West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
We’ve been reporting on the Sound Transit “realignment” process, which is still barreling down the tracks toward a potential board vote later this month. Board discussions have continued to include urban King County board members urging a delay in decisionmaking, as the financial picture keeps improving, and they contend the “affordability gap” may narrow further. In addition, one board member who’s led that call for months – King County Council chair Claudia Balducci of Bellevue – has been working on an alternative proposal which she has suggested would rely more on cost cuts than delays; the latter are the cornerstone of the realignment plan board chair Kent Keel of the University Place City Council has proposed. While his plan would only delay West Seattle light rail one year beyond the current 2031 projection, some parts of the ST plan would be pushed into the 2040s.
With all that as a backdrop, more than half a dozen advocacy groups held a media briefing today to “oppose any delay in delivery of voter-approved mass transit projects, to call on the Sound Transit board to instead adopt plans that keep the schedule promised to voters, and create a framework to fill budget gaps and accelerate projects.” The groups include the Sierra Club, Disability Rights Washington, 350 Seattle, Puget Sound Sage, Transportation Choices Coalition, Transit Riders Union, Seattle Subway, and local coalitions from around King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties.
We asked Robert Cruickshank of the Sierra Club what the coalition plans to do, and what it’s asking concerned community members to do: For one, Cruickshank says, “Sierra Club will be sending a message to our members in the Puget Sound area next week asking them to contact the Sound Transit board and urge them to reject any plans that would delay delivery of transit lines and instead work with state and federal partners to deliver projects on or ahead of schedule. And right now anyone can deliver that message directly to the Sound Transit board by sending them an email at emailtheboard@soundtransit.org — an email sent to that address will get sent to all 18 board members.” The board’s Finance and Audit Committee will discuss realignment next Thursday, and the full board might vote July 22nd if there’s no decision to wait.
Via text:
Just called 911 – police said they will try to find … crowdsourcing might help find these knuckleheads.
Teenagers in a black Tahoe throwing fireworks at people in North Admiral. Threw one at me; then I saw them throw one at a 10-year-old. Poor kid ran inside and was upset; talked to the dad and said it just happened to me.
Didn’t get license plate but did notice one unique identifier, on back of black Tahoe (or SUV) was a Finland flag sticker – somebody has to know that car!
If you do, call 911.
(Texted image)
8:58 PM: Avoid the south end of Harbor Avenue SW for a while – SFD and SPD are in the 3000 block because of what’s reported as an RV fire on the northbound/westbound side of the street. Police are calling for an ambulance at the scene.
(Added: Texted video)
9:04 PM: The fire is declared “tapped” (out).
9:25 PM: SFD’s investigator is being sent to look into the cause. We’ll be checking on that and whether anyone indeed was injured.
9:42 PM: Texter says Harbor Avenue has reopened.
Two road-work updates:
36TH/OREGON: Repairing this heat-damaged stretch of street was expected to take up to two weeks, but instead, it was done in one. The closure continues tonight while the new concrete finishes drying, but SDOT plans to reopen the street “as soon as crews have verified that the concrete has finished hardening, which will likely be tomorrow morning.”
SW GENESEE CLOSURE: Reminder – this closure west of Delridge Way (previewed here) starts at 7 am tomorrow. SDOT sent a new detour map today:
The street is expected to remain closed until early Monday, the first of two consecutive weekend closures, for “street upgrades” related to the RapidRide H Line preparation project. SDOT says that during the closure, “For people wishing to travel between Delridge Way SW and SW Avalon Way, we encourage them to detour to SW Orchard St during this closure. The streets marked in black will be open to local traffic only.”
Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo. That smoke visible from southwest West Seattle is from a big fire in Tacoma – “an exterior debris pile fire at a metal recycling facility in the 1900 block of Marine View Drive” [map], according to Tacoma FD.
— Tacoma Fire (@TacomaFire) July 9, 2021
5:59 PM: It’s a warm sunny evening – don’t stay home, go out to enjoy art during the West Seattle Art Walk!
FOGUE GALLERY: Until 7 pm, the party’s on at Fogue Gallery (4130 California SW; WSB sponsor) on the north end of The Junction. That’s proprietor Patti Curtis – whose work is featured at her gallery – above. Just outside the front door, Scott Gibson is performing:
As previewed last night, this quarter’s Art Walk poster artist, Jacquie Stock, is there tonight too. Fogue is one of The Junction’s newest businesses, and tonight it’s one of the liveliest.
WEND JEWELRY: Heading further north to 3278 California SW, another new business is open for Art Walk night. Wend is featuring fiber artist Kristi Nakata:
Kristi’s showing mountain-inspired wall hangings; the reception’s on until 8. We’re continuing northward … see the full venue list, including food/beverage businesses with specials for Art Walk’ers, by going here.
ADDED 6:20 PM: In North Admiral, West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) is hosting Maq Martin:
Maq’s there, showing acrylic paintings – landscapes and florals – until 8.
Though many pandemic-related restrictions are over, increased community needs are not. Alki UCC is continuing its monthly donation drives, collecting food and clothing, and has another one coming up this Sunday:
Alki UCC Summer Food/Men’s Casual Clothing Donations Drive
This Sunday, July 11, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Front courtyard/6115 SW Hinds
alkiucc.orgMany of our neighbors struggle with feeding their children over the summer without subsidized meals. Here are some suggested donations:
Canned Items: Vegetables, Beans, Soup, Pasta Sauce, Tomatoes, Canned fruit, tuna, Applesauce, PB&J
Packaged Items: Fruit Snacks, Cookies/Crackers, Pudding, Nuts, Trail Mix, Cereal, Oatmeal, Rice, Pasta, Granola Bars, Macaroni & Cheese, Pancake Mix, Syrup
Hygiene Items: Bar Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Deodorant, Lotion
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.
After this, Alki UCC’s next summer food drive will be on Sunday, August 15.
Saturday will be one BIG day of shopping around West Seattle. Not just The Junction’s Sidewalk Sale, but two Morgan Junction businesses have announced big plans too:
THUNDER ROAD GUITARS: The annual Garage Sale Day at Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) is back!
Saturday July 10th. 10 am – 6 pm. Seattle & Portland locations. CHEAP, CHEAP stuff, FREE stuff, INSANE deals. Lots of stuff we want GONE. No reasonable offer refused! First come, first serve. Line-up starts at 9 am. ONE DAY ONLY! Come grab a great deal!
Sneak peek here. (P.S. If you happen to be in Portland on Saturday, TRG’s address there is 1024 NW 19th.)
PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: The independent bookstore at 6040 California SW is having a sidewalk sale on Saturday and says that “customers will get to pick out 1 free book with every purchase.” Hours are 11 am-6 pm.
(added) WEST SEATTLE COWORKING: Paper Boat’s neighbor is having a Saturday special, too: “With every (free) tour from 12 pm to 5 pm,, we will give out a coupon for a free day of coworking.”
For the past year and a half, a city-convened stakeholders’ group has been talking about the future of Seattle’s industrial/maritime lands and policies. They issued a report last week with recommendations; and the city announced it here. Now, the next step – an Environmental Impact Statement. Before that’s prepared, the city is asking for your input on the scope of what should be studied. A notice was published in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin; we’re publishing the notice in its entirety because West Seattle has such a significant stake in the city’s maritime/industrial future (as the map above, from the report, shows):
Seattle’s industrial and maritime policies are more than 35 years old. With changing trends, there is an opportunity to build an updated comprehensive strategy to strengthen and grow Seattle’s industrial and maritime sectors for the future. As part of this strategy the City of Seattle is studying a proposal to update its industrial and maritime policies and industrial zoning. Four alternatives, including the no action alternative have been identified for study in an Environmental Impact Statement.
The proposal addresses all lands zoned Industrial General (IG1 and IG2) zones, the Industrial Commercial (IC) zone, and the Industrial Buffer (IB) zone and land within two Manufacturing Industrial Centers (MIC): Seattle’s Greater Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center (Duwamish MIC) and its Ballard Interbay North Manufacturing Industrial Center (BINMIC).
The Director of the Office of Planning & Community Development has determined this proposal is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the environment. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required under RCW 43.21C.030(2)(c) and will be prepared. The lead agency has identified the following areas for study in the EIS to determine if there are any significant environmental impacts: * Biological Resources and Resiliency: Water Resources/Climate Change, Soils/Geology, Plants and Animals
* Environmental Health and Compatibility: Contamination, Noise, Light and Glare, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gases
* Mobility and Freight
* Land and Shoreline Use
* Housing
* Open Space and Recreation
* Historic and Cultural Resources
* Public Services: Police, Emergency Services, and Schools
* UtilitiesMaterials related to the proposal including alternatives may be reviewed at OPCD’s offices or on the department’s website:
seattle.gov/opcd/ongoing-initiatives/industrial-and-maritime-strategy#whatwhy.Agencies, affected tribes, and members of the public are invited to comment on the scope of the EIS. You may comment on the proposal, the alternatives, probable significant adverse impacts, and licenses or other approvals that may be\ required. More specifically, comments should focus on the elements of the environment that should be addressed in the EIS, analysis that should be done and the alternatives that the City proposes to study, including any reasonable alternatives to those proposed.
Comments may be submitted by letter to OPCD at the address below; by email to PCD_Industry_And_Maritime_Strategy@seattle.gov ; or at a virtual scoping meeting to be held on Wednesday July 21 at 9:00 a.m. or Monday July 26 at 6:00 p.m. Meeting details will be posted at: seattle.gov/opcd/ongoinginitiatives/industrial-and-maritime-strategy#whatwhy.
The deadline for agencies, tribes and the general public to submit scoping comments is 5 pm, August 8, 2021.
West Seattle’s newest mural is going up right now on the north side of the 35th/Henderson building that’s home to businesses including The Birdhouse, which has long been planning it, with designer/artist Katie Todaro of Glam Dusty Studios:
Multiple artists are helping paint the mural, thanks to Urban Artworks. Here’s what it’ll look like when complete:
The Birdhouse explained in a preview that the mural is their “love letter to the neighborhood” – all of West Seattle.
(Lincoln Park, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, what’s up for your Thursday:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: 11 am at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (4217 SW Oregon)
AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Assuming the forecast of sunshine and 70s bears out, today’s schedule would open the Lincoln Park wading pool noon-7 pm, in addition to the daily 11 am-8 pm hours for the Highland Park spraypark.
DEMONSTRATION: 4 pm-6 pm at 16th/Holden, join organizer Scott to sign-wave for racial justice.
ARTSWEST OPEN HOUSE: 4-7 pm, visit ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (4711 California SW) to get reacquainted!
FIRE FUNDRAISER: Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) is donating 50 percent of all proceeds 4-9 pm to the owners of one of the businesses destroyed in this week’s White Center fire, Dottie’s Doublewide, which was about to reopen under new ownership.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 5 pm “until late,” visit venues around West Seattle for art and/or food/drink specials, during the monthly (second Thursday) West Seattle Art Walk. Here’s the venue list:
Details are in this month’s preview.
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE: West Seattle’s only institute of post-secondary education has a rich history, and you can learn about it at 6 pm tonight online, when the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “Words, Writers, SouthWest Stories” speaker series features chancellor emeritus Jill Wakefield. Details and registration info here.
Got a West Seattle/White Center event for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:07 AM: Good morning, Today’s forecast suggests yet another clouds-to-sun day.
ROAD WORK
Delridge project – Median dirt delivery! Thanks to Jonathan for the photo:
More median info here. And here’s this week’s overall plan, including the closure of SW Genesee west of Delridge starting at 7 am Friday and continuing through the weekend.
36th/Oregon – Closure continues for heat-damage repairs.
Alaska/44th – More work on westbound Alaska this weekend.
TRANSIT
Buses and ferries are on their regular schedules today. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations, @wsferries for major WSF changes.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
472nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 26th 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.)
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 draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also 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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