West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
11:30 PM: SPD and SFD have arrived at a 2-vehicle crash, with one on its side, on the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (the east half of the West Seattle Bridge), by the 1st Avenue South ramp, as shown on a city traffic cam. Two people are reported hurt, and an SDOT response crew is on the way for what’s described as a “large fluid spill spanning all lanes.” They’re going to block the entire westbound bridge for now while this gets cleaned up.
11:56 PM: Officers are telling dispatch that they expect the closure to be “prolonged.”
12:43 AM: The bridge/SSV has reopened, per police-radio announcement.
ADDED 10:40 AM: We asked SFD about the people reported injured. Spokesperson David Cuerpo replied, “Crews treated a 26-year-old male who was in stable condition and a 44-year-old male who was also in stable condition. Both did not require transportation to a hospital and were left on scene with law enforcement.”
Four notes from the West Seattle Triangle area:
SHELTER: Westside Neighbors Shelter in the American Legion Post 160 building (3618 SW Alaska) had announced the end of its overnight operation for the year as of late February – but is restarting the availability temporarily later this week, since temperatures are predicted to drop below 40 degrees. From shelter director Keith Hughes:
due to the impending weather change (to below 40) we will be reopening the Cold Weather Overnight Shelter for at least 10 days starting on Wednesday night. Schedule will be 5 PM till 11 am the next morning each day. Dinner will be at 6:30 pm, breakfast will be at 8:45 am. We will be instituting several new policies for entry to the Shelter, with the intent of keeping the overnight population under 36 beds.
We have a followup question out regarding the policy changes.
EX-CLINIC: Several readers have asked about the fence that’s gone up around the former Virginia Mason Franciscan Health clinic site at 4550 Fauntleroy Way SW:
There are no permit filings for the site. Through further research, we learned that VMFH is still leasing the site, so they’re accountable for whatever happens there. We subsequently checked with a VMFW spokesperson who told WSB they have no updates to share regarding the site’s status or future.
EX-STORE: Just a reminder that Advance Auto Parts at 4505 38th SW has closed – thanks to Ian for the photo of a post-closure note on its door over the weekend:
We confirmed the store’s closure date last month, part of the company’s regional downsizing. No permit filings or public lease listing yet for the site.
SALE: Reminder that ski/snowboard season isn’t over yet, and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) continues its big clearance sale, so you can get gear/apparel at a great price in time to go back up to the snow. The shop is open daily; hours tomorrow are 10 am to 6 pm.
During today’s weekly “briefing meeting,” the City Council, as usual, got updates on the State Legislature bills the city’s been tracking. Noting that legislators are now past the midpoint – 57 days into this year’s 105-day session – the city’s legislative liaisons said that the main bill to allow a “vehicle-noise enforcement-camera” pilot program has advanced; the state House passed HB 1423 57-40. District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, who’s been advocating for that bill as a potential tool for problems in neighborhoods including Alki, asked the briefers what’s next. They said that though there’s a Senate version of the bill, the House bill is the “main vehicle” for this proposal, so it will likely have a public hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee sometime soon.
P.S. Our area’s state legislators – Sen. Emily Alvarado and Reps. Joe Fitzgibbon (who voted for the noise-camera bill) and Brianna Thomas (who voted against it) – plan a “telephone town hall” next Monday, March 17, at 6 pm. People throughout the district will get a call at that time inviting participation, but you can also call in; this page explains how.
A quick reminder that if you’re interested in studying at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – whether seeking a degree or certificate, or a continuing-education class – tomorrow’s the day to visit. 3:30 to 6:30 pm on Tuesday (March 11), you’re invited to SSC’s annual Discover Open House. The college will offer campus tours, program presentations, opportunities to speak with faculty and advisers, plus information on admissions, financial aid, and other student resources. You can RSVP here. Know before you go – review options here, from career training, college transfer, and applied bachelor’s degrees, to short-term training and personal enrichment courses. SSC is on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, at 6000 16th SW.
Thanks to Troy for the tip. Seattle Parks has reopened a West Seattle trail:
(Seattle Parks photo)
Good news! Our Trails Crew has been hard at work restoring the Lincoln Park North Bluff Trail, including repairing the staircase and retaining wall. We’re thrilled to announce that the trail is now REOPENED!
Thank you to everyone for your patience and support while we got everything back in shape.
Another property-tax levy renewal is proposed for a vote this year. Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he wants to renew the levy for the Democracy Voucher program, originally approved by voters in 2015 and launched with 2017 city elections. From the announcement:
… The program is administered by the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission (SEEC) which sends four $25 democracy vouchers to eligible residents during municipal election cycles. Residents then donate their vouchers to qualifying campaigns, which are redeemed for the assigned value.
Since the program’s inception, Seattle has had among the highest rates of people contributing to candidates in the country. More than 106,000 residents have contributed vouchers to candidates, distributing over $10 million to local campaigns through 2024.
The program is also popular with candidates running for city office and has led to more competitive races. Between 2017-2024, 76% of candidates who appeared on the primary election ballot and 89% of candidates on the general election ballot participated in the program.
Mayor Harrell’s proposal would renew the program by levying a $45 million property tax over 10 years, costing the median assessed value Seattle homeowner about $12.20 a year. The proposal has been transmitted to the City Council for consideration and referral to voters for the August primary.
If voters approve the ballot measure, the Mayor, City Council, and SEEC will convene a workgroup in early 2026 to make recommendations on program improvements to reach more residents in diverse communities and empower local campaigns by addressing the role of Political Action Committee (PACs) in municipal elections.
The initiative that created the program was approved by 63 percent of city voters a decade ago. At the time, it was described as costing “the average homeowner about $8 a year.” raising about $30 million over 10 years.
(Added: WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
12:51 PM: Seattle Fire is at the scene of a house fire in the 9000 block of 17th SW. Two people are reported to have gotten out safely. Traffic is blocked in the area, on 16th too. Updates to come.
1:01 PM: An extra hazard in the area reported by SFD – downed power lines at the fire site. They also have just corrected the actual fire location’s address to 9000 block of 16th, though the originally logged address was in that block of 17th.
1:10 PM: The fire has been declared under control. SFD plans to start demobilizing some of the units.
1:22 PM: Though some units are being dismissed, dispatch has just been told that the 16th SW closure at that spot will last for a while, because of not only SFD but also City Light. That means bus detours too.
1:33 PM: The revised address actually checks to this future-development, former-fire site that’s adjacent, at 16th/Barton. (Added – as shown in this photo, with that site in foreground, today’s fire site in the background, looking northwest:)
1:42 PM: They’re reopening 16th now. The fire’s cause is under investigation.
TUESDAY MORNING: SFD says its investigation determined the fire was deliberately set. We’re following up further with SPD.
With the Sound Transit board having already interviewed candidates for CEO – the only candidate name mentioned publicly so far has been board member King County Executive Dow Constantine – this might be your last chance to offer a comment: The board’s Executive Committee is having a special meeting 4-5 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, March 11). The agenda has a comment period followed by an executive session (non-public) and then possibly a recommendation of who the committee thinks the whole board should vote on. Here’s the agenda document, which explains how to participate either in person or remotely. (You can also email a comment now to meetingcomments@soundtransit.org.) Whoever is hired will take over at a pivotal time for the planning of West Seattle light rail, among other projects.
Spring is in view and so is this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, Saturday, May 10. It’s the 20th anniversary edition – West Seattle’s biggest person-to-person recycling day was founded in 2005 (we’ve been coordinating it since the fourth WSCGSD in 2008). Registration will open April 1. If you’re new, know that WSCGSD is not one big sale at one site, but rather sales of all sizes, all over the peninsula, so after the close of registration (which will be open for just over three weeks), we build a map that’s published one week before sale day, plus a list with the sales identified by number and address, and the short sale summary provided during registration. Official WSCGSD hours on May 10 are 9 am-3 pm, but some sellers start early and/or end late – some even add extra day(s)! – so if you’re having a sale, be sure to include that information with your registration (there’s a spot on the form).
P.S. For people with just a few things to sell, and/or nowhere to have a sale, so far we’ve heard from the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, which will have community spaces in its big back parking lot, with all proceeds going toward their fundraising for a new van. Others planning to offer community spaces, please let us know ASAP! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
(Thanks to Emily for the weekend photo of Troop 41595’s cookie booth)
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales continue today, after school, starting the second and final full week! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots, during various time slots, in West Seattle. (Is your troop out selling cookies? Send a pic – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!)
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week and get briefed on current issues such as what’s happening in the Legislature, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).
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: Three places to play tonight! … 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: More 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 cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(WSB video)
That’s the West Seattle Big Band at December’s Admiral Church concert. Your next chance to see/hear/dance with them is Friday at West Seattle High School and you have three more days to buy advance discount tickets – here’s the announcement:
We are excited to invite you to our 13th annual Big Band Dinner Dance on Friday, March 14th! There will be music provided by the whole music program, dinner prepared by our very own Culinary Arts program, a silent auction, dancing, and the wonderful West Seattle Big Band directed by Jim Edwards.
Dust off those dancing shoes (or not … dancing is optional) and get yourself tickets to one of the best events of the year!
Proceeds benefit the whole music program at WSHS!
TICKETS:
Dinner & Dance tickets: $30 when pre-purchased (by March 12th); $35 at the door (if available)
Dance only tickets: $10
WSHS is at 3000 California SW.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 10, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Forecast – mostly cloudy, more showers likely, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise/sunset, on this first weekday since the time change – 7:31 am and 7:08 pm.
ROAD WORK
-In South Alki, work could start as soon as today to prepare for the 63rd/Beach pump-station project; our preview explains (and includes a map).
-In White Center, another reminder that 16th will be closed at the 104th intersection starting tomorrow.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving 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 a problem 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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