West Seattle, Washington
25 Monday
About a block east of Denny International Middle School, where SW Kenyon bends northward into 24th SW, a tangle of blackberry vines all but hides the public trail that leads to a footbridge over Longfellow Creek and, beyond, toward Delridge Way. Seattle Public Utilities is about to give the area a major makeover as part of its “natural drainage systems” work. SPU expects to start work this week that will result in:
*New walkway, bridge, and boardwalk to make it easier for people to get to nearby schools, homes, and bus stops
*Natural drainage systems to reduce pollution in Longfellow Creek
*Art installation to enhance the space and connect community to the creek
The artist is Brian Borrello from Portland. Here’s a rendering from the design presentation (which you can see in full here):
According to the construction alert SPU says it’s sent to neighbors, work will last about six months. The streets are expected to remain open but there will be pedestrian detours. This is part of a larger project that includes work along 24th further south, and will include work at Sylvan/Orchard, as explained in this “online open house.”
Maybe you’ll spot Jennifer‘s stolen Jeep:
2015 black Jeep stolen in Fauntleroy area. If seen or found, please call 911 and reference incident number 22-157760.
7:40 PM MONDAY: Three weeks after he answered questions at the District 1 Community Network’s meeting, Mayor Bruce Harrell is expected to do the same when the West Seattle Transportation Coalition meets online this Thursday night (June 23rd). While much of the attention during his first half-year has been on public safety and homelessness, transportation is a spotlight too, as the mayor has announced a public process for helping him hire a new SDOT director. And of course the West Seattle Bridge repairs have another three months to go. Also on the mayor’s transportation plate – as a Sound Transit Board member, he’ll be helping decide this summer which “preferred alternative” will be pursued for West Seattle light rail.Thursday night’s meeting is set to start at 6:30 pm; we expect to get the viewing/participation link in the next day or two, and it’ll be in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar when we do.
11:12 AM MONDAY: The mayor’s staff has sent WSTC word this morning that “something … came up” for Thursday night, so he won’t be in attendance after all.
Thanks to Emilie for the photo and tip. Firefighters made quick work of a kitchen fire in an apartment over a garage near 47th/Andover about an hour ago. No injuries reported. One side note: Firefighters were delayed a few minutes because the response first was sent to 47th Avenue *South*; the dispatcher said that’s how it was called in. Many of West Seattle’s SW streets have S. mirrors, as close as South Park, as far as the other side of I-5, so when calling something in, be sure to stipulate it’s SW.
Our report on the early-morning shooting death in Delridge began as a note that police were investigating two reported shootings. We finally have a bit of information from police about the other one. This one wasn’t brought to authorities’ attention until the victim had been taken from the scene and was driving, or being driven to a hospital. That original call was made from White Center, so the call was first routed to the King County Sheriff’s Office, but when they were told the shooting had happened at 16th SW/SW Cambridge, it became a Seattle Police case. This afternoon, SPD spokesperson Valerie Carson tells WSB they’ve confirmed that a 35-year-old man was shot there, and that he’s now at Harborview Medical Center. Police have not yet, however, been able to interview him about the circumstances, because of the treatment he’s been undergoing, Det. Carson said.
Summer officially begins at 2:13 am our time Tuesday. Hours later, two events offer you the chance to celebrate the change of seasons:
DELRIDGE SOLSTICE CELEBRATION: This one’s new!
4:30-7:30 pm at Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW), you are invited to enjoy music, games, crafts, and kids’ activities including face-painting and storytime. Free but you can also bring money for dinner – Chef Gino of TheHomeSkillit.com will be cooking and selling food.
SOLSTICE PARK SUNSET WATCH: If the season’s changing, West Seattle skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts) to lead an educational and fun sunset watch.
(WSB photo, summer-solstice sunset watch 2019)
The forecast suggests a chance of actually seeing the sunset, but Alice will be there no matter what (unless it’s pouring rain, which is NOT forecast), starting at 8:30 pm.
Two weeks from today, it’s the 4th of July, and two major events are returning.
(WSB photo, 2019 West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade)
WEST SEATTLE 4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: We mentioned back in April that this is returning; now that it’s close, it’s worth another reminder. This is a non-motorized (except for the fire truck and pickup truck that have led it in past years) parade, no pre-registration required – just show up with your kids of all ages, and you’re in! Red, white, and blue clothing/decorations encouraged. The parade starts from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral [map] at 10 am and moves along a few neighborhood blocks before crossing California to end at Hamilton Viewpoint Park with activities to wrap up the morning of fun.
LAKE UNION FIREWORKS: Seafair is bringing back the big show – Seattle’s only Independence Day fireworks display – this year, and much of it will be visible from north-facing West Seattle if you don’t want to journey across the bay for an up-close view. The fireworks go off over Lake Union starting around 10:15 pm.
(Gatewood Elementary art seen on the fence at Lowman Beach this weekend)
No Juneteenth celebrations in West Seattle that we’ve heard of (please let us know if we’re missing something); the South Seattle Emerald has a list of what’s happening elsewhere in the city. Meantime, here’s what we do have for today:
CLOSURES: Most government facilities/services are off for the holiday. One exception: Seattle Public Library branches are open today, as they closed for the holiday on Sunday instead.
ILLUSIONS SALE ENCORE: Now until 2 pm today, it’s an encore day for the sale of fixtures, equipment, and merchandise from the now-closed Illusions Hair Design (5619 California SW). They invite you to “make an offer … everything must go.”
CLEANUP AFTER THE CLEANUP: As previewed here, community volunteers are working now until noon in the recently cleared area along SW ndover/28th SW.
TENNIS LESSONS: Last-minute word from the Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club that they have openings in “the first session of our 2-week youth tennis lesson program” – two sessions that start at 12:30 pm and 1:15 pm today. Registration info is here.
OPEN D&D: Drop in to play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).
COMEDY NIGHT: Have a few – or more than a few – laughs at Otter On The Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm – details and ticket info are in our calendar listing.
ZEN SITTING/MEDITATION: Free weekly event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm.
TRIVIA X 3: Three scheduled options tonight 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)
Have something that should be listed on our calendar and in our daily previews? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:07 AM: Good morning; welcome to Monday, June 20th, the day most government facilities/offices are observing the new local/federal Juneteenth holiday.
WEATHER
Partly sunny forecast, high around 70.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a reduced schedule today for the Juneteenth observance.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
PARKING HOLIDAY
For neighborhoods with paid street parking, today it’s free as part of the Juneteenth observance.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
820th 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 (one of four new cameras!):
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.
12:35 AM: Police are investigating two reported shootings right now in West Seattle. SFD is arriving at 26th and Juneau for a report of a gunshot victim there. This was a short time after King County Sheriff’s Office deputies got a call from someone who said they were taking a shooting victim to a Burien hospital and subsequently learned the shooting was reported to have happened in the city, near 16th/Cambridge. We don’t know if these reports are linked in any way. More info when we get it.
1:15 AM: We haven’t heard anything more regarding 16th/Cambridge, but at what’s been revised to 25th/Juneau, SFD told dispatch that police reported one person ‘obviously deceased.” We don’t know yet if this is a homicide investigation.
2:01 AM: No official information from police yet but listening back to radio recordings, the area where the person died was described as an encampment. And right now, police are continuing to canvass the area for cameras.
3:22 AM: Here’s what SPD just posted:
(SPD photo)
Detectives are investigating after a man was shot and killed at a Delridge encampment early Monday morning.
At 12:20 a.m., a 911 caller reported someone had been shot in an encampment near 26th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Juneau Street.
Officers arrived and located the male shooting victim, who had sustained significant injuries. Seattle Fire Department Medics responded to the scene and declared the man deceased.
Members of SPD’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to process the scene for evidence. Homicide detectives also responded and will continue to investigate.
Anyone with information about this incident should call the Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.
This is the first homicide case in West Seattle since the deadly Alki shooting one year ago.
ADDED TUESDAY: The King County Medical Examiner identifies the victim as 37-year-old Dylan Hunter and says he died of a gunshot wound to the head.
UPDATED WEDNESDAY: Though at the time that ID was announced, this was the only shooting death reported in the city, police are now saying they’ve discovered another one that happened at an encampment in Ballard, and that’s apparently the one linked to the name mentioned here yesterday.
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