UPDATE: Harbor Avenue parking changes as Highway 99 tunnel transition approaches
ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: With the Alaskan Way Viaduct closure (10 pm January 11th) nearing, it’s time to get down to even more details of changes both temporary and permanent. Tonight: Harbor Avenue parking for riders planning to use the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s doubled service. First, new signage noticed by Carolyn, who sent the photo:
SDOT tells WSB that the newly designated “carshare vehicles only” spaces are for Car2Go/ReachNow/LimePod (more on that new service tomorrow) vehicles, and that this is a permanent change.
As for temporary changes: Briefings have mentioned for months that there would be restrictions along the water side of Harbor Avenue near Seacrest, to facilitate more Water Taxi park-and-ride use. So we also asked SDOT’s Dawn Schellenberg about the newest details for those spaces. The current plan, she replied, is “to temporarily restrict on-street parking between 2 and 5 AM along Harbor Ave SW from Fairmount Ave SW to SW Spokane St. Current expectations are restrictions will last from January 11, 2019 until about mid-February, when the northbound off-ramp to Dearborn opens.”
As previously announced, an extra parking lot is also opening – as it did during the 2016 Viaduct closure – Pier 2 (entrance at Harbor/Florida, across from the Harbor Avenue 7-11), with a free shuttle to and from Seacrest, where the Water Taxi’s special two-boat, weekday-only schedule (except for the celebration weekend February 2-3) will continue all the way until seven-day spring/summer service begins in late March.
THURSDAY 6:38 PM: SDOT’s Schellenberg said late today that the information she gave us on Wednesday was inaccurate – the stretch of Harbor that will be restricted is actually from Maryland to Fairmount (map).
BIZNOTES: 3 from Alki
Three quick notes from Alki:
EX-TULLY’S SPACE: We noticed the tape and dug-up front while passing by today. The space – now vacant almost 10 months – is still posted as “for lease” and there’s nothing in permit files. So we’re mentioning this just in case you wondered too.
VACATION CLOSURE: B’s Po Boy is closed for vacation until early February, according to the sign on the door.
PERMANENT CLOSURE: As announced in October, Phoenecia‘s last night on Alki was Christmas Eve. No word of a new location yet.
2 ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve on the move
(WSB photo from 2017 Not-So-Silent-Night Parade)
Next Tuesday night’s forecast looks OK, so why not plan to be outside for a while? Both of these free activities are from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, which we’re continuing to update for New Year’s Eve/Day (not too late to send YOUR listing):
WALKING: As announced by Emerald City Wanderers again this year, a 5K walk through Admiral and Alaska Junctions, starting from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW) any time you choose, between 4 and 7 pm. Full details in our guide, and info on their New Year’s Day walks too!.
PARADING: The classic neighborhood all-ages noisemaker Not-So-Silent-Night Parade at 6 pm kicks off the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s New Year’s Eve party, which has a prom theme this year and launches HPIC’s centennial celebrations. Gather in the HPIC parking lot, with or without your noisemaker of choice – drum, rattle. Afterward, stay for the party if you want to – or head somewhere else if you don’t. (1116 SW Holden)
No hurry! You have a month-plus to recycle Christmas trees and other greenery this year
From Seattle Public Utilities: No huge rush to get your Christmas tree, wreath, and other holiday greenery out for recycling this year:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) invites Seattle residents to compost their Christmas trees and other holiday greens for free through January 31, 2019. Residents should place trees or bundled greens next to their food and yard waste cart on their collection day. Apartment residents may place two trees next to each food and yard waste cart on each collection day. Trees must be cut into lengths of four feet or less and all decorations, lights, tinsel, and other decorations must be removed.
In addition to curbside collection, Seattle residents may drop off trees and other holidays greens for free at SPU’s north or south transfer stations through January 31. Stations will accept up to three trees per vehicle.
Composting Christmas trees is just the beginning when it comes to holiday recycling. Many common holiday items can be recycled or reused. Customers can find out how to cut down on the amount of holiday waste that ends up in the landfill by checking SPU’s Where Does It Go tool.
P.S. Reminder that except for Monday customers, pickup is delayed one day this week and next since there was no pickup on Christmas Day and won’t be any on New Year’s Day.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Stolen gray Leaf (found)
10:53 AM: Out of the WSB inbox, from Mark: “I am hoping to warn readers as well as get some community help to find my stolen car. My 2017 Nissan Leaf (Gray) was stolen on Christmas Eve in my parking lot: WA PLATE #BFC2811.” We’re following up to get theft-location information and will add when that’s available.
1:24 PM: 36th SW between Hanford and Hinds.
8:49 PM: Mark says his car’s been found, parked in front of a fire hydrant a few miles away, and he has it back.
UPDATE: DUI suspected in 2-car collision on Sylvan Way
8:07 AM: Seattle Fire and Police are at the scene of a crash in the 6700 block of 30th SW [map] in High Point. SFD says two people need to be extricated. Three medic units have been dispatched. More shortly.
8:18 AM: Metro has sent an alert that Route 128 is routed off Sylvan because of the crash. Per scanner, the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad is responding to this, which means the scene will be closed for a few hours.
8:21 AM: Per scanner, two people are being taken to Harborview. Metro has routed Route 128 off Sylvan Way.
8:27 AM: Photo added – this is a two-car collision on Sylvan Way. Our crew was told a third person was taken to a hospital via private ambulance, and has confirmed that TCI is responding.
10:37 AM: The street shouldn’t be closed too much longer – per scanner, we just heard that the tow trucks have arrived and SDOT’s Incident Response Team is being requested to return for scene cleanup.
11:58 AM: Just confirmed firsthand that Sylvan has reopened and tge 128 is back on its regular route.
2:10 PM: As noted in comments and now confirmed by this SPD Blotter update, DUI is suspected; police arrested the 33-year-old woman driving the silver car.
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