DEVELOPMENT FOLLOWUP: Next steps in ‘affordable homeownership’ project for ex-substation in Highland Park

| Development | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Two years after the city chose Homestead Community Land Trust as the developer for an “affordable homeownership” project at 16th SW and SW Holden, you can’t see signs of change at the fenced ex-substation yet, but we have an update:

The plan is in the city permit system now, with a recent early-stage filing, and Homestead CLT will be at next Wednesday’s HPAC meeting with the newest information. Even before that appearance was confirmed, Homestead CLT CEO Kathleen Hosfeld told WSB they were working to “convene conversations [with the community] about some design choices before we submit a permit” – so the HPAC meeting is part of that:

Homestead Community Land Trust and SMR Architects have been working to incorporate the community’s early guidance about what should be built at the former Dumar Substation site. We will share an update on the project’s design and permitting timeline and invite further community input, particularly on options for the ground-floor commercial or retail space. We will also answer general questions about the project.

HPAC meets Wednesday at 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

As announced in 2024, the city Office of Housing committed to investing up to $3 million to “support the creation of 21 permanently affordable homes” on the site. (They’ll be for sale, not rent.) The ground-floor commercial (or retail) space is something community members advocated for. The preliminary site plan filed with the city shows an outline for a four-story building with 20 units, two live-work units, and a commercial space. The primary residential entry would be on 16th, while the residential and live-work units’ entries would be on Holden, and a “garage entry” is listed off the west-side alley. Hosfeld says they’re still working on more funding in hopes work can start next year, planning to apply for a share of the state’s Housing Trust Fund. The ~9,400-square-foot site is one of the ex-substations the city decided to dispose of more than a decade ago.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Starbird Chicken sets West Seattle opening date

September 18, 2026 12:12 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(WSB photo)

Starbird Chicken has just announced the opening date for its West Seattle location at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW): Monday, September 28, 11 am-9 pm. And they’re planning a giveaway:

The first 200 guests will receive a free meal, available on a first-come, first-served basis with no sign-up required. One lucky guest will also win a golden ticket with their meal, earning them free Starbird for an entire year: good for one entrée a week for 52 weeks.

As we’ve reported previously, Starbird is opening in the spot where MOD Pizza closed in May 2024. This is Starbird’s first location in our state.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Beach Drive gunfire

September 18, 2026 11:45 am

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Checking the early-morning police calls, we found a confirmed incident of early-morning gunfire. The 911 call came from someone near Beach Drive and SW Oregon around 2:20 am, in the Me Kwa Mooks Park/Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook area. According to radio archives, the responding officers found “shotgun rounds.” We just obtained the report narrative from SPD; it described what was found as “two spent shotgun 20GA casings.” Police say nearby residents reported noticing a “black sedan leaving southbound” after the shots. No injuries or property damage reported.

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WestFest, Wine Walk, social dancing, outdoor movie, album-release shows, more for your West Seattle Friday

September 18, 2026 9:49 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(On Elliott Bay this morning – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

The weekend’s almost in view. Here are highlights for the rest of your Friday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Late-summer gardening? The center has plants! Open until 3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

COMMUNITY NOTARY DAY: Need something notarized? Visit Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3-5 pm.

DOG SWIMMING: The annual end-of-season Dog Days swim sessions are all week at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW), 4-7 pm. Fee. Dogs only in the pool, not people!

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION WINE WALK: 5-9 pm, one ticket gets you 14 tastes as wineries pair up with businesses around The Junction, ticket link in our calendar listing – or pay in person at the check-in spots.

TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle.

SOCIAL DANCE ON PUGET RIDGE: Free swing dancing at Puget Ridge Cohousing (7020 18th SW), doors open at 5:45, lesson starts at 6, dancing follows!

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, singer-songwriterJ.R. Rhodes at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.

MOVIE IN THE PARK: Watch “Monsters Inc.” in the Camp Long meadow, free, 6 pm. (5200 35th SW)

KENYON HALL OPEN MIC: Sign up at 6, perform at 6:30 pm, Kenyon Hall‘s monthly open mic (7904 35th SW), all ages, free to both performers and audience.

ART AND STEEL: Art show with music, panel discussion, more, presented by DNDA and Nucor at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6:30-10 pm.

WESTFEST: Night 1 of the festival presented by Holy Rosary School (42nd/Genesee) – see the stage lineup in our preview.

ALBUM-RELEASE SHOW AT EASY STREET: Will Roesner performs to celebrate “Natural Love,” 7 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), all ages, free.

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One local team has a home football game – 7 pm at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – West Seattle HS hosting Lincoln.

NEW PLAY AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm, second night for “The Chinese Lady” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) – info including ticket link is in our calendar listing.

EMO NIGHT AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, show at 8, Mike’s Emo Band, Feeling This, Emo Sing-A-Long. $10 at the door, 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

ALBUM RELEASE SHOW AT TIM’S: Summer Sleeves heads the bill, with KRANE and The Linens, 8:30 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center), all ages until 10 pm.

SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – with DJ Vitamin D tonight, starting at 9 pm.

‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, Yellfire & Hiss, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.

MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).

If you have something for our event lists and ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Celebration of life planned September 26 for Carla A. Butzerin, 1962-2026

September 18, 2026 9:00 am

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| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather September 26 to remember Carla Butzerin, and are sharing this remembrance with her community:

Carla Amelia Butzerin was born November 20th, 1962 in Seattle to parents Kathryn Constance and Marcus Joseph Butzerin. She passed away at her West Seattle home on September 2nd, 2026.

Carla grew up in West Seattle and attended Kennedy High School and the University of Washington, where she graduated summa cum laude from the UW School of Business.

Carla passed all four parts of the CPA exam on her first try and worked as a certified public accountant in West Seattle during her early years. More recently, she lived a quiet life at her home in West Seattle, assisting her aging parents. She loved cats and dogs and doted on her own pets as well as fostering pets for shelters and elderly neighbors. Carla was an affectionate, kind-hearted soul who loved her family and friends. She is deeply missed.

A Buddhist memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 26th at 11:00 am, followed immediately by an informal celebration of life. Carla is survived by her sisters JoAnne Butzerin, Teresa Roth, and Mary Le Seur, and brother Peter Butzerin, as well as 14 nieces and nephews and 13 grand nieces and nephews. Her parents and beloved brother Robert preceded her in death, with Robert passing away on January 18 of this year.

Carla’s memorial ceremony and celebration of life will be held at the family’s West Seattle home. For directions, please call Mary Kathryn LaSeur at 206-280-8596 or JoAnne Marie Butzerin at 206-501-8526.

(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)

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TRANSIT, WEATHER, TRAFFIC: Summer’s final Friday

September 18, 2026 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:027 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, September 18, 2026.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

Increasing sunshine expected throughout the day, high in the low 70s. Sunrise will be at 6:51 am today; sunset will be at 7:14 pm. (Countdown: Four days until the official start of fall.)

PATH REMINDER

The foot/bike path closure by the West Seattle Bridge, for Sound Transit work, is scheduled to continue until Sunday.

TRANSIT TODAY

Washington State Ferries – The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the three-boat schedule.
Check the alert page for any late-breaking changes.

Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today – any reroute/stop advisories will be here.

West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with later-night schedule Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays (for three more weeks).

BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:

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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