West Seattle, Washington

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month : 03/2021 338 results

‘Here we are. One year later’: What the city’s saying on the West Seattle Bridge closure anniversary
March 23, 2021 11:57 am
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

At their March meeting, some members of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force voiced hopes the city would make a grand statement on the first anniversary of the bridge’s sudden shutdown. We’re told this SDOT Blog post is the only statement planned for today – so we’re republishing it here as we continue marking the anniversary:

Dear West Seattle and Duwamish Valley communities,

It’s been a tough year. Just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to take its toll around the globe, your communities suddenly faced another major challenge: the emergency closure of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge on March 23, 2020.

Here we are. One year later.

While closing the bridge was a necessary step for public safety, the effects of the closure have been widespread and undeniable. All of you have been affected. Your trips have taken more time; your routines have been disrupted. Traffic patterns have changed, with detours sending people driving onto neighborhood streets that weren’t intended for so many cars.

We’ve taken steps – and will continue to do so – to help ease some of the strain. Later this week, we’ll talk more about where we’ve been over the past year and where we’re headed. We remain laser-focused on repairing and reopening the High Bridge in mid-2022 so the closure no longer weighs heavily on your day-to-day life.

But this message today isn’t about what we at the City have done. It’s about what you and your neighbors have endured. Today, we simply want to thank you for your perseverance over the past year.

“A year later after the West Seattle Bridge closure as we struggle to keep our communities safe and healthy from road traffic and additional emissions for both of our communities Georgetown and South Park, I am pleased to say we have been centering community voices and concerns prioritizing equity and environmental justice and will continue to make sure this is a key element moving forward. Thankful for our community and our SDOT partners.” – Paulina Lopez, West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Co-Chair and Executive Director of Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition

“It has been a long, hard year for folks in West Seattle and Southwest Seattle. But finally we see a light at the end of the bridge.” – Greg Nickels, West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Co-Chair and Former Mayor of Seattle

“Thank you for your patience as we work to repair this critical piece of Seattle’s infrastructure. We know that the bridge closure has deeply impacted communities and business, and we appreciate your flexibility in learning new ways to get around. Thank you to all the community members who have helped guide our efforts, through emails, surveys, and public meetings. You have helped set us on a path to success.” – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan

“Better days are ahead. After successfully completing stabilization measures on the bridge late last year, we’re preparing to hire the construction team that will rehabilitate the bridge and work to reopen it to traffic. As that work proceeds, you’ll continue to see us in the community telling you what’s happening, humbly asking for your feedback, and steadfastly making improvements.” Sam Zimbabwe, Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation

This remains a long emergency and remain committed to staying on schedule and reopening a safe bridge as soon as possible. Still, we recognize that this is one of many losses you may have endured this year, and you’ve had to look for new and novel ways of coping and coming together as a community. We hear you and we will continue to do everything we can to return the bridge to service and supporting all of the communities affected by detour traffic.

As mentioned in this pictorial look back that we published earlier today, we’ll look later today at where things stand and what’s next. Our entire year of coverage is in this WSB archive, newest to oldest.

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13 scenes from a year without the West Seattle Bridge
March 23, 2021 10:03 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(Illuminated traffic sign shortly after the closure began, March 23, 2020)

One year ago tonight – at 7 pm March 23, 2020 – the West Seattle Bridge was closed, just 4 hours after the city announced it was unsafe for traffic. The last-minute word of that 3 pm briefing came minutes after a reader emailed us to say they just heard a rumor the bridge had to close for a year-plus of emergency repairs. We found it hard to believe … but it was true. Hours later, crews were blocking off the bridge entrances:

(35th/Fauntleroy bridge entrance, March 23)

West Marginal Way – a street some West Seattleites had never traveled – was suddenly a major route to and from the peninsula.

(West Marginal Way traffic beneath the bridge, March 24)

Traffic through Highland Park increased dramatically. Within a week, a rush-installed signal was up at the long-suffering intersection of Highland Park Way and Holden.

(March 29)

In April, we learned the bridge wouldn’t reopen before 2022. By May, ramps were more enduringly blocked off:

(May 2020, Delridge onramp)

Police – and later, cameras – worked to enforce restrictions on the low bridge:

(April 2020 reader photo by Dean)

Streets beyond West Seattle filled with cut-through drivers to and from alternate bridges; though SDOT was working on mitigation plans, South Park neighbors took action of their own:

(June 2020 reader photo by Robin)

Work began to keep the bridge from falling down before the replace-or-repair decision could be made:

(June 2020 SDOT photo – taking samples off side of bridge)

(July 2020 – workers atop and under the bridge)

In case of complete cutoff, emergency personnel made sure they could get to West Seattle no matter what:

(June 2020 Airlift NW/Seattle FD drill at Alki Playfield)

Winter came. Still bridgeless, but the stabilization work was done, and the work platforms came down by year’s end.

(November photo by Tony Welch)

In February, a spooky sight as the traffic-free bridge filled with February snow, unplowed

(February 14 image from SDOT camera over the high bridge)

And now … in spring … the empty bridge awaits permanent repairs:

(Reader photo by Mike Burns)

Later today, more anniversary coverage, including where things stand now.

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Here’s what’s up for your West Seattle Tuesday
March 23, 2021 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Here’s what’s up for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Notes for the hours ahead:

POLICE BUDGET: As previewed last night, the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee will take up a proposed police-budget cut in its 9:30 am meeting. The agenda explains how to comment and/or view.

VOTE: Last day to vote in the King Conservation District election – explained here; vote by 5 pm.

DEMONSTRATE: Organizer Scott continues leading the twice-weekly demonstration:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, Mar 23, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, Mar 25, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness that will help tear down the systems that have oppressed Black lives for over 400 years on this continent. Hold signs, meet neighbors and stand for racial justice. Scott at Puget Ridge Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

SPRING NIGHT MARKET: Lady Jaye in The Junction (4523 California SW) invites you in to shop and eat, as previewed here – booze, beef, bookmarks, more.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: 5-8 pm, go borrow a tool! The WSTL is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, at 4408 Delridge Way SW.

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WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Tuesday watch, 1 year after West Seattle Bridge closure
March 23, 2021 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Tuesday watch, 1 year after West Seattle Bridge closure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Some sunshine in the forecast for your Tuesday.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here’s the rundown for this week’s work.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its changed-for-spring regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is running with the smaller Spirit of Kingston for the next two weeks or so

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

Exactly one year ago tonight, the West Seattle Bridge was closed with just a few hours’ public notice. We’ll look back, and ahead, later today. For now – here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Eleventh week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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UPDATE: Dead-end hillside crash in Upper Fauntleroy
March 23, 2021 12:44 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:44 AM: Big response in the 8400 block of California SW for a report of a car going down the dead end (which leads to a hillside over Fauntlee Hills). Updates to come.

12:49 AM: SFD says the driver, a man, got out OK and is now “being evaluated by medics.” However, towing the crashed car up a 25-foot slope will apparently be a challenge, responders warned dispatch.

1:03 AM: An AMR ambulance has arrived, which indicates the driver’s injuries are not major.

1:20 AM: Most of the responders have departed; a tow truck has arrived.

7:32 AM: Police are investigating the driver for DUI.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 3/22/2021 roundup
March 22, 2021 11:13 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

After another Sunday without a King County update, we start tonight with two days’ worth of numbers:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: We asked Seattle-King County Public Health if update-less Sundays were the new norm; they said no, just happened to happen two weekends in a row – this time the problem was a staffing emergency. So remember the daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health, represents the changes since Saturday:

*85.629 people have tested positive, 346 more than Saturday’s total

*1,452 people have died, unchanged from Saturday’s total

*5,220 people have been hospitalized, 17 more than Saturday’s total

*949,161 people have been tested, 6,660 more than Saturday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 84,303/1,437/5,180/933,980.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 123.6 million cases, 2,722,000 deaths – 542,000 in the U.S. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.

PHASE 3: Reminder – the entire state is now in Phase 3 of reopening, which means 50 percent capacity for many types of businesses. But not all are choosing to reopen that fully, so be mindful of what your favorite businesses decide to do.

TEST SITE CLOSING: Announced tonight – the city-run West Seattle testing/vaccination site will be vaccination-only as of March 31st.

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE AND LOOKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT … here are the links we’ve amassed:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)\
*The state says it’s improved its own lookup tool
*Here’s another search to try
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics

LEFTOVERS? Here’s what commenter SD said happened late today at the West Seattle site.

SCHOOL SURVEY: Seattle Public Schools is reminding elementary families to answer the latest reopening-related survey by Wednesday.

NEED FOOD? This week’s nearest Food Lifeline distribution is 2-5 pm Friday (March 26th) at 815 S. 96th.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Harley-Davidson
March 22, 2021 9:39 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Harley-Davidson
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The photo and report were sent tonight by Tina – a stolen motorcycle to watch for:

I’m an apartment manager in the Alki neighborhood. A recently deceased tenant’s Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (photo attached) was stolen at 6:20 this morning. It was stolen from a parking space next to the alley on the 3000 block of 60th Ave SW.

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VACCINATION: City’s West Seattle site to become all vaccine, no testing
March 22, 2021 8:15 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

After seven months, the city will soon stop offering COVID-19 testing in the Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot. Tonight’s Seattle-King County Public Health pandemic-news update says it’ll become a vaccinations-only site at the end of the month, just as eligibility expands again. The last day of testing there will be March 30th, says Public Health. If you need a test after that in West Seattle, in addition to health-care providers, the self-testing Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) will continue to be available.

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REOPENING: Seattle Public Schools seeking survey responses by Wednesday
March 22, 2021 7:43 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Now that Seattle Public Schools has a plan for meeting the governor’s order to offer some in-person learning to elementary students by early April, it’s surveying families to find out how many intend to accept that offer. The district sent this reminder tonight for families to return those surveys:

Seattle Public Schools sent an important survey last week to families with students in kindergarten through fifth grade in order to determine how many students from those groups will be returning to in-person learning in SPS schools next month. Survey responses are due by midnight Wednesday, March 24.

The survey, which was sent to families on Friday, March 19, 2021, is the primary way for the district to ascertain the instructional model choice of families:

• A hybrid instructional model of in-person part-time and remote part-time —
* M-T-Th-F half-day in-person, half-day remote
* W full-day remote for all students
• A full remote instruction model.

Return Dates
• March 29 – All preschool students and students enrolled in elementary special education Intensive Services Pathways;
• April 5 – All other kindergarten to 5th grade students;
• April 5 – Students enrolled in middle and high school special education intensive pathways.

Preschool and elementary students enrolled in a K-8 school will follow the start dates outlined above.

The announcement includes a reminder of the schedule changes announced over the weekend. Meantime, the return to schools isn’t finalized yet – the Seattle Education Association is voting this week on whether to accept the agreement.

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POLICE FUNDING: New proposal in long fight over proposed budget cut amid ‘staffing crisis’
March 22, 2021 5:29 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

For the past two months, the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee, chaired by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, has been considering a proposal to cut $5.4 million from the Seattle Police Department budget. Despite representing a relatively small part of the SPD budget, it’s loomed large in symbolism even more than effects. Today, on the eve of a possible committee vote, a new proposal – but first some backstory:

The $5.4 million was actually added to the SPD budget last December – as explained in the original council memo, $1.9 million in federal pandemic reimbursement, $1.9 million to cover spending on paid parental leave, and $1.6 million to cover increased separation-pay costs that accompany increased departures from the department. But, sponsoring councilmembers including Herbold originally argued, that money shouldn’t be needed because, said the memo:

• SPD would have had sufficient appropriation authority to cover the $5.4 million had it not overspent its overtime budget, due largely to over-deployment of officers during the largely peaceful demonstrations in the summer of 2020, including a deployment of officers that exceeded $10 million in overtime costs in less than 60 days; and

• That there would be salary savings in SPD’s budget achieved in 2021 due to higher than anticipated attrition that has already occurred in October 2020 and may continue to occur during November 2020 and December 2020.

So they instead sought to move the $5.4 million to the “participatory budgeting” process which has been under way, focused on the development of alternative public-safety responses.

At the committee’s last meeting March 9th, SPD and mayor’s office reps made their case for keeping the money in the budget. Deputy mayor Mike Fong declared flatly that SPD “is in a staffing crisis.” He and others recapped that the department lost 200 officers last year. We have reported, following Southwest Precinct leaders’ appearances at local community meetings, that the precinct serving West Seattle/South Park has lost a third of its staff. The precinct-by-precinct staffing reports in the March 9th agenda packet showed that SW Precinct patrol staffing dropped from 79 to 66 just in the last quarter of last year.

This is not because the staffing budget has been cut – but a variety of factors, including the perceived lack of City Council support, has led to departures, SPD says. And if this cut is made, the committee was told, the department could be in a staffing shortage “beyond mitigation.”

Already, the committee was told, the department has “minimum staffing days” more frequently citywide, as well as an increase in times when it’s on “priority call” status – times when they can only dispatch officers to the highest-priority calls, such as violent crimes. Response times are higher, with averages no longer meeting the 7-minute target. And with the redeployment of officers to the patrol ranks, they’ve lost “problem-solving teams,” like the Community Police Teams. But the SPD presentation didn’t just focus on what’s wrong currently – it also focused on how it’s not too late for a positive turning point, with the department still experiencing a record number of applicants for the openings it has – while warning that more officers “will leave if they see these continued cuts.” SPD also spelled out what it would do with the $5.4 million if it’s not cut, including technical support for the increase in online reporting.

At tomorrow’s committee meeting, a vote is possible – which would then send the measure to full council. But at this morning’s weekly council briefing meeting (one hour and 45 minutes into this video), when each councilmember provides a preview of the week ahead, Herbold announced she had come up with a new version of the bill to present tomorrow. We requested and just received a copy – see it here. It cuts less, moving $2 million to “participatory budgeting” instead of the original $5.4 million, and specifies other spending such as 5 mental-health responders to join SPD crisis responses, and also funds the civilian positions, technology improvements, and separation pay funding that SPD had requested, Herbold said..

In addition to announcing the new proposal, Herbold said that even if it – or another version – passes out of committee tomorrow, a final full council vote is likely to be delayed because those overseeing the consent decree have questions before final action. Tomorrow’s meeting is at 9:30 am; the agenda explains how to view it as well as how to sign up to comment.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: 3-vehicle crash on West Marginal Way
March 22, 2021 3:40 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SPD and SFD are arriving at what’s described as a 3-vehicle crash in the 6500 block of West Marginal Way. Southbound traffic is blocked, according to dispatch, and at least one person is reported injured.

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HELPING: Food/supply drive at West Seattle High School
March 22, 2021 3:29 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Another chance to give, if you can: A student-organized food/supply drive at West Seattle High School, with four upcoming dropoff dates:

The West Seattle High School ASB is putting on a targeted Food/ Supply Drive. The dates to drop off Food/ Supplies are every Wednesday – ending on April 7th, from 12-2 in the historical entrance of West Seattle High School, with another drop-off day on Saturday, April 3rd from 9-12 at the same location. The list of requested food/ supplies was acquired from a survey filled out by West Seattle High School families stating what items best fit their needs. You are welcome to bring any non-perishable goods or supplies that are not on the list, these are the specific items that were requested. All food/supplies donated will be given to West Seattle High School families in need, and any leftover items will be donated to the West Seattle food bank.

Rice
Cereal
Bottled water
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Clorox wipes
Hand sanitizer
Canned beans
Vitamin gummies
Pasta
Dry lentils
Broth
Washing detergent

Any other non-perishable goods or supplies you would like to donate

The school is at 3000 California SW; the “historical entrance” is on the north side.

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Inspired Home: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!
March 22, 2021 1:57 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor – Mitch Moore with Inspired Home. New sponsors get the chance to explain what they do – here’s what Mitch would like you to know:

I have been an established General Contractor in West Seattle for over 20 years.

Although I have worked throughout Seattle and Bellevue, West Seattle is my home, where I have raised my family and been an integral part of the community and where I focus my work efforts.

My work has been featured in Seattle Met Magazine, Upscale Living Magazine, and I have been awarded accolades by Curbed Seattle, and HGTV.

I personally manage each project and am on-site throughout the day. Your home is my office.

I take great pride that my reputation has been built on being on-time and on-budget.

I enjoy the creative design process, creating new spaces that fit your needs aesthetically and within your budget parameters.

Whether you want your dream kitchen or a simple kitchen change-out, you are ready to finish your basement, finally add a Master Suite or want to remove walls to create an open concept living space, I am happy to help conceptualize and deliver a quality project.

I very much look forward to assisting you with the transformation of your space.

Mitch Moore, Inspired Home
West Seattle
206-427-0325

We thank Inspired Home for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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WATER TAXI ALERT: Reduced capacity on West Seattle run
March 22, 2021 12:10 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Spirit of Kingston – WSB file photo)

Just in from King County Water Taxi management:

For approximately the next two weeks, the 33-passenger MV Spirit of Kingston will replace the 86-passenger MV Doc Maynard on the West Seattle route, while the Doc is in the shipyard for scheduled annual maintenance. West Seattle riders should plan accordingly given the reduced passenger capacity, especially on the 4:45 and 5:25 evening sailings. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The water taxi continues to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through regular cleaning and disinfecting between sailings. Masks are required for both passengers and crew.

And a reminder that this year, as announced earlier this month, the Water Taxi does plan a 7-days-a-week, all-day spring/summer schedule, starting April 19th.

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HELPING: Support kids and their families @ WestSide Baby spring gathering Thursday
March 22, 2021 11:02 am
|    Comments Off on HELPING: Support kids and their families @ WestSide Baby spring gathering Thursday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

For a second year, WestSide Baby has to skip its big in-person spring gathering, so it’s inviting you to show support for local kids and their families at an online event. “Beyond the Basics” is happening Thursday night (March 25) at 5:30 pm. We’re co-sponsoring the event, and sharing the announcement:

Meeting the basic needs of children is more than just the diaper or car seat that we distribute. These items represent dignity, freedom, and joy for the child, and their entire family. For 20 years, you have come alongside WestSide Baby to work collectively in support of the belief that every child deserves to have their most basic needs met.

And yet, we know we are only meeting a fraction of the growing need. In order to achieve our bold vision where each child is a happy, healthy, and resilient member of our community, we must go Beyond the Basics. Will you be part of this journey with us?

Our program will include a conversation with Mia Birdsong, a pathfinder, community curator, and storyteller who steadily engages the leadership and wisdom of people experiencing injustice to chart new visions of American life.

At the event, we will talk about her book, her podcast, and shifting the narrative on how we address poverty, specifically in relation to the importance of WestSide Baby’s vision to ensure every child has their basic needs met.

You can register to attend the event – free (donations are optional) – by going here.

(New in the area? WestSide Baby is West Seattle-founded and White Center-headquartered, assisting thousands of local families every year – partly via addressing diaper need, which WS Baby says is higher than ever before.)

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Reign signups for volleyball, basketball
March 22, 2021 10:10 am
|    Comments Off on YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Reign signups for volleyball, basketball
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Youth sports are resuming this spring, and we continue to spotlight registration announcements. This one is from the West Seattle Reign:

REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW THROUGH APRIL 2nd.

We are offering clinics for youth aged 10-18, currently enrolled in Elementary thru 12th grade.

Due to Covid-19 and the lack of rental gym space in and near West Seattle, all clinics are on outdoor courts for spring break. All clinics consist of warm up, skills drills and cool down. Each clinic will consist of different drills and games throughout the week. Clinics are 2 hours and are co-ed.

All details for our clinics can be accessed through the links below.

Basketball – go.teamsnap.com/forms/262309

Volleyball – go.teamsnap.com/forms/262421

These links can also be accessed thru our website by selecting clinics & camps under the sport of your choice. Clinics vary in drills day by day and you are welcome to take more than one.

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UPDATE: Another power outage in The Arroyos
March 22, 2021 7:47 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

7:47 AM: Thanks for the tip, For the second time in three days, more than 100 customers in The Arroyos have lost power. This one, like the previous one, is affecting 109 customers, according to the City Light map.

3:07 PM: We asked SCL spokesperson Julie Moore about the outages. Her reply:

The cause of these outages is equipment failure, a fault in the underground direct buried cable, though not in the same locations. As you know, with direct buried cable, it can take longer to locate the issue than with overhead, which prolongs the outage. With the current outage, crews have located the fault and are working on repairs. …

This is the system in the Arroyo neighborhood where we have an ongoing project to replace the aging direct buried cable with an underground conduit system, which will improve reliability. Once conduit installation is complete, estimated in the second quarter of 2021, electrical crews will install the new underground cables. This work will take up to six months to complete and may require planned outages; City Light will notify customers in advance.

Given these recent outages, we’re planning to send a message to those who’ve signed up to receive project updates by email this afternoon.

That’s just been sent. And Moore also noted that, as happened in the previous outage, almost half the customers have their power back.

ADDED: In comments, Stacy says power was restored around 5:30 pm.

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WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Monday watch, first weekday of spring
March 22, 2021 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Cloudy, showery, breezy forecast on spring’s first weekday.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here are the closures and work spots planned this week.

TRANSIT

Metro and the Water Taxi are on regular schedules. but if you’re riding the bus, remember this is the first weekday since the spring “service change.”

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

364th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Eleventh week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 3/21/2021 roundup, including our weekly West Seattle trend check
March 21, 2021 10:54 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s pandemic news:

PHASE 3 TOMORROW: The entire state moves into Phase 3 of the governor’s updated reopening plan. What does that mean? See page 4 here. Key points of what’s allowed:
-Indoor dining, 50 percent capacity
-Indoor shopping, 50 percent capacity
-Personal services, 50 percent capacity
-Indoor worship, 50 percent capacity
-Indoor entertainment venues, 50 percent capacity or 400 people, whichever is less. (If food or drinks are served, eating and drinking requirements apply)
-Indoor fitness, 50 percent capacity, showers allowed

NO COUNTY DASHBOARD UPDATE: For the second consecutive Sunday, the King County daily-summary dashboard wasn’t updated today, so no new daily numbers. (Take note, that means the Monday update will be two days’ worth of stats.)

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Since this is a weekly check, we can still do it with the latest info in the system (which is from Saturday). The numbers are shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard; to determine WS status, we combine the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs): For the past two weeks, 94 positive test results; 65 in the 2 weeks before that; 71 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting WS death totals each week. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 64, one more since last week.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 123.1 million cases and 2,715,000+ deaths, 542,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE AND LOOKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT … here are the links we’ve amassed:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)\
*The state says it’s improved its own lookup tool
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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Looking ahead to summer, and beyond, @ Alki Community Council
March 21, 2021 9:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

On a blustery night like tonight, summer might seem far away.

But city departments are preparing for Alki Beach’s summer season, as the Alki Community Council heard at its March meeting. That’s part of what guests from SPD and Seattle Parks discussed; ACC also hosted guests from the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle, with a status report on the Terminal 5 project.

SPD UPDATE: Lt. Dorothy Kim was there on behalf of the Southwest Precinct. As she had told the Fauntleroy Community Association a week earlier (WSB coverage here), SPD stats show auto theft is way up, so the precinct is working to activate a second vehicle equipped with Automated License Plate Readers.

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FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Corner Store sets grand-opening date
March 21, 2021 7:11 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Highland Park Corner Store is almost ready to open! Back in January, we reported on proprietor Meaghan Haas‘s plan for the former mini-mart at 7789 Highland Park Way SW. Today she announced that next Saturday will be her grand-opening day:

We’re doing a Grand Opening for Highland Park Corner Store next Saturday, 3/27 from 7 am-2 pm. For the Grand Opening, we’re offering buy one, get one house-made beverages all day – so the community can try out our menu!

After our grand opening, the Corner Store will be open daily 7 am-2 pm.

Our first phase of service is coffee, tea, and readymade items via our walk-up window. We serve QEDCoffee and Flying Bird Botanicals tea, Cascadia Chai (a spicy blend made in house), and house-made syrups. We also offer breakfast tacos from Sunrise Tacos, baked goods from Macrina and Flying Apron, bagels from Seattle Bagel Bakery, and grab-and-go sandwiches and salads from Homegrown Artisan Premades. Our seasonal special is the Honey Please Latte (aka HP Latte) featuring Seola Bees honey.

In a few months, we’ll roll out our own deli menu with sandwiches, salads, and grain bowls made in house. And by the end of 2021, we’ll open the interior of the store and offer grocery staples, beer on tap, wine by the glass, and interior and exterior seating.

Haas is a Highland Park resident leasing the space from West Seattle entrepreneur/preservationist John Bennett, who bought it last year to fix up as he’s done with other in-need-of-TLC commercial spaces in WS, Georgetown, and South Park.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen plates travel far; car-prowl loot to look for; painted peepholes
March 21, 2021 4:54 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today;

STOLEN PLATES TRAVEL FAR: From Jay:

I wanted to reach out in case others in WS have had their plates stolen. Sometime this week the license plates were stolen off my Jeep near 35th and Barton. I was notified of this by the Auburn PD this morning when they called stating my vehicle was caught on video during a theft. My vehicle was still parked at home, but my plates had been swapped out to a very similar plate number (my plate started AVD, “new” plate started AAD and are from a stolen car). They even left my license plate frames and swapped over my current registration stickers to help make sure it was hard to notice. The Auburn PD let me know the vehicle used was also the same make, model, and color of my Jeep. The Auburn PD case # is 21-02833 and the SPD incident # is 2021-68789.

This afternoon we heard a conversation on police radio about other stolen plates, so keep close watch on yours – it might be a trend.

CAR-PROWL LOOT TO LOOK FOR: From Dan:

Our car was broken into last night in the Genesee Hill neighborhood (4100 block of 53rd Ave. SW). The only thing of value taken was a backpack full of golf discs, some with some sentimental value. It’s a green Dynamic Discs Paratrooper bag. There were a variety of discs in the bag, but they all have my initials and phone number on them.

No police-report number yet; let us know if you think you have found the bag and/or one or more of the discs, and we will connect you.

PAINTED PEEPHOLES: From Stefan:

We wanted to report that Friday 3/19 night or Saturday 3/20 morning, someone spray-painted over the peepholes on both doors of our 2-unit townhouse.

They also stole a toolbox that was cable locked to the bed of a neighbor’s pickup truck. We assume that they are related.

Our units are on the alley off Fauntleroy adjacent to FairmoUnt Park School. There have been a lot of incidents lately. Our car was broken into 6 weeks ago. Our immediate neighbor has had the catalytic converters stolen twice from his car, and the neighbor who lost the toolbox also had a scooter stolen from the same area. … We’ve owned our unit for 10 years and haven’t had this many issues combined previously. There is typically a lot of foot traffic in the alley since people are walking to Fairmount with kids and dogs.

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‘The Stone Cottage will be saved!’ Volunteers plan first mile of historic house’s journey
March 21, 2021 2:13 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(Stone Cottage, circa 1940s)

Two years after we first reported on local preservationists’ hopes of saving the “Stone Cottage,” they’ve reached the first milestone – announcing today that it will be saved and moved before its longtime site is redeveloped:

We are excited to announce the Stone Cottage will be saved! Over 360 donors have contributed more than $66,000, which is enough to save and move the Stone Cottage from its current site and into secure storage a mile south of its 1123 Harbor Ave SW location. The “First Mile” of its journey will occur in the middle of the night once city permits are issued, most likely on a weekend in April. House-moving expert Nickel Bros is waiting for permits before they set the move date.

For Nickel Bros, house moving is an elaborate and inexact process. It involves science, skill and dollies that look like 747 landing gear. Save the Stone Cottage team member Jeff McCord worked for Nickel Bros for many years and narrates the steps that may be involved when the Stone Cottage is moved off its site and travels down Harbor Avenue. Read, see photos and watch videos here:

The First Mile — “An Insider’s Story about How to Move a House”

We are all looking forward to the First Mile of the journey this Spring. The Save the Stone Cottage team will celebrate the First Mile move and continue to raise funds with an online auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. During the First Mile Auction, fans of the Stone Cottage have the opportunity to bid on fun packages that epitomize moving the Stone Cottage, as well as have the ability to support the First Mile move by making a ‘Buy The Mile’ per-foot donation for the haul route. The ‘First Mile’ Auction will occur in advance of the house move, so be sure to check our website for updates.

Save The Stone Cottage LLC will continue to work hard to raise $110,000 in donations to execute the plan to rescue, relocate and restore the Stone Cottage. Donations are being accepted through the website savethestonecottage.org and a GoFundMe charity account. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, is serving as the fiscal sponsor of the Save the Stone Cottage Project. We appreciate its steadfast participation.

Save The Stone Cottage launched the crowdfunding campaign in December. The house, covered in stones carted to the site from Alki Beach, is ~90 years old.

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