day : 30/05/2024 10 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigate gunfire

ORIGINAL REPORT: Police responding to suspected gunfire in North Delridge have just told dispatch that they’ve found evidence – shell casings on the one-lane bridge across Longfellow Creek near 28th SW and SW Nevada [map]. There’s a report that someone saw a person in a vehicle firing a gun, possibly a dark SUV. No injuries reported so far.

ADDED MONDAY: Police finally released a bit of additional information – that they found a total of three casings. No injuries or damage otherwise.

FOLLOWUP: Here’s how Councilmember Saka’s survey about transportation-levy priorities turned out

ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: As a City Council committee led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka continues reviewing the proposed transportation-levy renewal/expansion, Saka has released results of his survey about levy priorities. We published the participation link back in early April. He told his email-newsletter list today that more than 1,800 people took the survey; here’s how that broke out geographically:

Here’s how he wrote about and showed the results:

Of the high-level survey responses, the categories of “Street Repaving” (including filling potholes!), “Bridge Maintenance and Repair” (not surprising given the extended closure of the West Seattle bridge!) and “Safe Crossings, More and Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Better Lighting, Safe Routes to Schools” tied for the top combined first, second, and third choices of respondents.

I do understand that the categories of Personal Safety, Pedestrian Lighting at Stops, and, More Transit Routes & Stops, and New Sidewalks also ranked high and is strongly corroborated by the many qualitative comments.

And while other categories may not have ranked as high, they will likely be included in the final proposed Transportation Levy package – all which will be ultimately for the voters to decide on this Fall’s ballot.

The graph below shows the categorization of some of the major qualitative comments received. I read the many comments which, together with the quantitative survey results, will help inform my Office and guide my decisionmaking as we move forward together.

Soon, I will be sharing my draft “Chair’s Amendment” to the Mayor’s proposed Transportation Levy renewal package and this information will be available on Council’s website.

In the meantime, Councilmember Saka notes that one public hearing and four other meetings – all of which also include public-comment periods – remain for levy consideration:

June 4, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

June 4, 4:30 PM | Second Public Hearing

June 18, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

July 2, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting

July 9, 2:00 PM | Full Council Meeting – Final Adoption of Proposed Levy Package to go before Voters in November 2024 General Election

Agendas explain how to comment, and will appear on this page when posted.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: A new council memo details key points of Saka’s aforementioned levy amendment, though the specific text is not yet available.

FOLLOWUP: Healthy Street additions ‘not responsive to our concerns,’ says Alki Point For All

(SDOT current/future cross-section comparison, from project webpage)

For the first time since SDOT announced last Friday that it would proceed with the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, adding a few features, we’re hearing from the group that had been fighting the plan. Alki Point For All says it wants to clarify that the SDOT changes did not constitute a compromise. Here’s their statement:

Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that it is proceeding with construction at Alki Point, with changes based on community feedback, including ours. To clear up any confusion caused by that announcement, the changes are not responsive to our concerns. SDOT has not addressed the substantive issues we have raised regarding the harmful impact of this project on social equity, safety, and marine education and conservation. At a recent meeting we encouraged SDOT to consider solutions that would better meet the needs of the wider community, while still achieving its goals. The small cosmetic changes announced last week bear little resemblance to the ideas we proposed, as described below.

1. Transformative Art. We encouraged SDOT to consider street art as way to organically slow traffic and increase safety. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proven this concept in projects all over the country: Asphalt Art Initiative and Asphalt Art Safety Study. We suggested that local artists like the Youngstown Arts Collective could be engaged to create the design. In piloting this approach, Alki Point could serve as a model for other Healthy Streets, and bring communities together rather than dividing them. Instead, SDOT will add decorative art to their existing design — missing the point, and the opportunity.

2. Welcome Signs. We proposed replacing the Street Closed signs with signs that said “Welcome to Constellation Marine Reserve. Go Slow.” The goal of that change was to alert drivers they are entering a special place, and encourage (or require) them to slow down, while at the same time welcoming the public to use a public space. SDOT liked our idea for “Welcome” signs, but plans to install them in addition to, not instead of, the Street Closed signs. It’s hard to imagine a more confusing message: welcome, and stay away.

3. Bus Parking. SDOT’s solution is insufficient for the need—the spaces they’ve identified are too small. When students come to Alki Point for field trips, the number of busses can range from two to nineteen. We recommended that SDOT contact schools to determine the actual need.

4. Time / Area Closures. Instead of a permanent “rolling” lane, we proposed using time and area closures such as car-free Sundays. Shorter temporary closures would be safer for people who want to recreate in the street, and allow more people to access the area year-round. That suggestion was ignored.

In October 2022, SDOT announced its preferred design for Alki Point, which called for the loss of five parking spaces on Alki Ave SW. In December 2023, the agency revealed its final design, which for the first time included the addition of a “rolling” lane and the loss of 62 parking spaces along the west side Beach Drive. These significant changes were made too late for public comment, without stakeholder notification or engagement, and in violation of their own guidelines for Healthy Streets.

SDOT has broken faith with its constituents in both how its decisions were made and how they are described. This latest announcement is more of the same. We expect more from a city that values transparency and accountability in governing. Nearly 1800 people have signed our petition asking the Mayor to halt this project.

So beyond this statement, what does the coalition plan to do? we asked on followup. Spokesperson Donna Sandstrom replied, “We are considering our next steps. Our goal in writing this was to set the public record straight – SDOT’s announcement created a false impression that they were responsive to community feedback. They were not. For now we are still encouraging people to sign our petition. We’re working on a website and reaching out to the people who came to our meeting. We see this as the first leg of a relay. We didn’t achieve our first goal of halting construction, but we are confident that this wrong will be righted in the long run.” She says the group also is heartened that City Councilmember Rob Saka has pledged to evaluate the project in the fall. Meantime, SDOT said earlier this week that construction of the permanent features, including a walking-and-rolling path replacing waterfront parking spots, will resume as soon as this Saturday (June 1).

FOLLOWUP: Seattle Parks updates on pickleball and tennis

(October 2023 WSB photo of Lincoln Park ex-site)

One week after Seattle Parks announced it had ditched the plan for converting former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts, it’s out with a citywide update on pickleball and tennis, including a reiteration of its Lincoln Park intentions, and a bit about Solstice Park (both of which we’ve boldfaced below for emphasis):

Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to announce several developments based on the 2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study and the recent 2024 SPR Pickleball and Tennis Vision presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners …

… First and foremost, SPR is announcing the establishment of two sport-specific hubs: Green Lake Park (East Courts) will be a dedicated pickleball hub, and Lower Woodland Park (Lower Courts) will be a dedicated tennis hub! These two locations are excellent models for the start of sport-specific hubs in the city. SPR will use these models to pilot new initiatives as we refine the “hub specific” model for implementation elsewhere.

Additionally, the Belltown Pickleball Courts at the intersection of 5th Ave. and Taylor Ave. are now conducting a “Quiet-Paddles” only pilot. Players must use their own paddles – or check out a loaner paddle from nearby businesses – that meets criteria for Quiet-Category paddles certified by USA Pickleball. These products deliver essentially 50 percent or less of the acoustic footprint of equipment commonly used in the play of pickleball.

SPR is moving forward with new outdoor court capital development. This summer SPR will be resurfacing and restriping the tennis courts at David Rodgers Park tennis courts, Amy Yee Tennis Center outdoor courts, and, if budget allows half the tennis courts at Solstice Park (with the other half planned for resurfacing in 2025). Additionally, we will be adding noise-reducing fence technology to the courts located at Miller Park and Laurelhurst Park to mitigate noise associated with pickleball play.

SPR will not be pursuing the proposed pickleball courts at Lincoln Park. The fence surrounding the existing court slab will be removed and the area will remain “undeveloped” until a more suitable site can be identified and agreed on by community members.

SPR has launched a new online engagement hub at Project: Racquet & Paddle Sports (seattleparksandrec.com) which will be a one-stop shop for all racquet and paddle sports in the City. The community who visit the online hub may engage with planning efforts, connect with other community members, get updates about planned events, and provide feedback on SPR’s efforts to improve and increase all racquet and paddle sports courts and programs.

Lastly, SPR is working through re-vamping the online reservation system and the “Rules of the Court” at all facilities to simplify and clarify when and how the courts are used for the sports of pickleball or tennis. Look for changes coming to the online system, as well as new signs and banners posted at courts over the next few months.

We’re seeking comment from Parks on one followup point – whether the old slab at Lincoln Park will stay or go. As for Solstice Park, it was originally scheduled for resurfacing and restriping last year – and after we learned and reported the plan to add pickleball striping, the now-scrapped Lincoln Park pickleball alternative emerged.

BIZNOTES: More signs of change

Two more window signs of note:

TOP POT DOUGHNUTS: When we reported a month-plus ago that Top Pot Doughnuts was returning to West Seattle, we noted that sources had told us the location would be the ex-Wildflour/Flying Apron spot at 4709 California SW. Thanks to Anne for the tip that proof has appeared in the windows today:

Our photographer talked to Top Pot employees working in the space today and they said they’re hoping to be open “in a couple months.” A company spokesperson told us by email “summer.”

PEARLS: We noticed this sign, and empty windows otherwise, while passing Pearls (4800 Delridge Way SW), and stopped for a closer look:

No further info so far. We’ve added it to our watch list for future reopening.

BIZNOTE: MOD Pizza closes West Seattle Junction location

Thanks to Lauren for the tip and photo. MOD Pizza has closed what was its first West Seattle location, on the east side of The Junction, in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Its Westwood Village location remains open. The now-closed location opened in February 2018. Besides its employees and fans, another group will be affected by the closure – the many nonprofits, sports teams, etc. for which it’s held dine-out fundraisers. The Seattle-born chain closed more than two dozen stores earlier this year, according to reports.

MUSIC: First band announcement for Admiral Music in the Parks

(ABBAgraphs at The Mount, WSB photo from 2019)

As noted here two weeks ago, the Admiral Neighborhood Association is relaunching its summer concert series as Admiral Music in the Parks, and has chosen three locations for this year’s three shows:

Thursday, July 18th 6:30 pm @ Belvedere Park

Thursday, July 25th 6:30 pm @ California Place Park

Thursday, August 1st 6:30 pm @ Hamilton Viewpoint

ANA has now made its first band announcement – not for the first date, but for the third – ABBAgraphs will bring the music of ABBA to the final show on August 1st! All shows are free – bring your own blanket/chair.

P.S. ANA is still seeking concert sponsors – you can contact them here to find out more about that.

THEATER: ‘Clyde’s’ opens at ArtsWest one week from tonight

May 30, 2024 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on THEATER: ‘Clyde’s’ opens at ArtsWest one week from tonight
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The next production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is just one week away:

(ArtsWest photo)

ArtsWest will produce “Clyde’s” by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined). This co-production with The Hansberry Project will be directed by Seattle theatre staple Valerie Curtis-Newton. The cast features Reginald Jackson, Deja Culver, Jacob Alcazar, Joe Moore, and Tracy Michelle Hughes playing the titular role. Clyde’s performs at ArtsWest from June 6 through June 30, 2024. Tickets are available online at artswest.org or by phone at 206-938.0963.

In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck stop cafe. As the shop’s mischievous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff work to see themselves as whole—to dream again—despite their pasts.

Through the lens of comedy and food, Nottage asks us to consider the long-term weight of the criminal justice system, the difficulties of reentry, and how we view second chances. Joe Moore, who plays Jason in the show, points to the fact that while we live in a country with “by far the biggest incarcerated population in the world,” there is “very little support” in the system for formerly incarcerated folks. This show calls us to “reflect on our own biases, and… open ourselves up to empath[y].” We hope you will join us.

ArtsWest will present Clyde’s, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.

Before the official June 6 opening, there’s a Wednesday night (June 5) preview – check for tickets here.

WSHS talent show + 11 more options for your West Seattle Thursday

May 30, 2024 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on WSHS talent show + 11 more options for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey, photographed by Dan Ciske)

Here are highlights of what’s happening in the hours ahead!

INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Until noon, you’re welcome to drop in with your little one at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) for free indoor playtime.

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Need plants? The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar now open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – drop by to sip and nosh!

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at what’s now the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Project Pizza.

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: Cheer for the students and enjoy their performances tonight, 6:30 pm in the WSHS Theater (3000 California SW), $5 at the door, bring cash for that and concessions.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Thursday watch

May 30, 2024 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK: Thursday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:41 AM: Out on the eastbound bridge this morning and noticing very heavy traffic, both headed for the exit to 99 and beyond – so if you haven’t headed out yet, allot more time!

Earlier:

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, May 30.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Should see some sunshine, high in the low 60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:16 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.

=ONGOING ROAD WORK

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:

STADIUM ZONE

If you’re going through SODO today, note that the Mariners have a day game vs. Houston, 1:10 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check for 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 last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Low bridge: Open.

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on it.)

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!