West Seattle, Washington
28 Thursday
(WSB photo from April, new signal at Highland Park Way/Holden)
HPAC – the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – got a fast reply from SDOT on its letter centered on 13 requests related to the West Seattle Bridge closure and its effects on those neighborhoods. We spotlighted the letter here on Tuesday; HPAC circulated the response tonight. It’s signed by Heather Marx, who’s leading the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Safety Project. The letter, which you can see in its entirety on HPAC’s website, also incorporates topics from HPAC’s April meeting (WSB coverage here). From the response, here are HPAC’s points, and SDOT’s replies:
… Below are the specific requests we heard from HPAC – at both your meeting and in your letter – with the status of each request:
Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St Intersection
*Request for a left-hand turn signal for turning onto SW Holden St from northbound lane on Highland Park Way SW
Status/update: We installed a temporary traffic signal at this intersection and it’s not currently possible to add a left-hand turn signal to it. We are, however, sharing this feedback with the team designing the permanent traffic signal scheduled to be installed in 2021.*Request for extra traction on uphill southbound lane on Highland Park Way SW
Status/update: The Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St Safety project team will evaluate high friction surface treatment. This treatment has typically been done where crashes have occurred when roadway conditions were slippery.*Request for separate green signals for pedestrians and drivers in the northwest corner of the intersection
Status/update: We installed a temporary traffic signal at this intersection and it’s not currently possible to add these features to it. We are, however, sharing this feedback with the team designing the permanent traffic signal scheduled to be installed in 2021.Turning from arterial streets onto SW Holden St
*Request to see painting and/or signage to prohibit blocking of the intersections
Status/update: Because these treatments have limited effectiveness and high maintenance costs, SDOT is focusing on more effective tools, many of which are below and will also be reflected in the neighborhood traffic plans we are preparing.Traffic calming in the neighborhood
Time for tonight’s roundup of local pandemic-related news:
NEWEST COUNTYWIDE NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*6,770 people have tested positive, 117 more than yesterday
*474 people have died, 7 more than yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 6,182 and 436.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
LOCAL MAN BEATS COVID-19: Though it’s not mentioned in the story, we’ve learned the 70-year-old coronavirus survivor spotlighted in this Seattle Times story is a West Seattle man.
‘RISK ASSESSMENT DASHBOARD’ UPDATE: If you’ve been following Gov. Inslee‘s recent announcements, you know he’s talked a lot about tracking various metrics. Today, his office went public with an update of the “risk-assessment dashboard”:
ANOTHER STAT: The number of people in King County isolation/quarantine centers keeps dropping – down now to 47, far below the capacity of the ones already open, and of local note since the county said last week that the Top Hat site east of White Center wont open until and unless others are maxed out.
SCHOOL PARADES: Though buildings are closed, hearts are open. Today we featured Highland Park Elementary‘s plan for a parade tomorrow, and photos from one outside Holy Family yesterday.
SFD/SPD PARADE: One more go for Friday Night Lights.
BUT NO 4TH OF JULY PARADE: Latest COVID-19 cancellation, announced tonight.
CHALK JOKE: Lots and lots of chalk messages and art during these pandemic days of neighborhood wandering. Often it’s inspirational – but this one went for a laugh:
Scott photographed it along Fauntleroy Way near Dawson.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Announced tonight by organizers:
It is with heavy hearts we announce that the 2020 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade is CANCELLED due to COVID-19.
We have been honored to carry on this 25-year-long tradition these past few years and look forward to 2021, when we can all celebrate together again.
In support of all the small businesses in West Seattle that normally sponsor this parade and ensure the tradition continues, we will be donating $250, the amount we would normally be spending on our permit application fee right now, to the West Seattle Small Business Relief fund. If you are able, please considering making a donation here rather than the parade this year.
If you’re new to the area – the parade fills several streets in North Admiral wth walking, riding, and rolling kids and their families on Independence Day morning, and is followed by sack races and other activities at Hamilton Viewpoint Park – here’s our coverage from last year.
(April 24th photo tweeted by @josieliming)
If your neighborhood hasn’t been visited by Seattle Fire and/or Police during one of the past three Friday nights – maybe this week! SFD and SPD will be out this Friday (May 8th), 6:30-7:30 pm, for what has just been announced as one last round of “Friday Night Lights,” with vehicles from both departments traveling through neighborhoods around the city as a show of support/solidarity. The plan is to visit areas in the highlighted sections of this map.
More updates to our ongoing list of West Seattle restaurants and beverage businesses open for your food/drink pickup and/or delivery needs: Two more coffee shops. This past Monday, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) reopened, and today we heard from two more coffee shops – Olympia Coffee (3840 California SW) also reopened on Monday, we learned today, 7 am-5 pm daily. And we got word that Uptown Espresso in The Junction (California/Edmunds) plans to reopen next Monday (May 11th), with hours 8 am-3 pm.
Also, if your favorite restaurant has a full liquor license, you might soon be able to get a takeout pre-mixed cocktail with your food, if they choose to take advantage of this newly announced state rule change.
Updates for our list? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Haven’t lined up your Mother’s Day flowers yet? From the Lafayette Elementary PTA, another opportunity to buy them and help both the growers and students:
Treat the special someone in your life to a beautiful Mother’s Day flower bouquet from local farmer Chao Chang Gardens in Snohomish. In addition to helping a local flower grower, a portion of your purchase will support Lafeyette Elementary PTA. For every bouquet sold, $5 will be donated back to school.
Your flower bouquets will be ready for pickup Saturday evening (May 9, 5-7 pm) thru Sunday morning (May 10, 8:30-9:30 am). Pick up location: 4224 Beach Drive SW, Seattle.
NO-CONTACT PICKUP. PLACE YOUR ORDER BY THURSDAY, MAY 7, 4:30 PM.
As we approach two months since the shutdown of schools, some are finding new ways for staff to show support for families, and vice versa. This week, two schools planned parades. First, Highland Park Elementary asked us to share the news of the one they’re having tomorrow night:
On Thursday May 7th at 5:30 the staff at HP will be coming around for a parade to see you and share joy and smiles. Not seeing you and your families for the last 6 weeks has been extremely difficult and we miss you so much. We will only be in the car and will ask that social distancing be respected but we can wave, shout, dance and celebrate how awesome we ALL are right from the car and the yard.
(Here’s the parade route) so you can plan to be in your yard, those of you out of the route area are welcome to drive and park somewhere so you can be a part! If you would like help figuring out where to park/sit so you and your family can be safe please contact Ms. S. We want to make sure EVERYONE can be a part whether you are on the route or not. We cannot wait to see you!
Meantime, Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School had a Teacher Appreciation Day parade on Tuesday afternoon, with staff standing outside the school and families driving past. We were about to photograph it when breaking news took us away, but Seth shared photos:
Anything cool going on related to your school in these most unusual times? Info/photos/tips always appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Since a brief West Seattle Bridge update was on the agenda, we listened in on last night’s monthly meeting of the Levy to Move Seattle Oversight Committee.
That wasn’t the only item of interest, though – the meeting also touched on two curiosity-piquing potential future tools in the ongoing Vision Zero safety program, and an unsurprisingly dour budget update.
First, the bridge. While its emergency needs obviously aren’t part of the original plan for the levy that voters passed in 2015, which is what this all-volunteer advisory group monitors, SDOT put it on the group’s radar last month. So deputy director Lorelei Williams presented a short update last night.
10:58 AM: Thanks for the tip. Washington State Ferries has just confirmed there’s a problem at the Fauntleroy dock – the transfer span is currently “out of service,” with an electrician on the way. That means a scheduled departure is on hold, and the Cathlamet, which was on its way to land, is waiting offshore. Updates as we get them.
11:09 AM: Vessel Watch shows both ferries now headed to Vashon, and the WSF cam (screengrab above) shows vehicles waiting on the Fauntleroy dock are being turned around.
12:01 PM: The Fauntleroy dock is still out of service.
1:36 PM: WSF just announced that repairs are complete and service is resuming with the 1:40 pm Vashon departure to Fauntleroy.
Personal-care businesses are still one “phase” away from being able to resume services, but longtime WSB sponsor Illusions Hair Design has been having periodic “drive-through” retail events, and has another one coming up:
With the extended “stay-at-home”, and the date we can re-open the salon still some weeks away, (end of May, first part of June?), we are offering another special “DRIVE-THRU” for products event Saturday, May 9, from 12-2 pm!
This Saturday, we will be available to have you pick up retail/hair items you may need (based on availability). **CREDIT CARD ORDERS ONLY, no cash/checks. Simply email your product requests – contactillusionshairdesign@gmail.com – (if you’re unsure of what the item is called, we can look it up in your file here at the salon.) What do you need? Shampoo, conditioner, styling aid, umbrella, hat, scarf, etc…? We will call you on Friday to confirm your order(s), and give you a total for your items. When you arrive at the salon SATURDAY between 12-2 pm, we will have your bag of items ready. Simply call us from your car, we will take your credit card information at that time and process it. We will then print you a receipt (no signature required!), add it to your bag and we will run it all out to you! (Illusions DRIVE-THRU style!)
PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Our doors will remain locked, we will not be open to the public. You will not be allowed to come into the salon. ALL orders MUST be received via email, or you can leave us a message on our 24hr phone line. We will try to fulfill all of your requests on a first-come, first-served basis. (Many of our suppliers are not shipping, so we are limited to stock on hand.)
For a special “MOTHER’S DAY” treat, we are offering ANY ONE of our TIGI BOOSTERS for only $5 with ANY of your drive-thru purchase! ($14.95 value). These can be added to any conditioner to give your hair a BOOST of “Shine”, “Smooth”, or “Repair”. Just add it to your product request, and we will discount it at checkout.
ALL requests must be received by FRIDAY, MAY 8th by 2 pm.
FOR BEST SELECTION…GET YOUR ORDERS IN ASAP!
Don’t put your credit-card info in yoor email or phone message – they’ll take it by phone when you show up for pickup. 206-938-3675.
6:03 AM: 44th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. If you have to commute this morning – here are the cameras for the restricted-access low bridge (where SPD enforcement continues) and the 5-way intersection west of it:
For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map). To get to I-5, exit onto Michigan at the bridge’s north end. Here are cameras for the bridge and Michigan east of it:
The South Park Bridge (map) can also take you across the river. Here’s the South Park camera:
Both bridges open for marine traffic; check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info.
TRANSIT
Metro – Reduced schedule; reduced capacity; check here for next departure
Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues
STREET REMINDERS
As of this week, West Seattle has two sets of “Stay Healthy Streets,” closed to through traffic (but open to residents and delivery drivers) 24/7. See the maps here (Puget Ridge/Highland Park) and here (High Point), and heed the “STREET CLOSED” signs.
OTHER LINKS
SDOT’s traffic map, with cameras
Our traffic-cams page
During the stay-home order, we’re not live-monitoring traffic, so please let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.
12:02 AM: What started as a fire-alarm call at Madison Middle School has been upgraded to a “full response.” Updates to come.
12:06 AM: Firefighters are describing this as a “dumpster fire” and dismissing some of the units.
12:11 AM: Fire is reported “tapped” (out); next job, to turn off the automatic sprinklers.
12:40 AM: The cause is under investigation. We’ll follow up with SFD and the district later today.
3:09 PM: From SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo: “Crews confirmed it was a dumpster fire next to the school building. The building’s sprinklers were able to contain the fire while our firefighters fully extinguished it. No injuries reported. Our fire investigators were not dispatched to this scene as they responded to another fire that occurred at the same time” (in North Seattle).
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