West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
46 days left to comment on what Sound Transit has found out about potential routes and station locations for West Seattle light rail – the findings that comprise the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
As of the end of February, ST had received 409 comments, the Community Advisory Group for the West Seattle/Duwamish River leg was told at its latest meeting
The centerpiece of the meeting was supposed to be a “deep dive” into parts of the DEIS on which group members had requested more information – including a slide deck with many more renderings that didn’t even get reviewed during the meeting. But if you’re still considering how you’ll comment on the options, you might be more interested in the second part of the meeting, which featured City of Seattle reps talking about how the city’s official comments are taking shape. So that’s where we’ll start.
With many pandemic-related requirements now lifted or scaled back, it’s time for what will serve as a baseline update of key local numbers. So here’s what we’re seeing on the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard.
*23 percent fewer cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 226 new daily cases countywide (down from 291 when we checked a week ago)
*40 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 6 new hospitalizations daily (down from 11 a week ago)
*49 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two weeks before (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 4 deaths daily (down from 5 a week ago)
For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (these are the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge):
*192 cases between 2/21 and 3/7, down from 330 between 2/6 and 2/20
*3 hospitalizations between 2/21 and 3/7, down from 4 between 2/6 and 2/20
*1 death between 2/21 and 3/7, down from 3 between 2/6 and 2/20
And checking vaccination rates:
*80.1 percent of all King County residents have completed the series (up .2% from a week ago)
*84.8 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the series (up .2% from a week ago)
*In West Seattle, here are the zip-code vaccination rates for ages 5 and up (note that 98106 and 98146 are not entirely within WS):
98106 – 87% (up .3% from a week earlier)
98116 – 92% (up .3% from a week earlier)
98126 – 82.8% (up .2% from a week earlier)
98136 – 93% (up .2% from a week earlier)
98146 – 81.7% (up .2% from a week earlier)
Although the city’s West Seattle clinic is closed, you can still find vaccination locations via this statewide lookup.
Among the community groups that had monthly meetings this past week was the Fauntleroy Community Association. Here are the toplines:
FERRY ISSUES: While paying close attention to the ongoing planning for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal/dock replacement, FCA is also watchdogging current operational issues. Line-cutting is a major concern. Signage has been added, but FCA doesn’t feel that’s enough. They’re hoping to organize a meeting with WSF, SPD, WSP, and SDOT to discuss what more can be done. Regarding the dock project, FCA’s point person Frank Immel – who’s on the project’s Community Advisory Group – presented updates. The dock rebuild (as reported in our coverage of the most-recent meeting) might expand the its vehicle capacity. FCA is skeptical that would do much for alleviating traffic on Fauntleroy Way. He stressed that at this stage, all possibilities are on the table. The prevailing FCA sentiment so far leans toward support of rebuilding the dock in its current location with the same foot print. Meantime, FCA president Mike Dey is meeting with local elected officials including State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. FCA’s Bruce Butterfield is facilitating next month’s District 1 Community Network meeting and hopes to have the ferry project on the agenda. Meantime, the CAG meets again this Wednesday.
POLICE UPDATES: Fauntleroy’s crime rate is among the lowest in the city, Southwest Precinct Lt. Dave Terry told the FCA board. He was asked how the “emphasis patrols” at nearby Westwood Village are going. They’ve been working as a deterrent when the officers are there, he said. He also warned that those extra patrols will shift to Alki Beach when warmer weather launches the busy season there. Asked for a status report on the staffing challenges, he talked about the time it takes to train new officers, and said that while new hires are in the pipeline, there’s no guarantee any will be assigned to the precinct here.
ANNUAL MEETING: FCA has set May 3rd as the date for the return of the in-person annual membership meeting, known as the Food Fest because it usually includes samples from neighborhood restaurants, More details soon.
EGG HUNT: FCA also continues planning the community Egg Hunt for the week of April 11th.
The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays, 7 am – watch for announcements at fauntleroy.net.
That’s where crews worked to repair a 27-inch-wide sewer pipe over the past few days, one week after it leaked, sending liquid bubbling up over the street and sidewalk on Beach Drive north of Lowman Beach. The King County Wastewater Treatment Division, which is responsible for this pipe, said sand and grit simply wore a hole in the concrete pipe, which KCWTD says is more than 70 years old. We asked about the volume of the leak, which bubbled up for hours. KCWTD spokesperson Marie Fiore tells WSB that via “modeling,” they estimate the total amount of the leak was 40,500, with about 33,500 of that discharged on the surface: “A portion was absorbed into the ground and most went into the storm drains.” Last week, after the leak was reported, KCWTD crews rerouted the flow from the leaky pipe into a parallel pipe, and cleaned the area; they returned starting this past Friday for repairs.
(WSB photos)
That trophy’s part of what’s up for grabs in a cleanup competition that has dozens of paddlers out on the Duwamish River this afternoon. They launched shortly after noon from the Georgetown side of the river, close to the First Avenue South Bridge.
We talked with one of the organizers, Cari Simson of the Duwamish River Paddling Club. She told us they were splitting into groups to head both north and south, to the areas they thought were most likely to be in need of cleanup, on both sides of the river.
So the kayakers and paddleboarders don’t get bogged down with everything they pick up, Global Diving and Salvage and the Port of Seattle were providing motorized-boat support.
The paddlers are having a friendly competition in categories including Most Mysterious Garbage, Most Colorful Garbage, Most Re-Useful Garbage, and Most Wearable Garbage. We hope to get an update later on the results of what organizers have dubbed River Booty 2022.
ADDED SUNDAY EVENING: See the comments for the update and photos – almost a ton and a half of trash removed!
11:48 AM: Thanks to Jana for the photo. Another texter says three drivers are involved in that collision in south Morgan Junction, at California/Frontenac. Avoid the area.
11:53 AM: Southbound California is blocked at the scene. Thanks to Troy for this photo looking north:
12:33 PM: SB California is still blocked. At the scene, we’re told one person was taken to the hospital. The building has some structural damage. One tow truck has arrived, so the street closure won’t last too much longer.
(Added: WSB photo)
12:50 PM: Side note, this building’s been hit by a driver before – in 2008, a pickup driver went into the salon space that’s just south of where a vehicle went in today.
(WSB photo, March 2021)
In case you need to do some sorting before the weekend’s out, we’re reminding you that six days are left until the year’s first free recycle/reuse/shredding event in West Seattle, next Saturday (March 19th), 9 am-noon in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Here’s what you’ll be able to drop off:
ACCEPTED ITEMS:
§ Household batteries (no leaking or broken, tape ends)
§ Fluorescent tubes and bulbs (no broken bulbs, limit 4)
§ Small Electronics (TVs, computers, etc.)
§ Small Appliances (non-Freon (microwaves, toasters, etc.)
§ Paper for shredding (limit 4 boxes)
§ Styrofoam (Clean & Dry – remove labels and tape)
§ Clothing (shoes, pants, shirts, purses, belts)
§ Curtains and drapes
§ Small propane canisters (camp-stove size)More information here: seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/collection-and-disposal/recycling/beyond-the-cart
The event is co-presented again this year by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the West Seattle Junction Association
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Daylight Saving Time is here! That means tonight’s sunset isn’t until 7:12 pm. Here’s what’s happening before then:
CHURCHES: Many West Seattle churches are continuing online services, with most resuming in-person too – here’s our weekly update on 20+ churches.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY GROUP RUN: 9 am from West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) with a post-run visit to Good Society (California/Lander) – details in our calendar listing.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Check here to find your nearest cookie-booth times and locations!
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, find fresh food – produce, meat, fish, cheese, beverages, baked goods, and prepared food – at the weekly WSFM (WSB sponsor). (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
PIZZA FUNDRAISER: 10:30 am-10 pm at MOD Pizza in Westwood Village (2800 SW Barton), order pizza and tell them you’re supporting Highline Premier Football Club. The code’s in our calendar listing.
BEST OF HANDS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION: Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW) is celebrating its third anniversary this week. New releases! Hours today are 2 pm-8 pm.
OPEN HOUSE @ A CHILD BECOMES PRESCHOOL: 2:30-4 pm, the whole family is invited to visit and find out about A Child Becomes Preschool (4320 SW Hill; WSB sponsor) at its Open House.
‘A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD’: According to the ticketing website, the final performance of Twelfth Night Productions‘ musical is sold out.
NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: New time, 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
Have an event to list on our calendar? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 47 COMMENTS