Happy 10th anniversary, Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza!
(2008 photo by David Hutchinson)
Ten years ago today, the Statue of Liberty Plaza at Alki Beach was dedicated. The reminder is courtesy of Matt Hutchins, a West Seattle-residing architect who donated hundreds of hours of work to the project as one of the plaza’s designers. The plaza was a community-initiated and -funded enhancement to what started as simply a project to recast the statue, which was in bad shape thanks to damage including vandalism over the years. The new statue was installed on the old pedestal in 2007, and a year later it was re-dedicated on its current pedestal as part of the new plaza. You can see before-and-after photos here; our entire coverage archive of the project and other significant events involving the statue is here (in reverse chronological order).
BIZNOTE: Ex-Stuffed Cakes spot will stay sweet with Indulge Desserts moving in
That’s the Hummingbird, signature cupcake for Indulge Desserts LLC, which is taking over the 9003 35th SW spot vacated by Stuffed Cakes this summer. Proprietor Michele J. Auld tells us Indulge Desserts is a “retail and catering bakery. Our motto is ‘Custom cupcakes because your special day should be your special way.” She started in a commercial kitchen two years ago and now plans to be “creating a community atmosphere where you can satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a cup of joe and socialize with friends.” Along with specialty cupcakes, she sells “cake, Oreo & marshmallow pops, ethnic inspired desserts (I’m Hispanic), and anything my imagination dreams up!” Opening day is set for Saturday, October 20th; she plans to be open 11 am-9 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays by appointment.
No SB Highway 99 closure THIS weekend – but one IS planned a week later
(WSDOT photo: Tunnel’s south portal)
The decision’s in. No Highway 99 closure this weekend, but WSDOT says one IS on the horizon. The announcement:
This weekend’s scheduled closure of southbound SR 99 through Seattle has been canceled. The viaduct will be open all weekend.
There is another full southbound closure scheduled for the following weekend. The road will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 through 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17 between the south end of the Battery Street Tunnel and South Spokane Street.
Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will be completing pavement work needed for the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program. Drivers are encouraged to plan their trip before they go, and expect delays.
About that very brief West Seattle power outage
Just after 11 am, a very brief power interruption hit us here in Upper Fauntleroy, and we also heard from Gatewood, Westwood, and High Point. Since that means some people might come home to flashing stove clocks (etc.) and wonder what happened, we checked with Seattle City Light‘s Scott Thomsen, who tells us the cause is listed as “squirrel.”
CLOSURE ALERTS: Seattle Parks training; Southwest Pool upgrades
Two closure alerts from Seattle Parks: First, all of its community centers, pools, and teen life centers will be closed on Thursday, September 13th – one week from today – for staff training. The announcement adds, “The only programs that will be operating will be Preschool and School Aged Care; all other programs, lessons and activities will be canceled for the day.” September 13th also will be the start of a monthlong closure for Southwest Pool; it’s scheduled to shut down for a month of upgrades/renovations, primarily to improve accessibility, reopening October 15th.
Happy half-century! West Seattle Soccer Club celebrates 50th anniversary on Saturday
The West Seattle Soccer Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a party at Southwest Athletic Complex on Saturday (September 8th), and you’re invited to be there for all or part of it, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm. From the WSSC Board:
If you ever played, coached, supported, served as a referee, or as a league administrator, we urge you to visit the field and celebrate this great milestone with us! Please share this invitation and help us spread the word!
There will be U9 and U10 jamboree games throughout the day, food, music, and soccer activities for players of all ages. We’re excited to announce that WSSC’s founder Joe Smith and Seattle Sounders FC and USMNT player Jordan Morris will be in attendance.
The WSSC will be selling merchandise, including mini soccer balls, youth hoodies, and our brand-new scarves. Proceeds from our sale will fund this event and support WSSC programs and players.
We encourage you to stop by to enjoy the fun — and we would LOVE to see and photograph your players in their new uniforms.
See you on Saturday!
SWAC is at 2801 SW Thistle.
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Schools-in-session Thursday watch; bridge crash
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:39 AM: Good morning! Day 2 with just about everyone back to school; no incidents reported in/from West Seattle.
POSSIBLE HIGHWAY 99 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: WSDOT says they’ll decide today whether to go ahead with tentative plans to close SB Highway 99 between the Battery Street Tunnel and the West Seattle Bridge from Friday night until early Monday. We’ll have a separate update when that word is in.
6:56 AM: Remember that EC Hughes on 34th SW between Holden and Kenyon is now back in service as a school, home to Roxhill Elementary. Just heard a scanner dispatch for people speeding in the area despite the “presence of children.”
7:06 AM: Scanner – crash response for Fauntleroy/35th end of eastbound West Seattle Bridge. Awaiting further details. (added) Police say 1 person has minor injuries – the crash is closer to where the bridge passes by Nucor.
7:16 AM: If you have to get to the bridge, avoid the Fauntleroy end, as this response is blocking all EB lanes at that end.
7:35 AM: One lane’s now open, per both a reader and SDOT. Photo added – showing the crash scene is closer to the overpass.
7:47 PM: SDOT says the crash scene is now clear. But of course, be mindful of residual backups.
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