West Seattle, Washington
31 Saturday
You’ve probably heard by now that SDOT is out with its promised review of Vision Zero, as ordered by director Greg Spotts shortly after he took over the department. Tomorrow, he is scheduled to lead two briefings on the report – 9:30 am at the City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee meeting, 5 pm at the Move Seattle Levy Oversight Committee meeting. And SDOT is seeking community feedback on the review.
After it was released, we read the entire report to look for West Seattle-specific mentions. While it’s largely devoid of those, it does feature several maps showing problem spots here and elsewhere, so we’ll start with those. First, locations of fatal and serious-injury incidents, by mode:
Here are high-collision locations:
SPD and SFD have been dispatched to a three-car crash at 32nd/Trenton, a few blocks west of the north side of Westwood Village. Police have told dispatch that Trenton is blocked both ways right now. So far, only minor injuries reported.
Meet Matt and Mason. They’re halfway through transforming what was a barbecue joint in downtown White Center into the new incarnation of Tim’s Tavern, the live-music hotspot they operated in North Seattle until a year and a half ago. We talked to them about what they’re planning (following up on the announcement a month ago) for this restaurant/bar/7-nights-a-week music venue. If you haven’t already seen the story on our partner site White Center Now, read it here.
If you’re tired of online presentations, this month’s Words, Writers, Southwest Stories event has an in-person option. Here’s how to see it this Thursday:
Southwest Seattle Historical Society Presents Words, Writers, Southwest Stories: STEP, STEP, JUMP: Transforming Trauma to Triumph from the 46th Floor
Thursday, March 9, 2023 6 pm
Zoom and In PersonAnnabel Quintero’s book “STEP, STEP, JUMP: Transforming Trauma to Triumph from the 46th Floor” is an in-depth, first-person account of escaping the 46th floor of the Tower One of the World Trade Center on 9/11, but it is not only a story of that day.
This book is a fascinating examination of the American-Immigrant experience, a study of spirituality in a secular world, a look at divine intervention, and an exploration of empathy against the backdrop of the financial and societal forces that shape the globe. A rich source of inspiration for others who want to drive radical positive change in their own lives.
Quintero, a West Seattle author and resident, is a Speaking coach, DEI strategist, and is a Husky who holds a Master’s in Education Policy & Organizational Leadership. She is inviting the community to in-depth discussion – read the book or listen now to the audiobook beforehand.
The presentation will be via Zoom and in person at the Log House Museum (3003 61stAve SW in West Seattle).
Thursday, March 9 2023 at 6 pm
Space is limited at the museum, requiring an advance reservation.
Register online at loghousemuseum.org
(WSB file photo, Westcrest Off-Leash Area)
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Almost seven years ago, Seattle Parks and Recreation announced a plan that could lead to gradual addition of new off-leash areas. Now it’s announced a new plan – to study 30 sites around the city “that may have the potential to become future OLAs”:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is set to launch an Off-Leash Area study, which will be led by department subject matter experts. The study will look at 30 sites across the city that may have the potential to become future OLAs. Staff will examine each site from an environmental, engineering, geographic, equity, and dog behavioral perspectives. At the conclusion of this study, SPR will be able to present to the community a list of sites that we believe are feasible and most suited for future OLAs. The Seattle Park District provides funding for 2 new OLAs; from there the department will need to request additional funding to construct and maintain any additional OLAs.
West Seattle, as people with dogs know, has one city-run off-leash area, at Westcrest Park. A community coalition had been working on other potential sites, as reported here last year. The new city announcement did not include the list of potential sites to be studied, so we’re requesting that on followup.
ADDED TUESDAY: Parks says five West Seattle sites are on the list to be studied. They are at:
Lincoln Park
Me-Kwa-Mooks Park
Hamilton Viewpoint Park
West Seattle Stadium
Delridge Playfield
More than a year after a man was arrested following a six-hour standoff at the Westwood Village Target store, his trial is beginning today. According to court documents, 32-year-old Timothy A. Clemans has chosen to defend himself in King County Superior Court, where he is on trial for one count of attempted first-degree kidnapping, with a deadly-weapon enhancement. Clemans is alleged to have gone into the store on January 21st, 2022, armed himself with a knife from the kitchen-merchandise section, and started telling people he was going to hold them hostage. He was finally subdued and arrested by SWAT team members and has been in jail ever since. As noted in our followup last year, Clemans is accused of having done this one week after getting out of jail on an assault case, and five days after calling 911 to say he was going to take hostages at a Target store; he allegedly made a similar call just before this incident, saying he would take hostages at a store unless he got the mental-health services he needed. Court documents say his trial, over which Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson is presiding, is expected to last about two weeks. 18 people are on the witness list, including 11 police officers.
Thanks for the texted tip. For the fourth time in four days, a West Seattle water main has ruptured. This time it’s in Arbor Heights, in the 3700 block of SW 100th. Seattle Public Utilities says more than 50 customers are affected. This follows a Sunday break in Sunrise Heights and two breaks Thursday in Fauntleroy (the second of those was caused by the first, according to SPU). More info when we get it.
(Mallard at Lincoln Park, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
Highlights for this afternoon/evening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Fourth day of this year’s in-person sales. Use this lookup to see where and when to find them in your zip code.
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “The Dam Busters.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda) and get another briefing on the ongoing State Legislature session. You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.
OPEN HOUSE AT SSC’S GEORGETOWN CAMPUS: 3-6 pm, you’re invited to visit, and learn about programs at, the Georgetown campus of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). It’s at 6737 Corson Avenue South. Details are in our calendar listing.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
NEW OPEN MIC: The new weekly BedHead Open Mic debuts tonight at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau) – info in our calendar listing.
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
BEFORE THE BADGE: Online dialogue tonight with Seattle Police trainees as part of the “Before the Badge” program; pre-registration required – info’s in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event for our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(2017 Alki Art Fair from above, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen)
Another major West Seattle summer event has announced the dates for this year – and is accepting applications now for participants, volunteers, and an assistant director. Here’s the announcement sent to us:
The Alki Art Fair has been set for July 21 – 23rd this summer. Applications are currently open so make sure to apply before the end of the month!
As with all big events, planning has to start months in advance, so the Alki Art Fair is sending out the call for help now!
Alki Art Fair brings people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds together to celebrate local art and music on beautiful Alki Beach. Our goal is to promote art appreciation by creating opportunities for community involvement and cultural diversity through the arts.
Seeking Volunteers, Board Members and an Assistant Director
As spring is here and planning has begun, we are looking for volunteers to join the Board; a new president, and fundraising specialists as well as volunteers to help with planning the music and the kids area for the fair.
If you would like to get involved with the planning of the fair please email info@alkiartfair.org or visit alkiartfair.org/volunteer and fill out the volunteer contact form.
Alki Art Fair is also hiring a stipend volunteer position – Assistant Director.
For more information on the Assistant Director position, please contact Giovannina Souers at president@alkiartfair.org
6:55 AM: Crash reported on the westbound bridge at Harbor.
7:55 AM: SDOT says the crash and icy conditions have fully closed the WB bridge.
8:20 AM: Commenter says WB traffic is moving again. We are following up with SFD re: crash injuries.
11:10 AM: SFD tells us one man had a minor injury.
11:30 AM: According to a report summary from SPD, that person was a police officer:
At 0642 hours, officers responded to a 4-car collision on the westbound side of the West Seattle Bridge just west of the Delridge WY SW off ramp. Upon arrival, it was determined all westbound lanes needed to be shut down due ice covering all lanes creating a safety hazard for Seattle Fire, SPD on scene, and motorists. The jersey barrier that divides eastbound and westbound traffic was moved partially into the eastbound left lane as a result of the collision, so the left lane of the eastbound was also shut down. SDOT was requested and responded to assist with traffic control. SDOT also responded to salt the westbound lanes of the bridge. Once SDOT was finished salting the roadway and the vehicles involved in the collision towed from the scene, all westbound lanes were open for traffic. SDOT stayed on scene in the eastbound lane to address the left lane shutdown due to the jersey barrier partially in the roadway. One officer sustained minor injuries due to slipping on the icy roadway during the collision investigation.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 6th.
WEATHER
The forecast for today: Partly sunny, chance of showers, high near 50.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations remain possible, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west (unless SDOT turns the camera):
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
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