West Seattle, Washington

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year : 2017 3764 results

West Seattle Junction’s Hamm Building lauded as ‘jewel’ in first step toward designation as city landmark
January 7, 2017 11:46 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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(Above, Hamm Building in 1956; below, sixty years later)

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A hearing February 15th is the next major step in determining whether the 91-year-old Hamm Building in the heart of The Junction gets city-landmark status.

The proposal to confer that status reached one milestone this past week, after an hour-and-a-half city Landmarks Preservation Board hearing that included both a strong show of community support and a declaration from a member of the family that owns the building saying the nomination “blindsided” them. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, leading the campaign for landmark status for this building and the Campbell Building across the street, explained the notification process afterward, saying it had been talking with the family’s lawyer for months.

We reported briefly on Wednesday’s hearing shortly after its conclusion. Ahead in this report are details of how the hearing unfolded, and what happens next: Read More

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CONGRATULATIONS! Student artists move to state level in Reflections arts competition
January 7, 2017 7:53 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Congratulations to nine local students for their success so far in a national arts competition! Thanks to Lindsay Yost for sharing the news tonight, on the eve of districtwide recognition for them:

Students from three schools in West Seattle have qualified to advance to the state level of the National PTA Reflections arts program! These students will be competing against students from all over Washington State. The Seattle Council PTSA is hosting a recognition ceremony, with special guest, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Larry Nyland, tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 8th) at the Seattle Armory from 2-3pm. The schools are:

Alki Elementary
Literature – Collin Temme, Where I’m From

Denny International Middle School

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Visual Art – Kai Jackson, Girl in the Galaxy (above)

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Visual Art – Daniel Crawford, My Weirdness (above)

Literature – Richard Garcia, The Meadow of Death
Literature – Kendall Sementelli, The one with scars

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Photography – Veronica Dempster, Headshot (above)

Dance – Ruby Martin, Ruby’s Dance Choreography

Chief Sealth International High School
Literature – Audriana Slye, Four
Literature – Olivia Palmer, ON WRITING

Yost is Reflections chair at Alki Elementary and co-chair of the districtwide event (with Liza Rankin); Manuela Slye is Reflections chair for Denny and Sealth. Good luck to the young artists at the next level of competition! (You can see all their work on the Seattle website for Reflections – browse school-by-school.)

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What are your rights as a renter? West Seattle workshop announced
January 7, 2017 4:43 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

If you’re renting, or planning to, and not sure about your rights – you might be interested in the “Rent Smart” workshop announced by Solid Ground for later this month:

Monday, January 23rd from 6:30 to 8 pm
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SW

In this FREE workshop for current and future renters and tenant advocates, Solid Ground Tenant Counselors will cover information to help consumers:

– Know and assert their rights as tenants
– Navigate the housing search and landlord screening process
– Protect themselves from eviction and housing loss
– Learn how to get deposits back and repairs made

Please note that while Solid Ground’s Tenant Counselors are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, they are recognized leaders in tenant education and advocacy.

QUESTIONS? Contact our Tenant Services Workshops & Advocacy Line at 206.694.6748 or tenantwa@solid-ground.org.

P.S. Yes, there are landlord workshops, too. Seattle Neighborhood Group offers those. You can contact them to find out when they’re planning the next one – doesn’t seem to be online yet.

https://www.facebook.com/events/581281532071094/

Inquilinos Inteligentes (“Rent Smart” en Español) – Beacon Hill

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Seen off West Seattle: Duwamish Head Race sailboats
January 7, 2017 2:24 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

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2:24 PM: Thanks to Mark Dale (above) and Chris Frankovich (below) for the views of sailboats off West Seattle today, part of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race.

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ADDED 3:10 PM: Thanks to Lynn Hall for one more view – this one, from Duwamish Head itself:

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More info on today’s race is here.

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MORE WEST SEATTLE SNOW? Winter Weather Advisory alert for 4 pm-6 am
January 7, 2017 11:07 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

11:07 AM: Some areas of West Seattle still have snow on the ground from last weekend – and we could see more tonight. The National Weather Service has a Winter Weather Advisory alert up for our area, officially starting t 4 pm and continuing through 6 am Sunday. From that alert:

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…UP TO ONE INCH OF SNOW…MAINLY SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE BUT INCLUDING THE BELLEVUE AND BREMERTON VICINITIES.

* ICE ACCUMULATION…SNOW WILL TRANSITION OVER TO RAIN OR FREEZING RAIN AFTER MIDNIGHT. AREAS SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AND AWAY FROM THE WATER…COULD GET UP TO A TENTH OF ONE INCH OF ICE.

So far, precipitation is running below normal – .43 of an inch at Sea-Tac Airport so far, less than half the normal 1.11.

7:56 AM SUNDAY: The alert has expired without snow materializing here.

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Highlights for your West Seattle Saturday
January 7, 2017 7:30 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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Thanks to Robert Spears for the photos of the Russell Investments building displaying its 12, as seen from West Seattle.

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That of course is for tonight’s playoff game at the CLink, with the Seahawks vs. the Lions at 5:15 pm. Here on the peninsula, here’s what’s happening:

GET FIT WEST SEATTLE: First group run at 8 am today – meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor); details of the free training program are in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING: The Rainbow Girls‘ annual fundraising Christmas tree recycling dropoff event is 9 am-1 pm in the parking lot at the Masonic Center in The Junction. By donation. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)

FREE CLASSES: Open House at Innate Vitality in Fauntleroy, with free classes noon-3 pm. (4509 Wildwood Place)

TWEEN TAKEOVER AT THE Y: 6:30-9 pm, free to nonmembers and members alike, part of the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) expansion grand opening celebration – details here. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIE: See and talk about “Promised Land,” a new documentary about the Duwamish and Chinook Tribes’ quests for restoration of treaty rights.

Doors open at 6:30, film at 7, optional facilitated discussion afterward. At Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Free; donations accepted. (6400 Sylvan Way)

GIBBOUS MOON WALK WITH THE STARS, OWLS, AND OTHERS: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, nature walk with naturalist Stewart Wechsler. Details on his website. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

PATRON APPRECIATION NIGHT: Free fun at Kenyon Hall – but you do need a reservation. 7:30 pm – more info in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

THE ESOTERICS IN CONCERT: 8 pm at Holy Rosary Church. “For the first concert of its 24th season, The Esoterics will celebrate the centennial of African-American composer, conductor, and professor, Ulysses Kay.” Advance tickets available online. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

SOULFUL SONGWRITING … is the theme for tonight’s 8:30 pm bill at Parliament Tavern. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SIDE GLORY: 9 pm at The Skylark, “West Seattle’s Quarterly Somewhat Queer Variety Show returns in 2017 with a THEME show – and that theme will be the late, great David Bowie!” More info in our calendar listing. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AND EVEN MORE … for tonight, tomorrow, and beyond, on our complete calendar page!

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Northbound Highway 99 reopens; Saturday night closure canceled
January 7, 2017 12:27 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Northbound Highway 99 reopens; Saturday night closure canceled
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:27 AM: Just reminding you that the northbound lanes of Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and Royal Brougham (stadium zone) are scheduled to remain closed until 8 am for pavement repair, so if you need to head from here to downtown, 1st, 4th, or I-5 are your main options. Another closure is scheduled for 10:30 pm Saturday night to 8 am Sunday.

7:08 AM: SDOT says WSDOT crews have cleared out and reopened NB 99.

11:22 AM: WSDOT says its crews finished the entire repair project last night/early today and so the closure scheduled for tonight/early Sunday is canceled.

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More off-leash areas? Seattle Parks Board to consider draft dog plan next week
January 6, 2017 6:06 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

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The pink dots are where the city has off-leash dog parks now – in West Seattle, for example, Westcrest Park is the only one. Will more be added – and if so, where? A key step toward deciding that could come next Thursday night, when the Seattle Parks Board discusses, and might vote on, the draft People, Dogs, and Parks Strategic Plan.

You can see documents for the meeting here – including the points that board members are being asked to decide on Thursday night, spelled out in this “decision agenda” memo. It includes proposed changes to the draft plan, and also asks the board to affirm whether new off-leash areas would only be fenced sites – ruling out “leash-optional trails.” And the board will be asked to affirm the plan’s proposed policies for regulating professional dog walkers if they use off-leash areas – with a $100 annual license and requirements for certification if they seek to bring more than three dogs to an OLA after the first two years following passage of the plan.

Ahead of next Thursday’s meeting, the group Citizens for Off-Leash Areas has been circulating a survey asking for more suggestions for “pilot” off-leash spots – find it here. The survey’s introduction says Seattle Parks asked the group to come up with more possible locations. We asked Parks if that was indeed how they were soliciting site suggestions, rather than putting out a call to the public. Spokesperson Christina Hirsch replied:

When the final People, Dogs and Parks Plan is released in March, it will outline a process for the public to submit applications for off-leash locations. This process will be open to all, including groups and individual residents. Seattle Parks and Recreation will form a committee to review the applications and the Superintendent will make the final decision. This process will go through a public involvement process and community outreach.

COLA has worked in collaboration with SPR during the Off-Leash Area Master Plan process. COLA came to SPR with a list of off-leash location recommendations and we suggested that they develop a more comprehensive and geographically balanced list. It appears they are developing that revised list by soliciting community feedback.

COLA’s recommendations will go along with submissions from the community application process.

In the meantime, Thursday night’s board meeting considering the strategic plan is open to the public – 6:30 pm January 12th, at Parks HQ downtown (100 Dexter Ave. N.).

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TREE RECYCLING: Rainbow Girls event on Saturday
January 6, 2017 4:05 pm
|    Comments Off on TREE RECYCLING: Rainbow Girls event on Saturday
 |   Environment | Holidays | West Seattle news

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Thinking twice about leaving, or putting, your tree out, with a little more snow possibly on the way? Tomorrow you can drop it off for recycling with the Rainbow Girls, during their annual tree-recycling event at the Masonic Center in The Junction. Take it to the lot on the northeast corner of 40th and Edmunds in The Junction between 9 am and 1 pm Saturday. It’s a service the youth group is providing as a fundraiser, by donation, no set amount – give what you can.

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UTILITY UPDATES: Water break; tree removal; streetlight switchovers
January 6, 2017 2:11 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Three utility updates today:

ARBOR HEIGHTS WATER-MAIN BREAK: Late last night, a reader mentioned a water-main break at 35th/107th in Arbor Heights. The crew was already gone when we got a chance to go take a look. Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Ingrid Goodwin tells WSB it was a four-inch water-main break around 8 pm and crews had it fixed within a few hours.

The next two involve bucket-truck work for Seattle City Light:

TREE REMOVAL: Alan sent this photo and wondered about tree-removal work visible in the right-of-way near SW Holly and 14th SW:

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SCL’s Scott Thomsen tells WSB:

When the trees in this area were last trimmed four years ago, the contractor doing the work did not follow best practices. This compromised the health of some trees with rot and multiple new starts. We stopped using that contractor.

In this cycle of trimming, we are resolving some of the problems that were created. Some of the trees that were damaged are indeed being removed based on their deteriorated condition.

STREETLIGHT SWITCHOVER: As mentioned here toward summer’s end, SCL is continuing to switch arterial streetlights to LEDs. Last night in The Junction, Paul Weatherman took these photos of crews working on SW Alaska just east of California SW:

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The arterial work follows the completion of the switchover on residential streets. Here’s the wider view from last night:

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SCL told us in August that the arterial conversions should be completed this year.

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FOLLOWUP: Hit-run crash victim’s father says suspect arrested
January 6, 2017 12:10 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

We’ve been following the case of a hit-run crash in Highland Park on December 14th that left a West Seattle man seriously injured, 24-year-old Levi Gryniewski.

Five days after the crash, we published a followup with his family asking for help finding the driver who left the scene at 16th/Thistle.

Now, they report a major development:

His father Bruce Gryniewski tells WSB that “SPD identified, arrested, booked, and released the driver of the vehicle and the driver of the vehicle that picked him up to flee the scene.” He says the 19-year-old suspect was arrested on December 21st, but he hasn’t been able to get much information (nor have we), aside that the investigation is continuing, and “according to the detective, both face serious charges for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury.”

Police told us last month that while the driver who hit Levi left his vehicle at the scene, its ownership was in question; Bruce Gryniewski says, “Apparently, the vehicle involved has changed hands twice during the past 6 months with no transfer of title to follow.” Nor, he says, was it insured. The car that Levi was driving (WSB photo at right), from which firefighters had to extricate him, belonged to a friend.

As for his son, who has run his own landscaping business since he was a teenager: “Levi’s condition has continued to improve but he has a long road ahead. Prayers and support from the West Seattle community has been incredible and moving and I want to thank everyone for keeping Levi in their thoughts and prayers. Of course there will be significant medical and rehabilitation bills ahead and we continue to look to the West Seattle community for support for his recovery.” Help continues to be accepted via this GoFundMe account to support Levi’s recovery expenses.

We will continue to follow the case.

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What’s up for your West Seattle Friday, including tonight’s NB 99 closure
January 6, 2017 9:47 am
|    Comments Off on What’s up for your West Seattle Friday, including tonight’s NB 99 closure
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Sanderlings, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

First full weekend of 2017 is almost here. We start with a road-closure reminder:

NORTHBOUND 99 CLOSURE TONIGHT: From 8 pm tonight until 8 am Saturday, WSDOT crews will close northbound Highway 99 between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadium zone to repair damaged pavement. They’re scheduled to do it again 10:30 pm Saturday through 8 am Sunday.

Now, highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: If you can donate blood, consider participating in today’s donation drive – look for it at Admiral Safeway, 1 pm-7 pm, closed 3-4 pm for a break. (2622 California SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: The monthly Southwest Seattle Historical Society-presented author series at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village is 5-7 pm tonight, this time featuring photographer/writer David Barnes and his book “Seattle Illuminated” – here’s his video invitation, courtesy of SWSHS:

(2600 SW Barton)

WEST SEATTLE YMCA EXPANSION CELEBRATION – FREE ‘FAMILY NIGHT’: 6:30 pm at the newly reopened/expanded West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, nonmembers and members alike are welcome for free fun including Family Zumba, Family Swim, and an obstacle course. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: All three local high schools play home games tonight – West Seattle High School girls vs. Garfield, 7 pm, and boys vs. Garfield, 8:30 pm (3000 California SW) … Chief Sealth International High School girls vs. Bishop Blanchet, 7 pm, and boys vs. Blanchet, 8:30 pm (2600 SW Thistle) … Seattle Lutheran High School girls (6 pm) and boys (7:30 pm) vs. Crosspoint (4100 SW Genesee).

TX TRUMBO: Performing at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

MORE LIVE MUSIC: See tonight’s other listings on our complete calendar!

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Design Review doubleheader, report #2: 3039 SW Avalon Way gets go-ahead to move on
January 6, 2017 3:09 am
|    Comments Off on Design Review doubleheader, report #2: 3039 SW Avalon Way gets go-ahead to move on
 |   Development | West Seattle news

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The apartment project planned for 3039 SW Avalon Way has gone before the Southwest Design Review Board for the second and final time.

As with the first review of the evening (4220 SW 100th – our report is here), board members were chair Matt Zinski, Alexandra Moravec, and an ex-member filling in, Robin Murphy. From city staff, Lisa Rutzick was sitting in for the project’s assigned city planner Bruce Rips.

The biggest contrast from the night’s first review – only a few members of the public in attendance, and only one offered comment. But first: Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Cold as ice
January 6, 2017 1:55 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Olga:

Tonight, around 9 pm, someone threw a chunk of ice (around 1 ft in diameter) at our car parked in Genesee. The ice went all the way through the car, smashing the back window and damaging the back door, and landed in front of the passenger seat.

We heard the crash and the sound of a car taking off west on SW Dakota St. This is the second time we’ve had this kind of vandalism – it was a rock the first time.

SIDE NOTE: The West Seattle Crime Prevention Council is scheduled to resume meeting this month – save the date/time to bring your neighborhood concerns, 7 pm Tuesday, January 17th, at the Southwest Precinct 2300 SW Webster).

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SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Alive and well and independent
January 5, 2017 11:10 pm
|    Comments Off on SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Alive and well and independent
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

Toplines from the first Southwest District Council meeting of the new post-city-support era, last night @ the Senior Center/Sisson Building:

DISTRICT COUNCILS CARRY ON: Co-chair David Whiting (from the Admiral Neighborhood Association) opened by noting that this was the first SWDC meeting without city funding for a meeting space (the $500/year was cut as part of the mayoral decree that neighborhood district councils would no longer have official city ties). He wanted to be sure it was clear that the mayoral decree did NOT dissolve the council, which, like its counterparts around the city, is going forward independently. And, he said, after talking with reps from some of the other district councils, SWDC is doing so with what seems like even more energy and determination than some others. As part of the mayor’s decision to sever ties, a Department of Neighborhoods coordinator is no longer assigned to assist the group; SWDC member Cindi Barker (who represents the West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs) asked that the coordinator who used to have that role, Kerry Wade, receive a formal invitation to attend anyway, along with her boss, DoN director Kathy Nyland.

POLICE UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith provided a crime-stats briefing. The precinct made more arrests in December than the previous two months – package-theft suspects among them, since that’s such a prevalent crime during the holiday season, and some car-prowl suspects too. Morgan Junction remains the current West Seattle hotspot for car prowls, Lt. Smith said, likely because emphasis patrols in The Junction and Westwood areas resulted in thieves moving elsewhere. He added that the precinct is working with the City Attorney’s Office to step up the focus on frequent offenders with regard to car prowls (which by themselves are misdemeanors, which is why the City Attorney handles them). He also said SPD and Parks had been involved in a campsite cleanup in the Longfellow Creek area where some residents had been linked to car and package thefts.

The Southwest District Council continues to meet on first Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). All welcome.

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Design Review doubleheader, report #1: Second round of Early Design Guidance ordered for 4220 SW 100th
January 5, 2017 8:24 pm
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Development | West Seattle news

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By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

For the first time in months, the Southwest Design Review Board had a full house – this time for the first look (aka “Early Design Guidance”) at nine live-work units proposed at 4220 SW 100th in Arbor Heights.

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At meeting’s end, they told the project team to come back for a second round of Early Design Guidance, after an intense hour and a half of comments, questions, and concerns.

The project’s assigned city planner Tami Garrett asked if anyone had questions before the meeting – and they did. About parking, and even about who the board members were and how they were appointed. (Like the city’s other DRBs, they are volunteers, appointed by the City Council. When there’s an opening, it’s announced publicly, with a call for applications.)

Three were present – Matt Zinski as chair, with Robin Murphy (a fill-in and former member) and Alexandra Moravec.

Here’s how the meeting unfolded: Read More

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ROAD-WORK ALERT UPDATE: New repair schedule for West Seattle Bridge streetlights
January 5, 2017 6:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT has just changed the schedule for closures to facilitate repairs of the streetlights toward the west end of the West Seattle Bridge. Instead of Sunday and Monday nights, here’s the new plan:

Work to repair street lights on the Fauntleroy Expressway (West Seattle Freeway), planned for next week has been rescheduled from overnight hours to daytime. The work will occur Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10-11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If the work has not been completed in those two days, the work will continue Thursday, January 12.

Westbound work will occur between 9 a.m. and noon on these days, and will require the closure of the Admiral Way exit. Motorists who would use this exit are asked to consider taking the Harbor Ave SW/Avalon Way SW exit instead.

Eastbound work will occur between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on these days, during which the eastbound curb lane will be closed. The closure will extend from approximately where the roadway turns in and out of West Seattle to the Delridge Way SW onramp.

Meantime, the unrelated WSDOT closures of northbound Highway 99 north of the WS Bridge are still on the same schedule originally announced, Friday night into Saturday morning and Saturday night into Sunday morning – details here.

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Expanded West Seattle YMCA opens Friday
January 5, 2017 3:44 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Health | Triangle | West Seattle news

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The newly expanded West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) just got the final inspection clearance, and it will open tomorrow morning! That’s the word from Joleen Post at the Y. She and Josh Sutton gave us a sneak peek this afternoon. Above, the new front/entrance, now facing SW Snoqualmie Street. Inside, the new fitness center is, well, the centerpiece:

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The fitness center spans 5,700 square feet and is right on the east side of the entrance hall. On the west side, a community gathering room that can hold up to 170 people (and has a kitchen):

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When we stopped in, final setup was still under way – the huge reception area will have furniture in place before you see it tomorrow:

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A few expansion features have a little more work to be done, such as the family changing rooms, but they’ll be ready soon. Outside the building, by the way, the parking lots WILL be open when the doors open at 5:30 tomorrow morning. And of course, some expansion features are already in use, like the ones we spotlighted back in November.

Tomorrow, one way to get your first look at the expansion is during Family Night. Or, one of the three Try It Tuesdays starting next week. Lots of special events are scheduled – see the full list here. If you’re not a member yet, you’re welcome at the special events too – and if you are considering joining, note that there are no joining fees if you sign up this month.

BACKSTORY: The groundbreaking celebration for the expansion work was just seven months ago. At that time, the Y also celebrated the designation of the block of SW Snoqualmie in front of its new entrance as a “festival street”; the first event was the last screening of last summer’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series, and Sutton says the Y will soon put together a committee to come up with a list of events for this summer – not just the movies, but more. If you’re interested, contact him at jsutton@seattleymca.org.

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Another ship bound for temporary Terminal 5 stop: USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak
January 5, 2017 2:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

The Port of Seattle doesn’t know yet whether the proposal to berth USNS Bob Hope at Terminal 5 in West Seattle will be accepted. But another Military Sealift Command ship is on the way for a short stay, according to port spokesperson Peter McGraw:

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(Military Sealift Command photo)

He says USNS Sgt. Matej Kocak is scheduled to arrive at T-5 next Monday and stay for about a week. It’s a “dry cargo-carrying surge sealift ship,” slightly smaller than the Bob Hope – 821 feet. According to MarineTraffic.com, it’s currently docked in Tacoma. The ship is named for a World War I U.S. Marine Corps hero. It made headlines two years ago for running aground off Okinawa. During its temporary T-5 stop, it will join the soon-to-be-scrapped Matson Lurline.

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Lisa Herbold begins second year as Seattle City Councilmember for West Seattle, South Park
January 5, 2017 12:08 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

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(WSB photo, April 2016: Councilmember Herbold during brief break between appointments at a ‘district office hours’ session)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

This week marked the start of Lisa Herbold‘s second year as the first City Councilmember for District 1, West Seattle and South Park – one year since her swearing-in ceremony on January 4, 2016.

As we had done just before she took office, we invited her to sit down with us for an interview.

At the time we talked in December 2015, she had just been declared the winner of a race that had nine candidates on the primary ballot – with even more in the running before that lineup was finalized – and ended with her winning the seat by a 39-vote margin over Shannon Braddock.

Herbold won’t be up for re-election for three years. But we couldn’t resist asking, at the start of our conversation, if she is considering running for the biggest gig on this year’s city ballot.

Read More

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Viaduct onramp at 1st/Columbia open again after collision investigation
January 5, 2017 10:48 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:48 AM: As mentioned earlier in the morning traffic watch, a collision investigation at 1st/Columbia has closed the SB Alaskan Way Viaduct onramp many use to get to West Seattle from downtown. A pedestrian has life-threatening injuries, according to Seattle Fire, and Seattle Police are expected to be on scene investigating for several hours. We’ll update when there’s word it’s reopened.

11:18 AM: This is affecting transit too:

1:17 PM: SDOT has just tweeted that the investigation is over and the intersection and onramp are open again. We haven’t heard any updates about the pedestrian.

1:44 PM: On SPD Blotter, police say the incident started with a truck headed southbound on 1st colliding with a car headed west on Columbia; the pedestrian and a third vehicle were then hit.

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FOLLOWUP: Comment time for land-use application at Arbor Heights charter-school site
January 5, 2017 10:35 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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(WSB photo from last week)

Last week, we brought you an update on the plans for remodeling and addition work at the ex-church/ex-supermarket at 9601 35th SW that is set to become charter school Summit Atlas this fall. As mentioned in our update, the formal land-use-permit application is now on file with the city, and that meant a new public-comment period would soon begin. Today’s Land Use Information Bulletin brought the official notice – see it here. If you’re interested in commenting, here’s how. The permit is required for the second phase of the project, involving a two-story addition to make more space for the school; work is expected to start soon on the first phase, which mostly involves interior remodeling of the existing building. (Our report from last August included a look at a building elsewhere in the city that the charter company already has remodeled, telling us the plan for use of the Arbor Heights space is similar.) Deadline for comments, meantime, is January 18th.

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UPDATE: Death investigation after RV fire in SODO
January 5, 2017 10:09 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

10:09 AM: A few people have asked about the report of a person found dead after a fire under the east end of the West Seattle Bridge in SODO early today. Here’s the Seattle Fire Department news release sent to us and other media:

On Thursday, January 5, 2016, at approximately 3:20 a.m., the Seattle Fire Department responded to reports of a motor-home fire at the intersection of 1st Avenue S and S Spokane Street [map] after receiving notification from the Port of Seattle Police Department.

Firefighters arrived to heavy smoke under the [Spokane Street] viaduct and immediately began firefighting efforts. During the search, firefighters located a deceased adult inside the vehicle. A secondary search concluded there were no additional occupants and the fire was under control by 3:29 a.m.

Fire Investigation Unit members are currently investigating the cause and estimated damages for this incident. Seattle Police Department were also on scene.

This is outside the Southwest Precinct‘s jurisdiction; we’re checking with SPD media relations for any additional information on the death investigation.

10:39 AM: Just went to the spot where this happened; it is just east of the 1st/Spokane intersection. The RV (shown in a Seattle Times photo here) has already been towed, leaving behind only some debris and broken glass.

FRIDAY NOTE: The Medical Examiner’s list of cases for today includes what is apparently this one, an SPD-investigated death that has been ruled accidental, the result of smoke inhalation. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Daniel Jackson.

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