day : 22/07/2024 9 results

UPDATE: Power outage in Lowman Beach area blamed on fallen tree branch

7:49 PM: Thanks for the tip. Power’s out for 248 residences in the Lowman Beach area and a bit beyond. One tipster says they “heard a boom” before the outage started around 7:35 pm.

9:28 PM: We’re getting reports of restoration. … The SCL map shows everyone is back on. We’ll follow up tomorrow regarding the cause.

ADDED TUESDAY: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang tells WSB, “The cause of the outage was a branch that had fallen across a wire span near Lincoln Park Way SW and 47 Avenue SW.”

FOLLOWUP: Man who shot domestic-violence suspect at Lincoln Park released from custody

We’ve obtained more information from Seattle Police as they continue investigating the Sunday shooting in Lincoln Park.

(WSB photo, Sunday)

As we first reported Sunday morning, the shooting sent a 27-year-old man to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the hip. Police initially told us he was shot by someone trying to break up a domestic-violence assault, and today they’ve provided more details:

They say the assault, involving a man and pregnant woman who are in a relationship, began in a car in the Lincoln Park north lot. The woman escaped from the car and ran into the park asking for help. The 30-year-old man who helped her “shielded and protected the woman as the suspect advanced on them,” according to SPD spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz, who continued, “The man shot the suspect once in the hip while protecting himself and the DV victim.” Police recovered the gun and one fired shell casing. They say the assault suspect was not armed. He remains in the hospital for medical treatment but is under arrest for second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. The man who shot him “was initially placed under arrest while officers investigated,” Officer Muñoz said, adding: “After being transported to SPD Headquarters and interviewed by detectives, he was released from police custody.” As we noted in our Sunday report, that man is an SPD lieutenant’s son; SPD says the lieutenant was not involved in the incident. The woman who was assaulted was taken to a hospital in stable condition but police have no current information on her condition. SPD says this case has been assigned to detectives with the Domestic Violence Unit.

FOLLOWUP: Here’s where SDOT plans 10 new speed cushions/humps in Alki area

Since the Alki-area public-safety meeting convened by District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka last month (WSB coverage here), we’ve been asking SDOT about where specifically they’re planning speed cushions and other traffic calming, as promised at the meeting. They told us last week they were still working on it. Then Councilmember Saka said at this afternoon’s City Council briefing meeting that he would have an announcement later in the day – and it’s just in, with this SDOT map:

Here’s the SDOT elaboration that Saka included:

We now have a final design, and work scheduled, for the concrete speed cushion installations on Harbor, Alki and 56th Ave SW.  The map shows the speed hump locations and it is at 90% design. Taking a design from 90-100% is essentially completed in the field.

The work orders are all [in] and field layout is tentatively scheduled … with the actual construction beginning July 29. “Field layout” means people will see temporary markings outlining the locations of the speed cushions, while construction itself shouldn’t take more than 2-3 days.

NOTE: To avoid confusion, speed cushions, humps, and bumps are often used interchangeably. However, speed cushions are done with cut-outs on non-arterial streets which are generally more narrow so to allow for fire truck access. The speed ‘humps’ are more shallow than speed ‘bumps’ to allow for fire truck access but steep enough to slow vehicles down on the arterial streets.

The speed cushion implementation is essentially a Phase 1 of potential improvements. SDOT will also be looking at narrowing the roadway outside the Duwamish Head area, where the lane width is already relatively narrow, and this work will be done likely in September.

The angle parking at Duwamish Head, however, will stay the same for now, though nearby residents have asked for it either to be blocked off or converted to parallel parking. Saka’s announcement continues:

As a longer-term option, SDOT may look at some outreach on alternative options for reconfiguring the Duwamish Head parking.  My understanding is that SDOT have significant concerns with reconfiguring the Duwamish Head parking as it would actually create significant more space in the right of way for aggressive driving/passing of vehicles.  At the very least, SDOT believes that a parking reconfiguration would require some significant outreach as the impacts could also exacerbate parking concerns in the broader neighborhood.

Here’s the official construction notice circulating to people in the area.

SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Tall ship Lady Washington, northbound

Thanks to Mark Daughhetee for the photo of tall ship Lady Washington off Alki today! Two months ago, another reader caught it headed southbound for a stay in Tacoma; today it’s in transit from Port Orchard to Everett. The 35-year-old replica of an 18th-century sailing ship is homeported in Aberdeen but sails around the region (and beyond) offering day/evening sailing trips and tours (see its schedule here).

TUESDAY: Transit Town Hall spotlighting West Seattle light-rail plan. Got questions?

(Sound Transit project map)

Two weeks ago, two local organizations – the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and 34th District Democrats – announced a Transit Town Hall for questions and answers about the Sound Transit light-rail project, as decision time draws near. Tomorrow’s the night – Tuesday (July 23), 7 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). You can send a question in advance by using this form. That same form includes a short survey you’re invited to answer even if you don’t have a question. Meantime, next major step in the project is the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement – no date yet but expected within the next few months.

FOLLOWUP: Big changes for part of 16th SW in White Center are progressing. See plans Wednesday

We first reported two years ago on King County Road Services‘ plan to narrow 16th Avenue SW between SW 100th and SW 107th to improve safety on a stretch notorious for pedestrian deaths and injuries. The project is of interest to West Seattleites too, particularly with 107th connecting westward to Arbor Heights. Planning on the project has continued, and the county now plans on construction next year (one year later than originally announced). County spokesperson Brent Champaco summarizes where it’s at now:

To reduce speeds and calm traffic, which makes the area safer for pedestrians, the project narrows the road from four lanes to two and includes a two-way center turning lane. It adds many pedestrian safety features like bumped out sloped curbs at corners and traffic crossing lights with flashing beacons.

The project does not remove the total number of parking spots in the project corridor. Currently there are 43 existing on-street parking spots between SW 100th and SW 107th streets. The design option with bike lanes on both sides adds a total of three spaces to bring the total number of on-street parking spaces to 46. It also moves parking spots around, depending on the block, to accommodate travel lanes and bike lanes.

The design option with no bike lanes brings the total number of parking spots to 67, again, up from 43. It also moves parking spots around, depending on the block, to accommodate travel lanes.

We did community surveys and outreach in 2022 and got to a 30-50% design. It was during the peak of COVID so in-person outreach was difficult. We are holding another meeting, at the community’s request, on July 24 to share updated information about the two options.

If you are interested in seeing the latest plans and asking questions, that meeting is happening this Wednesday (July 24), 6:30 pm, at the White Center Food Bank headquarters, which is in the future project zone – 10016 16th SW. The meeting will also be accessible online; the link is on this page. The project cost is just under $2 million, funded by a federal grant.

P.S. The latest online survey for the project is open, too – find it here.

Knife-sharpening pop-up, low-low tide, more for your West Seattle Monday

July 22, 2024 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on Knife-sharpening pop-up, low-low tide, more for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Pea tendril, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s our highlight list for today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS: Available different times and locations – here’s the local list.

KNIFE-SHARPENING POP-UP: Dull knife causing kitchen trouble? Right now, until 4 pm today, go to C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) and turn it over to Nolan Reis, who sharpens the traditional whetstone way – details in our calendar listing.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Also at Lincoln Park, since it’s expected to be above 70 degrees this afternoon with sunbreaks, the 7-day-a-week wading pool will be open, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area.

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

(Photo from recent low-low tide, by Brandy DeWeese)

LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.1 feet at 12:16 pm; 10:30 am-2 pm, find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists at Constellation and Lincoln Parks.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play on Mondays – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome at free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community hosts meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Start your week listening to live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Celebration of Life on Saturday for Gloria J. Gaupp, 1931-2024

Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Gloria Gaupp. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:

Gloria Jean Gaupp, age 94, of Seattle, died peacefully at Aegis Living on July 5.

Gloria was born in Seattle in 1931 to Nellie and Charles Gaupp. Gloria lived her entire life in West Seattle and attended West Seattle High School and Western Washington University.

While at Western Washington University, she was the Homecoming Queen and a member of the Viking Cheerleading Squad. After graduating, Gloria embraced her passion for teaching and shaping the lives of young people by teaching for over 60 years. She leaves behind thousands of former students, friends, colleagues at her church, and in her West Seattle neighborhood where she lived for 86 years.

All are welcome at the service celebrating Gloria’s remarkable life on Saturday, July 27, at 11:00 am at Galilee Baptist Church, 11517 SE 208th St, Kent.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Monday begins; Metro Flex’s Delridge debut day

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, July 22.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast: Mostly cloudy, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:35 am, while sunset will be at 8:55 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX DEBUT

Metro FlexThis on-demand service debuts in Delridge today, starting a two-year pilot. Our recent story explains how it works.

Metro buses – Regular schedules; 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 – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be back. Crew shortages hit again over the weekend, so check that link before you sail

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress; here are more specifics. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025.

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

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (Minus the ones that are still down – SDOT says the recent East Marginal fire is to blame for most)

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

South Park Bridge:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

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.

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!