West Seattle, Washington
04 Friday
8:32 PM: Thanks to Carol Ann Joyce for the photo of tonight’s smoke-red setting sun. We didn’t realize the smoke was returning until a yellow tinge took over the mid-afternoon light, and now suddenly, smoky murk. (We know everybody has a personal preference for maps and other tools to track all this; if you don’t, here’s a map showing the fires around the region.)
10:38 PM: Two photos to add – first, from David Hutchinson:
And from Steven Rice:
(WSB photo 7/23/26)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Something is afoot on the second floor of the commercial building across the street from Don Armeni Boat Ramp that is known as Denali. A reader asked what is going on. We’ve been trying to get the full details for more than a month, but the short answer is that the space at 1315 Harbor Ave SW is apparently the new headquarters of Outdoor Research, the outdoor apparel and equipment company that had its headquarters and retail store on 1st Avenue South until the location there closed permanently earlier this year. The longer story and the details of the full move have yet to be shared by the company, but here’s what we know so far:
Outdoor Research posted an announcement on its website in June that West Seattle would soon be home to its corporate headquarters “with a move-in target of late summer 2026.” The announcement noted that a hard look at their old location caused them to move up a timeline for relocation. “The new West Seattle facility offers improved infrastructure for our workforce and a location deeply connected to the Pacific Northwest outdoor lifestyle. Additionally, Outdoor Research will relocate its Seattle flagship retail store to a more central, high-visibility location in the city center.” Neither location has been announced, and repeated calls and emails to OR have yielded no official response so far.
Looking into public records, an electrical permit for the location notes Outdoor Research as the owner of the Denali 2nd floor space, which leasing agent CBRE’s brochure is marketing at 7,916sf. But there’s no building permit yet, and presumably, some kind of tenant improvements will be necessary to accommodate corporate staff. One more tidbit is that office furniture and people have been visible through the windows from the street for a number of months, indicating that some staff is likely already working out of the space. In the meantime, OR’s only brick-and-mortar locations are their outlet stores in Bellingham and Des Moines.
Outdoor Research’s origin story, coincidentally, begins on Denali—the mountain—when, according to the OR website, their founder Ron Gregg had to turn back from summiting because gaiters worn by a fellow climber failed. His focus on creating a foolproof gaiter for mountaineering led to the founding of OR. Could it be it kismet that a company that started with Denali is moving into Denali? We’ll let you know when the folks from OR get back to us.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One year and nine months after a deliberately set fire tore through Camp Long‘s beloved century-old lodge, the rebuild is still years away – now projected for completion in 2032.
That’s part of what we learned this afternoon during a short tour with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka and two of the 34th District‘s state legislators this afternoon.
Seattle Parks deputy superintendent Andy Sheffer led the tour and provided the updates to Councilmember Saka, State Sen. Emily Alvarado, State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and more than a half-dozen other state and city reps, including members of the elected officials’ staffs.
Sheffer explained that they’ve done some stabilization/preservation work to keep the lodge from completely falling apart during these years of disuse, with the help of ~$1 million insurance money. And the rebuild is in “pre-design.”
But the funding on hand is only enough to get them a third of the way through design, let alone cover the estimated $10 million cost of construction (and Sheffer said he suspects that’s the very low end of what it’ll cost – the rebuild will likely have to be “something better,” electrified and brought up to ADA standards, among other things).
The state legislators were there in hopes the city can get their support in pursuing about $700.000 in funding to for design. As for where the construction funding might be found, Sheffer said the next Seattle Park District funding cycle is one possibility, and they’re pursuing a variety of sources. Saka wondered if community funding via, for example, the Seattle Parks Foundation were an option, and Sheffer said, that too.
He also said that this remains of intense public interest – one of the leading inquiries they get from community members is, what’s up with the Camp Long Lodge? He briefly recounted its role in park uses from an event venue to a support facility for people using other parts of the park, like its rustic cabins, which are rented for camping and used during park festivals.
He noted that it’s not an official city landmark, but the rebuild will have to deal with features of “historic significance, such as “cobblestone masonry” and “heavy timber”:
WHAT’S NEXT: Besides the quest for funding, they will be starting design work and taking it as far as they can with what they have, so, Sheffer said, watch for community-engagement events early next year. They’ve hired a consultant to start the design work.
As part of the almost-complete Spokane Pump Station project in east Admiral, Seattle Public Utilities had sent an alert that they’d be running a high volume of water through the system yesterday and today. Readers wondered how they’d know it was definitely done and the risk of brown water was likely past (we had a few reports yesterdy and last night, though none so far today). We’ve just received word from SPU that the testing is done.
You’d have to closely contemplate the “Bank Day” mural on the north side of Chase at California/Oregon to realize what’s missing – a Nevada-shaped panel on its west edge is gone, showing a section of window instead. West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay tells WSB that Chase had to remove the mural panel because of damage – not vandalism, but water damage. She’s talking with them about their plan for restoring it. This is one of the “Murals of West Seattle” commissioned and installed 30+ years ago; regional muralist Bob Henry did restoration work on it in 2020.
(This morning, SW Wildwood site where Maridee Bonadea died. WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two months after bicyclist Maridee Bonadea died on SW Wildwood Place a short distance uphill from the Fauntleroy ferry dock, SDOT reps promised last night that they’d initiate some changes within “a few weeks.”
The promise came during a public forum coordinated by the Fauntleroy Community Association, and while community members in attendance were glad to hear it, many said it wasn’t enough. Given that changes were recommended on this stretch of road at least six years ago – recommendations that went unheeded then – they urged the panel of city, state, and county officials to take proactive action elsewhere.
We recorded the entire forum, held at The Hall at Fauntleroy – here’s the video, followed by our summary:
The forum was moderated by FCA president Frank Immel and vice president Catherine Bailey:
Here’s the panel, with reps from SDOT, Washington State Ferries, Metro, Mayor Wilson’s office, and City Councilmember Rob Saka (who said he arrived late because of a marathon council meeting):
First to speak was Ms. Bonadea’s daughter Lani, who said, “I want to believe that you all care about making the streets safer …” but it was “disheartening” that nothing had been done yet, even with a mayoral resolution about bicycle safety the month before the collision.
She also said that while her mother was an amazing person who “did a lot for a lot of people,” that shouldn’t be the reason safety is improved – it should be done on behalf of everyone. “I don’t uderstand why that street has been allowed to function.”
The first panelist to speak was SDOT director Angela Brady, who said her department had a “new policy” for reviewing sites of fatal crashes (although there had been previous policies, we note from our coverage of recent incidents).
SDOT’s safety officer Venu Nemani also spoke about a “new process and policy,” including a semi-annual review of all walking and biking-related collisions in the city.
Then came some specifics for this site: Removing parking on the south side of that block of SW Wildwood (which would include the area where Ms. Bonadea was killed), a new all-way stop at Fauntleroy and Wildwood, and a bike lane. Nemani said SDOT is “working on the conceptual design” for this, and insisted, “We hear you” about wanting safety concerns to be addressed sooner rather than later. (The two-week promise for parking changes later drew a suggestion from a community member that the parking removal could be done overnight – “just put up A-boards.”)
Councilmember Saka spoke next, declaring “this is sobering stuff”:
He said he’s working on “traffic-safety legislation” that would take a broader look at related safety challenges, citing advocates’ request for more daylighting of intersections, side guards on trucks, and mandatory Vision Zero reviews.
Ms. Bonadea’s widow Laura then spoke.
Like her wife’s daughter, she said it’s not just that exceptional people like Maridee “deserve to live” – everyone does. Why wait for a fatal crash? She urged action on problems all over the city, including “bike lanes that suddenly end. SDOT “needs to be proactive, before (more) people die. “I want to see some action” – quickly, urgently, she said.
That’s when Nemani promised the parking removal would be done “in the next few weeks.”
Friends of Ms. Bonadea from the Rainbow Riders group reiterated that urgent action is called for, in other areas with safety challenges too.
Alex Hudson from the mayor’s office assured attendees that her boss wants fast action too.
Some of the problems that community members surfaced were beyond fast action, maybe beyond any action at all, like the declaration that the root issue here was “a ferry dock in the middle of a commmunity,” and no dedicated space for vehicles to line up, just curbspace shared with parked vehicles.
Dock-related concerns were addressed by the WSF reps, primarily via a reminder that a traffic signal is going in later this year where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way.
Other comments included an observation about who was not at the meeting – West Seattle community advocate Leslie Harris, noting she had recently retired from the legal profession, said the City Attorney and a “risk manager” should have been present, as incidents like this can not only lead to devastating loss of life, they can lead to multi-million-dollar lawsuits. She observed, “Sometimes litigation is the only thing that moves bureaucracy – it won’t bring back people (but) will make things happen.”
The demand for action was echoed by numerous attendees. Related issues were surfaced as well, such as the need for enforcement of laws and rules that already exist. More known danger spots were described, including Beach Drive. Another repeated request: Keep the community in the loop as design concepts are developed and timelines are developed. SDOT promised they would. Director Brady also said the community’s help is needed to answer questions of, after parking removal and bike-lane installation, where would families pick up students that ride the ferries to and from Vashon schools?
There also were repeated calls for revisiting work that already had been done but was not acted on – like a 2020 report recommending removal of the Wildwood parking, and long-shelved projects like Fauntleroy Boulevard (in The Triangle). There were questions seeking to clarify processes – how do all the involved departments and agencies communicate? They already have “interagency meetings,” replied Brady.
Speakers made other requests – paint the curb red, once parking is removed; install boulders to reinforce borders with the curbspace; put in speed cushions before the curve onto Fauntleroy … the list went on. Beyond suggestions, the community’s role in what happens next was stressed, too. Community member Robert Pluma declared, “I see a community ready for action.’ And FCA president Immel closed out the meeting with a reminder that “as a volunteer organization, we need your help … we want to see change happen.”
WHAT’S NEXT: SDOT promised to communicate about how and when that change will happen; FCA promised to help circulate that information. And we’ll be following up too.
ADDED 4:09 PM: Since we went to SW Wildwood late this morning and saw no changes, there’s been one. FCA VP Bailey tells WSB via email that temp no-parking signs have since been put up, from Fauntleroy to 36th: “They heard us!” (Wednesday photo added)
(High Point Library courtyard, sketched by William Wittmann)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time:
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open for all under 18 to access food – see our story for locations and other information.
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT, DAY 6 As noted here pre-hunt, no daily clues this year unless a float remains stubbornly unfound (and there HAVE been some clues as a result) – watch for the hand-blown floats all over West Seattle. As of midmorning today, 79 floats have been released and 49 have been found, according to the official website, which shows status when floats are found (provided the finder has used the special QR code).
READING WITH TODDLERS: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SPRAYPARK’S OPEN: Daily-splashing season at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.
WADING POOLS: Two are scheduled today in West Seattle – Delridge, 12-5:30 pm (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Lincoln Park, 12-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
LEARN ABOUT AI: 3 pm workshop at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
SW LANDER ‘PEDESTRIAN STREET’: What would you want to see if SW Lander was blocked off to vehicles between California and the alley east of 44th SW? Next step is a “community design charrette” drop-in event tonight, 4:30-6:30 at the proposed location.
CLIMB AT CAMP LONG: Again this week – two special climbing sessions, 5 and 6:30 pm! Our calendar listing has details. (5200 35th SW)
FREE YOGA FOR 12-STEP RECOVERY: Wednesdays this summer, 5-6:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), no registration but MUST arrive no later than 4:55 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is happening at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.
MODE MUSIC ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: Monthly open mic at Tim’s (98th/16th), 5:30 pm sign-ups, 6 pm music. Presented by Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor).
OUR CITY, OUR SAFETY: Seattle Police-convened community conversation about crime and safety, 6 pm at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup – this week at The Good Society (2701 California SW).
POTTERINGS TRY-IT NIGHT: Open studio – try it even if you’ve never ventured into pottery-making before. 6 pm (3400 Harbor SW, east side of ground level) – our calendar listing has the RSVP link.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces.
PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH LANGUAGE SKILLS: Local group of Spanish-language learners, dedicated to practicing it, gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your craft project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7-9 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues – Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) has 7 pm trivia on Wednesdays … Admiral Pub has trivia at 7 pm (2306 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia is at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
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)
SALSA DANCING: 8 pm lessons with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale, South Park).
KARAOKE X 2: In the south end, Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm … In the north end, sing at Admiral Pub also starting at 9, after trivia. (2306 California SW)
Planning an event, class, workshop, etc., that’s open to community participation/observation/visitation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather August 20 to celebrate the life of Jody A. Libao, and are sharing this remembrance now:
In Loving Memory of Jody A. Libao (Lansing)
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Jody A. Libao (Lansing), who passed away on July 2, 2026, at the age of 62.
Born on June 20, 1964, in Seattle, Jody was the beloved daughter of Harry and Jackie Lansing. Throughout her life, she was surrounded by the love of family, lifelong friendships, and countless treasured memories.
Jody dedicated her entire professional career to the insurance industry, where she worked as an underwriter for both insurance carriers and brokerage firms. She was respected for her professionalism, knowledge, and commitment, earning the admiration of colleagues while building lasting friendships throughout her career.
Above all, Jody’s greatest joy was her daughter. She loved her unconditionally, celebrated every accomplishment, and cherished every opportunity they shared together. Her love for her daughter was unwavering and remains one of the greatest parts of her legacy.
Jody embraced life with a spirit of adventure. She loved to travel, discover new places, and create lasting memories with family and friends. Whether exploring somewhere new or returning to places she loved, she found joy in life’s experiences and in the people who shared them with her.
One of Jody’s favorite places was her home on Hood Canal. There she found happiness boating, waterskiing, relaxing by the water, and creating unforgettable memories with family and friends. Whether gathered on the deck, enjoying a day on the boat, or simply taking in the beauty of Hood Canal, those moments brought her immense happiness and will forever be treasured by those who shared them.
Jody is survived by her beloved daughter, Sofía Libao; her sisters, Lori Wold, Lisa Day Semer, and Sheri Lansing; her brother, Scott Lansing; her former husband, Dave Libao; her many beloved cousins; and numerous cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Harry and Jackie Lansing.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at The Cove, 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive, Normandy Park, WA 98166. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather to celebrate Jody’s life, share memories, and honor the kindness, friendship, and love she brought to so many.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in Jody’s honor to Mary’s Place in Seattle, supporting its mission of providing shelter, safety, and support to women and families.
Jody will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her love of family and friends, and the happiness she found on the waters of Hood Canal. Though she will be deeply missed, the memories she created and the love she shared will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
(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)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This is the first “first day of school” in West Seattle – classes start today at Summit Atlas in Arbor Heights (35th/Roxbury).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for sunshine and a high around 74. Sunrise will be at 6:01 am today; sunset, at 8:26 pm.
(Tuesday sunset photo by James Bratsanos)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule, but a stop closure downtown continuing today affects multiple West Seattle-bound buses – the southbound 3rd/Columbia stop, for Routes 21 56, 57, and 125, plus RapidRide C and H. Details here; the stop is expected to reopen by Thursday evening.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
PREVIEW – WEEKEND CLOSURES
Early reminder:
-Friday night overnight into Saturday morning, Highway 99 tunnel maintenance closure, both ways
-Early Saturday morning through late Sunday night, northbound First Ave. South Bridge repair closure
-All day Saturday, Alki Avenue SW closed between 57th and 61st SW for Alki Beach Pride
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map (note, the cameras are having some trouble as of just after 6 am – if that persists, choose any camera from the map and try the video view):
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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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