Three West Seattle Bridge updates:

(SDOT photo: Expansion joint rehab, also awaiting concrete)

CLOSER TO CONCRETE? When last we checked with SDOT regarding whether some striking drivers’ offer to return to work would result in concrete for the bridge, they said contractor Kraemer North America was talking with potential supplier Cadman about the “recipe” for what they need. Today, when asked for an update, SDOT told WSB, “At this stage in the project’s pursuit of concrete, the city has evaluated and approved Cadman’s concrete mix designs. Kraemer is now working with Cadman to determine their delivery capacity and schedule.” SDOT’s response to our inquiry also said, “We are still aiming to reopen the bridge in mid-2022.”

PROGRESS REPORTS: The bridge project team continues to have “progress report” meetings on Tuesday. As explained here in early March, we requested the reports from those meetings and were told they could only be released through the public-disclosure process, which has been taking about a month. So we continue to file requests for them. We just received six more, from the meetings January 25th, February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, February 22nd, and March 1st; the only notable point is that the concrete situation is recapped weekly, with the February 1st notation, “Project can endure strike without schedule impacts through about February 20th. After this date, impacts will be day for day.” That was eight days before the city publicly announced the February 20th date; also of note, we hadn’t heard the “day for day” point before; SDOT has repeatedly said that the schedule impacts won’t be known until the last pour for the post-tensioning (strengthening). February 8th brought a mention of concern about “exposed rebar” somewhere on the bridge deck. And the February 15th report noted an incident: “Westbound Highrise vehicle drove into perimeter gate. No injuries or major damage. Security could not locate car.” That week’s report also mentioned a possible “mayoral visit” to the bridge, but no further notations about whether that ever happened.

CELEBRATION PLANNING CONTINUES: As also previously mentioned, a community coalition has been working on plans to celebrate the reopening of the bridge, whenever it happens. Members of the subcommittees are holding an online meeting every other Tuesday to check in, and today brought one of those meetings. Many specifics are still yet to be decided, but here are a few toplines. Instead of just a logo contest, they’ll ask community members to suggest slogans too. Watch for the announcement of that. They’ve settled on some verbiage, though – there’ll be a website at westseattlebestseattle (dot) org, and they’ll encourage use of the #westseattlebestseattle hashtag – this, to underscore a goal of the reopening celebration, to encourage the rest of the region to come visit. They’re also still seeking sponsors for the celebratory event(s).

Share This

Just in case you wondered too: Helicopter loops

March 29, 2022 10:30 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Helicopter | West Seattle news

That’s a screengrab from Flightradar24 a few minutes ago, showing the loops the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian One has been flying. We’ve received a few questions from people wondering if there’s an incident; no, just loops, as far north as Lincoln Park and as far south as Des Moines. This happens every so often. Whether it’s training or patroling, we don’t know, but will inquire tomorrow.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another catalytic-converter theft; cursive tagger

March 29, 2022 9:39 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another catalytic-converter theft; cursive tagger

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: After this week’s earlier reports of a catalytic-converter thief in a “dark sedan,” another reader sent this:

We just received the police report number for a catalytic converter theft that occurred in our garage in the Avalon Way area over this past weekend. It occurred just past midnight Sunday morning. We don’t have images of the theft, but the cameras in the area leave no doubt that this person was responsible. Police report T22008061.

Black or dark blue Infiniti sedan, off-color left front quarter panel, no license plate. He tailgated a resident through the security gate. (The targeted car) was a Toyota Prius and it took him about 10 minutes.

CURSIVE TAGGER: This is part of the tag scrawled on Kim’s car near Cove Park in Fauntleroy, more like cursive handwriting than a typical tag:

She reports the same tag on a sign at Lincoln Park as well as two garages and a van in the area.

Share This

VIDEO: 3405 Harbor Avenue project begins with West Seattle’s first apartment-groundbreaking ceremony since 2014

March 29, 2022 8:30 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: HDC’s Brad Padden, STS’s Craig Haveson, Atelier Drome’s Michelle Linden)

It’s been more than 7 years since the last time a ceremonial groundbreaking launched construction of a residential project in West Seattle. That was for The Whittaker in 2014; today, it was for the first of at least eight West Seattle projects on which Housing Diversity Corporation and STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor) are partnering. This will be a 114-apartment building at 3405 Harbor Avenue SW (previously 3417 Harbor, when we covered its journey through the Design Review process). Before the shiny ceremonial shovels went into the ground, the project was explained by HDC’s Adina Eaton and Brad Padden, STS’s Craig Haveson, and architect Atelier Drome‘s Michelle Linden (whose firm is also investing in the project):

We asked Haveson a few followup questions, starting with a question about the “puzzle parking” he had mentioned in his remarks. This building was planned with 65 parking spaces, and Haveson says that’s only because they’re required by the city – while the project is in a “frequent transit” zone, that only partially reduces the amount of required parking, as the site is not part of an urban village. “Puzzle parking” enables more cars to be parked in less space, thanks to a mechanical system (explained here) that stacks and shuffles them. If traditional lot or garage spaces had to be built, Haveson says, this project wouldn’t have penciled out.

(Rendering of 3405 Harbor by Atelier Drome, looking SW)

The word repeatedly used for the future apartments, especially by HDC, is “attainable” rather than “affordable”; though there will be some 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, the focus is on smaller spaces. The target residents, Haveson observed, are more into experiences – if their rent is $100 cheaper, that’s “two more dinners out.” The partners also stress the location of this project, on the path to Alki and the Water Taxi dock, a bus ride away from the businesses in The Junction.

WHAT’S NEXT: As we reported four weeks ago, site work has begun; construction of a project this size typically takes at least a year and a half. We asked Padden which of the partnership’s seven other West Seattle projects – all listed on the HDC website – is likely to break ground next; he said 9201 Delridge Way SW and 4448 California SW are the closest.

Share This

READER REPORT: Tree falls on Lincoln Park path

March 29, 2022 7:10 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just in case you saw this too, it’s been reported, Catherine tells us:

My friends and I were walking on the beach in Lincoln Park this afternoon and came upon a large Madrone tree that had just fallen across the path along the south beach side of the park near the shelters. There are pieces of broken wood everywhere and some still hanging perilously in the branches of other surrounding trees so people should be very careful to walk around the site of the fallen tree. I called the incident to the Seattle Parks & Rec. emergency line and also sent them a photo via the Find It Fix It app. Hopefully they will be out there cleaning up the area soon.

It’s been a few hours, so that might already have happened – but if not, know that it’s been reported. (If you see a problem like this at a city park, 206-684-7250 is the maintenance line.)

Share This

REOPENED: Andover Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge, after 7 1/2-month closure

March 29, 2022 4:59 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photos, this afternoon)

Thanks to Dawn for the tip: A West Seattle bridge has reopened. Not THE bridge, but close, literally – the walking/rolling bridge at Andover, which passes over the southwest end of the two-years-closed West Seattle Bridge, is now open again, SDOT confirms. This bridge, too, was closed suddenly – last August, SDOT declared it closed in advance of a planned seismic-improvement project, citing various concerns. The actual work on that project didn’t start until months later. It was expected to be done by the end of January, and then came the concrete strike. But a week and a half ago, SDOT said the contractor had obtained some concrete. Now, work is done and the bridge is back in service.

P.S. We’re working on an update about that “other” bridge.

Share This

NEED A BOOSTER? Pliable clinic in West Seattle this Sunday

March 29, 2022 4:19 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Local health-care providers Pliable have just sent word of a booster-only COVID vaccination event in West Seattle this Sunday morning, “with room to extend depending on demand”:

*COVID BOOSTER EVENT*
SUNDAY 4/3
PLIABLE
Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) 8 am-12 pm

Those eligible include:
ages 50+ Moderna/Pfizer who are at least 4 months from prior booster dose
ages 18+ Moderna/Pfizer who received J&J as initial dose/booster at least 4 months ago
ages 12+ Pfizer who are immunocompromised and received prior booster at least 4 months ago

Register at www.bepliable.com (registration strongly encouraged due to supply, walk-ups welcome while supply allows)

Here’s the update today from the CDC and FDA regarding second boosters for some people.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: See how Lowman Beach is taking shape post-seawall

March 29, 2022 2:20 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

2:20 PM: Thanks to Mike Munson for another progress-report photo from the Lowman Beach Park project – this time, a full view of the shore with the crumbling section of seawall removed. Mike reports, “Looks like the Lowman Beach Park project is close to finished. A natural beach has returned where the old sea wall was, the pile of stored logs has been spread out over the beach, and two small concrete slab have been poured above the beach. They are for benches, said the man removing the concrete forms there today.” We last checked on the project a month ago, as nighttime work wrapped up, and are checking again with Parks now to see if they have an estimated completion date.

3:11 PM: Project manager Janice Liang tells WSB, “The project is at near completion, as we have already completed key millstones on beach grading, Pelly Creek and seawall installation. We are now wrapping up the project with landscape and restoration work including irrigation, seeding, planting, and fencing at the north property line. Due to lead time on fencing fabrication, anticipated park opening in late May.”

Share This

EGG HUNT: Fauntleroy Community Association’s event approaches

March 29, 2022 12:59 pm

| Comments Off on EGG HUNT: Fauntleroy Community Association’s event approaches

| Fun stuff to do | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

It’s almost April, so you might be thinking about springtime fun. Some of the community egg hunts that were annual traditions pre-pandemic won’t be back this year, but the Fauntleroy Community Association is proceeding with its multi-day event. Here’s a reminder as well as a final invitation for volunteer help.

It’s almost here! The Fauntleroy Community Association annual Spring Egg Hunt. You can begin keeping an eye out for eggs in the greater Fauntleroy area starting on April 12 and ending the evening of April 16. Volunteers will be hiding them in public areas, no private properties, between 35th Avenue SW and SW Morgan St. and basically Puget Sound. This is a “no candy” event. The eggs will come out on different days, so when you spy one, grab the little ones and have a blast!

After you open the egg and retrieve the surprise inside, we’d love you to post a picture on social media. Also, we encourage you to recycle the eggs at one of 2 bins that will be located at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and Hall up from Endolyne Joe’s, across from the YMCA. Last year we had over 100 eggs returned.

Call or email Candace Blue if you’d like to help. 208-401-8404, leeblue2@hotmail.com

Share This

Weary of robocalls? New way to report them

March 29, 2022 11:43 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle online

The state Attorney General’s Office is offering a new way to report robocalls – an online complaint form that is “specifically designed to assist attorneys and investigators to quickly react to complaints and stop the calls.” Along with that, they’ve also set up a new website “with descriptions of robocalls and telemarketing scams, including strategies for combating them.” Previously, you were only able to use the AG’s general consumer-complaint form to report suspicious calls. The new form is aimed at gathering information that will help state investigators “better track and discover patterns for robocalls in the state — and prevent other Washingtonians from getting more illegal calls.” Next time you get one, here’s the new form. Read up on robocalls (some of which ARE legal) and scams here. And if you want to report non-robocall types of scams/illegal telemarketing, you can do that here. And yes, the state has taken robocallers to court – today’s announcement notes three cases, including one in which a $10 million penalty was ordered.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Clean up Alki Beach with Seal Sitters and SR3

March 29, 2022 10:29 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Environment | How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network and SR3 are planning a major beach cleanup for Friday, April 15th – open to everyone, since it’s spring-break week for many students. Here’s the announcement:

Volunteers needed! SR3 (Seattle Response + Rehab + Research) and Seal Sitters are hosting a cleanup of Alki Beach at 10:00 am on Friday, April 15, in honor of Earth Day and to celebrate the first anniversary of the SR3 Marine Wildlife Hospital, the SeaLife Rescue Center. Show your love for all of the creatures that depend upon our beaches & learn about the important work being done by SR3 & Seal Sitters.

Please dress for Seattle spring weather and bring appropriate footwear (waterproof is recommended.) In consideration of the environmental impact of single-use bottles, water will not be provided, so please bring whatever water and refreshments you’ll need.

Equipment (gloves, hand sanitizer, bags, buckets, grabbers) will be available, but please bring your own if you have them! Please RSVP here. Meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza, Alki Ave SW at 61st Ave SW.

All ages welcome!

Share This

3 dine-out fundraisers and much more for your West Seattle Tuesday

March 29, 2022 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Tilley)

Your dining dollars can double as donations today/tonight – and that’s just part of what’s happening around the peninsula:

FREE QIGONG AT LINCOLN PARK: 10:30 am at the baseball/soccer fields; info here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

DINE OUT FOR ALKI CO-OP PRESCHOOL: 11 am to 8 pm at Marination ma kai (1660 Harbor SW), a percentage of proceeds will be donated to Alki Co-op Preschool.

DINE OUT FOR UKRAINE: 11:30 am-9 pm at Mioposto in The Admiral District (2141 California SW), “We will be donating 20% of the days sales to Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to aid them in their work in supporting the journalists and independent media outlets who are informing the public about the war in Ukraine. All sales including dine in, takeout (via our online ordering website, in person, or over the phone), and Doordash will all be included in the donation.”

CITY COUNCIL: Their weekly meeting is at 2 pm, online. The agenda explains how to comment; Seattle Channel is where to watch.

DINE OUT FOR GENESEE HILL: 4-10 pm at Antico Soprano’s in The Admiral District (2348 California SW), 20 percent of tonight’s proceeds – both dine-in and take-out (but not delivery) – will be donated to Genesee Hill Elementary, the most populous elementary school in West Seattle.

DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads the weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS OPEN HOUSE: 6:30 pm online – instead of a regular meeting, West Seattle Toastmasters is hosting an Open House: “We’re going to play Toastmasters trivia and showcase Table Topics (impromptu speaking). Everyone is welcome to come and learn what Toastmasters is all about!” Get your free ticket here.

TRIVIA X 2: Two of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

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!

Share This

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday begins

March 29, 2022 6:03 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, March 29th.

WEATHER

Cloudy forecast today, high in the 50s.

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. Shuttle service is now back to serving all runs – here’s the announcement.

Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

735th 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.)

NOTE: SDOT MAY STILL BE HAVING CAMERA TROUBLE