West Seattle, Washington
30 Thursday
We’ve mentioned a few times that the Morgan Community Association was hoping to present a scaled-down version of its annual festival on September 11th. Now MoCA has decided to cancel that plan. Here’s the announcement:
The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has been closely monitoring the situation with COVID-19 and the increase in cases among vaccinated persons. It is with an abundance of caution that we have decided to cancel the ‘mini’ Morgan Junction Community Festival on Sept. 11, 2021. We were looking forward to hosting the Bubbleman and Gary Benson in a reduced-scale festival, but we do not want to risk anyone’s health and wellness given that that Washington state is not done with COVID‐19 or the delta variant.
We hope to be able to host the Morgan Junction Community Festival in June, 2022. Please contact mocacnc@gmail.com if you’d like to participate in Festival planning or in the event itself.
Thank you for your understanding.
ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: Some of West Seattle’s closed bus stops will reopen starting October 2nd. That’s the date announced today for Metro‘s next twice-yearly “service change,” and as we first reported two months ago, it includes the return of Route 22 through Gatewood and Arbor Heights. (The other route with bagged bus-stop signs, Route 37, will remain “suspended.” The full service-change plan, route by route, is here. Changes on routes serving West Seattle include:
Routes 56 and 57: One Route 56 AM trip, and one Route 57 PM trip will be deleted due to decreased STBD funding. (timetable here)
Route 60 – Several trips will be added to Route 60 to meet increasing demand due to the ongoing closure of the West Seattle Bridge. (timetable here)
Route 120 – Several trips will be added to Route 120 to meet increasing demand due to the ongoing closure of the West Seattle Bridge. (timetable here)
Route 125 – Two AM trips will be deleted due to decreased STBD funding. (timetable here)
Route 131 – Routes 131 and 132 will no longer be connected to Route 26X, which will be deleted. The existing connections with Route 28X will be maintained. To provide continued service through downtown Seattle, trips that are not connected to Route 28X will proceed to and from a new terminal at 3rd Ave and Bell St. (timetable here)
RapidRide C Line – On weekdays, several trips will be added to RapidRide C Line to meet increasing demand due to the ongoing closure of the West Seattle Bridge. On Saturday and Sunday, several trips will be deleted due to decreased STBD funding. (timetable here)
(STBD is the Seattle Transportation Benefit District, voter-approved funding that the city pays Metro for extra service.) The Metro overview also mentions deleted trips on Route 21 but it’s not on the service-change page, so we’re following up on that, as well as asking if a Route 22 timetable is available.
ADDED FRIDAY: First, here are the Route 21 changes:
We are planning to operate 12 fewer Route 21 Saturday trips starting Oct. 2 as we adjust service levels for STBD. That means instead of 104 trips on Saturdays, we will operate 92.
Also from Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer, here’s the Route 22 timetable for its return – with weekday service – this fall. And note that as discussed in comments, Route 113 is returning too.
Youth sports are back this year and one local organization is advertising on WSB to get the word out about its upcoming tryouts and season. New sponsors get the opportunity to tell you what they do – here’s what the West Seattle Reign wants you to know:
We are a small but mighty organization of passionate athletes and youth advocates. We work hard to provide a great athletic experience as well as creating a well-rounded athlete on and off the court. Our participants love the focus on fundamentals and individual as well as team growth. We often get feedback that they are happy that we are able and willing to provide a comfortable, flexible, and safe environment for their youth athletes to play volleyball and basketball in this time of uncertainty.
The West Seattle Reign is currently recruiting for 5-6th grade, 7-8th grade, and 16U boys’ and girls’ competitive basketball teams. Tryouts for 5th-8th grade are September 8th and 10th from 6-7:30 pm and tryouts for 16U are September 8th and 10th from 7:30-9 pm – both are at Westside School in Arbor Heights.
The Reign is also NOW registering athletes for our volleyball co-ed skills academy sessions. The sessions will run from September 6th through October 16, with outdoor practices at the Alki Beach volleyball area and indoor practices at the Salvation Army Center on 16th SW.
Outdoor practices for 10-12U will be Tuesdays 4:30-5:30 pm and Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 pm with the 3-18U group on Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm and Thursdays 4:30-5:30 pm. Indoors, the 10-12U and 13-18U are Saturdays 4-6 pm.
You can find more information on our website – westseattlereign.com, or call 206-717-3885.
We thank West Seattle Reign 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.
(Seen at Alki last week, photographed by Lynn Hall)
Here’s our breaking-news-delayed preview list for the rest of today/tonight:
NEW LIBRARY HOURS: Seattle Public Library branches are expanding their hours and days starting today. Local branches’ info is in our story from last night.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm online, this coalition of community advocates from West Seattle and White Center has its monthly meeting. Public safety, community service, and transportation topics are on the agenda, as previewed here. All are welcome – connection information is nour calendar listing.
LUMENAWESOME: Walk-through art display/experience, 7-10 pm tonight and tomorrow, as previewed here. All welcome. Free. (3426 59th SW)
OPEN MIC: Starting with 7:30 pm signups at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
(Added: Video by Rob Jacobs, just before firefighters arrived)
FIRST REPORT, 8:44 AM: Thanks for the tips. There’s a big fire in White Center – the fire-response log says it’s a 2-alarm commercial fire near 17th SW and SW 98th [map]. Homes are being evacuated west of there. We’re on our way to find out more; avoid that area.
8:55 AM: We’re on scene. This is the long-vacant commercial building between the Gerber auto shop and dental office.
9:10 AM: No reports of injuries so far.
9:21 AM: We talked to firefighters at the scene, Most of this is “knocked down” but there’s one hot spot in debris inside the building that’s still smoldering, so that’s where their attention is now. They confirm no one is hurt. Meantime, checking property records, the exact address for the building is 9811 17th SW.
9:39 AM: The building’s past incarnations include Atlas Electric and the White Center News newspaper; it was listed for sale last year and sold early this year.
10:05 AM: Thanks to the readers who note this building also caught fire two years ago; we covered that on our partner site White Center Now – the 2019 fire was ruled arson, We’ll be checking back at today’s scene in a bit.
11 AM: Just back from there. Still smoldering; streets still blocked. The Gerber auto shop next door is closed while they assess potential damage, as the north end of their building is adjacent to the one that burned.
6:07 AM: Good morning! Might see the 70s today – Tuesday’s high was 67, nine degrees below normal for this time of year.
BACK TO SCHOOL
This is the big day. Those returning to school include 1st-12th graders in Seattle Public Schools. School buses, school-zone flashing beacons, and speed cameras are all in operation as of this morning. Also note that while SPS will continue early Wednesday dismissal this year, that does NOT apply today.
ROAD WORK
Spokane Street Viaduct – The “deck scan” starts today, 8 am-5 pm, with lane reductions and rolling slowdowns. It’s expected to continue tomorrow and possibly into Friday.
26th SW & beyond – Northbound 26th SW closure continues between Roxbury and Barton.
Delridge project – No side street closures this week but work continues on curbs, sidewalks, landscaping, more.
TRANSIT
Buses are on regular schedules – except for the rerouting in RapidRise H Line work zones. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.
For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule. Watch @wsferries for updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
527th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are 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 here for some categories of drivers.)
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden – No camera for a few weeks (explained here)
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
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? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed will tell you. (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.
Also tomorrow: Days/hours expand at most Seattle Public Library branches, including the five in West Seattle and South Park. From the SPL announcement:
Delridge Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.High Point Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.South Park Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays and Tuesday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.Southwest Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.West Seattle Branch
Operating hours as of Sept. 1: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
(Masks required.) The announcement also notes that SPL “will continue to restore hours of operation as staffing levels permit, and seeks to return to full, pre-pandemic, 7-day service, including evening hours, by the end of October.”
The return to full-time in-person learning continues tomorrow for thousands of West Seattle students. It’s the first day of classes for 1st through 12th graders at Seattle Public Schools, as well as for Hope Lutheran School and for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School. Even if you don’t have a student in your household, be mindful of school zones for safety’s sake – expect more buses, cars, and students walking/biking. Here’s a map of SPS campuses in West Seattle:
Note that, as we’ve reported, West Seattle Elementary is spending the year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane) while its expansion building is under construction. Also remember that, as announced last week, there’s a new school-zone speed-enforcement camera in West Seattle, on 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here’s the citywide list of not only school-zone cameras and the times they’re supposed to be on, but also flashing school-zone 20 mph reminder beacons. … After tomorrow, there are more first days to come later this week and next – here’s our full list of who starts/started when. Good luck to all, and if there’s news from/at your school, please let us know!
September’s West Seattle Art Walk is coming up a week from Thursday – on September 9th – and it marks the return of “Art of Music”:
Many of you may remember the delight of live music paired with Second Thursday Art Walk in the last half of 2019. Art of Music brought family-friendly instrumental and vocal music to outdoor and indoor venues in the Alaska Junction, thanks to the passion and drive of project originator and coordinator John Redenbaugh.
We are thrilled to announce that, after the hiatus of 2020, John is bringing Art of Music back – and now to Admiral as well as the Alaska Junction! Mark your calendars for these Second Thursday West Seattle Art Walks:
September 9 • October 14 • November 11 • December 9
The September 9 event will feature award-winning bassist and jazz vocalist Marina Christopher at the KeyBank Plaza in Alaska Junction and harpist Alyvia Miller at the Welcome Road Winery in Admiral Junction. Venues for October, November and December are being finalized as we write. Verity Credit Union will host in October. Each venue will have two sets of music from 6pm to 7:40pm, with a 10 minute break in-between.
You can read more about it on the WSAW website.
If you or someone in your family is looking for outdoor public vaccination clinics – here are two in West Seattle this week. As previously mentioned, a vaccination pop-up is planned during tonight’s Created Commons event at Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW, north of the P-Patch), 6-8 pm. And Neighborhood House High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way SW) is hosting a clinic 4-6 pm Friday (September 3rd) in the parking lot behind the building. Both are offering Pfizer, which means people 12+ can get vaccinated. No appointment needed for either clinic.
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Summit Atlas, the charter middle/high school in Arbor Heights, was in lockdown for a little more than an hour this morning because of what was described in an email to parents as a “possible threat.” We called after a text from a reader; the school told us the lockdown was over and parents would get an explanation via email. One parent forwarded what was sent, in which the school said:
This morning, we responded to a report of a possible threat to our campus. When an incident occurs on our campus, we act quickly, we collaborate with the community and with local law enforcement, and we communicate with you promptly. The situation was resolved quickly, and all students are safe.
Our students’ safety is always our top priority and consistent with our safety protocols, our school building did go on lock down for approximately 70 minutes while the Seattle Police conducted a thorough investigation. …
Police say what information they have so far indicates the incident involved “an unfounded report of a weapon at the school.”
ADDED WEDNESDAY: The police summary that’s now available adds a few more details:
On 08-31-2021 at 0902 hours, officers responded to a school due to a student emailing a teacher about students bringing guns to the school. The school went into lockdown and units responded. The principal and officers spoke with the student about what they had heard. It became apparent quickly that the timeline of events given by the student was not possible. Officers did a check of the property for anything out of place. The school released from lockdown and thanked officers.
The city’s sharp rise in gunfire is in the spotlight today. First, a reader report on a West Seattle incident, from Anthony:
Just after 6:30 this morning, my wife and I were riding our bikes down Fairmount Ave and rounded the first corner just as the passenger in a stopped pickup truck fired three shots from a handgun (small caliber based on the sound) into the hillside at the first pullout on the right hand side. The truck, what looked like a mid-’90s white Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra, took off down the hill towards Harbor Ave. Unfortunately I didn’t get a good look at the vehicle occupants or license plate. We immediately stopped, turned around, and went back to the top of Fairmount and called the police. Several officers responded quickly and I gave them the information I had.
This was just a few hours before Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz and two other city leaders held an online briefing/Q&A session for reporters to talk about the city’s ongoing wave of violence involving people using guns.
He said the incidents were happening at an “unrelenting pace.” Diaz said police are doing what they can, with dozens of gun-related arrests and 700 guns seized so far, but the overall numbers are daunting: Citywide, 380 incidents this year involving gunfire – that’s 100 more than this time last year, 150 more than this time in 2019. Of this year’s incidents, 104 involved injuries or deaths. The city has had 35 homicide victims so far this year – two of those “delayed” (from incidents in previous years), and three-quarters were shooting victims, the chief said. He repeated that the department is understaffed; there’s money to hire officers but hiring is not keeping up with the pace of attrition.
The City Council was represented at the event by Councilmember Alex Pedersen, who said he hopes his colleagues will support money for recruiting and hiring incentives; midyear budget decisions are coming up in two weeks. Also participating was Rex Brown, who leads the city Human Services Department’s Safe and Thriving Communities division; he talked about city investments in community-safety programs, saying they’re addressing “risk factors” at the “societal and community levels.” The chief, too, acknowledged it’s a many-faceted problem, saying that it’s not just an increase in gunfire involving youth violence but also mental-health issues, such as road rage. Regardless of staffing levels, he said, police need community support for the violence to stop: “Talk to your friends and family, (tell them) ‘guns are not the answer’.”
(Sunday’s sunset – photo sent by Linda)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
MOD PIZZA BOGO: The custom-pizza chain is debuting a new plant-based sausage today and if you order it on your pizza today, a second pizza will be free. MOD has two West Seattle locations, The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW) and Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton).
LAFAYETTE PTA ‘DINE-OUT’ EVENT: The Lafayette Elementary PTA is teaming up with Good Society Brewery and Public House, which is also at California/Lander, just south of the school. Here’s the announcement:
Tuesday, 8/31, 3-10 pm’
If you are comfortable and would like to support Lafayette, we are partnering with our neighbor across the street, Good Society Brewery, to host a Dine Out. Mention “Lafayette PTA” and a % of proceeds will be donated back to the Lafayette PTA. It will be a great chance to support a local business, enjoy great beer & food, and support our students.
In addition, a food truck, 314 Pie, will be parked at Good Society from 4 pm – 7 pm, and the street in front of Good Society will be blocked off for kids (and their adults) to enjoy games. Please note that no Lafayette teachers or staff will be at the fundraiser.
(added) SPS TOWN HALL: Tomorrow is back-to-school day for most Seattle Public Schools students. 4:30 pm today, the district’s having an online town hall – here’s how to attend.
DEMONSTRATION: The weekly announcement from organizer Scott:
Black Lives Matter sign waving
Tuesday, August 31, 4:30 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.
CREATED COMMONS CONTINUES: This first-of-its-kind series of events celebrating art and science continues with a 6 pm commemoration of International Overdose Awareness Day, with “art, poetry, health science, remembrance, recovery.” The Created Commons stage is in Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), just north of the P-Patch. (You can get vaccinated at tonight’s event, too.)
LIVE MUSIC: 6 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), Dain Norman performs 1960s-inspired rock ‘n’ roll.
TOASTMASTERS: 6:30 pm online, West Seattle Toastmasters Club 832 would love to see you!
There’s more on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
If you’re going grocery-shopping at West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor), note that parking is a bit constrained for the next few days because of sealing and striping. Work started yesterday in the north half of the main lot, which is scheduled to reopen this morning, with work then continuing in the southeast (back) lot through tomorrow morning, and concluding in the south half of the main lot through Thursday morning. The store remains open and accessible.
With no Burning Man this year, would-be participants are bringing the experience to their neighborhoods this week via Art Compass Northwest, and one is here in West Seattle. On (corrected) Wednesday and Thursday nights, you’re invited to walk through LumenAwesome at a home in Alki. James sent the announcement:
I’m an Alki resident wanting to inform the community about a free presentation of art at my home in connection with Art Compass Northwest – a local organization of art events occurring on what would be the week of Burning Man. Come walk through a socially-distant collection of light, flame, and interactive art. This event is all outdoors, and we ask everyone to wear a mask while wandering through the driveway and yard. Again, anyone and everyone is invited, and this event is very family friendly.
Featuring art by:
LumenAwesome is happening Wednesday and Thursday nights (September 1st-2nd), 7-10 pm; the address is mapped here. To see the other Seattle “experiences,” explore the night-by-night Art Compass NW guide here.
6:04 AM: Good morning! Another chilly day expected today – Monday’s high was only 64, 12 degrees below normal for this time of year.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Here’s our list of start dates. Two West Seattle schools started Monday, one earlier this month, but tomorrow is the really big day, with most Seattle Public Schools students (and others) returning.
ROAD WORK
West Marginal/Highland Park intersection – Westbound lanes are getting paved this morning, until about 9 am, so be alert for lane closures.
26th SW & beyond – Northbound 26th SW closure continues between Roxbury and Barton.
Delridge project – No side street closures this week but work contnues on curbs, sidewalks, landscaping, more.
Spokane Street Viaduct – Still awaiting a new date for the deck-scan work.
TRANSIT
Buses are on regular schedules – except for the rerouting in RapidRise H Line work zones. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.
For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule. Watch @wsferries for updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
526th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are 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 here for some categories of drivers.)
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden – No camera for a few weeks (explained here)
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
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? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed will tell you. (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.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting provided an opportunity to catch up on some of our area’s biggest projects.
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE & VICINITY: Two guests from SDOT were there. Danielle Friedman recapped key points from the Community Task Force‘s most-recent meeting (WSB coverage here) – repair work starting this fall (she said “October or November”), Reconnect West Seattle projects continuing including the West Marginal/Highland Park Way intersection and temporary signal at Duwamish Longhouse “starting any minute now” (but that too will be primarily weekend work, she said).
Public safety, community service, and transportation topics are on the agenda for the District 1 Community Network‘s next meeting, 7 pm online Wednesday (September 1st). D1CN’s mission is “to unite and strengthen the District 1 [West Seattle/South Park] community for the benefit of all.” You’ll learn about the LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion/Let Everyone Advance with Dignity) role in public safety, about the community services provided by the West Seattle/White Center Salvation Army, about the Fauntleroy Community Associationn=’s advocacy in Washington State Ferries‘ plan to replace its West Seattle terminal, and about the Heron’s Nest project. All are welcome; information on attending via videoconference or phone is in our calendar listing.
Three weeks ago, we reported briefly on the death of a man in The Junction. Authorities never released his name. But commenters knew who he was, and now we have his obituary:
Erik Richardson, a West Seattle community member, died the morning of Monday, 8/9/2021. He was found alone near the Junction Starbucks. Fentanyl was the cause of death. He was 34.
Erik was born in Arizona. Like his time in West Seattle, his upbringing was rocky, including deaths of his two older brothers. Despite many terrors around him, Erik’s circumstances didn’t drown him. He made his way to the Pacific Northwest during his later 20’s in pursuit of Alaskan fishing employment, which he did for some time.
In West Seattle, Erik was known for his friendly demeanor with the people he’d cross. For a time, he sold Real Change newspapers at various spots in the community and worked at local establishments including Little Prague European Bakery and Kizuki Ramen. Some may also recall the parakeets he would have on his shoulder, particularly around Alki. Erik was always quick to offer a helping hand or greeting.
Those close to Erik are devastated by his death. Erik was a blessing while he was with us. He lived in the struggle of addiction, sometimes torpedoing the opportunities before him. Erik leaves behind a 16-year-old nephew (Damon) and 13-year-old son (Jayden) in Arizona, and a partner and newborn (John) here in West Seattle.
Any Erik stories in the comments below are very appreciated. Feel free to contribute any photos/videos to photos.app.goo.gl/AKYxkAYMt9pDdGn37.
Gifts in Erik’s honor can be given to:
MentorKids USA – With the help of this organization, Erik was blessed with a “big brother” mentor and friend named Jeff from some of his trying times as a teenager until present day. No matter how bleak things looked for Erik, Jeff has been there the last 23 years. Erik treasured this relationship.
Seattle Humane – in remembrance of Erik’s love for animals.
WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com
It should also be noted that tomorrow is International Overdose Awareness Day, with an event planned in West Seattle.
Thousands of students around the city are getting no-cost transit passes again this year through the ORCA Opportunity program. From the city’s announcement, here’s the information, including how eligible students can get a card:
Today, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan celebrated the 4th school year of ORCA Opportunity Program – Seattle’s commitment to free transit for public high school and middle school students. Through the program, the City of Seattle provides 12-month, fully-subsidized ORCA cards to all Seattle Public high school students, income-eligible middle school students, and Seattle Promise Scholars.
The card is valid through August 31, 2022 and provides no-cost, unlimited transit on King County Metro, King County Water Taxi, Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, Kitsap Transit, Everett Transit, and Seattle Center Monorail.
More than 80 percent of Seattle voters passed Proposition 1 last November, which has funded more frequent, reliable, accessible bus service in Seattle and the ORCA Opportunity Program. Through a 0.15% sales tax (the equivalent of 15 cents on a $100 purchase), Seattle residents have opened the doors to transit for more residents in the community.
In the 2020-2021 school year, the City of Seattle provided ORCA cards to over 15,000 middle and high School students. From September 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021, students collectively took 512,151 total trips, which equates to a savings for families of over $1.4 million. The ORCA cards allowed students to travel throughout the region, including on King County Metro Bus, Sound Transit Light Rail & Commuter Rail, Seattle Streetcar, Via To Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Kitsap Transit Bus & Ferry, and Pierce Transit. The City looks forward to expanding the number of students and trips taken by also providing cards to Seattle Promise Scholars this year.
This year, applications for income-eligible middle school students are integrated into the City’s new Affordability Portal. Families now complete an application to receive an ORCA card for their middle school student on the Affordability Portal. The Portal can then refer and connect families with other income-based programs the City offers.
High school students and Seattle Promise Scholars do not need to apply for a card. High school students can pick up an ORCA card at their school. Schools will provide information about when and where students can collect their card. All high school students are required to complete a Conditions of Use form to receive a card. Seattle Promise Scholars will learn more information about how to get their cards during Summer Bridge on September 14, 15, and 20.
While at Alki for the art installation, we noticed the new restroom building (aka “comfort station”) getting painted, so we asked Seattle Parks about the newest estimate for opening. When last we checked on it, the projected opening was late July, but that’s come and gone. Parks’ Kelly Goold says, “Alki is very close to opening – waiting on City Light to reconnect power.” No date set for that yet, but they are hoping for next week. The new restroom building, which will have three stalls, has been under construction for seven months, with delays along the way including material availability.
2 PM: ust in from SDOT:
This past weekend, we completed most of the work at the West Marginal Way and Highland Park Way intersection. The final work at this intersection starting early Tuesday AM as we repave two lanes of westbound Highland Park Way.
Starting at 1 a.m. (Tuesday, Aug.31), we are repaving two westbound lanes on Highland Park Way at the West Marginal Way intersection.
We will leave one westbound lane open for people driving while we pave both lanes. As soon as one lane is done and the pavement is cooled, we will open it up to people driving at start work on the second lane. Work will begin around 1 a.m. tonight and is estimated to be done by 9 a.m. Tuesday morning.
ADDED 3:33 PM: We asked SDOT what remains to be done here and when it’s expected to be finished: “We are estimated to complete work at the intersection tentatively by end of September. We have a few items to do, such as install and paint concrete curbs and install reflective pavement markers on curbs, and it should take a few more weeks.”
(SPD photo from last Tuesday, bullet-flattened tire)
Last Tuesday, we reported on what police described as a “road rage” confrontation that included gunfire at the 5-way intersection west of the low bridge. Police talked to everyone directly involved, including the people who fired their guns, who claimed they did it in self-defense. Though no one was arrested or cited at the time, detectives continue investigating to determine if charges should be recommended. While they’ve spoken with some witnesses, this happened during commute time at a busy intersection and police tell WSB the detective on the case would like to talk with others who saw what happened. If you can help, you are asked to call the SPD tip line, 206-233-5000.
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