West Seattle, Washington
09 Sunday
For those who wondered how a walking tour starting at Westwood Village would address pedestrian safety in South Delridge, here’s how:
(Digital image from SDOT substituted Thursday for previous photo of paper map)
That was the planned route for tonight’s SDOT-coordinated tour, meant to give people a chance to suggest how/where to build “at least 10 blocks” of sidewalks and/or walkways in the area, with money from the billion-and-a-half-dollars-plus Seattle Transportation levy that voters approved last year. The longest stretch of the road, uphill on Barton toward Delridge, actually had sidewalks, but a northward turn, west of Delridge, put participants on a street that did not.
About half of the ~20 people who participated were city employees. SDOT project leaders stressed that the walking route was by no means predetermined as the future-sidewalk route. The community members who participated had some specific suggestions about making walking safer – including the small children they brought along. Participants got to experience a variety of walking conditions.
That included the Barton Place hill where an encampment sprawls across the sidewalk close to the top of the stairway down to 22nd (which has a foil-wrapped railing):
(One walker recalled a Find It Fix It Walk in the area nine years ago, and the goat deployment that followed.) The block north of there was again without sidewalks, and the participating families had a lot to say about that since that was their neighborhood. (They expressed interest in upgrading the 22nd/Trenton crossing, too.)
We left the tour on 22nd to get to HPAC‘s 6:30 meeting; it didn’t appear to be resulting in any particular to-do list- the SDOT reps promised a report would be forthcoming; whatever project area(s) they settle on, they expect to get to “10% design” before year’s end, and construction could start as soon as next year – or as late as 2029. If you have suggestions – crosswalks, lights, and other safety measures, not just sidewalk sites, you can email this team at levysidewalks@seattle.gov.
OTHER AREAS: They’ve already done a tour in North Delridge, and said tonight they’ll be announcing one for Highland Park on May 21.
For the second time in less than 24 hours, police are investigating gunfire on SW Brandon. After multiple 911 calls about half an hour ago, an officer told dispatch they just found casings at 26th/Brandon. No report of injuries.
After several 911 calls about suspected gunfire, police just told dispatch they’ve found “rounds” at 29th/Brandon. No reports of injuries.
(WSB photos by Oliver Hamlin. Above, 15-month-old Peter)
Earlier, we showed you West Seattle’s biggest egg hunt. Now, one of the smaller-yet-spirited events at Seattle Parks community centers: The two scheduled this year were both set for 10 am, so we had to choose one, and Delridge Community Center won.
The hunting happened in waves, grouped by age.
(3 1/2-year-old Molly)
If your little one didn’t get a chance to egg-hunt today, several local churches are offering opportunities tomorrow – here’s our list.
In case you wondered about the sirens – Seattle Fire sent a midsize callout to a reported garage fire at Delridge/20th, near the South Delridge 7-11, but firefighters just told dispatch it turned out to be a “rubbish fire” so they’re dismissing all but one crew.
Part of the money from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy is intended to make a dent in the huge number of blocks around the city that need sidewalks/walkways. Ten or more blocks will be built in South Delridge in the next few years, and SDOT has just announced a walking tour to get your thoughts about where:
Want to see new safe places to walk in the South Delridge neighborhood? Thanks to the Seattle Transportation Levy we can build at least 10 blocks of new sidewalk or walkway in South Delridge. Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday April 23rd, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Westwood Village at vacant storefront near Daiso (used to be Lauren’s Jewelry – 2600 SW Barton St, Suite #E4) and then walk the neighborhood with us!Kids are welcome!
Rain or Shine
Here’s a flyer further explaining the plan. A similar walking tour was held last month in North Delridge.
Earlier this week, we reported on the West Seattle Lions Club‘s plan to clean up Veterans’ Park, the triangle where 16th/Delridge/Roxbury meet, tomorrow. Jimie Martin from the club called today to say they’ve scrapped the plan because the city, which is responsible for this little scrap of right-of-way, is taking responsibility for painting over the tagging and cleaning up the spot instead. She says that came after eight years of nagging!
11:49 PM TUESDAY: For the second time in three nights, police are investigating gunfire reported in North Delridge. This time they got reports of gunfire outside the Youngstown Flats apartment complex at 4040 26th SW. So far officers report finding one bullet. Someone might have been injured but taken to a hospital before authorities arrived – dispatch told police one caller claimed someone had been hit, and though they didn’t find anyone at the scene, now they’ve learned a gunshot victim has arrived at Harborview Medical Center. (Added: An officer went to the hospital and later told dispatch it was indeed related. We hope to find out more later this morning.)
NOON WEDNESDAY: SPD tells us the report on this incident isn’t complete so they cannot provide additional information yet.
4:44 PM WEDNESDAY: We checked back and now have the redacted narrative:
On 04/01/2025 at approximately 2331 hours, I was dispatched to a 911 call of a SHOTS fired call at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW.
Call on screen read: “1 MIN AGO, IN THE OLD BARTELLS PARKING LOT, 10 SHOTS HEARD, ONE VEH SPED OFF, 5 TEENS IN THE PARKING LOT, BELLIGERENT”
Upon arrival, one of the witnesses (XXXX XXXX) was contacted by a backing officer. XXXX began relating that he was smoking a cigarette outside of his apartment at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW, when he heard a commotion Northeast of his location at a parking lot north of his apartment complex. XXXX continued relating that there was a verbal dispute between two juvenile subjects outside of a vehicle that had its doors open, and another female was trying to intervene from inside the car.
XXXX related that then ONE shot was discharged and another 911 caller related [hearing] “Take me to the hospital, I just got shot.” Both subjects that were arguing, entered the same vehicle (described as Gold/Beige in color Older model Sedan with possible suspension issues) and they fled the location toward DELRIDGE WY.
DISPATCH advised that a gunshot wound victim had been dropped off at HMC. Another backing unit was requested to respond to the location to interview the victim.
GVRU was contacted to screen the call and requested officers to process the scene. Only ONE UNSPENT round was located in the parking lot, along with an empty can of liquor. Both of these items were collected and entered into evidence.
GVRU is the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. The report had no information on the shooting victim or their condition.
14 years ago, that small triangle of land where Delridge, 16th SW, and SW Roxbury meet was re-dedicated as Veterans’ Park (here’s our partner site White Center Now‘s coverage from 2011). But it’s fallen into disrepair, with tagging and trash. The Lions Club of West Seattle plans a cleanup event this Sunday – 10 am April 6 – and Lions leader Jimie Martin says they’re hoping you can help out. She’s furious that something meant in honor of those who have served is now defaced, and hoping the cleanup will be a start toward remedying that.
9:17 PM: Police tell dispatch they are finding “shell casings all over” the 5200 block of 26th SW, after dozens of 911 calls reporting gunfire. No word of injuries or damage so far. Police are closing parts of 26th and Brandon in the area while they investigate.
9:21 PM: Police have now heard from a resident reporting some kind of bullet damage on 25th SW, and one officer told dispatch this may have followed a “large group attending some kind of vigil.” … A second residence and a vehicle are reported to have bullet damage too.
10:32 PM: And more reports of damage (in comments below, too).
12:28 AM: More than three hours after the gunfire, police are wrapping up evidence collection and will be taking down the crime-scene tape and reopening the streets.
7:26 AM: Here’s what SPD just posted:
Seattle police detectives are investigating a shooting shortly after 9 p.m. last night in West Seattle.
On [March] 30, patrol officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired and property damage near 26th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Brandon Street. When police arrived, all involved parties left the area. They did not locate any victims with injuries, no suspects, and no cooperative witnesses.
Officers determined that a large crowd of people were attending a vigil, likely for one of the recent South Seattle homicide victims earlier in the morning. Responding officers located over 100 fired rounds spanning several blocks around the vigil. There was bullet damage to a nearby RV trailer, a house, and they found a damaged, abandoned vehicle.
The circumstances leading up to the shooting are under investigation. Detectives with the Gun Violence Reduction Unit responded to process the scene.
If anyone has any information, please call 911, or the SPD Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000. Incident Number: 2025-85095
ADDED 11:28 AM: An area resident sent us audio and photos:
Below is the spot where the vigil was being held:
Another photo shows that if you look at the grouping of candles from above, the red ones form “24” and the white ones form four letters starting with KAY. If anyone else has photos etc. to add, you can do so anonymously and without address specifics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.
1:56 PM: At least one commenter suggested seeking comment from City Councilmember Rob Saka, who lives in the area and who is vice chair of the council’s Public Safety Committee. Here’s what he told us:
On Sunday night my family and West Seattle neighbors experienced a terrifying incident. Over a hundred gunshot rounds were fired just outside of my home – practically in my backyard. My 10-year-old daughter was awake at the time and heard everything. After the shooting, I had to wake up my two youngest children for the sole purpose of ensuring that they were safe. It has left my family, my neighbors in Delridge, and many people across our broader West Seattle community feeling traumatized.
No one in Seattle should have to be exposed to this. The sense of safety and peace in our homes and neighborhoods is a fundamental right, and what occurred last night is simply unacceptable.
I want to assure my constituents that I am working closely with the Seattle Police Department as they investigate this incident.
While I’m grateful for the swift response of our Seattle Police officers, it’s clear that we need to do more. My constituents are fed up with the rampant crime and gun violence throughout the city. Certain communities, such as Delridge, continue to bear the brunt of Seattle’s gun violence crisis.
This incident underscores the urgent need for continued and intensified efforts to address gun violence and enhance public safety across our city. I have proposed a public safety resolution up for a vote by the full Council tomorrow, and the Council is also considering a bill to regulate after-hour activities at unregulated clubs that have been sites of regular shootings and violence.
Moving forward, my focus remains on supporting the community and working collaboratively with first responders, local stakeholders, and city leaders to find meaningful solutions that will prevent such incidents from happening again and again.
If you have any information about this incident, I strongly encourage you to call 911, or immediately contact the SPD Violent Crimes Tipline at 206-233-5000.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
2022: RVs were cleared on Andover. A bicycle lane was installed. No RV returns.
2023. RVs were cleared on Harbor Avenue. Parking-restriction signs were installed. No RV returns.
2024: RVs were cleared on Trenton by Westwood Village. Pavement markings and parking-restriction signs were installed. No RV returns.
So, Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview residents asked Wednesday night, when will some sort of permanent action happen in their neighborhoods?
The question was asked because encampments – RV and otherwise – were the main topic of this month’s HPAC meeting, facilitated at Delridge Library by co-chairs Kay Kirkpatrick and Barb Biondo. With the looming concern of stormy weather on the way (thunderclaps later resounded outside the meeting room), 20 people – including city reps – showed up. In addition to reps from the Unified Care Team. CARE Community Crisis Responders, Seattle Police, two of the three members of City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s staff – chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko and district director Erik Schmidt.Ko said Saka has met with the mayor’s office recently to “discuss these issues.”
HPAC’s pre-meeting preview noted that the city’s assessment of how many RVs and encampments were in the area was a dramatic undercount; one neighbor did an informal survey right before the meeting. Longtime city homelessness-response rep Tom Van Bronkhorst explained what the Unified Care Team does and doesn’t. The UCT is ‘really focused on people on the streets, doing outreach to them …(and) offer(ing) them something,” he explained. “The response from the city continues to evolve as the situation changes and we learn what works and what doesn’t.” UCT also “is not a first-responding group,” he explained.”If you feel threatened, or like something bad is happening, call 911.”
Regarding RVs: “We know we’ve got a problem, and it’s a big one … the SODO neighborhood also has a big problem … With RVs, the city objective right now is not to ‘rid the city of RVs’; people living in vehicles have (legal) rights to live in their vehicles … we are not on a mission to impound every RV …. we are on a mission to keep those RVs moving … they move from area to area. Why are they here? Some of them might have family here … maybe there’s a lot of unrestricted parking … ” He paused then for questions and comments.
One attendee mentioned Find It Fix It being a “wealth of data” on which areas do and don’t have encampments, so he wants to know why there’s a problem here but not in other areas of West Seattle. … If this was to happen on Beach Drive, Admiral, Alki …” Someone else chimed in, “It wouldn’t.” He said he asks friends in such neighborhoods “where are your encampments at?” And they don’t have them. Van Bronkhorst said the city doesn’t tell people where to go. The attendee said he’s tried reporting an encampment by 18th/Trenton that “got really bad,” on a site whose owner tried to get police to trespass squatters. “They may not be pushed here, but they group here.”
Van Bronkhorst reiterated that other areas of the city – like Ballard – are heavily impacted too.
The attendee said one RV finally moved on after eight months, though he assessed its residents were more “the working poor” than “the hard-core drug users.”
If someone does not move on, Van Bronkhorst acknowledged, they don’t have consequences. Are the policies in writing? asked anther attendee. And why aren’t all parking policies – like vehicle widths – being enforced?
Van Bronkhorst described the MDAR (Multi-Department Administrative) rules, put together by a task force in 2017. Those rules spell out how to approach encampments, how they offer shelter, how they must offer to store people’s belongings, how they notify people when a removal is happening.
Why isn’t a task force convened to review those rules periodically? asked an attendee. Van Bronkhorst said he didn’t know. He then explained still more about the Unified Care Team, which has reps from all the different departments “that touch homelessness response.” He suggested referring to specific potential violations when reporting problems – like “overly wide vehicles.” He also said people might consider suggesting specifically that the MDARs be reviewed. He also reiterated that filing a Find It Fix It report is the fastest way to get something into the city’s queue for evaluating a situation and its potential hazards, among other things. Situations are assigned “points” by what they find.
What about safe lots? asked another attendee – lots that would be “truly appealing” with showers and other facilities to serve people. “I just feel like there’s no improvement … I don’t see a change.” 16 RVs, 9 vehicles, and 4 tents within walking distance of 18th and Trenton …. 9 RVs just at 9th/Henderson, said the person who’d done an informal survey just before the meeting. “How many times do we have to clean up 9th/Henderson? I want action…. I know you say you move them around … we don’t want you to (just) move them around … we want safe places where I can walk my grandkids …” She mentioned tents and intoxicated people along the pathway for which the community fought between Chief Sealth IHS and Westwood Village. Near tears, she repeated, “I want some action so people who live nearby can enjoy their neighborhood.”
The discussion continued to intensify. Everyone in the room raised their hands when asked who had submitted Find It Fix It tickets. Do more reports for a place get it more points? asked one attendee. No, said Von Bronkhorst. That attendee – who grew more furious as she spoke – talked about an encampment by Longfellow Creek and the Vietnamese Cultural Center (whose director Lee Bui was in attendance too). “They’re cutting down trees, and I would get in trouble if I did that at my house.”
Van Bronkhorst then said a problem with abating encampments was a lack of shelter, as there are “not many units” available in Tiny Home Villages. What about the completed tiny homes in storage in SODO? Van Bronkhorst said a budget issue had gotten in the way of expanding THVs. The room momentarily broke into chatter about other budget priorities. Van Bronkhorst then said things can be done to discourage RVsl someone had suggested funding for the Highland Park Way hill bikes-and-more lane be redirected, and Van Bronkhorst noted that bike lanes had been successful in discouraging RVs, just one way of “activating” space that otherwise might be re-encamped after a sweep.
So who do they suggeest “activation” to? asked Kirkpatrick, saying they’d tried making suggestions to SDOT before. Va Bronkhorst cautioned that street-side changes have to be carefully managed to avoid conflicts with residential parking needs. OK,said one attendee, then: “Why can’t they just not enforce (restrictions) for those (housed residents) like they don’t enforce everything?”
Another attendee said he was told to stop repeatedly reporting a particular situation because that would move it to the back of the queue. (Van Bronkhorst said he would look into whether that’s true.) This attendee said he had video and other evidence of drug use and production in RVs that are part of a ring. He said that outreach workers would show up and talk to the people there, and that the outreach workers were being “played like a fiddle.” What if, instead of moving one block, RV residents were told they have to move five miles?
After attendees repeated, “We want to be safe,” there were questions about what to do next, how to “take it to the next level.” Councilmember Saka’s chief of staff Ko said, “We’re bringing it to the right level – the mayor’s level.” She also said they were scheduling a “walking tour”to see “what can be done short term” for starters. They’ve also been meeting with SDOT, she said.
HPAC co-chair Kirkpatrick pressed, “We don’t want this (discussion to end here) and then we never hear again – so when are you going to come back?”
No specific promises were made, aside from a commitment that this indeed wouldn’t be the end of the discussion.
NEXT MEETING: HPAC usually meets on fourth Wednesdays; watch here for updates.
(SDOT camera, looking north over Delridge Way north of Genesee)
If you’ve noticed the signage on Delridge Way near Genesee and wondered about the impending “traffic revision,” today we obtained the official SDOT notice for long-in-the-works northbound repaving:
What: Street Repaving
Where: Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St
When: Monday, March 31 – Monday, April 7. 7 AM – 6 PM each day.
*Weather permittingAt the location and hours listed above:
SDOT will replace several concrete panels in the northbound lanes of Delridge Way SW between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St.
Parking will be restricted:
o 72 hours before work starts and parking restrictions begin, “NO PARKING” signs will be placed on the street. SDOT crews will facilitate and maintain driveway access to the homes fronting the northbound lane between SW Genesee St & SW Dakota St to the extent possible.
Sidewalk access will not be impacted.
Contact King County Metro for bus-stop impacts.o Lane shifts will be in effect 24 hours a day for the duration of the project.
Northbound traffic will be shifted to the southbound travel lane.
One northbound lane and one southbound lane will be maintained on the west side of the median.
Northbound traffic will be restricted from turning left onto SW Genesee 24 hours a day for the duration of the project.
P.S. Reader Jay pointed out that someone reprogrammed one of the illuminated signboards earlier today. We asked SDOT if security’s been tightened and haven’t yet gotten an answer to that.
10:19 PM: Within the past half-hour, 911 got calls from people who thought they heard gunfire near Delridge and Thistle. Police have just confirmed it; they heard from a person who reported their car was shot at while at that intersection. The shooter(s) were in another vehicle. That’s one of the SPD criteria for confirming gunfire – if someone actually sees it (other criteria include injuries, damage, or found casings)
ADDED 11:37 AM THURSDAY: Here’s the redacted narrative we obtained from SPD:
On 03/26/2025 at 2141 hours I was working uniformed patrol as 3F21. I was dispatched to Delridge Wy SW and SW Thistle St for a report of shots fired. I arrived in the area and did not locate any scene. A short time later XXXXXXX, XXXXXX called in and reported his vehicle had been shot at the intersection and he was currently outside of the city.
I contacted XXXXXX by phone to take the report. XXXXXX stated that he was traveling southbound on Delridge Wy SW and was stopped at the traffic signal at the intersection of Delridge Wy SW and SW Thistle St. XXXXXX advised that a [DARK SEDAN] drove past him at a high rate of speed failing to stop at the red light. XXXXXX stated the light changed to green and he continued southbound, but [ANOTHER DARK SEDAN] came from behind him and attempted to pass him on the passenger side.
XXXXXX advised the vehicle eventually came along the passenger side of his vehicle and fired two gunshots into the passenger door of his vehicle WA XXXXXXX. XXXXXX stated one round struck the door and the other hit the passenger side mirror breaking it. XXXXXX advised that the vehicle sped away westbound on SW Thistle St from the scene. I provided XXXXXX with the Axon link to upload photos of the damage. XXXXXX did not have any license plate information or suspect description. No evidence was located at the scene. GVRU was notified of the incident.
(That’s the Gun Violence Reduction Unit.)
If you didn’t get to the recent West Seattle shredding/recycling event … or have amassed need-to-shred paper since then … Seattle Parks has just announced an event ahead:
On Saturday, April 5, from 10:30 am-1:30 pm, Delridge Community Center will host a paper shredding event. Get rid of confidential documents securely! Please remove paper clips and staples. Limit 2 garbage bags per car. Recommended $10 donation to support Delridge CC’s programs.
Delridge CC is at 4501 Delridge Way SW. One more thing: Parks says this is for residents, not businesses.
Thanks to Amy Do for sending the video of a beaver sauntering across Delridge Way. Amy reports:
A large adult beaver approximately 50-60 pounds was sighted crossing Delridge Way SW between Webster and Holden St at 11:30 pm on Sunday night. The beaver was spotted just in time for a Lyft driver to slam on the brakes to avoid collision. The passenger of the Lyft took a short video. The beaver successfully crossed the street into a small wooded area, and is suspected of living in the greenbelt surrounding Longfellow Creek.
The creek and its watershed are home to multiple beavers, as discussed during an HPAC meeting (with guest Pamela Adams of BeaverInsights) back in January (WSB coverage here).
P.S. Just as we were about to hit “publish” on the above and run out of HQ, we checked email and saw this had just come in, from Matthew – a second beaver-in-street sighting:
Matthew reported having to “shoo” that beaver off Highland Park Way last night around 10:30 pm
The neighborhoods for which HPAC serves as the community coalition – Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – are also the West Seattle neighborhoods with the largest current concentration of encampments. So this Wednesday night (6:30 pm March 26 at Delridge Library) they will be discussing the city response. From the announcement:
The Citywide dashboard from 2024 Quarter 4 notes 2 tent and 3 verified RV sites contacted by UCT in Highland Park. It also gives a relational snapshot of where we are in a list of neighborhoods with unhoused residents. The numbers unfortunately do not reflect the reality what we see around us now.
If you are interested in taking action right away, a current opportunity to help out folks in need is via donation to the Westside Neighbors Shelter.
The library is at 5423 Delridge Way SW.
The Seattle Transportation Levy includes money for some of the many areas around the city that need sidewalks. Just a drop in the bucket – SDOT says 11,000 blocks around the city are sidewalk-less, while the levy has funding for 350 blocks of new sidewalks/walkways. 10 of those blocks will be in North Delridge, according to SDOT. A commitment’s already been made for the long-promised SW Brandon sidewalk as an “anticipated initial (levy) project.” Where else does North Delridge most need sidewalks? SDOT has just announced a walk-and-talk event to give community members a chance to talk about it:
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Delridge neighborhood? Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday March 19th, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) and then walk the neighborhood with us!Kids are welcome! Rain or shine.
Here’s the official flyer for the event.
(WSB photo from 2022 egg hunt at Delridge Community Center)
MONDAY: Tomorrow is Fat Tuesday, which means Easter (April 20) is about a month and a half away, so egg-hunt season is approaching too. Seattle Parks published its citywide list of community-center egg hunts today, and so far they’re planning one in West Seattle – (updated) 10 am Saturday, April 19, at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW). We’re watching for announcements of others at non-Parks venues and will add those to our calendar too, once we get word of them.
ADDED TUESDAY: Parks tells us they’ve added one more West Seattle hunt to the list – High Point Community Center, also on April 19. The start time for that one and Delridge will be 10 am.
(WSB photos)
Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW) is open for business, as of 4 this afternoon, with even more decor added since we talked to its proprietors last week – Brandon and Krista Eller were busy right up until the doors opened (and beyond), getting ready. The Ellers and friends took a quick break for a ribboncutting organized by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce:
When we stopped by last week, one of the yet-to-come additions was a bookshelf – now it’s in:
The all-ages sibling to Mr. B’s Meadery in Fremont will be open until 11 tonight – and if you stop in to Mr. B’s Mead Center tonight after dark, you can see Brandon’s liquid-light show!
Two local nonprofits asked us to share the news that they’re putting up spaces for lease:
DESC’S DELRIDGE SPACE: When Cascadia Fresh Market closed last month, DESC wasn’t sure immediately what they’d do with the ground-floor commercial space at Cottage Grove Commons (5444 Delridge Way SW). Now they’ve put it up for lease, with these details:
Size: 2,423 sq. ft.
About the Space: Located on the ground floor of DESC’s Cottage Grove Commons in West Seattle, this versatile 2,423-square-foot commercial space offers an open layout with a main area, restroom, and utility room. Previously used as a small grocery store, the space is ideal for office, retail, or other commercial uses.
Permitted Uses: Office, retail, or general commercial activities. (Prohibited: liquor
stores, adult stores.)Utilities: Landlord covers water, gas, electricity, and sewer. Tenant is responsible for other utilities, including garbage, internet, and security services.
Contact for More Info: Brandon Lawton, DESC Capital Project Manager blawton@desc.org | 253-283-1932
WESTSIDE BABY: This White Center-headquartered nonprofit has some spare space too – here’s that announcement:
Are you or your organization looking for office space or do you know someone who is? WestSide Baby has administrative office space available to sublet at our White Center Hub (10002 14th Ave SW)! We hope to prioritize partners and organizations with aligned missions, but are open to talking to other businesses in our community, as well. Contact our Executive Director Allie Lindsay Johnson for more information and to schedule a tour: allie@westsidebaby.org
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Feaven Berhe knows everything won’t be perfect when she soft-opens her North Delridge coffee shop Hagosa’s House this Friday.
But she is excited to start getting the community feedback that will propel her toward that ideal.
“Learning as we go,” she smiles, as we chat in the space formerly known as Pearls, in the 4800 Delridge Way SW building owned for more than a decade and a half by her dad Solomon Tesfu (in the photo above with Feaven) and mom Genet Berhane. To transform it into Hagosa’s House, they’ve brightened the interior in a big way.
As we first reported last week, family is at the heart of Hagosa’s House, which Feaven named for her grandmother.
Her parents are Eritrean immigrants, and their influence will pervade the new café too. Unique features will include Eritrean-style coffee ceremonies, which include roasting the beans just before the coffee is prepared. It’s another way to bring people together, Feaven says, and a way to enjoy the coffee aroma even before it’s brewed. This art on the café’s north wall depicts a coffee ceremony:
Speaking of roasting, Boon Boona will be the coffee source for Hagosa’s House. Feaven says her intentionality guides as much of what she’s offering as possible – with local providers like Harried and Hungry in Georgetown for the sandwiches and salads they’ll offer, and Macrina for the pastries. Again, this is where she plans to start simple and “see what people like.”
And Feaven is excited to be launching this new phase of her life in West Seattle, where she grew up – she even went to elementary school at Sanislo, just up the hill. Her previous career focus was as a “data person” – now she gets to turn the focus on her own enterprise.
Future plans include offering beer and wine – a liquor license will be sought in a few months – and events, maybe poetry and music. “We’re hoping to be here for the community,” Feaven emphasizes. “I love people” – and she’s ready to open a place where they’ll gather to enjoy each other’s company – and “good coffee.”
Hagosa’s House will be open 7 am to 7 pm daily – to start with – at least until and unless the community’s response and feedback suggest otherwise. “Is perfection achievable?” Feaven muses. “We’ll get as close as we can!”
The fourth Wednesday of most months brings a gathering for HPAC, the community coalition for Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview – but not this month. HPAC leadership has announced they’re canceling the February meeting, but keep your calendar set for a meeting on March 26. No meeting doesn’t mean no activity, though; on the HPAC website, you can see the issues the group’s paying attention to right now.
P.S. If you missed last month’s meeting – which featured local beaver expert Pamela Adams revealing everything you didn’t know about beavers – here’s our coverage.
WSB photos by Dave Gershgorn
While many were out watching orcas this afternoon, another animal-viewing opportunity drew a crowd – The Reptile Lady‘s appearance at Ounces Beer Garden & Taproom in North Delridge.
April Jackson is The Reptile Lady, a calling in which she followed her dad, Scott Peterson aka The Reptile Man.
She brought a mini-zoo of reptiles to Ounces this afternoon, and her audience was enthralled:
From scales to shells, it was a chance to get up close and personal with the visitors, including Spongebob Scalepants, a Sulcata Tortoise:
Rocky the Cuban Rock Iguana was a crowd fave:
So was Mr. Pickles the Burmese Python:
This wasn’t the first exotic-animal visit to Ounces … they hosted a camel five years ago!
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