FOLLOWUP: West Seattle’s biggest construction project months from completion

That’s a Seattle Public Schools-provided aerial view of the west and south sides of the new Alki Elementary School (3010 59th SW), months away from completion, set to open this fall for the 2026-2027 school year. (You can see a current view of the front – north-facing side – of the school via this webcam.) One of the major elements of work right now involves rebuilding the road surface of 59th; the latest update from the project team says, “The western half will be demolished and replaced by mid-January.” Closures are continuing during daytime work hours, but the street is reopening after-hours as work permits. Other updates:

During the last month we have completed the following work: gypsum concrete floor topping, installation of the ceiling grid, rough-in of the mechanical systems, masonry, exterior glazing, and mechanical penthouse metal panel installation.

The team is beginning or progressing on the following work: 59th Avenue repaving, interior lighting, interior cabinet installation, finish carpentry, acoustical treatments and tile installation.

Our next steps include: completing the interior finishes (paint and flooring) on the Community Center, completing the bioretention facilities and permanent power connection.

Alki Elementary staff and students are in their third year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus. The school currently has 266 students enrolled, according to the newest district update, slightly more than half the capacity of the new building. The district’s Open Enrollment for School Choice period is now under way.

Disgruntled Neighbor January 6, 2026 (2:56 pm)

Such a disappointment. Broken record: no parking. It would be lovely to have members of this planning / design committee for the school district, come and experience the pick up and drop off, then they can experience the complete s**t show it is at pickup. They should have come and — in the planning process — talked with parents and neighbors to see it first hand. So they teachers, are just supposed to haul all their things, sometimes BLOCKS AWAY where they find parking, in the weather? Maybe they could have taken the trees out up to the tennis courts and made a cutout for cars to wait, along 59th, instead it just becomes a mud pit most of the year with cars driving on the curb to stay out of the way. Maybe they could have built a parking lot. Seattle City Planners, you really need to work with your eyes open. Teachers, if I had a golf cart, I would offer you rides to your cars and back if I could.

Yawn January 6, 2026 (6:09 pm)

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“Maybe they could have taken the trees out up to the tennis courts and made a cutout for cars to wait”

This is peak West Seattle old guard complaining right here. Way to start of the new year with such a predictable and tired gripe.
Bill#1 January 6, 2026 (9:59 pm)

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You seem to be wasting your breath!

Foop January 6, 2026 (5:08 pm)

Oh what a tragedy, folks walking whole blocks.

Kyle January 6, 2026 (6:31 pm)

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Foop doesn’t have to drop off kindergartners at 7:45am in the morning in the dark of January.
- Sam January 6, 2026 (6:52 pm)
  
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  My kindergartner walked or biked every day and never whined as much as you people.
  - Kyle January 7, 2026 (6:59 am)
    
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    Real pull yourself up by your boot straps story for your 5 year old! Probably did it in the dark and the rain leaving the house at 7:15am to make the 30 minute walk (no bus service for up to a mile from the school) on time. All families should do this too!
  - Cal January 7, 2026 (1:32 pm)
    
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    Sam, it’s great your family has that privilege! But maybe don’t rub it in other people’s faces.
    
    Many people driving do so out of necessity, for reasons including rigid work hours, lack of accessible public transit, and physical disability.
    - k January 7, 2026 (2:05 pm)
      
      There are families driving out of necessity at all the other elementary schools too. Schools that also don’t have enormous parking lots or the massive pickup/drop off areas being asked for at this school. Schools that start earlier so it’s just as dark, if not darker outside. And they’re fine. Families walk out of necessity at other schools because they can’t afford cars. And they’re also fine. The kids don’t whine half as much about the walk as the grown-ups do. If your child is unable to complete a 15-minute walk with an adult’s assistance, in all lighting conditions, they qualify for an IEP and can take the bus. Problem solved.
- Derp January 6, 2026 (8:47 pm)
  
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  Can I ask a question. What has changed for the drop off area ?
- WS Pedestrian January 7, 2026 (3:31 am)
  
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  Because of cars, right? It sucks to walk your kid to school because its dangerous with all the cars. So you want add to the cars by driving an car instead to protect yourself from cars. Is that accurate?
  - Kyle January 7, 2026 (8:58 am)
    
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    Honestly more the darkness and time. Although would be nice if we had a safety patrol and more crossing guards, maybe you should be one? I try to be as good of an anti-car virtue singer as you but I don’t have time for a dark rainy 30 minute walk with my 5 year old, and then a 20 minute walk home every morning. It’s an expensive city so most households have 2 working parents, probably partly why enrollment is declining. But you go off acting like this is an office building and the needs are the same.
    - Foop January 7, 2026 (9:54 am)
      
      20 minute walk sounds like a mile, not a bad walk, but if time is a concern that’s like 5 minutes for an ebike. And let’s not pretend that driving and dealing with traffic is any faster. I live near chief sealth and just navigating school traffic in the mornings and evenings takes longer than it would to bike in up to the doors. Biggest thing I e learned buying an ebike and driving fewer places is that the convenience of rolling right up to where I am going and being able to hop on and leave beats the parking rigamarole, or fighting late/early busses 100% of the day.
    - Kyle January 7, 2026 (11:28 am)
      
      A 1000+ student high school, where many students drive themselves, is different than an elementary school. Sealth also has a parking lot. Glad you’re ready to fund e-bikes and trailers (can’t imagine a 6 year old handling a heavy e-bike by themselves) for all the elementary school kids and their families!