West Seattle, Washington

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month : 03/2019 307 results

8 for your West Seattle Friday
March 29, 2019 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by David Hutchinson. Ever wonder what that boat’s doing off Alki? It’s explained here.)

Some of what’s up for your final Friday of March:

COUNCILMEMBER’S DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS: West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s monthly district office hours are 2-7 pm today, Southwest Customer Service Center. (2801 SW Thistle)

PUZZLE ROOM: LibraryLab invites you to drop in for “a puzzle room challenge. Can you break into one of our locked boxes in 30 minutes or less?” 4-5:30 pm at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

SOUTH PARK SPRAYPARK: Seattle Parks is having an “open house” for your comments on changes at the South Park Community Center, including a spraypark plan. Stop by 5-8 pm. (8319 8th Ave. S.)

MADISON MS MUSIC FUNDRAISER: Swing dance and silent auction! 6:30-9 pm, featuring the West Seattle Big Band as well as student musicians. (3429 45th SW)

GARY BENSON: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

‘INTO THE WOODS’: 7:30 pm curtain for the second night of the West Seattle High School spring production. Check our calendar listing for details including ticket info. (3000 California SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, Natalie Wouldn’t, The Bandulus, and The Drove. $8. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: “A little bit of pop” with Welcome Strangers, Bucket of Honey. 9 pm at the Parliament Tavern. $8. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WHAT ELSE? Check our complete calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch, and reminders
March 29, 2019 7:29 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch, and reminders
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:29 AM: Good morning! No incidents or traffic alerts in our area.

Reminders:

WATER TAXI SCHEDULE: Today is the second day for the West Seattle Water Taxi’s 7-day-a-week sailing schedule – which means evening sailings tonight.

NEW STATE FERRIES SCHEDULE: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth schedule overhaul starts Sunday.

MARINERS: The M’s play at 7:10 pm at home vs. the Red Sox.

CLOSURE: The 4th Avenue SW closure south of Roxbury starts Monday.

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COUNTDOWN: 1 month until 2019’s spring Recycle Roundup!
March 28, 2019 11:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from April 2018 Recycle Roundup)

A question about the date for the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church reminds us that it’s time to remind you – exactly one month away! 9 am-3 pm Sunday, April 28th, you will be welcome to drive/ride/walk up with your recyclables for free dropoff with the church’s Recycle Roundup partner, 1 Green Planet. Just be sure it’s on the newest list of what they’re accepting – see that list here. It all happens in the parking lot outside the church, 9140 California SW.

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Lime, Jump, Link @ West Seattle Transportation Coalition
March 28, 2019 8:44 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, this afternoon along Harbor Avenue)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

It was a multimodal edition of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s just-adjourned monthly meeting tonight, tackling bike share and light rail.

First – the two-wheeled transportation.

FREE-FLOATING BIKE SHARE: WSTC has been working for a while to arrange a “conversation about free-floating bike share,” chair Michael Taylor-Judd noted. This one included overviews from reps of both services that are currently operating in West Seattle, as well as some pointed questions.

First to speak: Jump senior operations manager Kian Mousavi. He went through some backstory. Though Uber owns Jump now, it began independently, launching in Buffalo, NY in 2013, taking on this name in 2017, and selling to Uber in 2018. In Sacramento, Jump has more rides than Uber.

As for why Jump is dockless – unlike Seattle’s previous bikeshare Pronto – “convenient for the user … you’re way more likely to find a bike within a five-minute walk.” Ending rides at intended destinations, rather than at docks, allows the company to learn more about how their bikes are being used.

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West Seattle scene: Chamber After-Hours @ Westside School
March 28, 2019 8:14 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scene: Chamber After-Hours @ Westside School
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Most months, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce holds an “After-Hours” evening gathering, a chance for networking and for learning about a local business/institution. Tonight, Westside School (WSB sponsor) in Arbor Heights was the location – a beautiful night to mingle in its light-filled lobby. Both Westside and the Chamber have leaders in their first year of service:

In our photo are Westside’s head of school Steve de Beer and Chamber CEO Julia Jordan. Next Chamber event, the monthly lunch meeting on April 11th, which has a “speed networking” theme.

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BIZNOTE: The Admiral’s Barbershop reopens
March 28, 2019 5:58 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

On behalf of The Admiral’s Barbershop (4225 SW Admiral Way), reader David sends this news:

Richard Alonzo of The Admiral’s Barbershop is back open for business! He has been out for three months recovering from an injury but welcomes new and long-time clients back to the shop.

His phone is not in service and the shop has been closed for a long time. People may have been wondering when the shop was going to reopen. It is open now during normal business hours: Tues – Fri 9:00 to 5:30, Saturday 8:00 to 3:30, Closed Sunday and Monday. Clients are encourage to go earlier in the day. As he continues to recover, some times he is only able to work the first half of the day.

David notes that this business’s status has been discussed in the WSB Community Forums too.

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WATER TAXI ALERT: Boat trouble, one run canceled
March 28, 2019 3:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

A choppy start to the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s 7-day-a-week schedule – the 3:45 pm departure from downtown is being skipped because, per the county alert:

Due to a mechanical issue with the Doc Maynard, the 3:45 departure from West Seattle has been cancelled while the crew takes the vessel to the King County maintenance facility and brings the Spirit of Kingston into service beginning with the 4:05 departure from Pier 52.

The substitution could be problematic later since the Mariners’ home opener could mean bigger usage, and SoK is a smaller boat. We’re checking.

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John Cruz announced as The Kenney’s new executive director
March 28, 2019 2:57 pm
|    Comments Off on John Cruz announced as The Kenney’s new executive director
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

A new executive director has just been announced for The Kenney (WSB sponsor). Here is the announcement we received this afternoon:

David Smeltzer, CEO of Heritage Ministries has announced that John Cruz, MBA has been named the Executive Director of The Kenney in West Seattle.

A graduate of San Francisco University with a degree in Organizational Behavior Studies, Cruz earned his Master of Business Administration from the Marylhurst University in 2017, and has extensive experience in the senior care industry, previously serving as the Executive Director of a senior living community in Oregon.

“We are excited to have John join our team at The Kenney as the new Executive Director. We believe his expertise, prior experience, and passion will add tremendous value to our organization and our residents. Over the past 4 years, the collaborative partnership between The Kenney and Heritage Ministries has allowed both organizations to flourish in their mutual passion and mission to serve seniors. We also see tremendous opportunity, in both the immediate and long term future of our industry and our companies,” said Bruce Erickson, Heritage Vice President of Senior Housing.

Cruz will oversee daily operations of all aspects at The Kenney, West Seattle’s only CRCC community, including Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. “I am excited to be joining the team at The Kenney, and the long history surrounding it. My short time here has been enriched by staff and resident open arms. I look forward to being part of the future here at The Kenney,” he stated.

Heritage Ministries, the parent company of The Kenney, was founded as the Orphanage and Homes of the Free Methodist Church in 1886 and has grown from its original campus in Gerry, NY, to six locations in New York with additional affiliations in the states of Washington, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. As a not-for-profit provider of senior care and housing, Heritage is a leader in the industry, employing approximately 1,500 team members, and serving over 2,500 individuals annually. With locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington, Heritage and its affiliates provide rehabilitation and skilled nursing services, memory care, independent retirement housing, and assisted living. The Homestead Stables provides intergenerational equestrian opportunities as well as boarding, training, and lessons. In addition, child care is provided at two campuses, allowing for intergenerational programs.

For more information on Heritage Ministries and The Kenney, please visit www.heritage1886.org or www.thekenney.org.

The Kenney is at 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW.

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Encore for Jesús Aguirre: Former Seattle Parks superintendent nominated to return
March 28, 2019 1:32 pm
|    Comments Off on Encore for Jesús Aguirre: Former Seattle Parks superintendent nominated to return
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

More than a year after Jesús Aguirre quit as Seattle Parks superintendent, he’s just been nominated to return to the job. That’s one of four cabinet-level changes announced by Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office today. Aguirre left in January of last year to join his family’s welding business. Christopher Williams, who served as interim superintendent for four years before Aguirre was hired in 2015, has filled in since his departure. The mayor’s news release also notes the impending departure of city Housing Office director Steve Walker as well as nominees to lead the Office of Economic Development and Office of Employee Ombud; read it after the jump:

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Elected Leadership Group talks stations tomorrow; WS Chamber advocates for tunneling
March 28, 2019 12:12 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

With less than a week remaining for “scoping” comments on Sound Transit’s West Seattle light rail, the newest developments:

ELECTED LEADERSHIP GROUP TOMORROW: The slide deck is available for tomorrow’s 9 am-noon meeting of the Elected Leadership Group, which next month will make its routing/station-location environmental-study recommendations. The meeting is centered around station locations – particularly Delridge – and the West Seattle material in this deck starts on page 56 (some of it was reviewed at the Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting we covered last week). This, for example, is from page 84 of tomorrow’s 99-slide deck:

The Friday ELG meeting will include a public-comment period – the agenda says Delridge station comment will be accepted starting at 10:30 am. The meeting will be at the ST board room on the south end of downtown, 401 S. Jackson. (Added: See this comment if the “agenda” link still isn’t working.)

CHAMBER BACKS TUNNELING: Various local organizations are working to finalize their official comments before the “scoping” period ends Tuesday. The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce has gone public with theirs:

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce (WSCC) is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth of a diverse, viable business community. One of the biggest challenges to achieving this goal is our present transportation infrastructure. To support the future viability of the business community on the West Seattle peninsula, the WSCC has 3 main objectives by which any light rail proposal should be assessed:

Does the solution improve the quality of life for residents ( i.e. customers and business owners) who live and work in and around the proposed alignments and station locations?

Does the solution improve the movement of people and commerce?

Does the solution minimize the disruption to economic activity during and after construction as well as provide suitable mitigation measures?

The WSCC continues to have grave concerns about the present alignments that appear to moving forward for further study in the upcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. The WSCC would like to put forward the following concerns and comments from our business community here in West Seattle:

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West Seattle Transportation Coalition talks bike share, ‘Into the Woods’ opening night @ WSHS, and more for your Thursday
March 28, 2019 10:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Transportation Coalition talks bike share, ‘Into the Woods’ opening night @ WSHS, and more for your Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-breasted Merganser, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DRINK BEER, FIGHT BRAIN TUMORS: Ounces‘ co-proprietor Laurel Trujillo has organized this multi-brewery/taproom fundraiser as she prepares for brain surgery – it’s raising money not for her personally but for brain-tumor research. Ounces is open at 4 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

LIBRARYLAB: 4-5:30 pm at High Point Library – “Learn about electronic components and basic principles of electronics with Snap Circuits.” All ages. (3411 SW Raymond)

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ‘AFTER HOURS’: 5:30-7:30 pm, this month at Westside School (WSB sponsor). Free to Chamber members, $10 nonmembers. (10404 34th SW)

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point – agenda info here. Guests are from bike-share companies Lime and Jump. WSTC will also talk about light-rail scoping comments. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

‘INTO THE WOODS’ OPENING NIGHT: 7:30 pm curtain for the first performance of the West Seattle High School spring play:

Our calendar listing has more details including ticket info. (3000 California SW)

TUNES AT THE TAVERN: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, Into The Cold and The Will Moore Band. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE … on our complete calendar!

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GRATITUDE: West Seattle Food Bank reports Scouting for Food total
March 28, 2019 10:21 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

From Judi Yazzolino at the West Seattle Food Bank:

The West Seattle Food Bank would like to thank all of the Cub and Boy Scouts of West Seattle for participating again this year in their annual Scouting for Food. What a year – 3713 lbs. of food (from multiple troops/packs) & $1712 (all from Pack 282)!

Above, Pack 284; below, Pack 793:

Next, Pack 799:

And Pack 282:

Most of the scouts dropped bags off on the doorsteps of their neighborhood and picked them up again last Saturday to deliver all of the food to the food bank. Pack 282, instead, did a food & funds drive on Saturday at West Seattle Thriftway. The scouts were then able to help us sort and pack all the food here at the food bank, take a tour and learn more about how their food will help. Thank you to not only the scouts & their parents but to all of the many West Seattleites that donated food. This will go a long way to help the 11,500 individuals that we serve every year.

One upcoming way you can help WSFB and the people it serves is to attend its annual Instruments of Change celebration May 11th – full details here!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; Water Taxi schedule change; M’s season starts
March 28, 2019 7:06 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents or traffic alerts in our area so far.

WATER TAXI SCHEDULE CHANGE: Today is the start of the West Seattle Water Taxi’s 7-day-a-week sailing schedule.

MARINERS’ OPENER: The M’s open their season with a 4:10 pm game against the Red Sox.

7:42 AM: Metro alert just in: “The last Route 37 to downtown Seattle due to leave SW Alaska St & 35 Av SW is operating more than 20 minutes late this morning.”

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FLYOVER ALERT: Mariners’ opener Thursday afternoon
March 27, 2019 10:14 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

Heads up – the Mariners‘ opening-day game tomorrow will be preceded by a flyover. The M’s media advisory for the game says an EA-18G Growler from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island will fly over the stadium at 3:55 pm, and adds, “The flight path will be from south to north.” (Game time vs. the Red Sox is 4:10 pm.)

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FOLLOWUP: Chief Sealth IHS Mock Trial team’s achievements at state
March 27, 2019 8:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Last week, we mentioned that the Chief Sealth International High School Mock Trial team was headed to state competition over the weekend in Olympia. We checked in with adviser Rebecca Neil to see how it went. She shared the team photo and this recap:

We didn’t place this year, but they put in a valiant effort!

We finished the season with a 4-3 record over all, and a 2-2 record at state. Trials at state are power-matched, so our strong performance in the first round meant that we saw some formidable opponents in rounds 2, 3, and 4. Every trial was incredibly close.

Owen Christenson, Natalie Harris, Molis Keo, and Kayleigh Thwing received honorable mentions for Best Witness.

Olivia Palmer, Noah Marx, and Noah Webster received honorable mentions for Best Attorney.

Every single one of our team members has poured countless hours and so much thoughtfulness and effort into their preparation and performance and I am so proud of them. I’m also very grateful to our attorney coaches, Lisa Mulligan and Brian Beattie, who have volunteered countless hours to help guide our students to success. We’re already excited to start preparing for next year.

Here’s more backstory on the Mock Trial program, which is under the YMCA’s umbrella.

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About the police search in Westwood
March 27, 2019 7:16 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | Westwood

The police search in Westwood – and a bit beyond – is targeting someone suspected of attempted sexual assault. That’s according to Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand, who we talked to at the Highland Park Action Committee meeting that’s under way now. We had heard the “containment” area being set up just as we left for this meeting – a K9 team is part of the search. So far he had only a partial description to share – shirtless, wearing boxer shorts.

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Celebration of Life on Saturday for Thomas L. Hill, 1950-2019
March 27, 2019 6:25 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Saturday (March 30th) to remember Tom Hill. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

Thomas L. Hill, 68, of Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2019, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer. Tom was born and raised in the wonderful, nurturing town of Richwood, West Virginia. He graduated from Richwood High School in the class of 1968 and moved away when he joined the US Navy the following year.

As a sailor, Tom was stationed out of NAS Whidbey Island and worked as a jet engine mechanic. Serving during the Vietnam War, he also toured aboard the aircraft carrier, USS America. During his time on Whidbey, Tom met, fell in love with, and married Marilyn Zylstra, his wife of 44 years. Following his time in the military, Tom and Marilyn settled down in West Seattle where they built a life and family. Always liking to work with his hands, his career was in industrial maintenance, splitting time between the steel and cement industries. He never worked more than a few miles from home because, as the father of two children, Ann Marie and David, he loved to be close and have extra time with his family. Tom retired at 60 but never failed to stay busy between hobbies, friends, travels, and fun times spent with Granddaughters Sadie and Liesl.

Tom was a friend to all and enjoyed meeting new people as much as seeing those he knew. This was something that very much showed up in how he lived his life. As an avid woodworker he often used his skills to benefit others, be it with walking sticks, a handmade gift, or assisting on pinewood derby cars. He served his church as a Deacon, and showed great care in our neighborhood. As both a puppy raiser and sitter, he was long involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind, an incredible and life-changing organization. It was not uncommon either, to see him walking West Seattle from Lincoln Park to Admiral with a friend’s dog (often Stella). Tom just liked connecting with people and enjoyed dogs.

Charities Tom supported include:

The Richwood Public Library
Guide Dogs for the Blind: Seattle Puppy Raisers
West Side Presbyterian Church: Deacon Fund

Tom will be missed by the family and friends he loved and served, and who will continue to remember him fondly. He lived a full life, though one that still feels too short. To honor him, a memorial service and celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Ave SW.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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West Seattle whale watching: Orcas in the area
March 27, 2019 3:29 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Just got a text from Kersti Muul – orcas are passing West Seattle! Off Blake Island, midchannel, southbound right now.

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: Why a quarter-mile of 4th SW will be closed for a month
March 27, 2019 2:45 pm
|    Comments Off on ROAD-WORK ALERT: Why a quarter-mile of 4th SW will be closed for a month
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | White Center

Thanks to the texter who alerted us to signage along 4th SW just south of Roxbury [map] about an impending road closure. We went over to check it out and spotted the signs you see above and below.

Following up with King County, since it’s their project, they confirmed the closure of a quarter-mile of 4th SW south of Roxbury is scheduled to start next Monday (April 1st) and provided this flyer (PDF) with details:

Background on Greenbridge is here.

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PLAY BALL! Champions League registration open for players with differing abilities
March 27, 2019 12:51 pm
|    Comments Off on PLAY BALL! Champions League registration open for players with differing abilities
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Baseball season is here, from youth to pros. Among the youth leagues starting play soon is the one-of-a-kind Champions League. Here’s the registration invitation, from Michelle Riggen-Ransom (who also shared the photos):

For the third season, Champions Baseball League invites players with differing abilities to come and play baseball in a fun, supportive team environment. Sign-ups are open for the upcoming Spring season, and all the details are here. There’s no charge for players to join, and players even get free team hats and shirts, thanks to our sponsors.

More details:

– Participants can be any gender and between the ages of 4 and 23 years-old, or those who remain in a school setting, with disabilities that would prevent them from playing in a traditional baseball or softball program.

– We will play Saturdays for four weeks starting on Saturday, May 4th. All events will be at our Pee Wee fields in West Seattle, but team is open to players from all over Seattle.

– No previous baseball experience needed! Players can do t-ball or coach pitch, and have a buddy from one of the West Seattle Pony teams work with them if they want or need it. The goal is to enjoy baseball in a supportive team environment!

Last year we had a lot of great players, as well as parents, siblings, grandparents and friends and fans in the stands cheering them on. Come be a part of it and see what makes the baseball community so fun and special.

Here’s the official sign-up form and info.

Still have questions? Send them to Michelle Riggen-Ransom, mriggen@gmail.com. We hope to see you on the fields this spring!

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle rape trial begins
March 27, 2019 11:16 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Many criminal cases are resolved without ever going to trial. So it’s notable that the trial has just begun in a case previously covered here. The defendant is Chayce Hanson, on trial for charges including rape and witness tampering.

The addition of the latter charge was the last time we mentioned the case, almost two years ago. Since then, the case has proceeded slowly through the system, with multiple trial dates set, then delayed, due to a variety of factors, but it’s remained on our watch list, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirms the tip we received from multiple readers, that Hanson’s trial is under way, with opening statements yesterday.

Hanson, 43, is charged with raping a 41-year-old woman described as a longtime acquaintance in February 2017 in West Seattle. Charging documents say Hanson raped her while she was unable to speak because of an untreated head injury suffered in an unreported crash in his vehicle hours earlier. The second charge alleges Hanson tried to get the victim to sign a document saying the rape didn’t happen. Before trial, court documents show, charges of assault and hit-and-run were added to the case.

Hanson has a high-profile conviction in his past, for killing his girlfriend’s 2-year-old daughter in Renton in 2000. A state Supreme Court ruling overturned his murder conviction and he subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

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Camp Second Chance can stay on Myers Way Parcels at least six more months, city says
March 27, 2019 9:00 am
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Myers Way | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of Camp Second Chance entrance, December 2017)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Camp Second Chance, the only city-sanctioned encampment in West Seattle, is getting a six-month extension.

The camp on the city-owned Myers Way Parcels in southeast West Seattle [map] is at the end of the two-years-maximum stay that’s currently allowed under city law – and has actually been at the site going on three years. It first occupied the location without authorization starting in July 2016, gaining the authorization in spring 2017. A decision on its fate has been long expected and was just announced this morning by the city Human Services Department, which also gave six-month extensions to two other sanctioned encampments in other parts of the city. From the announcement:

Camp Second Chance, Georgetown Village, and Othello Village will be temporarily re-permitted for an additional six months. During this time, the City will develop a long-term strategy for these sites with community input that will serve residents of villages and the surrounding community.

Homelessness remains a crisis in Seattle and the City’s responsibility is to provide services and shelter resources that are effective in helping people transition from homelessness to housing — tiny house villages have proven to be one solution within the City’s overall response. In 2018, villages City-wide served 658 unique households and exited 135 households to permanent housing, an increase of 32 percent from 2017.

“Tiny-house villages” is the term the city now uses for its sanctioned encampments. As we’ve reported previously, donations have funded tiny houses for most of Camp Second Chance’s residents. The camp usually reports about 50 residents at any given time, when those reports are delivered at the monthly meetings of its volunteer Community Advisory Committee, which we routinely cover.

The camp is self-managed, with a no-drugs/alcohol policy, and the city contract to operate it is held by the Low-Income Housing Institute, which pays for staff including an on-site director (currently camp co-founder Eric Davis and case manager Richard Horne).

Also from today’s city announcement:

The City’s decision grants monthly temporary-use permits to these sites for the next six months. During this time, the City will develop a long-term strategy for these specific villages, considering all options for the future of these programs and sites. In order to develop these strategies, the City will work with communities to organize meetings in neighborhoods hosting villages to learn more about how the City can be responsive to community needs and how to best serve residents of the villages.

Last year’s decision to extend the permit for a second year was preceded by city-convened meetings, but there haven’t been any this time. In January, we covered two community meetings on the topic (both with city reps in attendance) – the Westside Interfaith Network gathering camp supporters at a meeting in Fauntleroy and the Highland Park Action Committee holding a “listening session” to decide on whether to support extending the camp’s stay. (Ultimately, as we reported March 4th, HPAC opposed it.)

The city’s explanation also includes:

The City has also learned that siting, developing, and relocating tiny house villages remains an ongoing challenge given property logistics, costs, and program needs of serving people experiencing homelessness. The City has also learned that providing 24/7, enhanced shelter is one of the best solutions to help people off Seattle’s streets and into safer living situations.

The extension of these villages does not impact the status of the other six City-funded villages.

Camp Second Chance’s status was already scheduled to be discussed at HPAC’s regular monthly meeting tonight (7 pm, Highland Park Improvement Club, 1116 SW Holden). The city’s homelessness-response spokesperson Will Lemke told WSB that the six-month extension would run to September, though the second-year extension wasn’t formally announced last year until June.

ADDED 10:35 AM: The full city announcement, which we originally received via email (as we have long been inquiring about the timetable/process for the decision), is now posted on the city website.

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Options for your West Seattle Wednesday
March 27, 2019 8:55 am
|    Comments Off on Options for your West Seattle Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights of what’s happening (and not happening) in the hours ahead:

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY CLOSURE: Reminder – all SPL facilities are closed today.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 1942’s “This Gun for Hire” is today’s movie. $1 members, $2 nonmembers, free popcorn. (4217 SW Oregon)

FREE TAX HELP: 5-9 pm, drop-in tax help at the West Seattle Food Bank – eligibility explained here. (35th SW & SW Morgan)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club, crime and safety are hot topics tonight for HPAC. More agenda details here. (1116 SW Holden)

PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT: 7 pm at West Seattle High School, parents from around the community are welcome to come learn about “Teens, Tech, and Sexuality” with expert advice. Details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

THE BILLY JOE SHOW: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, from rock to rockabilly! No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING? Get the answers by browsing our complete calendar!

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