West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Photo courtesy Joel Stedman)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One day after we reported that Larry’s Tavern was in the works for 3405 California SW, we know more about what its proprietors are planning.
We spoke today by phone with Joel Stedman, who along with wife Margo Beaver bought the building after West City Sardine Kitchen‘s owners put it up for sale.
Joel says he and Margo live in West Seattle – she grew up here – and have long wanted an establishment here. They also own the Magnolia Village Pub, Targy’s Tavern (Queen Anne), the Duvall Tavern, and Pint Defiance in Ruston, which he describes as a “Beer Junction-type place.”
He says the plan for Larry’s Tavern – named for his dad (“we always wanted to do an homage to him”) – is to be “comfortable and casual.”
It will be 21+ only, and beverages will be the focus, though they’ll offer some food; they’re still working on the plan for that, “discussing with our chefs” from their other venues. Joel says their other venues are known for a “very good beer program,” so Larry’s Tavern is likely to be the same.
He expects it’ll be “a place you could go watch a game,” or play one – Larry’s will have pool tables, and likely some game machines too, perhaps pinball, perhaps Pac-Man. Hours are likely going to be 4 pm-2 am, 7 days a week.
But first, a “light renovation” to the building – “paint, floors, decor, bar top,” and of course signage. With the city still in the throes of a permit backlog, it’s hard to say how long it’ll take them to get ready to open. They’re hoping by mid-September. In the meantime, they will be working “diligently” with the excitement of being able to serve their West Seattle neighbors: “We’re really pumped.”
(WSB photos from Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade. Above, All-City Band)
It’s your chance to see marching bands without going to a parade, and a chance to see them perform entire routines instead of just the fragment paradegoers get as they pass: Band Jam is returning to West Seattle this year, after moving downtown last year because of work at Southwest Athletic Complex. This year, the field is finished and Band Jam’s back!
(Sumner High School Band)
Four of the marching bands from this past Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade will be part of it, according to the announcement today from All-City Band director Marcus Pimpleton:
All-City Band wanted to make sure all of our friends in West Seattle are aware of our Band Jam event this Friday at the Southwest Athletic Complex – 2801 SW Thistle St. – across the street from Chief Sealth International High School. This free event will run from 6:30-9:00 pm and feature musical performances by the:
Junior All-City Band
Seismic Sound Drumline
Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
Rainbow City Marching Band and Spinout Color Guard
Sumner High School Marching Band
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave Marching Band
Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band
(Rainbow City Marching Band)
Dr. Pimpleton launched Band Jam back in 2009 as a tuneup event for bands on the eve of the Seafair Torchlight Parade (which is downtown this Saturday night).
6:15 PM: Thanks to everyone who has sent tips about this: The outside One lane of uphill Admiral Way is blocked between the Bridge and City View, because of a hole in the road. SDOT’s Incident Response Team is reported to be on scene.
7:33 PM: Photo added. A short stretch of the uphill inside lane is coned off just north of 34th. We’ll ask SDOT about repair plans tomorrow.
4:51 PM: An SFD full response is just arriving in the 6500 block of Delridge. Avoid the area – road’s mostly blocked. Initial report was “smoke from the basement.” More…
5 PM: We were nearby and have just gotten an update at the scene: Dryer fire. Damage limited to dryer. Most units should be leaving soon; SPD is directing traffic in the meantime.
(Photo sent last Friday by bus rider stuck in downtown jam)
As another afternoon commute begins, we followed up on the complaints about last Friday, especially from bus riders caught in gridlock making their way to/through the south side of downtown. Along with complaints, some commenters had suggestions. We asked Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer if any changes were planned to try to address the problem. Short answer, no. Longer:
Friday’s downtown traffic was especially difficult, with a Mariners home game and the start of the Bite of Seattle, and what seemed like a lot more traffic downtown. We continue to monitor and work to get our buses through that traffic as best we can, which can reach gridlock conditions at times due to construction, viaduct demolition, and the Seattle Squeeze.
Having Alaskan Way and 2-way Columbia Street completed will allow our buses to shift there instead, but that is still several months away. For West Seattle riders who must travel during peak times, the service on the street can unfortunately face traffic delays, but we also have options worth considering, including the Water Taxi and Ride2 and water taxi shuttles, and Link/Route 50.
The reference to Alaskan Way/2-way Columbia Street is a reminder of what we’ve pointed out in comment discussions, that buses are not on their permanent route – this map (PDF) shows the future “pathways.” Meantime, one WSB reader, Charlie, CC’d us on a note to City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office about the bus frustration. While buses are a county service, the city has had increasing involvement by funding added service. Charlie pointed out the WSB discussion and ideas for easing the jam. Herbold staffer Newell Aldrich CC’d us on the reply, which notes they’ve raised concerns previously and are asking new SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe to address the suggestions. They also shared an SDOT reply from previous correspondence two months ago explaining various reasons why the department feels a bus-only lane on 1st wouldn’t be feasible.
The photo and words of gratitude for the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps are from Paula Huffman:
The morning of July 22, over 20 dedicated youths showed up to clean out a garbage and invasive plant mess in a greenbelt along 14th Avenue SW in Highland Park. This group provides restoration services for wetlands, greenbelts, and city raingardens. Supervisor Carmen Martinez says the group works for cookies and other refreshments. Carmen can be contacted at 206-816-2856. Highland Park residents really appreciate this group!
(From December 2018 design packet by Cone Architecture)
From today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, notice of final approval for the 35-microapartment (“small efficiency dwelling units”) project planned at 3084 SW Avalon Way [map]. It’s planned as a 7-story building with no offstreet parking. We’ve been tracking this project through the system since fall 2017; today’s notice opens a 2-week appeal period and explains how to file one (see the notice here; see the full decision here).
(Harbor porpoise photographed off Alki Point Sunday morning by Danny McMillin)
A short highlight list for the rest of your Monday:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Finally wading-pool weather! Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
TOUR SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: Learn about the programs and the campus! 1 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)
FINAL ‘MUSIC UNDER THE STARS’: 7:30 pm, last of four Monday night live mini-recitals with the Seattle Chamber Music Society at the Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, followed by amplified audio from the SCMS summer-festival concert at Benaroya Hall. Free; bring a chair or blanket to sit on. (6000 16th SW)
TRIVIA X 2: 7:30 pm all-ages with Quizfix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW); 8 pm for 21+ at Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way).
OF COURSE, THERE’S MORE … see our complete calendar!
(WSB photo, July 3)
What – if anything – can/will be done to make SW Barton safer by Westwood Village, where a driver hit and killed a woman earlier this month? The West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s next meeting will include a discussion with an SDOT rep. All are welcome at the 6:30 pm Thursday (July 25th) meeting at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW). Also on the agenda, a conversation with City Council candidate Brendan Kolding (WSTC talked with the other two candidates at last month’s meeting)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:52 AM: Good morning! Right now, no alerts or incidents reported in our area.
STADIUM ZONE: The Mariners are home again tonight, 7:10 pm vs. the Rangers. So that means later runs for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
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