TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch

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| 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)

7:01 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts to report so far.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 4 more West Seattle HS athletes make college commitments

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The Wildcats continue to roar into college athletics. The latest examples gathered Wednesday afternoon at West Seattle High School to ceremonially sign letters of intent: Above, from left, cheerleader Jake Webley is going to Gonzaga University, basketball player Jayla Wilson is going to Multnomah University, her basketball teammate Jasmine Gayles is going to the University of Northern Colorado, and volleyball player Tyler Donlan is headed for Bellevue College. Family members and coaches were of course there to cheer them on:

You can cheer for them and their classmates at 8 pm June 13th – that’s the WSHS commencement ceremony at Southwest Athletic Complex.

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Why Puget Sound Energy left a local home out of gas on a chilly night

May 1, 2019 9:28 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news

Last night’s low was into the 40s. No heat at Kristin‘s house in West Seattle – and she wanted to be sure what happened to her doesn’t happen to you.

Kristin and her family weren’t home when Puget Sound Energy came by for some gas-meter maintenance on Tuesday. The maintenance led to their gas service being shut off – and left off – and they had to make an appointment to get it turned back on.

What she learned, and what we confirmed when checking on this with PSE, is that the date/time was announced by postal mail – but the utility does not require confirmation. If they don’t hear from you, they’ll just assume that date/time is OK with you. And if no one’s home, instead of coming back some other time or rescheduling, they’ll do the work anyway, and leave you to work out the logistics of getting the gas turned back on.

PSE spokesperson Janet Kim told us that you generally should be able to get a crew to come do that same-day. But Kristin didn’t get a call back until this morning – saying that someone would be by sometime before midnight. (We’re waiting to hear back if and when they showed up.)

By the way, while researching this, we learned something we hadn’t heard, despite being PSE gas customers ourselves – like Seattle City Light, PSE is switching to “smart meters.” The map on their website says West Seattle changes will be made this year. But PSE’s Kim says that hasn’t started yet, so that’s not what was done at Kristin’s house.

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ELECTION 2019: Jesse Greene leaving District 1 City Council race

May 1, 2019 7:29 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

After three months of campaigning, entrepreneur Jesse Greene announced tonight that he’s leaving the District 1 City Council race, and endorsing one of the remaining candidates, Phil Tavel:

As of May 1st, 2019, I have decided to suspend my campaign for Seattle City Council, District 1. While I am more grateful than I can effectively express to all of my volunteers, donors, and the countless voters I have had the pleasure to meet with; the current timing of some personal and business matters require my immediate attention. The positive dialog that our team has injected into this race would not have been possible without those that have been willing to sacrifice themselves to serve their community. Thank you.

A candidacy that is not able to place the voters first is not what I believe is best for Seattle and the residents in my district; therefore, I believe stepping down now, prior to the filing date, is best for the community as a whole. I will continue to serve as the Welcome Chair of the 34th Democrats to ensure everyone is welcome and knows that their voice is important. I will also continue to proudly serve on the State Advisory Council on Homelessness to do everything I can to make positive influence in this area. We can all make a huge impact on those not housed if we decide to depoliticize the epidemic and humanize those that are facing this hardship. Lastly, I commit to do everything that is in my power to ensure we have a continued vibrant economy in Seattle. Business and entrepreneurship are the key mechanisms of defeating classism within our community and they can be the great equalizer if everyone has an opportunity to let their hard work shine.

From the bottom of my heart, I am sincerely thankful for the experience in taking part in our representative republic. Everyone’s participation in a communal effort for civic responsibility leads to a place that ensures radical inclusion for us all. I encourage all to do what they can to make Seattle a beautiful place to live. Right now, I still firmly believe that we need a change in City Hall. For too long we have been complacent in allowing individuals to make policy without have real lived experience. Our system is broken and if you really want change, you need to have different people leading the way. While I appreciate the service of those that have dedicated themselves in the past, what we have right now is broken.

Seattle’s homeless issue is out of control, our spending & tax policy is out of control, and our drug dependency issue is out of control. Our citizens do not feel safe and do not feel like they have a voice. I agree with many, many people that now is the time for change. That is why I have decided to strongly endorse Phil Tavel for Seattle City Council, District 1.

While I know that this might come as a shock to some, this is something I believe is necessary. Now is not the time for egos or for hard feelings because Phil and I did not agree on everything in the race. Now is the time to say that we require someone with the compassion needed to humanize problems, who comes to the table with new solutions, and ensures that everyone has an opportunity to express their positions. Just because someone descents from your views, it does not mean their voice is not valid.

To me, Phil Tavel is our best opportunity to bring reason back into City Hall decision making. He has the business experience needed to make sound economic decisions and to be fiscally pragmatic with how money is spent. He cares about creating an environment that welcomes all but knows accountability and transparency in all aspects of government are essential. I encourage all of my supporters and those that want change to consider Phil as the best representative for our community.

Thank you to my wife, my children, my family, and all my friends for the sacrifices endured during this time. I am also moved by all those that have supported my candidacy and want them to know I will continue to fight for those most vulnerable in our community. Let’s ensure that compassionate hearts and clear heads are leading our beautiful city into the future.

Greene’s departure leaves four candidates who have registered campaigns – Tavel, incumbent Lisa Herbold, and challengers Brendan Kolding and Isaiah Willoughby (the only one who has not reported any fundraising). The official filing week is less than two weeks away; August 6th is the primary election that will winnow the field to two candidates.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Students’ work showcased at Seattle Art Museum

May 1, 2019 5:36 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

That drawing is by West Seattle High School student Ashly Brown, one of the student artists whose work is on display right now at the Seattle Art Museum. Teacher Michelle Sloan shares the news that Ashly’s work has won a second-place award for drawing/painting; awards will be presented at 6 pm Friday (May 3rd) at SAM as part of an event to which teens and their families are all invited. Other drawing and painting students chosen to represent WSHS:

Milo Sorensen
Jiwo Im
Sophia Perkins

Jeremiah Brenio (self-portrait above)
Claire Peterson
Brielle Martin

From the invitation that WSHS is circulating for the Friday night SAM event:

Please bring all family and friends to join in the celebration of student artwork. All students will be able to see the entire Museum’s collections that night for FREE from 6-10pm. This night also includes events set up for teens that include but are not limited to: DJ, music, dancing, singing, performing, photo booth, painting, creative areas for making art of various types, food and more! Please come and support WSHS students and a night of the arts!

(Students from other schools welcome too!) SAM is at 1300 1st Avenue downtown.

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Using the Highway 99 tunnel? WSDOT offering free stickers you’ll need for lowest rates when tolling starts

May 1, 2019 3:38 pm

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| Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

The Highway 99 tunnel is expected to remain toll-free at least until late summer – here are the factors playing into the timeline, as presented to the Washington State Transportation Commission two weeks ago:

But WSDOT wants you to start preparing now, so starting today, it’s offering free Good to Go! sticker passes for tunnel users. If you don’t have one when tolling starts, you’ll be charged a higher toll rate, as explained in the announcement:

With a Good To Go! pass registered to an account, toll rates will range from $1 to $2.25, depending on the time of day. If drivers register their vehicle on an account, but don’t have a pass, it will cost 25 cents more per trip. Without a Good To Go! account, it will cost drivers $2 more per trip.

The sticker would normally cost $5. Be sure to order your free sticker via the instructions on this page – and also make note of the option to wait on activation (but NOT on sticker ordering) to avoid having to put money in your account in advance.

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WORK ALERT: Crews returning to 35th SW in Arbor Heights

May 1, 2019 1:45 pm

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| Arbor Heights | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT map of original project zone)

Another alert from SDOT, this time for the half-mile of 35th SW where sidewalks were built last year. The project team says, “We have some final repair work to do on 35th Ave SW – some due to the snow/de-icing damages and … concerns and problems that emerged after project completion. Our crews will be returning to 35th Ave SW this coming Monday, 5/6 for up to two weeks to complete final repair work along the corridor. This work will be fairly low key and will not require complete closures or staging of equipment.” Here’s what they’ll be doing:

Crews will return to 35th Ave SW as early as this coming Monday, May 6 to begin last part of repair work as part of the Arbor Heights Safe Routes to School sidewalk project. This work includes:

 Rebuilding curb bulbs at the following locations:
o SW corner of 35th Ave SW and SW 100th St
o SW corner of 35th Ave SW and SW 104th St
 Rebuilding the curb and gutter on the west side of 35th Ave SW between SW 102nd St and SW
106th St
 Install fog line (line that delineates between vehicular travel lane and parking strip) along the
west side of 35th Ave SW between SW 100th St and SW 106th St
 Hydroseed planting strip area along east side of 35th Ave SW between SW 102nd St and SW 104th
St

This work will take approximately 2 weeks to complete. During this work, you can expect:
 Noise and dust from construction
 Work hours from 8 AM – 5 PM, Monday through Friday
 Temporary suspension of street parking on the west side of 35 th Ave SW between SW 100 th St
and SW 106 th St
o No-Park signs will be posted 3 days in advance to parking closure
 Temporary detour and/or lane shift on 35 th Ave SW
 Possible impacts to pedestrian access
 King County Metro service will not be impacted by this work

Questions? Please contact Project Outreach Team at 206-615-0786 or by email at
pedestrianimprovements2@seattle.gov.

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EARLY HEADS-UP: Beach Drive CSO plant project planning

May 1, 2019 11:59 am

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| Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

From the “early alert” file – King County sent this alert. Not even at the meeting stage yet, but in case you like to be in the loop as early as possible:

King County Wastewater Treatment Division is in the planning stages of a project that could result in some construction along Beach Drive in about two years – 2021.

The goal of the project is to improve standby power for the Alki CSO Treatment Plant located at 3380 Beach Dr SW and the 63rd Ave Pump Station, located at 3535 Beach Drive SW. The Alki CSO Treatment Plant operates during heavy rainfall and the 63rd Ave Pump Station is designed to send wastewater flows to Alki. Having a reliable source of standby power will reduce the number of overflows of stormwater combined with wastewater from the pump station. We are still developing alternatives for the power source.

If you would like to stay informed as the project develops, please send your email address to caryn.sengupta@kingcounty.gov.

If you can’t quite place it – the CSO plant is the big facility right across from Constellation Park, south of Alki Point. The county operates four facilities of this type.

ADDED 2:30 PM: We also note that there are some early-stage filings about this in the city system – you can follow the project here. We have substituted the early-stage site plan atop this story, replacing the county file photo with which this was originally published.

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5 for your West Seattle Wednesday

May 1, 2019 11:02 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(American Goldfinch, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Quick preview of just a sample of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:

TALK ABOUT TAXES: The series is “Hot Topics for Seniors” but everyone’s welcome. Today’s discussion at noon at Southwest Library, our state’s tax structure. (9010 35th SW)

MAYDAY HAY DAY: Launch party for new business Just in Case Disaster Preparedness Services, at Whisky West, 6-8 pm:

Free and open to the public.
No-host Happy Hour until 7 PM
Play “Preparedness Trivia” to win free items to build your own emergency supplies kit. Door prizes and free drawings throughout the evening. Top prize is $100 cash.
Stick around for live music by the Triangular Jazztet starting at 8:30.

(6451 California SW)

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) to run! (2743 California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. Guests include Mick Shultz from the Port of Seattle to talk about the Terminal 5 project, and Department of Neighborhoods director Andrés Mantilla. (4217 SW Oregon)

PREVIEW NIGHT: Preview the new ArtsWest play “Office Hour“ for just $12 – buy your ticket ASAP here. 7:30 pm curtain. (4711 California SW)

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Coffee with a Cop coming to Admiral District

May 1, 2019 9:55 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Just announced by Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Danner: The next Coffee with a Cop event in West Seattle is set for 9 am-11 am Wednesday, May 15th, at Starbucks inside Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW). If you can’t get to the regular evening community meetings that offer chances to talk with local police, here’s a daytime chance. The Coffee with a Cop concept is explained here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch as May begins

May 1, 2019 7:01 am

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| 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)

7:01 AM: Good morning. No traffic incidents or transit alerts in our area so far.

TWO ALERTS FOR THIS AFTERNOON: A 1 pm May Day march from the Central District to downtown; a 3:40 pm Mariners’ game, both noted here.

8:10 AM: SDOT reports a blocking vehicle at 48th and Beach Drive.

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3 more West Seattle sunset scenes

May 1, 2019 1:11 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for sharing the photos! 3 more beautiful West Seattle sunset scenes. Above and below are from Tuesday evening – above, David Hutchinson capturing The Olympics; below, Jim Borrow photographed an Argosy vessel passing: