day : 21/01/2025 11 results

ELECTION 2025: You’ll get a ballot soon. Here’s what the housing-related propositions are about

By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

checkbox.jpgKing County Elections starts sending out ballots tomorrow for the February 11 special election. Your ballot will include four measures related to two issues. First, we’re looking at Seattle Propositions 1A and 1B, which involve funding for the Seattle Social Housing Developer created by a vote two years ago.

The nonprofit coalition House Our Neighbors coalition spearheaded Initiative 135, approved in February 2023 with 57 percent of the vote. This measure established the Seattle Social Housing Developer, tasked with building, owning, and maintaining affordable “social housing.” However, due to Washington state’s single-subject rule, a single ballot measure could not both create the public development authority and provide funding. As a result, Initiative 135 did not include funding for the agency to carry out its mission, aside from startup costs.

Propositions 1A and 1B aim to fill that gap by proposing different ways to fund the Developer.

Social housing in Seattle refers to publicly owned, permanently affordable housing that serves residents across a broad spectrum of incomes, from extremely low to moderate. This mixed-income approach allows the developer to generate more revenue by including tenants from varied income levels, enabling rents to cover maintenance and operational costs while reducing reliance on government subsidies. As a theoretical example, House Our Neighbors, in partnership with Neiman Taber Architects, unveiled a preliminary design for social housing in Seattle. It features eco-friendly buildings offering a variety of housing options, including family-sized apartments, townhouses, and co-living models with shared kitchens and bathrooms on each level.

Tasked with getting social housing built is the Developer, governed by a 13-member board composed of renters, housing experts, and equity advocates. Most members were appointed by city leaders and by groups like the Seattle Renters’ Commission. The board oversees planning and finances, with meetings open to the public. Since its formation, the Developer has focused on building its organizational structure but has not yet constructed any housing due to a lack of consistent funding. Propositions 1A and 1B offer competing solutions to address that.

Proposition 1A
Proposition 1A, introduced through citizen initiative I-137 and signed by thousands of Seattleites, proposes a new payroll tax on employers who pay employees over $1 million annually. The tax is estimated to generate around $50 million a year for the Developer, providing a long-term funding source to build and maintain social housing.

Proposition 1B
Proposition 1B, proposed by the Seattle City Council, proposes to use funds from the existing JumpStart payroll tax to allocate $10 million annually for five years to the Developer. This approach avoids creating a new tax but provides less funding and imposes additional oversight requirements.

Key differences:
Funding Source: Proposition 1A establishes a new payroll tax on high-earning employers; Proposition 1B allocates funds from the existing Payroll Expense Tax.

Funding Amount: Proposition 1A estimates to raise approximately $50 million annually, while Proposition 1B limits funding to $10 million per year for five years, adjusted for inflation.

Income Range: Proposition 1A allows for a broader range of incomes, serving low- to moderate-income households. Proposition 1B focuses on developments catering to lower-income residents, limiting eligibility to those with more restricted financial means.

Oversight: Proposition 1A grants the Social Housing Developer greater autonomy, while Proposition 1B requires the Developer to apply for funding and adhere to conditions set by the Seattle Office of Housing.

Support for proposition 1A (full support/opposition statements are linked here)
Supporters of 1A, including State Senator Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), argue that the proposal provides the necessary resources to address the city’s housing crisis.

“This dedicated revenue stream will create more than 2,000 units, including family-sized units, of social housing over the next 10 years,” Saldaña and others wrote. They emphasize that social housing prioritizes workforce and community stability, helping essential workers like teachers and firefighters stay in Seattle.

They add: “Proposition 1B takes $10 million from affordable housing and essential services to keep taxes low for our wealthiest businesses. It also dismantles the proven business model for social housing, guaranteeing that it fails before producing any of the housing we desperately need. “

Support for proposition 1B
Supporters of 1B, such as Al Levine, an instructor at the University of Washington, advocate for a cautious approach.

“We need more affordable housing and accountability,” Levine and others wrote. “Proposition 1B provides $10 million a year of existing tax revenues for five years to test if the concept works.”

“We need more affordable housing and accountability, but the social housing Public Development Authority (PDA) was only created in 2023 and uses an unproven concept for building and managing housing. Social housing has never been tried in Seattle and is done in one other place in the United States. This concept may have merit, but can it deliver $50 million worth of housing every year when it hasn’t delivered any?”

Opposition to both
Critics, including former housing nonprofit director Alice Woldt, oppose both measures, arguing they fail to prioritize the city’s most vulnerable residents.

“New tax revenues should assist truly poor residents,” Woldt and others wrote. “Social housing advocates want $520 million over 10 years for higher-income apartments, leaving only 60 units for the homeless.”

In February 2024, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, led by President and CEO Rachel Smith, criticized Initiative 137 (I-137). Smith described the initiative as a “blank check” for an “unprepared” social housing developer, expressing concerns about the lack of a concrete plan and the potential financial burden on Seattle residents.

Social housing in practice

Vienna, Austria, is often highlighted as a global leader in social housing, offering a potential model for long-term housing affordability. In Vienna, the city owns and operates a significant portion of the housing stock, providing affordable rentals to a broad range of incomes. Rents are below market rates and tied to household income, ensuring inclusivity while reducing stigma. Revenue generated from tenant rents is reinvested into maintaining and expanding the housing stock, creating a self-sustaining system that addresses affordability and housing stability.

How the Ballot Works
The ballot will ask two questions:

Should one of the two propositions be adopted?

If yes, which proposition — 1A or 1B — should be implemented?

If a majority votes “No” on the first question, neither measure will pass. If “Yes” prevails, the proposition with more votes on the second question will be adopted.

Election Day is February 11. Ballots must be postmarked by that date or dropped off at a ballot drop box (West Seattle has four) by 8 pm.

Register to vote, if you have not already. Online and mail registrations must be received by February 3 to vote in the election. Or register to vote in person by 8 pm on Election Day.

Also on the ballot
Two Seattle Public Schools levies. We’ll look at those in our next election preview.

Still school-shopping? One more wave of West Seattle open houses, tours (updated)

Throughout school-enrollment season, we’ve listed open houses and tours – for all types of schools – in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar. But some happen first thing in the morning, too early for our daily front-page event-reminder list, so we’re publishing this note about some upcoming events:

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: This year the district website does not have its usual page with a master list of open houses and tours; we’ve heard from a few schools, and added their events to our calendar – up next, a Roxhill Elementary tour and Highland Park Elementary tour/open house, both this Thursday night. Also, West Seattle Elementary has three open houses coming up, starting next Tuesday. Otherwise, you’ll have to directly contact a school in which you’re interested, and find out their plan. SPS does say “many” (not all) schools will be represented at its Admissions Fair at district HQ on February 1. … Also of note, West Seattle High School‘s open house for incoming students is set for January 30. … (Added Wednesday) Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School both have open houses before month’s end too, CSIHS at 6 pm Thursday, DIMS at 5 pm January 30. …Also (thanks to everyone who continues to send additions), Louisa Boren STEM K-8 has eight events ahead on February 6, 11, and 13, all listed on this RSVP form. … Also, Pathfinder K-8 has an open house Thursday night and tours Friday morning. … Gatewood Elementary has morning and evening tours on February 12 …Fairmount Park Elementary has tours on January 30 and February 25 … (added Saturday) Concord International Elementary in South Park has an open house on February 6 ….

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: All three of our area’s Catholic Schools, which all run through 8th grade, are having open houses this Sunday (scroll down this page for info on all three) – Holy Family Bilingual, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Holy Rosary.

PRESCHOOLS: Alki Co-op Preschool is moving to a new location this fall, and having an open house there tomorrowARK Preschool in Arbor Heights has an open house planned for February 8.

ANY OTHER EVENTS? If your school has an open house/tour event coming up but you haven’t sent us info for our calendar, it’s not too late – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

UPDATE: About the ‘scenes of violence’ response in High Point

7:08 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a sizable “scenes of violence” response to the Bridge Park complex in High Point (3200 block of SW Morgan), and police are headed there too. But so far this is NOT a crime situation – a person is reported to possibly have harmed herself with a knife.

7:11 PM: Police are reporting that the person “did not cut herself” so they’re dismissing the SFD response (which had staged a few blocks away), though an ambulance will be still called to take the person in for a mental-health evaluation.

If you or someone you know is considering self-harm, remember the 988 crisis hotline is available.

FOLLOWUP: County Council appoints Emily Alvarado as State Senator, Brianna Thomas as State House Representative for 34th District

(Images via King County TV)

After a process that started less than four weeks ago when new Gov. Bob Ferguson chose then-State Sen. Joe Nguyen to become Commerce Director, our area has a new State Senator and State House Representative, appointed this afternoon by King County Councilmembers. Above is newly appointed State Sen. Emily Alvarado; below is her subsequently appointed successor as State House Rep., Brianna Thomas, who is a policy adviser in the Seattle mayor’s office.

Sen. Alvarado followed her swearing-in by saying, “Let’s get to work on making life better for Washingtonians”; Rep. Thomas followed hers hours later – and moments ago – with a few rounds of thank-yous and “I’m having a ‘Miss America’ moment; I’m going to go before I cry,” noting that her dad was watching the livestream from out of state, and that she is looking forward to going to Olympia tomorrow morning.

The appointments were the culmination of daylong proceedings in the county council’s chambers downtown. The council had three appointments to make, these two for the 34th Legislative District, as well as one for the Eastside’s 41st Legislative District. They convened at 11 am for public comment on all the appointments, then interviewed the three candidates recommended for each position by the districts’ Precinct Committee Officers, and then made the appointments, each of which was immediately followed by a swearing-in. These are all interim appointments, until the positions can go to the full electorate.

Both women appointed today are West Seattle residents, but the 34th District spans beyond WS, to White Center and Burien as well as westward to Vashon and Maury Islands. The third state legislator for this district is House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, who did not seek the Senate appointment. Alvarado was the only serious candidate for it, as noted in our Sunday report; the other two finalists for the House appointment were Seattle School Board president Gina Topp – who was the 34th District PCOs’ top choice, though that did not bind the county councilmembers – and Burien Deputy Mayor Sarah Moore.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two cars damaged, one bicycle abandoned

The report and photos are from David:

I want to report a hit-and-run on one car, a kicked-in fender on the car next to it, and an abandoned bicycle leaning against it, all discovered Saturday morning 1/18, on 32nd SW & Trenton.

Please find attached pictures of hit-and-run car and abandoned bike. It’s a mixte-framed Cannondale, and still on our parking strip at last gander.

Perhaps the owner will recognize it and reach out.

If you think it’s yours, you can email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you,

DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWUP: Demolition work at 5249 California SW

Thanks for the tips. Above is the alley-side view of demolition that’s under way at the long-idle development site adjacent to past-and-future Ephesus Restaurant. What’s being demolished is the foundation constructed almost eight years ago for a never-built mixed-use building. We reported two months ago that the site’s current owners received a key approval for a subsequent proposal for the property, a nine-unit project of townhouses and live-work units, but first they have to clear the remnants of the previous plan. The nine-unit project has been on the drawing board for three years. The site has changed hands twice in the past 2 1/2 years, sold for $1.6 million in August 2022 and then for $2 million two months ago; Ephesus’s proprietor owned the site before that and had pursued the mixed-use-building plan in the early 2010s.

PHOTOS: Here’s what students, Scouts, and other MLK Day of Service volunteers did at Lincoln Park

One of the local MLK Day of Service volunteering opportunities we featured in advance was a forest-restoration event at Lincoln Park. Today we have photos and words of gratitude sent by forest steward Lisa McGinty from Friends of Lincoln Park:

We are so thankful for the 91 volunteers who braved the cold and brought the sun to honor MLKJ and build community while caring for the land.

This event was co-led by WSHS Earth Club students Tatum Paddock, Charlie Lewis, Madi Krehbiel, Lizzy Greene, Noah Swab, Cooper Schwerin, and Adam Gosztola. Thanks also to local Cub Scouts 282 for bringing their fun energy.

You can watch here for future Lincoln Park volunteering opportunities (and elsewhere too – right now that page shows four West Seattle events in the next week alone).

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Cascadia Fresh Market closes

(File photo courtesy Cascadia Fresh Market)

Eight months after opening in the former Delridge Grocery Co-op space on the ground floor of Cottage Grove Commons in North Delridge, Cascadia Fresh Market has closed. Proprietor Jill Moore from Cascadia Produce had always framed it as a trial run. We had asked her recently for an update – and here’s what she sent us today:

Cascadia Fresh Market on Delridge has closed. Established as a pilot in May 2024 to test whether a low-cost market could thrive in a food desert, we now have our answer… and it’s a resounding “kind of.”

The Fresh Market succeeded in many ways. It covered its bills and the cost of food plus a little extra. But in nine months, I couldn’t quite move it to true business profitability. While this was disappointing, it was also incredibly enlightening. Launching a market involves much more than just managing the cost of food. A market is about community engagement, and that was by far the most gratifying part of running one in my own neighborhood.

However, even with a predictable schedule and food available right in their community, people have established habits. Changing those takes time — more time than a single year. The low-cost market model is essential, but I’ve come to believe it’s best suited to food security nonprofits, which are equipped to operate with the support of volunteers, grants, and other resources.

At Cascadia Produce, our larger business, we specialize in providing low-cost food in pallet quantities, primarily to food security organizations. At the Fresh Market, the model was reversed — we sold small amounts of a lot of different things. This required us to rethink sourcing and learn the logistics of smaller, right-sized deliveries, all while minimizing fresh food waste on slower market days.

We became passionate about moving case quantities of food more efficiently, which led us to utilize tools like the Too Good To Go app and partner with local hunger relief organizations for regular gleaning. I’m proud of how little went to compost during our time at the market. Fresh fruit and vegetables really can be lower cost than processed food when we layer distribution methods at a scale of economy.

I’m also proud of how welcoming the Fresh Market was — its bright, simple charm seemed to immediately relax people from all walks. It was so fun to discuss food systems and the curious ways food and people fall through the cracks. I met so many good dogs. If the space had included easier parking and more visible signage, this letter might have been very different.

So much went well. If you ever have the chance to run a project where you can engage in long, meaningful conversations with neighbors, take it. I loved the talks, tending the vegetables, and sourcing exciting new foods.

I firmly believe a nonprofit could build on the Fresh Market model and succeed with the support of volunteers and grant-funded employees. With food security funding set to decrease in Washington by June 2025, I’m happy to open-source the Fresh Market playbook. Cascadia Produce would gladly step back into the role of supplier for any organization willing to iterate on the model. Anyone who would like to discuss this should contact me at jill@cascadiaveg.com.

I owe a huge thank-you to our partners like the West Seattle Food Bank and the DESC building, which owns the Fresh Market space. Local elementary school PTAs, West Seattle Junction FC, various local community organizations, and my wonderful neighbors all offered incredible support.

As for what’s next: I’ve begun conversations about new ways to bring food to North Delridge. It’s too early to share specifics, but there are exciting possibilities. Cascadia Produce works alongside true innovators in food access, and we’re not pausing. We have a huge warehouse of food and we will find a way to connect it to our own neighborhood in some fashion. One thing I can share: this spring, Carrot Man’s Carrot Stand (our free-food stand) will return to 25th Ave SW!

In the meantime, I’ll be hosting a Produce-Only Pop-Up at the Fresh Market space on February 9th, from 12–7 PM, with the possibility of another later in the month. We still accept SNAP/EBT and Fresh Bucks along with cash and card payments. Follow Cascadia Produce or Cascadia Fresh Market for updates. We love you, Delridge.

We’ll follow up with DESC regarding long-term plans for the space. It was included in the Cottage Grove Commons project at community behest more than a decade ago.

Singing, dancing, running, playing, screening, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

(Mallards in the sun on the Duwamish River, photographed by Steve Bender)

Big list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), with South Seattle College president Dr. Monica Brown speaking today.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

PTA DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: 4-9 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW), the Fairmount PTA is hosting a dine-out fundraiser for the West Seattle School Equity Fund, which will benefit from part of the proceeds if you mention you’re ordering for the Fairmount Park fundraiser.

HOMEWORK HELP: Students can drop in for free help, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), acoustic musicians of all genres.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the free weekly track run.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: Singers invited! The Boeing Employees Choir – open to non-employees too – has open rehearsals again tonight and the next two Tuesday nights at the American Legion Post 160 hall (3618 SW Alaska), 6:30 pm.

FREE SWING DANCE LESSONS: At the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), “Intro lessons for East Coast Swing start at 6:30 PM and Intermediate Foxtrot with Swing start at 7:45. First class is free, so come and check it out.” More info here.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SONICS MOVIE: As previewed here last night, free screening of “Boom: A Film About The Sonics” at 7 pm, Easy Street Records (California/Alaska), Q&A with director afterward.

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

TRIVIA X 6: Now SIX trivia options for Tuesday night – 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).

Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS! Madison Middle School’s new robotics team headed to regional finals

Early success for Madison Middle School‘s new robotics team! Proud parent Shawna Fukano sent the report and photos:

The Madison Middle School Madbots are headed to the FIRST Lego League Western Washington Championship after finishing in the top six of 24 teams at the semifinals this weekend. The team has a lot to be proud of so far in their inaugural year. Their Innovation Project on autonomous underwater vehicles placed 2nd at their first competition, securing them a spot in the semifinals.

At the semifinals, they placed 2nd in the Core Values category and 3rd in the robot games, where the robot they designed and coded had 2 minutes 30 seconds to complete as many missions as possible. Congratulations, Madbots!

The team is coached by science teacher Emma Mann and parent Steve Loeppky. Championship competition is scheduled for February 2.

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Post-holiday Tuesday

8:47 AM: Texter reports, “Something bad going on on West Marginal by the 1st Ave. Bridge. Traffic not moving at all.” No incidents logged right now, though.

8:50 AM: Update – “Malfunctioning light. Stuck on red.”

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning – it’s Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

SCHOOLS

Reopening today, post-holiday.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny and a high in the low 40s are expected today. Sunrise/sunset – 7:47 am and 4:54 pm. (5 pm sunset on Saturday!)

(Photo by Chris Frankovich)

TRANSIT

Metro busesRegular schedule.

Water Taxi Also on a regular schedule today.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Salish as the “bonus boat.”

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

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 (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!