SOUND TRANSIT: Light rail might finally be end of the line for infamous vacant West Seattle house

(File photo)

Two weeks after a committee recommendation to pass it, the Sound Transit Board gave final approval today to a plan to acquire more than 50 properties for West Seattle light rail. About half of them are in West Seattle (here’s the full list), including the infamous vacant house above, 3804 23rd SW, across from The Skylark. We’ve followed its saga off and on for almost the entire span of the nearly 20 years we’ve been covering local news on WSB, dating to a community advocate leading city councilmembers on a tour of North Delridge problem properties in 2009. Over the years, it’s had various development proposals, despite its odd spot perched over a busy onramp to the high bridge; it seemed on the ropes in 2017, and has changed hands multiple times, last sold for $245,000 in 2018 … now it seems ST will become its final owner.

ALSO AT TODAY’S BOARD MEETING: The board approved a $765 million budget amendment that among other things includes money for these acquisitions (which are only a start – it was noted that more will come before the board before year’s end). ST executives clarified, in response to board questions, that this isn’t extra money being added to the project – it’s just moving money around so it can be spent, (“Like moving it from the savings account to the checking account” was one description.)

n7oep August 27, 2026 (9:23 pm)

Had a friend who lived in that house back in the early 70s. It’s been an eyesore and it’ll be good to see it gone.

1994 August 27, 2026 (9:54 pm)

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Agreed, the house has been an eyesore for decades.

Jort August 27, 2026 (9:32 pm)

Don’t be so sure – somebody may yet still try to add historic landmark preservation status to this derelict house in an effort to try and force the light rail to be canceled.

Asking for a friend August 27, 2026 (10:23 pm)

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And use it to house the Rolf Neslund memorial museum?
WS Res August 27, 2026 (11:21 pm)

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Oh god Jort don’t give them ideas
- Jort August 28, 2026 (12:29 am)
  
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  “This structure is a rare and irreplaceable example of Pacific Northwest neglect-vernacular architecture, its character-defining features (plywood fenestration, spontaneous graffiti ornamentation, and a fully mature blackberry-bramble landscape design) embodying a distinct period of West Seattle’s cultural and social history that cannot be replicated once demolished. As one of the last unaltered survivors of its type still standing along the Delridge corridor, its continued presence is essential to maintaining the neighborhood’s historic scale, streetscape continuity, and the community’s ability to contextualize ongoing patterns of urban disinvestment for future generations.”

Marcus August 28, 2026 (4:14 am)

Hehe, an elevated train track with support structures is going to be beautiful??? I think I like the old house better.

Lauren August 28, 2026 (10:57 am)

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Marcus, recommend checking out the light rail station in Redmond Town Center. I think it’s a great example of how public infrastructure like elevated tracks can actually be beautiful.

22blades August 28, 2026 (5:02 am)

At least it looks better than the horrendous looking townhomes built by developers these days.

GLH August 28, 2026 (8:41 am)

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Good satire should be more subtle.

Chuck Jacobs August 28, 2026 (7:13 am)

“Vacant”

HAHA August 28, 2026 (8:33 am)

Maybe Save the Stone Cottage people will buy it and try to move it. It will be called Save the Boarded up Crack House. LOLActually, this would be a great practice location for the fire department.