day : 24/01/2019 9 results

Almost a year after the last public meetings about the West Seattle Junction park site on 40th SW, across from the Alki Masonic Center, a WSB reader wondered about the project status. As they pointed out at the time, the project website hadn’t been updated in months. So we checked with Seattle Parks, which tells us the project is at 65 percent design – the renderings above and below are two views from project architect GGLO:

They expect to have one more public meeting, date TBA, when they’re ready to discuss the construction timeline. (And after our inquiry, they updated the project website. It also reflects a change in project managers since last year’s meetings – Kelly Goold is now in charge.) This two-thirds-of-an-acre site is one of three “landbanked” sites set for city park development in West Seattle.

FRIDAY: Winter Pop-Up ‘Bike Everywhere Day’ station under the West Seattle Bridge

January 24, 2019 8:12 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Transportation | West Seattle news

If you’re thinking of bicycling tomorrow – you can get support and inspiration via the “Winter Pop-Up Bike Everywhere Day” station under the bridge. West Seattle Bike Connections and Cascade Bicycle Club will be there 6:30 to 9 am. They’re promising free snacks and giveaways for everybody who stops. Among those planning to ride: West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Lorena González. Assuming all continues to go well, tomorrow marks one week to go in the three-week viaduct-to-tunnel transition.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge

January 24, 2019 7:05 pm

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash on eastbound West Seattle Bridge

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:05 PM: Thanks for the tip. A crash on the eastbound bridge, by the 1st Avenue exit, is blocking two lanes. If you have to head that way – wait a while!

7:27 PM: All clear, says SDOT.

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Would extending encampment’s stay be a broken promise, or ‘unique opportunity’? Here’s how Highland Park Action Committee’s ‘listening session’ went

January 24, 2019 4:12 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | Myers Way | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When Camp Second Chance became city-sanctioned/funded in 2017, city law stipulated that authorized encampments could only stay at the same time for two years maximum.

Now the encampment on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels in southeast West Seattle is hoping that law will be changed so that it doesn’t have to move when its second sanctioned year expires in March, by which time it will actually have been at 9701 Myers Way S. for more than two and a half years.

Last night, the Highland Park Action Committee convened the second of two community meetings this week in West Seattle devoted to the camp’s future. Monday night, the Westside Interfaith Network – a consortium of local faith-based organizations – rallied camp supporters (WSB coverage here). The HPAC meeting, led by acting chair Gunner Scott, was more a “listening session” to find out where the community wants HPAC to “put its support” regarding the camp’s future.

Several of the encampment-extension supporters who spoke at Monday’s meeting also spoke last night, including three of the people who were with Scott at the table at the head of the room – camp co-founder and resident manager Eric Davis, Cinda Stenger from Alki UCC (and the C2C Community Advisory Committee), and Marty Westerman from the Seattle Green Spaces Coalition. Also at the table was Barbara Dobkin, vice president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, representing the communities neighboring the camp on the county side (White Center and Top Hat). We were able to record this meeting on video:

Here’s how it unfolded (followed by information on what happens next):

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Sound Transit soil sampling along SW Genesee and in Harbor Island vicinity

January 24, 2019 1:54 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Pigeon Point, July 2018)

That’s the rig Sound Transit used last summer to collect soil samples in multiple areas as it continues researching potential routes for West Seattle light rail. They’re continuing those tests in two areas. First, we have this announcement of sampling along SW Genesee as soon as next week – note that it is also a traffic alert:

Sound Transit plans to begin drilling to collect soil samples for analysis on SW Genesee St between 26th Ave SW and 30th Ave SW. as early as January 28.

Work will occur from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and take approximately five days to complete.

The eastbound lane and sidewalk of SW Genesee St will be closed between 26th Ave SW and 30th Ave SW during working hours.

Flaggers will be present to direct eastbound and westbound traffic around the work area. Metro Route 50 will continue to operate on SW Genesee St.

Sound Transit is in the early planning phase for the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions project. This work, along with similar borings throughout the project corridor, will help us plan and design possible light rail alignments.

That’s near the area whose residents me with ST last week (WSB coverage here). ST also has been doing soil sampling on Harbor Island and Port of Seattle properties in the vicinity, as shown on this map:

The list provided by ST shows testing at Terminals 18, 25, 102, and 104 should have been completed by now; work in the park at Harbor Island is planned through tomorrow, and night and weekend work at 3568 W. Marginal Way SW through Sunday. The technical analysis continues as ST enters the final phase of review to choose a “preferred alternative” for environmental study; that decision is expected this spring. Next steps in the review process, two meetings next week.

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UPDATE: West Seattle power problems

January 24, 2019 12:52 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

12:52 PM: The Seattle City Light outage map is itself out so we can’t gauge the situation without getting SCL comment, but we received some reports of flickering about an hour ago, and one report of power lost in Pigeon Point. Anyone still out, please let us know – thanks!

12:58 PM: The “full screen” version of the outage map is working – via that and a call to SCL’s media line, we’re told two areas are having problems – about three dozen customers between Charlestown Hill and Beach Drive, and the Pathfinder K-8 school area of Pigeon Point.

1:44 PM: Update from City Light – the school outage is resolved; the other two outages have separate causes, one related to a meter installation, one related to a fallen tree. And the main outage map should be functioning again by late this evening.

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From hamburgers to history, 7 for your West Seattle Thursday

January 24, 2019 9:54 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(River otter with lunch, photographed by Mark Wangerin. Yes, these are the otters you see in/near Puget Sound)

Lucky you – you don’t have to plunge into Puget Sound to get your next meal. You have options. Like the event starting today’s highlights list:

DINE OUT FOR ROXHILL: Until 9 pm tonight, Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center is donating part of its proceeds to Roxhill Elementary kids. (9614 14th SW)

WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Today’s luncheon is the annual meeting to look ahead to the Chamber‘s future. 11:30 am at The Sanctuary at Admiral. (42nd SW/SW Lander)

‘SEATTLE NOW & THEN, THE HISTORIC HUNDRED’: As previewed here Tuesday night, you’re invited to this free illustrated presentation with the book’s authors PauL Dorpat and Jean Sherrard and editor Clay Eals, 6 pm at Aegis Living. Appetizers and beverages, also free! (4700 SW Admiral Way)

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm, with special guest County Executive Dow Constantine. More on the agenda in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

SOUTHWEST DESIGN REVIEW BOARD: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building, in a meeting that will include public comment, the board reviews 18 townhomes proposed for 5242-5248 California SW. See the design packet here. (4217 SW Oregon)

M. BUTTERFLY, OPENING NIGHT: The new production at ArtsWest opens tonight, 7:30 pm curtain. Check here for ticket availability. (4711 California SW)

LUCKY BROWN’S FUNKWAYS: Band debuts at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm! Be there – providing you’re 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THAT’S NOT ALL … see our full calendar here!

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YOU CAN HELP! Lafayette Elementary student leaders’ challenge for you

January 24, 2019 9:09 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Can you help student leaders at Lafayette Elementary help other kids? Their announcement:

To recognize the 100th year of Lafayette Elementary, the student council is organizing a fundraiser and community outreach to collect new and lightly used socks and shoes for kids in need. We also accept money as a donation, and all proceeds will be donated to Westside Baby and Youthcare for youth in need.

“The Lafayette Student Council wants to give back to our community for its support for the last 100 years and thought helping kids was the best way to do it. Our goal is to collect at least 100 pairs of new (and lightly used) kid sized shoes and socks (per grade level) so no kid has to go without” — Lafayette Student Council Members

You can drop off your donations between 7:30 am and 6:00 pm M-F (until) May 31, 2019 at Lafayette Elementary.

The school is in The Admiral District at 2645 California SW.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: AM watch, 2nd Thursday post-Viaduct

January 24, 2019 5:30 am

| 29 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times / WS-relevant traffic cams / Water Taxi schedule, other helpful info HERE)

5:30 AM: Good morning! Traffic watch is on for your Thursday.

5:36 AM: WSDOT reports a crash blocking the two left lanes on the NB First Avenue S. Bridge.

5:46 AM: This is about when the high bridge starts to get busy. Note it’s another wet morning.

6:02 AM: Tow and Incident Response are at the 1st Ave. S. Bridge scene – but now there’s an SFD medical callout, so that scene isn’t going to clear immediately.

6:25 AM: The first 1st Ave. S. Bridge scene is clear – the second one, further south, has not.

6:29 AM: A texter says this is backing this up all the way to Roxbury.

6:50 AM: Checking out the (high) West Seattle Bridge, as has been the case by this point in the morning, it’s filling up.

7:09 AM: Via RBWS, in comments: “2 car accident on Fauntleroy expressway in right lane before the Nucor plant. Drivers are standing around talking. Starting to back up toward 35th.”

7:19 AM: SDOT says that cleared quickly.

7:29 AM: The Fauntleroy curve is now backed up. Meantime, a South Park alert – in case you’re going that way to get around residual 509 backups – crash reported at 14th Ave. S./S. Henderson.

7:44 AM: Travel speeds via the city map show Delridge is particularly slow going right now just north of Genesee.

8:04 AM: Brenda tweeted, “On Upper bridge just saw unmarked police car pull into bus lane and put on his lights. All the bus lane violators immediately merged into lanes. No tickets but effective.”

8:17 AM: No new issues. Two notes for today:
-Our daily progress-report media briefing is back to a late-morning conference call, if anyone has questions.
-Tonight, King County Executive Dow Constantine is the scheduled guest at the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s monthly meeting, talking transit and more. All welcome. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way).

8:42 AM: New trouble on the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge – one lane blocked.

8:55 AM: WSDOT says that’s now clear.

9:22 AM: Still watching for incidents, but otherwise it’s off to the rest of the day’s news. If you see something, our 24/7 hotline is 206-293-6302 – text or voice – when you can use your phone safely/legally (after you get to where you’re going, if you’re not a passenger) – thanks!

10:31 AM: SFD response for a natural-gas leak at 14th/Roxbury. Not sure how/if it’s affecting traffic, but heads up.

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