UPDATE: Helicopter, ground search after gunfire in Highland Park
11:45 PM: If you hear the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter over Highland Park/Riverview and/or see police on the ground, here’s what the search is about, per radio dispatch: 911 got reports of possible gunfire, heard near 12th/Holden, followed by a potentially related hit and run, and someone seen running eastbound in an alley south of Holden. Guardian One heard the dispatch and offered to help. No injuries reported.
11:57 PM: Though the helicopter has moved on for now, police are blocking part of SW Holden as they investigate.
12:05 AM: A texter sent this photo:
12:10 PM: Police are reopening SW Holden.
DEVELOPMENT: Early-stage proposal for apartments at south end of Harbor Avenue
New in city files: An early-stage proposal for an apartment building at the southwest end of Harbor Avenue SW, just north of the West Seattle Bridge. The documents in city files say what’s being considered is a five-story, 75-apartment building that would have 38 offstreet parking spaces in a garage accessed off Harbor. The parcels are listed in documents as having the street numbers 3405, 3411, and 3417 Harbor; the latter, the address at which documents are filed, currently holds a small commercial building. The site’s current zoning is for 40 feet in height but under the HALA MHA upzoning that’s about to take effect, 55 feet will be allowed. The area is a mix of commercial and residential, across the street from Emerald City Pet Rescue and ActivSpace, with houses to the west and condos to the north.
UPDATE: Falling poles cause big power outage to the south with a few West Seattle pockets
4:26 PM: Thanks for the tips. A big power outage that’s mostly to the south has affected a few West Seattle pockets – such as Arrowhead Gardens. Here’s the outage map. City Light says via Twitter that a crash on East Marginal Way is to blame. Updates to come.
4:38 PM: The crash in question is on East Marginal Way in Tukwila [map], according to the Seattle Fire log – while it’s not in city limits, they’ve sent mutual aid. We’ve added a screen grab of much of the outage area (which stretches further into Burien beyond what’s shown – they’ve even closed City Hall early for the day as a result). In the full affected area, more than 16,000 homes and businesses are without power.
5:13 PM: Take note that the outage situation is causing traffic effects in a variety of places. For one, East Marginal is closed south of the South Park Bridge, as Trickycoolj points out in comments – Tukwila Police have tweeted this photo and explained that multiple power poles have been taken out:
We’re currently on Highway 516 westbound just east of Burien, about to exit to northbound 509, and it’s backed up – likely because much of Burien is caught up in the outage. Remember that a dark signal means all-way stop.
5:57 PM: Almost everyone’s back on – all but 300+.
6:16 PM: Back at the original outage site:
TV coverage shows multiple poles fell.
SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The road has reopened, according to Tukwila Police, though: “Several intersections will be without power for at least several days. Four-way stop signs are in place.”
FOLLOWUP: New plan for where SDOT will start work on Avalon/35th/Alaska project
The next big road project in West Seattle is about to start, and SDOT has just sent new information on exactly where it will get going with the first phase of repaving and rechannelizing SW Avalon Way, with three blocks of 35th and one block of Alaska as part of the project too. Here are the new details from SDOT:
Construction is scheduled to begin as soon as April 15 in Zone B – on SW Avalon Way from SW Genesee St to SW Yancy St. The decision to begin work in Zone B was made after SDOT consulted businesses along SW Avalon Way about what phasing would have the least impact on their summer schedules and business operations.
Work in Zone B will include:
-Paving the street
-New protected bike lanes
-Installing a new RapidRide transit island
-Closing 30th Ave SW at SW Avalon Way to prevent cut-through driving
-Applying a skid-resistant surface treatment on SW Genesee St
-New drainage
-New curb ramps
What you should expect when construction begins between SW Genesee St and SW Yancy St:
-You will see construction crews mobilize into the area to begin staging and setting up traffic control
-Traffic will be shifted down to 1 lane in each direction
-Parking will be fully restricted along the street
-There will be intermittent closures of SW Genesee St and SW Yancy St
-The beginning of noise, dust, large trucks and machines operating, and an overall construction presence and experience
As soon as early May, construction is also anticipated to begin along 35th Ave SW between SW Alaska St and SW Avalon Way (Zone E). We will provide more information on what to expect as the schedule for this work is confirmed as well as the schedule for work in additional zones is confirmed.
In order to minimize impacts during construction, we will be:
-Putting out “Businesses are Open” signs along the corridor
-Designating load zones for deliveries and pick ups
-Sending frequent email listserv updates to the community; sign up on SDOT’s website
Businesses along the corridor can also reach out to the Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) Small Business Development Program for assistance with construction impacts. Please reach out to AJ Cari, the OED’s Construction Impacts Advocate, at aj.cari@seattle.gov or at 206-684-0133 for additional help and information on how the OED can help you prepare for construction.
It’s been two years since SDOT started ramping up the Avalon project. The other project the department was talking up back then, Roxbury repaving, has since been shelved indefinitely.
ELECTION 2019: Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire won’t run again
Though the City Council races have dominated the discussion so far this election year, there are other races you’ll want to pay attention to – such as the Port of Seattle Commission. This year, two of its five seats will be on ballots in King County, and both incumbents have announced their plans. Today Courtney Gregoire announced that after six years on the commission, she is not running for re-election, and she is “looking for other options to continue to serve the public,” according to the emailed announcement. Fred Felleman has already announced he will run for a second 4-year term, promising in his February announcement that he will work to “continue to increase the Port’s economic impact while reducing its greenhouse gas footprint.” So far only one potential contender has registered with the state Public Disclosure Commission, Ali Scego, who has not yet specified which position is of interest.
ADOPT A RAINBOW: West Seattle Junction Association’s first-ever Pride plan
For the first time, the West Seattle Junction Association plans to line the heart of The Junction with rainbow flags for Pride. And it’s offering “adoption” of rainbow flags as a fundraiser, as WSJA has done with the annual flower baskets. Here’s the announcement:
Show your pride by adopting a rainbow flag to fly Pride weekend. Support love for all by adopting a 3′ x 5′ rainbow flag for Pride! For the first time in Junction history we’ll be proudly flying 60 rainbow flags all along California Ave! Be one of the 60 people who will be showing your love.
The cost to adopt a 3 ft x 5 ft flag is $85. You may adopt more than one flag; there are 60 available flags.
Your adoption fee includes a commemorative 8 inch x 6 inch rainbow flag (or keep the full 3 ft x 5 ft flag) with a desk stand. Your commemorative flag will include your name and message. Each commemorative flag will be affixed to the pole of your large 3 ft x 5 ft flag that will line California Ave.
If you’re interested – here’s where to start.
6 for your West Seattle Friday!
(Northern Flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Before we get too much further into April’s first Friday, some of the highlights for the hours ahead:
YMCA GARAGE & BAKE SALE: Until 7:30 pm at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, benefit garage and bake sale – stop by and shop! If you miss it today, 9 am-1 pm tomorrow too. (3622 SW Snoqualmie)
BEER AND CHOCOLATE: Enjoy both while supporting the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, 5:30 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse – ticket info in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
CORNER BAR: The monthly pop-up bar at Highland Park Improvement Club starts at 6 tonight! See the HPIC website for more details on this month’s edition. (1116 SW Holden)
‘INTO THE WOODS’ FINAL PERFORMANCE: 7:30 pm curtain time tonight for the last performance of the West Seattle High School Drama Club production of “Into the Woods.” Our calendar listing includes ticket info. (3000 California SW)
ALBUM RELEASE: OSFE at The Skylark, 8 pm. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
THREE BANDS: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, The Whags, Secret Band, Black Ends. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUCH, MUCH MORE … just browse our complete calendar!
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Ford Flex (Update: Found!)
9:43 AM: Maybe you can help find Jane‘s car, stolen in Fauntleroy:
2012 black Ford Flex stolen overnight/early Friday a.m. from my garage in the 4500 block of SW Concord St. Year: 2012. License plate: AKM2728. Other details: Silver ski rack crossbars.
Police case #2019-120457. If you see this car or have any information, please call 911 with this case #.
5:08 PM: A reader found it in Highland Park – see comments.
PHOTOS: Orcas off West Seattle, headed southbound
(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
8:18 AM: We’ve just received multiple reports of orcas in the area right now! Five seen headed southbound, south of Alki Point. Please let us know if you see them!
(Added: Photo by Gary Jones)
8:50 AM: Thanks to Jim, Kersti, and Betsy for the alerts. Jim was first to call and subsequently has reported multiple groups.
(Added: Photo sent by Lori)
9:37 AM: Still in view if you look toward Blake Island, we’re told. Kersti says they’re transients. Adding more photos – thank you, everyone!
FRIDAY NIGHT: Thanks for the photos added in comments! Also, Jim Borrow caught this view of the Vashon Water Taxi Sally Fox whale-watching:
* WIND…Southerly 20 to 35 mph with gusts 40-55 mph. …
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