West Seattle, Washington
11 Wednesday
(From ‘site plan’ in proposed lot’s permit filing)
Eight days after we broke the news of a combination RV “safe lot” and tiny-home village planned for southeast West Seattle, a city official brought it up at a community meeting tonight for the first time. The meeting was the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) discussion of possible parking restrictions on 16th SW, where about 10 RVs and trailers are currently among the other parked vehicles; we’ll have a full report on the meeting, and what’s next, Thursday. But first – the city official who mentioned the possible shelter site is Tom Van Bronkhorst, a longtime community liaison for the city’s homelessness response. Some attendees suggested a “safe lot” might be ideal for RV dwellers; Van Bronkhorst said he’d just recently heard about the one on the drawing board for 2nd SW, saying there’s some “lease activity.” Timeline? He said he didn’t have specifics but speculated at least “several months.” That’s more than we’ve heard from those with whom we’ve followed up; WSDOT, the site’s owner, promised a response that we’re still awaiting, while Mayor Katie Wilson‘s spokesperson told us it was still too early-stage for them to have anything to say, and the organization listed as site operator, LIHI, has not replied at all.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
CSI MYSTERY IN ADMIRAL: We received some questions about that Seattle Police CSI parked outside the Springline Apartments (3220 California SW) in South Admiral for hours today and into the evening. Nothing on the SPD map nor anyplace else that might hint at an investigation, so we asked SPD, getting what amounted to a “no comment” response from spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz: “This is an open and active investigation that our detectives are currently working on. We will release information to the public as soon as we can. Likely by the end of the work week.” Neighbors say SPD personnel were seen going into and out of the complex’s southernmost building; we also received a report today of a heavy law-enforcement presence in the area early Tuesday.
MORE MISSING MAIL: Also in South Admiral, the recipient of some of the stolen-then-returned mail mentioned here a week and a half ago reports, “Our mailbox serves 8 townhome units and hasn’t shown any obvious signs of being pried open. I heard from a neighbor (Monday) night that she’s missing a couple more recent packages so I’m concerned someone may still have access.”
(WSB photo of 5444 Delridge storefront before its food-store days)
When the West Seattle Food Bank‘s Clothesline closed at the end of the year, WSFB wasn’t ready to go public with the new location it had found for the clothing bank. Now it is – and they’re requesting donations starting this weekend. WSFB says Clothesline will reopen in the ground-level storefront space at Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW), formerly home to two food stores, Cascadia Fresh Market and Delridge Grocery Co-op. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Food Bank invites the community to help launch its new West Seattle Clothesline location with a special clothing drive taking place Saturday, February 7; Tuesday, February 10; and Thursday, February 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community members are encouraged to bring new or gently used, season-appropriate clothing to the new Clothesline location at:
5444 Delridge Way SW, Suite 100
These donation days will help stock the shelves ahead of the Clothesline’s reopening to clients on Tuesday, February 17.
The West Seattle Clothesline provides free clothing to neighbors experiencing hardship, offering dignity, choice, and access to essential items for daily life. Clothing donations from the community make this program possible.
“We are so grateful for the generosity of our neighbors,” said Karen Dahl, Clothesline Program Coordinator. “Every donated coat, pair of jeans, and warm sweater helps ensure our Clothesline is ready to welcome community members into our new space.”
Donation Details
Dates: Saturday, Feb. 7; Tuesday, Feb. 10; Thursday, Feb. 12
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: 5444 Delridge Way SW, Suite 100
Accepted Items: Clean, gently used clothing for adults and children; menswear especially needed
Note: The Clothesline will be closed for donations and distribution on Saturday, Feb. 14th.For more information about the Clothesline or other services, visit westseattlefoodbank.org
The Clothesline moved from its previous site on the north edge of The Junction because its landlord was selling the property.
Announced tonight by Washington State Ferries:
Due to necessary vessel repairs, we need to move vessels and adjust the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth schedule the next few days.
Thursday, Feb. 5: Around midday, the 144-vehicle Chimacum will replace the 90-vehicle Sealth as the #3 vessel.
Friday, Feb. 6: The following #3 sailings will be cancelled due to boat moves:
8 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
8:20 p.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy
8:50 p.m. Fauntleroy to Vashon
9:15 p.m. Vashon to Southworth
9:30 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8: Regular weekend winter schedule.
Monday, Feb. 9: Two-boat schedule due to timing of vessel moves. We’re working to add a third, unscheduled vessel in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: The route will return to the three-boat schedule.
Fauntleroy Creek didn’t see many spawners during last fall’s coho-salmon return, but the first results have just appeared! Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council shares the photo from Dave Gershgorn and report from Dennis Hinton:https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=1141337&action=edit#edit_timestamp
We spotted the first tiny little coho emergents from the fall spawn today. Observed four little fry in the exact same spot where we saw the spawning pair, in the curve just above the fish ladder. Saw another eight just a few feet up the creek, below the first bridge. Dave got excellent photo proof, attached. So if you were desperately looking for a little good news today, here it is. New life on the creek. Heaven on this 60-degree, almost spring day.
Happy 28th anniversary to Circa in The Admiral District (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor)! They’re celebrating tomorrow (Thursday, February 5) and you’re invited to the party – co-proprietor Gretchen says that’ll include “free funfetti cake and $2.80 Manny’s Pale Ale all day and night.
(Added Thursday)
Happy Hour from 2:30-5:00, and dinner and drink specials after 5:00. Lots of decorations, ’90s music and ’90s staff!” If you want to get the party started early, Circa opens at 9 am
1:25 PM: Thanks for the tips! Multiple reports of orcas passing west-facing West Seattle. Kersti Muul says they’re northbound off Beach Drive.
2:51 PM: Thanks to Rick Rasmussen for sending photos (the one above this line, and two more below).
3:39 PM: Erin reports seeing the orcas in Elliott Bay right now, at least three whales.
10:03 PM: Added above and below this line, photos from David Hutchinson:
These were transient orcas, not Southern Residents.
Since Seattle City Light told us Monday that work would start at the Morgan Junction EV-charging lot site this week, we’ve been checking there daily to see whether that would indeed happen. No signs of activity Tuesday – but we just went by again today and spotted the new NO TRESPASSING sign above, as well as tubes labeled as project-document storage:
(The labels read Traffic Control Plan, Permits, Construction Stormwater and Erosion Control Plan, Construction Drainage Plans, and Electrical Permit.) No work crew at the site currently but we’ll go back to check tomorrow. SCL says it’s expecting the eight-charger site at 4118 SW Morgan – originally planned for 2022 – to be operational this August.
Going over the SPD data map late last night, we noticed burglaries at two West Seattle businesses early Tuesday and an attempt at a third. After confirming via radio recordings, we requested and obtained police-report narratives this morning. The first two were reported within blocks and minutes of each other in the 5 am hour:
LULA COFFEE (4451 California SW): A business manager or owner got “an alarm alert” and went to the shop. The report says:
When she arrived to the business, she observed the front door lock was punched out and the register was rifled through. An electronic tablet was taken from the register area. A small side window was also forced open where the suspect probably tried to gain initial entry. XXXX had surveillance footage of the incident as well. The video shows one suspect enter the front door, quickly walk to the register, rifle through the register, and exit the back door. The suspect had a large coat on with the hood up and a face covering. He did not have gloves on. He appeared to be a white male.
Investigators were able to lift some prints. If you have any information, this case # is 26-032404.
WALTER’S/UPWELL (4811 California SW): An owner/manager called police after seeing this via live video. The police narrative says:
Officers arrived quickly but the suspects had already fled. A building search verified that no one was inside the business unlawfully. The suspect had used an unknown tool or tools to remove the lock cylinder from the front door. (Owners) showed me security video. The video shows two suspects arrive in a white, mid-size SUV at about 0516 hrs. Suspect 1 was was a white male in a black puffy jacket. He spends about 10 minutes removing the lock before the second suspect entered the business through the unlocked door. The second suspect was also a white male wearing a light-colored hoody.
The report adds that the burglar who went inside “was in the store for only a minute or two” and stole various items. If you have any information on this one, the case # is 26-032408.
BENBOW ROOM (4210 SW Admiral Way): This report came in later in the morning after the establishment reported “that the doors had signs of forced entry and there was a clicking/and banging noise coming from inside.” The report narrative said police “arrived and contacted the owner (who) stated that it was actually only an attempted break-in that happened sometime overnight and that the noise was from a pinball machine that was having malfunctions. (They) showed me the front door and two side doors on the west side of the business. All of which had fresh pry marks on the latch side of the door and jamb.” Case # for this is 26-032444.
NOTE: In addition to these three incidents, we’ve reported on two other West Seattle business burglaries in the past week – both in the Alki/Harbor area – at El Chupacabra and at Unwind Café. … We should also note that the next quarterly community meeting at the precinct about crime/safety is coming up at 6:30 pm Tuesday, February 17 (2300 SW Webdter).
(Tuesday morning on Elliott Bay – photographed by Mike Burns)
Lots of possibilities for your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, have numerous highlights:
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fontanelle (so if you didn’t see this in the calendar in time, here’s a reminder for next week).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the new location of Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
VR FOR TEENS’ MENTAL HEALTH: Try it out at 2:30 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
ART WORKSHOP: Drop-in art for kids withRec ‘N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-4:30 pm.
HOLY ROSARY FUNDRAISER AT LADY JAYE: “Eighth grade students from Holy Rosary are raising money to go to Washington DC after graduation this June. There will be a fundraiser tonight, Wednesday, February 4th, at Lady Jaye from 4 pm until close. It’s Whiskey Wednesday featuring Old Fitzgerald 7yr wheated bourbon for $8 all evening. Please make sure to mention Holy Rosary School to your server!” (4523 California SW)
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), free drop-in help for students.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
16TH SW PARKING MEETING: As previewed here, a community discussion with city reps about possible parking restrictions on 16th SW is being hosted by South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), 5:30 pm in Cascade Hall.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of throwing it out! 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).
PIANO NIGHT: 6 pm, monthly piano night at Upwell Wine & Coffee (4811 California SW).
‘LET’S TALK ABOUT THE S–T WE’RE PRETENDING IS FINE’: That’s the topic as a new women’s group called The Commwell convenes, 6 pm. (5446 California SW)
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create at this cozy pottery studio. (3400 Harbor SW)
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: This month’s book is “On the Beach“ by Nevil Shute. Come to Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) to talk about it, 6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: You’re invited to this 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).
CRIBBAGE NIGHT AT THE EAGLES: Wednesdays at 6 pm are cribbage-tournament nights, all welcome, membership not required. (4426 California SW)
KUNDALINI YOGA – NEW TIME: Now at 6 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving at midweek on the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, regardless of what pace you run at!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
ALKI COMMUNITY CHOIR OPEN REHEARSALS: “From seasoned vocalists to shower divas,” everyone’s welcome to sing with this choir at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues on our Wednesday list: at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, it’s trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Got a parent or grandparent who’s thinking about moving? Or maybe you are?
Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) offers the chance to “Love Where You Live” and will show you why at an open house this Saturday (February 7). Visit between 11 am and 1 pm and explore the grounds on a guided tour, while learning about move-in incentives. Got questions? Get answers! Village Green lifestyle options include both independent living and senior living
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, February 4, 2026. On this day in local traffic history, the Highway 99 tunnel fully opened (2019).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Today’s forecast is for clouds, then sun, after patchy morning fog, high around 60. Sunrise at 7:31 am; sunset at 5:15 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular three-boat weekday service on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route; check WSF’s alerts for last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
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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