West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
(WSB file photo)
The long-delayed dock replacement at Don Armeni Boat Ramp is getting closer to reality. This past week, the city published notice of a key approval for the project, opening a window for appeals (as explained in the notice). But that’s not what’s been holding up the project, which we first reported on almost five years ago. The Seattle Parks project page says federal permitting has held up the project: “The Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine Fisheries Service were confronted with several emergent priority projects (West Seattle Bridge) and regulatory changes.” But they’re expecting the federal permit in time for this summer/fall’s “in-water construction” season. The $1.5 million project proposes sturdier, larger replacements for the existing floating docks and pilings. According to the current description, 16-inch steel pilings will replace the current 12-inch wood pilings, and the docks’ square footage will increase by a third, adding 691 square feet more “over-water coverage” to the existing 1,869 square feet. To compensate for that, Parks says, it will reduce overwater coverage at Pier 63 downtown. Parks promises to keep Don Armeni open to boaters during the work: “We will not shut the facility down during construction, we will replace the floats one side at a time.”
Yes, we know some have missed mail deliveries during this snowbound week – it’s been mentioned in multiple snow-related comment threads – but the US Postal Service has made it to many neighborhoods, including this one where a van got stuck this morning. The video and report are from Kim:
USPS had to abandon their van due to the ice on 51st Pl SW. Neighbors Chris Mickelson and Ken Berrea came to the rescue and freed it. We appreciate the dedicated delivery service of our post office and we’re happy to help.
Kim says the van got stuck this morning and was retrieved this afternoon.
If you’re up before sunrise this Tuesday and Wednesday and on the water or shore, you’ll see the year’s highest predicted high tides – 13.1 feet at 6:57 am Tuesday and 7:38 am Wednesday. After that, high tide won’t reach 13 feet again until Christmas and the day after. One caveat – we could see something higher at some point during the year, because weather conditions can push them above predicted levels (as explained here). You’ll notice on the chart that the new moon is bringing an extreme low tide too – -3.8 feet at 10:29 pm tonight.
The new year brings new owners and a new name for what had been IanFitness since 2015 at 5659 California SW. Trainer Amy Pessetto emailed to let us know it has new owners and a new name. It’s now West Seattle Fitness Studio, owned by Art and Elizabeth Lowe. Amy says, “All the current coaches are staying, which we are VERY EXCITED about. We all love West Seattle and the community we have at the studio and we’re excited for this new chapter. The gym is currently undergoing a big refresh, with new paint and equipment.” Here’s the flyer they’re giving to clients. The new website isn’t up yet but the schedule for the week ahead is here.
10:23 AM: Early alert – Kersti Muul tells us Southern Resident Killer Whales are reported to be headed this way, passing Discovery Park on the north edge of Elliott Bay, southbound, Members of J-Pod this time, she says. Let us know if you see them!
11:26 AM: As Kersti notes in comments, they’ve arrived, but visibility is poor (the much-awaited rain has arrived).
(Texted photo – seen at Lincoln Park)
Fairly quiet today as the holiday season ends and the snow moves toward melting – but we have a few notes for today in West Seattle:
CHURCHES: We continue updating the weekly list of West Seattle online church services (with most churches also offering in-person attendance) – see it here.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET RETURNS: 10 am-2 pm, after taking last Sunday off, the WSFM (WSB sponsor) is back. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
DELRIDGE GROCERY CO-OP: First owner-member discount day of the new year, 11 am-3 pm: “Everyone who has paid full or partial ownership shares in the Co-op will receive a 10% discount on all in-store purchases (excluding owner share purchase).” The store is open to non-member shoppers too, at regular prices. (5444 Delridge Way SW)
POP-UP COVID VACCINATION CLINIC: As previewed here – 3-6 pm at Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW), all ages, all doses (1st/2nd/booster), all 3 vaccines. Walk-ins welcome.
SING IT! Karaoke with KJ host and West Seattle legend Loretta at Admiral Pub, 8 pm-1 am. (2306 California SW)
Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A texter sent that photo from Fairmount Ravine this afternoon and contacted SDOT to suggest this road should be closed. We’re publishing it as a reminder that aside from arterials, streets are still mostly covered in snow/ice and will be for a while longer – significant rain, and above-freezing air, isn’t due in until Sunday pm. SDOT offers this general reminder:
People driving in the city are advised to avoid steep, untreated streets – whether the street has a “road closed” sign or not. If you must drive, please stick to our plowed and treated snow network as much as possible and avoid the steep or challenging areas of the city.
(WSB photo, California/Alaska this afternoon)
As we get closer to thawing, Metro has announced it’ll start getting transit service back to normal:
Metro will deactivate the Emergency Snow Network (ESN) at 4 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2. All Metro bus routes active on weekends will operate on their regular schedules starting Jan. 2 where road conditions allow.
Metro vehicle maintenance crews have shifted away from chaining and retrieving stuck buses and have started repairs to damaged buses that operated during the winter storm. Metro is assessing the number of available buses and whether any routes may need to remain temporarily suspended on Monday, Jan. 3, as additional repairs are completed.
“Our transit professionals kept the region moving safely during the recent snowstorms,” said King County Metro General Manager Terry White. “Now we turn our attention to repairing buses damaged over the past week and again operating the broader all-day transit network that riders rely on.”
Riders traveling on Saturday, Jan. 1, should review what routes are operating on the Emergency Snow Network before traveling. On Sunday, Jan. 2, online resources will be updated to reflect any lingering snow routes where road conditions continue to be difficult for transit service. Masks are required on all public transportatio
Water taxi, Access and on-demand services
· Water taxi: The West Seattle route is not operating Jan. 1. Service will resume on Sunday, Jan. 2.
· Access paratransit currently provides only lifesaving and emergency trips depending on conditions and availability. Access continues to provide life-sustaining medical transportation. For Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, Access will continue to provide only lifesaving and emergency trips and will increase availability as routes become clear. Some roads in outlying areas of the county might continue to be impassable. Rides requested for riders who are not yet certified by Access will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. During this time, customers who are not certified to use Access that need to connect to life-sustaining medical services can call 206-205-5000 to request services between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Access is working closely with bus service to meet the needs of all of our customers.
5:06 PM SATURDAY: Just when you thought the extreme weather was over, with the snow past and the temperatures rising, there’s a new weather alert for our area – the National Weather Service has a Wind Advisory for 10 pm tonight through 4 pm Sunday. The alert predicts south winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50. Separate from this alert, the forecast calls for rain to return by late Sunday afternoon.
UPDATED SUNDAY MORNING: The alert’s been canceled for the metro area. Breezy weather is expected later today/tonight, but not alert-level wind.
(WSB photos/video unless other credited)
Imagining yourself in the tropics is one way to make it through the annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach. Another is to consider that – today, anyway – the water was a lot warmer than the air: 47 degrees and 25 degrees, respectively. Despite the subfreezing air, hundreds were ready to go when organizer Mark Ufkes counted them down at 10 am:
(Photo by Scott Nelson)
While running into the water and immediately running out is the prevalent participation level, some lingered:
This was the first en-masse “swim” since 2020, when the air and water both were warmer – both 50 degrees, we noted that day.
ADDED SATURDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Robert Spears for these photos:
Thanks for the updates from the early-morning hours:
That photo is from Kathleen, who says the midsize Seattle Fire callout at 16th/Cambridge just after 5 am was for an RV fire. No medic unit dispatched, which indicates no major injuries, but we are checking with SFD.
From Ann:
3 cars were involved in an accident on the 3000 block of SW Andover last night / early morning 4 AM -ish. The black Kia crashed through a residential fence.
Same Kia is completely blocking the sidewalk. SPD said tow trucks won’t / can’t come until conditions are better so sidewalk is completely blocked for now.
Another great grea example of why steep streets get closed under icy conditions and why it’s a good idea to heed the signs.
No SFD dispatch with this one, which indicates no injuries reported.
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Troy Sterk)
Happy 2022! Here’s info to start the year:
TRANSPORTATION INFO:
*Metro is on a Saturday schedule, still with only the Emergency Snow Network routes
*No Water Taxi service
*Sound Transit light rail and buses are on varied schedules
*Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run is on its regular 2-boat schedule
*No charge for parking today on city streets in neighborhoods with pay stations
*Traffic cameras: West Seattle-relevant ones here; citywide views are on this SDOT map
EVENT TODAY
POLAR BEAR SWIM: If you want to join in this year’s traditional Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach, be on the sand across from Duke’s Seafood (2516 Alki SW; WSB sponsor) in time for the countdown at 10 am sharp. Here’s the announcement.
NEW YEAR’S COFFEE
Closures aren’t as numerous on this holiday as Thanksgiving and Christmas so we don’t usually make comprehensive open/closed lists. But if you’re looking for coffee, here are a few shops planning to be open:
C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor is open 8 am-2 pm
Youngstown Coffee (6032 California SW) is open 9 am-2 pm
West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) opens at 7 am
Olympia Coffee (3840 California SW) opens at 8 am
Got info for today? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!
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