West Seattle, Washington
30 Tuesday
11:12 PM: Thanks to Aaron for the tip. SFD is at a call on Lincoln Park Way described as a “transformer fire,” and they’ve asked SPD to close the street to traffic.
(Added: Reader photo)
11:38 PM: SFD has closed out the call. But a texter and commenters report power’s out in the Lowman Beach area – nothing on the Seattle City Light map, though.
11:43 PM: Mapped now – 249 customers out.
1:16 AM: Still out, going on two hours.
9:29 AM: As noted in commenters, the power was restored around 6:30 am, after about seven hours.
2:29 PM: We asked SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang for more specifics on what went wrong. She explained, “Crews determined that the equipment failure [which sparked the fire] originated in the primary insulators. This can sometimes occur during wet weather.”
(WSB photo, December)
The snow has melted and the temperature has risen into the 50s. West Seattle’s only emergency cold-weather shelter has closed its doors, for now. Its operator wants to share these words of thanks:
To all the true Neighbors of the West Seattle Community – thank you so much for your rapid and generous support to the call for help for the American Legion Post 160 and West Seattle Veteran Center Cold Weather Shelter. With your donations and help, we were able to stay open throughout the cold weather event to serve more than 50 individuals in their time of need. This is a grass-roots all-volunteer operation, only possible through your generosity.
The shelter has now suspended operation with the temperatures in the 40s and 50s. We will be prepared to re-open when the need arises. Winter is not yet over. Thank you.
Keith Hughes, Commander
West Seattle American Legion Post 160
President, West Seattle Veteran Center
As mentioned here in our coverage last month, the only city help for the shelter was a promise to cover the utility bills. Community members donated everything from cots to food to socks, plus volunteer hours.
Three cases in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
BREWERY PROWLER: From Best of Hands Barrelhouse proprietor Nicholas Marianetti:
Last night/this morning between 4 & 5 am we caught … a prowler on our outdoor cameras.
Looks to be white male in his 40s-50s. Blue Seahawks beanie, gray puffy coat, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. He broke parts of our fence in order to gain access to our back deck where our outdoor walk-in sits.
No further damage was caused as we believe he was deterred by the bar-lock on our walk-in. We’ve had our walkin broken into, and product stolen before. We’d like to ask our neighbors to help us in remaining vigilant.
If you have any tips – or new suspicious activity to report (Best of Hands is at 35th/Webster, in the building with a cow on the roof), you can refer to SDOT incident 22-900827.
BUSINESS-DISTRICT VANDALISM: Michelle sent the photos this morning after noticing this scene outside businesses on the east side of the 2300 block of California SW:
This was “mid-cleanup,” she explained, adding that she reported it to police and described it as including planters, trash, and excrement. One business in that block has reported a chronic problem with the latter. We don’t have a police report number on this but will add it if we get one.
CAR DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE: This is from a preliminary police summary: A car was damaged by gunfire while parked for a week in the 6300 block of 16th SW (the report doesn’t specify whether it was on the street or in a private driveway). The car was parked on January 2nd or 3rd; a friend of its owner reported seeing the damage on January 4th. The owner returned to her car late last night and reported the damage. The police summary says, “The vehicle sustained numerous bullet impacts to the driver-side rear passenger window and door.”
12:24 PM: Just happening now: Police are closing Highland Park Way hill, both ways, because of another slide. “Just like last week,” one officer radioed in. Last week, you’ll recall, a slide closed that stretch of the crucial detour route for a day and a half.
12:34 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo taken before the road was closed. Unlike last week, the power lines do not appear to have been affected this time. (added) Here’s the traffic camera at the bottom of the hill:
2:04 PM: Complicating matters on one detour-route-detour, SPD and SFD are responding to word of a 4-vehicle crash at Delridge/Roxbury, reported to be blocking southbound lanes.
2:36 PM: Just checked with SDOT, which tells us, “the current status is that we have a crew on site performing cleanup and they are planning to place ecology blocks. TBD on when the roads will reopen.” (We also flagged them that the traffic cameras are down again.)
3:48 PM: Cameras are working now. (Here’s the direct link to the one at the top of the hill, currently looking west of Holden.)
4:48 PM: Just went to the top of the hill and walked part of the way down to get a glimpse of the cleanup.
A backhoe was at work, and there’s a lot to scoop up – we’ve just received additional images from earlier – Kay Kirkpatrick says about 100 feet of slope slid:
5:11 PM: And just tweeted by SDOT:
UPDATE: Our crews are hard at work installing ecology blocks and clearing the roadway of debris. The NB & SB lanes on Highland Park Way SW remain closed between SW Holden St and W Marginal Way SW. Use alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/pzeesSufA5
— SDOT Traffic (@SDOTtraffic) January 12, 2022
5:43 PM: One lane has reopened each way, SDOT just announced, after 5 1/2 hours.
6:07 PM: Metro Route 131 has resumed service on the hill, too.
6:26 PM: SDOT adds in a news release, “Additional lanes of the road and sidewalk may be reopened once geological experts verify that the area is safe to travel through.”
(Added: Frame-grab from SDOT cam atop bridge today)
The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force was convened by former Mayor Jenny Durkan, so its members have been wondering if her successor would keep it going. We’ve been following up on that, and the decision just in is, yes. Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office tells us the CTF members have just received this:
Dear West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Members,
Thank you for your commitment and dedication to Seattle — I deeply appreciate the service you’ve provided to your communities and to the City as a whole as members of the Community Task Force. As we continue to work toward a mid-2022 re-opening of the West Seattle Bridge and measure our progress toward restoring it to full capacity, I believe it is critical that this effort continue to benefit from the input and guidance of a cross-section of West Seattle and Duwamish Valley community members.
It is clear to me that you have developed expertise on the issues surrounding the closure and the repair project methodologies and milestones. Just as important, the Task Force has come to be known as a trusted conduit for sharing information about the repair project and traffic mitigation measures to the community, while also providing a means for community members to voice their concerns and ask questions of City staff and contractors about ongoing work. Again, thank you.
With these benefits provided by the Community Task Force in mind, I would like to accept your gracious offer to continue meeting until the repairs of the West Seattle High Bridge are complete and traffic is restored. I would also like to extend a special thank you to your co-chairs, Paulina López and former Mayor Greg Nickels, for their steady leadership and bringing this request to my attention.
I hope each and every one of you will be willing to continue your service to the City on the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force. Please consider yourselves reappointed as Community Task Force members through the completion of the High Bridge Repair project. I have directed my staff, along with SDOT project staff, to work with you on developing an appropriate meeting cadence between now and the day this summer we can celebrate together the reopening of the bridge.
Sincerely,
Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Now the question is when the group will next meet for its monthly briefing, as the repair work continues. We’ll add that information when we find out.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: SDOT says the next meeting is set for February 10th, 4-6 pm.
While dogs and cats are allowed on Metro buses, they haven’t been allowed on the King County Water Taxi – until now. Metro has just announced the policy change to allow pets on board both the West Seattle and Vashon Island routes. The announcement says, “The new policy allowing cats (in carriers) and dogs (on a leash or in a carrier) is the result of the Water Taxi staff listening and responding to the needs of riders. A growing number of riders use the Water Taxi as an alternative to driving, but for some it only works if they can bring their pet for the trip.” King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to formally announce the change during a media event at Seacrest tomorrow.
(Memories of Sunday sunshine – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Much is happening in the hours ahead – here are spotlight events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE MANAGING MEMBERS: Four days after the first cargo-ship call at modernized Terminal 5, the port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma meet as managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, 11 am online. The agenda explains how to sign up to comment; the livestream will be here.
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES WINTER MEETING: Get updates on WSF operations and planning during this 1 pm online meeting -final of two sessions for WSF’s winter community updates. Our calendar listing includes the link for registration to get the connection info.
WINTER CLASSES @ DELRIDGE CC: Piano lessons start at 3 pm; Creative Ballet starts at 4:30 pm. Lots going on this winter at Delridge Community Center; contact the center to register. (4501 Delridge Way SW).
DINE OUT & HELP YOUNG ATHLETES: 5-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction (4730 California SW), part of the proceeds will go to a Pacific NW Soccer team comprised largely of West Seattle girls. The code to use for your online order is in our calendar listing. 10:39 AM: Update – organizers say Chipotle has canceled this due to a personnel shortage.
SOUND TRANSIT’S WS COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: 5-7 pm online, the Community Advisory Group for the West Seattle/Duwamish River section of the light-rail expansion will meet. The agenda is centered on station planning. You can watch the livestream here.
TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6-8:30 pm, prospective families are welcome to small-group tours – but pre-registration is required, so see our calendar listing and sign up by email or phone ASAP.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT: 6-7:15 pm online, prospective families of preschool through 4th graders can find out more about Westside School (WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing has registration information so you can get the link.
HOPE LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6 pm, find out about attending preschool at Hope Lutheran. Info is in our calendar listing.
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, your monthly chance to hear updates, and ask questions, about West Seattle’s only city-supported tiny-house encampment. Attendance info is in our calendar listing.
CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: 7 pm online, all welcome – the announcement says “the Sealth social workers will be sharing mental-health resources for students. Mr. Morales will join us to provide an update on Sealth and answer questions. He’ll be speaking after the social workers in the agenda. Here is the Teams link.”
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online, the FCA board meets for a variety of updates. Community members are welcome – here’s how to register to attend.
(added) ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm meeting in-person at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) and online – here’s the connection information:
us02web.zoom.us/j/5342744589
Meeting ID: 534 274 4589
By phone: One-tap mobile
+12532158782,,5342744589#
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With the Medicare open-enrollment period under way, Patrice Lewis of We Speak Medicare has returned as a WSB sponsor. She says Medicare open enrollment continues until March 31st “so if you have an MA plan and are thinking of making a change, give me a call. I can help you figure out whether to stay with your current plan or switch to one that will better suit your needs. If you are newly eligible for Medicare, let me help you more fully understand how it works, what your options are, and what to consider when deciding on the plan that will work best for you.” She also does presentations and individual sessions at the Senior Center of West Seattle (next one at 1 pm this Thursday – call 206-932-4044 to register) as well as presentations via Zoom. See her website at wespeakmedicare.org/patrice-lewis for contact info or call 206-430-3782.
8:14 AM: Texter says there’s a massive puddle over NB Fauntleroy by the ferry dock.
Earlier:
6:01 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Rainy, windy, warmer, according to the forecast – which predicts a high in the 50s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on their regular schedules.
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
Ferries: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
658th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. As of early today, SDOT cameras were back up:
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.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
POTHOLE ALERT
We featured a few on Monday. Then this one came in – westbound Spokane under the bridge near 26th, sent by Mitchell:
Here’s evidence of the toll it’s taken:
Mitchell said, “I’ve watched it blow out 10 hub caps and pop 3 tires including my own!” They’ve been reported. Here’s our story from last week on how to report potholes (and how to check first if they’ve already been reported).
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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