West Seattle, Washington
14 Saturday
(Added Friday morning: Sound Transit’s meeting video)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
After an intense year and a half of discussion – capped by a four-and-a-half-hour meeting – potential routing/station locations for Sound Transit‘s West Seattle-to-Ballard light rail are heading into the environmental-study process.
The Sound Transit Board finalized a list of “preferred alternatives” and other possibilities to study – after an extended debate that included two votes on whether to use the word “preferred” in describing the ones that would require third-party funding.
But first – from the motion that won final approval (PDF here) – the language that spells out what will be studied for the West Seattle end:
West Seattle (Avalon and Junction) Preferred Alternative
Elevated stations – Avalon station in vicinity of SW Genesee Street, SW Avalon Way and 35th Avenue SW. Turns southwest on Fauntleroy Way SW with both elevated Alaska Junction station options oriented north/south and staying east of the Alaska Junction on Fauntleroy and in the vicinity of 41st/42nd Avenue SW.
Preferred Alternative with Third Party Funding
Tunnel station – Avalon station in vicinity of SW Genesee Street, SW Avalon Way and 35th Avenue SW. Turns southwest with both tunnel Alaska Junction station options oriented north-south in the vicinity of 41st Avenue SW and 42nd Avenue SW. Based on current information, these alternatives would require additional third-party funding.
Additionally, the Board directs staff to evaluate potential cost savings opportunities and look for opportunities to minimize community impacts and create a high quality transfer environment for both the Avalon and Alaska Junction station locations.
West Seattle (Delridge) Preferred Alternative
N of Genesee station – Elevated guideway runs south adjacent to Delridge Way SW to an elevated Delridge station on a diagonal between Delridge Way SW and 26th Avenue SW north of SW Genesee Street. Continues west on an elevated guideway along SW Genesee Street.
Additionally, the Board directs staff to explore refining the Delridge station location, prioritizing a further south location and looking for opportunities to minimize potential residential impacts, create a high quality transfer environment, optimize transit-oriented development (TOD) potential and reduce costs.
Other DEIS alternatives
S of Andover station – Elevated guideway follows Delridge Way SW south to an elevated Delridge station south of SW Andover Street. Continues south along Delridge Way SW and then runs west along SW Genesee Street.
The Board directs staff to conduct an initial assessment of the following alternatives, which were suggested during the scoping period, to establish whether further detailed study in the Draft EIS is appropriate:
Yancy/Andover alignment – An alignment along the Yancy/Andover corridor with a Delridge Station serving Youngstown.
Pigeon Point Tunnel – A refinement of the Pigeon Ridge Tunnel alignment that was previously evaluated in Level 1 and Level 2 screening. This alignment would include a refined Duwamish crossing location that includes a tunnel through Pigeon Point with a further south Delridge station location. Based on current information, this alternative would require additional third-party funding.
The assessment and recommendation for further study shall be brought back to the Sound Transit Board for review and potential action.
Duwamish Crossing Preferred Alternative
South crossing – Elevated guideway crosses over the Spokane Street Viaduct, curves west and parallels the West Seattle Bridge on the south side. Crosses over the Duwamish Waterway on a high-level fixed bridge on the south side of the existing bridge, then rounds Pigeon Point and heads south along Delridge Way SW.
Other DEIS alternatives
North crossing – Elevated guideway curves west and parallels the existing West Seattle Bridge on the north side. Spans the Duwamish Waterway on a high-level, fixed bridge on the north side of the existing bridge, then crosses over the West Seattle bridge ramp, passes over the Nucor Steel property and runs south along Delridge Way SW.
The Board directs staff to conduct an initial assessment of the following alternative, which was suggested during the scoping period, to establish whether further detailed study in the Draft EIS is appropriate:
Pigeon Point Tunnel – A refinement of the Pigeon Ridge Tunnel alignment that was previously evaluated in Level 1 and Level 2 screening. This alignment would include a refined Duwamish crossing location that includes a tunnel through Pigeon Point with a further south Delridge station location. Based on current information, this alternative would require additional third-party funding.
The assessment and recommendation for further study shall be brought back to the Sound Transit Board for review and potential action.
Ahead, the rest of the story:
8:41 PM: Beautiful night at The Hall at Fauntleroy, inside and out, as the West Seattle Helpline hosted its annual Taste of West Seattle, raising money for emergency assistance that helps keep people from becoming homeless. Dozens of local food and beverage venues/providers were there with samples and sips – like Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor) with esquites con nopale:
Flying Apron‘s offerings included chocolate cupcakes with curry frosting:
The tasting tables were spread throughout the Hall and across its grounds, including both of its big rooms:
Serving up chicken paella, Colleen and Kim from Dream Dinners West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
Lots of beverages too – winemaker Ben Viscon of Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) was pouring:
Michelle, Brie, and Shauna from Pecos Pit BBQ (WSB sponsor) were dishing up all-beef spicy hot links and mac ‘n’ cheese:
We have a few more photos to add – plus, we’re awaiting the results of Taste-goers’ voting – more later!
ADDED LATE THURSDAY: Also at the Taste – Husky Deli‘s Jack Miller:
And from Salty’s (WSB sponsor), Victor was serving aleppo-pepper-crusted ahi:
New participants included Indulge Desserts, a relatively recent arrival at 35th/Henderson.
ADDED FRIDAY: Update from the Helpline:
The winners for best…
Taste – Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Veggie Taste – Mission Cantina
Pour – The Bridge
Mocktail – All In
Sweet – Bakery NouveauThough there are still some donations and matches coming in, so far we have raised over $57,000. This is enough to keep over 160 families safe and stable in their homes while they recover from unexpected hardship!!
Transient orcas are again passing West Seattle! Kersti Muul says they’re off south Blake Island, headed northbound. Let us know if you see them!
Lots of questions about when The Habit Burger Grill will finally open its West Seattle location at the ex-KFC (35th/Avalon). No exact date yet but we have reason to believe it will be open by June 2nd, because the West Seattle Food Bank made this announcement today:
Bring the family and join the West Seattle Food Bank on Sunday, June 2nd from 5 – 7pm, to welcome the new Habit Burger Grill to Avalon & 35th. Have a great chargrilled meal and 100% of the proceeds will go to providing the 11,500 individuals we serve with nutritious food and other much needed services.
That dovetails with what the franchisees told us a few months back when we checked in, that they would, just before their grand opening, “host a couple charity events by partnering up with local non-profit organizations in the Seattle/West Seattle area. We will be giving them 100% of the sales from those events.” We of course have an inquiry out to see if we can find out more about their timeline but in the meantime, plan to help out the Food Bank on June 2nd!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
$7.3 million.
You could almost hear the proverbial jaws drop last night when SDOT announced that new estimated cost for a Highland Park Way/Holden roundabout. It’s more than triple the long-cited estimate.
SDOT’s James Le presented the update to the Highland Park Action Committee meeting. Past chair Michele Witzki, who has long worked on advocacy for the project, could barely contain her shock: “I am so frustrated right now. I am beyond frustrated. … It’s almost impossible to get money when you keep on moving the target. … You keep on putting more roadblocks in the way of making this happen.”
As the one-sheet distributed by Le (PDF here, embedded below) says, there’s an option – a $3 million signalization plan.
But that’s not funded either.
(WSB file photo)
Saturday is the first day of the season for Seattle Parks sprayparks, including Highland Park (1100 SW Cloverdale), the only one in West Seattle:
Seattle Parks and Recreation will operate 9 sprayparks across Seattle this summer. Sprayparks open daily starting Saturday, May 25 and will operate through Sept. 2 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., unless thunder and lightning are present.
Wading pools don’t open for another month – you can see the full citywide schedule, including opening dates, here.
Chellie LaFayette‘s 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade PE students at Highland Park Elementary had an extra-special lesson this morning, with guests visiting from the reigning WNBA champs, the Seattle Storm, including center Mercedes Russell!
Russell and members of the coaching staff took the students through drills and were then scheduled for some Q&A.
The visit was part of a Storm partnership with Kaiser Permanente.
P.S. The team opens its season at 12:30 pm Saturday, hosting the Phoenix Mercury at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett.
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin. You’ve probably heard its shack-shack-shack call)
The holiday weekend nears! But here’s what’s happening first:
LIBRARYLAB DROP-IN: 4-5:30 pm at Southwest Library. “Self-directed STEM challenges (in) an all-ages program that introduces science, technology, engineering, and math concepts through play, experimentation, and discovery.” (9010 35th SW)
TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Tonight’s the night! The West Seattle Helpline‘s annual food/drink fundraiser at The Hall at Fauntleroy is always a hot ticket. If you didn’t get yours in advance, some WILL be available at the door, the Helpline just confirmed. VIP entry 6 pm, general admission 6:30 pm. 21+. (9131 California SW)
COMMUNITY ART JOURNALING: 6 pm class at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Tickets still available when we checked. (5612 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: Tonight’s WSTC agenda includes a post-session update from local legislators Sen. Joe Nguyen and Rep. Eileen Cody, plus a briefing in the downtown waterfront as it takes shape post-Viaduct. All welcome. 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
WEST SEATTLEITE ON JEOPARDY! As previewed here on Wednesday, you can see West Seattle resident Laura Schulman on “Jeopardy!” tonight. (corrected) 7:30 pm, channel 4.
LIVE IN-STORE: Justin Townes Earle has a new album about to be released, and he’s playing Easy Street Records solo at 7 pm, free, all-ages. (California/Alaska)
TUNES AT THE TAVERN: Into the Cold, Lower Heights at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE! It’s all listed on our full calendar.
Sanislo Elementary‘s annual auction is a little over a week away. Sanislo is a small school that is hoping for wide support to help its students. From PTA president Ebony Lee:
We are asking our local community, West Seattlelites, to PLEASE purchase tickets to our annual auction happening Saturday, June 1st. $40/pp for dinner (catered by Drunky Two Shoes BBQ White Center), dancing, live entertainment and an excuse to dress up ’80s is PRICELESS & a really cheap date night! ALCOHOL will be available for purchase so the event is 21 yo +. Please help us raise funds to update the school’s VERY OUTDATED library. Sanislo Elementary School is a very diverse “Small school with Big ideas” and Title I (about 60% of the student population is eligible for free/reduce lunch, 10% of whom experience homelessness). Sanislo is located within the Puget Ridge community near South Seattle College. Thank you for the support!
You can get your ticket(s) here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts in our area so far. Foggy here in south West Seattle but as you can see on the cameras above, some areas have sun.
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