West Seattle, Washington
15 Wednesday
38 minutes into that video of today’s Seattle City Council briefing meeting – their weekly meeting to both get briefings and offer individual updates – you’ll see a guest appearance by Sound Transit reps offering updates on Seattle projects: West Seattle Link Extension (due in 2032), Ballard Link Expansion (due in 2039), and the South Graham Street Infill Station (due in 2031). Alex Krieg presented an overview of the Enterprise Initiative, noting its intent is to remedy a “misalignment” of projected costs and projected funding for the entirety of ST3 – currently a $34.5 billion projected “misalignment.” (Here’s the full slide deck.) Neither he nor ST’s Brad Owen broke any news – that will come in a little over three weeks, when the Sound Transit Board gets a look at “scenarios” meant to bring down the price tag, for review at their scheduled March 18 retreat. “Everything is on the table,” the ST reps said. Councilmembers had an opportunity for Q&A; District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka was one of three councilmembers announced as having excused absences today, so he wasn’t there to ask West Seattle questions, but Councilmember Dan Strauss – whose District 5 includes Ballard and who also sits on the ST Board – called attention to what he considers a “really awkward situation,” the city’s responsibility to cover more than half the cost of the second downtown tunnel that’s currently part of the Ballard plan, a tunnel that some have suggested is unnecessary. He and the rest of the ST Board have their regular monthly meeting at 1:30 pm Thursday; the agenda explains how to watch/comment, in person or online.
Reader report:
I want to report a man was exposing himself on SW Genesee St. between 39th SW and 40th SW today. This incident was reported to the police who arrived promptly. Incident # 26-52019.
According to archived police radio, the exposer was described only as a Black man in his 50s, 5’9”, medium build, dark clothing, standing by a gold 4-door sedan.
With spring less than a month away, it’s time to start dreaming of (early) summer too. Saturday, June 6, is this year’s date for Loop the ‘Lupe, a multi-event funfest at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th SW and SW Myrtle), featuring the area’s only obstacle-course 5K and benefiting the community work of nearby Our Lady of Guadalupe. Organizer Brian Callanan offers some preview points, such as: “We are working on expanding our live music for this year, with a new stage area closer to the actual race course — which should improve the experience for participants, sponsors, and our musical acts.” Also watch for an update to Loop the ‘Lupe’s senior event, and “we’ll be offering our Elite Wave, Family Wave, 5K Run/Walk, and Youth Dash again, and we’re proud to kick off what will be our TENTH year (first one was in 2017).” Better yet, one more thing from Brian: “Our lowest prices of the year to register are from now until March 20, and teams who sign up 4+ at once get even more discounts.” Why wait when you can get a deal? Sign up here now!
Thanks for the tips! “We’re Moving Soon” banners like the one in our photo have gone up around the longtime Alki Lumber yard in The Triangle. So, readers asked, how soon is “soon”? The exact date isn’t finalized yet but “very” soon, Alki Lumber tells us, likely within weeks, with more details expected shortly. As we first reported four years ago, Alki Lumber is owned by Marine Lumber, sold by the Sweeney family after a century. Its new location is in South Park – 558 S. Kenyon. It’s been seven years since the Sweeneys announced they were studying options for their Triangle property’s future; they subsequently made plans for two buildings on what became known as the Sweeney Blocks, with hundreds of apartments.
(2021 rendering, with potential location for historic neon sign)
The projects finished going through Design Review in 2021 (as we reported here and here); some, but not all, major permits have since been issued.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
DUI EMPHASIS PATROL: SPD announced today that this special operation happened last night, with this summary:
At 1900 hours, three officers conducted a High Visibility Emphasis Patrol for DUI. They contacted 28 drivers, issued 23 citations, and conducted three DUI investigations.
The emphasis-patrol summary was linked to the Southwest Precinct – which covers West Seattle and South Park – so we asked for more details. So far, SPD spokesperson Det. Brian Pritchard could only find information about one case, “37th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street . Suspect driver: 21-year-old woman.” We’re asking the City Attorney’s Office if they can point us to info on the other 22 citations.
Also in Crime Watch, this reader report:
DUMPED-POSSIBLY-STOLEN BICYCLE: Recognize this bike? A texter sent the photo and report:
Dumped for weeks, likely stolen. Older bike. Near alley entrance, 99th and 37th in Arbor Heights.
(WSB photo from October)
Another Jefferson Square business flooded by last October’s CVS pipe break is finally getting back into its space. We told you earlier this month about Dream Dinners West Seattle‘s reopening following flooding repairs; now we just got word from neighboring School of Rock West Seattle‘s proprietor Phil Gustavson that they’re ready to reopen too:
School of Rock West Seattle is hosting a grand re-opening event March 7th, 2026 noon-3 pm.
After being forced to close in October of 2025 due to water damage from a leaking pipe in the CVS pharmacy above the school, School of Rock West Seattle is thrilled to announce that the school will be rebuilt and ready for students starting March 7th. New students who sign up at the grand opening event will receive 50% off their first month’s tuition and 20% off summer camps!
The event will have live music as the house band rehearses during the event. Free trial lessons will also be available to those who pre-book by calling the school at 206.294.3175. Tours of the school and refreshments will be available as well as awesome door prizes including a brand-new Boss overdrive guitar effect pedal for one lucky guest! Guests may enter the door prize drawing for free and do not need to be present for the drawing at 3 pm in order to win.
School of Rock is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square, at 41st SW and SW Alaska.
(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn, Saturday)
Though the “grand reopening” was celebrated Saturday (WSB coverage here), today is the first official day for Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW) public use. Tot Gym is just wrapping up, and the fitness room remains open until 2 pm. It’s on a limited schedule for two “Welcome Back” weeks until March 6, then expands a bit for the rest of spring, to include some sports – you can see that schedule here.
(Gull photographed on Duwamish River by Steve Bender)
Here’s what’s on our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE TAX HELP: 11 am-4 pm drop-in help at Alki Masonic Center. (4736 40th SW)
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW). Free.
‘SOLUTIONS, NOT RESOLUTIONS’: Weekly speaker series continues with 1 pm presentation on “Video Downsize with Confidence” at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW). Our calendar listing explains how to RSVP.
ART SALON AT C & P COFFEE: 4 pm “safe space for creative people to gather” – bring your project! (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)
FREE HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in assistance for K-12 students at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
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: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz tonight! 6:30 and 7:30 pm, Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), free and all ages … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
MEDITATE IN ALKI: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is back this week, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
CHESS NIGHT AT MISSION CANTINA: 7 pm, details in our calendar listing. (2325 California SW)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
MEDITATE IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 9 pm Mondays, karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Big thanks to everybody 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!
The video and report were sent this morning by Erica:
Near Riverview Playfield on Othello (between 16th & 12th).
Lots of neighborhood cats people let out in the evening.
Coyotes are beautiful and an important part of the food chain, but pets need to be protected.
This is the first sighting we’ve received in a while, though we’ve chronicled hundreds over the years. Here’s the state Department of Wildlife one-sheet with information on co-existing with them.
9 AM: Police and fire are responding to a report of a two-vehicle crash on 35th SW near SW Holden.
9:19 AM: According to police radio, one of the vehicles involved is SFD Ladder 13, which is based at Station 37 at 35th/Holden.
9:40 AM: The crash scene is in the southbound lane just south of Holden. We’re following up with SFD and SPD on the circumstances.
11:44 AM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB no one was hurt in the collision, which happened while the truck was “responding to a fire incident. When it left the station it was involved in a collision with a sedan,” and no injuries were reported. Cuerpo says Ladder 13 is still being evaluated but it is expected to return to service.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, February 23, 2026; schools that were out for midwinter break all last week are reopening today.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
More rain in the forecast – high in the upper 40s. Sunrise at 7 am; sunset at 5:45 pm.
LANE-CLOSURE ALERT
*Lane closures continue on the NB 1st Avenue South Bridge – plus a speed-limit reduction – until further notice.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Check WSF’s alert page for any changes to the 3-boat schedule.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes.
TAP TO PAY
Today’s the official launch. Metro confirns the Water Taxi is supposed to be ready to go with this, too.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (note that SDOT may be having some trouble with them)
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 (see the alert above):
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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