West Seattle, Washington
16 Thursday
Two weeks from tomorrow, in pandemic-era style, the West Seattle Junction Association hosts three sessions of egg-hunting, as previously previewed. Participation is limited to purchasers of special goodie-filled tote bags, and just a few dozen are left. Here’s the WSJA update:
The Junction volunteers are busily stuffing almost 2,000 eggs that will be hidden around The Junction. There’s three start times for socially distanced bunnies and chickies too. The community support has been overwhelming; we’re almost sold out of the 300 earth-friendly totes and Easter Egg Hunt spaces (less than 50 remain)– it’s $30 for both. The totes will be filled with local items from around the Junction too – books from Pegasus Book Exchange, brownies from Bakery Nouveau, cookies from Hotwire Coffee, toys from Curious Kids and Fleurt and chocolate bunnies & carrots from beloved Husky Deli. Parents will know their kiddos will have a fun and safe time, while also supporting their favorite small businesses.
While they last, you can order tote bags (and choose your egg-hunt time) by going here.
(SDOT graphic from last fall)
Last year, after reader tips, we reported on neighbors’ concern about a seemingly sudden SDOT plan to install “diverters’ to restrict 26th SW traffic at two intersections, Genesee and Brandon. While SDOT saw it as a way to lower traffic on the 26th SW Delridge Neighborhood Greenway, neighbors noted that it would create chokepoints at two of the few east-west connections between North Delridge and the rest of the peninsula. After saying the idea was shelved last summer, SDOT revived it last fall; a community meeting ensued in October, with SDOT suggesting options, and a offering a survey online.
Today, half a year later, SDOT has announced a decision, though it’s still not the final word: No diverters … for at least another year and a half or so. The email announcement notes that “a majority of the comments and survey responses want(ed) to maintain the current access at the two intersections and not install the diverters.” Today’s announcement continues:
We also gathered traffic counts along 26th Ave SW and the surrounding streets where we were planning to evaluate several traffic management and street calming options, including the traffic diverters at the intersections with SW Genesee St and SW Brandon St. The data from these counts showed that traffic volumes and speeds were lower since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge in 2020.
We have decided to hold off on this work and will begin reevaluating these potential traffic-calming measures again after traffic returns to the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge some time in 2022.
In the meantime, the Delridge Neighborhood Greenway will still see upgrades as part of the Delridge RapidRide H Line project. This includes:
Building additional speed humps
Refreshing the pavement markings with new paint
Updating directional signs
Upgrades to neighborhood greenway connections from Delridge Way SW on SW Andover St, SW Hudson St, and SW Findlay St, including making signal updates, refreshing the pedestrian crossings, and improving ADA accessibility.
SDOT also cited reduced traffic when dropping the plan the first time last summer, but revived it anyway; The diverters were not part of the original corridor plan.
(Thursday rainbow, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Notes for your Friday!
CURBSIDE SERVICE: On Fridays, noon-6 pm, you can get it at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE FOOD: 3-5 pm outside Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton), drive up, ride up, or walk up to get a box of free food. Face coverings required.
GATEWOOD CELEBRATION: The Gatewood Elementary PTA‘s all-week silent auction concludes today, leading up to a live event online tonight at 6 pm. All welcome – here’s how to be part of either or both!
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: The short season continues with West Seattle hosting Lincoln at Southwest Athletic Complex and Chief Sealth visiting Ingraham, Both games are at 7 pm. (Added: Despite the governor loosening the rules, still no spectators, the district tells us.)
Anything we’re missing? Event announcements are welcome via westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Outside Alki UCC on Sunday, it’s the next in a series of food/clothing donation drives. Here’s their announcement of how you can help, as so many have already:
11:00 am to 3:00 pm Sunday
Front courtyard at 6115 SW HindsLast month we had another terrific response from our West Seattle neighbors, who brought bags and boxes and cases of food, toilet paper, men’s clothing and socks! While ALL nonperishable food donations are welcome, following is some wisdom shared by a food bank volunteer:
• Boxed milk is a treasure.
• Canned foods should be pop-top OR donate a can opener.
• Cooking oil is a luxury and much appreciated.
• Spices, salt and pepper are a real gift.
• Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.
• Don’t forget the jelly for PB&J’s.
Essential supplies are also needed:
• Toilet Paper
• Diapers/Similac Formula/Baby Wipes
• Can Openers
• Personal hygiene items
• Hand Sanitizer
Food and supplies are distributed through the White Center Food Bank.
Donations of Men’s Casual/Work Clothes are also being taken, as well as NEW socks — the clothing item most requested by our neighbors experiencing homelessness.
10:17 AM: Crash partly blocking the westbound 5-way intersection (Spokane/Chelan). No injuries reported – no SFD dispatch – so far.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Spring arrives at 2:37 am Saturday. Showers and breezes are expected for this last day of winter.
ROAD WORK .
Delridge project – Here’s the work plan, with next week’s update due later today.
TRANSIT
Metro and the Water Taxi are on regular schedules. REMINDER: The Metro “service change” happens tomorrow – here’s our preview of local changes.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
361st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: Tenth 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.
More big announcements from the governor:
MORE VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY: Everyone 60 and up will be eligible as of March 31st, as will everyone 16 and up with at least two of the conditions on these CDC lists. Plus, Gov. Inslee said in an afternoon briefing, restaurant/food-service and construction workers will be added too. Here’s his full announcement, which also included word he’s expanding permission for long-term-care visits and extending the statewide eviction moratorium.
EARLIER IN THE DAY … you might have guessed an eligibility-expansion announcement was on the way because the weekly Department of Health briefing featured news that the federal government was “significantly increasing” supply in the next several weeks, to the point where Secretary of Health Dr Umair Shah expressed more concern about vaccine hesitancy than about supply. He said virus variants have been identified in 156 cases around the state, but so far they don’t seem to have raised the risk of severe disease or death. Here’s the latest state report on variants.
BUT ‘WE’RE NOT OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC’ … warned Dr. Shah, saying the downward trend had definitely flattened. Tonight’s King County numbers certainly bear that out. From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, here are today’s cumulative totals:
*84,859 people have tested positive, 285 more than yesterday’s total
*1,444 people have died, unchanged from yesterday’s total
*5,199 people have been hospitalized, 11 more than yesterday’s total
*940,597 people have been tested, 2,144 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the four totals we track were 83,653/1,429/5,159/925,061.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 121.7 million cases worldwide, 29.6 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.
HAZARD PAY LAWSUIT DISMISSED: A judge threw out the lawsuit against the new city requirement of hazard pay for grocery-store workers.
FREE FOOD ON FRIDAY: Highland Park Elementary will give out food boxes 3-5 pm outside the school at 1012 SW Trenton … Food Lifeline distributes free food boxes 2-5 tomorrow at its South Park HQ (815 S. 96th).
LOOKING FOR VACCINE? The state has upgraded its appointment-search tool. Meantime, here’s our list of links:
*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)
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics
GOT PHOTOS/TIPS? 206-293-6302, text or voice, or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Now there are TWO upcoming chances for dropoff electronics-and-more recycling in West Seattle:
(WSB photo, September 2020)
SATURDAY: We’ve told you about this one several times already – now it’s already here! The West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce are presenting a spring recycle/reuse/shredding event 9 am-noon this Saturday (March 20th), different location this year – the north parking lot of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Drive up, ride up, walk up! This preview explains how it’ll work as well as what they will and won’t take. Masks required!
APRIL 25: Just announced, Fauntleroy Church is bringing back the Recycle Roundup – usually held in spring and fall, but last year both were skipped because of the pandemic. Details on what will and won’t be accepted are still in the works but the time/date is set – 10 am-3 pm Sunday, April 25, in the church parking lot (9140 California SW).
If you have something to say about SDOT‘s proposal to close the gap in the Duwamish River Trail with a two-way protected bicycle lane replacing part of a general traffic lane on West Marginal Way, time is running out. Tomorrow is the last day for nearby businesses to answer this survey; everyone else can send comments via WestSeattleBridge@seattle.gov. The latest updates on the proposal happened this week at meetings of the Seattle Freight Advisory Board and Maritime Town Hall. Those yielded some new information about what it would take to build the path in the sidewalk area on the west side of West Marginal south of the bridge – one of four options reviewed:
The sidewalk path, Option A, would cost $2.5 million, SDOT estimates – 80 percent of that because of utility poles that would have to be moved – compared to $400,000 for the in-street lane:
SDOT wants to build the in-street version, Option B:
The freight board opposes the bike lane and supports removing the “lane drop” by the Duwamish Longhouse, where part of the southbound outside lane was removed as an interim safety measure pending the future nearby crossing light, and some street parking was added. But the board supports the crossing improvements, noting in a November letter to city government that the crossing project is entirely separate from the bike-lane matter.
WHAT’S NEXT: SDOT says a decision memo will be “drafted” later this month, with a decision finalized in April. If the decision is to build the bicycle lane, that’ll happen in August, when a temporary version of the new crossing signal near the Longhouse goes in.
The new office/warehouse building that Bee’s Plumbing plans for its new HQ at 2216 SW Orchard [map] has arrived at “early design guidance” feedback time. The project at the ex-Tug Inn site is proposed for 3-4 stories (the site is zoned for up to 5), with about 7,000 square feet of office space, 5,000 sf of warehouse/office space, and offstreet parking for more than 40 vehicles. The project is going through the Administrative Design Review process, which means no community meetings, though community feedback is invited. Here’s architect Andrew Finch‘s design packet for this stage of the process, focused on massing (size and shape). The notice published today sets March 31st as the early-design feedback deadline and explains how to send yours.
2:49 PM: Gov. Inslee‘s holding another pandemic briefing right now and among his announcements, he’s expanding vaccination eligibility again – on March 31st, it’ll extend to more groups than were originally in the next tier, including restaurant and other food-service workers, construction workers, people 60-65, and people over 16 with two or more co-morbidities (added: from either or both linked lists, the state says).
(Graphic from governor’s office)
He’s also extending the statewide eviction moratorium through the end of June (which Seattle’s mayor has already done) and the utility-shutoff moratorium through the end of July.
The governor said the eligibility expansion is possible because the supply is increasing – something also noted in the weekly briefing by health officials earlier today. Dan Laster, director of the state’s COVID-19 Vaccine Action Command and Coordination System (VACCS) Center, promised that the state is working on improving support for finding vaccination appointments, both online and by phone.
2:59 PM: The governor also announced that some indoor visitation will be allowed at long-term care facilities.
3:33 PM: The briefing is over; the archived video should be viewable in the same window above shortly. Here are full details of what the governor just announced.
(Photos and video courtesy PAWS)
Three weeks after her rescue at Don Armeni Boat Ramp, the ailing Bald Eagle nicknamed “Bey” has recovered and been released at another West Seattle park. First word of the successful release came from local wildlife advocate Kersti Muul, and today we have video, photos, and information from PAWS Wildlife Center, the regional nonprofit that helped “Bey” get well so she could return to the wild. Here’s what happened when her carrier was first opened Tuesday at Hamilton Viewpoint Park:
And here she is, flying free:
PAWS wildlife naturalist Jeff Brown reports:
We released her at a safe place where she had plenty of room to take off. She immediately left the carrier when the door was opened but spent a few minutes gaining her bearings before flying off. She has been spotted in West Seattle multiple times since release. She was banded with a visual Identification band that is easier to read with binoculars.
We rely on observation from the public to keep track of banded birds. If anyone spots a banded eagle, or any banded raptor in the area, please report the sighting to reportband.gov. Please note the alpha-numeric code, the color of the band, the color of the numbers, which leg is banded, and the location (GPS or address). This data is very important to us, and we appreciate you all putting the extra time to report sightings to the bird-banding lab!
If you missed the previous coverage – the eagle was spotted at Don Armeni, lingering on the ground, listless, and local wildlife advocates organized a rescue on February 25th, with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife agents and even Seattle Police part of the operation to capture her and transport her safely to PAWS’ rehab center in Snohomish County (which is donation-supported). Veterinarians there diagnosed her with, and treated her for, anemia from internal bleeding.
The 15th candidate to enter the race for Seattle mayor is Jessyn Farrell. This is her second mayoral campaign – she finished fourth in the August 2017 primary. Farrell is a former state legislator (2013-2017) who is senior vice president of Civic Ventures, described in her campaign announcement as “a public policy incubator,” and has also been executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition. She vows to “establish a new standard for successful, thriving cities” with priorities including “making housing more affordable and establishing universal birth-to 5-childcare.” Her website says she’s seeking community collaboration to develop a full policy platform. Farrell is a Northeast Seattle resident. The primary to narrow the race to two candidates is August 2nd; the lineup will be finalized in May.
Today we welcome Ren Reiki as a new WSB sponsor. Here’s what Jill would like you to know about what she offers:
First of all, there are many amazing energy healers in and around Seattle. I’m thankful to be part of the community. I think people should choose me because they resonate with my philosophy and spirit. Reiki is a beautiful type of healing that is gentle and can be done in conjunction with other therapies, such as massage, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, or counseling. It activates and encourages your body’s natural healing abilities and can even be used pre- or post-operations and procedures.
I believe that many of us have experienced physical, mental, or emotional trauma or chronic stress. This can manifest in physical issues. The sense of calm and peace Reiki can bring helps give many a heart-centered perspective.
My clients say that I have a calming demeanor and a kind, compassionate nature. I always strive to be a place of ease for those who visit and many say I have lightened their mental state and find themselves smiling, by the time they leave.
Because Reiki is gentle, the changes felt might be subtle. Maybe that week you feel uplifted and focused, enjoying the little things more. Maybe your mind hasn’t been a hamster wheel of stress and “what-if’s.” Perhaps you realize a few days later, that chronic pain doesn’t seem as bad.
Reiki is kind of like a walk at the beach. For some, it’s a few random times a year that feel right. For others, it can be weekly while going through a tough time (like divorce or grief). It’s different for everyone. We’ll work together to find what’s right for you. I am a West Seattle girl, born and raised. I’m also a member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals.
Find out more about Ren Reiki at renreikiws.com, where you can book an appointment online, or call 206-313-9941.
We thank Ren Reiki 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.
Two incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today;
CARJACKING: Details are few on this incident reported after 11:30 pm last night. A man told police he drove to the Arco station in the 7300 block of Delridge Way to meet a woman he knew. She was there along with a man the victim did not know. The man attacked the victim by pepper-spraying him in the eyes, and then took off, with the woman, in the victim’s 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. (So far no further description of the vehicle or thieves.)
HIT-RUN: Kylei is looking for witnesses to the hit-run in High Point that left this damage behind:
I wanted to report a hit and run in hopes one of our neighbors may have seen something. On Tuesday, March 16th my husband’s parked blue Ford Mustang was hit and run sometime between 12-12:30. The driver’s side was hit and the car was moved almost completely onto the curb. Our Ring camera didn’t pick up the event but you can clearly see the car was moved significantly between that time period. The car was parked on the corner of Holly and 34th. This is a busy area for people walking dogs; it’s hard to believe someone didn’t see it happen. Any information or tips are appreciated!
Thanks to Theresa Arbow-O’Connor for the splash of color on our gray Thursday. Notes for the rest of today/tonight:
ANNIVERSARY: As previewed last night (with a side dish of history), Luna Park Café (2918 SW Avalon Way) celebrates 32 years in business today. (Special: $4 birthday-cake shakes!)
DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:
Black Lives Matter sign waving
Thursday, March 18, 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.
FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL REPLACEMENT: 6 pm online, second of two community meetings to launch the planning process for this project. Here’s our coverage of the first meeting Wednesday (lots of time for Q&A). Go here to register to attend tonight.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm online, with the announced agenda including:
Report from the Southwest Precinct of Seattle Police Department
Report from Seattle Parks by Carol Baker
Presentation by Mick Shultz of Port of Seattle regarding Terminal 5 renovation
Here’s the videoconferencing link – or call 206-337-9723 (meeting ID 995 1615 6974, passcode 638862)
Hope Lutheran School eighth-grader Bryson Albers is asking for your help this Sunday afternoon, in a donation drive for Books for Africa. Here’s the announcement Bryson sent:
Ever since I was young, I have loved reading! It has inspired much creativity in me and taught me many concepts that I otherwise would have not known. Did you know that Africa has a ‘book famine’? I am working toward changing that. I want to collect at least 300 books to send to ‘Books for Africa’- so that I can help bring this same creativity and passion to young people in Africa. Unfortunately, many young people in Africa do not have access to books but ‘Books for Africa’ aims to fix this. Books for Africa have already delivered 50,000,000 books to people in Africa (across 38 countries) and hope to deliver 50,000,000 more. I am looking for book donations of (one, two, or many!) that meet Books for Africa’s requirements (see below). Books can be new, gently used, and Textbooks or Library books are welcome as well. You can come to my book drive which will be going from 12:00-3:00 on Sunday, March 21st. You could also donate money directly to the Books for Africa website. In order to keep track of the money, it would be good if you donated it in honor of me so I know how much is donated.
Books For Africa accepts:
popular fiction and nonfiction reading books (soft and hard cover).
books that are 15 years old or newer.
primary, secondary, and college textbooks (soft and hard cover) published in the last 15 years.
reference books published in the last 10 years, except encyclopedia sets.
medical, nursing, and IT books published in the last 10 years.
some Bibles or religious books, please place them in a box separate from other donations and mark the box as “Religious texts.” Bibles are sent only when requested by African recipients.
School/office supplies—paper, pencils, pens, wall charts, maps, etc.Books For Africa does NOT accept:
Encyclopedia sets
Magazines or journals of any kind, including academic journals.
Home decorating or wedding books.
Cookbooks.
Ethnocentric books, such as the biography of Abraham Lincoln or the history of Ohio.
Foreign language books except for French books. French novels and dictionaries are welcome.
American history or civics.
Music books for K–12.
Murder mysteries or anything with “kill,” “die,” “murder,” etc. in the title.
The dropoff donation drive will be Sunday (March 21st), noon-3 pm, in the Hope Lutheran parking lot, alley entrance off SW Oregon just east of 42nd SW.
6:03 AM: Good morning! Clouds are back – but last night’s sunset sneaked in some color, as shown in Michael Burke‘s photo featuring a ferry south of Blake Island:
ROAD WORK
Sylvan Way – Today is the day crews were scheduled to return to complete work on the section east of High Point where drainage work was done.
Delridge project – Here are the closures, repaving, utility work locstions.
TRANSIT
Metro and the Water Taxi are on regular schedules. REMINDER: The Metro “service change” takes effect Saturday – here’s our preview of local changes.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
360th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: Tenth week for automated enforcement cameras, while 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.
Tonight’s pandemic news:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*84,574 people have tested positive, 158 more than yesterday’s total
*1,444 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total
*5,188 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday’s total
*938,453 people have been tested, 2,169 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the four totals we track were 83,471/1,429/5,156/924,499.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find all the numbers, county by county, on the state Department of Health data page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
VACCINATION SITUATION: The mayor’s office says the city is administering almost 2,000 doses of vaccine per day this week. From their news release:
With nearly 14,000 doses of both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, the City will vaccinate Washington State Department of Health-eligible residents across its three fixed vaccination sites at the Lumen Field Event Center, Rainier Beach, and West Seattle, as well as continue to vaccinate vulnerable older adults living in affordable housing through the Seattle Fire Department Mobile Vaccination Teams. …
This week, the Community Vaccination Site at the Lumen Field Event Center will administer first doses of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday, March 16, and Saturday, March 20. The City and Swedish will administer approximately 1,200 doses on March 16, and 3,200 doses on March 20. In addition to these first dose clinics, the City and Swedish are partnering on a second dose clinic on March 17, for approximately 1,200 people. Going forward, the Lumen Field Event Center, operated by the department of Finance and Administrative Services and Swedish Health Services, will provide vaccine Wednesdays and Saturdays until supply increases.
The Community Testing and Vaccination Hubs in Rainier Beach and West Seattle, operated by SFD, will administer approximately 5,700 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines this week. The SFD community hubs operate six days per week and have the ability to administer up to 1,500 vaccinations per day, per site. …
This week, the SFD MVTs will administer the Moderna vaccine to older adults living in affordable housing buildings throughout Seattle. The SFD MVTs are also partnering with several community-based organizations that primarily serve Latinx communities to post a pop-up vaccination clinic at the South Park Community Center.
You can check for West Seattle site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here.
Other places to check for vaccination appointments:
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics
STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS’ BRIEFING: The weekly briefing by Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah and other top state health officials is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow. It’ll be livestreamed here.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Six days short of one year after the sudden closure of the West Seattle Bridge, the City Council’s Transportation and Utilities Committee got a briefing from SDOT today. You can see it in the meeting video above, starting one hour and two minutes in. It was fairly short – no new information if you’re caught up with what was announced one week ago (WSB coverage here): The repair design is at the 30 percent mark, and the city has officially launched the search for a contractor. SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe and bridge-project leader Heather Marx also recapped the projected price tag: $58 million for the bridge repairs, as part of a $175 million package including everything from the completed stabilization work, to high and low bridge repairs, to the ongoing traffic-mitigation projects scattered through neighborhoods in West Seattle, South Park, and Georgetown. On the subject of money, the committee’s agenda item right after the briefing was formal acceptance of a $14.4 million federal grant that’s being routed to the city by the Puget Sound Regional Council (part of the $124 million the city has already secured). The councilmembers didn’t have many questions for SDOT, but one did yield an answer of interest: SDOT reiterated that traffic would be phased in once the repair work is done at “midyear” next year – but how? Marx said it “makes sense” to go with larger vehicles like buses first, but they’re working on a plan to “generate as little confusion as possible.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Prospective contractors are invited to apply through April 12th; once one is on board and joining SDOT and consultant WSP in the design process, they expect a major design and scheduling milestone in July. Until then, they can only project that work will start “late this year.” SDOT continues guesting at many neighborhood meetings, so watch for our ongoing agenda announcements.
Happy 32nd anniversary to Luna Park Café! Tomorrow’s the big day, and to celebrate, the café will be offering Birthday Cake Shakes for $4. In his message about the milestone, proprietor John Bennett also sent us a photo from the past:
He explains, “This is a picture of it before we got started in September 1988. Was Pat and Ron’s Tavern.” Read more history on the café website (and note that this was NOT the site of the amusement park with the same name – that was on the water at Duwamish Head).
(WSB file photo, Fauntleroy WSF terminal)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“We have to do something – we can’t just sit on our thumbs and hope it’ll be OK.”
That’s how Washington State Ferries director of terminal engineering Dave Sowers explains the need to replace the Fauntleroy dock, a project its neighbors have been long anticipating/dreading.
He was one of several WSF managers who took part in a midday community meeting today to “launch the planning process” for what will likely be the largest West Seattle transportation project between the city’s bridge repair/reopening and Sound Transit‘s light rail. The meeting, which was one-third presentation and two-thirds Q&A, was the first of two online kickoff meetings, with the second planned for 6 pm tomorrow (Thursday, March 18th). Here’s the slide deck with toplines:
Though the terminal is part of West Seattle’s Fauntleroy neighborhood, it’s not seen as a solely West Seattle project, the WSF reps made it clear.
From kids holding door-to-door neighborhood food drives, to businesses with donation barrels, to attendees at benefit galas, so many people in the community support the West Seattle Food Bank. Someone who has for years helped organize that support – and much more – is saying goodbye. Here’s the WSFB announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank staff and board of directors congratulate Judi Yazzolino on her retirement on April 1st. Her passion and commitment for our community has been a catalyst in building strong community support for the West Seattle Food Bank.
A longtime West Seattle resident, Judi joined the WSFB in 2013 to share her expertise gained in a career in media sales and marketing. In her role as the food bank’s Development Director, Judi excelled in creating awareness of the West Seattle Food Bank’s mission and vision.
“I have been so excited and grateful to be able to share my knowledge with the WSFB and give back to my community for the last 8 years. It has been a joy,” Judi shares.
She became a key communicator for the food bank’s programs and the people we serve. Judi developed lasting relationships with our many donors and the business community. As a result of Judi’s fundraising, marketing and branding, the food bank raised its profile in the community achieving significant growth.
Judi’s accomplishments are broad and expansive. Her achievements are the result of the wonderful relationships she’s built and the gratitude she shows in return.
· Instruments of Change, A Grand Affair, and Taste of West Seattle rely on engagement for the cause to secure sponsorships for hosting, business owners to donate, media to spread the word, as well as donors to attend.
· Presence in community events relies on strong relationships with association leaders’ who are key to creating community awareness.
· Food drives are the result of communicating the realness of food insecurity in our community and building relationships with individuals, grocers, civic groups and small and large businesses to fight in the cause. Success relies on communicating and providing hosts and volunteers with critical information and materials to help them in their outreach.
You’ll still see Judi around West Seattle, patronizing her favorite retail & restaurants or walking her dog through the parks or neighborhoods. Judi will remain as a board member with the West Seattle Junction Association until they kick her off!
Judi’s retirement is bittersweet for the West Seattle Food Bank. We are sad to see her go but happy that she will be able to travel, ski and spend more time with her loved ones. The best to you always! In gratitude.
It’s not St. Patrick’s Day for us without a trip to 41st SW north of Admiral Way to check on whether the mysterious green stripe has been renewed for another year. And yes, it has.
We say “renewed” because last year, someone noted that it is visible year-round, and voiced skepticism that it had actually been repainted. So we went by yesterday too for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day frame of reference. Verdict: Definitely refreshed in the past ~20 hours!
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