West Seattle, Washington
27 Sunday
For those who wondered how a walking tour starting at Westwood Village would address pedestrian safety in South Delridge, here’s how:
(Digital image from SDOT substituted Thursday for previous photo of paper map)
That was the planned route for tonight’s SDOT-coordinated tour, meant to give people a chance to suggest how/where to build “at least 10 blocks” of sidewalks and/or walkways in the area, with money from the billion-and-a-half-dollars-plus Seattle Transportation levy that voters approved last year. The longest stretch of the road, uphill on Barton toward Delridge, actually had sidewalks, but a northward turn, west of Delridge, put participants on a street that did not.
About half of the ~20 people who participated were city employees. SDOT project leaders stressed that the walking route was by no means predetermined as the future-sidewalk route. The community members who participated had some specific suggestions about making walking safer – including the small children they brought along. Participants got to experience a variety of walking conditions.
That included the Barton Place hill where an encampment sprawls across the sidewalk close to the top of the stairway down to 22nd (which has a foil-wrapped railing):
(One walker recalled a Find It Fix It Walk in the area nine years ago, and the goat deployment that followed.) The block north of there was again without sidewalks, and the participating families had a lot to say about that since that was their neighborhood. (They expressed interest in upgrading the 22nd/Trenton crossing, too.)
We left the tour on 22nd to get to HPAC‘s 6:30 meeting; it didn’t appear to be resulting in any particular to-do list- the SDOT reps promised a report would be forthcoming; whatever project area(s) they settle on, they expect to get to “10% design” before year’s end, and construction could start as soon as next year – or as late as 2029. If you have suggestions – crosswalks, lights, and other safety measures, not just sidewalk sites, you can email this team at le***********@*****le.gov.
OTHER AREAS: They’ve already done a tour in North Delridge, and said tonight they’ll be announcing one for Highland Park on May 21.
A texter just told us, “No photo but just saw a coyote in North Admiral at 35th and College.” That’s the second one today, both from the north half of the peninsula, after a long string of sightings mostly in Gatewood and Fauntleroy. Here’s one we received from Fiona near The Junction this morning:
We had a coyote visit our front yard today. We are at 41st between Oregon and Genesee. The resident crows alerted us and eventually ran him off. He/she was very healthy looking.
This also provides us the opportunity to mention researcher Dr. Sam Kreling, previously known for studying Seattle’s urban coyotes. She’s hoping to start a nonprofit “that focuses on helping people live with wildlife, so she’s running a study to find out “what YOUR community needs/wants to live with wildlife and what you might want to learn about the wildlife in your neighborhood.” To respond to Sam’s survey, follow this link.
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2025 is just two and a half weeks away – Saturday, May 10 – and we’re just about to hit 500 registered sales. We’ve been making lists of the unusual items and descriptions we’ve seen while reviewing listings, but what always strikes us the most is what a wide variety of interests is represented in the items for sale – music, camping, snow sports, water sports, other sports, games, baby gear, kids’ toys, vintage clothing, antique items, and that’s just a start. But right now, the main focus is getting to the end of the three and a half weeks of registration so that we can finalize the list and make the map and listings packet so they’re ready to publish by Saturday morning, May 3. The form is open until 11:30 pm tomorrow (Thursday, April 24) – if you haven’t registered your sale yet, go here ASAP!
On Monday, as news of Pope Francis‘s death spread around the world, we tried to reach local Catholic churches to see if any memorial were planned in our area. Today, we’ve learned of two: On Tuesday, April 29th, the West Seattle Catholic Community – Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Rosary – plan a memorial service together at 6 pm, at OLG (7100 35th SW). It will also be livestreamed -find the link on the OLG website. Then a week from tomorrow, on Thursday, May 1st at 8 am, Saint Bernadette Parish in Burien plans a dedication mass, at 1028 SW 128th St.
What started as a city levy to fund preschool (announced in West Seattle), and expanded to add other levels of education including free community-college tuition (a program with roots here), would grow again if it goes up for renewal this year and gets voter approval. Mayor Harrell announced the proposal today. From the official announcement:
… Some highlights of Mayor Harrell’s proposal include:
–Child Care Expansion: More thandoubling access to affordable child care slots to 1,400 a year and providing direct payments to support the retention of 5,000 child care workers citywide.
–Nationally Acclaimed Preschool Program: Expanding the Seattle Preschool Program to 3,100 seats, improving access for families across the city.
–Youth Mental Health and Safety: Bolstering youth mental health services for Seattle students through new school-based health centers, expanded staffing, and telehealth support.
–Seattle Promise: Free tuition and expenses for up to two years at Seattle Colleges, available to all Seattle public school graduates.
–Apprenticeships and Workforce Development: Creating a new Path to Trades program to help graduates enter careers in skilled trades.To renew the expiring FEPP levy, Mayor Harrell is proposing to levy a $1.3 billion property tax over six years, costing the median assessed value Seattle homeowner $0.61 per $1,000 assessed value, totaling about $654 a year. Research continually shows that investments in early learning and education have long-term economic, health, and social benefits for children and society.
The expired six-year levy, which passed with 68% approval in 2018, was described in our coverage that year as costing the median homeowner $249 a year. The mayor is sending it to the City Council, which will decide whether to send it to voters in November. That’s also when King County plans to ask voters to renew the Medic One/EMS levy; before then, the King County Parks Levy is up for a renewal/expansion vote in August, as we reported earlier this year.
It’s not a big project, but 5617 California SW (across from C & P Coffee [WSB sponsor]) will redevelop the last site of its kind on its block, so it’s worth noting. We last reported a year ago about the nine units planned to replace that 113-year-old bungalow, most recently used by a counseling service – six townhouses, three live-works, four stories, four off-street parking spaces. The city has announced a key approval for the project, which opens an appeal window through May 1; here’s how to file one. County records show the 7,500-square-foot site sold earlier this year for just under $1.2 million.
Even if you’re not going to the Lafayette Elementary PTA‘s fundraising dinner and auction this Saturday, you can still give students a boost by bidding in the online auction, open now through Friday:
Lafayette’s Silent Auction is now live and open for bids through Friday. We have many great packages from local businesses, including Alki Bike & Board, Meeples Games, Fit4Mom, West Seattle Arcade, and more! You can browse our silent auction packages and place your bids here: lafpta2025.ggo.bid/bidding/package-browse
You can bid 24/7 through Friday!
(Photographed on Genesee Hill by Janelle Otterholt)
Here’s our list of your possibilities for the rest of your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
OPENING DAY: As previewed again yesterday, the new Alki Coffee Co/Ben & Jerry’s (2742 Alki SW) opens today – coffee sales started at 7 am, ice cream starts at noon, both continue until 9 pm.
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: All day/night again today, The Westy (7908 35th SW) is donating part of the proceeds to Chief Sealth International HS baseball and softball – details in our calendar listing.
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore’s new location. (4522 California SW)
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: All levels welcome, 2-4:30 pm at The Missing Piece (35th/Roxbury).
TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: 3-3:30 pm, come enjoy story time with your toddler(s)! (9010 35th SW)
SPORTS: Two baseball games on local fields – Chief Sealth IHS plays Roosevelt at 4 pm, West Seattle HS plays Nathan Hale at 7 pm, both games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), free.
SOUTH DELRIDGE WALKING TOUR: Join city reps in looking at/talking about possible future locations for new sidewalks/walkways, 5-6:30 pm. Meet at Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton) just south of Daiso’s storefront.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it instead of discarding it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You have an open invitation to the group’s weekly meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).
FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome in the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.
‘RIDGE TO RIVER’ AT DPAC: Hiking season in the West Duwamish Greenbelt has begun, and the Ridge to River Coalition will be at HPAC‘s monthly gathering tonight to present a “vision and concept plan” for the area. All welcome! 6:30 pm, Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
KUNDALINI YOGA & GONG BATH: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
MUSIC BINGO: Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations on our West Seattle list: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Ready to step up to the mic? 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you are planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community, please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! we*************@***il.com – thank you!
Teen(s) in the household? This announcement from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) might be of interest!
Apply Now for RYLA 2025 – A Free Leadership Experience! Deadline 5/1
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2025 application is now open!
This exciting, four-day leadership camp (June 5–8 at YMCA Camp Colman) is for high school sophomores and juniors ready to grow as leaders and make a difference in their communities. Students will participate in team-building activities, workshops, and hear from inspiring speakers.
Sponsored by the West Seattle Rotary Club, attendance is completely free and transportation is available. High school students meeting eligibility criteria will be nominated to attend the conference.
Eligibility: Students must be in 10th or 11th grade and under 18 at the time of the event.
To apply: Email Ron Palmer at Ro***********@********nk.com and CC ry***********@***il.com to request an application.
Deadline: May 1st, 2025
See attached flyer or visit rylanw.org for more information.
9:28 AM: Police are checking out a reported stopped/stalled vehicle on the eastbound bridge at the exit to northbound I-5.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Another sunny day,, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:05 am and 8:10 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, which means later-evening sailings Fridays and Saturdays.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
ROAD WORK
-The Admiral Way Bridge’s outside lane on the eastbound/southbound side remains closed.
-With the sunny weather, more work crews are out – please let us know if you see a project affecting traffic.
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: In addition to 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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