West Seattle, Washington
12 Sunday
8:32 AM: The East Marginal crash that backed up the 1st Ave. S. Bridge is clear per SDOT but the residual backup is likely to take a while to ease.
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6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 7th.
WEATHER
If the forecast bears out, today could be a summer preview – sunny with a high that could reach the 70s.
ROAD-WORK NOTES
*We don’t have a status update on the 48th/Brandon sewer work, so be aware you might encounter a slowdown in that area.
*Highway 99 tunnel has its monthly maintenance closure Friday night.
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.
Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
745th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Meantime, SDOT traffic-camera images are back.
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.
For months, the District 1 Community Network has been talking about trying to get Mayor Bruce Harrell to make a guest appearance at one of their monthly meetings. As the coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates met tonight, D1CN’s administrator Larry Wymer announced the mayor has committed to be at their May 4th meeting. D1CN continues to meet online, so that’ll likely be a virtual appearance. … Another city-politics topic discussed tonight was City Council redistricting. Elsa Batres-Boni from the city talked about the Redistricting Commission‘s work, noting that census results mean District 1’s boundaries will change for the 2023 election, though new maps haven’t been finalized yet. You can look at four draft maps here – we reported on them in February – and send your comments. Final draft is expected in September … D1CN got an update on the Fauntleroy ferry-dock-replacement planning process from Mike Dey and Frank Immel of the Fauntleroy Community Association. They noted an all-West Seattle meeting about the project is planned for May 24th; details to come … D1CN meets first Wednesdays at 7 pm, so that’s when you can expect to hear from the mayor on May 4th.
A small family business remains without its work vehicle and tools after a theft reported here last month. Now a friend has set up a crowdfunding campaign in hopes a community boost will get them back in business. From Brenda:
Hello! I am writing to ask for support from the West Seattle community for a West Seattle couple who had their work van and tools from the street outside their home near Westwood Village. (Reported on WSB here)
The early days of COVID hit their family hard, making their family of five sick and putting Alejandra and Obed out of work. Once everyone was healthy, they started a small outdoor window washing, power washing, landscaping, and odd-jobs business to get caught up on bills during COVID Phase 2 when service workers were not allowed in homes. This business has been growing through recommendations and referrals for the last two years.
Spring is the busiest time of year for them and now they don’t have the tools to run their business and make this income for their family. We’ve put together a Home Depot list of the tools they need and it totals over $7,000 without taking the van into account. We’re setting the goal for the GoFundMe campaign at $4,500 so that we can quickly get them the ladders, power washer, and landscaping tools needed so they don’t miss out on work during this busy season.
Please consider supporting this family-owned business by donating to the GoFundMe campaign. Thank you!
(WSB photo)
6:08 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction right now, investigating a robbery. No details available but looking inside the store, we could see that at least one of the cases was smashed. It’s been just three weeks since the business had windows smashed by a person described in the police report as a disgruntled client.
7:57 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson tells WSB that three robbers “took cash and merchandise” before leaving “in a dark-colored Honda sedan.” They are described only as armed, male, and in their late teens/early twenties. No injuries reported.
2:34 PM THURSDAY: A few more details from police today: “(The robbers) forced the employees to lay face down on the ground. (They) then forced the employees to take money from the cash registers and a back room safe … they also smashed several jewelry display cases and took several jewelry items. It was estimated (they) stole twelve thousand dollars in cash and additional jewelry. All three (robbers) fled in a black, mid-1990s Honda Accord that was parked nearby. One of the (robbers) walked with a distinctive limp.”
2:47 PM THURSDAY: The store has sent this announcement saying it’s closing immediately for a security update:
Beginning today, April 7, 2022, Bellevue Rare Coins will be closing their West Seattle location for remodeling and updating their security measures. This closure will be effective immediately and last through July 2022.
In light of recent events we will be taking this opportunity to not only improve the aesthetics and layout of our store for a more satisfying experience for our customers. This remodel will also improve the safety and security for our customers, as well as our staff. As safety for all is our top priority, we will also be utilizing this time to improve security at all other Bellevue Rare Coins locations, bringing all protocols and equipment up-to-date with state of the art security. During this time of closure, all West Seattle staff will be relocated to surrounding locations to better serve our community and meet the needs of our customers.
We look forward to serving our West Seattle customers again in July, with a safer and updated environment.
5:44 PM: Flaggers are on 48th SW at Brandon as Seattle Public Utilities crews work on a sewer-pipe problem. Here’s what SPU tells us:
Today, near 48th Ave SW and SW Brandon St, a sewer pipe collapsed while Seattle Public Utilities crews were removing significant debris. This is an 8” pipe, which is on the smaller side.
In response, SPU crews are:
setting up a pump and bypass system to ensure sewer service
working to find the exact location of the break
preparing for a possible emergency sewer repairWe have no additional details repair timeline. Please anticipate possible lane closures, parking restrictions, increased construction traffic and activities, and travel delays in the area.
9:18 AM THURSDAY: SPU tells us, “Crews worked overnight to repair the broken pipe and restore service to the affected homes.”
Another annual event coming back for 2022 after a pandemic hiatus: Healthy Kids Day at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor). The Y has announced that it’s set for 10 am-1 pm Saturday, April 30th, at its main local branch, 3622 SW Snoqualmie in The Triangle. It’s a free event with activities for all ages, and membership is NOT required – it’s open to everyone. Here’s more info on what activities they’re planning – we expect more details as the event gets closer.
That’s Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, where the DubSea Fish Sticks (aka the ex-Highline Bears) will play baseball starting in June. First, a job fair this Sunday! Here’s the announcement:
The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 1 pm-3 pm.
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. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium also known as The Fryer by fans. The team hosts upwards of 40 college players from around the country for the summer where they will play 48 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For more information on the DubSea Fish Sticks, you can visit GoFishSticks.com.
Three incidents in Crime Watch today:
TRUCK TAKEN IN HOME INVASION: From Lauren, who says this happened in unincorporated North Highline near 1st SW/SW 102nd [map]:
I want to let everyone know of a serious and scary thing that happened Monday afternoon around 2 pm to my brother’s family.
While my brother and his wife were out of town celebrating their wedding anniversary, a red-haired man with a British accent and a gun forced his way into my brother’s house. Three of my brother’s children, ages 11, 14 and 17, were home at the time because Highline District is on spring break this week. The intruder herded the kids into the bathroom at gunpoint and told them to stay there. Then the intruder took a laptop computer, cash, and a large key chain that had house keys and vehicle keys, which he then used to steal my brother’s pickup truck that he uses for his business. The truck has a large locking cap in the bed where tools are stored, but of course, the key to the cap was also on the key chain, so the robber will be able to access all the tools in the truck.
We are grateful that no one was physically injured, but the family is understandably traumatized. King County Sheriff responded and is investigating, but if my fellow West Seattleites could keep an eye open for a 2013 dark gray Ford F-150 with extended cab, A.R.E. tall gray cap in in the truck bed with a ladder rack on top, plate C62081H, we would appreciate it! KC Sheriff’s Incident number is C22011202.
UPDATE: The truck’s been found.
MAN HURT IN STREET CONFRONTATION: A neighbor of the victim let us know about this incident, and we just obtained the police-report narrative. Monday night just before 8 pm, police responded to the 9000 block of 4th SW [map] for a report of a “fight.” The victim said he was driving southbound on 4th when he encountered two vehicles “partially blocking the road” and got out of his car to ask them to move. He told police he was then confronted, with one man pointing a gun at him, and the other shoving him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. He was taken to a hospital by private ambulance. He couldn’t provide much descriptive information except that one of the cars was a red Toyota Camry and he thought both men were white; a neighbor who called police described the two men as Native, with the one who pulled the gun having long dark hair. The neighbor said there were five other people not involved in the confrontation and that everyone got in the cars afterward and headed southbound – but first some items were thrown in his recycling bin. Police say one was the registration for a red Camry; as of the time of the report, they had not been able to reach the registered owner.
RIVERVIEW GUNFIRE: A short summary from police says they checked out a report of what sounded like eight shots near 12th SW and SW Othello [map] just after 11:30 last night. Officers “found evidence of a shooting on the grass.” No injuries or property damage reported. Nobody in the area saw the shooting but police were told a blue Jeep was seen heading southbound on 12th right after the shots.
(House finch in cherry tree at Lincoln Park, photographed by Alex Gutierrez)
Reminders for the rest of today/tonight in West Seattle, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
PIZZA FUNDRAISER: Now through 10 pm tonight, you can help White Center Co-op Preschool by ordering from MOD Pizza at Westwood Village – our preview has details.
REBUILDING HPIC: A schematic design for a rebuilt Highland Park Improvement Club (gutted by fire nine months ago) will be shown at the group’s fourth Town Hall, online tonight at 6 pm. Info on how to watch/participate is on the HPIC home page.
WOMEN’S PERSONAL SAFETY CLASS: Online at 6 pm, free – details and registration info are in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC: 6:30 pm at Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW), Norman Baker performs. No cover. 21+.
DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: Monthly meeting, 7 pm online, for this coalition of West Seattle and South Park community advocates. Viewing/participation info and agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.
‘THE LIGHTNING THIEF – THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL’: West Seattle High School‘s production has a curtain time tonight of 7:30 pm in the school theater (3000 California SW). Ticket info’s in our calendar listing.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm.
Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Sent by Maggie:
I wanted to let you and other park users know about what looks like the beginnings of a landslide along the beach trail at Lincoln Park. I walk frequently at the park and took the (photo above) the other day (perspective is from the beach during low tide, looking back at the hillside). Nothing is on the trail, seems to be held back by blackberry and other plants. I’ve let the Parks Department know, but wanted to make sure other walkers and park users were informed as well.
Location: walk north from the pool building along the beach trail a few hundred yards. Past a few benches and then there’s a bunch of blackberry bushes and other plants that hang low over the trail. You can see it when standing on the trail and looking up, but easier if the tide is out and can view from the beach.
As shown on a map in this city document, West Seattle has many areas at risk of slides. Here are some warning signs to look/listen for.
Family and friends are remembering Steve Fuller, and sharing this remembrance with the community:
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Stephen “Steve” Linton Fuller. Born May 23, 1968, in Columbus, Ohio, Steve passed in Seattle on March 25, 2022. He leaves behind his daughters, Anna and Sophia, and their mother Katharine, his brother Michael, and his family, and his parents David and Mary Ann.
Steve graduated from Medina High School in 1986 before participating in the Rotary Student Exchange Program from ’86 to ’87, where he lived in Sweden for a year. He then studied at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, class of 1991, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International/Global Studies. He was a 4-year member of the Miami University Glee Club.
After undergrad, he worked with AEISEC and participated in an International Internship in St. Julians, Malta from ’91 to ’93. He continued to travel and even lived in Costa Rica for a few years with his then-wife Katharine. His eldest daughter, Anna, was born in July ’98 while they lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Shortly after her birth, Steve enrolled in a Master of Fine Arts program at Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating in 2000. He and his family moved to Seattle in May 2000 and Sophia was born in 2003. Steve joined the Rotary Club of West Seattle and served as Rotary International Chair from 2006 to 2010. He proudly became a 4th generation Rotary Club President in 2010. In December 2011, he led a group to Nepal, serving as the Team Leader for the Rotary Group Study Exchange.
Steve traveled to 40 different countries and lived in at least 6 different states, collecting friends along the way. He was an accomplished artist and collector of art and antiques. Steve enjoyed being in nature, cooking and entertaining, camping, and sailing Puget Sound. There is a Steve-shaped hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. He will be deeply missed. A Memorial Service is planned for late May. Details will be provided on howden-kennedy.com/obituary/Stephen-Fuller. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the West Seattle Rotary Club in honor of Steve. A link to donate will be provided on the website above.
(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. It’s Wednesday, April 6th.
WEATHER
More sunshine today, and the high could reach into the 60s.
ROAD-WORK NOTE
*Highway 99 tunnel has its monthly maintenance closure this Friday night.
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.
Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
744th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. But some good news – after a days-long outage, SDOT traffic-camera images are back.
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.
(Sound Transit rendering, possible routing at Genesee looking east toward Avalon)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you haven’t yet decided what you want/need to say during the last major comment period before Sound Transit locks in West Seattle light-rail routing and station locations, a community workshop Thursday might help you formulate your feedback on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. (More about that later.)
Some neighborhoods in light rail’s potential path have been studying the proposal independently and extensively almost every step of the way. Among them, Avalon-area residents, some of whom might be forced out of their homes depending on where the train goes to get between the Duwamish River and the West Seattle Junction. They’ve had several meetings with ST, including one last Thursday night devoted solely to Q&A. Hours before that, they accompanied ST reps on a walk through the neighborhood, from the westernmost potential Avalon station location eastward along potential routing paths. We covered both events and have chronicled some of their other discussions, going back almost two years to this one, shortly after they learned the ST Board had decided to study a route through their neighborhood.
Thursday’s walking tour was intended to be a firsthand look at where the station might go, and how the trains would get there. Neighbors and ST reps, plus a rep for King County Councilmember and ST Board member Joe McDermott, gathered first by the Avalon Starbucks and Taco Time. ST’s reps included Jason Hampton, currently the lead for the West Seattle extension. This had been long enough in the works that ST brought the hard-copy equivalent of a slide presentation, customized for this tour.
(‘Preferred option’ rendering from draft design packet by MZA Architecture)
Thursday night brings this year’s first – and so far only – scheduled meeting of the Southwest Design Review Board to look at a West Seattle development plan. It’s 1116 Alki SW, and the design packet for the meeting finally appeared online this afternoon, if you’re interested in reviewing it to comment on the plan – see it below or here.
This is the Early Design Guidance stage of Design Review, which means the board has to be shown three options for massing – size, shape, site placement of the building. Above is the project team’s “preferred option,” which would include 58 residential units in a six-story building with 92 parking spaces: 27 described as “mechanical,” 30 at ground level, 35 underground. The packet includes many other project details. The meeting is online at 5 pm Thursday (April 7th) and includes a public-comment period – this page has details of how to watch/listen/participate.
Generous local restaurants are teaming up with local schools for dine-out events. Here are two more we’ve received word of:
WHITE CENTER CO-OP PRESCHOOL @ WESTWOOD MOD: 10:30 am-10 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 6th) you can support White Center Co-op Preschool by dining at MOD Pizza in Westwood Village:
You can participate in this fundraiser by:
Takeout
Delivery
PickupMOD Pizza will accept your order online or at the Westwood Village restaurant:
Restaurant Website – Use code: MODF4677Storefront Walk-in – Visit the location at 2800 SW Barton St. Mention that you are with White Center Cooperative Preschool before placing your order. (No 3rd-party orders, please)
WSHS JUNIOR ASB @ LADY JAYE – PLUS PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: The junior class of West Seattle High School is offering this two-part fundraiser:
Come support the students of WSHS on Saturday, April 23rd, at Lady Jaye!
A percentage of the profits from the butcher shop and from the restaurant will be going to the WSHS ASB. The butcher shop opens at 10 am and the restaurant opens at 4 pm, and any purchases made at any time during the day or evening on the 23rd will be counted toward the fundraiser. Make reservations here: bit.ly/38b6cC0 and order takeout here: bit.ly/3wU7D1Z!
Optional: Parents, drop your (potty-trained, ages 4 -11) kids off at the parents’ night out from 5:30 – 10:30. Pizza, games, crafts, and a movie will be provided.
Here’s the flyer with details on the “parents’ night out” – including how to sign up.
(Southwest Seattle Historical Society photo)
The home of West Seattle’s history, the Log House Museum at 61st/Stevens, is about to reopen its doors to the public after its latest pandemic-precautionary closure. The Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s interim director Maggie Kase sent the announcement:
We are very excited to announce that the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s Log House Museum will be re-opening to the public Friday, April 8th, 2022. Our hours of operation are 12:00 to 4:00 pm Friday-Saturday. Face coverings are still required in the Log House Museum for all visitors age 5 and older regardless of vaccination status. No appointment required, walk-ins welcome. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Information on visiting the museum is here.
P.S. You can learn more about the SWSHS in the latest episode of Keith Bacon‘s podcast All Ways West Seattle.
If this was a flesh-and-blood bunny, we’d put it on the WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page. If it was found in a park or at a playground (etc.), we’d point the finder to the WSB Lost/Found Non-Pets section of our Community Forums. But this one somehow showed up at the West Seattle UPS Store in Jefferson Square, amid documents left late last month for shredding. The store staff doesn’t think the bunny was intended for the shredder, so they’re trying to figure out who lost it. Laurie at the shop says, “We will hold onto it in our lost and found drawer just in case its owner comes along.”
All three of our area’s State Legislature positions, representing the 34th District, are up for election this year. Of our area’s two State House representatives, one (Rep. Eileen Cody) has announced she’s retiring. Now, our area’s State Senator, Joe Nguyen, has announced he’s running for a second term. Last year, Nguyen attempted to oust King County Executive and fellow West Seattleite Dow Constantine, finishing with 44 percent of the vote, but continued in the State Senate, as his term doesn’t expire until the end of this year. Today’s announcement touts his most-recent achievement as “help(ing) pass a historic transportation package and direct(ing) significant investments for working families during this crucial period of pandemic recovery.” Sen. Nguyen was elected to a leadership post before the 2021 legislative session, assistant floor leader for the State Senate Democratic Caucus. Today’s announcement notes Nguyen will be running in a district that “has slightly changed with recent redistricting,” now including Georgetown as well as South Park and part of downtown, in addition to West Seattle, Burien, White Center, and Vashon/Maury Islands. He is the only candidate so far to file a campaign with the state Public Disclosure Commission.
Three thefts in West Seattle Crime Watch – first, two more reports of catalytic converters being taken:
CC THEFT #1: From Peter:
I’m writing to report that my catalytic converter was stolen last night from my 22 year old car in my driveway in the Fauntleroy/Lincoln Park area.
We’ve got a followup out to ask what kind of car. (Update: 1999 Chevy Cavalier.)
CC THEFT #2: From Dayton:
At 12:30 am on Monday, April 4th, my wife and I heard some sounds of metal being cut. Thinking at first that this was a business causing after-hours noise, my wife went outside our house to investigate. She saw a car stopped in the road on 17th Ave. SW [3800 block] with a driver behind the wheel. She then heard metal-cutting sounds from underneath an ’80s Land Rover Discovery which belongs to one of our neighbors. When she was looking to find out what was happening, a big man stepped out from between two cars, scaring her, so she ran in and alerted me. As I was leaving the house, we saw two men jump into the car, which backed down to exit the cul-de-sac and sped off. We tried to see the license plate, but were unsuccessful. When we went back to look at the Land Rover, we could see that both catalytic converters had been sawed off. A broken Sawzall blade was under the car. Unable to get a good look at the car, the best description I can give is that it is a late-model, 5-door mini SUV with roughly the same outline of a Ford Ecosport, dark blue or black in color. It had an oversized black rack on the top of the type which can be used for a rooftop tent.
BIKE THEFT: Be on the lookout for Steve‘s stolen bike:
I had a bike stolen last night from my garage that I had not yet locked for the night at about 11 pm, in Morgan Junction. It was a nice full suspension Diamondback. Let me know if you see it. I’ve not seen many in WS that have the orange rear triangle.
(SDOT image)
12:26 PM: California SW is blocked northbound at Hanford because of a crash. No serious injuries reported.
12:48 PM: Part of NB California is open again at the scene.
(SDOT photo)
10:30 AM: Just in from SDOT:
Concrete trucks arrived early this morning on the West Seattle Bridge. The first pours are for new expansion joints as part of major maintenance work being done while the bridge is closed.
Following the expansion joint concrete pours, we’ll then pour concrete inside the bridge for the improved post-tensioning system that will provide additional strength for the repaired bridge. These bridge repairs require 245 cubic yards – or about 30 truckloads of specialized concrete. Once the concrete structures are done, they’ll be capable of holding more than 20 million pounds of force for decades to come.
While we’re encouraged that our construction crews have begun the concrete work delayed by the strike, we now need to see how the deliveries will go and manage the pours for the next month or so. After the pours are done and the work inspected, we’ll be able to revisit the project schedule and share an update about the timing of the reopening, originally scheduled for mid-2022.
It’s now six weeks past the February 20th deadline the city originally cited for needing concrete in order to stay on that schedule. The labor dispute between concrete drivers and suppliers hasn’t been resolved yet, but some drivers represented by striking Teamsters Local 174 recently said they would return to work for some suppliers in order to get things moving on the West Seattle Bridge and other major public projects. SDOT’s contractor Kraemer North America was then in talks with supplier Cadman to ensure the necessary specialty mix would be available, and then to determine a schedule. We’ll be asking a few followup questions.
12:39 PM: Still awaiting followup answers. In the meantime, Mayor Bruce Harrell has issued a statement – here’s an excerpt:
Reopening the West Seattle Bridge is the top transportation priority for my team and getting concrete today is an encouraging step that brings us closer to that goal. Throughout this strike, I’m continuing to have intense discussions with both sides to urge a fair resolution to this contract dispute. I want to again thank the Teamsters for taking the extraordinary, good-faith action of returning to work with three concrete companies. Despite those companies having no existing agreement with our contractor to work on the bridge, my administration immediately engaged to identify which business could meet our specific needs and worked relentlessly to help facilitate concrete delivery. Thank you to Cadman for their willingness to assist and help expedite a solution.
West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold has published a similar statement – read it here.
5:24 PM: SDOT has sent replies to our followup questions. They’ve confirmed that Cadman committed to all 245 yards of concrete the bridge project needs. Will the concrete situation add to the repair-project cost? “We’re hoping this doesn’t add extra cost, but won’t know for sure until all the concrete is delivered. We don’t anticipate any cost increases to the overall contract, which includes built in contingency that could be released to cover additional costs if needed.” Anything else causing delays right now? No, SDOT says.
P.S. The next major public briefing on the bridge will be at the Community Task Force meeting at 4 pm April 21st.
After the first 24 hours of registration for the 16th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – first one since 2019 – we already have 40 sales signed up!
Saturday, May 14, 2022, is the day for simultaneous sales all around West Seattle. Registration will be open for about three weeks – no earlier than April 25th – in case you are still deciding. We close it a few weeks before WSCGSD so we have time to make a map/guide with locations and listings for all registered sales, in clickable and printable formats, available a week before sale day so you can plan. Several other Seattle neighborhoods have Garage Sale Days; this one started in 2005, and we’ve coordinated it since 2008, when we reduced the fees (which we’ve never raised) – $12 for an individual sale, $20 for a business/organization/school, $30 for a block sale of three or more sellers. Official WSCGSD hours on May 14th will be 9 am-3 pm, but sellers can start earlier and/or end later – we advise including your extra hours in your up-to-20-words listing (sale description) in the guide. Ready to get your sale registered? Go here!
(Black-capped Chickadee, photographed by Finn Litton)
Here’s what’s happening around the peninsula on April’s first Tuesday:
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.
FREE QIGONG AT LINCOLN PARK: 10:30 am at the baseball/soccer fields; info here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE: The port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma meet at Sea-Tac Airport (streamed online) at 11 am – find the agenda, which includes a Sound Transit light-rail briefing, and viewing/attending info here.
CITY COUNCIL: Their weekly meeting is at 2 pm, online. The agenda explains how to comment; Seattle Channel is where to watch.
SPORTS: Two high-school soccer games this afternoon – 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), West Seattle HS vs. Eastside Catholic; 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. Seattle Prep. … (added) WSHS Lacrosse plays Ballard, 5:30 om at North SeaTac Playfield. (map) Andrew tells they’re on a two-match winning streak and “could use all the support they can get against a tough opponent.”
DEMONSTRATION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, Scott leads this long-running weekly demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 meeting online includes an update on the East Marginal Way project and a discussion of what else WSBC is working on, and how to get involved. Connection/participation info is in our calendar listing.
TRIVIA X 3: Theww 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!
There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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