month : 04/2022 307 results

READER REPORT: West Seattle Scouts go undersea

The report and photo are from Troop 282‘s Jay Brock:

Springtime means more adventures to be had in the SCOUTdoors. Troop 282 and Troop 284 of West Seattle would like to congratulate 5 of their scouts for completing their Scuba Open Water Certification and their Scuba Diving Merit Badges. On Sunday Aprit 3rd these scouts joined a number of Scouting divers that now can do conservation projects on land as well as under the sea. It was no easy task for them while still in school. The had to complete 15 hours of online learning, a couple of classroom hours, several hours training in a pool and four dives in the open waters of Puget Sound. A big shout out goes to Duncan as the Dive Instructor and Seattle Scuba for the course.

Troop 282 meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 at West Side Presbyterian Church and Troop 284 meets on Mondays at 7:00 at Explorer West Middle School. Now is a great time to join and be part of the action.

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Spring-break Monday

7:20 AM: The Water Taxi is canceled until 10:30 am because of wind.

7:40 AM: The Vashon WT also is canceled through at least the 8:15.

10:33 AM: The West Seattle Water Taxi has resumed service.

——
Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, April 11th, the start of spring break for many (but not all) local schools.

WEATHER

Cloudy forecast with possible showers, maybe even some morning snowflakes, high near 50.

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 serving all runs. (UPDATE: See above)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

749th 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 by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-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.

Highland Park Improvement Club gets closer to rebuilding, with reveal of design options

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The roughed-out redesign of the Highland Park Improvement Club building would have the same footprint, but a different look and feel inside.

Sketches for the redesign were unveiled during HPIC’s fourth Town Hall about rebuilding, a project made necessary because of the major damage done by last June’s fire. HPIC’s Kay Kirkpatrick opened the online event Wednesday night by saying they’re working on a fundraising plan and hoping they can keep the cost lower by staying within the existing footprint and reusing the foundation.

Architect Matt Wittman of Wittman Estes presented the schematic design options. His presentation summarized nine key themes they’d heard from the community in previous discussions, and how they had responded to those themes.

Read More

CORONAVIRUS: West Seattle and countywide trends, one month post-restrictions

It’s now been about a month since many pandemic restrictions, particularly regarding masks, lifted. Weekend’s end means our weekly check of where key local numbers stand, via the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard. It shows COVID cases up for a third week, with hospitalizations also rising but deaths continuing to drop:

*36 percent more cases countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 384 new daily cases countywide (up from 281 when we checked a week ago)

*52 percent more hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 5 new hospitalizations daily (up from 3 a week ago)

*63 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 1 death daily (down from 2 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):
*228 cases between 3/21 and 4/4, up from 126 between 3/6 and 3/20
*3 hospitalizations between 3/21 and 4/4, up from 2 between 3/6 and 3/20
*No deaths between 3/21 and 4/4, unchanged from between 3/6 and 3/20

And checking vaccination rates:
*80.6 percent of all King County residents have completed the series (up .2% from a week ago)
*85.3 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the series (up .1% 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 – 87.5% (unchanged from a week earlier)
98116 – 92.4% (up .2% from a week earlier)
98126 – 83.2% (up .2% from a week earlier)
98136 – 93.2% (unchanged from a week earlier)
98146 – 82.5% (up .3% from a week earlier)

VACCINATION AND TESTING, UPDATED HOURS: No pop-up clinics announced recently, you can still find vaccination locations via this statewide lookup. If you want to get tested and don’t have a kit at home, public testing sites include the city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays), the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday), and the Curative van at Summit Atlas (35th/Roxbury, but it’s closed this week).

Nantes Park party celebrates friendship spanning 5,000 miles and 42 years

April 10, 2022 7:20 pm
|    Comments Off on Nantes Park party celebrates friendship spanning 5,000 miles and 42 years
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

The new art tiles at Nantes Park (5062 SW Admiral Way) found their intended audience this afternoon during a visit by a delegation from the park’s namesake French city, celebrating its 42 years as a sister city to Seattle.

The Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association led the art/beautification project over the past three years, involving students in both cities and French writer/illustrator Claude Ponti.

A message from Ponti was read during this afternoon’s reception in the park, saying he hopes the park and its art will help people find “a sliver of joy and happiness.” The ~50 people in attendance heard from, left to right below, Susan Kegel of the Seattle-Nantes SCA, Christena Coutsouboss of City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office, acting Seattle Parks superintendent Christopher Williams, Adiam Emery from Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office, Franck Coutant from the Nantes park department, and Nantes deputy mayor Pierre-Emmanuel Marais.

Marais offered poignant remarks about the importance of international friendship at a time when part of the world is at war; he noted that Nantes, like Seattle, is opening its arms to Ukrainian refugees, and offering help. After speeches, today’s event also included music and refreshments. You might not be surprised to see the source of treats offered to the French visitors:

The park project, made possible in part by a Department of Neighborhoods matching-fund grant, isn’t entirely done – a walkway with inset art is incomplete because of the just-concluded concrete strike. But the park is fully open to visitors.

READER REPORT: 2 kids’ bikes, apparently abandoned

April 10, 2022 6:21 pm
|    Comments Off on READER REPORT: 2 kids’ bikes, apparently abandoned
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Carl:

Our family discovered two child-sized mountain bikes left behind in the alleyway [in Highland Park]. The larger one is a red Dynacraft with a wipe out shield in front. The smaller one is blue and has a license plate that says “2cool4u.”

If one or both are yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.

Next step on Alki Elementary’s road to rebuilding: Landmarks Board consideration

As Alki Elementary proceeds toward its levy-funded rebuild, it will go before the city Landmarks Board for consideration. Landmark nomination is a standard step in the process when a big Seattle Public Schools project like this is planned – we’ve reported on several prior instances, going back to the Denny/Sealth project in 2008, also including Fairmount Park Elementary, the former Genesee Hill Elementary , and the old Arbor Heights Elementary, all in 2013, among others. Though it’s largely a technicality, the full nomination process has to play out, so the board will have a hearing during its next online meeting at 3:30 pm Wednesday, April 20th, as previewed here. Meantime, the $66 million rebuild is expected to start construction after next school year; for the ’23-’24 and ’24-’25 school years, Alki will hold classes at the former Schmitz Park Elementary (currently temporary home to West Seattle Elementary during its addition project).

P.S. West Seattle has four schools that are fully designated as city landmarks – E.C. Hughes (Roxhill) Elementary, Gatewood Elementary, Madison Middle School, and West Seattle High School – here’s the map showing all city landmarks.

EASTER/HOLY WEEK: Here’s where to find our list of West Seattle services, and how to add to it.

April 10, 2022 2:41 pm
|    Comments Off on EASTER/HOLY WEEK: Here’s where to find our list of West Seattle services, and how to add to it.
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(Reader photo from 2019 Easter sunrise service at Forest Lawn)

With Easter Sunday one week away, we’ve started a list of West Seattle Holy Week/Easter services in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. You’ll find it there, toward the top, for each day through next Sunday (here’s the direct link). Some local churches already have sent information on what they have planned – both in-person and online – and the list includes all that, plus the return of the West Seattle Ministerial Association‘s sunrise service at Forest Lawn. We’ll continue adding to the list as information comes in – just email us the basic information, westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Support student theater by sponsoring Shakespeare! Madison Middle School has an offer

April 10, 2022 1:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Support student theater by sponsoring Shakespeare! Madison Middle School has an offer
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Madison Middle School students are working on a virtual production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” and they’re seeking sponsors. Among the sponsorship offers is a “personalized Shakespearean advertisement.” Here’s the flyer with info on sponsorship. As for the production, you’re invited to watch whether you’re a sponsor or not; four performances are planned on three dates – 7 pm April 25 and 28th, 1 pm and 7 pm May 1st, no admission charge. (You can go here to RSVP.)

COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy

April 10, 2022 10:36 am
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: 2 weeks until Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from past Recycle Roundup)

Just a reminder that April 24th is the date for Fauntleroy Church‘s next Recycle Roundup, a free dropoff event, 9 am-3 pm in the church’s parking lot at 9140 California SW. Here’s the list of what will be accepted:

(You can also see the list here, including what NOT to bring.) Fauntleroy Church’s partner is 1 Green Planet, which usually brings multiple trucks, so there’s plenty of capacity.

WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 14 notes!

April 10, 2022 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 14 notes!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo: Roadside tulips in Gatewood)

Here’s our list of what’s happening today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Two SDOT work sites between 7 am and 4:30 pm today:

We will be updating curb ramps at 45th Ave SW and Admiral Way SW in the North Admiral neighborhood. Parking will be limited during this work. People walking and biking in the area will be detoured to the other sides of the intersection for crossing.

In the North Delridge area, we’ll be installing foundations for future radar speed signs on 16th Ave SW between SW Morgan St and SW Findlay. The parking lane will be blocked as we complete this work, however we do not anticipate disrupting traffic or impacting people walking and biking in the area.

CHURCHES: Many West Seattle churches are continuing online services, with most resuming in-person too – here’s our weekly update on 20+ churches.

DONATION-ONLY YOGA CLASS: 9 am at Jet City Labs (4546 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.

SPRING POTTERY SALE: In the garden at 4111 47th SW, 10 am-2 pm.

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. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 12TH-ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND: As previewed here – 11 am-4 pm today, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) continues its anniversary sale, and starts the day with an 11 am Altra-demo group run. (2743 California SW)

DUBSEA FISH STICKS JOB FAIR: 1 pm-3 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (1321 SW 102nd), the DubSea Fish Sticks baseball organization is having a job fair:

The team is currently looking to hire 20-30 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 15 years of age and older. There are select positions such as servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.

The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position and apply on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include concessions, ticketing, game day operations, servers and security.

The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 4th, running through July 31st.

ARTSWEST MATINEE: ArtsWest‘s play “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” has its closing performance this afternoon, 3:00 pm, in the theater at 4711 California SW. Tickets available here.

TRAVELING FAMILY BAND AND FRIENDS: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. No cover.

SISTER-CITY CELEBRATION: 4 pm at Nantes Park in west Admiral (5062 SW Admiral Way), join reps from the park’s namesake city in France and our city in celebrating their sister-city relationship. Also see new features in the park; details in our preview.

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).

KUNDALINI YOGA & MEDITATION: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio (7356 35th SW) – details here.

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!

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: See what passed us by. Plus – snow!

10:48 PM: That’s one of the storm cells that passed to the south at midday today, photographed by Troy Sterk from Lincoln Park. Later in the day, another one got as close as downtown – Kevin Ainsworth sent this photo from Harbor Avenue:

A short time later, we were in the same area and saw it moving south:

Today’s high was only 49, nine degrees below normal. The forecast for Sunday is also somewhat unsettled – breezy and cool with a chance of showers.

11:32 PM: But before we get to tomorrow – we have reports from Arbor Heights and The Junction of snow mixed in with rain!

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Recognize any of the Bellevue Rare Coins robbers?

After the Bellevue Rare Coins holdup in The Junction on Wednesday, we asked if the store had security images or video to release. Tonight, they have sent several images.

The store describes the robbers only as “3 young black males, one with an odd limp.” As shown in the image above, the robbers also smashed jewelry display cases.

As reported here Thursday, the store closed after the robbery, for what’s described as remodeling and security updating, “bringing all protocols and equipment up-to-date with state of the art security,” which they plan to do at their other stores too.

If you have any information about the robbers’ identities, you can call Seattle Police and refer to incident # 22-085753.

Here’s who will help the mayor find a new SDOT director

When Mayor Bruce Harrell recently announced his plan for a police-chief search, we asked about the plan for hiring another high-level city position – SDOT director. The reply was that a similar process would launch shortly, and now it has. A Friday afternoon announcement from the mayor’s office says these 15 people have been named to a search committee:

Genesee Adkins, former SDOT Chief of Staff
Cassie Chinn, Wing Luke Museum
Dr. Anne Goodchild, UW Urban Freight Lab
Amy Grotefendt, Transportation Lead, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
Matt Howard, Seattle Department of Transportation
Alex Hudson, Transportation Choices Coalition
Rob Johnson, NHL Seattle Kraken, former Councilmember
Steve Kovac, IBEW Local 77
Lee Lambert, Cascade Bike Club
Geri Poor, Port of Seattle
Rizwan Rizwi, Muslim Housing Services
Monisha Singh, Chinatown International District Business Improvement Assoc.
Yordanos Teferi, SDOT’s Transportation Equity Workgroup
Terry White, King County Metro
Yu-Ann Youn, SDOT’s Transportation Equity Workgroup, UW student

The announcement does not mention neighborhoods of residence; our quick cross-check of public records shows only one name that potentially matches to a West Seattle address. The announcement says the committee members “were selected for their technical expertise and vision, lived experiences with the transportation system, and ability to leverage networks to market the position, collect feedback, and provide information to support the process and selection.” The committee is expected to meet for the first time later this month; applications for the SDOT director position officially open on Tuesday. No details yet of other plans for community input into the search. The mayor’s office has said the current interim director, Kristen Simpson, previously SDOT’s chief of staff, doesn’t intend to seek the permanent job.

READER REPORT: Dumped/possibly stolen school bag

The photo and report are from Ray:

Saw this dumped bag at Thistle and 17th. Lots of student material (pens,note cards).

Ray says the strewn material also included a piece of paper with an email address that he’s notified about this too, but if the bag’s owner sees this first, here’s where it wound up.

World-music festival planned for Roxhill Park on May 7th

On Saturday, May 7th, Roxhill Park will fill with the sound of world music during a daylong festival just announced:

URGENT AFRICA, a non-profit, is producing an ethnic musical event, “Sounds From Around the World,” at Roxhill Park, West Seattle, on May 7th from 11 am-7 pm. This music fest is in conjunction with the Office of Arts and Culture and Seattle’s Parks and Recreation. This is a family event and FREE to the public. Bring a blanket or dance on the grass.

(Photos courtesy Urgent Africa)

The groups being featured are: NABY CAMERA, West African traditional djeli’s/historians/storytellers/praise singers/poets with special guest Boka Kouyate, DESEO CARMIN, Latin/Flamenco/Funk music …

Also COMFORT FOOD (Afro Funk/Soul/Nu Jazz/Fusion), & The LION of JUDAH BAND (Dancehall/Ska/Reggae/and Calypso):

All musicians presented have played on World stages!

MOTHER’S DAY: Seattle Lutheran HS parents offer H.U.G.S. For Mothers & Special Others

April 9, 2022 11:33 am
|    Comments Off on MOTHER’S DAY: Seattle Lutheran HS parents offer H.U.G.S. For Mothers & Special Others
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Less than a month until Mother’s Day, here’s a school fundraiser that might help with your gift-giving:

H.U.G.S. for Mothers & Special Others
Seattle Lutheran High School – Parent Association Fundraiser

Hope. Unity. Gratitude. Saints.

Brighten someone’s day with a tasty treat and a bouquet!

Seattle Lutheran High School Parent Association is partnering with local businesses Bakery Nouveau and Flower Lab to offer chocolates and flowers for Mother’s Day weekend.

Funds raised go toward classroom grants, student scholarships and educational speakers.

ORDER HERE by Wednesday, April 20th

Contactless curbside pickup or local delivery to limited zip codes on Saturday, May 6th.

See the school website here for more information.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 18 notes!

April 9, 2022 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 18 notes!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

Welcome to the weekend. Here are 17 things you should know about for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROAD-WORK REMINDERS: SDOT plans to work in multiple locations today, between 7 am and 4:30 pm:

We’ll be updating curb ramps at 16th Ave SW and SW Barton St in the Highland Park neighborhood.

In the North Delridge area, we’ll be installing foundations for future radar speed signs on 16th Ave SW between SW Morgan St and SW Findlay St. The parking lane will be blocked as we complete this work; however, we do not anticipate disrupting traffic or impacting people walking and biking in the area.

On Saturday, we’ll be replacing two traffic signs on Fauntleroy Way SW just before SW Avalon Way. We’ll also be replacing a sign on Delridge Way SW, approaching the 5-way intersection. During this work, we’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S 12TH-ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND: As previewed here – 8 am today, Brooks sponsors the weekly group run; 10 am-6 pm today, West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) continues its anniversary sale. (2743 California SW)

YARD SALES: Just five weeks to West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on May 14th. Get some shopping practice today at the local sales listed in the WSB Community Forums!

COMMUNITY CLEANUP: From Erik, a South Delridge cleanup, 10 am-noon:

This is a family-friendly, leisurely clean, picking up where we left off last week and continuing on Delridge Way between Thistle and Roxbury.

Parking: We’ll start just north of Fresh Flours Bakery (9410 Delridge Way SW) so park anywhere around that neighborhood and make your way to the corner where Cambridge intersects. From there we’ll send groups out north and south along Delridge and into surrounding neighborhoods depending on time and number of volunteers.

Vests, gloves, buckets, and pickup sticks will be provided and we’ll transfer all the trash into Seattle Public Utility bags for pickup. Come for as little or as much as you’d like, invite your family and friends as we make this a safer environment for our community. I’ll be walking & cleaning too so if I miss you at the start time I’ll leave the supplies at the starting point. I can be reached at 206-852-9552.

JEWELRY SALE: The entire store at Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) is 30 percent off! Open today at Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton), 10 am-6 pm.

SPRING POTTERY SALE: In the garden at 4111 47th SW, 10 am-2 pm.

LIVE MORNING MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover.

FREE WEEKLY WRITERS’ GROUP: New participants welcome. 10:30 am – go here to register and to get the meeting address. Full details are in our calendar listing.

SPORTS: Chief Sealth IHS plays 2 baseball games vs. Blaine, 11 am and 2 pm, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

PAWSITIVELYKLEEN’S 1ST ANNIVERSARY: Special pricing and other fun, 11 am-7 pm, at the self-service dog wash’s first-anniversary celebration. (5214 Delridge Way SW)

WAGYU SMASH BURGER POP-UP: At Lady Jaye (4523 California SW):

Monthly Wagyu Smash Burger Pop-Up at 11 am: We will be serving 100 wagyu smash burgers (to go) and a limit of 2 per person. 2 wagyu beef patties, griddled onions, American cheese, pickles, mayo on a white bun *no substitutions* Last month the line started at 10:05 so people are catching on! We sold out at 11:49 last month as well so make sure to get in line early!

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has reopened its museum on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)

WINE TIME: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) tasting room is open 1-6 pm, for tasting or by-the-glass/by-the-bottle wine.

OPEN MIC: Go perform at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6 pm!

SEED AT THE SKYLARK: Seed is back and ready to rock; doors open at 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘THIS GIRL …’ AT ARTSWEST: ArtsWest‘s play “This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl Does Nothing” has its penultimate performance tonight, 7:30 pm, in the theater at 4711 California SW. Tickets available here.

DRAG SHOW AT ADMIRAL PUB: Tonight’s the night for Dolly Madison‘s show at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 9 pm.

Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

DEVELOPMENT: Southwest Design Review Board tells 1116 Alki SW project team to try again

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

At the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting of the year – the only one on the schedule so far – board members told the project team they have to come back for another try at getting Early Design Guidance approval.

The project is a residential building planned for 1116 Alki SW [map], a water-view site that currently holds six houses.

Present at the online meeting were board chair Scott Rosenstock along with three of the other four members – John Cheng, Alan Grainger, and Johanna Lirman, all West Seattleites. Also there, Theresa Neylon, the city planner assigned to the project.

The Early Design Guidance phase is the first of the two Design Review phases, and the focus is on “massing” – the building’s size and shape, and its placement on the site – as well as on which of the city’s design guidelines are most important for the project to meet. As Neylon reminded everyone, “the graphics are conceptual,” meaning that, especially for this phase, they don’t reflect all details that will be in the final design. (For example, it was reiterated, what the graphics show as big blank panels at the front of the building WILL have windows in the actual design.) See the design packet here or below:
(‘Preferred option’ rendering from draft design packet by MZA Architecture)
The meeting proceeded along the standard format – here’s our recap:

Read More

FOLLOWUP: ‘Driver report card’ signs, week 4

Week 4 of what the city says is a six-week experiment – two signs in High Point displaying results from a weekly check of how many drivers stop for pedestrians. Above, the Sylvan Way count is up to 17 percent, for an unmarked crossing, from last week‘s 11 percent; below, the 34th/Morgan marked crosswalk takes a drop to 22 percent from last week’s 43 percent.

According to SDOT, the percentages are from a hand count done by student interns working with Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. After six weeks, the signs are supposed to be moved elsewhere in the city.

SHREDDING: Need it? Next event set for May 7th

April 8, 2022 6:43 pm
|    Comments Off on SHREDDING: Need it? Next event set for May 7th
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo – June 2021 shredding event)

If you have documents to shred – here’s your next chance in West Seattle: 10 am-noon Saturday, May 7th. That’s the date that John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor) will present its annual shredding event in the northwest lot at Westwood Village. The service is free, but a non-perishable-food donation for the White Center Food Bank is requested.

ELECTION 2022: Emily Alvarado becomes 2nd candidate for open 34th District State House seat

A second West Seattle resident has declared her candidacy for the 34th District State House position that Rep. Eileen Cody is leaving at year’s end. Emily Alvarado spent five years with the City of Seattle Office of Housing, the last two as its director; she currently is a vice president with the housing nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners. She is quoted in the campaign announcement as saying, “For more than a decade, I have worked collaboratively to create affordable housing throughout our region, championing policies and investments that foster inclusive, healthy communities and reduce homelessness. … Everyone deserves quality, affordable housing, education and health care, in a safe, thriving community.” The announcement also describes Alvarado as “an attorney, coalition-builder and former community organizer” who “has fought for reproductive justice, equitable community development, and economic opportunity.” Alvarado’s announcement comes three weeks after the first candidate entered the race, Leah Griffin. The primary election is set for August 2nd.

Distracted driving suspected in Fauntleroy Way crash

3:51 PM: Thanks for the tips. This scene on the west side of Fauntleroy Way just south of SW Edmunds was getting cleared when we got there, but here’s what police told us – they’re investigating (updated) a driver for distracted driving, possibly phone use. That driver is reported to have veered into and damaged two parked motorcycles and a parked car. No one was hurt.

6:08 PM: Here’s a texted photo of where the silver vehicle ended up, taken before the tow crew arrived: