednesday, September 20th), 4:30-6:30 pm, as previewed here.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Thunderstorm alert

September 19, 2017 2:55 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

2:55 PM: Did you just hear the thunder? The National Weather Service has a short-term alert out for “isolated” thunderstorms in the area over the next few hours.

4:25 PM: If you’re just heading home, it’s been squalling off and on – intermittent periods of intense rain – light rain right now, but who knows how long that’ll last.

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DEVELOPMENT: New proposal for 3078 SW Avalon – townhouses instead of apartments

September 19, 2017 1:06 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s Office photo of 3078 Avalon, currently holding 1959-built triplex)

City records show another change in plans for 3078 SW Avalon Way [map], which has been through a lot of change – on paper, at least – in the last five years. We first reported in August 2012 that it had an early-stage development proposal for a “7-story building with 65 residential units and 77 underground parking spaces.” One month later, dozens of neighbors filled the room at its first Design Review meeting. When its second one was scheduled almost a year later, the plan had changed to what city files described as an “8-story, 108-apartment, 61-parking-space proposal.” After the Southwest Design Review Board gave its final approval in January 2014, neighbors appealed a subsequent city determination that the project would have no significant environmental impacts. The city Hearing Examiner’s ruling in December 2014 went their way. Then, this past July, after an architect change, the project returned to Design Review. The current board, entirely different from those who reviewed the project previously, felt they didn’t have enough information for a final decision and decided another meeting was in order.

And now – the apartment project’s been scrapped, with a new plan for the site, according to documents in online city files: 8 townhouses with four offstreet-parking spaces. A new preliminary site plan was filed less than a week ago. This would be the second apartments-to-townhouses plan change on the block – at one time 3062 SW Avalon Way also was proposed for a 100+-apartment building, but nine townhouses are now being built.

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Should Metro Transit be self-contained again? County Executive proposes it

September 19, 2017 10:43 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Just announced by King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s office – he’s proposing that Metro Transit break away from the County Transportation Department and become a self-contained department:

King County Executive Dow Constantine directed work to begin on a plan to move Metro from a division within the King County Department of Transportation to a standalone County department. This would increase innovation and accountability in four areas: increasing mobility options, capital construction, investing in Metro’s workforce, and expanding the transit system through partnerships.

“This region increasingly depends on fast, reliable transit. So it’s no surprise that Metro is one of our most vital, visible, and popular services,” said Executive Constantine. “By elevating Metro as a standalone department, we can better encourage innovation and accountability so that we continue to make strong progress in mobility, delivering capital investments, focusing on employees, and forging strong community partnerships.”

The move builds on the successes in creating the Metro Connects long-range plan, the ORCA LIFT fare for riders earning lower incomes, and services that are better integrated with Sound Transit.

Over the coming months, Executive Constantine will form a work group with County Councilmembers to identify shared objectives and priorities for Metro as a standalone department. Following thorough business planning and budget processes, a formal proposal will be transmitted to the Council in fall 2018 as part of the 2019-2020 budget process. It’s anticipated that Metro will become a department early in 2019 following Council actions.

King County and Metro Transit merged in 1994, following a voter referendum. Metro later became a division within the King County Department of Transportation, along with the Road Services, Airport, Marine, and Fleet Administration divisions. Metro is the largest single division in King County government, providing $1.6 billion in transit services in 2017-2018 through 4,800 employees – including 2,800 transit operators.

Metro provides 500,000 rides daily through bus service and under contract for Sound Transit and the city of Seattle. Metro’s daily ridership is above 400,000 and with service expanding, Metro is the largest transit agency in the state and serves the nation’s fastest growing transit market in the country.

You can read Constantine’s letter to KCDOT director Harold Taniguchi here. The plan was announced to Metro employees yesterday, via a memo from Taniguchi that a WSB reader sent us this morning – when we subsequently asked Metro/KCDOT for confirmation of the plan, the response was the official announcement you see above. (Text of the Taniguchi e-mail is after the jump:) Read More

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UPDATE: Police investigation after SFD ‘full response’ in Gatewood

September 19, 2017 10:23 am

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| Gatewood | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:23 AM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is on its way to a possible house fire in the 4100 block of SW Monroe in Gatewood.

10:27 AM: Most of the SFD units have been canceled, with the fire having been a small exterior fire, per scanner, but police are on scene, our crew reports upon arrival, and we’re hearing a medic unit being dispatched for someone believed to be ill/injured.

12:35 PM: Police investigators are still on scene, looking at both a vehicle that was up on the home’s lawn and at the area that’s possibly where the small fire started. We’ll be checking back with SPD later this afternoon to see if there’s an update.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Crime Prevention Council, Junction Neighborhood Organization, Welcoming Week, dog swim, Seabird Survey training, more…

September 19, 2017 9:49 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey, photographed by Kersti Muul)

Unique opportunities today/tonight – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘WELCOMING WEEK’ AT YMCA: You’re invited to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) for “Welcoming Week” presentations starting with two sessions today – one that’s just ending as we publish this, but another’s at 6:30-7:30 pm – for “Our Global Y,” as staff member Austin Cassell shares his reflection on his recent trip to the Tijuana YMCA. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

FILL THE BOOT: Seattle Firefighters will be out around the city, 9 am-7 pm, with their annual fundraiser to fight muscular dystrophy, including multiple corners in the heart of the West Seattle Junction. (California SW/SW Alaska)

DESIGN-REVIEW CHANGES @ CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Following up on the public hearing last week (WSB coverage here), the City Council‘s Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Committee will take up proposed changes to Design Review again today and may vote to send them on to the full Council – possibly with amendments. The meeting starts at 9:30 am at City Hall. (600 4th Ave.)

POOCHES IN THE POOL: 5-7 pm at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club, it’s the first day of the end-of-season swim sessions for dogs (after the pool has already closed to humans for the rest of the year. Dogs only in the pool, but owners must stay nearby – other rules and info in our calendar listing. Fundraiser for AHSTC swim teams. (11003 31st SW)

TRAIN TO HELP WITH PUGET SOUND SEABIRD SURVEYS: From Kersti Muul: “Audubon has a Puget Sound Seabird Survey that runs from October to April on the first Saturday of the month. There is a Survey Protocol Training (tonight) at 5:30-7:30 pm.” At Lincoln Park, at the shelter just north of the restrooms. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

SHOULD I HELP? Domestic-violence-awareness training presented by New Beginnings at High Point Community Center, 6-7:30 pm: “Attend this quick and easy workshop and walk away with actions you can immediately put into place if you suspect domestic violence around you.” Registration information is in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

DADS AND KIDS PIZZA NIGHT AT SANISLO: New program launching tonight at Sanislo Elementary on Puget Ridge – free pizza for dads and kids at 6 pm, then at 6:30, a presentation about WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students). From Ebony Lee:

All are welcome including community members who would like to learn about the program. Although the national program is geared toward men, at Sanislo we welcome both women and men! This is a unique chance for dads, granddads, uncles, step-dads, and adult brothers to have a night alone with their student in a fun atmosphere at school. WATCH D.O.G.S. is a one-of-a-kind school-based, father-involvement program that works to support education and safety. WATCH D.O.G.S. is one of the nation’s largest and most respected school-based, family, and community engagement, organizations in the country. Since the program’s creation in 1998, more than 6,450 schools across the country have launched a WATCH D.O.G.S. program of their own. Each school year hundreds of thousands of fathers and father-figures make a positive impact on millions of children by volunteering millions of hours in their local schools through this amazing one-of-a-kind program.

The event is in the Performance Center at Sanislo. (1812 SW Myrtle)

PARKING & PARK AT JuNO: As previewed here last night, the Junction Neighborhood Organization agenda tonight includes SDOT reps talking about the new parking review they’re launching in The Junction, Parks reps talking about the new park to be developed in the 4700 block of 40th SW, an update on HALA upzoning, and more. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)

EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library – this month’s book is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. (35th SW/SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COALITION: 7 pm at the Southwest Precinct, it’s your monthly chance to hear from and talk to local police. (2300 SW Webster)

UNPLUGGED, A MUSICAL GATHERING: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all acoustic musicians welcome! (5612 California SW)

SOUTH SOUND TUG AND BARGE: 8-11 pm at Parliament Tavern. “Unbridled bluegrass, Irish and folk tunes with a side of punk.” No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS … see what else is up for today/tonight/beyond, by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE WHALE-WATCHING: Orcas return

September 19, 2017 7:58 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

7:58 AM: Thanks for the texted updates! Orcas are now reported to be southbound past the 4100 block of Beach Drive; we had an earlier report of some in Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!

8:18 AM: We have conflicting reports on direction so we’ll just amend this to “seen off West Seattle.”

8:26 AM: Thanks to Bruce Easter for the photo from the Elliott Bay sighting – added above.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; NB 99, West Marginal Way crashes

September 19, 2017 7:06 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| 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. One big problem so far this morning – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed because of a crash, so NB 99 is backed up in a big way.

7:27 AM: They’re still working on the tunnel crash, which SPD describes as a “rollover.” NB 5 has had various problems in the early going too, so if you’re headed downtown, your better options will be 1st or 4th, though getting across the bridge to get there will still be a slog.

7:40 AM: SDOT says the crash in the tunnel has been cleared. But beware of “residual backups.” Also, SDOT noted that a vehicle in the right lane waiting to get into the tunnel had stalled … so that might be a factor.

7:47 AM: SDOT says that stalled vehicle has cleared too. Meantime – roads are wet everywhere. Plus, a commenter says the 4th/Lander light in SODO is blinking.

Back here on the peninsula, we don’t know yet if the weather has changed these plans (we’ll go check a bit later this morning), but SDOT’s 25th SW repaving work in North Delridge is scheduled to start today.

8:01 AM: No details but there’s a medical call at 45th/Admiral with one engine on scene.

8:09 AM: If you’re inbound to West Seattle, note that SDOT reports a stalled vehicle on the westbound bridge. Fauntleroy end, per scanner.

8:22 AM: And as commenters are pointing out, the feeder routes are backed up too (the telltale red marks them on the SDOT map, which is always linked in these commute reports, above).

8:47 AM: Crash reported at West Marginal Way SW and Puget Way. Per scanner, it’s a vehicle rolled over on an embankment, everyone out. We’re heading that way.

9:13 AM: No traffic effects on W. Marginal. Pickup is in shrubbery off the road, southbound side.

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