West Seattle, Washington

16 Wednesday

52℉

month : 02/2020 284 results

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Light snow
February 4, 2020 10:13 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

10:13 AM: That light snow that’s been a possibility for the past day-plus has finally shown up. The National Weather Service says it’s in the forecast until late afternoon, but isn’t expecting much if any accumulation.

12:46 PM: The light snow continues, but it’s not even sticking to parked cars.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday watch
February 4, 2020 6:59 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)

6:59 AM: Good morning.

One alert: The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route is now on the 2-boat schedule, with M/V Issaquah still out.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Thieves take U-Haul truck and hitched car
February 3, 2020 11:22 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The photo and report are just in from Reese: “We had our U-Haul, with our car attached, stolen this morning. Possibly around 3 am. It was parked at Willow St. and 35th Ave SW. Black Kia Forte, California License Plate 7TUN117; 15-foot U-Haul, Arizona License Plate AH01818.” If you see either, call 911.

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BIZNOTE: Camp Crockett expands, adding a West Seattle location for small dogs and puppies
February 3, 2020 8:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Pets | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Big news for Camp Crockett (WSB sponsor), the “dog day camp” with West Seattle and Burien locations. They’re expanding to add another West Seattle location. Here’s the announcement made tonight by proprietors Joe and Vanessa Crevling:

We are very happy to announce that we will be opening Camp Crockett Little Campers; a Puppies and Littles branch, added to our West Seattle location.

Located at 6531 35th Ave SW, this new expansion will be for Little Campers (under 35 pounds) and Puppy Campers (12 weeks – 6 months or 50 pounds). We will offer a beautiful 4200-square-foot outdoor area attached to a warm and cozy 1200-square-foot indoor area. This space will be a great first stepping stone to your puppy’s socialization, or for a Little Camper that won’t be overwhelmed by the “size” of the pack.

We are looking to open our doors in the first half of March, so stay tuned for more updates!!!! Thank you for all of your continued support as we strive to make the best OUTDOOR space for your CAMPER through ALL stages of life.

They also tell WSB this will be the largest playspace of its kind in Seattle. Camp Crockett’s other 2 locations will stay open; its original West Seattle location is at 5611 Delridge Way SW, just a mile and a half from the new site, which is just south of 35th/Morgan.

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UPDATE: California/Lander crash
February 3, 2020 7:20 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

7:20 PM: If you’re headed out, avoid the California/Lander intersection for a while. It’s at least partly blocked by the response to a crash. At least one person is hurt – a medic unit’s been called in to take someone to the hospital. We’re on our way to find out more.

7:46 PM: Added a photo. Police say the driver of the silver car hit the white truck, which was parked. The truck’s owner told us he was across the street when he heard it happen. The silver car’s driver is being taken to the hospital and police say they’re investigating him for possible DUI. NB California is blocked from the WSHS entrance north to Lander until this scene is cleared.

8:21 PM: Per scanner, the road has reopened.

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SEEN IN WEST SEATTLE: Metro battery-electric test bus
February 3, 2020 6:25 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

While walking in The Junction at midday today, we spotted that bus, unmarked except for a small Metro logo. We asked Metro about it, and spokesperson Torie Rynning explained:

The coach you spotted is one of Metro’s leased 40-foot-long battery-electric buses by BYD, currently in revenue service as we test and evaluate its performance. We currently have leased test buses in revenue service from New Flyer, Proterra, and BYD. Leasing buses from different manufacturers allows us to quickly collect data, learn how they perform in all four seasons, and develop new systems and procedures for how we operate. We’re learning as much as we can as quickly as we can, and applying that to our decision-making process for our future bus fleet purchases.

Just last week, Metro announced a plan to buy more battery-electric buses, from New Flyer.

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Looking for a place to perform? North Delridge’s Dragonfly Pavilion on a new list
February 3, 2020 4:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo)

That’s the Dragonfly Pavilion in North Delridge, and it’s one of nine spots around the city on a new Seattle Parks list of locations where an incentive is offered for performance-based art – here’s the announcement:

Beginning this year, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is offering to waive fees for community members or groups to host performance-based art in select Seattle parks. Performances can consist of an array of styles, including theatrical, comedic, spoken word, toast masters, acoustical concert, and more.

This opportunity is open to new permittees that host their event in one of nine Seattle parks near or around the park’s amphitheater. Parks include: 6th Ave. NW Pocket Park, A.B. Ernst Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Memorial Park, Dr. Jose Rizal Park, Dragonfly Pavilion in Longfellow Creek Greenspace, Greenwood Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, Magnuson Park, and Othello Park.

Applications are based on a first come, first served basis on a rolling calendar. To qualify, applicants must be willing to meet the requirements for the fees to be waived. Requirements include the following: events must be open to the public, no amplified sound and no money collection is allowed, and selected applicants must provide event insurance, and commit to do outreach to the neighborhood where the event will take place.

Interested in applying? You can apply by visiting seattle.gov/parks/reserve/park-use-permits and downloading a Park Use Application. Application forms must be turned in to Seattle Parks and Recreation staff at the Event Scheduling Office or e-mailed to parkusepermits@seattle.gov. Approval can take 5-10 business days.

Outreach can include publication of an announcement – so if you decide to have a show there, let us know too!

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth down a boat
February 3, 2020 2:49 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth down a boat
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

2:49 PM: Washington State Ferries says the Triangle Route is down to two boats because: “Vessel #3 Issaquah is out of service for the remainder of the service day due to an issue with the propulsion system.” However, that does NOT in this case trigger the two-boat schedule. Instead, WSF says: “The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will continue to operate on a 3-boat schedule with 2 vessels (#1 Cathlamet and #2 Kittitas).” So that means these schedules – Fauntleroy/Vashon, Fauntleroy/Southworth, Vashon/Southworth – minus the runs that are labeled “3.”

3:37 PM: An update from WSF: “The 3:55 p.m. sailing from Southworth will make an unscheduled stop at Vashon to pick up students due to the service disruption.”

7:20 PM: The Issaquah is expected to be out of service TFN so WSF says it’ll start the official two-boat schedule on the Triangle Route tomorrow (Tuesday).

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DEVELOPMENT: Approvals for two California SW projects south of The Junction
February 3, 2020 1:34 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two land-use approvals from the city:

5616 CALIFORNIA SW: The administrative (staff, not board) design review for the project on this site south of C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is complete, opening an appeal period. The decision is here; how to appeal (deadline February 18th), here. 8 townhouses are planned, in 3 buildings, with 5 offstreet-parking spaces. The design decision says the exceptional tree on the site is staying.

3032398-LU notofdec

5242 CALIFORNIA SW: This approval refers only to the 9-townhouse plan for the north section of the site that holds this long-vacated strip mall, but is a finalization of the Design Review Board approval that also included 9 townhouses on the south site. The deadline for appealing this decision (this notice explains how) is February 13th.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Backyard surprise (is it yours?); car prowler on camera
February 3, 2020 11:38 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes as the week gets going:

BACKYARD SURPRISE: From the “likely stolen/dumped” file, reported by Terry:

Found Sunday, in our Admiral District backyard (!): a gray, plastic, Plano-brand storage container. If it’s yours, call 206-932-8051, identify the contents, and it’s yours again.

CAR PROWL: Clayton reports, “In case anyone else had a car broken into (like we did) in the vicinity of 38th and Hinds. We caught the thief on our Nest Cam, though the video isn’t good enough to see his face. It looks like he was just walking up the street checking doors, and somehow got into our other vehicle, which was parked further up on the street.”

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8 for your West Seattle Monday!
February 3, 2020 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on 8 for your West Seattle Monday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Barrow’s Goldeneye, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s what’s up for the hours ahead:

FREE DROP-IN TAX HELP: Now that it’s February, April doesn’t seem so far off. Need free tax assistance? You can visit the Delridge Library, 2-7 pm today, as explained here. (5423 Delridge Way SW)

SCHOOL CHAT: For West Seattle families who are – or are thinking of – sending kids to Vashon Island public schools, their superintendent is at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 6-7 pm to talk with you. (5612 California SW)

PRESCHOOL ART STUDIO: Drop-in art class for little ones at High Point Library, 6:30-7:30 pm. Free. (3411 SW Raymond)

ZEN MEDITATION: 7 pm at Fauntleroy UCC, hosted by Puget Sound Zen. All welcome, whether or not you’ve meditated before – details in our calendar listing.

4 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: You now have four Monday night options:
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+
*Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), sports trivia with Phil Tavel, 8:30 pm, free, 21+

WHAT ELSE IS UP TODAY/TONIGHT AND BEYOND: Find out by browsing the full Event Calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
February 3, 2020 6:59 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch
 |   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)

6:59 AM: Good morning. No incidents in, or alerts for, our area so far.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Don’t freak if you see flakes
February 2, 2020 10:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The only snow we’ve seen since that dusting a few weeks ago is courtesy of peek mountain-peak views, like the one in David Hutchinson’s photo of The Brothers. But the temp’s back into the 30s and precipitation is returning, so the National Weather Service says a rain/snow mix is possible, while insisting accumulation is unlikely. (But do let us know if you see any!)

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: 4 court notes
February 2, 2020 8:42 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Quick updates on four of the many cases we’re continuing to watch but haven’t updated in a while:

MURDER SENTENCING: Anna Kasparova and Abel Linares-Montejo, found guilty two months ago in the 2017 murder of Edixon Velasquez, are scheduled for sentencing this Friday (February 7), 1 pm, before King County Superior Court Judge Kristin Richardson.

ATTEMPTED-BURGLARY-WITH-KNIFE SUSPECT: This Friday is also the next date for Gabriel Putnam, who you might remember as the suspected would-be burglar shown on porch video with a large knife. He subsequently skipped a court appearance; a warrant was issued, and he was arrested in October in Idaho and extradited back here. He’s been in the King County Jail ever since, in lieu of $25,000 bail; on Friday, a trial-readiness hearing (aka omnibus) is scheduled.

SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN SUSPECT: Michael Mullen, originally arrested for an incident last June in a Junction alley in which he was found in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, has been back in jail since mid-October. He was recently found competent to stand trial and has a bail hearing tomorrow afternoon.

FORMER COACH PLEA BARGAIN? Court documents indicate a plea hearing is tentatively scheduled Wednesday for Michael Gutierrez, the former West Seattle High School JV-girls basketball coach charged with inappropriate sexual communication with two players. No details, though, of the potential plea agreement or recommended sentence.

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YOUR COMMUNITY: New date for weather-postponed Admiral Neighborhood Association
February 2, 2020 7:17 pm
|    Comments Off on YOUR COMMUNITY: New date for weather-postponed Admiral Neighborhood Association
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The new date for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s next meeting – postponed last month becauese of weather worries – has just been announced. So set your calendar for the new date, same agenda as originally planed:

The Admiral Neighborhood Association’s next meeting is coming up on Tuesday, February 11th from 6:30-8:30pm.

Location: Admiral Congregational UCC, 4320 SW Hill St.

At this month’s meeting:

1. 2020 Census Information and Recruitment; and
2. Admiral Neighborhood 2019 Survey Results.

Come and meet your neighbors and discuss issues and events in our area!

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Little League extends registration deadline
February 2, 2020 4:00 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Extra time if you’re thinking of registering someone for West Seattle Little League – the deadline is now extended to February 14th:

West Seattle Little League offers baseball fun for girls & boys from ages 4-12, with special rookie teams for 8-year-olds! The season runs from March – June and includes fun activities like the jamboree and end of the year picnic. Interested to know more details? Check out westseattlelittleleague.com to find information about boundaries and league age. You can also email info@westseattlelittleleague.com with any questions including scholarship information. Look forward to seeing you on the field.

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SCHOOLS: Fauntleroy Children’s Center celebrates accreditation renewal
February 2, 2020 2:36 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The announcement is from the nonprofit Fauntleroy Children’s Center:

Fauntleroy Children’s Center has earned renewal of its accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC),—the world’s largest organization working on behalf of young children.

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments.

“We are proud to have earned the privilege of continued accreditation as a sign of our commitment to the highest set of standards for children and families in our community. We have been able to display the ‘Torch of Excellence’ since 1987, when we were the first center in West Seattle to achieve national accreditation. Our recent scores range from 92%-100%, with 7 of the 10 program standards having achieved a score of 100%! Our skilled, professional, diverse staff work diligently to provide meaningful, play enriched, educational experiences to the children in our care. We have fun as we grow and learn together. We invite you to tour our school and see our beautiful, spacious classrooms and multiple outdoor environments.” said Kim Sheridan, Director.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, Fauntleroy Children’s Center went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by a 2-day on-site visit by one of the NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the 10 program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for 5 years.

In the 30+ years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition.

FCC is in the historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse.

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FOLLOWUP: Early Community Outreach meeting scheduled for ~500-apartment Triangle project
February 2, 2020 12:22 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

This past week, we checked in on the status of the planning for a major project in The Triangle, exactly a year after the Sweeney family – best known for Alki Lumber – announced intentions to explore redevelopment. We noted that the sites at 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW and 4406 36th SW had appeared on the city website for the Early Community Outreach for Design Review process, with a ~500-apartment project in the early stage of planning. Since then, a community-meeting date has been added to the city calendar – 6 pm February 12, at Chaco Canyon Café (3770 SW Alaska). This is a casual early-feedback meeting, before, before the project moves into the formal Design Review process.

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7 options for your West Seattle Sunday
February 2, 2020 8:05 am
|    Comments Off on 7 options for your West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Brant, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

The Big Game isn’t all that’s going on today/tonight …

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Try something local for your football food – 10 am-2 pm, in the street in the heart of The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

VISIT THE LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The HQ of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, in a historic carriage house on Alki, is open noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)

BARBECUE WITH YOUR BEER: NWTXBBQ is the food truck at Best of Hands Barrelhouse (WSB sponsor), noon-5 pm. (7500 35th SW)

MUSICIANS FOR THE WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), bring nonperishable food and/or cash to donate! All ages. (5612 California SW)

‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’: Second-to-last Sunday matinée for ArtsWest‘s comedy, directed by Kelly Kitchens, 3 pm. Ticket info here. (4711 California SW)

SUPER BOWL AT ADMIRAL PUB: First one since the new owners took over, and they invite you to watch it there! 3:30 pm. (2306 California SW)

(Saturday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, The Triangular Jazztet performs at The Alley in The Junction. 21+. (4509 California SW)

PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD … via our complete calendar.

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UPDATE: Shooting on Alki
February 2, 2020 2:48 am
|      40 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photos)

2:48 AM: Thanks for the texts. SFD is at 58th/Alki on a “scenes of violence” call, and texters say they heard shots – we’re working to find out more.

2:52 AM: Via emergency radio, we’ve heard that one patient has been taken to the hospital.

3:01 AM: SFD is also being called in to treat someone who’s been “punched in the head.” Meantime, the main incident is being described as a “shots call.” Our crew should be there shortly to try to find out more.

3:21 AM: At the scene, our crew says casing markers are visible on the water side of Alki Avenue, across from the Wheel Fun Rentals lot, in the grass and on the path. We haven’t yet been able to talk to police to find out more about the patient taken to the hospital.

3:28 AM: Dispatcher has just reported that another gunshot victim, possibly related to this, has just shown up at a hospital in Federal Way.

3:52 AM: Just talked with a lieutenant at the scene. He says they’re still trying to piece together what happened, but he confirmed that the person taken to the hospital was shot. No one reported in custody so far. They’ll be clearing out of the scene soon.

4:23 AM: Added more photos. Still awaiting info on the condition of the victim taken to Harborview, and the status of the investigation, so we’ll be updating this story later this morning. Meantime, our archives indicate this is the first time a person has been shot on Alki since the still-unsolved shooting that killed 23-year-old Jordan Thomas in 2017.

9:14 AM: Just in via SPD Blotter:

Detectives are investigating after a 21-year-old man was shot and injured in the Alki neighborhood early Sunday morning.

Police were dispatched to reports of someone shot in the 2600 block of Alki Avenue Southwest. Officers spoke with witnesses who stated the victim was sitting at one of the fire pits when he was approached by a group of unidentified men. The witnesses said there was some type of fight disturbance and then shots were fired. They said the group scattered leaving behind the victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the head.

Seattle Fire Department Medics took the victim to Harborview Medical Center for further treatment.

Gang unit detectives are now investigating and are asking anyone with information to please call the tip line at 206-233-5000.

MONDAY NOTE: We’re still trying to get the full report; SPD told us it’s not releasable yet. No arrests; the investigation remains active. What additional information we received today clarified that robbery was the apparent motive; from SPD, “It appears two victims were at Alki beach having a bonfire. While walking back to get the car, one victim was confronted by a group of four. At one point, someone said ‘what do you have in your pockets?’ The victim said a cell phone and wallet. At that point the group of four began assaulting the first victim. The second victim arrived and jumped in to assist in the fight. A moment later gunshots sounded and one of the two victims was stuck by gunfire. Both victims were transported to HMC, one for the gunshot wound and one for the injuries from the assault.” No description of the attackers, nor is there any more information about whether the gunshot victim who turned up in Federal Way was related to this.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car prowl
February 1, 2020 11:35 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Emily:

Our car was “broken” into sometime Friday night/Saturday morning between midnight and 10 AM on 47th Ave between Hudson and Dawson. I put the word broken in quotation marks because there were no signs of forced entry and I can’t be 100% sure I didn’t accidentally leave the car unlocked. The contents of the glove compartment and the center console were strewn about the front seats, but nothing appeared to be missing. We’re happy no windows were smashed, but a good reminder to be mindful of what we leave in the car.

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UPDATE: Emergency response after driver hits person, house on Pigeon Point
February 1, 2020 9:02 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photo tweeted by @PDXMark)

9:02 PM: A “rescue extrication” response is headed to the 3800 block of 22nd SW (north of Andover) on Pigeon Point. More to come.

9:04 PM: Per scanner, a driver coming down a steep driveway hit a woman, and then the car hit a house. The response is being downsized – no extrication needed. No major injury reported so far.

9:11 PM: SFD says no one in the house was hurt; initial assessment radioed by crews is that damage appears minor.

9:28 PM: Our crew says the vehicle hit the house’s front door and verifies no major injuries.

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Battery-electric articulated buses on the way for Metro
February 1, 2020 8:43 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(King County photo)

With so many bus riders in West Seattle, this might be of interest if you didn’t catch it in regional coverage: Metro has up to 120 more battery-electric buses on the way. King County announced the purchase plan this past week. Highlights from the full announcement:

The initial agreement is to buy 40 battery-electric buses, to be delivered in 2021, and to order 80 more, from New Flyer of America, Inc. Those first 40 buses will be 60-foot articulated buses that cost $1.3 million each. The planned order after that, for delivery in 2022, will be for 20 more 60-foot articulated buses and 60 40-foot buses costing $925,000 each. At least $20 million of the cost will be covered by grant funding.

These buses, Metro says, meet the specifications King County laid out three years ago – able to travel about 140 miles on one charge. (The 11 battery-electric buses that Metro has now can only go 23 miles before they need a 10-minute charge.) The announcement also notes that Metro “initially pursued a different manufacturer for the purchase of 73 buses in 2017, however, that manufacturer does not currently have a 60-foot-long option.” If you’re wondering about charging capability, Metro is starting with a “temporary interim bus base” due to be complete this fall, with a charging system for 100 buses to be phased in starting next year; a permanent South Annex Base (in Tukwila) is in the works too. As for which routss will get those first new battery-electric buses next year – we asked; Metro says it hasn’t decided.

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