West Seattle, Washington
09 Sunday
(WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn, unless otherwise credited)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In the waning moments of today’s two-hour Rethink the Link-presented forum on the West Seattle light-rail project, a ghost from a quarter-century ago appeared: The long-ago, voter-approved-then-scuttled plan for monorail service to West Seattle and elsewhere.
This spectre was raised by the father of the monorail himself, Dick Falkenbury. He wasn’t on the panel, nor had anyone brought up the monorail until an attendee asked about the original Seattle Initiative 41.
Falkenbury rose shortly thereafter to warn everyone in the room that “Sound Transit is punking you” and shortly thereafter to declare that he was there to “hijack the meeting,” eventually offering to decamp to a nearby coffee shop and talk with anyone interested.
Also in the late going, a Lake Forest Park activist told the room that “fighting Sound Transit is like fighting a gigantic Pillsbury Doughboy” and suggested they’d need up to $100,000 if they wanted to pursue legal action against the transit agency, something he said his LFP neighbors were mulling.
The prospect of West Seattle legal action was hinted at by one of today’s panelists, longtime Sound Transit critic John Niles of Smarter Transit, explaining to attendees that there was still time to comment on the West Seattle Link Extension plan while the federal environmental record is still open, and that they “might be setting up for some public interest legal types to do something if this keeps going the way it’s going.”
(L-R, panelists Conrad Cipoletti, Marty Westerman, Martin Pagel, John Niles)
Before Niles and other panelists sat down in the Center for Active Living‘s second-floor event hall to recount their long-voiced concerns, the event started with time to circulate among displays placed around the room, including maps of the routing options the Sound Transit Board approved in October, and lists such as properties that would be affected.
The ~40+ attendees also were invited to write questions for the panel to answer.
RTL’s Alan McMurray introduced the panelists; along with Niles, they were Conrad Cipoletti, described as a “car-free community advocate,” who moderated; Marty Westerman, whose related community involvement has included the West Seattle Transportation Coalition and greenspace advocacy; and Martin Pagel, who along with Westerman has advocated in the past for a gondola system instead of West Seattle light rail, though that option did not arise as a discussion topic today. Here’s our video of the discussion (up until the last ~10 minutes of Q&A, lost to a recording glitch):
Many of the points panelists addressed are contentions that Rethink the Link has made before, repeatedly. Their overarching argument is that West Seattle would be better served, at a far lower cost, by increasing bus service. Observed Niles, “It would be amazing what Metro could do with an extra billion dollars.”
Last year, you might recall, ST revised its high-end potential West Seattle cost estimate to $7 billion. That was another theme today, the higher price tag and lower ridership estimate than what was discussed before voters approved ST3 in 2016, the ballot measure that included a plan for extending light rail to West Seattle. The current plan “is not what you voted for,” Westerman declared. Pagel said he’s not against spending money on light rail but considers the current plan too much money to serve too few riders. “Is West Seattle the right place to do that? … Is it worth it for 5,400 riders [a day]? We have other Seattle projects in the wings. … Management focusing on West Seattle is a huge distraction from what they should be focusing on.”
The panelists spent a fair amount of time on environmental issues as well. RTL contends that Sound Transit is dismissing the “construction carbon” that will be generated by building West Seattle light rail, focusing only on eventual carbon savings by people riding light rail instead of driving gas-burning vehicles. Carbon is carbon, they said, whether it’s “construction or operational.” Not to mention, Niles – who identified himself as an EV owner/driver – said even the federal administration change won’t stop transportation electrification, and that should factor more into the stats than it did originally. “Anything approved in 2016 is way out of date; the world has changed,” What’s the ST plan for mitigating effects to Longfellow Creek?
Westerman said there didn’t seem to be “much of one.” Some questions like that might have been ideally posed to Sound Transit reps, but none were there (RTL said they had “notified” the agency of their event). Meantime, they also noted that it seems counterproductive to be carving into the greenbelt along Pigeon Point while trying to increase tree canopy in the nearby Duwamish Valley. What will be done with the cut trees? That too was a question perhaps ST could have answered.
Though the ST Board has taken its vote on routing and station locations, the panelists stressed that there’s still an opportunity for public comment until the federal Record of Decision is finalized – something that originally was expected before year’s end, but now is projected for next month. “A lot of your money is being spent on this,” Niles exhorted in explaining why people should comment.
One attendee wondered if a ballot measure would be appropriate. Someone piped up from elsewhere in the room to say that Sound Transit isn’t subject to initiatives. “We need to be more aggressive – we can’t be waiting for February,” asserted another attendee. Yet another said, “We need someone like [public-interest superlawyer] Erin Brockovich.”
Niles suggested that people would do best to talk with elected officials, especially state legislators, because ST is a state creation. He also suggested they take note of who’s on the board (Seattle city reps are Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Dan Strauss) and who’s running to succeed Dow Constantine (who remains on the board through year’s end) as County Executive (two of the candidates, County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci and Girmay Zahilay, are already on the board).
SDOT just sent word that “the Spokane St Swing Bridge [low bridge] repairs are complete and it is reopened to all travelers.” It was closed late yesterday – after two closures earlier in the day – so workers could fix a broken motor.
Barely a month after Funky Janes Consignment closed at 4455 California SW, the space has a new tenant. Signs in the window announce that Emerald City Drama Club will be there soon. We talked with proprietor Jessie Kuehm this afternoon by phone to find out more about her plans. She’s been teaching performing arts for about 12 years, she told us, but this will be her first standalone location. Her classes will be mostly for kids K-8; along with classes in acting, musical theater, and moviemaking, she also offers summer camps and even “D&D campaigns.” (As in Dungeons & Dragons.) If you have one or more kids in school locally, you might know Jessie already – she’s directing the Alki Elementary musical, for one, and teaching afterschool enrichment at some other schools.
Why a storefront? Jessie is hoping to take advantage of the “open space,” perhaps even install a curtain so Emerald City Drama Club can do some performances for students’ families, though she might also stage performances at larger West Seattle venues. And she also has ideas about turning it into a “third space for young people” – somewhere to hang out, maybe events like movie nights and book clubs. Right now, she’s expecting to be in the space teaching classes by the end of March for starters. “I’m so excited to have this spot!” she told us, especially because it’s within walking distance of her West Seattle home.
Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo! We’ve been mentioning all week in the WSB morning weather/traffic roundups that tonight would be the night with the year’s first 5 pm sunset. Looking ahead – the first 6 pm sunset will be on March 5, four days before we “spring forward” an hour, pushing the sunset past 7 pm.
The photos and report are from M:
(Found) on the Hudson St stairway between California and 42nd SW. 4850 is the Apt at the NE corner of that intersection.
While SDOT deals with the continuing unplanned closure of the low bridge, it has also announced a planned bridge closure – the newly seismically strengthened Delridge/Oregon pedestrian bridge will be closed Monday through Wednesday (January 27-29). Here’s the announcement we received:
The Delridge Pedestrian Bridge will be closed from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29.
As part of the finishing touches on the seismic retrofit, crews will be re-applying sealant to the carbon fiber at the top of the bridge surface to reduce future maintenance and increase safety for everyone. During this time, detours will be put in place for people walking, biking, and rolling, directing them to cross Delridge Way SW at SW Oregon St.
The bridge reopened a month ago; at that time, SDOT warned some short-term closures – like this – would be needed to completely finish the work.
You’ve likely received your ballot for the February 11 election, so you can vote any time. Above is the newest of West Seattle’s four King County Elections drop boxes, by Morgan Junction Park along the west side of California SW about a block north of Fauntleroy. I opened last year and is the newest one in our area, after High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), West Seattle Junction (south side of SW Alaska just east of 44th), and South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, take one of the main entrances, it’s right out front of the admin building). We’ve published stories on the decisions you have to make on this ballot – a multi-part city measure about funding social housing (our story is here) and two Seattle Public Schools levies (our story is here). Your deadline to vote is February 11 at 8 pm if you’re using a drop box; if you’re going to use USPS mail, you’ll want to be sure the ballot will be postmarked no later than Election Day.
Kersti Muul reports a “small group of killer whales” seen in Elliott Bay near West Seattle’s Jack Block Park this morning. Let us know if you spot them!
(Winterhazel bud, photographed by Rosalie Miller)
A traffic alert starts our Saturday list:
LOW-BRIDGE TROUBLE: SDOT is still working on the West Seattle low bridge, which won’t reopen to motor vehicles until the repairs are done, but may reopen to bicycles/pedestrians this morning. Check the live camera for its status. (9:10 am update: The bike/foot path is now open; vehicle lanes are not. …. 1:10 pm: As commenter Yoni points out and the live feed verifies, the bike/foot path is currently closed again … 6 pm: This evening the path is open …)
Now, here’s what’s happening, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free community meditation, 9 am at Inner Alchemy‘s sanctuary/studio (3618 SW Alaska).
FREE CUP-FILLING WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS: 9:30-11:30 am, second of four sessions for this free workshop at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW) – details here.
INTRODUCTORY WALK: Prelude to the next event – meet at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, 9:30 am, for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Then at 10 am, you’re invited to join others for the weekly walk in Lincoln Park (also meet at 47th/Fauntleroy).
RETHINK THE LINK FORUM: Light-rail skeptics are hosting a town-hall-style discussion of Sound Transit‘s West Seattle Link Extension and what they see as its shortcomings, 10 am-noon at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: Canceled today, resuming next week.
FAMILY READING TIME: Canceled today because Paper Boat Booksellers is moving.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the newest exhibit, about the West Duwamish Greenbelt! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
CAKE-DECORATING CLASS: Noon at BAKED in The Admiral District. Sign up here. (If sold out, check that page for other classes coming up.)
AT THE CLAY CAULDRON: Make heart vases with Frances, 12:30-3 pm. Our calendar listing explains how to register. (5214 Delridge Way SW)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PRE-VALENTINE WRITING EVENT: 2-6 pm during Queer Market at LumberYard Bar (9630 16th SW, White Center), write or copy a romantic message, as explained here.
TEA TASTING: Registration required for 2 pm tasting event at My Necessitea (3237 California SW).
WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: Free, drop-in, at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.
BABY/TODDLER GROUP: At Viva Arts, Crawlers to Walkers Motor Skills play group, 3-4:30 pm. Details in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge continues. 5:30 pm and later entry times; ticket cost varies. (6000 16th SW)
LIVE AT C & P: 6-8 pm. Chorando na Chuva at C & P Coffee, Brazilian music, no cover, all ages. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: West End Girls drag spectacular, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, tickets here or at the door. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ KP. (4547 California SW)
ABBA SKATE: Yes, ABBA! 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), 21+.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm start time for Saturday singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
| 154 COMMENTS