West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
ORIGINAL TUESDAY NIGHT REPORT: Police are investigating an armed carjacking reported a short time ago in the 8300 block of 41st SW. From initial exchanges between dispatch and officers, the car taken is described as a black Mazda M6; the suspects are described so far as three or four people associated with a dark-colored sedan, all Black and male, 5’10” to 6′, thin build, wearing ski masks and dark clothing, at least one with a gun. The stolen car was last seen northbound on 41st SW.
ADDED FRIDAY: The victim has told his story in comments below, and SPD has published its summary here.
Last Friday, during a “town hall” meeting on the Fauntleroy YMCA, dozens of community members pleaded for more details on the financial challenges clouding its future. (Here’s our coverage, including video of the meeting.) Local and regional YMCA executives promised more information would be forthcoming, as well as a community survey. But they didn’t say when, so we asked on Monday. Tonight, we have the answer, in an initial update from the Greater Seattle YMCA, which thanks Fauntleroy community members for participating, and continues:
We are currently consolidating all the email information we received this weekend. We plan to send a follow-up message via email to the emails we have in our system and those gathered at the town hall so that all those who attended and those who could not attend will be able to review the recording and the initial information below as soon as possible. Our goal is to try to reach our entire community, and we will need your help to do so.
In the next two weeks, we also plan to send out communications via email, in-person signage at the Fauntleroy Y, West Seattle Y, and the Fauntleroy Church, the media, and social media. The communication will include an initial survey on ideas, meeting setup, and more, as well as a high-level plan for moving forward. The plan will be hosted on our website so that our community can find the most up-to-date information. This plan should include: (1) communications (format, distribution, and more), continued town halls formatted for collaboration, and project timelines (2) additional context about where we were pre, during, and post the COVID pandemic (3) committee involvement, and (4) a place to ask more questions. Please let us know if you feel something needs to be added or if you have another idea that we should include in that upcoming communication or a question that we should address. As an additional part of our commitment to transparent communications, we will be sure to update you if timelines need adjusting (whether that means we can get you information sooner or later) and why. Please do not hesitate to contact us at pr@seattleymca.org.
Rumors that the YMCA was considering closing the longstanding Fauntleroy branch – which has never resumed daily operation since its pandemic closure – started circulating in early January. In response, statements were made by both Fauntleroy Church – whose campus holds the center – and the Y, which promised it wouldn’t make “hurried final decisions.”
Two things to tell you about the West Seattle low bridge (aka Spokane Street Swing Bridge):
(Latest SDOT traffic-camera image of low bridge)
TROUBLE TODAY: Just after noon, as we noted here, the low bridge malfunctioned. Traffic was flowing again before too long, but we asked SDOT about the glitch:
There was a problem with the vehicle gate not moving back into position correctly after a bridge opening for ships. The mechanics manually moved the barrier back into place … The gate was stuck because the rubber lining on the wheels that support the vehicle barrier had degraded and slipped off the rim causing the wheel mechanism to jam. Our mechanics are working to repair the wheel.
WORK AHEAD: Also this afternoon, SDOT announced that the long-planned communications-cable upgrade is about to start:
As part of our ongoing efforts to upgrade and repair the (low bridge), we will be installing a new communications line which connects the bridge control tower to the bridge’s moving parts.
While this work occurs, we will temporarily close a trail spur that branches off the main West Seattle Bridge Trailway. The impact to people who bike, walk, or roll in the area will be minimal. Our project closure site will not affect the main trail over the Spokane St Bridge, or the primary bike route between West Seattle and Downtown used by most people on bikes. Instead, we will be closing a section of the trail that provides an optional loop around the foundation of the Spokane St Bridge used by some bikers.
Map of the WSB Trail, showing the usual route people take (the green dotted line). Our project closure site will close the trail (seen here with a dotted orange line and solid red line) is not part of the usual route people take to reach West Seattle or Downtown.
SDOT says this work will start as soon as Thursday, and the “trail spur” closure won’t reopen before April.
(Seattle Channel image)
4:17 PM: Tanya Woo has joined the Seattle City Council as holder of citywide Position 8, at least until the November election. She was sworn in immediately after her appointment to the council on a 5-3 vote. Woo was the choice of Council President Sara Nelson and Councilmembers Bob Kettle, Cathy Moore, Maritza Rivera, and Rob Saka; Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth voted for Linh Thai, Councilmember Tammy Morales for Mari Sugiyama, and Councilmember Dan Strauss for Vivian Song. Woo will serve until the November election, in which whomever the voters choose – whether Woo or someone else – will serve the final year of what was Teresa Mosqueda‘s term before she was elected to the King County Council.
4:49 PM: As noted in the official announcement of the voting results, Woo “will chair the Sustainability, City Light, Arts, and Culture committee. She will also serve as the Vice Chair of the Libraries, Education, and Neighborhoods Committee and as a member of the Housing and Human Services, Land Use, and Transportation Committees.” Council President Nelson had said committees – where much council business gets done before reaching the full council for votes – would not start meeting until after the new councilmember was appointed.
Meantime, it should be noted that before this afternoon’s vote, councilmembers got one last chance to speak, offering general praise for all eight finalists. D-1 Councilmember Saka called it a “very, very tough decision.” He said the process is admittedly “imperfect” but the voters will have an “immediate” chance in November to have a say on who holds the job from that point on. He said he’d received “hundreds of emails” and also said “we need to move beyond over-politicizing the process” despite these “hyper-politicized times.” He added that “no one’s beating down my door for endorsements … I’m just a dad from Delridge” but said decisions like this are what he and his colleagues were elected to make.
2:02 PM Here’s what we’ve found out about the major emergency response at Southwest Athletic Complex/Teen Life Center. It was dispatched as a self-inflicted gunshot wound that happened at an undetermined location, with the victim showing up at the Teen Life Center. We are at the scene – more information as we get it.
2:11 PM: The center and adjacent Southwest Pool are closed because of the investigation. We’re still awaiting information at the scene. As noted in comments, the two schools across the street – Chief Sealth IHS and Denny IMS – are sheltering in place.
2:25 PM: From police radio – the schools wondered if they need to keep sheltering in place; police responded that the issue right now is that there is still an “outstanding firearm.”
2:39 PM: Per police radio, Denny will dismiss on time but they’re going to attempt to keep students away from the area where the investigation continues. (Added: A parent tells us the school also has messaged families that afterschool activities are canceled.) Meantime, Police Chief Adrian Diaz is there.
2:51 PM: We’re told Chief Diaz will brief us soon.
3:03 PM: The chief says the victim has died and that police are still investigating the circumstances of the shooting. When emergency responders arrived, they found the victim in a restroom at the center. He confirmed that they are still looking for the gun. SFD says the victim was a 14-year-old boy.
3:55 PM: Here’s our video of everything Chief Diaz said:
5:30 PM: Still a significant police presence at the center/pool/SWAC area.
6:28 PM: A message to Chief Sealth and Denny families says the 14-year-old was a CSIHS student. The message also says SPD “is investigating and working with the district’s Safety and Security team. Both schools will be open tomorrow. Students will see an increased presence of police and school security staff at and around their campuses.”
1:35 PM WEDNESDAY: We asked SPD several followup questions, including whether the gun had been found. The reply: “No new information as of yet.”
If Sound Transit keeps West Seattle light rail on its current schedule, construction could start in 2027 – three years away.
That might seem like a long time (especially considering seven years already have passed since the ST3 ballot measure that laid the groundwork for it), but for those with homes and businesses in its path, the clock is ticking. The Sound Transit Board won’t finalize the West Seattle station locations and routing until after the Final Environmental Impact Statement is published in the “middle” of this year, but is already focusing planning on likely station sites – including this one at the north end of Delridge Way.
Near the arrow labeled “north to West Seattle Bridge” is the current site of music venue/restaurant/bar The Skylark, whose owner Matt Larson sent an open letter to the community last night. We saw it via their mailing list and obtained permission to republish it:
Hello Skylark Friends, Family, Beloved Patrons,
I hope this message finds you well, and I want to take a moment to share something close to our hearts—something that directly impacts the heartbeat of our community.
You’re likely aware of the impending West Seattle Light Rail Extension, a reality that is drawing ever closer as we are directly in its path. However, what may not be as widely known are the challenges faced by businesses like ours, as well as our dear neighbors at Mode Music, Alki Daycare, and countless others in the West Seattle and Seattle area.
The city, in recognition of the impact this extension will have on local businesses, is offering support in the form of moving, storing, and hooking up our equipment. While they have committed to covering up to $50,000 in associated costs, it’s important to understand that this sum, though significant, falls short of the financial hurdles we would face. This would certainly not cover paying ourselves and our staff during the downtime, any buildouts that would most likely be necessary, the exponential increase in rent, plus all of the other costs that would be incurred with such an undertaking.
This looming inevitability not only disrupts our daily operations but also poses a significant obstacle when it comes to the future of our businesses. Even if one wanted to sell their business at this point, selling at their true value becomes impossible under these circumstances. Furthermore, we find ourselves in a challenging position as we await the letter informing us of the timeline for evacuation — ranging from 1 to 5 years (but probably closer to 1-2) — and the undetermined period we’ll have to vacate thereafter.
I share this not to debate the merits of the light rail or delve into the politics surrounding it. At this point, it’s an unavoidable reality we must collectively navigate. As the only music venue in West Seattle, one of the few all-ages venues in the city, and a hub for community events and LGBTQ gatherings, we’ve proudly been part of this vibrant community for over 16 years.
We’ve weathered storms together—from the challenges of the past years to enduring the bridge closure. Still, as we strive to find our footing amidst the rising costs of everything, the prospect of relocation without the necessary support feels disheartening, to say the least.
I share this not seeking sympathy but understanding. Our story is one of resilience, and we’re reaching out to our community for support, solidarity, and perhaps even some shared strategies for navigating this uncertain path.
In the meantime, I just ask that you perhaps pay an extra visit to us here and there! Support the other businesses and if you have something to offer, I know we are all ears and open to help, thoughts, ideas, or just moral support! We want to be here for you and we don’t want West Seattle to lose something very unique that will be terribly difficult to replicate or replace.
Thank you for being the heartbeat of West Seattle. Together, we’ll find the rhythm to face the challenges ahead and preserve the spirit that makes our community truly special.
With Gratitude,
Matt Larson
Owner, Skylark Cafe and Club
As Matt’s open letter notes, The Skylark is not the only business in this situation. But he felt this was the time to make a plea to the community. If you read our daily “what’s happening today/tonight” lists, Skylark events are a mainstay, including weekly open-mic, trivia, and bingo, plus live bands almost every Friday and Saturday. The venue is also a restaurant and bar. He’s owned it for a decade. Two years ago, we talked with Matt about The Skylark’s pandemic-survival story.
Today we’re welcoming Fauntleroy Gardening Co. as our newest WSB sponsor. When new sponsors join us to advertise their local businesses to you, they get the opportunity to tell you about themselves – here’s what Fauntleroy Gardening Co. would like you to know:
Are you looking for an exterior space to match the detail of your home’s interior? Do you want to extend your living space out into the garden? Fauntleroy Gardening Co. has distinguished itself in designing, installing, and maintaining gardens that invite the visitor into their spaces and encourage them to linger, relax, and unwind. Established in 2006 and based in West Seattle since 2014, Fauntleroy Gardening Co. welcomes new homeowners and established West Seattleites as we continue to grow our roots deeper in the neighborhood.
With over 20 years of horticultural and design experience, we provide our clients with unique garden design that closely aligns with their desired aesthetic, style of home, and natural surroundings. Our work ranges from containers to mixed borders, estate gardens to urban oases. In addition to fine pruning, seasonal color updates, seasonal cleanups, garden restoration, garden coaching, design & installation, we also specialize in garden maintenance.
Once your new or restored garden is in place, you’ll want to keep it looking beautiful with regular maintenance. Our clients rely upon and benefit from our team’s knowledge and expertise to assess the garden, create a game plan for its care, and implement it over time. Fine pruning techniques are used to whip neglected maples, rhododendrons, and other ornamentals into shape and keep them looking beautiful from season to season.
For those whose love of gardening exceeds the space that they have, let us tempt you with lush and lovely custom containers. Check out the container portfolio on our website for examples of containers that our clients love. We’re deeply invested in the care, maintenance, and betterment of our clients’ gardens as well as our community. That’s why we take the time to seek out local community organizations who share our values of preserving/protecting Puget Sound ecosystems, and enrich them through education and good old-fashioned hard work. We have partnered with New Start Community Garden (aka Shark Garden) by donating Fauntleroy Gardening Co. volunteer hours, and we look forward to expanding our local volunteer network as we continue to grow as a company.
We know that there are many landscaping companies out there and perhaps you’ve worked with one only to have been underwhelmed. Give FGC a call and let us show you what it means to work with a professional gardening company. Check us out on Instagram @fauntleroygardeningco, then head over to our website fauntleroygardeningco.com where you can see our portfolio and contact information. We look forward to meeting more of our West Seattle neighbors as we continue planting the seeds of great design.
We thank Fauntleroy Gardening Co. for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
(Seen off Alki one recent murky day – photo by Thomas Bach)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings 9 am-noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. Big agenda item: Appointment of City Council Position 8. And there is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
VISIT ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Prospective families are invited to an open house and tour at Roxhill Elementary (7740 34th SW), 5:30 pm.
LEARN ASL: Free weekly classes, 6 pm at West Seattle’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW). Start any time. Details in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new on these long nights! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Interested in singing with a choir? The Boeing Employees Choir – not limited to Boeing employees – rehearses in West Seattle, 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), and you’re invited to drop in.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 3: Three places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BASKETBALL: One high-school home game tonight – West Seattle High School‘s boys varsity team hosts Nathan Hale, 7:30 pm. (3000 California SW)
NEW! BINGO AT TALARICO’S: Starting tonight, 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What’s ahead? Preview it via our event calendar – and if you have something to add, please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
We are exactly five months from the 2024 West Seattle Garden Tour, set for June 23. But you’re invited to daydream about that summer day now, with the announcement of this year’s poster-art winner:
Each year, West Seattle Garden Tour provides an opportunity for one talented artist to showcase their original artwork on tour marketing materials and to take home a $750 cash prize. We are pleased to announce Sammamish artist Pam Lustig as the winning artist for our 2024 tour.
Garden Pose (18”w x 24”h; watercolor and pen) will be featured on the 2024 West Seattle Garden Tour’s official poster and ticket book. Ms. Lustig will also receive a $750 cash prize. West Seattle Garden Tour will conduct a silent auction of the artwork beginning at the May 2024 West Seattle Art Walk (at Capers Home) and concluding on the day of the tour, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Bids will also be taken on tour day in one of the gardens from 9 am to 5 pm. Proceeds will benefit this year’s designated grant recipient nonprofit organizations.
Garden Pose, along with works by four West Seattle Garden Tour Art Competition finalists, will be on view at Capers Home during the West Seattle Art Walk, 5-8 pm, May 9.
The Garden Tour usually sells out; you can order tickets right now online (in-person retail sales start in mid-May).
6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Tuesday, January 23rd.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain expected, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:46 am, sunset at 4:56 pm,
ROAD WORK
One last reminder that as mentioned last week, SDOT says it’s resuming work on crossing improvements at Roxbury/Olson – here’s the project flyer.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
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