West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
As first reported here last weekend, SDOT has reached another design milestone in the SW Avalon Way repaving/rechannelization plan: “60 percent” design. And that’s why they’re inviting you to an open house tomorrow (Thursday, August 23) for a closer look and comments.
SDOT offered a preview and we finally spoke this afternoon with Dan Anderson, so we could share toplines before the open house. Here are the highlights of what’s changed since the project hit 30 percent design last spring:
(See all the new project graphics on the city website here.)
BICYCLE RAMP: At the north end of the project zone, Anderson says, they heard a lot of comments against moving bicycles onto the sidewalk/trail north of the relocated non-Rapid Ride bus stop. So the ramp onto the sidewalk/trail will now be south of the bus stop.
STREET PARKING: They’re evaluating where street parking can be limited to 2 hours to encourage turnover, especially for Luna Park businesses. One place that looks possible: SW Bradford. Anderson says they’re asking for feedback on the rest of the corridor too (keep in mind that the project zone is not only the entirety of Avalon between Spokane and Fauntleroy, but also 35th between Avalon and Alaska, plus one block of Alaska between 35th and 36th).
The street-parking evaluation also includes load zones, and SDOT wants to hear from you where those would work best. They’re proposing “adding back one parking space on the west side by Luna Park Café” as a loading zone, but are looking for more extensive feedback given that the rechannelization of Avalon will take out the center turn lane, which has been a de-facto load zone in some spots. “Since that’s going away, we have to figure out how trucks can load,” Anderson said.
One parking issue they won’t resolve in time for the meeting – they were asked for “better numbers” in terms of a more precise count of current and proposed street parking, since SDOT’s measuring standards (as little as 16′, as much as 31′) don’t necessarily match what you might consider a parking space. This assessment won’t be ready until next month.
LEFT-TURN POCKETS: The one on NB 35th to WB Alaska will be extended, by community request. Turn pockets, however, will NOT be added at Avalon/Yancy – wouldn’t work with transit and bicycle lanes, said Anderson.
TIMELINE: Because of the extent of the work – including water-main replacement and complete rebuilding of the road on the 35th SW section – this “could be two seasons worth of paving,” Anderson said, so they want to hear from community members regarding “different phasing options.” It’s still planned to start next spring, but the phasing discussion would also tackle where they would start.
Again, tomorrow’s open house is 5:30-7:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska) – drop in when you can. And watch the project page, where updated maps/graphics for the 60 percent design should be posted soon.
ADDED 10:07 AM THURSDAY: We’ve just received from SDOT the boards and major map, added above.
(2016 WSB photo)
The National Weather Service said it again tonight – the air’s clearing and should be much better tomorrow. Just in time for this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha finale – family-rock fave Caspar Babypants. Even the not-so-little have a tough time resisting the urge to dance to his irresistible tunes, like this one:
All are welcome on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (, 6:30 pm Thursday (August 23rd). Free and fun. Bring a chair/blanket (unless you’re planning to stand up and dance throughout). The Admiral Neighborhood Association is in its 10th year of presenting the six-free-concerts series, with community sponsors’ support (including WSB).
P.S. If for some reason the sky does NOT clear as forecast, series coordinator Stephanie Jordan says, “Smokopolis 2018 will not deter Mr. Babypants – we’re keeping a close eye on air quality and will move the show inside if it’s still too icky. If you don’t see anyone in the park at showtime, we are in the community center gym.”
Three sites on 35th SW with development/real-estate-related notes:
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD DATE CHANGE FOR 7617 35TH SW: Last month, we noted a date had been set for the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting on a four-story mixed-use proposal at the Complete Auto Repair site, 7617 35th SW. The date has changed – the meeting will be part of a SWDRB doubleheader on Thursday, September 20th, 8 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon), after 3201 SW Avalon Way is reviewed at 6:30 pm.
ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGN REVIEW FOR 9037 35TH SW: Also via the city’s Design Review site, a mixed-use project is advancing for 9037 35th SW – four stories, 26 microapartments, ground-floor commercial, six offstreet-parking spaces, replacing a house and small commercial space. This is going through Administrative Design Review, which means no meeting, but the next phase of public comment is launching; read the Early Design Guidance report here (PDF).
9201 35TH SW FOR SALE: The site of Dere Auto is up for sale, asking $785,000. The listing says, “Business opportunity and Real Property are to be sold together. Perfect opportunity to take over automotive business or use existing foot print for new business venture. or re-develop property.” The site is zoned NC2P-40, which would permit mixed-use development up to four stories.
From Katie:
A 2006 Ford Fusion (silver w/ black hood – license plate 455-ZWM) was stolen this morning on Alki.
If you see it, call 911.
(WSB photo)
Six weeks after he finished restoring the Morgan Junction mural, artist Bob Henry has started work on the next West Seattle mural to be brought back to life, “Mosquito Fleet,” on the east side of the historic Campbell Building, across the alley from Junction Plaza Park.
Next in line is “West Seattle Ferries,” and then the “First Duwamish Bridge” mural at 4740 44th SW – the same one that got a band-aid courtesy of a mystery artist last year after it had been tagged by vandal(s) in a big way:
(WSB photo, August 2017)
Lora Swift of the West Seattle Junction Association plans to seek a city matching-fund grant for this project, so she is looking for muralists to bid on it, with a full scope of work proposal needed by September 4th:
We are requesting a proposal which will include a time frame, cost of materials, sub-contractors, labor, and portfolio with past work. The body of work would ideally be completed by mid-year 2019, but we could start as early as October, depending upon the weather.
(Contact her at info@wsjunction.org.) Other murals are awaiting their turn, and crowdfunding continues here. Another way to help the mural-restoration fund is by attending this Saturday’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies finale (“Black Panther,” August 26th at dusk by the West Seattle YMCA [3622 SW Snoqualmie; WSB sponsor]); it’ll be the beneficiary of this week’s raffle.
Below are three items reported to us as found but likely stolen/dumped so as is customary, we’re noting them here rather than pointing people to WSB’s regular West Seattle Lost/Found/Non-Pets section:
FOUND GOLD WATCH, JEWELRY: This report was sent to us by the Seattle Police Evidence Unit. Turned in at the Southwest Precinct: A gold watch and “other items” of gold jewelry. Police can’t match them to anything reported as stolen or lost. If they might be yours, call 206-684-8720, extension 8 – proof of ownership will be required.
FOUND BICYCLE: This was found behind the Kingdom of Basil Wellness Clinic in South Delridge:
If it’s yours, please contact the clinic at 206-937 6288.
FOUND TOOL: A miter saw was found on a planting strip near the intersection of 35th and Raymond last week. If you’re missing one, let us know.
(August 2017 Cosmo 7K photo by David Hutchinson)
Thanks to Molly for the tip! The Cosmo 7K – successor to what had been the Alki Beach 5K – has been postponed because of the wildfire smoke. It was set for this Sunday (August 26th), but race organizers sent e-mail to registered participants that even with the smoke expected to dissipate, “the current air conditions are unsafe and not something we can risk lingering through the weekend.” It’s been rescheduled to September 16th.
(WSB photo: Duwamish River from the high bridge, as seen Tuesday midday)
First, from the “because it’s smoky” file:
A PLACE TO PLAY: Second day for St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church to be open until 1 pm for kids 0-5 to play indoors. (3050 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE YMCA: The main location in The Triangle is open again today for anyone – nonmembers too – who needs to get indoors and find respite from the smoky air. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)
POOLS CLOSED: Seattle Parks announced closures of outdoor pools, including Colman Pool and Lincoln Park wading pool.
NO FARM STAND: The High Point Market Garden Farm Stand‘s regular Wednesday afternoon opening is canceled this week.
Any other smoke-related changes/closures today? Please let us know and we’ll add to the list.
Now, what IS happening – indoors:
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, “Bright Road” (1953) is this week’s movie. $1 members/$2 nonmembers. (4217 SW Oregon)
EXPLORERS – EV3 ROBOTS: 3 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, for ages 9-12. Free but registration required – check with the library to see if there’s room. (2306 42nd SW)
DIESEL & HEAVY EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE: 6-7 pm, come learn about this program at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
BARGE FIRE INFORMATIONAL MEETING: As previewed here, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has organized agencies/departments involved with the June fire and/or its aftermath to provide updates and answer questions. At South Seattle College’s Georgetown campus; all welcome. (6737 Corson Ave. S.)
JEFF FERGUSON’S TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: 7 pm at Whisky West (WSB sponsor), live music – details here. No cover. 21+. (6451 California SW)
THERE’S MORE, AS ALWAYS … just go here to see our complete calendar!
(Photos courtesy SDOT)
Before we move on from traffic to today’s other news – one more weekend alert: The 1st/Olson work at the east end of the SW Roxbury corridor continues. This project began without a standalone announcement and we’ve been asked what it’s going to accomplish, so we asked SDOT’s LeAnne Nelson, who explained:
The 1st/Olson location was prioritized for a Levy to Move Seattle major maintenance rebuild, to enhance reliability and function where underground wiring/materials had degraded. The failing existing conduit system had caused repeated maintenance issues.
The 4-intense-weekends-effort was planned to reduce traffic impacts during replacement of underground wiring and bonding across about 70 feet of travel lanes. Crews finish installing the new underground infrastructure this weekend, followed by paving. The new conduit connects to our Traffic Operations Center and Intelligent Transportation System, which helps enhance safety and mobility remotely.
There is an additional phase of the effort, above ground, expected to be complete by the end of September. It includes new LED traffic signals and new signal support poles—better aligned with the current roadway configuration for optimal visibility.
Interesting side note, the team had to make minor adjustments to the planned conduit route, after discovery of an abandoned streetcar rail during excavation. (Photo above)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:12 AM: Good morning. No incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
STADIUM ZONE: Day game for the Mariners playing Houston at 1:10 pm.
WEEKEND CLOSURES: I-5 and 99 closures Friday night through early Monday, and the parameters of the 99 closure have changed – here’s the new info.
7:20 AM: As noted in comments, the live camera for the eastbound bridge shows something going on with a bus just past the exit to NB 99. No alerts on this but clearly blocking right now.
7:30 AM: Camera shows that’s now cleared.
9:25 AM: More bus trouble – one is stuck on the stretch of California SW near Fauntleroy Schoolhouse/Church.
9:31 AM: We just went to check on the bus – and it’s cleared. Adding a photo texted before that happened.
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