West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(Image from SDOT traffic camera)
7:14 PM: After a reader inquiry, we asked SDOT this week for followup information on the deck scanning done last year on the Spokane Street Viaduct – the West Seattle Bridge continuation east of Highway 99. In the response late today, SDOT spokesperson Mariam Ali told WSB that the eastbound SSV – its older section – will close this weekend for work:
There is a planned closure of the eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct, 5/20-5/23, for expansion joint work. Our maintenance crews will take advantage of this limited-time closure to correct as many potholes as they can. We will take advantage of all other opportunities beyond this weekend closure to continue addressing any remaining pavement issues.
Ali’s response did not include the exact times for the closure, so we immediately askd that question on followup. As for the deck scanning done to assess the pavement condition, it showed “deterioration,” Ali said, so more work is ahead:
For the Spokane Street Viaduct, we are determining the best method of repair and developing designs to be able to pursue grant funding. Since this segment of the Spokane Street corridor is an essential route for freight and emergency vehicles, we will be taking careful consideration of how to manage traffic flow for this repair work.
The response offered no details of how extensive that repair would have to be, so we’ll be following up on that too.
9 PM UPDATE: We now have the hours for this weekend’s eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct closure – 9 pm Friday 5/20 until 5 am Monday.
6:20 PM: Just in from Metro:
One engine on the Spirit of Kingston is having difficulty and due to high winds, the remaining trips between downtown Seattle and West Seattle have been canceled. During this time, Water Taxi shuttle routes 773 and 775 will continue to operate as usual in West Seattle.
Transportation options are listed in the full alert.
11 PM UPDATE: Normal service will resume tomorrow morning, Metro says – while also confirming that the midday service suspension for dock work at Seacrest will happen again on Thursday as planned.
Thanks for the tips! A stalled cehicle on eastbound Spokane just past Avalon is causing a traffic backup that’s spilling onto Avalon.
5:36 PM UPDATE: Tipster says it’s cleared. We are in the area and can verify that northbound Avalon is flowing OK.
(WSB file photo)
The next phase in planning for West Seattle’s next major transportation project, replacement of Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy dock/terminal, has just begun: WSF launched its “online open house” for the project today. Go here and you can catch up on WSF’s reasons for the project, the timeline, and early-stage possibilities, among other things, plus you’ll see how to comment. You can also register to attend one of the online community meetings coming up next Tuesday and Wednesday. Most recently, as we reported last week, WSF ruled out the idea of relocating the dock, but the rest of the details are yet to be settled on.
Two months ago, we reported that Seattle Parks planned to again close Alki Beach Park at 10 pm this summer. At the time, though, they hadn’t set the start date. Now they have: Friday, May 27th, as Memorial Day weekend begins, hours at Alki (and Golden Gardens) will be 4 am-10 pm rather than 4 am-11:30 pm. The earlier closing time will continue through Sunday, September 4th. Though this is the second summer for the earlier closing time – last year it started in July, after a deadly shooting – Parks is still describing it as a “pilot,” and saying it’ll be reviewed once it’s over. The announcement also says SPD will assist Parks in closing the beach starting at 9:30 pm. As you’ve probably noticed on those illuminated mobile signs placed recently along Harbor and Alki Avenues, beach-fire season also will begin on Memorial Day weekend, with the fire pits to be open for use starting May 28th.
P.S. Parks and police are both on the agenda for tomorrow night’s Alki Community Council meeting (7 pm online or in-person at Alki UCC), if you have questions and/or comments about summer plans.
As noted in this morning’s traffic/weather watch, we’re under a Wind Advisory alert until 8 pm, with wind out of the southwest that could gust up to 45 mph. Most of the power trouble so far has been elsewhere in the city, until about 20 minutes ago, when a tree took out power to more than 20 customers in south Morgan Junction/west Gatewood. If you see/experience weather-related trouble, once you’ve reported it to authorities, please let us know – text or voice, 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Three reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STORE ROBBERY: Three people held up Planet Vapes at Delridge/Henderson on Tuesday afternoon. According to the police-report summary, an employee told police it happened around quarter till 4 – three people came in, one pointed a handgun at the employee and demanded merchandise, while the other two grabbed merchandise. The robber with a gun also demanded money from the register. They are described only as “wearing masks and gloves” and were last seen headed southbound on Delridge. One item taken was described as a three-foot-by-two-foot cardboard box of “disposable vapes.” If you have any information, the incident # is 22-124106.
CAR VANDALISM: The report and photo are from Aaron:
Someone threw a softball-sized rock through my rear window. Appears they missed the first pitch and also took a chunk out of the rear light bar/spoiler. Nothing appears to be missing from the car, and didn’t appear to have been rifled through, so random vandalism? 7100 block of 30th Avenue SW, Sunrise Heights. Wondering if anything else, vandalism or otherwise, happened in the hood last night?
Incident number is # 22-124669.
UNDER-CAR PROWLERS: That’s what we’ll call the people reported by Xtopher, who sent this photo:
Xtopher says neighbors “chased off” this vehicle – a silver/gray GMC Tahoe Yukon with no plates – and its occupants. They were reported to be “crawling under cars trying to steal catalytic converters” in the Genesee/Fauntleroy area on Monday.
(Tuesday afternoon photo by Bruce Gaumond)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and archives, the lineup for the rest of this blustery Wednesday:
LOW-LOW TIDE: Can’t guarantee the best of beach-walking weather, but the sun just appeared as we finished writing this, and if you’re out along the shore at 1:13 pm, you’ll see this week’s lowest low-low tide, -3.7 feet.
SPORTS: District track/field competition is scheduledat Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex this afternoon.
‘ALMA’: The third week of performances starts at 7:30 pm for the newest play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.
=SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm on Wednesdays, Kimball and The Fugitive Trio play live at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
TRIVIA x 2: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
Have something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Instead of a sit-down indoor gala, the Pathfinder K-8 PTSA is inviting the community to a free outdoor celebration this Saturday, and asked us to share the invitation with you:
Pathfinder K-8 Welcomes Everybody to the Great Return community event on May 21st from 3-8 pm at Pathfinder K-8!
When: 5/21 3-8 pm
Where: Pathfinder K-8, 1901 SW Genesee
What: Free fun! Silent auction, music, games, food & open play
Who: Open to all! Pathfinder & West Seattle communityGoal is to raise $45K through a Direct Give Ask approach with complimentary fun! Live music, entertainment, excellent auction gifts, games & fun!
Donation not required, but if you choose to, you can do it online any time between now and Saturday, even funding specific programs.
Family and friends are remembering Larry Hilden and sharing this with the community:
Laurence Roland Hilden passed away peacefully at his home at age 94 on April 24, 2022.
He was born in Hager City, WI to Arthur and Ruth Hilden. After graduating from school, he joined the US Navy a month before his 18th birthday in November 1945. He served aboard the USS Trippe (DD-403) and participated in the Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests at Bikini Atoll on July 25, 1946.
After returning from the service, he worked at the Red Wing Shoe Factory where he met his wife, Elaine. They were married in Red Wing, MN in June 1949 and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1951, eventually settling in Ballard in 1962. Laurence (known as “Larry” by his customers) owned and operated G&B Shoe Rebuilders (“If the shoe fits, repair it”) in the West Seattle Junction for 41 years.
He enjoyed traveling, playing guitar, writing song lyrics, boating, voracious reading, crossword puzzles, daily walks at Golden Gardens, and he especially enjoyed taking the “devil’s advocate” position in spirited and lively conversations.
He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine in 2005. He is survived by his daughters Loreli Tarsiuk (Terry) and Elana Bryan West (Chuck West); grandchildren Justin Tarsiuk (Kristen), Alissa Tarsiuk, Jackson Bryan, and great-grandson Rocco Tarsiuk. He is also survived by his brother Floyd Hilden, sister Jeanne McArthur, and his aunt (yes, his aunt!) Ruby Foley of Red Wing, MN.
He was interred at Crown Hill Cemetery in Ballard on May 14, 2022.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ballard NW Senior Center.
(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)
6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Wednesday, May 18th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts windy, damp weather, with a Wind Advisory in effect, wind from the SW with possible gusts to 45 mph, high in the 60s. (Yesterday hit 61, six degrees below the seasonal norm.)
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
No midday West Seattle Water Taxi service – possibly again tomorrow, as announced – we’ll be checking today.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BICYCLING
Friday is Bike Everywhere Day, and West Seattle Bike Connections is co-sponsoring a station under the bridge for both major commute periods – 6 to 9 am and 4 to 7 pm.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
786th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
(WSB photos: WSHS’s Kamil Ignacio sliding home)
District softball playoffs continued at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex today, with West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School in a must-win mid-afternoon game.
(WSHS’s Lina Delgado)
WS got off to a fast start, putting up five runs in two innings, while Sealth brought in three, and kept working on a comeback, bringing the score to 5-4 after three innings. That’s when CS stalled out, with only one other run coming in the 7th, but by then WS had pulled way shead after putting up 7 runs in the middle innings.
(Sealth’s Sadie Stroud)
Final score was West Seattle 12, Chief Sealth 5. The Wildcats advance in districts and will play Lake Washington at 3:30 pm Thursday (May 19th) at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle).
If you’re interested in running for office this year, this is the week to officially file to get onto the August primary ballot in King County. The only offices specific to West Seattle (and vicinity) this year are the three state-legislative positions for the 34th District. Two days in, here’s who has filed:
State Senate – incumbent Sen. Joe Nguyen (D)
State House Position 1 (from which Rep. Eileen Cody is retiring) – Democrats Emily Alvarado and Leah Griffin, Republican Jolie Lansdowne
State House Position 2 – incumbent Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D)
You’ll also be voting for the open King County Prosecuting Attorney seat (West Seattleite Leesa Manion and Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell have filed so far), U.S. Senate and U.S. House positions, Secretary of State, and a long list of city, county, and state judgeships – none of which has more than one filer so far.
Here’s the full list of who’s filed through the end of today; anyone else interested in filing has until end of day Friday (May 20th). Want to run for something? Here’s how.
This morning we described the 4508 California SW mixed-use project site as “about-to-start-demolition.” We had gone by at 9 am, looking at both sides of the site, and noting no heavy equipment in sight, so it didn’t seem like the teardown would start today. However, when we checked back tonight, we discovered demolition has indeed begun, from the alley, at the back of the former Kamei Japanese Restaurant.
(The building being demolished for redevelopment also was home to Lee’s Asian Restaurant and Naked Crepe.) No hint of the demolition from the front yet – just plywood and scaffolding. The project is planned as 7 stories, 58 residential units, 12 lodging units, 3,500+ square feet of commercial space, and 17 offstreet-parking spaces. Its owner/developer is longtime Junction entrepreneur Leon Capelouto, who also built two mixed-use buildings close to this site, the AJ at 42nd/Oregon and Altamira/Capco Plaza at 42nd/Alaska. We don’t have a recent timeline estimate but mixed-use projects of this scale usually take a year to a year and a half to build.
(WSB file photo)
We’re days away from another spring/summer event that’s making a comeback this year: Emerald Water Anglers (WSB sponsor) will gather vendors, guides, and fly-fishing fans at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park on Saturday (May 21st) for EWA Summerfest. 9 am-3 pm, visit the park to try new rods and lines, see demonstrations (EWA proprietor Dave McCoy talks Puget Sound fly fishing at 10), and enjoy food that’ll put you in the mood for a fishing trip. Everything’s free but the food. Me-Kwa-Mooks is in the 4500 block of Beach Drive.
(WSB file photo, Lincoln Park wading pool)
Two weeks ago, we gave you a sneak peek at Seattle Parks‘ plans for summer swim season. At the time, they weren’t ready to announce the wading-pool schedule for this year, because of staffing concerns. Today, Parks formally announced most of the summer aquatics schedule, including the details we published in early May, but they say the wading-pool situation remains unsettled:
Our goal is to open as many wading pools as possible this summer, but we need wading attendants to make that happen. We plan to release the wading pool schedule in the next few weeks as we bring staff on board.
YOU CAN HELP! Apply to be a wading-pool attendant or share this opportunity family, friends, and neighbors.
Little ones love the cool, shallow water and your grown-up feet will too! We are currently determining which wading pool sites we can operate this summer. Wading pool schedules will be impacted by our ability to hire wading pool attendants.
West Seattle has four city-run wading pools – Delridge, Hiawatha, Lincoln Park, and EC Hughes – plus a spraypark at Highland Park Playground, which is unattended so not affected by the staffing crunch – it remains set to open May 28th.
Another of the vacant buildings/storefronts on our watch list is the former Swedish clinic at 3400 California SW, a building that’s become a much-tagged eyesore and more, with other problems such as the afternoon two weeks ago when an alarm sounded for hours. 14 months have passed since what’s now Virginia Mason Franciscan Health announced it would be taking over the building. At the time of that announcement in March 2021, VMFH said they expected to open the clinic in fall. But months have gone by with no sign of work, and vandals have abundantly and repeatedly tagged the building (our photo only shows part of it), inside the parking garage as well as on the exterior. One complaint filed with the city two weeks ago declares that the building is “becoming a neighborhood nuisance.” Crime concerns also were noted; last December, the vacant building was hit with what the police report estimated as a $250,000 burglary. Permit records were inconclusive regarding the status of the project, so we inquired with VMFH. After eight days, we received this reply attributed to the organization’s divisional real-estate director Wade Moburg:
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health is committed to providing high-quality primary care, women’s health, laboratory and radiology services to West Seattle residents through our new clinic. We experienced some delays to our preliminary timeline and have not yet begun remodeling. However, we recently secured a building permit from the city and hope to begin construction in the near future. We will share more information as it’s available and look forward to serving the community in our new space.
VMFH did not comment on the current state of the building, which it does not own; county records show the owner is an investment firm with an address in Edmonds. The Seattle Municipal Code says property owners are liable for removing graffiti. City records show three complaints about the state of the building filed in the past two months, consolidated with the current status “under investigation.”
You can dine, dance, learn, and enjoy entertainment this Saturday night (May 21st) while giving a boost to the many programs under the wings of DNDA. Here’s the reminder we just received:
Join DNDA to awaken new possibilities in support of art, nature, and neighborhood, as community members come together to raise funds and support DNDA’s programs in SW Seattle. Destination Delridge: Awaken is this Saturday, May 21st at DNDA’s Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. The event will generate proceeds to sustain DNDA’s low-income housing facilities, youth arts and educational programs, and environmental restoration efforts in Southwest Seattle.
Destination Delridge: Awaken
Saturday, May 21
6 pm Doors | 7 pm Dinner | 8 pm Dancing
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
4408 Delridge Way SW
Tickets available hereDelicious food and drink will be provided by Chef Mulu Abate of Phresh Eats, and entertainment includes live music from Goody Bagg and Sabyu, live painting by Cleopatra Cutler, poetry from Jamaar Smiley, an intergenerational dance performance from Northwest Tap, an aerial performance by Gabby Leiva, and a dance party with KEXP’s DJ Toya B.
“Not only is Destination Delridge a great party featuring stellar performances,” said DNDA Executive Director David Bestock, “it’s rooted in our community and is an important event to sustain all of our innovative art, nature, and neighborhood programming.”
Destination Delridge attendees will mix, minglem, and learn about DNDA’s exciting programs, such as the Restorative Justice program for students at Interagency Academy, Seattle Public School’s alternative high school. Testimonials from DNDA’s other programs, such as the Summer Youth Program and Urban Forest Restoration Program, will be interweaved throughout the event as well.
Guests will engage in interactive art, a raffle, wine ring toss, a raise-the-paddle, and an online silent auction, with all proceeds benefitting DNDA’s programs and the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.
Tickets for the event can be purchased through the organization’s website. For more information, call the DNDA office at 206-935-2999 or email destinationdelridge@dnda.org.
After Village Woodworks closed at 4538 California SW in The Junction three and a half months ago, the property owners told us they hadn’t decided what to do with the space – whether to find a new tenant or pursue redevelopment. Signs that just went up reveal their decision: The 5,426-square-foot space is available for lease. The listing is short on verbiage, simply noting the building’s location on “the premier retail corridor in West Seattle.” Village Woodworks had been there for 25 years. That side of the 4500 block of California SW has several other spaces in transition, including the Campbell Building‘s for-sale listing (asking price has since dropped from $6 million to $5 million) and the about-to-start-demolition project at the former Lee’s/Kamei/Naked Crepe spaces.
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
DINE-OUT BENEFITS: As previewed here, five West Seattle food/beverage establishments are donating part of their proceeds to school fundraisers today/tonight:
–Ampersand Café, 6 am-3 pm, 2536 Alki Avenue SW, donating part of today’s proceeds benefiting Alki Co-op Preschool.
–Bebop Waffle Shop (7 am-3 pm, 2600 California SW), Circa (9 am-10 pm, 2605 California SW), Mission Cantina (4 pm-10 pm, 2325 California SW) are all donating part of the proceeds today/tonight to the West Seattle High School Class of 2024 “Dine-Out Day” fundraiser.
–Mioposto, open 4-9 pm at 2139 California SW, is donating part of today’s proceeds to support Madison Middle School Music.
LOW-LOW TIDE: It’ll be way out, to -3.5 feet, at 12:27 pm.
CITY COUNCIL: The weekly full council meeting is at 2 pm today; the agenda explains how to comment. You can watch via Seattle Channel.
SPORTS: The district-tournament softball game between Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS is at 3:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: The regular 4:30-6 pm demonstration at 16th/Holden takes on extra meaning this week after the racist massacre in Buffalo, NY, and organizers invite more people to join them, even for a short time, to show support, as explained here. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
LEVY FEEDBACK: An in-person meeting at the Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center (605 SW 108th), 5:30 pm, is being convened to get your feedback on the King County Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. Here’s how to RSVP.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
‘SAVE THE YEN WOR’ CONCERT: Doors at 6 pm, Brent Amaker and The Rodeo at 10 pm – rescheduled concert to raise money for the family that owns and operates the Yen Wor (2300 California SW), as explained in our calendar listing.
TOASTMASTERS 832: The club focuses on public speaking and communication tonight at its 6:30 pm online meeting. Our calendar listing has RSVP info.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 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!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to Tuesday, May 17th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts another partly sunny day, possibly a bit warmer – yesterday’s high was 60, today’s high could get into the mid-60s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
No midday West Seattle Water Taxi service – possibly through Thursday, as announced.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
785th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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.
(WSB photo, last Friday)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Every Monday afternoon, City Councilmembers offer individual updates at what’s known as the “briefing” meeting – what they’re working on, what are issues of concern in their district, among other things. We watched today to see if West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold would mention Friday’s shooting alongside the SW Andover RV encampment. She did, as you can see/hear starting at 19:01 into the video recording of the meeting.
Herbold said she had talked with Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera recently and asked for a report on police responses in the area around the Andover encampment. She didn’t summarize that report in her remarks, but we requested and received it from her immediately after the meeting. You can see it here; it is dated April 30th, though the councilmember reported obtaining it last week – before the shooting – and if you’re familiar with the area, you’ll note that it covers a multi-block radius, stretching up to Avalon on the west, for example.
Herbold also said she had been in contact with the mayor’s office again, now that it’s been announced full enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule will resume. In our post-meeting email, we asked for clarification on what she had asked them to do regarding Andover, and she forwarded us the email she’d sent earlier this afternoon to Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington (whose portfolio includes homelessness) and city Public Safety Director Andrew Myerberg:
I am writing to you regarding the ongoing situation at SW Andover Street around 26th Ave SW. A shooting took place there on Friday afternoon. This is the second recent shooting in this area, and has resulted in significant community alarm. I’ve been contacted by numerous constituents since Friday afternoon.
This location has been one that RVs have been parking at for at least 3 years, if not longer. I regularly hear reports of crime from constituents in this area, and have discussed this with SW Precinct Captain Rivera, and his predecessor, on numerous occasions. These reports have increased during the last several months, including from constituents who rarely contact me about crime-related issues. Please see the attached document for a summary provided to me last Thursday by Captain Rivera, upon my request.
I understand that the work the Mayor’s Office is doing regarding the 72 hour parking law includes working to develop prioritization criteria for the various areas throughout the city where nearly 400 RV are reportedly parked with people residing in them. I understand that you must look at the city as a whole in determining where to take action. I am restating the request that I have made verbally in meetings with you since the start of this administration, that you consider prioritizing this location for engagement and enforcement, as the public safety-related issues here appear to be escalating.
(The first paragraph of the email includes two links to WSB coverage, including linking “significant community alarm” to our report from last Friday with 150+ comments.) Nucor‘s top priority is the safety of our team and the community where we operate. This specific encampment on Andover along the southern fence-line of our mill has been the source of serious safety concerns that we have shared with city officials over the past several years. We are continuing to engage with our neighbors in hopes that city officials will soon identify a solution for addressing this proven public safety issue. Meantime, the encampment has long been a concern for the large businesses on both sides of it, including the Nucor steel mill. We asked for comment today and received this response tonight from the mill’s vice president/general mayor Matthew J. Lyons:
Nucor‘s top priority is the safety of our team and the community where we operate. This specific encampment on Andover along the southern fence-line of our mill has been the source of serious safety concerns that we have shared with city officials over the past several years. We are continuing to engage with our neighbors in hopes that city officials will soon identify a solution for addressing this proven public safety issue.
Meantime, no arrest in Friday’s shooting so far, SPD told us today, and we haven’t been able to get information on the victim’s condition.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: While no current condition/status is available without knowing the victim’s name, we have since learned from SFD that he is 39 years old and was in stable condition when transported on Friday. (Added Wednesday, for the record, we’ve also learned that police say the victim is a “resident of the encampment.”) We also have an update from Councilmember Herbold, who forwarded a reply she received this morning from Deputy Mayor Washington:
The Nucor site is currently scheduled for remediation for June 16th. This date is tentative and can be changed if circumstances shift but you should start to see a surge of outreach efforts to prepare vehicle owners prior to remediation day. Outreach will advise owners to get back in the habit of regularly moving vehicles to avoid a possible warning and citation. Our goal is to get as much compliance as possible or to offer services to those whose vehicles are not operable prior to the 16th.
The city Human Services Department and county Regional Homelessness Authority are supposed “to schedule outreach efforts as soon as possible.” But the question remains whether this “remediation” – the third in a little over half a year, after the ones in December and April – will result in anything more than temporary junk removal.
As mentioned here earlier, this week brings low-low tides to West Seattle beaches. Tonight we have three photos from Rosalie Miller, whose photos of tiny plants we’ve featured previously. Above, a Lined Chiton; below, an Opalescent Nudibranch:
And here’s an Anemone:
“Gorgeous day at the beach,” Rosalie reports.
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