West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Bill Crawford admits he’s “bored to death.”
The store he and wife Kathy Crawford have run for almost three decades, Roxbury Auto Parts, is closed, and the Crawfords don’t know yet when they’ll be able to reopen.
The closure wasn’t voluntary; several readers tipped us to the situation. It’s been more than a week since the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review “red-tagged” the building at 2839 SW Roxbury (which is just outside the city limits):
The notation in the county’s online files says:
Hazard: Dangerous building (entire back wall of the building has failed and is in danger of collapse; the CMU block appears to be unreinforce, non-grouted, and is actively failing and breaking apart – the flat roof joists bear on this wall.)
Crawford tells WSB that they were aware of damage to a “corner” of the building but “nobody goes back there” and so they weren’t aware of other damage. According to Chris Ricketts, building official and fire marshal with DPER, “We were alerted of the damaged building by Ray Pettigrew of King County Fire District #2 on Friday 9/28. Our Department dispatched Joan Hermle, King County building inspector, to the site to investigate.” What she found led her to “red-tag” the building as unsafe to occupy, and that’s what has Roxbury Auto Parts shut down for now.
So what happens next? Ricketts replied in our e-mail exchange:
We notified the building owners/manager that they needed to obtain the services of a Wa. State Licensed engineer for an assessment of the structure, to determine appropriate repairs and advise on future use of building. We have since been contacted by an engineer who has visited the site and asked for additional direction to complete their report and repair design. The County is prepared to promptly respond to any repair proposals. While we want to minimize impacts to the business and community, it is also our goal to ensure that life safety issues are addressed for the owners, customers, and first responders.
And in fact, when we spoke with Crawford by phone earlier in the day, he said structural engineers called in by their insurance company are evaluating the building.
The twist: Not only did King County shut down the store, King County is responsible for the damage, he says, done during last year’s sidewalk project, when work crews were “storing stuff on the back lot.” Asked about that, DPER’s Ricketts replied, “As to the cause of damage, that is not an evaluation we would conduct as part of an immediate building safety assessment. The private engineer may be able to provide some insight in their report.”
Meantime, Crawford is concerned about his customers, saying that if anyone has warranty issues or needs other help while Roxbury Auto Parts is closed, they’re an independent member of the nationwide Auto Value group, which has other stores in Washington that could help. They were also so concerned about Mocha Mojo, the drive-up coffee hut that shared their lot – and utilities – that Kathy Crawford suggested approaching the 76 station next door, where it relocated over the weekend.
The auto-parts store can’t just pick up and move like that, though. So its third-generation owners wait. They promise to update us – and you.
The 2020 Census is getting closer, and our state’s Complete Count Committee started its work today by having its kickoff meeting in West Seattle, at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). The committee is described as “a group of 30 leaders (Gov. Jay Inslee) has appointed to support and advise state officials on how best to ensure an accurate count of all Washington residents,” chaired by Gary Locke, who has served as governor and as U.S. ambassador to China. Both Inslee and Locke were there for this afternoon’s meeting:
The visitors were welcomed by SSC’s new president Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap:
Gov. Inslee talked with the media after speaking to the committee.
The committee’s members are listed here.
They include Sili Savusa, executive director of the White Center Community Development Association.
From Seattle Public Utilities:
SPU crews are planning to do a hydrant flow test tonight near 6537 35th Ave SW, between 11 PM and 5 AM. The test is conducted at night to minimize impacts to customers. Crews will run water from a hydrant to test the volume coming out of the pipe to ensure there is adequate fire flow protection.
Any time there is a disturbance in the water main, discolored water can happen. Customers can visit our website for information about discolored water. If the problem persists, customers can call Seattle Public Utilities’ 24/7 Operations Response Center at 206-386-1800.
Thanks to Bryan for the photo; after more than an hour, the collision that had been blockibg SW Holden westbound at 13th is clearing, with both cars being towed. Apparently no major injuries, as no medic unit was dispatched.
It was a one-shop preparedness stop at High Point Community Center on Sunday afternoon – the first of two big educational events local volunteers led by West Seattle Be Prepared are presenting this fall. Thanks to Karen Berge for sharing photos and notes! And yes, it wasn’t all deadly serious – above, Brian Nozynski from the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club shared a “MacGyver Moment” of improvisation with Cindi Barker of WSBP. (What he’s wearing is a “giant contractor’s bag” you can buy and carry everywhere – it can be used as clothing, sleeping cover, and more.) Informational displays were of course part of the event:
KING TV journalist Glenn Farley moderated; speakers were from a variety of organizations and areas of expertise, including Harold Tobin of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, who Karen reports “talked about the science of earthquakes – the different types, the frequency and potential magnitudes and the damage that might occur. He also talked about the new early warning system and what some of the benefits of that technology are. Even if it provides only 5 to 10 seconds of warning, it would allow time for citizens to drop-cover-hold and for critical operations to be paused or stopped.” Local Scouts helped present disaster-skills training:
Their presentations included disaster kits, water purification, and disaster sanitation. A recurrent theme: Emergency responders will be overwhelmed, so you have to be prepared to care for yourself and your loved ones – advice included having 2 weeks of provisions, and have disaster kits in your home, workplace, and vehicle. Before the three-hour-long event concluded, attendees were urged to get familiar with their nearest Emergency Communication Hubs and the volunteer captains for them.
P.S. Though signups are already full for the next presentation in November, there are other things you can do if you didn’t register in time – request SNAP training for your group, block, building, etc.; go play Disaster Trivia this Wednesday; browse the WSBP website and learn lots more about being ready.
New Seattle Public Schools superintendent Denise Juneau‘s “listening tour” now has two local stops:
-This Wednesday (October 10th), she’ll be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) for a 6 pm town hall with students, followed by a 7 pm community-wide town hall.
-On October 18th, she’ll be at Concord International Elementary in South Park (723 S. Concord), 6-8 pm, for an event that the co-sponsoring Concord PTA tells us will be “conducted in Spanish with English translation.” Child care and dinner provided.
(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand – Superintendent Juneau at 9/4/18 Roxhill @ EC Hughes ribboncutting)
That’s the mess left behind after a smash-and-grab car prowl at Jack Block Park on Sunday morning. Holly reports that she had just left her car for 20 minutes, parking it by the restroom building, and while she had her wallet with her, she left behind some other items that were taken, including this custom handmade wrap cuff:
If you see it, or any discarded clothing/makeup, Holly has filed a police report, 2018-909292.
12:22 PM: Thanks to Collin for the photo. Police and fire have responded to that crash in the 9400 block of Olson Place after the pickup driver veered off the road and into a wall. No major injuries reported, but avoid the area for a while.
1:23 PM: Another frequent trouble spot in wet weather – the Delridge offramp from the westbound West Seattle Bridge – is partly blocked by a crash right now, SDOT reports. Apparently no injuries, since there’s no SFD dispatch.
From today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin:
(Rendering from final SW Design Review Board meeting on 4722 Fauntleroy project)
4722 FAUNTLEROY WAY SW: A week ago, we mentioned that construction was likely starting here soon since the Goodwill truck had to move. We’re still awaiting official comment from developers Legacy Partners, but in the meantime, today’s LUIB includes the land-use decision (PDF) for the larger of two buildings in this project – described as a “7-story, 239-unit apartment building (25 small efficiency dwelling units and 214 apartment units) with 16 Live-Work units and Retail Sales and Service. Parking for 230 vehicles proposed.” The approval opens a two-week window for appeals; the notice (PDF) explains that process.
5616 CALIFORNIA SW: We reported three weeks ago on the “early design community outreach” meeting for this 8-townhouse, 5-offstreet-parking-space project. Now it’s officially open for two weeks of public comment in Administrative Design Review – see the packet here; the notice with how-to-comment info is linked here.
8823 9TH SW: A land-use-permit application has been filed to build two 3-story buildings totaling 7 townhouses. This opens a two-week period for comments on the application; the official notice (PDF) explains how to comment.
(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Before we move on to the news of the day – calendar highlights:
VOTER REGISTRATION/STATUS CHECK: Not registered to vote? Not sure about your status – maybe you’ve moved, for example? Today’s your deadline to do both of the above online. Just go here.
COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE: This committee appointed by Governor Inslee, “a group of 30 leaders he has appointed to support and advise state officials on how best to ensure an accurate count of all Washington residents for the 2020 Census,” chaired by former Gov. Gary Locke, has its first meeting at 2 pm at Brockey Center on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteers are at High Point Library to assist students, 4-7:30 pm. More info here. (3411 SW Raymond)
EVENING BOOK GROUP IN WESTWOOD: 6:45 pm at Southwest Library. This month’s book is “Negroland: a Memoir” by Margo Jefferson. (9010 35th SW)
EVENING BOOK GROUP IN ADMIRAL: 6:45 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. This month’s book is “Lost Memory of Skin” by Russell Banks. (2306 42nd SW)
TRIVIA: Free all-ages trivia at The Skylark, 7:30 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THE WEEK AHEAD … preview what’s coming up by checking our complete calendar!
Get your Halloween season going this Saturday by being part of a first-ever West Seattle event – the first Monster Bash fundraiser for nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts!
It’s MMPA’s first year of providing music and performing-arts education at Title I schools including Highland Park and Roxhill Elementaries, along with partial and full scholarships for families in need, all intended “to create equity in arts programming within our educational system.” And they’re raising money by offering you a night of food, drinks, music, theater, and fun! KEXP DJ Troy Nelson is hosting. Tickets are only $20 in advance ($25 at the door); the party’s happening at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 7:30-10 pm Saturday (October 13th). Get your ticket(s) online now!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning and welcome to the new week! No official alert so far but a tipster says a stalled semitruck is blocking a lane near the NB I-5 entrance at the east end of the eastbound bridge.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT: Sounders FC home match vs. Houston, 7:30 pm at CenturyLink Field. That means added evening runs tonight for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
99 CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND: Southbound 99 is scheduled to close between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel late Friday night through early Monday (October 12th-15th).
7:46 AM: One lane blocked in NB Battery St. Tunnel.
8:06 AM: Cleared.
| 33 COMMENTS