West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
When the City Council reconvenes the day after Labor Day, their first meeting could see the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee voting on the mayor’s nominee for SDOT director, Greg Spotts. He appeared briefly before the committee last month with introductory remarks (see that here, 12 minutes in) but this time will answer questions before the committee votes on whether to advance his nomination to the full council. He’s already provided written answers to questions from councilmembers, collected in this document. We thought you might be interested in what he had to say abut bridges – here’s that excerpt:
BRIDGES: Seattle is a city connected by bridges and the city has suffered from the closure of the West Seattle Bridge during the past two years. How will you apply in Seattle your experience upgrading or building bridges in LA?
a. Before voters consider a renewal of the multi-year property tax levy called “Move Seattle” in 2024, how do you plan to expedite repairs to many of Seattle’s bridges, especially those ranking ‘poor’ by the audit conducted in 2020 and those originally promised for seismic upgrades from the 2015 levy?
(SPOTTS REPLY) As I said in my remarks to the Transportation and Seattle Public Utilities Committee, one of my first areas of focus will be on bridges. I want to make sure that we are using best practices in asset management to maintain, repair, retrofit, and, when necessary, replace our bridge assets. I appreciated the opportunity to tour the University Bridge with Councilmember Pedersen on the day I was announced as Mayor Harrell’s nominee. I’ve already begun familiarizing myself with the work being done to improve Seattle’s bridges and I’ve been researching best practices across west coast cities.
I think it is essential that we accelerate SDOT’s work on bridge repair, seismic reinforcement and maintenance of structural and mechanical systems. We need to build confidence among the residents of Seattle that SDOT is embarked on a strategic and sequenced plan that takes care of our bridge assets in a proactive manner, ensuring the safety of the traveling public and the resiliency of our transportation network for people and goods. I have seen the beginnings of that good work and am committed to analyze, systematize, and accelerate these efforts, including the completion of the bridge audit recommendations. I plan to communicate frequently to you and the public on this topic. On a case-by-case basis, I am willing to involve outside subject matter experts if I determine that such input is needed to further strengthen our people, systems and technology across the full spectrum of bridge activities.
Regarding outside funding, I will be working with SDOT staff to strategically and aggressively pursue grant opportunities for bridges. I will also be ensuring that we are fully expending available budget for bridge maintenance, supporting the acceleration of work on grant funds recently received, and assessing the Move Seattle Levy bridge commitments to finish strong on the Levy.
Spotts’ appearance before the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will be Tuesday at 9:30 am. If you’re interested in commenting, either during the meeting or in advance in writing, the agenda explains how.
Summer’s not over yet! Another chance to enjoy music in a local park is happening one week from today.
That’s local folk musician Thaddeus Spae, who’ll be performing at Puget Ridge Edible Park next Saturday (September 10th). Got the announcement today from Stu Hennessey on behalf of the PREP crew. It’s a celebration of the harvest season at this local park devoted to growing food. All are welcome – to listen, dance, and/or just walk through the PREP gardens – starting at 3 pm nextSaturday, 5265 18th SW.
Last week, in discussion following our Crime Watch story noting three West Seattle business burglaries, a commenter said they’d seen security video online of a fourth, at Cuts Hair Salon on the ground floor of Charlestown Center. They said it happened August 26th. As shown in our photo above, the salon’s rear door is still boarded up – and today the salon sent customers an announcement that it has permanently closed. Thanks to the many people who forwarded it to us – here’s what the announcement says:
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Cuts Hair Salon is permanently closing its doors.
The unfortunate burglary we endured recently has left the staff feeling unsafe and they have all decided to move on.
As safety and happiness is paramount to anything else, we wholeheartedly support their decision and wish them all the best.
Thank you to all of our clients for your continued support of our staff and business.
(The email ends with a graphic of a peace sign.) We went over at midday to see if anyone was there to talk with, but the salon was dark and locked. It originally opened under different ownership as Budget Cuts in fall 2008.
On what would have been Antoine D. Matthews Jr.‘s 33rd birthday, his family is celebrating his life with an event they’re calling “Long Live King Cee Day” in the gym at Southwest Teen Life Center until 5 pm. Mr. Matthews, killed almost a year ago, had strong local ties – he played basketball and football at Chief Sealth – and his family says he had an endlessly giving and inspirational spirit, embodied in some of what you’ll see at the event.
Among those on hand are his mom Regina and daughters Za’Niah and Zoey.
Youth of all ages are welcome for activities and music as well as giveaways, including back-to-school haircuts and backpacks, all afternoon. The SWTLC gym is on the building’s lower level, south side, at 2801 SW Thistle.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports:
STOLEN BICYCLES, SCOOTER: From Greg:
I live at the top of 29th Ave SW as you go up the hill from Brandon (by the south side of the golf course). My house is past a “Road End” sign, so a person would not be in my driveway by accident. You cannot see my garage from the road. (In other words I feel that my house has been cased and watched)
Overnight on Sunday/Monday (August 29th) a person, or persons, came into my garage and stole a Motobecane HAL mountain bike, a Cannondale CAAD 9 road bike and a Segway Ninebot F40 scooter. All of this most have been done very quietly as my dogs usually go crazy if they hear noises.
Almost nobody around here has a Motobecane HAL Boost 27 Plus
VAN BREAK-IN: Terry reports that this happened last night at 64th and Admiral. Items taken included tools and a camp fridge.
Tomorrow’s the day and tickets are still available, so we are reminding you about the Sunday afternoon garden party at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank. WSFB’s work helps people stay housed as well as fed. The “We Love West Seattle” party is set for 3 pm to 6 pm Sunday. $45 gets you a sandwich from food truck Now Make Me A Sandwich plus a drink. Live music too! You can get your ticket(s) here while they last.
(Photo by Arlene Rubin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and other previews, here’s what’s happening on your Saturday:
TRAFFIC ALERTS: Here’s what SDOT has announced for today:
*Eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed 8 am-4 pm today, as previewed here.
*By 7 am today, crews should be finishing overnight work on markings at 1st Ave S/East Marginal Way S and 2nd Ave SW/Highland Park Way SW.
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See (and post) listings in the WSB Community Forums.
MORNING MUSIC AT C & P: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
WADING POOL/SPRAYPARK: This is the last weekend for the wading pool in central upper Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), open noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) will be open 11 am-8 pm (continuing daily through September 18th).
COLMAN POOL: Last Saturday of the year that you will be able to swim at the outdoor pool on the Lincoln Park shore, noon-7 pm.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Noon-4 p, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society museum on Alki is open today (61st/Stevens).
‘LONG LIVE KING CEE’ DAY: 1-5 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle), a free event for youth – here’s the invitation from the organizers:
In honor of Antoine Matthews Jr, we will be hosting our 1st Annual King Cee Day Celebration on Saturday, September 3, 2022 in West Seattle at SouthWest Community Center from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
Antoine was a giver and always gave out of the goodness of his heart. We will continue his Legacy of Giving back by using his light to spread love and positivity throughout the city.
There will be amazing vendors, live performances, back-to-school haircuts, face painting, games, food, a raffle and a backpack giveaway. We look forward to seeing you all there.
The Clark-Matthews Family
WINE TIME: The Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) tasting room – selling wine by the glass or bottle – is open 1-6 pm. (5910 California SW)
CHILDREN’S MOONLIGHT FESTIVAL: The Vietnamese Cultural Center hosts the Children’s Moonlight Festival with food, activities, a lion dance, and a lantern parade, 3-6 pm (2236 SW Orchard). Free.
(added) LIVE AT EASY STREET: Sulk, live in-store, 7 pm. All ages, free. (California/Alaska)
MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Dormchair Therapist headlines tonight’s lineup, doors at 7 pm, show at 8. All ages. $10 tickets at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
West Seattle High School senior quarterback Axel Johnson, #9, got the first and only Wildcat touchdown in Friday night’s game against Renton – and that’s all they needed for a win. The TD came toward the end of the first half, and 7-0 is where Head Coach Jeff Scott‘s Wildcats stood going into the second half.
(#4, senior Roman Centioli, with Coach Scott)
A few minutes into the second half, Renton got a touchdown of its own – but failed its attempt at a two-point conversion. And WSHS held them from further scoring, so 7-6 was the final score for the West Seattle victory.
Next weekend, WSHS plays Franklin at 2 pm Saturday (September 10th) at Memorial Stadium downtown.
2 AM: Another crash of note – this time on West Marginal Way. Southbound lanes are blocked at Puget Way while police investigate. This originally was dispatched as another “rescue extrication” situation but that was quickly canceled. However, police described the scene to dispatch as “high-speed” because of the damage done to the vehicle. We haven’t heard yet about injuries but will follow up with SFD.
4 AM: Some traffic was being allowed through, last we heard.
In the past few minutes we’ve had multiple inquiries about a plane circling the Pigeon Point area. It’s since moved on, but a little research revealed it’s a plane we’ve seen/heard in similar circumstances before.
That’s a Flightradar24 screengrab showing the loops and circles the plane, identified as a Cessna belonging to the Washington State Patrol, has flown tonight. Both times we wrote about similar flights last year – including this one – there were specific investigative reasons, but we won’t likely be able to follow up until after the holiday weekend,
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