West Seattle, Washington
13 Friday
We “arrived” late because the Sound Transit Community Advisory Group meeting ran long, but here are three toplines from three-quarters of the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s February meeting on Tuesday night:
TRAFFIC CALMING: They’re still working with SDOT on trouble spots (many of which were spotlighted at last October’s special community meeting). Today, in fact, they got the news that the Seattle Fire Department has signed off on three speed cushions on 45th SW between SW Trenton and SW Director (plus others in other neighborhoods, as reported here).
EGG HUNT: Again this year, the FCA plans to hide non-perishable eggs around the community. This is set for the week of April 11th. Bins will be set up for later dropoff of the eggs so they can be reused/recycled. Other details are still in the works – watch here and fauntleroy.net for the official announcement.
ANNUAL MEETING: FCA is hoping that its annual membership meeting can be held in person this year. March – the usual month pre-pandemic – was deemed too soon, but they’re tentatively looking at setting a date in May.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays, 7 pm, online, always open to community members – info here.
Gary Potter (proprietor of longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction) sent the photo, suggesting West 5 fans might need a reminder that the Junction restaurant/bar is about to close after 19 years. As reported here on January 31st, tomorrow (Saturday, February 12) is its last announced day/night. In the photo, from earlier this week, is, L-R, Gary with West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s board president Dawn Leverett, West 5 co-founder Dave Montoure, Josh Sutton from the Greater Seattle YMCA, and Todd Carden of Elliott Bay Brewing. If you’re planning to visit before it closes, hours are 11 am-10 pm.
Today’s second pandemic-related announcement from the city, another one that’ll kick in at month’s end: The city-run West Seattle vaccination clinic will be shut down. It will continue operating at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) 4:30 pm-7:30 pm Fridays and 8:30 am-4:30 pm Saturdays – all ages, walk-ins or appointments – through February 26th. The city will close its Rainier Beach vaccination clinic in early March, too. The announcement (see it here) basically says the clinics aren’t being utilized enough, so the city “will pivot to a mobile, partner-led strategy to better reach unvaccinated families.” The Neighborhood House clinic opened in late October, more than four months after the city closed its original West Seattle vaccination site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. (That location still has a testing site, which is not part of today’s clinic-closure announcement.)
(SDOT’s webcam view from atop the bridge this afternoon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
This week’s big news – the possibility of a bridge-reopening delay – headlined the first West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting in two months.
The meeting was held online Thursday afternoon/evening. Here’s the video:
Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell joined the meeting for the first half-hour. She assured CTF members that the West Seattle Bridge is “very important to our administration as well.” She says a multi-jurisdiction team has been meeting three times a week to talk about the concrete-drivers strike and “what can we do to bring the teams back to the table” to support a resolution. She briefly mentioned the King County effort to try to line up an alternate concrete supply, as announced Wednesday by County Executive Dow Constantine at the media briefing during which Mayor Bruce Harrell talked about the potential WS Bridge delay. “We are working on this as much as we possibly can” but “we don’t want to interfere in the process … we all support labor … we believe there is a positive resolution (possible) and we just need the parties to get back to the table.” Regarding rearranging the repair work “(SDOT has) juggled all the balls they can juggle.”
SDOT’s transportation-operation division director Adiam Emery affirmed that. She said they’re daily urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. She also urged CTF members “to reach out to both parties and let them know how (a bridge-reopening delay) would affect you.”
Bridge program director Heather Marx then got into the specifics of the potential effects – basically the same as we had discussed with her at the Wednesday briefing:
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: While on an errand at Westwood Village this morning, we noticed the work under way in the parking lot immediately south of the Post Office. That’s for the playground that’ll be used by kids from the new preschool/day-care center that the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is opening nearby. We first reported on the preschool plan almost exactly two years ago; back in November, we published a look inside the space as the remodeling work approached completion. The center will serve more than 120 kids when fully enrolled. We’re checking on the latest projection for when it’ll open.
ADDED SATURDAY: Center director Jill Mudge tells WSB, “We officially opened January 31st and have children already attending and each week add more children to our school. Families have been so happy to have us open. We are hoping to do an open house in mid March or early April.”
On the second anniversary of the first King County COVID cases, Seattle’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium will expire. So says this announcement sent by the mayor’s office:
Today, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that residential and commercial eviction moratoria will expire at the end of the month of February. Mayor Harrell will issue an Executive Order extending the residential eviction moratorium from February 14 through February 28, after which the moratorium will not be renewed.
“With COVID cases steadily declining, the time has come for the City to move on from the broad approach of the eviction moratoria and instead drive more deliberate and focused efforts to support those most in need,†said Mayor Harrell. “In addition to distribution of all available emergency rental assistance, truly vulnerable tenants – those still suffering significant pandemic-related financial hardships – will continue to have enhanced eviction protections, while at the same time small landlords have needed clarity as they evaluate how to move forward.â€
All residential tenants who demonstrate enduring financial hardship preventing them from paying rent will receive continued eviction protections for at least six months after the end of the moratorium, providing additional security for those most at risk through a specific legal defense created by ordinance. Seattle residents facing eviction are also afforded a right to legal counsel and additional eviction protections based on time of year. Landlords will be able to move forward with evictions proceedings for other purposes, such as those listed in the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.
Mayor Harrell’s latest Executive Order comes after convening a work group of tenant advocates and small landlords, who through multiple meetings with Mayor Harrell provided input around impacts of the pandemic and the effects of the eviction moratorium informed by lived experience.
During the next two weeks, Mayor Harrell will review reports created by interdepartmental City teams defined in his previous Executive Order to evaluate data, improve existing efforts, and seek additional solutions.
As part of those efforts, Mayor Harrell has directed the Office of Housing to urgently distribute over $25 million in identified funding to support renters and small landlords, complementing funding being allocated by King County.
Mayor Harrell has also directed the City staff to develop a website to connect tenants and small landlords to available financial resources, information on rights and protections, and other critical updates needed as the moratoria ends.
“As we work together toward to a new normal, we know we’re not yet out of the woods of this pandemic,†said Mayor Harrell. “The City of Seattle will continue to take action to support those most in need – striving to protect the health and well-being of our residents, prevent homelessness and undue financial hardship, and build One Seattle with abundant opportunity for all and thriving, vibrant, connected communities.â€
Thanks to Amy Pieper for sending the photo! As noted in our morning traffic (etc.) watch, what might be the biggest ship yet to call at West Seattle’s Terminal 5, a month after its opening, is there today. The MSC Margrit‘s capacity is 13,600 TEUs – more than double the capacity of the first ship to call at T-5 last month. Though it’s only about a decade old, the Northwest Seaport Alliance says MSC Margrit is not shore-power capable, so T-5 has yet to see a ship plug in.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
7-11 ROBBERY: For the third time in two weeks, a West Seattle 7-11 has been robbed. The latest was just after 5 am today, at the 7-11 in the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW. The preliminary police summary says the robber walked in, “waited for customers to leave … then approached the counter (and) acted like he was going to buy an item.” When the clerk opened the cash drawer, police say, the robber “pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the victim,” then grabbed the till and left. A K-9 search ensued but the robber wasn’t found. No description in the summary. The two other recent 7-11 robberies were January 28th at 35th/Avalon and January 30th at 35th/Barton.
BURGLARS STEAL CAR: A tracking system led to the recovery of a car stolen in the 8000 block of 18th SW. We heard radio traffic on some of this as it happened last night around 8 pm; the victim called 911 to say someone was in their garage trying to steal their car. The ensuing police summary says officers “learned the suspect entered through the front door of the residence, walked past the occupants inside, grabbed a set of car keys, went into the garage, and stole their vehicle.” It had a tracking system and police finally caught up with it in South Seattle, where two people got out and ran as officers approached. One was arrested and booked into King County Jail; the other wasn’t found.
(California Scrub-Jay photographed by Jerry Simmons)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Online sales – for delivery from local Scouts – will start today.
WEST SEATTLE COOP PRESCHOOLS’ ONLINE OPEN HOUSE: 3-4 pm, find out about the West Seattle (South Seattle College) Cooperative Preschools! Our calendar listing has the registration link.
SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), this monthly showcase
‘MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA’: The world-premiere play at ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues its third week at 7:30 tonight. Read more about it here; buy your tickets here.
Family and friends are remembering Lisa Craig Davidson, who lived in West Seattle for more than 25 years, and sharing this remembrance:
Lisa Craig Davidson
10/13/46 – 2/06/22Surrounded by family and friends in her beloved home in Ellensburg, Lisa Craig Davidson quietly passed away after succumbing to a brief battle with lung cancer on Sunday afternoon, February 6th, 2022.
Lisa was born in Glen Ridge, NJ in 1946. She grew up in Greenwich, CT and attended Greenwich High School. Lisa spent her early years summering with her family in Rockport, MA and Belgrade Lakes, ME.
Lisa moved to Manhattan, NY at the age of 18 to start a modeling career. While in NY, she also worked for Life Magazine as an administrative assistant. Lisa then moved to Darien, CT, where she attended Norwalk Community College.
Lisa married Enfield “Flicky†Ford on the Lake in Belgrade Lakes, ME on August 18th, 1973. Lisa and Flicky enjoyed a busy family and social life between trips to NY, Maine, and Connecticut. Lisa and Flicky were divorced on March 27th, 1984.
Lisa moved to Seattle in 1991, where she worked for many years at the Mills Meyers Swartling law firm and enjoyed her home and community in West Seattle. While there, she was a passionate advocate for the homeless and enjoyed entertaining and meeting new people while working with premier Seattle catering company Tuxedos & Tennis Shoes.
Lisa moved to Sheridan, WY in 2008 and married Steve Monninger on July 17th, 2008. In 2009, Lisa moved to Paris, France, where she immersed herself in French art, food, and culture and discovered a hidden and impressive talent with oil painting. After returning from France, Lisa and Steve moved to Vancouver, B.C. in 2015 and were later divorced on March 9th, 2016.
Lisa returned to Seattle in 2016 and eventually migrated to her beloved home “Wedding Tree Farm†in Ellensburg. Lisa was very active in the Ellensburg community and made many close friends. She spent much of her time in Ellensburg volunteering with Kittitas County Friends of Animals (KCFOA) and FISH Food Bank.
Lisa loved life and she loved people. She was energy unbridled and moved happily wherever life took her. Lisa loved to live and she will be greatly missed.
Lisa is survived by her sister Lucy Davidson, brother Bill Davidson, niece Sydney Yates, nephew Christian Skovgaard, niece Laura Spuck, and nephew Carey Head. A memorial will be held to honor Lisa’s vivacious spirit and adventurous life in mid-April in Ellensburg.
(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)
6:03 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Some sunshine and a high potentially in the mid-50s – that’s the forecast for today through Sunday.
WEEKEND ALERT
From SDOT: “This Sunday, we will be doing some additional cleanup/landscape work on the sidewalk on E Marginal Way S between South Alaska and South Hudson. The work is anticipated to begin as early as 7 AM and will conclude by 4 PM. Traffic impacts include closure of the northbound curb lane of East Marginal Way S.”
TERMINAL 5
One of the “big ships” is due in this morning, MSC Margrit.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.
West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on regular schedules.
Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
689th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
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:
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? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 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
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
| 3 COMMENTS