West Seattle, Washington
29 Monday
Since learning last week that the city planned an “intense one-day ‘geoclean'” of the Harbor Avenue RV area this week, we checked the area every morning and afternoon, looking for signs of “intense” activity. Monday morning, we saw a truck doing junk pickup, and police standing by. Today, Seattle Public Utilities confirmed that Monday was the “geoclean” day – spokesperson Sabrina Register told WSB, “Crews collected 5,000 lbs. of trash and debris from Harbor Ave SW ​& SW Harbor Lane.” This was not a sweep like the most recent Andover/26th cleanup, however; nine RVs remain on Harbor at our last count, though some have moved from the north side of the street to the south side,
We’re taking a quick mid-afternoon break from the rest of the news to show you these wildlife sightings:
LUNCH AT LOW TIDE: Dianne sent this photo of a Great Blue Heron lunching during this morning’s low-low tide:
We’ll have more low-low tide photos in a separate roundup tonight – thanks to those who’ve sent theirs so far!
BEAVER SIGHTING: Manuel sent this video from Longfellow Creek:
This was just south of West Seattle Health Club, he reports.
SKUNK SIGHTING: Rose shared the link this video:
Rose explains that she “had a surprise visitor to the Wild Reiki Spa the other night. I had no idea we had skunks in the Admiral/Belvidere area!” (Here’s what the state says about skunks.)
As we’ve been reporting, West Seattle Summer Fest street closures are starting earlier than past years – and the first one is in place now: California SW is closed between SW Oregon and SW Genesee.
This block is where you’ll find the main stage on Friday and Saturday, the West Seattle Farmers’ Market on Sunday. Meantime, the other street closures – California between Oregon and Edmunds, and Alaska between 42nd and 44th – are scheduled to begin around 4 pm. (Oregon itself will remain open as an east-west corridor.)
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
AUTO-THEFT ATTEMPT: Erika has a report that also serves as an alert:
I live in a relatively quiet, but not dead street in Delridge neighborhood near Home Depot. Yesterday around 4pm, broad daylight and while we were home, someone (s) attempted to steal our Kia Sorento. In a span of 30 mins( time span caught by security camera in the neighborhood) they managed to smash my back window in, rip the steering column cover off to attempt to hotwire the car and also attempted to steal the catalytic converter.
My neighbors and I are a little shocked ( maybe naively) that this happened in broad daylight, on a street that has fairly consistent traffic ( cars, bicyclists, dog walkers, etc) and they boldly did this without concern of being caught.
I have reported to the police and they have the video footage, but they said there has been an uptick in daylight thefts occurring so wanted to make the community aware.
STOLEN PLANTS: Erin sends an alert for gardeners:
I’m writing to report that some Gatewood neighbors on 37th and Ida had several very healthy tomato plants in pots in their parking strip stolen in the middle of the night earlier this week. This is an especially cruel form of unneighborly crime and I am so disheartened to know anyone would stoop so low as to steal another human being’s future summer bounty. Watch your plants, neighbors!
Looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight – first, the spotlight event:
SUMMER FEST EVE: Streets close this afternoon in The Junction for West Seattle Summer Fest setup, starting with California SW north of Oregon around noon, which is why the No Parking signs are out. California between Oregon and Edmunds, and Alaska between 42nd and 44th, is then scheduled to close around 4 pm. As has become a tradition, you’re invited to come wander the streets and enjoy the evening. Look for The Whale Trail‘s table to get started on the festival’s orca activity. And, as noted in our previous preview, that includes the Junction venues participating in the West Seattle Art Walk, which is where our list for today/tonight continues:
JULY’S WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: That’s the venue list – not just businesses where you’ll find art and/or artists, but also food/drink specials for Art Walk participants. For previews and details, see the WSAW website. While The Junction has always been at the heart of Art Walk, you can enjoy art all over the peninsula, from Alki to Arbor heights, “5 pm until late.”
THE ART OF MUSIC: To complement the visual-art feast laid out across the Art Walk map, two live performances are planned tonight, both 6-7:40 pm – Naby Camera at KeyBank Plaza (California/Alaska) and Alyvia Miller at Welcome Road Winery in South Admiral:
Read more about tonight’s featured musicians – with links to video previews – by going here.
And all that is just pqrt of what’s up!
BLOCK DROP: As previewed here, you’re invited to participate in Block Drop mini-cleanups – today, equipment is available at 26th and Brandon until 5 pm
LOW-LOW TIDE: Today the tide is out to an ultra-low -4.0 feet again, at 11:55 am. Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out until 2 pm. (We have no update yet today on the water safety between Alki Point and Andover but we’re checking.)
WADING POOLS OPEN: Sunny and warm today, so the city will open the pools that are scheduled for Thursday operations. In West Seattle, that means Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-5:30 pm, and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is also open, 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in the saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
SOUND TRANSIT BOARD COMMITTEE: At 1:30 pm, discussion of possibly modifying the “preferred alternative” routing for West Seattle/Ballard light rail is on the agenda for the Sound Transit Board‘s System Expansion Committee (hybrid meeting – public comment will be taken in person and online).
PARK DISTRICT PUBLIC HEARING: As previewed here yesterday, the City Council, meeting as the Park District Board, holds a public hearing at 5:30 pm on the next six-year funding cycle for this property-tax-levy-funded source of supplementary funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation (hybrid meeting – public comment will be taken in person and online).
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC AT THE SKYLARK: 5 pm signups start this special all-ages open mic at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), sponsored by neighboring Mode Music Studios (which is also a WSB sponsor).
BLUES NIGHT AT THE SPOT: 5:30 pm blues music at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way).
ULTIMATE AT FAIRMOUNT: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games are back at Fairmount Playfield (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW).
OPEN MIC AT C & P: Come share your talent with the world at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.
One more note:
BASTILLE DAY QUIZ: West Seattle resident Julia Douthwaite Viglione is offering a trivia quiz, with a prize, in honor of Bastille Day today. Find it here.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another comeback this summer – the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s Rotarian of the Year award – given to two people this year to make up for the skipped year. Here’s the announcement from club president Alan Mitchell:
During normal years, West Seattle Rotary ends its year in late June with an evening Installation Banquet during which we recognize both outgoing and incoming officers of the Club and the Service Foundation, members who passed away, and our most outstanding member – our Rotarian of the Year. However, due to COVID, these past two years have not been normal. As we ended 2020-21, we had no Installation event. As we recently ended 2021-22 on June 28th, we had a Zoom-only noontime Installation Celebration.
Because we had no Rotarian of the Year awarded in 2020-21 and we had two worthy of the award in 2021-22, we awarded two Rotarians of the Year on June 28th: Kjersti Stroup and Christine Peak. However, being a Zoom-only event, presentations of their award plaques were virtual. Shortly afterward, 2021-22 President Alan presented them with their actual award plaques: outdoors on July 1st to Christine over wine at Pine Lake Cellars and outdoors on July 7th to Kjersti over lunch at Endolyne Joe’s.
Among Christine’s award-worthy accomplishments in 2021-22 were organizing outstanding speakers for every Tuesday Club meeting (despite COVID and hybrid functionality) and co-founding our newest Service Committee, the Peacebuilders Service Committee.
Among Kjersti’s award-worthy accomplishments in 2021-22 were leading the creation and execution of our new Spring for Kids project for underserved local area elementary school children and overall leadership of our Service Foundation (despite COVID and a new baby).
Of course, there were many more noteworthy members and service projects in 2021-22, including those which granted over $19,000 in scholarships to local area graduating high school students. Please go to our website to learn more about West Seattle Rotary, www.westseattlerotary.org.
6:023 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, July 14th.
WEATHER
The forecast is for another sunny day, high possibly into the low 80s.
SUMMER FEST EVE
West Seattle Summer Fest road closures start this afternoon, earlier than past years – California north of Oregon are expected to close at noon today for stage setup, while California from Oregon to Edmunds, and SW Alaska from 42nd to 44th, are scheduled to close at 4 pm. Closures then continue until everything is cleared post-festival Sunday night. (See this Metro webpage for bus-reroute info – although it’s not currently listed to take effect until 6 pm, which conflicts with the earlier closure plans.)
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule until the Summer Fest reroutes kick in; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of other reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is, so far, back on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
844th 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 recently installed 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? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Tonight the 48-year-old man arrested outside U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s Arbor Heights home last Saturday night was released from jail. We first noticed his release on the county inmate roster and confirmed with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office that he was released as required because he had not yet been charged. The KCPAO says that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually be charged – they are still working on the case: “The suspect’s alleged language and actions, coupled with his possession of a concealed weapon, deserve the full attention of the justice system. Presently, the investigation is ongoing and our office is working with police investigators to make sure we understand the full extent of the suspect’s actions to build the strongest case possible.”
A different action has been taken against the man, also an Arbor Heights resident. As first reported by The Seattle Times – SPD obtained an Extreme Risk Protection Order (explained here) to keep him from possessing a gun. We have obtained those court documents. They say that in addition to the handgun seized from him the night of his arrest, the suspect “expressed an intent to purchase an AK47 for protection” while talking with police Saturday. The documents also say that he admitted to police “that since June 29th he has driven past Pramila’s residence three to seven separate times while yelling obscenities toward Pramila and her political party.” Two of those times were on Saturday. The first time, police say, he admitted to driving there with his adult son and exiting the vehicle and shouting ‘F— you, Pramila’ (but) denied making any statements about her ethnicity/race (and also) denied making statements telling (her) to kill herself and stated he did not know if his son made that statement.” Police say the second time he drove there, he got out of his vehicle and yelled “Hey a–h—, I’m your new f—ing neighbor.” The documents say a neighbor’s security camera recorded that but also recorded a voice saying other obscenities and “Tell Pramila to kill herself.” The recording also includes what police described as “a sound that sounds like something metal being manipulated,” and they speculated it could have been a handgun being racked, or the metal poles for the tent the man was trying to set up.
The documents go on to say that the man had demonstrated “escalating behavior” toward Rep. Jayapal, including email sent to her in January “stating his dislike toward her due to her perceived political wrongdoings.” The documents also suggest that even if the behavior does not qualify as a hate crime, stalking charges are possible. They say the Glock handgun found in his waistband on Saturday night was the only gun he was known to have, so that’s all that’s listed in the order, though it also prohibits him from possessing or seeking to possess any other guns. King County Superior Court Judge Matthew Segal granted the Extreme Risk Protection Order on a temporary basis; a hearing will be held July 26th on whether to extend it.
Three more biznotes tonight:
TAILS TO ASTONISH ANNIVERSARY SALE: The comics-and-toys shop just south of The Junction (4850 California SW; WSB sponsor) hopes you’ll stop by while in The Junction for West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend – because they’re having a sale! Tails To Astonish is turning 1, and to celebrate, “We will be doing a bunch of comics ‘buy 1 get 1 free’ … 25% off all toys … and 25% off all DC hardcover books.” Hours those days are 11:30 am-7 pm Friday and Saturday, 9 am-2 pm Sunday.
ALAIR T-SHIRT ARRIVAL: One week ago, we mentioned Alair Gift Shop’s plan to create “a love letter to West Seattle” with community members’ positive stories, in connection with a new design they’re launching. The “West Best Seattle” T-shirt is now available, Alair proprietor Shandon Armstrong tells us – see it (and order it if you’re interested) here. (Two colors!) The stories they’ve received so far, she says, will be compiled starting later this month.
LUCKY 5 NO MORE: Thanks for the tips. Less than two months after commenters mentioned the Lucky 5 gas station/mini-mart at 35th/Henderson has new owners, it also has a new look – rebranded as Shell.
We stopped in to ask about the change. The clerk told us the only thing that changed besides the branding is the hours – it’s now open 24/7.
A new restaurant will open next month in the former Hoang Kim space at 9418 Delridge Way SW [map]. No, not Phorale – that apparently didn’t work out. Now the space is slated to become Nacho Mama. After its liquor-license application appeared online, we talked briefly to Nacho Mama’s proprietor by phone this afternoon. She told us she’s opening as soon as August 1st, with a menu that will include tacos and frybread, hours 7 am to 11 pm.
One-fifth of Seattle Parks‘ funding comes from a supplementary source – the property-tax-levy-funded Seattle Park District, created with voter approval in 2014. Tomorrow at 5:30 pm (Thursday, July 14th), the City Council, meeting as the Park District Board, will have a public hearing on a spending proposal for the district’s next six-year funding cycle. With so much park space in West Seattle, you might consider commenting, so we want to be sure you’ve heard about it. The proposal includes “pre-committed” spending for so-called landbanked parks including the three in West Seattle (The Junction, Morgan Junction, 48th/Charlestown) – here’s the high-level breakdown; the proposal results from work by the Board of Park Commissioners, as detailed here. Tomorrow’s public hearing comes before elected officials propose potential changes, as outlined in this post by Councilmember Lisa Herbold last month. It’s a hybrid meeting, at City Hall and online, and you can comment either way – the agenda explains how.
(WSB photo: Roxhill Park, this morning)
Seven events have been announced for Roxhill Park (29th SW and SW Barton) over the next month – starting this Saturday. They’re all in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, too, but here’s a quick FYI: The first event is for bird fans – this Saturday (and two weeks later, on July 30th), be at the park at 9 am to meet two Seattle Audubon Master Birders for a walk to learn about local birds and how/where to see them. Details are here. If you’re interested in the longer walk on July 30th, preregistration is requested – go here.
Then starting a week from today, at 10 am July 20th and for each Wednesday thereafter through August 10th, the park will be the site of watercolor-painting sessions geared toward people 50 and up. And on July 30th, you’re invited to an afternoon-long dance festival, both as a spectator and a participant, 1-5 pm – the “Dare to Dance” festival will feature performances and workshops by dance groups and choreographers.
All of these events are free.
King County Elections just announced that the ballots for the August 2nd primary are in the mail – so voting is about to begin. No ballot measures for our area, but there are races to narrow down – including U.S. Senate, U.S. House District 7, Secretary of State, 34th District State Senator and 34th District State House Position 1, which has no incumbent as longtime State Rep. Eileen Cody is retiring. You can see all the candidates listed, with links to their websites, here. You can send your ballot back by postal mail, as long as it’s postmarked by August 2nd, or take it to an official dropbox (here’s where to find them). Not registered? It’s not too late – go here.
Today we’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor, Rick King with Caliber Home Loans in West Seattle. New sponsors are offered the opportunity to tell you what they offer – here’s what he wants you to know:
After 34 years in the financial industry and 20 of them in the mortgage business, I have found that the best way to win a client and keep a client is to just be very honest and have integrity – both characteristics I learned at a very early age. I set the expectations as to what I and my team can accomplish for our clients, and then we do everything possible to exceed those expectations which in turn helps relieve stress on their part. I make sure new clients know this is supposed to be a fun experience as it will likely be the largest investment they make. Being available outside of banker hours also helps clients as they can’t always wait until tomorrow or Monday morning to get questions answered.
What most clients should know is that getting pre-approved or even credit-approved strengthens their offer as well as helps them understand exactly what payment range they can expect and afford without later disappointments. While at least providing a pre-approval figure, clients will know their maximum purchase price so they can shop within that range.
With the massive investment that Caliber has made in our infrastructure and today’s technology, a client can complete the entire application and loan process from the comfort of their home or office. Our platform allows a client to click and drag their supporting documents right into their private file, which in turn gives them the freedom to complete the task as soon as possible so they can return to their daily routine; not having to schedule an appointment and take time out of their busy day.
To contact Rick King with Caliber Home Loans in West Seattle, you can email rick.king@caliberhomeloans.com or call 206-602-3737.
We thank Rick King with Caliber Home Loans for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Maybe you can help find Christopher‘s stolen pickup truck:
White 2007 Chevrolet 1500 extended-cab pickup
Deluxe steel tool box… tinted windows
Chrome wheels, perfect condition
Arizona license plate ALS6058
Stolen from 51st Ave SW early Tuesday morning.
SPD incident # is 22-179787.
(This morning’s moonset, photographed by HD)
Here’s what’s up in West Seattle for the hours ahead:
LOW-LOW TIDE: The tide is out to -4.0 feet at 11:06 am, so Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out today (now until 1 pm), at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) only, because of the ongoing beach closures south of Alki Point.
BASTILLE DAY: Celebrate today at the Brocante Beach House on Alki (2622 Alki SW) with a special shopping event, French and Vintage, noon-8 pm.
WADING POOLS OPEN: A sunny and warm afternoon is expected, so the city says wading pools will be open – in West Seattle, that’s Delridge (noon-5:30 pm) and Lincoln Park (noon-7 pm). (Also, Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm.)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.
POSTCARDING POP-UP: From the organizers of the weekly Postcards to Voters events:
As we approach midterm elections in the midst of devastating gun violence and extremist attacks on fundamental rights, it’s easy and predictable to become immobilized.
But there are things we can do. One, though seemingly insignificant, can have enormous impact: writing postcards to register more Democratic voters, to remind voters to request mail-in ballots where applicable, and to get out the vote.
Come write some postcards at C&P Coffee every Tuesday, 10:30-12 or at a popup event: 4:30-6 pm Wednesday, July 13th.
This too is at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NETWORKING: Wind Down Weekly networking at Junction Plaza Park, presented by Work and Play Lounge, 6-8 pm. (42nd/Alaska)
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, SOUND BATH: New night and location – Inner Alchemy now presents this weekly event at Jet City Labs, 7 pm Wednesdays. (4546 California SW, upstairs)
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA x 4: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; also tonight at 7:30 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
Calendar event to add? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:02 AM: Good morning; welcome to Wednesday, July 13th.
WEATHER
The forecast is for another sunny and breezy day, high in the 70s (85 was Tuesday’s high).
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, so far, back on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.
LOOKING AHEAD
West Seattle Summer Fest road closures/bus reroutes start earlier than past years – California north of Oregon will close at noon Thursday for stage setup, while California from Oregon to Edmunds, and SW Alaska from 42nd to 44th, will close at 4 pm Thursday. Closures then continue until everything is cleared post-festivl Sunday night. (Watch here for bus-reroute info.)
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
843rd 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 recently installed 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? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
(Photos courtesy Ray Wittmier, at right above with Gene Woodard)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Ray Wittmier has just returned home to West Seattle from a life-saving trip.
Not his life – but potentially thousands of others.
Wittmier and longtime friend Gene Woodard rode bicycles across the country – 3,428 miles, from Puget Sound to the Atlantic Ocean, raising money for childhood-cancer research (and they’re not done yet). Their inspiration: A girl named Maya.
Maya – for whom Woodard, a longtime family friend, and Wittmier are “honorary uncles” – was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor on her kidney at age 7. Wittmier says he and Woodard had long talked about the idea of riding cross-country, but to get it from idea to reality, they needed “one more thing to make it worth doing” – and raising money for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation turned out to be exactly that.
They made the trip in 49 days – an average of 70 miles a day – in “every kind of terrain,” from the Rockies to the Plains and beyond. Did we mention, Wittmier is 67 years old, and Woodard 68?
(Photos by Kersti Muul)
A week and a half ago, we published the answer to a question many West Seattle birdwatchers had been asking – where had all the Caspian Terns, squawking so distinctively as they flew over en route to a Duwamish River nesting spot, gone? Community naturalist Kersti Muul had tracked them to a new hangout atop a building on the south end of the downtown waterfront. Here’s what she has learned since then:
I was able to view the colony (Monday) and found that they have laid eggs, and may still be laying eggs as several are still bringing fish back to their mates.
I will be watching the situation closely as it is very late now, and it is just going to get hotter as summer moves along. Chicks have to be able to fly well, in order to leave with the colony in the fall and they are already two and a half months behind schedule. The colony appears to be about half of what it was last year, and I am still trying to figure out where the rest are. I will be looking at another nest site this weekend to see if they may be there. Last year the Seattle colony had 1978 nests/4000 or so adults (WDFW drone study). My drone study has about half that this year, although I still need to do a formal count.
It’s fascinating to see all the eggs just sitting closely together on the substrate with no nesting material or depressions. You wonder how they know which eggs are theirs. When there is a disturbance and they flush out, they have to come back and know which egg(s) are theirs. It is a vulnerable time for them now with eggs to protect from predators; they are becoming increasingly aggressive, live chicks will only increase this.
Wishing them success and will update again after the weekend!!
Moments after we got a text about “splashes” off Alki, Kersti Muul sent word of a northbound humpback whale in the area. Let us know if you see it!
The signs are still up on the shoreline south of Alki Point, as the closure continues because of contamination from sewage pipes leaking at a nearby condo complex since last week. Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register tells WSB today that “As a precaution, signs are still in place. Water samples will be taken as soon as the property owner makes repairs to its side sewer. SPU has been notified that the repair work is scheduled for tomorrow.” So you’ll want to continue staying off those shores – from Constellation Park to the SW Andover access point – at least one more day. The Seattle Aquarium beach-naturalist program also has canceled its planned Constellation Park visit tomorrow (but will still have a presence at Lincoln Park, 9:30 am-1 pm Wednesday).
As of minutes ago, the City Council is now officially on the record as supporting a West Seattle Junction tunnel station for Sound Transit light rail, and taking no position on a Delridge station/routing option. The unanimous vote was for the same resolution amended and passed by the Transportation and Utilities Committee last week (WSB coverage here). From the resolution as passed today, here’s what the city goes on record as saying about the West Seattle segment:
A. West Seattle Junction Segment (Avalon and Alaska Junction stations): Preference for WSJ-5, medium tunnel to Alaska Junction station at 41st Street SW with retained cut Avalon station.
B. Delridge Segment (Delridge station): The City is not able to state a preference given the inadequate DEIS analysis of impacted social resources in this segment. The DEIS did not identify the Alki Beach Academy as a potentially impacted social resource, and therefore did not fully analyze the project’s impact on child-care services. The DEIS identified potential impacts to Transitional Resources, which relies on co-located services and housing to provide comprehensive transitional housing services. The City’s future support for DEL-6 is conditioned on avoidance or mitigation of impacts, or relocation, of impacted child-care and transitional housing service providers. The City encourages additional refinements to optimize transit integration and user experience for commuters arriving from Racial Equity Toolkit (RET)-identified communities including South Delridge and White Center. The additional refinements should include the creation of a transit access study for areas further south in the corridor that will access the new station by bus, include protections for Longfellow Creek, and minimize potential conflicts between pedestrians and freight movements.
C. Duwamish Crossing Segment: Preference for DUW-1a, South crossing, conditioned on adequate mitigation of impacts to parks, recreational areas, and natural habitat at Pigeon Point and the West Duwamish Greenbelt.
The next step for the Sound Transit Board is its System Expansion Committee meeting this Thursday (July 14th) at 1:30 pm – here’s the agenda. Last week, ST staff presented a board committee with an “example” to start discussing (WSB coverage here); it too has the tunneled Junction but also proposes the DEL-6 “lower height Andover” station alternative.
(Photo by Vlad Oustimovitch, who explains that ‘butterfly stroke practice’ was happening there today)
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: West Seattle is home to the city’s only beachfront public saltwater swimming pool, Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore. Seattle Parks has announced that renovation work is planned, and it’s hosting an info session at the pool this Sunday:
Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to Colman Pool on Sunday, July 17 from noon to 2 p.m. to learn about and provide input on an upcoming maintenance and improvement project at the pool. Colman Pool is in Lincoln Park at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle.
Colman Pool, originally constructed in 1941, is one of only two public outdoor pools in Seattle and the only public salt-water pool in King County. Its scenic location on the beach of Lincoln Park offers a unique experience that boasts 50-meter swim lanes and occasional orca sightings. The pool is regularly used for practice by swim teams as well as by recreational lap swimmers.
The current locker rooms remain largely unchanged since their original construction and numerous accessibility barriers have been documented, which prevent potential users of all abilities from easily accessing the pool. Many of the cast-iron pipes and components of the sand filter system that draws water from Puget Sound for swimming are also original, and the main bathhouse building is unreinforced masonry (URM).
The goal of the upcoming maintenance project is to renovate the locker rooms to increase access for people of all abilities, provide family and non-gender-specific restrooms and changing areas (none currently exist), improve the caretaker residence, and provide several other improvements throughout the bathhouse and on the pool deck that will increase access to all users. This project will also provide general much-needed updates to the unique operation-critical filter equipment essential for drawing and filtering water from Puget Sound, and reinforcement to the walls to ensure that building occupants can safely withstand an earthquake. These improvements will allow Colman Pool to continue to serve new generations of users into the future.
We have followup questions out about when this work would start, how long it would take, and what’s budgeted for it; we’ll add answers when we get them. It’s been a decade since the pool’s last major renovations.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor answered our followup questions:
If the proposals for the new Park District are approved, we plan to have Park District funding of $3 million or more for this project to begin planning and design in 2023. We have been awarded a grant from King County for an additional $1.8 million and are working to secure additional funding through Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grant. Projects that show community involvement are rated higher from the RCO office and generally give projects a better chance of receiving funding. This is primarily a major maintenance project. The scope will include accessibility improvements, renovation of the locker rooms and restrooms, reinforcement of the unreinforced masonry, renovation of the caretaker’s quarters, and replacement and update of some of the mechanical equipment. Additional funding through grants and other sources would allow us to accomplish more. Our goal would be to do the work in the off season and be open for the summer. We anticipate work occurring in 2024 or 2025.
A public hearing on the Park District spending plan is set for tomorrow night – we have a separate story coming up on that later this afternoon.
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