West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
Three biznotes:
SNAPDRAGON: Tim sent that sneak-peek photo taken through an open door while crews were working in the corner space on the Senior Center of West Seattle‘s ground floor at California/Oregon. When we reported on the Vashon bakery‘s pop-ups there last summer, a full-time takeover was possible, and signage since then has confirmed it. After getting the photo from Tim, we checked in with Snapdragon to see if there’s an update on their projected opening. Not yet, Snapdragon’s Megan Hastings replied, explaining, “we are still waiting for some stuff to come through. But we might do a few pop-ups as we are waiting!” Stand by for word on those.
SEATTLE STRENGTH & PERFORMANCE: The long-vacant space at 2942 SW Avalon Way (once home to Ola Salon, before they moved to Burien) has a new tenant, part of the West Seattle fitness boom. This is the third location for Seattle Strength & Performance, which also has studios in Queen Anne and on Phinney Ridge. We’re told they’re opening here on May 1st.
NIGHT MARKET SEEKING VENDORS: The same South Delridge location that hosts a Farmers’ Market on summer Saturdays is hosting a Night Market next month, and welcoming vendors.
It’s planned for 7-10 pm Saturday, April 6, on the Hope Academy grounds at 9421 18th SW. If you’re interested in being a vendor, call 206-536-4841.
If you use Seattle Public Library services, SPL wants you to know that all its branches (and the Central Library downtown) will be closed one week from today, on Wednesday, March 27, for a staff in-service day. Branch book drops will remain open; no materials will be due on that date.
5:06 PM: At midday today, we got a tip about an apparent warrant arrest, with tactical officers, at (corrected) Fauntleroy/Hudson (and the security-camera image above). The operation was wrapping up and everyone was gone by the time we arrived, but officers had told dispatch they had one person in custody. There were also indications that other agencies were involved, so we’ve been following up to try to find out more. SPD just told us, in response to our inquiry, that the West Seattle arrest was one of the suspects mentioned in their newest post:
This morning, at various locations throughout the city, detectives arrested three suspects involved in a series of home invasion robberies.
During one of the robberies, in the Lake City neighborhood, the suspects were armed with handguns and rifles. They allegedly entered the victim’s home while they were sleeping, woke them up, and demanded the victims unlock electronic devices found inside the house.
Over the past several months, Seattle Police Robbery detectives and Mountlake Terrace Police Department detectives have been investigating similar robberies and were able to identify three of the involved suspects.
Today, in a joint arrest operation with Seattle SWAT, North Sound Metro SWAT, all three suspects were placed into custody. During one of the arrests a firearm was recovered.
A 21-year-old male was booked into King County Jail (KCJ) for investigation of robbery. A 20-year-old male was booked for robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. A 27-year-old was booked into Snohomish County jail for robbery.
We’re now trying to find out which suspect was the one arrested here, and exactly which incident(s) he was wanted for.
6:06 PM: Seattle Police say the man arrested at Fauntleroy/Hudson was the 20-year-old they mentioned. He was just booked into King County Jail, where the docket shows other cases in which he is charged; we’ll be reviewing those documents soon as we can download them.
The photo and report are from William:
Someone’s steering-wheel lock, umbrella, and iPhone cable were found on the street this morning at 38th and Juneau; after checking in with the neighbors no one’s car had been stolen, so perhaps the stuff wad dumped here from another stolen car? The stuff is still outside if it’s yours…
(Added: WSB photo of ships at T-5, seen from Jack Block Park viewpoint)
2:21 PM: Thanks to Larry for the tip. As of this afternoon, two cargo ships are in at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 – MSC Julie and MSC Savona – in what may be the official debut of the second modernized berth. We’re checking with the Northwest Seaport Alliance and Port of Seattle for comment. Both berths at T-5 have been modernized in a half-billion-dollar project; the first one to be completed, the north berth, started accepting cargo calls in January 2022.
3:20 PM: NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh confirms that MSC Julie is the first to call at the modernized south berth. However, NWSA says the project is “currently in the final stages of commissioning”; we’re asking for clarification on what remains to be done.
New on the city’s bidding website: The project to resurface the eastbound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge’s eastern half, formally known as the Spokane Street Viaduct, has just gone out to bid.
(Framegrab from SDOT camera. Eastbound SSV at left, westbound at right)
Bidding opened this morning. SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson tells WSB, “This project will include repaving the eastbound lanes, as well as drainage improvements and bridge deck repair on the westbound lanes.” The city got a $5 million federal grant two years ago to help cover the cost. The (corrected) eastbound (south) side of the Spokane Street Viaduct is the older side, built in the ’40s; the westbound (north) side was built in the late ’00s/early ’10s. It was closed several times for repair work during the 2 1/2-year-long full closure of the rest of the West Seattle Bridge; pothole problems have persisted on both sides, and as SDOT described it in 2022, “The existing concrete deck overlay exhibits significant signs of ‘alligator skin’ cracking and damage.” As part of preparation for this project, a “deck scan” was done in 2021. When will the SSV work start and how long will it last? TBD, says Bergerson: “Once a contractor is selected, we will work with them to determine the exact construction timeline.” It is expected to be complete by the end of the year, though, he added. Bidding is open for three weeks, so a contractor won’t be chosen for more than a month.
11:23 AM: While sun lovers might be sad about the gray sky – here’s a side benefit: It’s easier to see the black fins of orcas slicing through gray water than it is to see them in blue water on a sunny day. And if you can break away, or have a window with a bay view, you can look for some right now: Kersti Muul texted to report, “Large group of transients (10+) just entered Elliott Bay proper, north end, Seattle side, southbound.” Let us know if you see them!
11:33 AM: See Kersti’s update in the comment section below.
(Hyacinths, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s our list of reminders for the rest of today/tonight:
DROP-IN CREATIVITY: Bring your art/craft project to West Side Presbyterian Church (3605 California SW) 9:30-11:30 am Wednesdays!
TODDLER READING TIME: Wednesdays at 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
FREE TODDLER GYM: 3-5 pm drop-in playspace at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).
FREE FLUTE CONCERT: Community members welcome as Toujaise Flute Duo performs a spring concert at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW), 1 pm.
LAND USE COMMITTEE: 2 pm, the City Council’s Land Use Committee agenda includes the Connected Communities pilot program, which would change development rules in some areas, including those with historical racially restrictive covenants. Here’s the agenda; the meeting will be streamed as usual via Seattle Channel.
DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Roxhill Elementary benefits if you use this code at Chipotle in The Junction (4730 California SW), 4-8 pm today.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6 pm.
COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP MEETING … for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock project, 6 pm, online. Get the viewing link here.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
QUEER SKATE PROM: Special event at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW) in White Center, raising money for WC Pride, 8:30 pm.
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
With Easter just a week and a half away, more than half a dozen local churches have sent info for our seasonal list of services – including Holy Week – and other special events. If yours hasn’t, there’s still time; send the dates/times/brief descriptions to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Here’s what we have so far. Several plan egg hunts, which we’ll be cross-referencing to this separate list too.)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, March 20, the first official full day of spring.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Hello again, clouds; the forecast also projects a high in the mid-50s, back to normal for this date. Sunrise will be at 7:10 am, sunset at 7:23 pm.
(Tuesday sunset at Lincoln Park – by Chi K Photography)
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes. 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 they’re not already on scene). Thank you!
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