West Seattle, Washington
26 Tuesday
Two days until the mask mandate takes effect, and that’s where we start tonight’s roundup:
MASK ORDER: You can now see the full text of Secretary of Health John Wiesman‘s order here. As announced yesterday, it takes effect statewide on Friday – wear a face covering when you’re out in public.
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*9,502 people have tested positive, 133 more than yesterday’s total
*583 people have died, 1 below yesterday’s total++
*1,555 people have been hospitalized, 5 more than yesterday’s total
*150,096 people have been tested, 2,198 more than yesterday’s total
++The county has ongoing “data corrections”
One week ago, the four totals were 8,893/575/1,531/130,354.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
GOT A COLLEGE STUDENT IN THE HOUSE? You might be interested in Gov. Inslee‘s announcement today “providing specific health guidance for four-year public and private institutions, as well as two-year community and technical colleges, apprenticeships, and private career schools.”
SPEAKING OF COLLEGE … the drive-up/walk-up graduation celebration for South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) is tomorrow!
UNPAID PROPERTY TAXES? If you couldn’t meet the extended June 1st deadline, the county is now offering a payment plan.
PEARL JAM’S #ALLINWA SONG: Tonight’s streamed benefit for the #AllInWA COVID-19 recovery fund included the superstar band with West Seattleites – here’s their song:
You can donate by going here.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks to Jan for the photos from Luna/Anchor Park tonight. Don’t know the story behind the group jump – maybe YOU do?
ADDED THURSDAY: Thanks to Marc – whose son was the one doing the back flip – for sending this video:
He says, “They had so much fun doing this! Great kids too!”
7:53 PM: A bus is reported to have ‘sheared off” a pole in the 2800 block of SW Genesee. Avoid the area. We’re on our way to check it out.
8:11 PM: Genesee is closed at the bottom of the hill east of Avalon. Police tell us it wasn’t the bus driver who hit the pole, it was a car driver. No serious injuries. The bus, a 50 that just happened to be in the area, is backing out of the area.
9:36 PM: No word on whether the road’s clear and we can’t go back, but by now it shold be. Also, added Mark‘s photo (thank you) above, showing, as noted in comments, the car went through the fence and onto the golf course.
10:21 PM: Metro just sent a text alert that Route 50 is still routed off SW Genesee, so apparently the scene is NOT clear.
Two reader reports:
STOLEN ART MERCHANDISE: From Brigida:
I had about $400 worth of art prints, greeting cards and other products I was shipping out to customers stolen today just before 10 am from my front porch. I caught them in the act and briefly gave chase but no luck.
The car was a silver-gray four door sedan with a license plate number of BIS—. Although I didn’t get a good look at the driver, the guy who jumped out and stole the packages was white, probably between 20-30 years old, slim build, medium height wearing a black cap, black mask and dark clothing. They took off westward from the 3500 block of Charlestown towards California.
In case any of these items get dumped somewhere, there are eighteen 11×14 reproductions of watercolor art of PNW nature illustrations, plus some stickers and greeting cards.
They were mostly packaged in flat white rigid mailers, and one priority mail box. As a full-time artist and solo business owner, things have already been pretty tough this year, so this was an extra bummer on top of everything else. Thanks in advance if you find anything!
Police incident number is: 20-195744
HIT-RUN: Early Tuesday, a driver went through the fence at the 1250 Alki Ave. SW construction site:
Matt says neighbors think it was a small white SUV-type car. If you have any info, (206) 247-4136.
(WSB file photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The fourth month since the West Seattle Bridge’s closure started with the third meeting of the advisory Community Task Force.
The headline this time around was from the last item on the agenda, changes in the restrictions for use of the low bridge, which since the high bridge’s closure has been limited to transit, freight, emergency vehicles, buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and certain maritime workers. The meeting ended with concurrence on a plan to allow more access, as well as a mention that automated enforcementi is on the way.
First – the slide deck for the entire meeting:
We’ll add meeting video when it’s uploaded. Here’s our video:
Now – our summary:
LOW BRIDGE CHANGES? SDOT’s Adiam Emery opened the discussion by explaining that they’ve been continuing to analyze traffic volumes since implementing restrictions. Even with citywide traffic reductions and low-bridge restrictions, the low bridge is close to its safe capacity at some times, she said. In particular, weekends are “nearing maximum capacity” for the bridge. The 5-way intersection west of the bridge is the “key limiting factor” more than the bridge itself. They have a little more room for vehicles, so here’s the proposal for loosening up access a bit:
At noon this Friday, your phone may go off with a test alert that’ll be related to the West Seattle Bridge Emergency Response Plan. Here’s the announcement:
On June 26 at 12 p.m., the City of Seattle Office of Emergency Management will send a test message through the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system. The alert will only be sent to those who have opted in to receive local test messages through WEA, and to a small geographic area under and near the West Seattle Bridge. The message will state: “This is a test of Wireless Emergency Alerts by the City of Seattle. No action is required.”
The national WEA system is an essential part of the City’s emergency preparedness and response. This public safety system allows customers who own compatible devices to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. The most common example of these alerts is the “Amber Alerts” sent by Washington State Patrol that directly ping mobile phones.
Though not predicted, the City has emergency plans in place to use the WEA and AlertSeattle systems among other methods to notify people under or near the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge in the event of an immediate collapse. The City has successfully used the system several times in 2020, though it’s important to test the geographical capabilities of the system to ensure the correct area is targeted. Twenty volunteers from Seattle’s Office of Emergency Management Auxiliary Communication Services will stage in locations on and surrounding Harbor Island during the test to confirm receipt of the message. Results will be collected by Seattle OEM to determine the reach of the system.
Mobile phone users who are in the geographical area and would like to receive the test message must take steps to enable the option on their phone. The capability of a phone to receive local test messages depends on the brand and model, as well as phone carrier. Review the instruction manual for the phone for information on how to enable this feature. Basic information for Apple and Android Phones is below:
Apple iPhone:
· To turn it on: Enter *5005*25371# and tap the green phone icon. You’ll get an alert that says “Test alerts enabled.”
· To turn it off: Enter *5005*25370# and tap the green phone icon. You’ll get an alert that says “Test alerts disabled.”
Androids:
· Go to “Settings” > “Apps and Notifications” > “Advanced” > “Wireless Emergency Alerts” and then switch “State/local test” option to ON.
Members of the public are encouraged to proactively sign-up for AlertSeattle to receive emergency notifications from the City of Seattle: alert.seattle.gov.
Two business-reopening updates today:
CLICK! DESIGN THAT FITS: The longtime WSB sponsor at 4540 California SW reopens for in-store shopping tomorrow:
Thursday afternoon we’ll be re-opening for in-store shopping and can’t wait to see your (masked) faces!
99 days ago we temporarily closed the shop in response to the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic. And what a 99 days its been. We’ve baked so many cookies, gotten really good at packing up online orders and marched with our community. We filled our website with your favorite items from the store and held a fundraiser that raised over $2,700 for social justice causes. We’re listening, learning and evolving day by day and are so looking forward to reconnecting with you again in person.
All the details on what to expect when we re-open are right here. Our hours for this week are shown in the image below (hours may change week to week).
A million thank yous for your support through this whole thing. See you soon.
While curbside pickup is continuing too, the in-store shopping hours this week will be 3-7 pm Thursday and Friday, 11 am-5 pm Saturday, 10 am-4 pm Sunday.
SKYLARK: The patio out back is open! Matt from Skylark sent a photo:
He says, “We now have our patio open! There are several tables with more to come, all of which have plenty of space between, as do our tables inside. This area is dog friendly, umbrellas are on their way, and we have no-contact ordering and payment options. Now we hope the sun sticks around!” (Overcast as we write this, but pleasant outside anyway. Skylark is at 3803 Delridge Way SW.)
(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)
With the city getting ready to make budget cuts because of COVID-19 revenue losses- see the big picture here, in the slides from an upcoming City Council presentation – individual departments are announcing their plans today. Among them, Seattle Parks and Recreation, which says West Seattle’s three landbanked park-development projects will be “paused.” Here’s the full news release:
As the City moves to reopening and rebuilding, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) must turn our attention to addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 on both the city’s budget as well as SPR’s budget.
The City is also looking across all city departments and city services to reallocate General Fund resources to support the rebuilding of our communities along with providing essential services.
During this pandemic crisis, SPR has significantly shifted to better serve our communities where it was needed most. Seattle Parks and Recreation has stood up three temporary shelters in community centers, quickly opened and increased service to over 100 restrooms across the city, continued to operate our free shower programs at four sites, operated 9 childcares for essential worker families, and created a new program to support social distancing in our public parks.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the City is proposing budget adjustments to City Council for consideration and approval on June 23.
In summary the savings from SPR that will help the city’s budget shortfall include:
-Leaving current staff vacancies unfilled, and reducing consultants and training budgets
-Reducing seasonal temporary employees in Park maintenance and facilities
-Pausing several capital projects including:
Battery St. Portal Park Development
Reduction in park acquisition budget
Landbank site development (48th and Charlestown, Ernest Park Addition, Morgan Junction, Wedgewood, West Seattle Junction)
-Greenway connection projects
-Athletic field conversion (Soundview, Ballard, and Queen Anne)
-Municipal energy efficiency program
-Park upgrade work through Seattle Conservation CorpAdditionally, SPR anticipates continuing to capture savings throughout the summer due to the closures of facilities and reduction in summer programming (Teen Summer Musical, wading pools, spray parks, summer pools, and other summer programs).
As a result of unfil;ed vacancies and reducing temporary staffing budgets, park and facility maintenance will have a decreased level of service (reduced mowing and park maintenance, along with slower response to fixing broken park amenities).
These reductions do not include layoffs or furloughs currently, however, SPR is holding approximately 10% of our regular positions vacant.
We are committed to keeping you informed about our operational and budgetary changes as we move through this difficult time
All three of the landbanked West Seattle sites had been moving toward construction years after the city bought them. (If you’re new – the Morgan project is the fenced-off ex-commercial site north of the current park along California north of Fauntleroy, and the Junction project is in the 4700 block of 40th SW across from the Alki Masonic Lodge building). We’ll add more followup info later.
The next two days bring four transportation meetings related to the West Seattle Bridge closure and more, so here’s a quick note about all four:
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: The CTF’s third meeting starts at noon today – our preview has the link for viewing live.
HPAC: The community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge talks traffic mitigation at 7 tonight, with guests including local WSBCTF members. HPAC’s preview includes information on how to participate.
‘IMMERSED TUBE’ TUNNEL: At 10 am Thursday, retired civil engineer Bob Ortblad‘s next presentation is part of a Washington Business Alliance-presented panel discussion; our preview has the link for registering in advance so you can get the link to watch.
WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm Thursday, as announced by the WSTC:
We have representatives from several local agencies lined up to join us. Here’s who is scheduled and what we plan to discuss:
Seattle Department Of Transportation – upcoming work on 1st Ave S Bridge, possible changes to low bridge restrictions, freight complaints on West Marginal Way SW, and emerging traffic patterns at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal
Port Of Seattle – impacts of high bridge closure to their operation
King County – What can West Seattle expect in terms of additional transit service and when can we expect it?
On the web:
Via phone: +12532158782,,86245810657#
Meeting ID 862 4581 0657
6:12 AM: Good morning – the 93rd morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Demolition is under way on the Delridge Way repaving-and-more project – here’s what’s happening this week.’
*If you travel on Beach Drive, be aware that staging has begun for the Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook seawall project. We went by Tuesday afternoon and nothing was happening on the roadway yet, but that’ll eventually change.
TRAFFIC
Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been added back – details here.
Water Taxi – This also has some service restored, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
(Photo, video courtesy APL)
A West Seattle woman wrapping up a distinguished education career got a surprise parade on Tuesday.Jennifer Annable is retiring after a decade as executive director of the Academy for Precision Learning, which describes itself as “an independent K-12 school with the mission of providing a nurturing and individualized learning experience for students across the autism spectrum alongside their typically developing peers.” Before that, she led the UW’s Experimental Education Unit for a quarter-century. APL is in the University District, and that’s where Annable was surprised with a drive-up/walk-up celebration:
Annable’s achievements include a national award – in 2010 she was honored with the Division of Early Childhood’s Rose C. Engel Award for Excellence in Professional Practice.
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