West Seattle, Washington
15 Saturday
As reported here last month, citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (a West Seattle resident) is proposing a name change in the city zoning code – dropping “single-family” and replacing it with “neighborhood residential.” Her proposal would not change the actual zoning, just the name, but it’s considered a potential step toward eventually ending what some call “exclusionary zoning.” If you’re interested in hearing more about the name-change proposal, it’s one of the agenda items for tomorrow night’s quarterly meeting of the Morgan Community Association, 7 pm online; attendance info (Zoom or phone) is in our calendar listing. The council is accepting comments now, and plans a public hearing one week from tomorrow, at 9:30 am Wednesday, July 28th – info on that is on this webpage about the proposal.
Going to see “Enormous: The Gorge Story“ at West Seattle’s only moviehouse, the historic Admiral Theater, tomorrow night? We have word tonight that the one-night-only screening will have a special guest on hand for Q&A after the movie – Ken Kinnear, creator/developer of the Gorge Amphitheater, the Central Washington venue that’s the subject of the film. Showtime is 7 pm, but seating will start at 6:30 pm. If you haven’t heard about “Enormous,” here’s the trailer:
The Admiral explains that Ken Kinnear “is the CEO of Allies Entertainment, Inc., and developed and produced all concerts at the Gorge Ampitheater. He appears in the film.” He’s also written a book that comes out next month, and The Admiral plans to have him back for a signing and screening, no date yet. Back to Wednesday night – you can buy your ticket(s) in advance via The Admiral’s website.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you use West Seattle’s only dog park, the Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area, you’ve benefited from the work of Steve McElhenney, who’s been the volunteer steward there for two decades.
He’s given thousands of hours. But one of the gifts he’s tried recently to give – the gift of safety – has been roundly rejected. And he’s furious.
As has been reported in West Seattle Crime Watch coverage here over the years, Westcrest is a car-prowl hot spot. (Here’s just one of dozens of reports we’ve published.) McElhenney says he’s tried to get extra police attention there. But, he’s been told – as precinct leadership has said at countless community meetings – they’re shorthanded. (Back in February, the precinct said they’d try for extra patrols, but nothing’s been mentioned since then.) So he tried something else, something countless people are using on their own porches, decks, and yards: A camera.
That SDOT photo shows just some of the work that crews did at the West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way intersection last weekend. And they’ve just sent an update on what’s planned this weekend, including an even-earlier start, and lane reductions:
Crews fixed broken concrete panels under the north leg curb island, which was also removed. This weekend we plan to repour new concrete panels and new curb ramps on the northwest corner of the intersection. Crews will also be working on the new signal pedestrian pole push button and signal hand holes for vehicle detection.
Crews will plan to work each day – Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25 – from 3 AM to 1 PM. People driving can expect shift in traffic near the intersection as we make these changes. The roadway will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Please follow posted signs and drive slowly through the area. Uniformed police officers will be present to direct people driving.
This is considered part of the wider West Seattle Bridge Program, so if you have questions about it, bring them to tomorrow’s online community meeting (5:30 pm Wednesday).
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Douglas for the tip. A Wells Fargo spokesperson confirms that the bank’s Admiral branch will reopen next Monday (July 26th). Wells Fargo attributes the closure to the pandemic: “We wanted to help reduce the potential COVID-19 exposure in the community by reducing the number of branches that are open.” The branch is on the northeast corner of California and Admiral.
We’ve reported before on the proprietors of Morgan Junction’s Youngstown Coffee and HeartBeet Organic Superfoods Café taking over the space next door for extra seating. They even opened it as a cooling center during the recordbreaking heat wave. And now they’re offering it for rentals as an event space, something West Seattle’s been short on over the years, Here’s the announcement about the space they’re calling 6030:
Located at 6030 California Ave SW in West Seattle, this intimate and lovingly decorated space is available to rent for your next meeting, party, acoustic show, or get-together. The entire space is available after 5 pm on weekends and select weeknights, and some mornings too! Visit our website to check availability.
-vintage chairs for seating
-dimmable lighting
-hospitality station
-extra chairs available
-lots of natural light
-Sonos speaker for music
-street parking right in front
-wheelchair accessibilityCall Autumn with questions: 206-601-8663
The space was previously a fitness studio.
Earlier this summer, the Washington State Transportation Commission – which sets toll rates, among other things – asked for comment on two potential ways to raise Highway 99 tunnel tolls this fall. The extra increase is needed to bring in enough money to meet goals set by the state Legislature. Today, the WSTC unanimously voted to support the option that would raise all tunnel toll rates 15 percent as of October 1st. And the 3 percent increase already planned for next year is still going forward, too.
But after that, the WSTC says, unless there’s some other unforeseen problem putting a big dent in usage, rates should be able to stay the same until at least fiscal year 2026. Next steps for the proposed 15 percent increase – more public comment, then a public hearing and vote in late August, and the increase would take effect October 1st.
P.S. As for the previous round of public input, most opposed both options (see page 10 and 11 here).
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:
BUSINESS ROBBERY: Police are investigating an armed robbery last night at Canna (WSB sponsor), the cannabis shop at 5440 California SW. Police say it happened just before 11:30 pm as the shop was preparing to close. Four masked people entered the store, two with guns drawn, according to a witness, who says they ordered three staff members and one customer to get on the floor. They took phones from the security guard and a customer, threw the phones over the counter, then stuffed cash and marijuana products into plastic trash bags and took off. Some of the products were found in a nearby alley. The robbers have not yet been found.
BURGLARY ARREST: A reader reported hearing police making amplified warnings early this morning in Highland Park. Here’s what that was about. The early police summary says officers responded to a domestic-violence disturbance around 2:30 am near 9th/Trenton but the person reported to have caused it was gone. Two hours later, they were called back to the same residence after the same person forced their way in, then ran off, jumping fences to get away. A K-9 search ensued – that’s what the amplified warnings were about (police policy is to warn suspects that a dog is being deployed to look for them) – and a suspect was found and arrested.
BICYCLE THEFT: The photo and report are from an Arbor Heights resident:
This guy came into our yard with bolt cutters in hand and rode off with one of our bikes (he left his own bike behind). If he’s riding around with bolt cutters then I assume he’s looking for other bikes as well. (Stolen) bike is a black Novaro Buzz.
The victim says this has been reported to police.
(Texted photo)
Back when what’s believed to be a different turkey roamed the streets of West Seattle, we dubbed this day of the week #TurkeyTuesday for a while, when we had a photo to feature. So today, we’re featuring one of the newest reader photos of the currently roaming turkey. And with that, on to the calendar highlights:
HIGHWAY 99 TUNNEL TOLL: The Washington State Transportation Commission is meeting online right now (watch here) with agenda items including a decision on which toll-increase proposal to advance. Whichever proposal they decide to support more public comment is ahead.
BASEBALL TRYOUTS: This week the Washington Baseball Academy is having player tryouts in West Seattle, starting tonight with 13U-14U players at Delridge Playfield (4458 Delridge Way SW), 6 pm (but show up at 5:30 pm) – more info in our calendar listing.
PLAY-ALONG IN THE PARK: Musicians of all ages and all skill levels are invited to join West Seattle Community Orchestras members at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) for a Tuesday night play-along! 6 pm for easy music, 7 pm for intermediate music. Our calendar listing includes more info, including the RSVP link.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS: 6 pm to 7:30 pm, another in the city’s series of preparedness webinars:
Staff from the Seattle Human Services will provide an overview of how the City will coordinate with regional partners to stand up shelter and feeding operations after a major earthquake, and the implications for personal preparedness.
Here’s the link to watch; you can RSVP here.
When the family of 27-year-old Dominic Madura shared this remembrance of him last year, they promised a memorial gathering once pandemic restrictions eased. It’s now planned for this Friday – here’s the announcement:
Please join us for a Memorial Service as we celebrate the life of Dominic Madura
Friday, July 23rd from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
At Alki Beach ParkWe are so glad to finally be able to celebrate Dominic’s life. In honor of his birthday. we will be having an open-house style memorial, where folks can feel free to drop by, catch up, share a memory about Dominic, have a snack, and celebrate the ways he loved all of us while he was with us.
We will be hanging out at Alki (one of his favorite places). The shelter we have reserved is closest to the 62nd cross-street, across from Pegasus Pizza.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:06 AM: Good morning, Cloudy forecast today.
ROAD WORK
Roxbury repaving – This is scheduled to continue today, 7 am-4 pm, between 24th and 25th.
New today: SW Genesee – For the next week or so, Genesee will be down to one lane, alternating, between 26th and 30th, because of vehicles working on the nearby “pond.” As explained here, the work is expected to happen 7 am-6 pm.
Delridge project – Southbound Delridge is still closed between Holden and Trenton. So is Henderson on the east side of Delridge; other closures are ahead, according to this week’s update.
TRANSIT
Buses are on their regular schedules – except for the Route 120 reroute because of the southbound Delridge Way work and the Route 128 reroute because of the SW Henderson closure east of Delridge. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.
For ferries, regular schedule. Watch and @wsferries for updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
484th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; 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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