FOLLOWUP: Is added Alki Avenue parking a done deal? What does ‘additional outreach’ mean? Here’s how SDOT replied

| Transportation | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos, this afternoon)

After reading our coverage of last week’s SDOT announcement about adding 150 parking spaces along Alki Avenue after the conversion of angled parking to parallel parking is done, a nearby resident asked us whether this was a “done deal.” The language on the “fact sheet” provided by SDOT last week includes this paragraph:

…Re-establishing daytime on-street parking is proposed for the west/ water side of Alki Avenue SW, between the 1200 and 1700 blocks, where the street is wide enough. This would help offset the reduced parking at Duwamish Head and meet increased parking demand during summers. Changes could be installed in the summer of 2025. …

But also this:

Additional Alki Avenue SW outreach is planned for later this summer. We’ll engage the community to address questions and take feedback before finalizing and implementing a design.

So we asked SDOT two things today: #1, is the added street parking in the 1200 to 1700 blocks a “done deal,” and #2, what kind of “additional … outreach” is planned – for example, will there be a community meeting?

Regarding “is it a done deal?” the answer wasn’t clear:

Before installing the second phase of this project, we would like to hear how people feel about the change and any specific benefits or challenges that re-establishing parking on the water side of Alki Avenue SW might bring.

Regarding “additional outreach,” SDOT says “no meetings are planned”:

We appreciate the community’s interest and input regarding Councilmember Rob Saka‘s request to re-establish on-street parking on the waterside of Alki Avenue SW to offset some loss of parking at the Duwamish Head. We believe the current survey provides one effective way of gathering feedback from a diverse range of voices.

To ensure adjacent stakeholders are aware, we are also putting up A-frame signs within the area and sending emails to community leaders. Wider promotion through outlets like your media site and Councilmember Rob Saka helps capture a wide array of Alki visitors, businesses, and residents. The survey itself ensures participants can share their thoughts conveniently and at a time that works best for them, allowing for a comprehensive collection of opinions over the next few weeks. While no meetings are planned at this time, we’ll see if the current outreach generates significant interest or if there are populations that appear not to have been reached and determine if supplemental efforts should be considered.

So if you have an opinion of the added spaces, whatever it is, the survey is apparently your main opportunity for input. Since SDOT’s replies made it clear that the added spaces, like the diagonal removal, is by request of Councilmember Saka, here’s his contact info too.

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UPDATE: Rescue response on Beach Drive

June 2, 2025 7:30 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

7:30 PM: Now there’s another rescue dispatch – this time to the 6700 block of Beach Drive SW, where a man is reported to have “fallen down a bluff.” But first units on scene say the man may not be in major trouble so they are reducing the response.

7:34 PM: The remaining units just told dispatch they’ve already rescued the man.

8:40 PM: Just a note to say that, after a technical outage (sorry about that), we’re back up and checking with SFD on the man’s condition.

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About the emergency response in Admiral

June 2, 2025 7:23 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)

If you too are wondering about the big police/fire response at an apartment complex south of California/Stevens – responders rescued someone who was threatening self-harm. The person will be taken to a hospital.

Reminder that if you are, or someone you know is, having thoughts of self-harm, you can call the 988 hotline any time of day or night.

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WHALES: Orcas in the area

June 2, 2025 5:32 pm

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| West Seattle news | Whales

Orcas are northbound from Blake Island, Kersti Muul tells us. Lots of sun glare on the water if you try looking west right now, but they often detour into the bay, so we’re sharing the alert.

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WATER TAXI: Weeknight late-night runs added for Mariners home-game nights

June 2, 2025 5:06 pm

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| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Just announced by Metro:

West Seattle Water Taxi will extend weeknight service for Mariners games this summer, beginning tomorrow June 3rd! See our website to check the sailing schedule & plan your trip to/from T-Mobile Park:

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/metro/travel-options/water-taxi/west-seattle#toc-sailing-schedule

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More Seattle City Council turnover: Councilmember Cathy Moore resigning

June 2, 2025 3:45 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Just announced via news release: District 5 (North Seattle) City Councilmember Cathy Moore is resigning. Most recently, she sponsored a controversial proposal to change city law to allow councilmembers to vote on matters in which they had a financial interest; last Friday, she withdrew it. Moore, a former King County Superior Court judge first elected in 2023, says she’s leaving “due to health and personal reasons.” Her last day will be July 7. This will be the third seat the council has had to fill by appointment in less than two years, after Teresa Mosqueda left Citywide Position 8 to run for King County Council and after Tammy Morales left the District 2 position.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 4 West Seattleites headed for US Rowing Youth National Championships

June 2, 2025 3:32 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Julie Rajaratnam for the photo and report:

Seattle’s history in the sport of rowing is well known, thanks to Daniel James Brown’s best-seller The Boys in the Boat. What you may not know is how West Seattle is doing its part to cultivate rowing prowess. Meet four exceptional young women from West Seattle who have earned their way to the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida, June 12-15.

[L-R: Kiran Rajaratnam (rowing for Vashon Island Rowing Club in the Women’s U17 4x and coxswain for the Men’s U16 4x+), Anna Urelius and Genevieve Ide (both from Mount Baker Rowing and in the Women’s U17 8+), Claire Gordon (Greenlake Crew, Women’s Varsity 8+]

Each athlete shared a brief word about what the sport of rowing, and the opportunity to compete at Nationals, means for them:

Kiran: “Rowing has taught me so much: determination, confidence, discipline, and most of all, the value of teamwork. My boat mates and I have been there to support each other, push one another to be better, and share a friendship on and off the water. After all the meters we’ve rowed and the time we’ve dedicated, our hard work has paid off. We made it to nationals! I’m super excited for this opportunity, and we’re ready to give it our all!”

Anna: “Rowing at Mount Baker is like a second home to me. It’s the place I can go to take a break from the stress of school and life to be able to focus on something that I really enjoy while getting stronger and forming amazing relationships with my teammates. I feel so lucky to be able to go to nationals with this amazing group of girls that I love so much!”

Genevieve: “Nationals is what the whole year has been leading up to, every practice, race, and even recovery day has been preparing me for this. When I’m doing a hard piece or start wanting to give up, I always remind myself that my body can do so much more than my mental ‘limit’.”

Claire: “Nationals to me is a great opportunity to compete at a higher level and on such a large scale. I’m so excited to represent the PNW along with these other girls as well as race my hardest for the last time this season!” Claire, a junior at West Seattle High School, recently committed to rowing at the University of Washington!

These clubs all fundraise to support the costs of athlete participation and enable greater access. If you’d like to support them, here are three links: VIRC’s Nationals Fundraiser, Mount Baker’s Annual Fund, or Green Lake Crew’s STEM to Stern initiative. As these four young athletes take to the starting line in Sarasota, we wish them flat water and fast strokes!

Rowing culture—and the tight-knit communities built within and across clubs—offers an ideal environment for young athletes to thrive. Check out the clubs’ websites for more information on how you can get involved. In addition to these three clubs, the Duwamish Rowing Club in South Park also offers rowing opportunities for youth. The summer months are particularly ideal for dipping your toes (and oars!) in the water.

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GRATITUDE: Message for two ‘strangers’ who helped

June 2, 2025 1:41 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Terry asked us to share this:

Big thank you to the women who stopped to assist my husband on Saturday morning, May 31st at California Ave SW/SW Hill Street after witnessing his fall. I failed to properly thank these kind ladies who stayed by his side and watched our dog while medics treated him and I was able to arrive. Thankfully he only suffered a couple of fractured ribs and a broken bone in his right hand; given his complex medical history, the injuries could have been much worse. Thank you again for being good neighbors – your assistance is very much appreciated.

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BIZNOTE: Global Running Day fun with West Seattle Runner

June 2, 2025 11:58 am

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

If you run, Wednesday is a day to celebrate – it’s Global Running Day. While West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) always has a free group run at 6:15 pm on Wednesdays, this one will be special:

-You can demo a pair of ASICS shoes
-S’mores, bubbles, cornhole after the run
-You can enter a raffle for cold-plunge sessios at Space Bar
-Even if you don’t win, Space Bar owner Andrew will open especially for runners at 7 pm – you can sign up now (info@spacebarwellness.com) for a half-hour contrast-therapy session post run ($25)

Just show up in time for the 6:15 pm run on Wednesday (June 4) and get the party started. If you’ve never been to WSR, it’s at 2743 California SW.

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Here’s what’s happening on your West Seattle Monday!

June 2, 2025 9:58 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Anjie Nelson-Wally)

It’s the first Monday of June, and the forecast suggests sunny, seasonably warm weather all week. Here’s what’s on our highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 AM story time is open to wee ones and their caretakers. (9010 35th SW)

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See councilmembers look ahead to the rest of the week, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch.

HOMEWORK HELP: K-12 students can get free drop-in help at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

INTRO TO ZEN: Monthly free event preceding weekly meditation (later in list), 5:30 pm at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW).

CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: No need to grieve alone. 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio, join a group with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places you can play tonight! Every-other-week Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm …. and the weekly events: 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

ALKI MEDITATION: Every Monday – doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)

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

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

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, you’re invited to karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

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

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Remembering Sharon E. Best, 1947-2025

June 2, 2025 8:59 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Sharon Best and sharing this remembrance with the community now:

Sharon Elizabeth Best of West Seattle died on April 5, 2025 of complications due to Parkinson’s Disease. Beloved spouse of Margey Thoresen (deceased 2018). Sister of Mark Best (deceased). Survived by her brother, Jerry Best, her niece Wyndie, her brothers-in-law Drew and Howard Thoresen and her sister-in-law, Deb Thoresen, and by many loving friends.

Sharon received her BA Degree (with honors) from the University of Missouri in 1969 and her Juris Doctor Degree (with honors) from the University of Florida in 1977.

She was a Retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Army (1968 – 1988). She received a National Defense Service Medal – Excellence-in- Competition Badge (pistol), a Distinguished International Shooter Badge, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. She directed that her cremated ashes be interned in the Tahoma VA National Cemetery in Kent Washington in memory of her 20 years of military service.

After retiring from the Army, she began practicing law, becoming a respected West Seattle Real Estate and Estate Planning attorney.

In lieu of flowers, conations in her memory may be sent to Mary’s Place (www.marysplaceseattle.org).

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: June’s first Monday, with alerts

June 2, 2025 6:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, June 2, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 70. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am; sunset will be at 9:00 pm.

ROAD WORK

-Reader says the signboards for the Admiral Way Bridge project warned of a “traffic revision” today, which might mean a change in work zone.

-I-5 tonight – alert from WSDOT:

From 10 p.m. Monday, June 2 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, three right lanes of southbound I-5 will close from milepost 164 to milepost 162 for maintenance. The Sixth Avenue South/Forest Avenue off-ramp and West Seattle Bridge/Columbian Way off-ramp will close, along with the on-ramp from the West Seattle Bridge and Sixth Avenue South. Detours are in place for southbound I-5, West Seattle Bridge and Sixth Avenue South to northbound I-5.

-Highway 99 tunnel maintenance closure, this Friday night 10 pm to Saturday morning 6 am.

As we reported last week – the low bridge will close this weekend, starting 7 am Saturday.

-Gas pipeline work toward the Lowman Beach end of Beach Drive … street work for the Alki Standby Generator Project toward the Alki Point end.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with 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. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”. Note: Online “open house” for commenting on possible ferry-fare increases/changes is continues here.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

Spokane Street Viaduct:

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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