West Seattle, Washington
11 Friday
HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview – met in-person this month for the first time in a while. New venue, too – Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge. The centerpiece of Thursday night’s agenda was the South Delridge Action Plan, which kicked off back in January with a survey to which about 300 people responded. The city’s point person for the plan is David Goldberg, who shepherded the North Delridge Action Plan almost a decade ago, and he was at the HPAC meeting to talk about this plan, listen to suggestions, and answer questions, following up on his appearance in March.
The goal of the SDAP is to “create a shared community-city [government] vision and an action plan that builds community assets an capacity and aligns city investments to achieve this vision.”
Goldberg said the city was working on the foundation of the plan by gathering data on how people are connected to their neighborhood – where they gather, where they shop, other places they visit. When that information is all gathered, it’ll be presented, and the city will ask about how people get around. That’ll include transit – including Metro‘s RapidRide H Line and Route 128.
Goldberg said the overarching goal is to connect government with the people in the neighborhoods to create a narrative of what a given neighborhood is all about. Part of that is building relationships between city agencies and the people in studied areas – in this case, South Delridge.
That relationship-building needs to happen sooner rather than later, suggested HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick. She noted as an example that the new Highland Park Improvement Club has multiple city hurdles to clear before it can be built, even though it’s a building intended to strengthen the neighborhood. In general, attendees said they want more in-depth relationships with the departments/agencies that are supposed to be planning action for the community’s future.
NEXT STEPS: Goldberg’s department – the Office of Planning and Community Development – is working with the Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Public Utilities to “draft a shared Racial Equity statement for community review over the summer,” intended to “establish a shared framework for equity across the [South Delridge Action Plan] work.” OPCD also is convening seven local nonprofit community organizations to have a say in Station Area Planning and Equitable Transit Oriented Development for the future North Delridge light-rail station to which buses from South Delridge will connect. Watch for reps at community events this summer, such as the Low Rider Block Party (which will be presented for a third year by Nepantla).
HPAC’S NEXT MEETING: Usually the fourth Wednesday, 7 pm, but some months (like this one) may vary, so check hpacws.org for updates.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
So you’ll know before you go, here are the transportation/transit changes for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday:
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route on Sunday schedule, most other routes on Saturday schedule
WATER TAXI: West Seattle route (and its shuttles) on Sunday schedule, Vashon route out of service
METRO BUSES: Sunday schedule
SOUND TRANSIT BUSES & TRAINS: Mostly Sunday schedule – here’s the list
OTHER SERVICES: See the list in this Metro Matters post
(Saturday morning photo from Gary)
Early Saturday, after numerous texts, we reported on what turned out to be a Washington State Patrol aircraft circling in multiple areas of West Seattle. We also showed its flight path, looping over other areas of the county before coming here. Commenters added word of WSP on the ground in Seaview (and, as shown above, a photo). Today a WSP news release explains it all (West Seattle is the second case):
Just after 1:00 am yesterday morning, May 27, 2023, Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers were involved in two incidents in which drivers fled from attempted traffic stops.
Eluding #1 – A Pontiac G8 fled from an attempted traffic stop NB SR 167 near 212th in Kent. WSP aircraft followed as the vehicle took the exit to 180th where it got caught up in traffic allowing the ground units to contact the vehicle. The driver was arrested for Felony Eluding and the 17 year old passenger was arrested for illegal possession of a handgun.
Eluding #2 – This occurred in nearly the same location – NB SR 167 approaching I-405 – when two Infiniti sedans were observed at a high rate and fled from an attempted traffic stop. WSP aircraft was able to locate one of the vehicles and began following the vehicle and communicating to the ground units on the direction of travel. The Infiniti continued NB on I-405 to WB I-90, at times turning all lights off and driving in an extremely reckless manner even though there was NO pursuit. WSP aircraft followed the vehicle all the way to SB I-5, then the West Seattle Freeway into West Seattle, where the car was abandoned in an alley. Ground units were guided to the area and were able to place the driver and passenger that fled on foot into custody.
These two incidents display the use of the Aviation Section of the Washington State Patrol as paramount to holding suspects accountable that choose to flee from law enforcement. This creates the safest way possible to reach the goal of safety for all and create a deterrent for this illegal and unsafe behavior. The communication and coordination between the aircraft, WSP District 2/King County ground units and local law enforcement partners allows for this accountability and WILL continue.
We’ll be following up on the people arrested in West Seattle.
Multiple reports, via email and Twitter, with word of brown water. First:
John on the 7100 block of California Ave SW reports taking a “mineral bath” and recommends checking your water before doing the laundry.
Also just out of the inbox, T reports, “I want to let you know about brown water in Gatewood (41st and Holden) this morning. It’s been reported to SPU. … Apparently someone has operated a hydrant in the neighborhood which stirred up sediment. It should be clear by 6:00 p.m.” If your water turns up discolored, always report it to SPU, 206-386-1800, so they can track it; they recently explained that a change in hydrant-testing procedures is apparently stirring up more sediment – mostly rust – in the lines. (Thanks to the commenter who provided the initial tip about that change!)
6:30 AM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the photos. Homicide and CSI detectives are at Don Armeni Boat Ramp after a shooting victim was found dead.
It happened around 4 am – the initial SFD dispatch was that “armed security found a man down and a bullet nearby.” They tried CPR but it was too late. We’ve just talked with SPD spokesperson Officer Shawn Weismiller, who confirms that a male victim was found dead, and no one is in custody. No other details on the circumstances yet. This was the third shooting incident in our area in the span of five hours, after the Roxy’s Casino and Lincoln Park incidents. And it’s the fourth deadly shooting that SPD has investigated in West Seattle in less than two months, with no arrests in any of these cases yet – 20-year-old Ka’Don Brown, found dead on the Chief Sealth IHS campus April 8th; 41-year-old Chad Anderson, found dead on 15th SW in South Delridge on May 8th; and 25-year-old Davonté Sanchez, killed near Alki’s Whale Tail Park on May 13th.
7:11 AM: The Medical Examiner’s Office has arrived on scene, as shown in that photo from Doug, who says police are asking nearby residents if they saw anything or have any video that might show what happened. The victim was found by the path along the south-end vehicle parking spaces. If you have video or other information for investigators, the SPD tip line is 206-233-5000.
ADDED 9:18 AM: SPD says the victim was 49 years old.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s what’s on the list for the second day of this holiday weekend, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY DEVELOPMENTAL PLAY & Q/A: At Alki Beach, 9 am. Free/donation-based. RSVP – our calendar listing explains how.
VFW POPPIES: VFW Post 2713 is at Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW) with handmade Memorial Day poppies, accepting donations.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm; the market offers spring produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, plant starts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
SOUL SPA: Inner Alchemy is hosting Soul Spas on Sundays at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW) during Farmers’ Market hours, 10 am-2 pm: “a fun community experience of meeting our talented local healers, makers, and artists right alongside the Farmers’ Market. Mini-sessions, shopping, connecting, and Timmy cooking brunch!”
SALES: Holiday-weekend sales continue today at two WSB sponsors:
–Emerald Water Anglers (4502 42nd SW) – 20% off all winter clothing and select rods. Open 11 am-5 pm.
–Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska) – paddle-sports gear and accessories. Shop in-store to get 15 percent off one in-stock item, or buy online and use code MEM10N to get 10 percent off. Open 11 am-6 pm.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: First Sunday of the season for free tours of historic Alki Point Lighthouse (3201 Alki Avenue SW), 1-4 pm (last tour starts at 3:45 pm).
MEET KITTENS: Pop-up event at Meeples Games (3727 California SW) with adoptable kittens and Beloveds Foundation, 3-6 pm.
THEATER: Closing performance for “Zach” by Christian St. Croix, directed by Sara Porkalob, at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 3 pm. Tickets here.
END THE WEEKEND PEACEFULLY: Inner Alchemy offers Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, Breath Work, and Gong Bath from 7-8:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). RSVP/fee info is in our calendar listing.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Have an event – one-time or recurring – to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
1:57 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “full response” for a possible house fire at 45th/Findlay. The initial report is “garage on fire adjacent to the house, possible house involvement as well.”
2:02 AM: First unit on scene confirms it’s a “working fire.”
2:18 AM: Thanks to Janet for the photo. Firefighters are still working on the garage fire. No report of any injuries so far. Some units are being dismissed.
2:45 PM: We asked SFD about the cause. Response: “Fire investigators determined that this was an accidental fire. The amount loss was about $50,000.” The fire was sparked by oily rags, which can self-combust.
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