West Seattle, Washington
03 Thursday
One year ago, SDOT released its “top-to-bottom review” of the Vision Zero program, concluding that Vision Zero wasn’t making progress toward its goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on Seattle streets by 2030 because too little action was being taken. One year later, the trend has yet to reverse, and SDOT’s newly released Vision Zero Action Plan Update calls again for more to be done. SDOT reps explained what that will detail as the spotlight guests at this past Thursday’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting.
SDOT’s David Burgesser opened by saying it’s all put in perspective by remembering the humanity of each victim – the 1,700+ people seriously hurt and ~228 people killed since the program’s launch in 2015 (update: four this week alone, with deadly crashes in North Seattle and downtown in the hours before the meeting, and another downtown on Friday night, plus one as we wrote this story). A majority of the victims are those most vulnerable, he said – people walking, rolling, or riding.
The updated plan, he said, focuses on 22 strategies, and 80+ actions, most of which, he said, “fall within the safer roads/safer speeds category.”
Part of the plan also seeks better data – for example, while the city has many data dashboards, it does not have one for Vision Zero, but Burgesser said they are working on that. Two sections of the update also call for better correlation of SFD and SPD data from collision responses.
The WSTC meeting discussion didn’t dive into West Seattle specifics, so we browsed the Action Plan Update looking for them. What we found were mentions of some projects already planned or even under way. One was completion of the Terminal 5 Quiet Zone, safety improvements meant to enable trains serving T-5 to (mostly) avoid horn use. (A port rep in attendance at the meeting said the Quiet Zone work should be complete within a few months – that’s a bit behind what was estimated last fall, and way beyond the original plan for it to be done before the first modernized T-5 berth opened.) Another was to “Develop an updated plan to improve the safety of bridge expansion joints, railings, and barrier types for people biking, rolling, and walking,” and the soon-to-begin Admiral Way Bridge seismic-strengthening project was designated for that work. West Seattle light rail, though it’s not planned to launch until 2032, got a mention too: “Develop station access plans for future light rail stations and enhance the experience and quality of existing facilities that connect people walking, biking, and rolling along and across major transit corridors,” with a “2024 target” listed as “Develop a priority list of station access projects for the West Seattle Link Extension stations that can be supported with available station access funding from Sound Transit.” And it’s likely some West Seattle locations will eventually be part of citywide plans like these:
In Q/A, WSTC’s Deb Barker said she had recently visited Australia and learned that it too was having what she termed “abysmal” results despite working under Vision Zero. (We later found this story about that.) She asked Burgesser for an example of where it’s working. New Jersey communities were cited in response – no fatalities in 7 years in Hoboken (population 60,000), for example. (We found this recent story verifying that.) Why a three-year plan? That’s meant to give them an opening for “one more pivot” before 2030 if needed.
ALSO AT THE WSTC MEETING: Kate Nolan from the Northwest Seaport Alliance – the cargo-shipping authority for Seattle and Tacoma – talked about their zero-emission truck program; we weren’t able to watch that section of the meeting, but the full video will eventually be up on the WSTC YouTube channel (now at youtube.com/westseattletc). Asked how many vessels are using shore power now that it’s available at both T-5 berths, she said “about half” was what she’d most recently heard. … Board elections were postponed until the next meeting, July 25, to give time for recruitment efforts; there’s been a lot of attrition in the past year-plus, so lots of room to get involved – email info@westseattletc.org to find out more.
Flags are flying over veterans’ graves at Forest Lawn Cemetery (6701 30th SW), where West Seattle’s traditional Memorial Day remembrance returns tomorrow for the first time since 2019, described as “a special way to honor and remember our fallen heroes.” We’re reminding you in case you missed our announcement last Monday. All are welcome for the ceremony, which will feature speakers and music. Look for the canopy.
4:58 PM: After multiple 911 calls reporting suspected gunfire in North Delridge, officers have just reported to dispatch that they’ve confirmed it, finding “a scene” at 25th/Juneau. No report of injuries so far.
5:01 PM: Police say they’ve found 19 casings of two different calibers so far and that a witness told them a “group of four” did the shooting.
5:35 PM: Police were wrapping up when we got to the scene a short time ago but did point out what you see in our photo above: a bullet hole in the windshield of a Range Rover parked on Juneau outside the Longfellow Creek Apartments.
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
4:29 PM: For one final day, Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center is not just serving ice cream, but also serving as a community gathering place. People are lined up to get in for one last scoop before the shop closes after 16 years.
Inside, community-created art pays tribute to Full Tilt co-founder Justin Cline, whose untimely death in March led to wife and co-founder Ann Magyar‘s decision to close.
Ann is there, of course, for the last hurrah, as is son Moss, helping out behind the counter.
Ann plans to return to her original career, teaching. But first, wrapping up a business is hard work – selling the equipment, for example. And eventually a celebration of Justin’s life will be held. But today, you have until 8 pm to stop by the shop at 9629 16th SW for ice cream, pinball, and memories.
8:37 PM: Thanks to those who’ve sent photos! From Megan, the scene inside the shop early this afternoon:
And from Gabe – here’s James with one last Full Tilt treat:
Four development notes this afternoon:
5249 CALIFORNIA: We noticed new signage today at this long-mostly-idle site just south of the past-and-possibly-future Ephesus: “New Homes Coming Soon!” A check of city files shows that permits are still under review for the latest proposal here, two 3-story buildings with nine townhouses, same project we last mentioned in early 2023. The website for J&T Development, which bought the site two years ago, says the units will all be 3 bedrooms, 3 baths.
3507 SW WEBSTER: This 4-story townhouse project, replacing a 2-story building, is in the “early design review” stage and a community survey closes after tomorrow (Monday, May 27). Project information is on a webpage the developers set up here; the survey is here.
2236 ALKI SW: This site also has a townhouse project in “early design review,” and an outreach webpage set up by the developers. It says they’re planning a community “site walk” for Q&A and info, 4-6 pm on Thursday, June 6.
ADMIRAL CHURCH AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP: Also coming up, Homestead Community Land Trust and Admiral Church plan an update meeting at the church (4320 SW Hill) 2-4 pm next Sunday (June 2) with “concepts” for their affordable-homeownership project. (Here’s our most-recent coverage.)
Thanks for the tip! Seattle Public Library branches are reporting some tech trouble today:
Due to disruptions to the Library network, several services will be unavailable including public computers, public printing, and some online services. Library technology staff are working to restore services, but at this time there is no estimated time for restoration.
A post on the SPL X/Twitter account shows some system work was already planned for today anyway. All SPL facilities are scheduled to be closed for the Memorial Day holiday tomorrow.
ORIGINAL SUNDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tips about a briefly large police response seen heading into West Seattle. We’ve just talked to police at the scene. It was a call for backup while officers were responding to a burglary reported in the 2500 block of 57th SW. A suspect was taken into custody and the request for backup was canceled. According to what an officer just told dispatch, the suspect might also have been involved in an Admiral-area burglary on Saturday. (added) Listening back to original dispatch audio, the suspect was reported to have had a knife when this morning’s incident was first called in and was “possibly in crisis.”
TUESDAY NOTE: A few more details have been published today on SPD Blotter. The suspect remains in jail; we’re checking with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office regarding next steps.
Here’s what you should know about today/tonight, including highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
MEMORIAL DAY POPPIES: Again today, look for the canopy outside American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), where you can get your poppy, by donation. (We photographed Post commander Keith Hughes there on Saturday.)
MINI-POLAR PLUNGE: 9 am every Sunday, you’re welcome to join a group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: No Sunday Funday run this week.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: The market is open today, 10 am-2 pm as usual, on California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon, offering spring vegetables, flowers, fruit, and plants, plus baked goods, cheese, fish, meat, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, candy, more! Here’s today’s vendor list.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Second day of the season – open 11 am-8 pm, free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Third day of the season for volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists! The tide bottoms out at -2.7 feet just after 1:30 pm; they’ll be at Constellation Park (63rd SW/Beach Drive) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, near Colman Pool) 11:30 am-2:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Second day for the outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.
ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Today brings your first chance this year to visit the historic lighthouse most Sundays through the summer – free tours begin at 1 pm, and the last tour of the day starts at 3:45 pm. (3201 Alki SW)
FULL TILT’S FINALE: As announced in early April, today is the final day for Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s original White Center shop. Art, music, merch, and of course, ice cream, 2-8 pm. (9629 16th SW)
JUNCTION FC’S 3RD HOME MATCH: The new club plays a 2 pm match vs. United PDX at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Match tickets still available.
LOCAL BAND AT FOLKLIFE: If you’re headed to the festival, note that Better As Brass plays Folklife Festival at 4 pm at the Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre (305 Harrison).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Your weekend can conclude with music by the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8-10 pm.
Are you planning something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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