West Seattle, Washington
12 Thursday
More changes to traffic flow in the south end of downtown as Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition continues. Since that area’s become an increasingly important pathway to/from here, here’s the newest WSDOT update:
The viaduct is shrinking along Seattle’s waterfront and the work zone is changing this week as the contractor Kiewit shifts their work zone. …
Alaskan Way in Pioneer Square: Yesler and King reopen, Jackson closes
Map showing traffic control changes on Alaskan WayCrews are removing the viaduct through Pioneer Square from both ends. See the map at right (click to enlarge). Here are traffic control changes to expect this week:Today: South King Street reopens at Alaskan Way.
Tomorrow: Yesler Way reopens at Alaskan Way
Tomorrow: South Jackson Street closes at Alaskan Way.
Uniformed police officers will help direct traffic this week at key intersections during the evening commutes.To reach Colman Dock: Vehicles can still enter the drive-on entrance at South Jackson Street by taking a left or right off Alaskan Way. Entering the holding area by driving straight west on South Jackson Street will be unavailable while viaduct demolition occurs overhead. Please allow extra time to reach your ferry as traffic congestion remains high on Alaskan Way.
People walking and biking: When South Jackson Street closes, your new east-west options between Alaskan Way and Pioneer Square will be South King Street and Yesler Way. South Dearborn Street and Columbia Street also remain open to bicycles and pedestrians.
Railroad Way South: This street will become northbound-only from South Dearborn Street, with northbound vehicles forced to take a right on South King Street. Vehicles can also turn onto southbound Railroad Way South from South King Street, but the southbound lane terminates mid-block at the 505 Western Avenue building parking garage.
Three days to go until the West Seattle Beer and Music Festival this Friday and Saturday at Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, and that video is another invitation for you to be part of the fun. Before summer ends, it’s one last big party, celebrating – what else? – beer and music. WSBMF also celebrates and strengthens the West Seattle Food Bank, which benefits from part of the proceeds, especially a new feature this year, the .5K Run for Food at 2:45 pm Saturday. Here’s the festival lineup – what you’ll drink and who you’ll see/hear 5-10 pm Friday, 3-10 pm Saturday (with 1:30 earlybird entrance if you get a VIP ticket), plus the #NotDoneYet afterparty both nights. Don’t have your ticket(s) yet? Go here!
Two weeks after voting ended in the 2019 primary, the final results have been certified. In the three races that were local to our area:
Seattle City Council District 1 – 40.42% turnout – 27,528 voters out of 68,102 registered
Lisa Herbold – 13,405 – 50.62%
Phil Tavel – 8,558 – 32.32%
Brendan Kolding – 4,435 – 16.75%
King County Council District 8 – 35.86% turnout – 53,813 voters out of 150,071 registered
Joe McDermott – 41,743 – 83.89%
Michael Robert Neher – 5,487 – 11.03%
Goodspaceguy – 2,250 – 4.52%
Seattle School Board District 6 – 40.59% turnout – 27,228 voters of 67,088 registered
Leslie S. Harris – 12,580 – 54.56%
Molly E. Mitchell – 7,872 – 34.14%
Crystal S. Liston – 2,390 – 10.36%
The top two in each race advance to the general election, with voting ending on November 5th. The first candidate forum in West Seattle that we’ve heard of so far is for City Council District 1, Saturday, September 14th, 6:30 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse (4705 W. Marginal Way SW), presented by the D-1 Community Network. (Planning a forum or debate, or non-fundraiser candidate meet-and-greet? Please let us know ASAP – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
3:30 PM: A tree is reported to be down across Orchard/Dumar, east of Delridge, so avoid that area TFN.
3:53 PM: Photo added. Tree came down on a City Light truck. No injuries. It’s blocking the left side where Orchard/Dumar forks east of Delridge but the street is open through to 16th via Austin. Crews say this may take a few hours to clear.
(Added – photo courtesy Ryan, via comments)
2:31 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rope rescue” callout in the 4700 block of 21st SW [map] right now. It’s described as “a male who fell down a ravine around 4 a.m. this morning, and needs assistance getting out.” SFD is working on a plan for that.
2:50 PM: SFD is using Rescue 1 for a “low-angle rescue.”
3:25 PM: The operation is wrapping up. We are hoping to find someone still at the scene so we can get an update on the rescued person’s status.
(Added – photo courtesy Seattle Fire Dept.)
3:43 PM: The last crews were leaving as we arrived so we just got details from SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley. She tells us the man, 30ish, fell ended up in the ravine while out for a walk. He managed to climb a tree. Neighbors heard him yelling for help this afternoon. Police responded and called in SFD, which pulled him 50 feet upslope in a basket. He was taken to Harborview in stable condition.
Though tomorrow will likely bring rain, it should be gone by Thursday night’s grand finale of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. The kid-geared rock of Caspar Babypants will undoubtedly fill the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center as usual, so don’t be late. 6:30 pm start time, free, BYO chair/blanket/kid(s)/picnic, along Walnut south of Lander. P.S. Mr. Babypants has a new album out – “Flying High.”
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today:
PACKAGE THIEVES AT WORK RIGHT NOW: Just in from Marc near 35th/Cloverdale – thieves struck about half an hour ago: “Woman and two accomplices that appear male in a grey sedan with no front plate. Video:
Car and accomplices
Woman’s face
NEAR LINCOLN PARK: Nicole says car prowler(s) went through her husband’s car between midnight and 6 am near 46th SW and SW Austin:
They grabbed lots of stuff, but dumped much on the way from their walk from our house to the bus stop near the 76 gas station at the north end of Lincoln Park. Two things not recovered–two sets of golf clubs, one adult set of Cobras in a black bag with a Seahawks sock on the driver and one kid set in a red Wilson bag:
Since they seemed to be on foot, would love it if anyone seems them dumped somewhere or for sale online or at consignment. Also: a DVD wallet of kids’ movies and wireless headphones for the car DVD player.
I had my car broken in to on 30th Ave SW last night (August 19th-August 20th). Someone smashed in my front passenger side window, looted through my glovebox, and stole a phone charger. Thankfully I don’t keep anything of value in my car, but it also looks like other cars on the street were broken into last night.
No incident #’s yet for any of these cases but we’ll add them when we get them.
(Harbor porpoise, photographed from Alki Point by Danny McMillin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WADING POOL & SPRAYPARK: Warm and sunny, so Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool and Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) will be open 11 am-8 pm.
‘RAISING A READER’ BILINGUAL STORYTIME: Stories in Español and English, plus snacks, 4-5 pm at Southwest Youth and Family Services. Free. (4555 Delridge Way SW)
‘EARLY OUTREACH’ SITE TOUR: 7 townhouse units are planned for 2606 45th SW and the project team will be at the site at 6 pm for a site tour as part of the Early Design Outreach process.
EVENING BOOK GROUP: 6:30 pm at High Point Library. This month’s book is “The Whole World Over” by Julia Glass; next month, “To Siberia” by Per Petterson. (3411 SW Raymond)
UNPLUGGED! A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic musicians and singers! It’s your night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
OPEN MIC: The spotlight and microphone are yours starting at 9 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Event for our calendar? Please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another fall date to save! The local nonprofit centered on helping people stay out of homelessness, West Seattle Helpline, invites you to its fall fundraiser. The announcement:
We are excited to announce that tickets are on sale for the West Seattle Helpline’s 10th annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Dinner & Auction, presented by Metropolitan Market. Join us on Saturday, October 12th at The Hall at Fauntleroy for a fun-filled evening celebrating and strengthening our wonderful West Seattle and White Center community! There will be a cocktail hour with live music and a silent auction, a delicious dinner, exciting live auction, and our famous dessert dash.
All proceeds from Neighbors Helping Neighbors will allow the West Seattle Helpline to continue to provide our homelessness-prevention services to keep our neighbors safe and stable in their homes, including:
-Emergency Rent & Utility Assistance program, which provides emergency financial assistance to over 1,000 community members to prevent homelessness, imminent evictions, and utility shut-offs.
-The Clothesline, our free clothing bank that serves over 1,500 clients and their families.
-Transportation Voucher program, which offers over 7,000 free bus tickets to help neighbors travel to work, medical appointments, interviews, and more.
-The Helpline Hotline, a hub for neighbors to find resources for no-cost public and private services.
You can purchase your ticket(s) here; if you’re interested in sponsoring the event, email
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Cilia Jurdy – development@wshelpline.org.
(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 in our area so far this morning.
BRIDGE ALERT: SDOT says this will be a second day of West Seattle Bridge lane closures for hydrant testing – inside lane in both directions, starting around 8:45 am.
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