day : 24/02/2025 11 results

BIZNOTES: Another penciled-in Westwood Village tenant; BECU opens in White Center; Mountain to Sound Outfitters’ waxing clinic

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Westwood | White Center

Three biznotes tonight:

ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE WESTWOOD VILLAGE TENANT: Even as other future Westwood Village tenants like Total Wine & More (seemingly on the brink of signage) and Panda Express work on remodels, another prospective tenant has turned up in city permit records: F45 Training, a fitness chain, is penciled in for the former Massage Envy spot on the north side of WWV. Its current Seattle locations include the Central District, Queen Anne, Ballard, Eastlake, and Northgate.

BECU OPENS IN WHITE CENTER: As noted here last month, BECU (WSB sponsor) has been building a Neighborhood Financial Center in the new mixed-use development at 16th/107th in White Center, and the credit union says it’s now open. They’re planning a grand-opening community celebration at 3 pm Wednesday, March 19. Readers have asked if the Roxbury Safeway BECU mini-branch will close; a BECU spokesperson told us today, “At this time, we have not announced plans for our Roxbury location.”

WAXING CLINIC:: Skiing and boarding season continues! So Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is presenting an “Intro to Waxing” this Wednesday (February 26), 6 pm:

The workshop will provide attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to keep their ski and snowboarding gear in top condition. There is a $10 ticket but that ticket cost can be used as credit toward the purchase of personal waxing supplies at Mountain to Sound.

Get your ticket, and find out more about the clinic, here.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Winds kick up; first power outage takes out 250+ in Seaview; second outage in that area too

February 24, 2025 6:24 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

6:24 PM: Eight hours or so into the High Wind Warning alert, the wind kicked up a short time ago (we heard thunder too!), and West Seattle has its first power outage of note – more than 250 customers in Seaview. People in the area report hearing a “boom” before the power went out. Updates to come …

6:56 PM: This storm seems to be arriving (and departing) in waves, and we’re between waves right now. The photo above is from James Bratsanos, who noticed it just before that intense wave of rain, wind, and thunder. So far the 256-customer Seaview outage is the only one in West Seattle; citywide it’s the second-largest after a 5,300+-customer outage in North Seattle.

7:43 PM: The SCL map shows the Seaview outage has been resolved.

2:36 AM: An area further south in Seaview and beyond has lost power this time:

City Light says this one is affecting 100+ customers. The wind is about the strongest-sounding we’ve heard all night.

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ROAD WORK: Here’s what’s going on with the Admiral Way Bridge

February 24, 2025 6:23 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

For the third time in four days, the Admiral Way Bridge lane alignment has changed; as shown in our photo above, by dusk, one eastbound lane was closed, while the other one and both westbound lanes were open. Before that, all lanes were open during the weekend. SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson explained, “Admiral Way SW was briefly reopened this week as our crews are preparing for an upcoming shift from working in the center lanes to working in the northern lanes.” He says it’ll continue to change at times in the next few months, while the seismic-strengthening project remains projected to be completed this summer.

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ROAD WORK: Here’s the plan for the 35th SW sinkhole

February 24, 2025 4:54 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Some readers have asked about the sinkhole coned off in the middle of 35th SW near SW Edmunds. We asked SDOT, which in turn pointed us to Seattle Public Utilities; SPU spokesperson Brad Wong tells WSB that crews investigated it today:

Seattle Public Utilities is monitoring and working on a void in the 4700 block of 35th Avenue Southwest, which was reported by the Seattle Department of Transportation.

On the morning of February 24, SPU crews completed an initial investigation and inspection of the roadway and found that a 10-inch combined sewer pipe had collapsed. Flow, though, was continuing. As of 1 p.m., SPU had not received any report about properties experiencing sewer backups.

SPU is working with SDOT on traffic control in the affected area, which is barricaded. SPU crews are moving a pump unit to the location as a preventive measure for any system backup. SPU expects the pipe rehabilitation work on the affected area to be finished in about two weeks.

This stirs memories of a water break that flooded 35th downhill from there, between Alaska and Avalon, in 2017. That, however, was blamed on a private line.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another 7-11 robbery

February 24, 2025 3:34 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

It’s been a while since the last 7-11 holdup report, but one happened early today, according to Seattle Police. They were called to the Highland Park 7-11 (16th/Holden) shortly after 1:30 am. According to the police-report summary, an “employee was emptying trash outside when he saw a car parked at the east side of the building, occupied by at least 3. One suspect male brandished a gun and ordered the employee back into the store, where he had the employee open and empty the registers. The suspect and vehicle fled northbound on 16 Ave SW.” Police say they have fingerprints and surveillance video. Their summary didn’t include a description but the archived audio had this descriptio: Black, male, 20s, 5’6″, blue or black pants, black shoes, a black hoodie; the vehicle was described as a black or blue sedan.

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FOLLOWUP: Online ‘open house’ begins for Fauntleroy ferry-dock plan

February 24, 2025 1:03 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Overview of proposed footprint of new dock/terminal)

Today’s the day Washington State Ferries promised it would launch an online “open house” for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project, and its announcement has arrived:

Washington State Ferries is nearing the end of the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process. WSF recently completed Level 3 screening and selected an alternative to replace the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. We’re moving forward with a longer dock concept to provide more space to load and unload passengers—holding between 124 and 155 vehicles on the dock, compared to 80 vehicles today. This footprint also avoids nearby Cove Park. WSF will refine the design to minimize impacts to other environmentally sensitive areas.

Participate in upcoming engagement opportunities
Join our virtual information session or participate in the online open house to learn more about the Level 3 screening process and results. The virtual information session and online open house will cover the same information, so choose the one that works best for your schedule.

Visit the online open house now

The online open house is open now through Friday, March 21.

Register for upcoming information session

Join us for the upcoming project information session hosted by the project team.

Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Register here: bit.ly/FauntleroyMarch11

The online “open house” contains information that’s been presented to the Community Advisory Group for the project and offers commenting opportunities. Construction, for which almost $100 million has been budgeted so far, is expected by the end of the decade.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Alert upgraded to High Wind Warning

February 24, 2025 11:24 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The National Weather Service has upgraded the wind alert for our area to a High Wind Warning, in effect now through 10 am Tuesday. In part, the alert says, “South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 to 60 mph (are) expected.” As always, we appreciate hearing from you about storm effects – power outages, toppled trees – so once you’ve reported to authorities (206-684-3000 for City Light, 206-684-ROAD for SDOT, or 911 if it’s an immediate safety risk), you can text/phone us at 206-293-6302.

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Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your West Seattle Monday

February 24, 2025 11:10 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

As we’ve been reporting, a wind alert is up, until 10 am Tuesday. But while we wait to see what happens with the weather, here’s what’s on the schedule for the rest of today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART EXHIBIT: 11 am-6 pm, visitors welcome at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute (2656 42nd SW) in The Admiral District.

BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

ART SALON: A “safe place for creative people to gather,” 4-6 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bring your own project/supplies.

HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “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 included!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places to play tonight! … Every-other-week music quiz at Easy Street Records, 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions (4559 California SW) … 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 AT ALKI UCC: It’s back, every Monday. Doors open at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

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

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights, jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday night, sing your heart out during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

Thanks to everyone who contributes listings to our calendar – if you have something to add (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Demolition at 4448 California project site

February 24, 2025 9:21 am

| 28 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

9:21 AM: Thanks for the photo! Demolition is under way at 4448 California SW [map], a few doors north of California/Oregon in The Junction. We reported a week and a half ago that it was imminent after a fence went up around the building whose final tenants had included Rush Hour and West Seattle Coworking (both of which moved to new locations months ago). As we noted then, the plans show its nearly 90 units are planned to be half apartments, half “lodging” (hotel), with about 3,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and no offstreet parking. It’s another collaboration between Housing Diversity Corporation, STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor), and Atelier Drome architects (WSB sponsor), also currently building a mixed-use project at 9201 Delridge Way SW. This one is expected to be complete in the second half of next year.

11:27 AM: Updated photo from a WSB team member:

ADDED: End of day:

A groundbreaking ceremony is planned next week.

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ORCAS: Headed this way from north Vashon Island

February 24, 2025 8:55 am

| Comments Off on ORCAS: Headed this way from north Vashon Island

| West Seattle news | Whales

Transient orcas were here for much of the weekend, and they’re still around today; Kersti Muul just texted that a group is eastbound from the north end of Vashon Island. Let us know if you see them! (Here are the photos and video shared with us on Saturday.)

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TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Potentially stormy Monday

February 24, 2025 6:00 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Potentially stormy Monday

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning – it’s Monday, February 24, 2025. School is now back in session for everyone, including those who were out on mid-winter break last week.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

This afternoon through tomorrow morning, we’ll be under a Wind Advisory alert, with strong southerly gusts possible. Otherwise, the forecast is for on-and-off rain, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:58 am and 5:47 pm.

ROAD-WORK NOTE

(Photo sent by MJ)

Friday, readers reported the Admiral Way Bridge traffic lanes had shifted again. Then by Sunday morning (photo above), the bridge had fully reopened. We’re still waiting to hear from SDOT on whether that’s the end of all top-side work in the seismic-strengthening project.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V serving as the “bonus boat.”

CLOSURE REMINDER

-As noted here, the Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight tonight into tomorrow morning (2/21-22) for maintenance work.

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!

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