West Seattle, Washington

15 Friday

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month : 05/2021 323 results

West Seattle Junction summer fun: See the poster! Order your kit(s)!
May 25, 2021 4:29 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

That’s the poster you’ll see around The Junction for this summer’s modified festivities (first announced last month) – the Sidewalk Sale, and downsized Summer Fest. It’s by Jeff Rodriguez of Horsepower Design, and the neon squirrel design will also be featured on the tote bags for the summer-fun kits on sale now, as well as the beer and wine glasses you’ll find in two of the kits. The kits are on sale now – for info and ordering, see this page of the spiffy new West Seattle Junction Association website designed by Cami MacNamara of West Seattle’s own WebCami. Here’s the Summer Fest/Sidewalk Sale schedule:

Thursday, July 8 – Paint and Sip (virtual/limited in-person) – live instruction by BrushCapades – 5 PM and 7 PM $70
Friday, July 9 + Saturday, July 10 – Sidewalk Sale on California Ave – 10 AM – 6 PM
Friday, July 9 – Music Trivia (virtual) hosted by Pegasus Book Exchange, trivia host Rachel Ask Me Questions – 7:30 PM $25
Saturday, July 10 – Noon to 1:30 PM Mayoral Town Hall (broadcast live) hosted by West Seattle Blog
Saturday, July 10 – Beer Tasting (virtual/limited in-person) hosted by Elliott Bay Brewing and The Beer Junction – 7 PM $55

Boxes, totes, and tickets for the trivia night (at the prices mentioned above) are now on sale here!

P.S. Proceeds from the kits/boxes/etc. support local businesses.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Next phase of water-main project affecting Admiral Way traffic
May 25, 2021 3:24 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Project zone map provided last month by SPU)

3:24 PM: Last month, we published first word of a water-main project in the Admiral area, with a note that the work would eventually affect travel on SW Admiral Way. That phase is about to start – here’s the update from Seattle Public Utilities:

Starting May 27, SPU contractor crews will begin construction activities on the northwest corner of the intersection at SW Admiral Way and 39th Ave SW. This work is part of a water-main replacement project taking place on 39th Ave SW between SW Grayson St and SW Admiral Way.

While crews are performing work on SW Admiral Way, the two westbound lanes will be closed during working hours between 38th Ave SW and just east of 39th Ave SW. Two-way traffic will be maintained using the two open eastbound lanes. Northbound traffic on 38th Ave SW and 39th Ave SW will not be able to turn left onto SW Admiral Way while traffic controls are in place.

Residents will continue to have pedestrian access to their homes, and roadways will be open outside of working hours. However, site restoration may require a longer closure of 39th Ave SW and SW Admiral Way of up to 3 days to allow the pavement to cure. Residents and commuters are asked to please pay attention to on-site signage and staff direction to support safe movement around the construction site.

Normal working hours will continue to be Monday through Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. There will be a brief pause in construction activities Friday, May 28 – Monday, May 31 for the Memorial Day holiday.

Work on SW Admiral Way is anticipated to take about two weeks to complete, and the contractor is scheduled to finish work at this site and demobilize in mid-June.

6:11 PM: Two readers said the work at Admiral/39th is already under way. So we asked SPU if the timetable had accelerated. They checked with their on-site team and then sent us this:

Update: Starting (today), there will be intermittent lane restrictions on SW Admiral Way at 39th Ave SW. On Thursday, May 27, crews will close two lanes of traffic on SW Admiral Way to perform water main connection work at the intersection. Crews will re-open SW Admiral Way after work on Thursday and return after the Memorial Day holiday to install hydrants and perform final pavement restoration over the next few weeks. SPU crews are working to minimize impacts to residents and commuters to the extent possible.

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Fare-increase options, vaccination, celebration, & what else surfaced @ Washington State Ferries’ spring meeting, with encore tomorrow
May 25, 2021 1:08 pm
|    Comments Off on Fare-increase options, vaccination, celebration, & what else surfaced @ Washington State Ferries’ spring meeting, with encore tomorrow
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(Seattle-Bremerton ferry passing Duwamish Head, photographed by Marc Milrod)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Vessel shortages, staff shortages, and even a cause for celebration were among the many topics covered in presentations and Q&A during the first of two Washington State Ferries spring community meetings, just wrapped up online.

These are among the regular annual meetings that WSF offers. Hadley Rodero from the WSF communications team facilitated, and a panel of WSF officials participated. The Fauntleroy terminal replacement project, for which planning is now accelerating, was not included in presentations but was the topic of a few participant questions.

New system chief Patty Rubstello opened with a few words of self-introduction (though she’s only recently become assistant WSDOT secretary, she’s been with the department for 30 years). She’s been visiting vessels and terminals, most recently the Triangle Route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth). WSF HQ has been undergoing some renovations and downsizing, with so much telework going on.

Read More

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Bridge and more @ West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting Thursday
May 25, 2021 11:34 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Want to hear firsthand from SDOT what’s up with the West Seattle Bridge, now that a contractor’s been chosen? They’re on the agenda for this month’s meeting of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition, this Thursday (May 27th), 6:30 pm, online. Also scheduled: Representatives from Hopelink “to tell us about their transportation resources and initiatives,” per WSTC’s announcement. Everyone’s welcome and there’s time for Q&A, so bring that question you wish somebody would ask. Participate via videoconferencing by going here, or calling 253-215-8782 – for both, the meeting ID is 822 9306 9463 and the passcode is 547252. (Here’s our coverage of last month’s WSTC meeting.)

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BIZNOTE: Pegasus Book Exchange gets ready to reopen in-store drop-in shopping
May 25, 2021 10:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Starting today, Pegasus Book Exchange in The Junction is closed for a week. But shortly after the store at 4553 California SW reopens, it won’t just be pandemic-era business as usual – Pegasus is reopening for in-store drop-in shopping! “We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone in person again!” says Pegasus’s Emma Epps. They’re on vacation through May 31st, back on June 1st “to reply to emails and prepare for June 2nd re-opening.” Starting that day, the store will open its doors to shoppers and book traders/donors without requiring appointments, 5 customers in the store at a time. They’ll also continue offering online shopping and curbside pickup (which the store has offered for more than 14 months).

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Low-low tide,lunar eclipse, more…
May 25, 2021 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Low-low tide,lunar eclipse, more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening on your Tuesday:

CITY COUNCIL: Still meeting online, with two committee meetings today. Police accountability is on the agenda for the 9:30 am meeting of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee; three bills affecting tenants and landlords are on the agenda for the 2 pm meeting of the Sustainability and Renters’ Rights Committee.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES MEETING: 11 am online, the first of two meetings for updates on, and community Q&A about, the ferry system. Go here to register to get the viewing link.

LOW-LOW TIDE: Today’s the first of six days with extra-low low tides – 10:44 am, -2.3 feet.

DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott‘s twice-weekly announcement:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Tuesday, May 25, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, May 27, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness & stimulate actions to 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.

LUNAR ECLIPSE: If you’re up at 4 am Wednesday – and if the sky clears – you can see a total lunar eclipse. Thanks to West Seattle skywatcher Alice Enevoldsen for the tip; along with the link she shared, here are the basics from Space.com.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Tuesday notes
May 25, 2021 6:03 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Cloudy again today, but the holiday weekend forecast is looking ever-better – near 80!

ROAD WORK UPDATES

Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, with work closing the west side of the intersection closure at Delridge/Barton/Henderson:

One change, though – overnight paving just south of the West Seattle Bridge is postponed until drier weather.

SW Yancy – This drainage/utility work east of Avalon has about two more weeks to go.

FERRIES/BUSES

Regular schedules today. (Watch @kcmetrobus for word of any bus cancellations, @wsferries for any major WSF changes.) The West Seattle Water Taxi will run on a reduced schedule Memorial Day – see it here.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

429th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 20th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)

Here’s a low-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:

Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check 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: Monday 5/24/2021 roundup
May 24, 2021 11:59 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Monday 5/24/2021 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Our nightly roundup of local pandemic-related information:

NO NEW KING COUNTY NUMBERS: For a second day, no update to the Seattle-King County Public Health daily summary – Sunday it was because the state was doing maintenance, tonight it’s blamed on network problems.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 167.3 million cases, 3,473,000 deaths – 590,000 in the U.S. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.

STUDENT VACCINATION CLINIC: Tomorrow there’s one at Madison Middle School.

VAX STATS: In King County, 72 percent of people 12+ have had at least one dose; 58.4 percent are fully vaccinated. In West Seattle, the most-vaccinated zip code remains 98136 – 85.8 percent of people 12+ have had at least one dose. (Maps and stats here.)

TESTING AGAIN: The city announced today that the West Seattle hub is back in the testing business, with a UW Medicine trailer where you test yourself, with an observer.

SUPERMARKET MASKS: Both PCC and Metropolitan Market revised their policies again because of the King County directive.

NEED FOOD? Because of the holiday weekend, no Friday distribution this week at nearest Food Lifeline.

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

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FERRIES: Fauntleroy Community Association’s early stance on terminal replacement; WSF public meetings this week
May 24, 2021 10:11 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

Two notes tonight about Washington State Ferries:

(File photo)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LETTER: With planning gearing up for replacing the Fauntleroy terminal/dock later this decade, the Fauntleroy Community Association has sent WSF a letter spelling out its early concerns:

You can read the letter above, or here. Key points are that the FCA supports raising the dock a few feet above its current level, to cover expected sea-level rise, but not further, and that it opposes a larger footprint for the dock. WSF has not made a specific size/design proposal but has noted that the terminal’s small holding zone – 80 vehicles, while the ferries on the route hold up to 1`24 – is a challenge.

REMINDER – WSF PUBLIC MEETINGS: The Fauntleroy terminal is one of many issues/projects WSF is likely to mention during its spring systemwide community meetings this week. The same presentation is planned for both – 11 am Tuesday (May 25th) or 6 pm Wednesday – plus Q&A time. Whichever you want to attend, you need to register to get the participation info; RSVP links are in the meeting announcement.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Supermarket robbed; tires/wheels stolen; bicycle taken
May 24, 2021 8:16 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:

GROCERY-STORE ROBBERY: According to a preliminary police summary, the Junction QFC was robbed just before 4 pm. Police say someone robbed a checker by implying he had a gun, then fled on foot. No description or other details available.

TIRES/WHEELS STOLEN: This happened to Tyler‘s pickup truck overnight in Seaview:

Tyler says the pickup was parked on SW Findlay west of California and adds, “I had locking wheel nuts on every wheel and they were still able to get away with them.” Here is what they looked like:

Police report # is 2021-908820.

BICYCLE TAKEN: Our inbox has had an uptick in bicycle reports these past few days – either stolen-and-missing or dumped-and-likely-stolen (scroll through this archive to see them). This is in the former category, from Renee:

Our son’s blue 24″ wheel REI Co-Op bike was taken from our garage some time in the past 3-5 days, while our garage was left open. We noticed it missing on Sunday 5/23. There is no identification on the bike, and it’s not registered on the Bike Index (now I know!). Ok to email myred5@yahoo.com with info.

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COVID-19 testing returns to West Seattle hub
May 24, 2021 5:53 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

First it was a testing site … then testing and vaccination … then vaccination only … then it was scheduled to close after June 9th … but now the city says its “hub” at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) is back in the testing business and will continue with that indefinitely. This afternoon the city announced it’s partnering with UW Medicine for “long-term COVID-19 testing availability” there. A new testing trailer is there, the city says, “with appointments available immediately (for) self-swab tests where the patient conducts their own COVID-19 test under observation from a health care professional.” Tests are free; UW Medicine subsequently provides results within a day or two. Hours for the testing trailer: 9 am-5:20 pm Mondays-Saturdays, appointments required – go here or call 206-477-3977. The city’s drive-up site in SODO is still operating, too.

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FOLLOWUP: Terminal 5’s new cranes are on their way
May 24, 2021 5:11 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

That’s a screengrab of the tracking map launched by the Northwest Seaport Alliance now that the four big new cranes for Terminal 5 are on their way to West Seattle. We reported two weeks ago that they were about to start their cross-Pacific voyage, and this afternoon, the NWSA announced the journey is under way. The super-post-Panamax cranes, 316 feet tall with 240-foot outreach booms, left Shanghai on Sunday aboard Zhen Hua 36, a vessel owned and operated by the cranes’ manufacturer, ZPMC. The trip is expected to take about a month and will be tracked here; the cranes belong to SSA Marine, first tenant for the modernized Terminal 5, scheduled to get back to regular cargo operations early next year.]

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African Community Housing & Development bringing new monthly farmers’ market to South Delridge
May 24, 2021 2:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

South Delridge is about to get a farmers’ market. Here’s the announcement we just received:

On June 12, 2021, the Delridge Farmers Market opens in the South Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle. A USDA-designated food desert, the area has long struggled with food access for its diverse population; this market seeks to put fresh, local food produced by BIPOC-owned businesses directly into the hands of the neighborhood’s residents.

With a mission to serve the African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community in King County, nonprofit African Community Housing & Development, led by Executive Director Hamdi Abdulle, has heard from the community for years about the need for food access programs in Delridge. Thanks to support from several new funders, the pilot year of the Delridge Farmers Market is the first step in that direction. The Market is designed to provide a wide array of culturally appropriate foods for the immigrant and refugee community in the area. Featuring robust food access programs, the main goal of the market is to bring local, nutritious food to everyone, especially families for whom fresh produce is a financial struggle.

The majority of vendors are people of color; many are immigrants and refugees themselves. Small-business development is another goal of the market; unlike most Seattle-area farmers markets, vendors are not charged a stall fee to participate, and are provided with resources, equipment, and technical support as they build their capacity to sell at farmers markets. In addition, ACHD seeks to reduce the economic risk of selling at a farmers market and eliminate food waste by purchasing any leftover product at the end of the market day. That food will then be delivered to members of the African Diaspora immigrant and refugee community who are unable to attend the market due to mobility or transportation barriers. “We hope to create a market model that is a win-win-win for customers, vendors, and the community,” says ACHD Associate Director Bilan Aden.

Throughout 2021, a variety of different vendors will be present at the market, including: Afella Jollof Catering (African spice mixes), Chef Jalissa Culinary Co (Southern-inspired baked goods), CityFruit (fruit from Seattle’s urban orchards), The Grub Bus food truck (inventive comfort food), Lillie’s Passion (lovingly-crafted sauces, pickles, and jams), Moonvillage Bakery (delicious baked goods), Regeneration Farm (sustainably grown produce from Woodinville), Sariwa Farm (Filipino vegetables), Seola Bee Company (hyper-local honey from West Seattle hives), Small Axe Farm (produce grown by the Black Farmers Collective), Umoja Ni Nguvu (produce grown by Burundian immigrants), and Wakulima (culturally-relevant African produce).

The market will occur on the second Saturday of each month from June – November 2021, from 11 am – 3 pm in the courtyard of Hope Academy (9421 18th Ave SW). Everyone is welcome to attend, and robust food access programs are available to all food-insecure families (including SNAP/EBT, WIC/Senior, SNAP Market Match, and Fresh Bucks). Masks are required, and social-distancing protocol will be enforced.

The Delridge Farmers Market is made possible by King Conservation District, Albertsons Foundation, and the City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Individuals interested in attending or volunteering at the market should visit achdo.org/delridgefarmersmarket. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact Rachel at rachel@achdo.org.

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WHALES: Orcas passing West Seattle
May 24, 2021 1:48 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

1:48 PM: Southbound transient killer whales are in the area – Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch reports they’re mid-channel, passing the mouth of Elliott Bay, which means they’re likely to be in view soon from west-facing West Seattle. Let us know if you see them!

2:20 PM: Kersti says they’re spread out but the leader of the group should be visible from Lowman Beach by now, still southbound.

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CAN YOU HELP? Teacher seeking former students’ letters, cards, art to surprise retiring colleague
May 24, 2021 1:38 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Brooke Jones, an educator at Lafayette Elementary in The Admiral District, is hoping for help in giving a retiring colleague a special sendoff:

Did you or your child attend Lafayette Elementary and have Amanda Miller as a first-grade teacher? After over 20 years at Lafayette Elememtary, she will be retiring. Please help us wish her a fond farewell and thank you for all of her years of teaching. Students and families, past and present, are invited to send cards, art, poems to the front office to be compiled to send as a surprise to her.

Please feel free to email your letter to bjjones1@seattleschools.org and I will print it out. Or mail your letter to Lafayette Elementary (2645 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116) addressed to Amanda Miller c/o Brooke Jones. Thanks so much!

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ARE YOU READY? Earthquake prep on HPAC’s agenda Wednesday
May 24, 2021 11:33 am
|    Comments Off on ARE YOU READY? Earthquake prep on HPAC’s agenda Wednesday
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | Preparedness | West Seattle news

It’s been 20 years since our area’s last major earthquake. The next one could happen in 20 more years, or 20 decades, or 20 minutes. Preparedness is vital. It can also seem overwhelming – where do you start? Spend a little time at 7 pm Wednesday (May 26th) getting some inspiration with HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge. Here’s their preview:

We’ve been coping with a pandemic, and a major bridge closure, but are you ready for our next big seismic event?

If we had a major earthquake tomorrow that left us without water for several weeks would you know how to harvest water from your hot-water tank or make a makeshift toilet?

Both before and after a disaster, reliable information about services and supplies is just as important as preparedness for keeping people safe. The Highland Park Improvement Club is a member of the Seattle Emergency Hub Network, whose goal is to train Hub Captains and community volunteers to help provide important information both before and after a disaster strikes. Erika, one of the HPIC Hub Captains, will join us to give an overview of the Emergency Hub network, HPIC’s role, and give a preview of the types of events we have planned with the HUB in the coming months.

Other neighborhood concerns are welcome as always, HPAC says. Info on watching/participating via videoconferencing, or calling in by phone, is here – where you’ll also find info on the first in a series of upcoming webinars on the city’s earthquake plans.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 bicycles – one stolen, one found
May 24, 2021 9:58 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports about bicycles:

STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Lorie:

My middle schooler’s new Kona Blast mountain bike was stolen from Target (Sunday) around 4:45 – left inside the double entry doors with friends’ bikes for safekeeping while shopping. It is brown with orange writing, pink grips – large frame. Contact Mike at gatobay2018@aol.com. Police report has been filed.

FOUND BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Conrad:

I walked up and down the staircase that goes between the upper part of Pigeon Point and the bike trail under the bridge several times this weekend and noticed this bike. I don’t see it on the Bike Index and hope I can help it be found by its owner.

Email us if it might be yours and we’ll connect you.

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Remembering Scott A. MacDonald, 1963-2021
May 24, 2021 8:50 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Scott MacDonald and sharing this with his community:

Scott A. MacDonald
August 23, 1963 – April 19, 2021

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of a beloved husband, father, brother, and uncle, Scott MacDonald. Scott passed away surrounded by loving family on April 19th at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, following a brief but valiant fight with esophageal cancer.

Scott was born in Wenatchee to Raymond and Arlene MacDonald, graduating from WHS in 1981. He attended EWU in Cheney and then graduated from Clover Park Technical College in Tacoma, where he studied graphic design. He then went on to forge a career in the emerging tech industry.

Scott and his wife Kerri moved to West Seattle in 1996, where they made their home, raised son Brenden, and made many family memories on sailing and RV trips.

Scott loved music, especially progressive rock. He played piano and guitar. He also enjoyed learning languages and dialects; he spoke German and Punjabi and was teaching himself Swedish.

Strong, sentimental, smart, funny, generous, and loving are just a few of the adjectives that describe a very special man who will be greatly missed.

Scott is survived by his wife Kerri MacDonald of Seattle; sons Sean Gill-MacDonald, Tacoma, and Brenden Peterson, Seattle; brother John Kowsky, Coeur d’Alene, ID; and sisters Kathy Tift, Bellingham, and Gayle Sherrill, Leland, IL; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Alan MacDonald, and sisters Lori Smiley and Joyce Collins.

A small family memorial will be held in the summer.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Monday notes
May 24, 2021 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. Cloudy and cool today, but the sun’s due back before the holiday weekend. Thanks to Stephen Sills for the photo from Sunday’s xunset:

ROAD WORK UPDATES

Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan, with major work toward both ends of Delridge – a partial intersection closure at Delridge/Barton/Henderson, and paving just south of the Wewt Seattle Bridge.

SW Yancy – This drainage/utility work east of Avalon has about two more weeks to go.

FERRIES/BUSES

Regular schedules today. (Watch @kcmetrobus for word of any bus cancellations, @wsferries for any major WSF changes.)

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

428th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 20th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available for some categories of drivers.)

Here’s a low-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:

Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check 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: Suspect in custody after police standoff at house across from Lincoln Park
May 24, 2021 1:37 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Reader photo via Twitter)

1:37 AM: Thanks for the tips. Police including SWAT officers are in a standoff at a house in the 7800 block of Fauntleroy Way SW, across from Lincoln Park, an apparent warrant situation, but the man they’re seeking isn’t coming out, so they’ve been using a bullhorn to try to convince him. No other details so far.

1:57 AM: Police may be shutting down a section of Fauntleroy until this is resolved. The warrant is for an alleged domestic-violence incident.

2:19 AM: Not over yet. If you are in the area and heard explosion-type sounds, those were “flashbangs” (meant to disorient but not injure).

2:53 AM: Fauntleroy is blocked, a neighbor confirms. Meantime, more flashbangs.

3:23 AM: Officers radioed that they’ve taken the suspect into custody. (The victim was already safely out of the house.)

3:33 AM: Fauntleroy Way is reopening.

9:37 AM: The suspect, who is 39, is in the King County Jail. The initial police summary says the victim is his 74-year-old father; he is accused of threatening to assault the victim while preventing him, police say, “from leaving the residence or calling 911.” The summary says this all started just before 9 pm last night.

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CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 5/23/2021 roundup, including our weekly West Seattle trend check
May 23, 2021 10:50 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s pandemic notes:

NO COUNTY NUMBERS UPDATE TONIGHT: The state didn’t update its database this weekend, which means no update today for the King County Daily Summary Dashboard page.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Sunday is the night we check these numbers, shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the countywide 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, 71 positive test results; 137 in the 2 weeks before that; 227 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: 68, up one this week. And a look at hospitalizations: 192 total have been attributed to people in the two West Seattle HRAs since the start of the pandemic, up two this week.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here (but again, note there was no update this weekend).

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 167.1 million cases and 3,463,000+ deaths, 589,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here

SCHOOL VACCINATIONS: Seattle Public Schools clinics in West Seattle this week are at Denny International Middle School on Monday and Thursday and Madison Middle School on Tuesday … Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School‘s clinic is on Wednesday.

READY TO GET VACCINATED? If you or someone you know is just getting around to it, you can find a vaccine location here.

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

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DEVELOPMENT: South Delridge, Junction projects to Design Review Board; early-stage Roxbury proposal; national award for Highland Park’s Tsuga Townhomes
May 23, 2021 8:49 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The Southwest Design Review Board‘s first meetings in three months top our roundup of West Seattle development notes:

9201 DELRIDGE WAY: This project’s next – and possibly final – Southwest Design Review Board meeting is set for 5 pm July 1st, online (here’s our coverage of the previous one last October). The project on the site of a former auto shop is now described on the city website as a “5-story, 77-unit apartment building with 73 apartments, 4 small efficiency dwelling units, and office,” no offstreet parking. Watch this page for meeting-access info when it gets closer.

4448 CALIFORNIA SW: 5 pm July 15th is set as the first SWDRB meeting for the proposal to replace a small commercial building (currently holding Homebridge and Doll Parts Collective). The city website describes it as 7 stories, 96 units, retail space. no offstreet parking; a draft version of the meeting packet is here. Watch this page for meeting-access details.

EARLY-STAGE ROXBURY PROPOSAL: New in the city system this week, an early-stage proposal for 1704 SW Roxbury, a commercial site that’s been on the market for a while. The site plan filed with the city describes the proposal as a 4-story, 42-apartment mixed-use building with retail and lists the prospective developer as Craig Haveson of STS Construction (WSB sponsor), also on record for the two projects mentioned above, along with Atelier Drome Architecture. The building on the site now is home to Meineke, which has a lease through 2025, according to the listing flyer.

HIGHLAND PARK PROJECT AWARD: The three-unit project at 7782 Highland Park Way SW has won a national award:

The project is called Tsuga Townhomes, and it’s been honored with a 2021 AIA National Housing Award. Wittman Estes – whose principals live in Highland Park – was the architect, developer, and general contractor for the certified 4-Star Built Green project. In addition to green roofs, reclaimed fir stairs, and high-efficiency energy systems. its attributes include that it was built at a cost of $185/SF, which the announcement says is just a bit over half the Seattle average. The project was featured on the Northwest Green Home Tour last fall.

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Walking your dog in Fauntleroy Park? 2 students’ message for you
May 23, 2021 6:24 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | Pets | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

If you had passed that family on the trail in Fauntleroy Park on Saturday, you might have assumed they were just out for a family walk. Except for the clipboards carried by daughters Estela and Vivian as they walked with dad Eddie and mom Carina…

… and these flags they placed at 10 spots along the trail.

Estela and Vivian, 4th- and 1st-graders at Arbor Heights Elementary, are in their third month of a volunteer project in conjunction with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council. They’re gone out every month to survey the trail – through the watershed of salmon-bearing Fauntleroy Creek – for what visiting dogs left behind. We went along on Saturday afternoon for this month’s survey. Every place they found something, they marked with a flag.

The 10 flags they placed this time were fewer than their first two times (17 and 14). The flags are intended to both warn – one side says “Watch your step!” – and educate. They’re rain-resistant and made from paper, says creek steward Judy Pickens, and are removed two weeks after placement. Pickens’ community-connection work is what got Estela and Vivian involved – their family went to a fall “drumming to call the salmon home” event at her house and asked what they could do to help. They’re also involved with the Salmon in the Schools program at Arbor Heights Elementary, and might present their findings at school as well as to the Watershed Council, which has been tracking this problem since 2004.

So what do they hope to accomplish? Estela says it’s simple – convincing dog owners to pick up after their pets. “We don’t want it to get into the creek … we hope this helps the salmon. And we hope people understand there are things they can do” such as gentle reminders to other parkgoers. The sisters will be doing their part to help – and making a map and list of their findings – through August.

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