West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
(WSB photos)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Pandemic-related shutdowns had a bit of a silver lining for some businesses and institutions who were able to use the time to step back and reinvent.
Among them, the culinary program at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), which has remodeled and reopened its coffee-and-more Alki Café (no relation to the restaurant at the beach), and is cooking up plans for more changes and improvements.
(‘Preferred option’ rendering from draft design packet by MZA Architecture)
Almost two years after we first reported on a development proposal for 1116 Alki Avenue SW [map], the project on Duwamish Head is set for its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting. We last mentioned the project one year ago, when the developers ran a survey as part of the Early Community Outreach process. The project is described on the city website as “a 6-story, 65-unit apartment building (with p)arking for 102 vehicles” but the draft packet for the upcoming meeting features three massing (size/shape) options that max out at 58 units with 87 offstreet-parking spaces. The project is to be built on a site that holds six houses, four of which are more than a century old. The SWDRB meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 7, at 5 pm, online; watch here for participation information when it gets closer. You can also send pre- and post-meeting comments to theresa.neylon@seattle.gov, to reach the city planner assigned to the project.
Seattle has had 3.7 inches of rain in the past two days – which is the average rainfall for the entire month of February. As a soggy day makes way for night, we have two road closures to mention, both somewhat out-of-the-way but still notable:
TREE DOWN: This tree has fallen in a slide at 18th/Charlestown (map), at the start of a one-lane road just west of West Marginal Way SW, a short distance south of the bridge. An SDOT incident-response vehicle was there when we went over to look, but work to clear it had not yet started.
On to west Admiral:
(Photo by Jeremy Barton)
POLE PROBLEM: At 52nd/College (map), this tape’s been up all day because of a leaning pole and dangling wires. A truck was stuck there this morning, though we’re not sure whether the pole was already leaning before the truck showed up – we inquired with City Light about its assessment of the situation and repair plans, since (as the photo shows) they had a crew there earlier, but have yet to receive a reply, and no crews was present when we went by to check around 5 pm.
Tomorrow is Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday – if you’re looking for tasty ways to celebrate here on the peninsula, here’s what we have so far:
CIRCA FESTIVITIES: The owners of this Admiral restaurant/bar (2605 California SW) have strong ties to New Orleans, so it’s a big day. We asked co-proprietor Gretchen what’s planned – her reply: “Big special menu for Tuesday, plus Hurricanes will be flying. Music and decor.” Reminder, Circa is now open earlier, as reported here three weeks ago – 9 am, seven days a week.
BAKERY NOUVEAU ‘POP-UP’: The beloved bakery‘s locations (including 4737 California SW in The Junction) are all Fat Tuesday-focused tomorrow. Here’s the announcement:
March 1, 2022 will be our 2nd Fat Tuesday Pop-Up Shop! All 3 cafés will be open from 7:00am – 1:00pm on Tuesday, selling exclusively Mardi Gras products.
You can stop by any of the 3 shops and pick up the following items:
– Pączki (chocolate, raspberry, lemon, vanilla & apple caramel)
– King Cake
– Muffuletta
– Twice-Baked Croissant**PLEASE NOTE: NO OTHER PRODUCTS WILL BE SOLD THIS DAY**
Anyplace else? Please let us know so we can add!
If you’ve been affected by the city’s pandemic-related eviction moratorium, as a renter or landlord, the city wants to remind you that it’s ending today, and wants to be sure you know about an informational resource. Here’s the announcement:
As directed by Mayor Harrell in Executive Order 2022-02 on the City’s eviction moratorium, the City has set up an Eviction Assistance web page as part of the broader Renting in Seattle online resource. The Eviction Assistance page offers renters and small landlords key information they should know about the expiration of the moratorium, set to end on February 28, 2022, and post-moratorium tenant protections. It also provides links to resources and more detailed information. We will be adding translated information as it becomes available.
The website – seattle.gov/EvictionAssistance – lists resources available to tenants once the moratorium ends, including:
-Free legal assistance from the Housing Justice Project
-Assistance for rent and utility payments due to COVID financial hardships
-Rules limiting eviction of tenants with delinquent rent accrued between March 3, 2020, and up to 6 months after the end of the moratorium
-Rules limiting eviction from September to June based on Seattle Public Schools’ calendar for households with students (childcare—under 18), educators, and employees of schoolsFor a more complete look at the City’s renter protections look at seattle.gov/rentinginseattle.
$59 million has been allocated for rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic to help Seattle renters stay in their homes. This includes a variety of federal dollars allocated to respond to the pandemic, as well as City General Fund designated for rental assistance.
11:34 AM: Just in: As of March 12th, the state and King County will lift their indoor-mask rules. That’s nine days earlier than Gov. Jay Inslee announced last week. His new statement – issued in conjunction with the governors of Oregon and California – says in part:
This new date does not change any other aspect of the updated mask requirements Inslee announced last week. Masks will still be required in certain settings including health care, corrections facilities, and long-term care facilities. The Washington State Department of Health will be issuing new guidance for K-12 schools next week so schools can prepare to implement updated safety protocols.
Here’s a graphic from the governor’s office, with more details:
The governor’s office says the new date is possible because “of new [CDC] guidance and continued decreases in hospitalization rates.” We’ll add to this as more information becomes available.
11:55 AM: Gov. Inslee plans a media briefing at 1 pm – you can watch here. You can read the three governors’ joint statement here.
1:08 PM: The governor has just begun speaking. Meantime, the King County decision is explained here.
1:56 PM: The governor’s briefing/Q&A has just concluded. He said he does not anticipate changing the date again. He also says (as he did last week) that the emergency declaration regarding the pandemic will remain in place, in part because that facilitates some policies staying in place such as the health-care masking requirement.
8:02 PM: If you’re wondering about schools, Seattle Public Schools has reiterated that its policy will remain in place TFN.
MONDAY MORNING: The photo is from Mary Metz, who reports, “I had to dismount and wade across the little bridge over Longfellow Creek (by the athletic club on Yancy) this morning.” With rain continuing today, our area remains under a Flood Watch alert, which says in part, “Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.” (Let us know if you encounter any other flooded spots – text 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
MONDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s how it looked and sounded later – thanks to Melinda for the video:
(Great Blue Heron, photographed by Tom Trulin)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of this soggy Monday:
SCHOOL CHOICE: Today’s the last day of open enrollment for school choice in Seattle Public Schools – here’s the reminder we published last week.
OPEN D&D: Play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).
‘MANIFEST DESTINY JESUS’: Screening of this award-winning Seattle-based documentary, presented online by Alki UCC, 7:30 pm. Discussion afterward. All welcome – registration link is in our calendar listing.
TRIVIA X 3: Here are tonight’s three options for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Sot something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB file photo)
As promised when we checked in last December on historic Kenyon Hall‘s future plans, Dennis James is returning to play the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ in accompaniment of silent movies next month. Those are two of three live in-person shows just announced by the nonprofit venue. On March 12th, he’ll play at 2 pm for three 1921 films, and then at 7:30 pm for 1922’s “Blood and Sand.” Then at 7:30 pm March 19th, Kenyon Hall will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day weekend with Magical Strings presenting songs, stories, and dances of Ireland. Tickets are $15, $10 seniors and students – request yours ASAP via email at kenyon@kenyonhall.org.
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, February 28th.
WEATHER
Even heavier rain is in the forecast, so watch for standing water on the streets, trails, and sidewalks. Breezy, too, with a high in the 50s.
REMINDER
It’s back to school today for Seattle Public Schools and those following its schedule.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.
Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
706th 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.)
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.
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