West Seattle, Washington
01 Sunday
The city estimates up to 18,000 Seattle homes still use oil heat, and just announced a plan to try to reduce that number. From the announcement just sent:
To help combat the global climate crisis and fulfill a key commitment of Seattleās 2018 Seattle Climate Strategy, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced today her plan to speed up the conversion of Seattleās homes that burn oil for heat to cleaner electric heating.
Oil heat is the least efficient, most expensive, and most polluting form of home heating in Seattle. Converting Seattle homes to highly efficient electric heat pumps is another step to help Seattle become carbon neutral by 2050.
Mayor Durkan is transmitting legislation to City Council that if enacted would 1) impose a tax on heating oil starting July 1, 2020 on heating oil providers and 2) a requirement for heating oil tank owners to decommission or upgrade all existing underground oil tanks by 2028. Revenue from the tax will provide rebates and grants for Seattle homeowners to energy efficient electric heat pumps. ..
The tax of $0.24/gallon will fund rebates and grants for nearly 3,000 households to help them make the switch. Low-income homeowners will be fully refunded for the upgrade costs; approximately 1,000 low-income households are estimated to be eligible for a fully funded conversion. …
There are as many as 18,000 oil-heated homes in the City of Seattle. Converting those homes to clean electricity is expected to reduce Seattleās climate emissions by 433,000 metric tons over 10 years. That is the equivalent of taking nearly 90,000 passenger cars off the road for a year. …
A typical 500-gallon oil tank costs a household $1,700 per year. An electric heat pump is more than twice as efficient as an oil furnace and a conversion from oil would save the average household about $850 every year compared to oil heat systems.
Most of Seattleās oil heat tanks were installed between the 1920s and 1950s and are now an increasing liability as the steel tanks deteriorate, causing oil to leak and damage soil, property, and potentially ground water.
City of Seattle departments including Office of Sustainability and Environment, Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, will be directed to develop the criteria and plan for old oil tanks by July 1, 2020.
In addition to supporting conversion to energy efficient heat pumps, the proposed legislation also supports workforce development for workers in the oil heating industry. A portion of the tax revenue will support workforce training and business planning support for affected heating oil service providers.
Imagine yourself in that scene – in the shade, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, on a warm summer night. That could be you this Thursday during the next free concert presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. This week, it’s the “Gypsy Jazz” sound of Ranger and the Re-arrangers – here’s a sample of their style:
As always, the concert will run 6:30-8 pm; bring your own chair, blanket, etc., family, friends, neighbors, picnic dinner, etc.! The lawn runs along Walnut south of Lander.
In our ongoing coverage of afternoon/evening Metro bus backups on 1st Avenue S. as West Seattleites try to get home from downtown, we reported Friday on SDOT‘s plan to try tweaking traffic signals in hopes that will help. What the SDOT announcement didn’t say, however, was when that will happen. So we followed up. Today, a reply from SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson: “The changes to signal timing will be implemented within two weeks.” Meantime, Metro has posted its take on the situation, recapping the SDOT plan and saying that while many riders have suggested re-implementing the routing used during the Highway 99 closure, that would be impractical.
(Monday sunset, photographed by Jim Borrow)
By dusk tonight, the first round of election results should be in. So that’s where we begin:
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: Here’s our complete guide to today/tonight, as voting ends (8 pm) and vote-counting begins (results around 8:15).
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Though it’s foggy now, we’re expecting it to clear away for sunshine and warm temperatures, so the city says the pools WILL be open: 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 (738 S. Sullivan) is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
NIGHT OUT: More than 200 block/building parties all over West Seattle, part of the annual national Night Out to build community and strengthen safety. Times vary – some start in the 5 pm hour, some run as late as 9. Remember that some neighborhood streets will be closed to through traffic. Some parties are on this map. Send us a pic of yours tonight – westseattleblog@gmail.com, text to 206-293-6302, or tweet @westseattleblog – thanks!
PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS BEGINS: 6 pm, first of four sessions at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Preregistration required – our calendar listing explains how. (4217 SW Oregon)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 6:30 pm at air-conditioned Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, hosted by Joey Vargas. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
SEE MORE … on our complete calendar!
From Queen City Futsal, which launched in West Seattle a year ago:
West Seattle-ites! Queen City Futsal is gearing up for fall season and weād love to have more players from our community!
After taking the summer off to let our players enjoy the short-lived Seattle sun, we will be returning this fall for our 4th season! In addition to the coed divisions that weāve been offering thus far, this season we will be offering the VERY. FIRST. EVER adult womenās futsal division here in Seattle and can we just say, we cannot wait!
Games will be played Sundays at the Salvation Army gym in West Seattle.
For a little glimpse into what Queen City is all about, you can check out THIS VIDEO from one of our past seasons. Weāre all about having a good time, inclusivity, and of course, playing the beautiful game. Weāre focused on creating a space to help build community and to combat that infamous Seattle Freeze.
For more information and/or to register your team or as an individual, go HERE!
If you have any questions at all, we’re just a quick email away at queencityfutsalsea@gmail.com.
We’re also looking to partner/include other West Seattle businesses in our growing community, so if you’re a business owner in West Seattle, or know a business that might be interested, hit us up!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:59 AM: Good morning! No incidents or alerts. One reminder:
NO WATER TAXI SERVICE THIS WEEK: No service on the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes this week because of the downtown dock move. But the Route 773 and Route 775 shuttles ARE running.
If your ballot is already in the hands of King County Elections, or on the way, good going! If not … you have just hours left to vote. Here’s everything you need to know, starting with a last look at who and what’s on your ballot:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1: We’ve covered this race from the first filing to the last (pre-primary) forum. The district includes West Seattle and South Park; Councilmember Lisa Herbold is seeking a second 4-year term, challenged by Phil Tavel and Brendan Kolding. The top two finishers will advance to the November election.
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8: Incumbent Joe McDermott is running for re-election. He also has two opponents, Goodspaceguy and Michael Neher.
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6: Also a race with the incumbent and two challengers. Leslie Harris , the board’s president, is challenged by Crystal Liston and Molly Mitchell. District 6 includes West Seattle and most of South Park.
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION: Two positions, elected countywide, are on this ballot. 7 candidates are running for Position 2 (which incumbent Courtney Gregoire is leaving) – Dominic Barrera, Kelly Charlton, Sam Cho, Grant Degginger, Nina Martinez, Ali Scego, and Preeti Shridhar. For Position 5, incumbent Fred Felleman is running for re-election, with two opponents – Garth Jacobson and Jordan Lemmon.
TWO LEVIES: You are being asked to approve or reject two levies – the King County Parks and Open Space levy and the Seattle library levy.
HOW TO GET YOUR VOTE IN: If you’re going to mail your ballot, do it early enough that you can be assured it’ll be postmarked today. More foolproof – take it to an official county dropbox. There are two in West Seattle (High Point and The Junction) and one in White Center, as well as dozens of others around the county – maybe one close to where you work. The map and list are here; the dropoff deadline is 8 pm. You also have accessible voting options including four centers where you can vote until 8 pm.
NOT REGISTERED? NO PROBLEM! Our state now has same-day registration – but you have to do it in person, and those aforementioned four centers are where to do it in King County.
THE FIRST RESULTS: King County usually announces just one round of results on Election Night, around 8:15 pm. You’ll find them here when they’re available. (And of course we’ll publish them too.)
ELECTION NIGHT PARTIES: Want to spend Election Night with the council candidate you’re rooting for? Here’s where they’ll be:
*Brendan Kolding – Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW)
*Lisa Herbold – Zeeks Pizza (6459 California SW)
*Phil Tavel – Talarico’s (4718 California SW)
In recent discussions of excruciatingly slow West Seattle-bound bus journeys from downtown, there’ve been many reminders that buses’ use of 1st Avenue South is temporary, with new permanent “pathways” in the works. Construction started today on the next phase of creating one key route, the 2-way version of Columbia Street (prep work was done more than a year ago). Here’s the city’s announcement:
With the former on-ramp to the Alaskan Way Viaduct now fully demolished, construction began today on Columbia Street for transit and pedestrian improvements between 1st Avenue and Alaskan Way. As part of the Waterfront Seattle Program, the City of Seattleās Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects is transforming Columbia Street into a two-way corridor with bus-only lanes and improved sidewalks. This critical transit pathway is expected to be completed and operational by early January 2020. Once operational, transit will use Columbia Street and Alaskan Way for both inbound and outbound travel between downtown and southwest King County.
Construction of the Columbia Street improvements is expected to take about four months and includes new underground utilities. Work will mostly take place during daytime and weekday hours, with occasional overnight and weekend work. Columbia Street will be closed to vehicles at 1st Avenue, with other intermittent traffic closures on Western, Post, and 1st avenues. Columbia Street will remain open to pedestrians throughout construction, with sidewalks open on at least one side of the street.
Later this fall, the City will begin rebuilding Alaskan Way, as soon as Viaduct demolition is complete. The City is committed to keeping the waterfront open and accessible throughout construction. To learn more visit waterfrontseattle.org, call 206-499-8040 or email info@waterfrontseattle.org
The plan has been long in the making – back in 2012, when decisions about downtown traffic flow were being made, we reported on Columbia being “in the lead” over other possibilities.
8:21 PM: The big Seattle Fire response is for what SFD reports as a flipped-car crash in the 3200 block of Harbor SW. Everybody’s reported to be out of the vehicle and being evaluated/treated for injuries.
8:25 PM: Photo added (thanks!). Police are reported to have Harbor blocked off both ways in the 3200 block.
8:47 PM: Police say the driver was headed toward the bridge, hit the median, car flipped and took down the pole shown above. The driver had one passenger; no serious injuries reported.
11:39 PM: The road has reopened.
(Rendering by Cone Architecture)
The next round of design feedback is open for 5616 California SW, the townhouse/rowhouse proposal planned to replace a 94-year-old house next to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). This project is going through Administrative Design Review, which means no public meetings (aside from the “early community outreach” gathering we covered last September). The proposal is for eight residential units and four offstreet-parking spaces, according to the packet by Cone Architecture (45 MB, PDF); the notice explains how to comment before the August 19th deadline. (Note that although the notice says this is “Early Design Guidance” feedback, the packet and city files indicate this is actually the “Recommendation” final round.)
On Saturday, we reported on the King County Wastewater Treatment Division‘s announcement of a 200-to-400-gallon sewage leak that resulted in warning signs along part of the Fauntleroy shoreline. We checked back with KCWTD spokesperson Norm Mah today to see if the warning was still in effect. Short answer: Yes. Longer: “The beach is not closed, a limited area around the vault located in the southernmost end of the park along the beach trail has been cordoned off to public access. Signs remain posted advising the public to avoid contact in the area out of an abundance of caution. We are still conducting water quality sampling in the area that is posted. Water quality tests are done until there are two consecutive days below the state threshold.” KCWTD blamed the overflow on “a leaking pressure relief valve on the Barton Pump Station pipeline that travels through Lincoln Park.”
The air’s a bit hazy/smoky this afternoon but “Diver Laura” James reports from her paddleboard off Alki that the water’s crystal clear. Above, the eelgrass that so many species thrive on; below, a less-pleasant sight:
Without going in for a closer look, Laura surmises that’s a canopy that might have blown into the water from a beach event. (Anyone missing one?)
Procrastinating on signing up your Night Out block/building party? Almost forgot it’s tomorrow (Tuesday, August 6th) night? As long as your street isn’t an arterial, you can still sign up for the right to close it to traffic tomorrow night – 4:30 pm today is your deadline. Just go here! And then when you’re out in the warm, clear weather, enjoying the night with your neighbors, please send us a pic so we can include in our coverage (we’ll be roaming but we’ll also be covering Election Night so we won’t get to make many stops ourselves) – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to 206-293-6302 or if you’re on Twitter, @westseattleblog – thanks!
P.S. Putting your party on SPD’s online map is optional; go here to see where parties are already mapped.
The fire-damaged auto-shop building at Delridge/Henderson has long since been demolished, but the redevelopment plan for the site has idled – until now. The second Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the project at 8854 Delridge Way SW has just appeared on the board’s schedule, two years after the first one (WSB coverage here). The project is now described as “a 4-story apartment building with 18 small efficiency dwelling units, 14 apartments, and office space. Parking for 14 vehicles proposed.” The SWDRB meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm Thursday, September 5th, at the board’s usual meeting place, the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). It will include a public-comment period.
SIDE NOTE: The project’s online file indicates that contaminated soil from the site – which also once held a gas station – was removed post-demolition.
(Mallard, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for your Monday:
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park wading pool is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
FREE SUMMER MEALS: Still a month until school starts back up again, and local efforts continue to make sure no kids/teens go hungry. Various locations and times – use this lookup to find them.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Air-conditioned High Point Library welcomes kids of all ages, 6:30 pm storytime. (3411 SW Raymond)
WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: The air-conditioned Senior Center of West Seattle will be a great place to hang out at 7 pm if you’re a quilter. (4217 SW Oregon)
QUIZ NIGHT: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. $2/player. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
PREVIEW THE REST OF THE WEEK … via our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:30 AM: Good morning! One big reminder about today:
NO WATER TAXI SERVICE THIS WEEK: No service on the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes this week because of the downtown dock move. But the Route 773 and Route 775 shuttles ARE scheduled to keep running.
7:51 AM: Trouble on NB I-5 at Dearborn, says WSDOT, with 2 lanes blocked. Car fire.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
On the way to today’s Camp Second Chance Community Advisory Committee, we were in an Arrowhead Gardens elevator with former camp resident Zsa Zsa, who remarked that she’d just visited C2C and noticed a lot of new faces – because others had exited to housing, as had she.
How many? At the meeting, the city-sanctioned camp’s manager/co-founder Eric Davis announced the latest numbers:
Monica Zaborac caught that view from West Seattle today, the Blue Angels plus a bird. We believe it’s a Caspian Tern – those seabirds whose eerily prehistoric cry is often heard as they fly over the peninsula, to and from the Duwamish.
P.S. Also by Monica, a birdless view:
In our coverage of last month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, we mentioned ANA was working on a survey meant to help ensure the group can better serve the community, and to find out what people would like to see in Admiral that’s not available/happening now. The survey’s ready for your replies – go here to answer it!
Family and friends have said goodbye to Mary V. Andersen. Here’s the remembrance that is being shared with her community:
Mary Virginia Andersen
May 3, 1942- August 1, 2019Mary Virginia Andersen was born May 3rd, 1942, to Muriel and Donald Powell in Aberdeen, WA. She is survived by one sister, Anne Reed, son Tyler Worley, daughter Kim [Mike] Bartlett and three grandsons, Brian Bartlett, Christopher Worley and Roscoe Worley. She was preceded in death by her son Adam Worley.
Mary attended Beauty School at an early age in Hoquiam, WA. She loved living and working in West Seattle during her entire life. She had many good friends aiding her needs through her long battle with cancer. We will all miss her, but as she phrased, āI will see you on the other side.”
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Emerald City Kitty Harbor, 3422 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(July 2018 video courtesy Kim Barnes)
Last summer, that community duo played music from Burkina Faso at a Roxhill Park community barbecue. Now – as you might have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – a World Music Festival is planned for the park next month, and Seattle Parks just announced how you can help shape it:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a free community music festival on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Roxhill Park (2850 SW Roxbury St.) and we invite participation by the community in planning the event.
What activities would you like to see at the festival? What music or musicians can you recommend? What organizations would you like to have represented? Please come to one of the planning meetings listed below, or contact Randy Wiger with your ideas: Randy.Wiger@seattle.gov or 206-684-0775.
Planning meetings’ dates ā everyone is welcome to attend! The meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Roxhill Park at the picnic tables by 29th Ave. SW.
Thursday, August 8
Monday, August 12
Thursday, August 22
Two reminders about the Water Taxi: First, it’s running on an extended schedule tonight because of the Sounders FC game at CenturyLink Field. Second, remember that right after that, both the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are scheduled to be suspended ALL WEEK for the downtown dock move. The 773 and 775 shuttles will continue running, though, according to the county’s shutdown-week transit-rundown here.
(Saturday photo by David Hutchinson)
The Blue Angels‘ final Seattle show of 2019 is part of our list for August’s first Sunday:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, in the street, in the heart of The Junction. (California between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
BAKE SALE TO BENEFIT REFUGEES/IMMIGRANTS: As previewed last night, a West Seattle family is organizing its second annual benefit bake sale for RAICES, 10 am-1 pm. (4146 44th SW)
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK: Open today are Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 11 am-8 pm; Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-6:30 pm; Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
LOW-LOW TIDE: It’s out to -1.1 feet at 2:01 pm, with Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Lincoln and Constellation Parks 1 pm-3 pm.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: Want to find out what’s going on at the only city-sanctioned encampment in West Seattle? Or, have a question/concern? This meeting is where you want to be. 2 pm at Arrowhead Gardens, (9200 2nd SW)
SWING DANCING: 2:30 pm-9 pm at Alki Masonic Center, multiple sessions/events with the Seattle Swing Dance Club. (4736 40th SW)
(Saturday photo by Monica Zaborac)
BLUE ANGELS’ SEAFAIR FINALE: 3 pm performance over Lake Washington, after takeoff from the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. Some flybys wlll be visible from northeast/east-facing West Seattle.
MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: At C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
MIA DAY: 6 pm at The Skylark, $5 cover, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SEE WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING … via our full calendar.
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