West Seattle, Washington
02 Wednesday
(WSB photo, August 2018)
An open invitation received tonight from Hate-Free Delridge, which invites you to join a gathering at California/Alaska on Sunday:
Please join us this Sunday for a very special event in West Seattle at the Alaska Junction from 11:00 am-1:00 pm! In response to the shootings in New Zealand and the hateful rhetoric of white nationalists, we are standing up to resist hate and shine our love loudly and clearly to our Muslim neighbors and friends.
We look forward to seeing you there — please see the information below and please bring your family, friends and anyone you think might be interested in helping to fight hate in West Seattle and everywhere!
The West Seattle Little League season is about to begin! From WSLL’s Kathy Powers:
West Seattle Little League will kick off our season with our annual Jamboree this weekend. 6425 SW Admiral Way,
Our schedule will have all divisions including T-Ball (4-5 years old), Coach Pitch (6-7 years old), Rookies (8 years old), Minors (9-10 years old), and Majors (11-12 year old). Games will occur between 9 and 6 Saturday and Sunday the 23rd and 24th.
Come cheer on our kids, learn about WSLL, and buy something from our snack shack.
(Framegrab from WSDOT camera looking south over new exit ramp, February 2018)
The viaduct-to-tunnel transition has meant big changes for people riding Metro buses between West Seattle and downtown, and the changes aren’t over yet. After the Alaskan Way Viaduct was permanently closed in January, the buses that used it moved to the first phase of interim pathways until the new Alaskan/Dearborn ramp opened. Then, the buses moved to the second-phase interim pathway – 1st Avenue. Starting with Metro’s service change this Saturday (March 23rd), Pioneer Square stops are being added, as reported here Tuesday. But riders have observed – often in comments following our weekday transit/traffic coverage – that the absence of a stop is far from the only concern since the ramp opened. So we asked Metro what they’re doing about the new concerns. Here’s how spokesperson Torie Rynning answered:
Travel times are better than during the viaduct closure, but not as good as the viaduct travel times. We’re still monitoring the travel times and the new bus stops on 1st Avenue should help customers. Our interim pathway is on 1st Avenue to avoid the direct effects of the ongoing viaduct demolition and upcoming waterfront construction. As you know, once these projects are completed, Metro will move permanently to using Alaskan Way (and Columbia Street) to get into and out of downtown for West and South Seattle transit service. There will be a bus lane in each direction 24/7 between Dearborn Street and Columbia Street on Alaskan Way, and on Columbia Street from Alaskan Way to 3rd Avenue.
The longstanding estimate for how much longer that would take has been “9 months to a year” (as shown here) – we’ll follow up to see where that stands.
P.S. If you have something to say to Metro – about this, or something else – here’s how.
Thanks for all the sighting reports – Seattle Police motorcycles were spotted crossing the bridge, traveling on Harbor, down 35th SW, and in the Roxbury/Olson vicinity. We’ve just confirmed with SPD that no, they’re not escorting anyone, they’re out training (as happens periodically).
(Display from last week’s project open house)
Just in from SDOT – the official construction notice for the start of work on the Avalon/35th/Alaska repaving/rechannelization project, elaborating on some details we picked up at last week’s open house:
As soon as the week of May 1, our plan is to begin construction on 35th Ave SW between SW Avalon Way and SW Alaska St. We are currently working with the contractor to finalize the sequencing along SW Avalon Way between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Spokane St that is set to begin the week of April 15. Once we finalize this detail we’ll provide you with that information …
Key project elements:
*Repave and install new sidewalks and curb ramps on SW Avalon Way, 35th Ave SW, and SW Alaska St
*Install protected bike lanes on SW Avalon Way
*Replacing the water main underneath the street along 35th Ave SW between SW Avalon Way and SW Alaska St
*Improve RapidRide bus line
*Center turn lane removal
*Spot parking removalWhat to expect during construction:
*Construction to start as soon as the week of April 15 and end mid-2020
*Daytime, nighttime, and weekend work. Typical daytime work hours are 7AM to 3PM.
*Multiple closures of major intersections at night to minimize traffic impacts
*Temporary bus reroutes and bus stop closures, follow King County Metro Rider Alert for more information
*Multiple, short-term driveway and sidewalk closures. Advance notice will be given.
*Temporary parking restrictions due to construction, please follow no parks north and south of the project corridor
*Lane or full closures of side streets between SW Avalon Way or 35th Ave SW and the nearest alley or driveway access point. These closures will impact the following side streets:
SW Orleans St
SW Charlestown St
SW Bradford St
30th Ave SW (permanent closure)
SW Snoqualmie St
3 Temporary water shut-offs. Advance notice will be given.
Noise, dust and vibrations while crews are working
You can see project specifics online, including exactly which type of paving is planned where, and how lanes will be reconfigured on Avalon.
1:07 PM: We don’t know yet what started this but we’ve been tracking a police search that has moved westward from Camp Long toward the ridge over Fairmount Playfield. Police have just taken a suspect into custody. More to come.
1:11 PM: Radio communication indicates this started as a reported burglary or burglary attempt.
(Aerial view of The Junction – west at top of image – photographed in 2018 by Long Bach Nguyen)
Three weeks ago, we first told you about the West Seattle Junction Association‘s survey, described by executive director Lora Radford as intended to help merchants “understand why people are visiting the Junction.” Now the results are in. More than 2,100 people responded – and here are highlights from the analysis (prepared by a consultant as part of a city Economic Development grant):
The majority of the respondents have lived in the area for over 10 years:
26% between 10.5 and 20 years
31% over 20 yearsVisit WSJ at varying frequencies:
29% visit only 1-5 times a month;
34% 6-10 times;
25% 11-20 timesIt is important to remember that this profile doesn’t necessarily match all West Seattle residents; those that took the time to complete the survey are probably more apt to visit the Junction and be interested in it.
Main Reason for Visit
When asked to choose from a list of main reason to visit the Junction:
“The atmosphere / friendliness / small town feel” (30%) and “It’s close by / on the way” were the main reasons.
Of the listed reasons, “Free parking” was the option least often chosen (10%).
Many of those that chose “other” explained that they visited for several reasons.When asked directly later in the survey how much they agreed with the statement “I would not come to the Junction without free parking”:
43% agreed, but only 18% agreed strongly
Another 26% of all respondents were not sure.
Those who visit over 20 times a month were most likely to disagree (46%). The plurality of all others were unsure.
Additionally, of the 1,219 open-ended responses, 127 people (10%) noted that the current lack of parking availability affects their propensity to visit the junction.Respondents also shared to what degree they agreed with other attitudes about West Seattle Junction:
There was overwhelming support for statements that spoke to WSJ’s atmosphere, as opposed to Mall options:
90% agreed that “Malls are too impersonal; I love the feel of the Junction”- 60% agreed strongly.88% agreed with “The Junction feels like home” – 48% agreed strongly.
Additionally, of the open-ended responses, 217 people (18%) noted how much they value local businesses over national chains. And 117 people (10%) cited the diversity of businesses as one of their main reasons for coming.
However, there are some negative attitudes to keep in mind:
Almost half of respondents (46%) agreed that “The Junction is getting too over built,” but few (8%) strongly disagreed.
Three-quarters (75%) agreed that, “I come to the Junction only for quick errands,” although only 13% strongly agreed.
See the full report here (PDF). WSJA also plans to send the results to participants who provided their email addresses when responding to the survey.
(Pileated woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
The second night of spring has many options – here are the highlights!
MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: Community celebration at Chief Sealth International High School, 5-8 pm, with food and entertainment. Free and open to all. (2600 SW Thistle)
LIGHT RAIL STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUP: 5-8 pm at the Sound Transit board room downtown. No public-comment period, but anyone can attend. Here’s the agenda. (401 S. Jackson)
FREE TAX HELP: Another drop-in opportunity, 5-8 pm at West Seattle Food Bank. Our calendar listing explains eligibility. (35th/Morgan)
WOMEN OPEN-WATER SWIMMERS: Though this event is downtown, it’s of West Seattle interest as many of the participants swim off Alki, and some have completed achievements such as Rose Filer, who swam Bremerton to Alki Point last year. 6-8 pm panel, free admission, at Price Waterhouse Cooper Café, all invited and welcome. (1420 5th Ave.)
CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES’ FORUM: Doors open at 6:30 pm, forum 7 pm at American Legion Post 160, presented by Speak Out Seattle as announced earlier this month. Organizers say all five announced candidates in the District 1 race will participate. (3618 SW Alaska)
INTERSECTIONS FESTIVAL: 7 pm, first night of this four-day/night event at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center featuring “a myriad of comedy-related acts from Seattle’s best and brightest POC, Queer, Trans, non-binary, and neurodiverse performers. Each show is a different experience loaded with a variety of acts.” More info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘JOHN’: 7:30 pm curtain at ArtsWest. Need ticket(s)? Go here. (4711 California SW)
ASK THE AGES: Jazz at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm, no cover, 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … see it all on our complete calendar!
A two-part update from our area’s only rowing club:
The Duwamish Rowing Club is back on the water and already racing for the 2019 season.
We have about 16 youth who have been training in the gym with the coaches all winter so they could be ready to compete this month.
They started on the water in late February and were racing last Saturday, March 16th, at Green Lake for the Green Lake Spring Sprints.
DRC raced a Novice Men’s Open quad with two of our adult male rowers and two of our youth novice rowers and they took 3rd.
DRC also raced a Master Men’s Quad with two adults and two of our male youth.
There were also two women’s races; the first a Women’s Junior Novice Four with four of our novice women youth rowers.
Last was a women’s under age 16 eight with coxswain.
DRC has its first eight person rowing shell and it went on the river two weeks ago.
It was an exciting sight to see an eight on the Duwamish River for the first time and now our girls racing for the first time in an eight.
You can see the eight yourself in our poster below.
Every year DRC hosts a fundraiser to support our disadvantaged youth being part of the program.
Even when someone cannot afford the membership we are able to bring them in, teach them to row and coach them to be part of a winning team on the water. Come out and support our programs by attending the fundraiser, having fun and learn about rowing on your own Duwamish River.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning. We start with transit alerts from Metro – the 7:20 am Route 57, 7:16 am Route 56, and 7:05 am and 7:30 am Route 55 buses won’t run.
7;59 AM: Emergency response at Delridge/Genesee.
8:19 AM: SFD has already closed that call, which SDOT had described as a collision.
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