day : 14/04/2020 13 results

(WSB photos. From left, SDOT’s Sam Zimbabwe and Matt Donahue, Councllmembers Alex Pedersen and Lisa Herbold)

11:56 PM: What was amnounced as a West Seattle Bridge “tour” with two city councilmembers and SDOT today was more of a visit and Q&A. We listened in as Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Alex Pedersen talked with SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe and roadway-structures director Matt Donahue.

They looked at the underside of the bridge and its piers from two spots, near the entrance to the Jim Clark Marina parking lot, and a short distance west. A steady stream of trucks from Harbor Island provided enough constant noise that, at a safe social distance, we didn’t catch every word, but here are the highlights of what we could hear:

The discussion centered on the complexity of the task of determining how to stabilize and then repair the bridge. Donahue went into detail of the modeling that’s being used to analyze the cracks, which – as Zimbabwe told us in our April 2nd interview – continue to grow, though not at the rate that led to the bridge’s sudden shutdown 22 days ago. Cracking isn’t the only concern – parts of the bridge aren’t “sliding the way they’re supposed to.” (There’s more elaboration on the added concerns in this report by SCC Insight, which details a “locked lateral bearing” on Pier 18, the one in the next photo with a pipe running down it:)

He also explained that thoroughly understanding the problem is vital in designing the solution, because they have to take care that the stabilizing – including “shoring” – doesn’t get in the way of the ensuing repairs. All the while, they’re in a “race against time.”

What clues has the bridge’s past provided? Donahue noted he was in elementary school when the bridge was designed, but SDOT has “14 file cabinets” stuffed with documentation. The emphasis of current efforts, though, is the work being done by a “team of highly specialized (engineers),” consulting firm WSP, which has a deep portfolio of bridge work.

It was reiterated that the stabilization/shoring has to be done to make the bridge safe for major repairs – to get the cracks to stop growing.

So no new revelations, but the councilmembers do have a new perspective for when SDOT presents that moved-up briefing next Monday, which will mark four weeks to the day since the shutdown.

ADDED 11:02 AM WEDNESDAY: And we’ll get more new info even sooner – the mayor and various transportation officials plan a media briefing at 3:30 pm today.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Junction tree lit in blue to honor health-care heroes

April 14, 2020 10:22 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Jason Hubbard)

The evergreen that serves as the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Christmas tree is lit in blue tonight. As previewed here last night, it’s inspired by the nationwide Light It Blue campaign to honor health-care heroes and others on the pandemic frontline. The tree in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska) was decked this morning with the help of Fleming’s Holiday Lighting:

(Photo courtesy WSJA)

The display is underwritten by Nucor.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 4/14 roundup

April 14, 2020 9:11 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

No big news today, but here’s what we have for the nightly roundup:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health COVID-19 data dashboard:

*4,620 people have tested positive, up 71 from yesterday

*303 people have died, up 7 from yesterday

One week ago, those numbers were 3,486 and 230.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

HOW IS COVID-19 AFFECTING SFD AND SPD? This week’s updates are here.

THE NATIONAL GUARD … has arrived, here to help out the West Seattle Food Bank.

NEED FOOD? Another local restaurant is extending a hand – full of tasty food – to those in need.

GOVERNOR TALKS TOMORROW: He hasn’t had a COVID-19-related media briefing yet this week, but that’ll change tomorrow at 3 pm. No guests or topic announced, so far. It’ll be livestreamed by TVW.

…AND HE ISSUED PROCLAMATIONS TODAY: Three miscellaneous ones.

PEP CHALK: Seen along 30th SW in Sunrise Heights, sent by a reader:

GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Jim Clark Marina fire also remains a mystery

April 14, 2020 7:33 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(March 27th photo by Asher Morgan)

When we asked SFD today about whether investigators had determined the cause of last Saturday’s 48th SW fire, we also asked again about the March 27th Jim Clark Marina fire. SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says investigators also were unable to determine what started that fire. No one was hurt, but as we first reported the day after the fire, nine boats burned.

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GRATITUDE: Easter generosity = successful donation drive outside Alki UCC

April 14, 2020 5:28 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

(Alki UCC photos. Above, Cinda Stenger, Outreach/Social Justice Team)

On Easter, we mentioned Alki UCC‘s all-day donation drive out front. Today we got a note to share w9th you, expressing gratitude for everyone who helped:

Alki United Church of Christ (Alki UCC) thanks everyone who came by our building Easter Sunday to donate food and clothing for our vulnerable neighbors in need, those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID 19.

Your food contributions will be distributed via the White Center Food Bank; clothing donations will go to either the West Seattle Clothesline or the King County Drug Court to help men receiving treatment for minor drug offenses transition back into our community.

Your spirit and generosity will warm many, many hearts. Thank you.

Note: We hope to continue our socially-distanced food donations drive every other Sunday beginning April 26. Check alkiucc.org for details.

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UPDATE: Seattle Fire response in The Junction, false alarm

April 14, 2020 4:16 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:16 PM: A Seattle Fire “full response” was sent to California/Alaska after a report of dark smoke from a commercial building’s roof, but so far, the first arriving units aren’t seeing anything.

4:21 PM: This was determined to be a “smoking pizza oven”; units are being dismissed.

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FOLLOWUP: 2-alarm Admiral construction-site fire remains a mystery

April 14, 2020 3:43 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Saturday)

Ever since that 2-alarm fire in the 2300 block of 48th SW early Saturday, we’ve been checking back with SFD to see if they had determined the cause. Today, the official word is that “Our fire investigators were unable to determine a cause,” according to SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo. He says the estimated loss in the fire – which damaged neighboring residences as well as gutting five under-construction rowhouse units – was $910,000. No one was hurt but the fire spread burning debris over a distance – one Alki Avenue condo resident even reported finding some of it.

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HELPING: National Guard arrives in West Seattle

April 14, 2020 1:48 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | How to help | West Seattle news

When Gov. Inslee activated the National Guard in our state to help with the COVID-19 response, the plan was for members to help out at food banks. We checked with the West Seattle Food Bank at the time and they were not yet sure if anyone would be assigned – but on Monday, they arrived! The photos and update are from WSFB development director Judi Yazzolino:

Our 2 National Guardsmen started yesterday. We so needed them and so grateful. 2Lt. Akana and SSG Roberts.

You can help WSFB too – donate money and/or register for the May 9th virtual version of the “Instruments of Change” benefit!

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CORONAVIRUS: Updates on how COVID-19 is affecting Seattle Police, Fire personnel

April 14, 2020 12:07 pm

| Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Updates on how COVID-19 is affecting Seattle Police, Fire personnel

| Coronavirus | Health | Safety | West Seattle news

Last week for the first time, both the Seattle Police and Fire xepartments published by-the-numbers updates on how COVID-19 was affecting their personnel. One week later, both have published updates. First, from SPD (we’ve added the comparisons from last week’s report):

The following information is accurate as of April 14, 2020 at 07:00 AM

Seattle Police Department (SPD) employees in either Quarantine or Isolation: 26 [down from 50 a week ago]

SPD employees who have returned to work based on Public Health guidelines: 235 [up from 194]

SPD employees who have tested positive for COVID-19: 7 [up 1]

SPD employees who have been tested at our First Responder testing site, but tested negative for COVID-19: 103* [up from 87]

* denotes an approximate number

And from SFD (we have added the comparisons from last week’s report):

The following information is updated as of 4 p.m. on April 13:

Quarantine and Isolation:

Members currently in quarantine or isolation: 6 members [down from 29 a week ago]
Total number of SFD personnel impacted since the beginning of tracking COVID-19: 88 members [unchanged]
Total number of SFD personnel who have completed their 14-day quarantine and returned to work: 82 members [up from 59]

Testing:

This includes those who have received testing at the site designated for first responders and those who have shared their results from testing conducted at a private physician.

Total number of known SFD personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19: 16 members [unchangedd]
Total number of SFD personnel with a negative test results at first responder testing site: 70 members pup from 58]
Total number of SFD personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered: 6 members [up from 1]

No geographic or demographic breakdowns are available.

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NEED FOOD? An offer for tonight from – but not at – Itto’s Tapas

April 14, 2020 10:12 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Though it’s been rocky times for restaurants, local independent eateries continue giving. As announced by Itto’s Tapas via Instagram:

We would like to sincerely thank you all for the support we have received over the past few weeks. The love West Seattle has show us has been truly humbling and honestly, we are blown away. We have received generous donations, vows of support and encouraging messages. We are doing our best to stay afloat during this crisis. An Instagram post can’t begin to properly put it into words but we are so grateful to have such amazing patrons. Thank you all so much!

We will be paying it forward by cooking free meals for anyone in need on Tuesday, April 14th at 5:30 pm at The West Seattle Eagles Club, just around the corner from Itto’s. Meals will be available until we run out.

Also, anyone who can’t afford their next meal, please feel free to email us from our website and I will take care of you.

Much love to all of you. Please stay safe and stay strong. We will get through this together! And I can’t wait to personally greet you through our doors when it is safe to do so!

The Eagles are at 4426 California SW.

P.S. Thanks to Manuel for the tip!

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BUSINESS UPDATE: Emmick Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services

April 14, 2020 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’re continuing to publish updates about how local businesses are operating these days. This morning, from longtime WSB sponsor Emmick Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services:

Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, and Crematories have been deemed “essential workforces” by
Gov. Inslee.

Although, we are adjusting how we make and arrange for our services: We decided to temporarily stop meeting in-person with people back on March 13th.

We can facilitate funeral & cremation arrangements by mail, e-mail, phone, and/or fax. We are still available and able to bring people’s loved ones into our care. Funeral services are very limited at this time, if occurring at all, but it fluctuates day to day, it seems. Some cemeteries aren’t allowing people to be present for a service; other cemeteries are allowing only immediate family members.

We are doing all that we can do to help our community to the absolute best of our ability, and we appreciate the understanding, patience, compassion, and kindness we have received from the Families we serve.

As explained online, theirs is a “small, local, family-owned and operated company,” based at 3243 California SW.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: Tuesday watch, fourth week of West Seattle Bridge closure

April 14, 2020 6:30 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:30 AM: The high-rise West Seattle Bridge is now empty for the 22nd consecutive morning. Restrictions remain for the low bridge – transit, freight, and emergency responses; SPD presence continued on Monday.

For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – that’s also the main way to get to I-5, cutting across Georgetown.

Or use the South Park Bridge (map), which drops you onto East Marginal Way a mile south of the north end of the 1st Ave. South Bridge.

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.

TRANSIT ALERTS FOR THIS WEEK:

As first reported here, the Metro and Water Taxi schedules have been slashed. Use the lookup to see which bus trips are canceled.

ROAD WORK UPDATE:

Permanent striping/marker placement in the Avalon/35th/Alaska project zone is scheduled to continue today, as are parking restrictions. Here’s the latest.

OTHER LINKS

SDOT’s traffic map
Our traffic-cams page

Let us know what you’re seeing – comment, or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: Next council briefing moved up a week, Herbold tells Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council

April 14, 2020 1:25 am

| 54 COMMENTS

| Pigeon Point | Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Hours before she gets a firsthand look at the West Seattle Bridge danger zone with SDOT, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold provided an update tonight to the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council. The neighborhood closest to the bridge’s crest held its every-other-month meeting by videoconference/phone, and we dialed in.

One major headline: After SDOT briefed the council on the bridge situation one week ago, it was expected they’d be back on April 27th. Herbold told PPNC that SDOT had asked to move the briefing up a week, to next Monday (April 20th), “I’m hoping there’ll be some news for us” about a time frame and plan for “shoring” the bridge, a necessary step before any permanent repairs can be made.

She said the biggest question she’s getting asked is why the bridge cracked so badly that it had to be closed.

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