West Seattle, Washington
14 Thursday
In July 2017, the Lincoln Park South Play Area was closed for safety concerns, later described as wood damage from termites. At the time they warned repairs or replacement might take until the following year. Instead, it took seven years. Most of the fencing finally came down this afternoon, and the play area was open when we went to the park this evening to confirm.
Besides the spyhopping orca, the marine features requested by community members in 2017-2018 include this:
Set into the concrete are footprints telling a story:
Fresh bark chips surround all the features.
You’ll still find a few spots of fencing, including mesh around areas that either have been or will be seeded:
Work on the $600,000 project was started in January but shelved for a while when the contractor redirected efforts to finish the Westcrest Park play area first.
This weekend’s salmon fishing is a reminder that Don Armeni Boat Ramp can be a very busy place. Back in April, we reported that its float-replacement project was mostly done, with a few remaining touches. In correspondence with Seattle Parks, boater Steve King – who had observed “something missing” – learned it’s a little more complicated. At the heart of it was what remained of a sawmill from more than a century ago – the wood debris shown in these photos taken during construction. He shared this detailed explanation he received from Steve Levengood, Parks’ Capital Projects Coordinator Senior Built Environment Accessibility Compliance Lead:
The work is not yet completed. The original design had 4 piles on each side. Unfortunately, the #3 of 4 piles (counting from near shore outward) and the #4 of 4 piles could not be installed because, as we discovered during construction, the remains of an old sawmill was buried under the mudline. (We removed about 25 truckloads of old lumber before stopping since at that point, we were concerned we would undermine the boat ramp itself.) This means the float manufacturer needs to design more rigid connections to install the last floats. We have not yet received their proposal to review.
The float designer is also the designer of record, since the floats are a design-build element, and is very busy, so it may take months to get anything installed unfortunately. (They are also the only firm who does this work in Washington State, so we are dealing with a monopoly situation as well.) The Contractor, American Construction, is also eager to complete the work, and has been pressing them to complete their engineering work. The south floats, since the missing floats will just bridge the gap between the 2nd and 4th piles, should be doable. I have some doubts about the outer north floats since it will be unsupported by any piles, so we will need to see if that is actually doable once they finish their analysis, including the impacts of tidal, waves and wind.
I am attaching photos of the lumber that was removed. When we looked at historical photos, there was a sawmill at that location prior to World War I. In those days, when decommissioning a facility, they would apparently just cut the piles and drop the whole thing in the water. It is frustrating, and indeed would be criminal if done now, but it is what it is.
The Don Armeni webpage says Parks is hoping to install the added floats by the end of the year.
Not far from where one years-delayed Seattle Parks project is finally wrapping up, another is about to start its next phase. Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker sent the photo of heavy equipment and a portable toilet in place at the Morgan Junction Park expansion site, just north of the park in the 6300-6400 block of California SW. Parks announced at MoCA’s meeting two weeks ago that soil-cleanup work at the site is scheduled to start next Thursday (August 8). Once 15 feet of soil is dug up, taken away, replaced, and hydroseeded – expected to take about eight weeks – the site will be interim open space before park construction, currently planned for next year. Ten years have passed since the city bought the site for just under $1.9 million; it’s been “landbanked” ever since.
The Taste of West Seattle usually sells out – so the West Seattle Food Bank sent this announcement in hopes you won’t miss out:
We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for the highly anticipated Taste of West Seattle, the largest community-based food fair in the area. This beloved event will take place on Thursday, September 19th, 2024, at The Hall at Fauntleroy.
The Taste of West Seattle is a celebration of our vibrant local food scene, featuring an incredible array of food and drinks from dozens of local restaurants, breweries, wineries, coffee shops, bakeries, chocolatiers, specialty food stores, and more. Musical entertainment this year is generously provided by Correo Aereo.
The Taste of West Seattle draws a sell-out crowd of hundreds of people from throughout King County, all coming together to enjoy delicious offerings and support the West Seattle Food Bank. The attendees vote to select winners in categories such as “Best Savory Taste” and “Best Pour” and there are raffles, games and fun!
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, September 19th, 2024
VIP Entrance: 5:30 PM, General Admission: 6:00 PM
Tickets: GA $75, VIP $125 (must be 21+ to attend)
Location: The Hall at FauntleroyFor a list of participating food and beverage vendors, and to purchase tickets, please visit WestSeattleFoodBank.org. For more information or to become a participating vendor, please contact Robbin Peterson, Development Director at WSFB: 206-686-4521 or robbin@westseattlefoodbank.org
26 food/beverage purveyors are already on the list as of moments ago! The Hall at Fauntleroy is at 9131 California SW.
(Photo sent by Cindi Barker)
Four days until this year’s Night Out, celebrating community collaboration and safety coast-to-coast. If you’ve registered your Night Out party, Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has swag for you, available for pickup (updated) 9:30-11:30 am and 2:30 to 4:30 pm Monday (August 5) at the precinct (2300 SW Webster). She’s at right in the photo, with Seattle U interns Rafail Markodimitrakis and Kierra Lee, as they got ready this morning.
(Added: Photo sent by Jennifer Satterwhite)
They’re offering crime-prevention info handouts and goodie bags for kids. If you didn’t get signed up by last Sunday’s deadline, but you’re still having a Night Out party, they might have some extra materials available Monday too.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of today’s sunrise over downtown, with fishing boats out on the bay. It’s the first of four consecutive days in which inner Elliott Bay is open to Chinook salmon fishing, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is posting fishing-season updates here. This next photo, taken, a bit later, is from Brian Moore:
Brian says the Don Armeni Boat Ramp parking lot “was full by 5:00,” so apparently this was an exception to Parks’ earlier statement about the 6:00 am lot-opening time. (Update: Don Armeni’s website says it’s opening daily at 4 am through Monday.) According to WDFW, fishing is supposed to end (corrected) by noon Monday.
(Sent by Jon – Kingfisher at Longfellow Creek)
With the first weekend of August in view, here’s the Friday highlight list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER SCRAMBLE: Second day of this four-day West Seattle scavenger hunt – not too late to jump in! Solve the clues, win a treasure chest – as explained here.
GLASS FLOAT HUNT: Second day for this too – continuing for two weeks. 100 handcrafted glass floats hidden around West Seattle – details here!
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
SIDEWALK SALE: The White Center Library Guild‘s two-day sidewalk sale begins today, raising money for library programs, 11 am-3 pm, books and “gently used treasures.” (1409 SW 107th)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Open today – Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm; Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (2700 California SW), noon-5:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL: You can swim today in 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.
WEST SEATTLE WINE WEEKEND: One ticket gets you four tasting pours at each of six West Seattle wineries, at your own pace, plus a bottle discount, for the next three days. Tickets available here, where you’ll find the list of participating wineries plus their hours.
BLUE ANGELS: They are scheduled to go up from Boeing Field around 3:35 pm for the first of three Seafair airshows.
VISCON CELLARS: In addition to participation in West Seattle Wine Weekend, it’s a regular night for the tasting room/wine bar to be open for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
IT’S ALL HAPPENING: The band’s EP release show is tonight at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm, free, all ages.
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), GreenStage presents “Henry VI, parts 2 and 3.” Free. (Here’s where to find them in the park.)
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7 pm for Battlestations!, Steve’s Mind, Pink Steam, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DUBLIN ABBEY AT C & P: Live music at the coffeehouse, 7-9 pm, no cover, all ages. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
SUMMER SUNSET SOUND BATH: 7:30 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), $38. Ticket link in our calendar listing.
CAMP LONG OUTDOOR MOVIE: The first of three Fridays this month with outdoor movies at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) starts tonight at dusk (8:30ish) with “Barbie” – free, BYO chair/blanket.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Grizz! (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Licorice Chamber, 2 Libras, Replicas, . 9 pm. $18 cover, $5 skate.
What are we missing? If you have something else to add to our event lists and calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather August 23 to remember Patti Wunder. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:
Patricia (Patti) Lee Wunder
January 18, 1949 – May 16, 2024Patti lived all but one year of her life in West Seattle, attending Lafayette Elementary, James Madison Junior High and West Seattle High schools; then on to Highline Junior College and the University of Washington.
Patti’s faith in and love of God gave her strength and helped sustain her for her entire life and she developed some life-long friendships through her faith. Although there were rough patches on Patti’s journey, she always knew God was walking beside her and loving her.
Patti is survived by her brother, John (Flora), their daughter Michelle (Troy) Johnson and their son Johnny and his son, Seve. She is also survived by her brother Rob (Sheryl) and their two sons, Robbie and Joey, cousins Karen (Yazel), Claire and Charlotte Boudour and many other cousins.
Patti’s memorial service will be at Peace Lutheran Church, 8316 39th Ave SW, on August 23 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the HealthWell Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, August 2.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in the upper 80s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:49 am, while sunset will be at 8:41 pm.
THIS WEEKEND’S EASTBOUND SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT CLOSURE & OTHER ROAD WORK
*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project continues. This weekend’s closure plan: Full eastbound closure all weekend, 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday. (EB bridge exit to NB 99 will remain open.)
*Highway 99 tunnel closure 10 pm tonight-6 am Saturday for maintenance.
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, at least into early 2025. Lane closures have begun on the top deck too. But SDOT now says it will NOT have weekend closures of the entire bridge.
*The 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.
OTHER WEEKEND INFO
*Practice Seafair airshow for Blue Angels at ~3:35 pm, taking off from nearby Boeing Field.
*Mariners are at home this weekend, starting tonight at 6:40 pm vs. Philadelphia.
TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX
Metro Flex – Second week for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works.
Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here. Note that the Spokane Street Viaduct work mentioned above has required some rerouting.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. The real-time map will show you where the boat is. Later runs tonight since it’s Friday!
Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (West Seattle Bridge cameras are back but some others remain out)
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
Low bridge: Here’s the main view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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.
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!
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