West Seattle, Washington
20 Tuesday
(The size/shape alternatives under consideration for Fauntleroy terminal/dock replacement)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Building the new Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal could take up to four years.
That’s part of what the project’s Community Advisory Group learned during an online meeting Wednesday night.
The time frame depends on what alternative is chosen for the new dock – Washington State Ferries is on the verge of deciding on an alternative to carry forward into environmental review. “We’re getting to the end of the PEL (planning and environmental linkages) study process.”
WSF’s David Sowers started the meeting by revisiting the Good to Go! tolling/advance-ticketing study, a focus of the CAG’s previous meeting last month.
Group member Judy Pickens asked about costs. Sowers said it’s in the report – they had options from $5 million to $20 million for using Good To Go! He said it’s effective in its full implementation but only saving a few minutes in “dwell time. … That for us was not enough to .. (pursue) significant policy changes” that it would take, “not something we could implement any time soon.” He added that the cost of operating and maintaining the system is sizable too – “some capital upfront costs … if money were no constraint, it might be a lot more doable, but the benefit we saw” (wasn’t enough to suggest they pursue the costly option).”
WSF’s Hadley Rodero reminded everyone that they had decided to carry a partial implementation of Good To Go! into the level 3 screening, as well as Wave To Go advanced ticketing with a “similar-sized” dock. (All the dock sizes being screened are bigger than the current one.) So all vehicles will continue to go through toll booths.
Another group member, Mardi Clements, said she was glad that there’d be some time saved, so everyone would benefit.
Next, Sowers focused on the factors that would have to be considered for construction. WSF will continue some level of service during construction – the dock won’t be completely out of commission. Sowers said they’d been asked by a King County Water Taxi rep if passenger-only service would be an option. Site constraints include “a narrow piece of land on which to operate.” Permitting requirements will include addressing noise, dealing with staging areas. “We know construction is disruptive – it’s impactful, sometimes stressful, but will lead us to a product we’ll all be happy with.”
Construction criteria are spelled out here:
Regarding maintaining some level of service, they may consider building a temporary slip as well as looking at ways to move passengers. Sowers said they’d also recently hired consultants to look at the Triangle Route schedule – reviewing it for the current time as well as construction.
He handed off to Ed Thomas, project engineering lead, who got further into construction details. He said they’re still trying to identify construction staging and office areas.
In the first stage, they’d use the existing dock. Then for 15-18 months, traffic would move to the temporary slip. Phase 2B, another move, then Phase 3, the temporary dock/slip would be removed and the new dock would move.
They chose the A alternatives for the graphics but that does not mean other options have been ruled out, Thomas clarified in response to a question. In response to another one, WSF acknowledged that some of the offshore components will be replaced as part of the project.
Group member Anne Higuera said she’s “excited to see this” and asked questions – starting with, have they consulted any contractors yet? Sowers said no, but there are a lot of people on staff with experience enough to know these plans are promising. Would materials come in and go out through West Seattle or be barged in? Both, said Sowers – a fair amount of suppliers are on the Duwamish River, for example. It’s a large-enough project that “most of the work is going to be done from the water,” he said. Higuera wondered if the temporary dock should perhaps be built elsewhere on the West Seattle peninsula. No, said Sowers – “building it in a completely different location” would require another level of permitting, among other things. He said they acknowledge building the temporary dock and demolishing it will be costly, but there’s no way around it.
Is there an estimated start date? Sowers was asked. No – could be as early as 2027-2028, “regardless of the option” chosen, he said. And yes, he replied to a question, they have to work around fish windows (times when in-water construction is not permitted because of fish-related considerations).
How much holding will there be on the temporary dock? “Less than 84 cars, so there will be additional traffic that queues on Fauntleroy Way, Sowers said. Thomas said it could range from 18 to 40 vehicles on the dock, depending on how the loading/offloading phase works during construction. So it’s a small temporary structure, Clements said. Yes, Thomas confirmed, it would be pretty much the same between all the alternatives.
The estimated durations are based on all the permit requirements and noise/work hours rules, Thomas said. Pickens asked, so anything affecting the creek flow would be limited to three months of the year? Yes, said Thomas.
Group member Justin Hirsch said he’s glad to see the temporary slip idea – the concept of rerouting downtown just wouldn’t work. But he’s worried that potentially three years of traffic backups on Fauntleroy is daunting, so traffic would need active management. “Sometimes Fauntleroy Way SW looks like a Mad Max movie and it’s going to look even more like that.”
WSF’s Hadley Rodero stressed that planning for schedules and traffic flow will be vital, including how they communicate it to the community.
Thomas said there’ll be a 15-foot-wide clear zone on both sides of the dock, north and south.
For construction duration – depending on the alternative chosen, anywhere from 33 to 48 months. And that’s just the “physical construction activities,” Thomas said.
Sowers then picked up the topic of “construction-delivery method.” They intend to use “design-build” – a single contractor who will design and build the project – as opposed to design-bid-build. “This is more of a ‘best value’ approach to project delivery,” Sowers said, adding that it helps the state manage risk, via one contractor being accountable for so much of it. He said it also means the project can be built faster – maybe they’ll come up with a better way to phase it. (And yes, they’ll have incentives for finishing earlier.) “I want to dispel any myths that the design-builder is going to do whatever they want” – they still have to live up to terms of the contract, Sowers said.
Group member David McDaniel hoped they’d be reviewing a “rough draft” sooner rather than later.” Sowers agreed. He said they’d like to build it faster, but the current estimates are in a three- to four-year timeframe.
In other discussion, Sowers said WSF has a lot of leeway about what they can put into the request for bids – if they wanted the building to be sided in cedar, for example, they could specify that. There’ll also be more community engagement as they move further into the planning purpose. They’ll also have to decide if the CAG will go forward in its current configuration.
As the meeting moved toward the hour and a quarter mark, it was pointed out that WSF had just sent an alert about possible reduced service to Vashon tomorrow morning – “we have to make sure that doesn’t happen during construction,” WSF was told.
Yes, Cove Park north of the dock will be affected, temporarily, Thomas acknowledged in response to another comment. But, CAG member Frank Immel pressed, will it be closed? No, that’s not the intention, Thomas said. Immel and Clements said that the project should take the space it needs – “we as a community have lived without that (access) before,” like during the pump-station project last decade. Speaking of Cove Park, WSF is still working to acquire the “little white house” property north of the park and is in negotiations with King County, said WSF’s Charles Torres. They’re keeping the tenants apprised. They’d use the site for staging and break-room space for starters, with the intersection project starting as soon as next year. Then they’d use it for construction administration during that project, and find a way to occupy it during the interval before terminal construction begins.
Other discussion included logistics and aspects of the intersection project, which will signalize the intersection. Nearby residents along Upper Fauntleroy Way will be taken into consideration as the signal is built, the group was assured. WSF’s Mark Bandy said the signal height should not lead to major effects for nearby residents.
Here’s what happens next – the last steps before choosing a preferred alternative for the new dock’s size and shape:
No date yet for the next meeting – you can watch this page.
As mentioned in our morning traffic/transit notes, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route has been down to one boat since early this morning because of a fueling-vessel problem. But as of a short time ago, Washington State Ferries says, it’s returned to two-boat service.
From Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council:
(Photo by Tom Trulin: Volunteer Rich Rosenthal kept groups moving among 5 learning stations along the spawning reach)
Salmon watchers on Fauntleroy Creek haven’t yet seen coho spawners but on Monday morning (10/21), several of them saw a large school of kindergarteners. The 52 students and more than a dozen adults from St. Francis of Assisi School in Burien came to learn about salmon and their habitat. Volunteer watchers engaged groups of students in talking about why spawners bury their eggs, how their carcasses enrich the habitat, and related topics.
If and when spawners arrive, we’ll announce a weekend “open creek” for the general public here.
(WSB photos)
2:28 PM: It’s a blustery autumn day, but the Fauntleroy Fall Festival is on – both sides of the 9100 block of California SW, until 5 pm. See the map, activity list, and schedule here. Lots of indoor and under-a-canopy options – like the bunny petting zoo west of the schoolhouse! Also outside the schoolhouse, you’ll find The Falconer with amazing birds:
Among the other activities already under way: Until 3 pm, the decorated-cake contest is happening in the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall, where you’ll also find the Jump Ensemble. More coverage to come!
2:46 PM: Quite an array of cakes entered. Above, the advanced; below, some of the intermediate:
Voting goes on a little while longer. With live music from the Jump Ensemble!
(Then come back at 4 pm for the “cake trot.”) And outside the church/Y building, build a birdhouse, paint a pumpkin, make a salmon hat … we are off to check on some of that.
3:10 PM: The weather’s actually not too bad – still dry, and not quite so windy in the sheltered area between the church and schoolhouse. Salmon-hat-making is going swimmingly:
And pumpkin painting is as popular as ever:
At the east end of the lot outside the church, the clatter of busy birdhouse-builders:
This is all free, except for the food concessions you’ll find scattered around the grounds.
(Photo courtesy Holli Margell)
Coming up at 3:30, a trio of performances – the West Seattle Big Band in the Emerald Room at The Hall at Fauntleroy (south side of the schoolhouse), Dance West Seattle in the Vashon Room at The Hall, School of Rock in the church lot, and the Hilltop Jazz Project by the playground outside the west side of the schoolhouse. The festival’s on until 5 pm.
5:02 PM: Before we left about an hour ago, we recorded a bit of the ever-fabulous West Seattle Big Band, directed by Jim Edwards:
And as we wrap up our coverage (aside from adding the cake-contest results later), we wanted to publicly thank the festival team for the surprise tribute to WSB co-founder Patrick Sand … buttons bearing a photo of him:
Even without him, WSB will keep showing up for what’s happening in West Seattle.
ADDED 11:02 PM: From cake-contest organizer Emer, the winners:
Beginner:
1st – cake #28 Emma
2nd – cake #26 Michael
3rd – cake #44 IrisIntermediate:
(Photo courtesy Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
1st – cake #34 Karen
2nd – cake #40 Leah
3rd – cake #35 KarenAdvanced:
1st – #12 – the unknown winner. Ghost cake with the spider web. (Seen in photo near top of story)
2nd – cake #40 Rachel
3nd – cake #22 Katie
#12 was dropped off without a name – they’d like to get the baker/decorator their prize; email us and we can contact you, or comment below. Emer adds, “I would also like to thank the church youth group for decorating and contributing so many cakes!”
Tomorrow’s biggest West Seattle event is the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, stretching across multiple venues on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW. Here’s the official map:
And here’s the schedule for all the events packed into three fun hours, 2-5 pm:
The full list of everything you’ll find is page 2 of this PDF that includes the map and schedule you’ll see above. Everything is free except the food that vendors are selling. And if you’re making a cake for the decoration contest/cake trot, be sure to drop it at the Fauntleroy UCC Fellowship Hall by 1 pm!
(WSB photo, cake-contest entries, last year)
In our previous preview of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, we noted we were awaiting details of how to participate in this year’s cake-decorating contest. We have them now, in case you’re interested in baking/decorating. Just bring your entry to the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) on festival day – Sunday, October 20 – by 1 pm, no advance registration necessary. All ages welcome; there are three categories for entries – beginning, intermediate, advanced. All entries will be considered donations for the “cake trot” that follows – but first, festivalgoers will get to vote, 2 pm to 3 pm, with winners announced at 3:15 pm, and the cake trot starting at 3:30 pm, running until they’re out of cakes! (The festival itself runs 2-5 pm Sunday.)
(WSB photo, Fauntleroy dock last Sunday)
12:45 PM: Washington State Ferries has lost a boat to at least a week of repairs – and though that boat wasn’t on the Triangle Route, that route is still caught up in the resulting shuffle. The boat that’s out of service is one of the system’s biggest vessels, M/V Tacoma, which has been on the Bainbridge Island route, and WSF says it’s out for at least a week “due to a serious mechanical issue that was discovered last night.” So the same-size M/V Puyallup is moving to Bainbridge. Here’s where the Triangle Route effects come in: M/V Salish, which has been the unscheduled third boat (nicknamed “ghost boat”) on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, will move to Edmonds/Kingston to replace Puyallup, so the route serving our dock will only have the regular two boats TFN. (Vessel Watch shows Salish northbound right now in fact, just past Alki Point.)
3:10 PM: Just in from WSF – the expected weeklong repairs of M/V Tacoma took only hours, and the Salish will be back as the unscheduled Triangle Route boat tomorrow.
(WSB photos, video)
It is now the season of suspense for those who care for and about Fauntleroy Creek: When will coho salmon spawners show up? Wondering about questions like that is what concluded this year’s gathering to welcome them, with singing, drumming, and more. Some of the ~100 people who showed up visited the creek after ceremonially placing stones on a banner in the center of their circle:
The gathering was just yards from the creek, in a courtyard outside the home of creek stewards (and Salmon in the Schools volunteers) Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland. Judy told the crowd she was “delighted you all are interested in this little creek of ours.”
More than a quarter-century has passed since Judy and other volunteers led the restoration that brought salmon back into the creek. Now, each year the work to keep it accessible includes clearing logs from the creek’s mouth near the ferry dock (that was done three weeks ago). Now it’s time to watch, wait, and count – Dennis Hinton told the gathering that while the high tides are high enough now for salmon, there’s not enough water in the creek for them until we get more rain.
(Even that might not bring immediate results, he noted, since the first spawners didn’t show up until early November last year.) Learning about the creek and fish was a lesson for all ages in attendance:
The music-making was again led by Jamie Shilling:
She was joined this year by Chaz Hastings, a tabla drummer who Judy also noted is a “newly minted creek volunteer”:
The gathering was, as always, brief, with a few familiar songs paying tribute to the creek and the fish, and a chance for the kids to imagine what it might be like to be a fish:
Dappled late-afternoon sun came through the creekside trees, as organizers observed they couldn’t remember the last time this mid-October gathering was greeted by 70-degree warmth. Likely it’ll be colder, and muddier, by the time the fish make their appearance; as Judy told the gathering, once that happens, volunteers will likely host an “open creek” day so you come down to creekside to try to see them yourself (watch for announcements here on WSB). It’s impossible to predict how spawning season will go – last year, watchers counted 34 coho; the year before, 254.
(A few of the cakes from 2022 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
Bake a cake for the cake-judging contest/cakewalk! Volunteer to help ensure the festival is fun for all! Or – just show up and enjoy it! Those are three ways to be part of this year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, 2-5 pm next Sunday (October 20) on both sides of the 9140 block of California SW [map]. Besides the cakes (participation details to come), the festival will include pumpkin-painting, birdhouse-building, bunny-petting, raptor-watching, salmon-hat-making, inflatable-bouncing/climbing, live music, and more. It’s not just kid stuff – all ages will find fun. Free except for food concessions, but if you come, donations are always welcome to help cover the costs (look for opportunities near the entrances) – this longrunning festival is entirely powered by donations and volunteers. See you there!
(WSB photo, October 2023)
All ages are welcome next Sunday afternoon to join in drumming – and a little dancing – to call the coho home to Fauntleroy Creek. It’s an annual tradition in a courtyard just yards from the banks of the creek, and it comes as volunteers launch the Fauntleroy Watershed Council‘s count of spawners arriving in the creek. No RSVP needed, just show up at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way (across and upslope from the ferry dock), 4 pm Sunday, October 13.
Two Washington State Ferries notes of West Seattle interest:
FAUNTLEROY MOVES: M/V Cathlamet has been out of service for Coast Guard-required drydocking,” per WSF, but is expected to return to service later today, replacing M/V Kitsap on the Triangle Route, likely by the 5:45 pm Vashon to Fauntleroy sailing. Cathlamet and Kitsap are the same size/class, so that won’t change capacity. But Kitsap will then head to Mukilteo/Clinton, replacing 90-vehicle M/V Sealth, so that route will be back to “normal vehicle capacity,” WSF says. (Sealth in turn is headed to the San Juans to replace M/V Chelan, which, WSF says, “will move out of service for maintenance work through the end of October.”
FAUNTLEROY TERMINAL PROJECT: It’s not on the project website yet, but a Community Advisory Group member tells WSB that the next CAG meeting has been set for 6 pm Wednesday, October 23, online as usual. Watch for the viewing link to appear here soon. WSF continues working toward a “preferred alternative” for the terminal/dock-replacement project, expected to go into construction 2027-2029.
(WSB photo, 2023 Fauntleroy Fall Festival)
No major events this weekend, so we’ll take some time looking ahead to what’s next – including the Fauntleroy Fall Festival! Organizers have sent a reminder of what you’ll find at this free festival, plus a request for help in filling up the volunteer roster:
We are a little bit over 2 weeks away from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. This year’s Festival is Sunday, October 20th from 2-5 pm and will feature a number of annual favorites — bunny petting zoo, birdhouse building, pumpkin decorating, bouncy houses, live music, arts & crafts, much more.
As always, our event is free to the community, except for our food vendors. Come join us at The Hall at Fauntleroy, Fauntleroy YMCA, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and Fauntleroy Church. We are very grateful to our sponsors to keep this event free to the community including Birdhouse, Endolyne Joe’s, DSquared Hospitality, Garden Coaching Solutions, Hazelwood, Wildwood Market, Fauntleroy Church UCC, Fauntleroy Children’s Center, and the Fauntleroy Community Association.
We are still looking for a few last volunteers to help out with the festival; please feel free to sign up to help make the event a success.
The festival venues are on both sides of the 9100 block of California SW, and crossing guards are part of the volunteer lineup to help festivalgoers get safely back and forth. And – given the season – we’ll remind you, the festival happens rain or shine!
Somebody in Fauntleroy with a green laser is reported to have pointed it tonight at multiple ferries and at least one plane. That’s according to a texted report and a police-radio FYI in the past few hours. The texter reports the “bright green laser … illuminated the pilothouses of multiple state ferries on at least two separate occasions.” The police-radio FYI was relayed as an FAA request for officers to check the area near the ferry dock after a plane reported the laser. The FAA notes that this is a safety risk and federal crime.
Washington State Ferries has been hosting two systemwide community meetings a year. This year, they added a third; if you missed the first session today, an identical session is set for 6 pm tomorrow.
We monitored the first one at noon today to get toplines from the WSF executives’ presentation and hear what people were asking about.
Toward the start, WSF’s Hadley Rodero, facilitating, polled the 125+ attendees to see what routes they generally use. Mukilteo-Clinton was the top response, at 29 percent, followed by Seattle-Bremerton at 18 percent, with Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth at only 8 percent, so there weren’t a lot of questions about the Triangle Route. But here’s what caught our attention otherwise:
STAFF SHORTAGE EBBING? System boss Steve Nevey decclared, “We’re well on our way to resolving our personnel issues.” Exactly how they’re doing that was described throughout the meeting in a variety of ways large and small, all the way to hosting high-school students to try to impress on them that it’s “cool” to work on a ferry. The system had 13 engine-room interns this year, noted WSF’s Nicole McIntosh, saying that 9 of them became employees.
VESSEL SHORTAGE: That will take longer to resolve, but they’re working toward finding a builder for new ferries, with about 12 companies around the country indicating initial interest, and the review of “pre-qualification” submissions imminent. Paying for them might become an issue if Initiative 2117 – repealing the state’s Climate Commitment Act – is passed in the general election; one attendee asked in Q&A if the CCA funded any of the new ferries and Nevey said about 25 percent of the cost was expected to come from that source. Another attendee asked about the “bonus boat” (aka “ghost boat”) on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth and asked why that “unscheduled” third boat couldn’t just be plugged into the full three-boat Triangle Route schedule. WSF’s John Vezina explained that the Triangle Route schedule is meant for three Issaquah-class boats, and the “bonus boat” is usually smaller, so it wouldn’t be able to keep up, and instead is being used – seven days a week as of last weekend – to help the other two stay on schedule.
FAUNTLEROY TERMINAL PROJECT: No new information, but WSF’s David Sowers briefly recapped where the project planning stands:
Once a preferred alternative is chosen early next year, the next stage of the planning/design process will take about a year and a half, he said.
RELIABILITY: Systemwide, reliability rose a bit January through August this year compared to last, reported Nevey (no route-by-route breakouts, though):
The presentations took just under half an hour, and the Q&A ran a full hour – mostly issues unrelated to the Triangle Route, so we aren’t noting them here, except for one point of interest: Asked when the ferries might offer wi-fi again, the answer was that they’re “investigating” it, after an unsuccessful test run long ago – Starlink is one of the systems they’re looking at.
Again, you have another chance to listen – and to ask questions – at 6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, September 25); register here for the link.
(Photos by Tom Trulin: Mark Sears [in yellow] led volunteers in relocating drift logs mired in vegetation near Fauntleroy Creek)
As noted here last week, it’s almost salmon-spawning season – and Fauntleroy Creek is ready for fish, thanks in part to some helping hands. Creek steward Judy Pickens sent this report:
How many volunteers does it take to ensure coho spawners can get into Fauntleroy Creek from saltwater? Eight got the job done on Saturday (September 21).
Pilings that support the ferry dock in Fauntleroy Cove trap drift logs, and vegetation can further impact the jam. State Fish and Wildlife permits the Fauntleroy Watershed Council to open a route for spawners when tidal action isn’t enough to clear the way. Mark Sears led the work party and will continue to monitor the area through spawning season.
The annual drumming on Sunday, October 13, to call in spawners (details here) will launch this year’s salmon watch, which will run until mid-November. Last year, watchers recorded a healthy crop of 34 coho spawners; since 1994, the count has ranged from 0 to 274. If/when watchers start to see spawners, West Seattle Blog will announce a weekend open creek for anyone to come have a look.
After a morning rush, there’s plenty of capacity and no waiting at Fauntleroy Church‘s fall 2024 Recycle Roundup, continuing in the church lot until 3 pm.
The church’s Recycle Roundup partner 1 Green Planet had a truck coming in for a pickup when we were there, so there’s no chance they’ll run out of room.
The service is free, but if you are able to make a monetary donation to support the effort, volunteers will gratefully accept it. Meantime, whatever you have – as long as it’s on the official list, just bring it down and drop it off – 1 Green Planet workers will take it off your hands.
The church is at 9140 California SW – here’s a map.
(Spawning pair, photographed in 2021 by Tom Trulin)
This year’s Fauntleroy Creek salmon watch is set to start on October 13, reports creek steward Judy Pickens, adding that they’d appreciate some additional volunteer watchers:
More than a dozen volunteers are on deck to document spawning season in Fauntleroy Creek but a few more would be welcome. Last year, watchers came out in the cold and wet to count 34 coho spawners.
The watch will start Sunday, October 13, and go into mid-November, depending on the fish. Watchers take half-hour shifts at the fish ladder in the lower creek (across from the ferry terminal). A veteran watcher will train. Email your interest by September 27 to info@fauntleroywatershed.org.
October 13 is also the day of the annual all-ages drumming to call in spawners. Barring serious rain, this free event will start at 4:00 pm near the fish ladder. Find details HERE.
Though watchers only saw 34 spawners last year, in both 2021 and 2022, they counted more than 200.
A few quick toplines from last night’s Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting:
FAUNTLEROY YMCA UPDATE: As noted here recently, the Fauntleroy YMCA branch – once in danger of closing – recently expanded its hours. New administrator Ethan Clark told the FCA board that the number of people using the Y has steadily increased since the start of the year, but there’s still quite some way to go before the location is sustainable. There has been an increase in use over the summer, which he said was encouraging, as usage traditionally falls off inJune, July, and August. Also of note: Some youth sports have been added, including indoor pickleball and basketball.
POLICE UPDATES: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Nate Shopay said Fauntleroy’s crime stats have stayed steady. Asked if three recent commercial burglaries, including Wildwood Market and The Birdhouse, were believed to be related, he said not so far – there are no “pattern” crimes being investigated in the Fauntleroy area right now.
FALL FESTIVAL: This year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival, 2-5 pm Sunday, October 20, is taking shape. So far The School Of Rock is one of the musical groups scheduled, plus the bunny petting zoo is returning, and they’ve booked a magician who also does balloon animals. The Fall Festival is entirely powered by donations and volunteers, and got a big boost from a fundraiser at The Birdhouse earlier in the day that raised $900.
THE GREAT PUMPKIN HUNT: FCA is presenting it 1-3 pm on Sunday, October 27, and needs volunteers to help hide pumpkins. If you can help, contact Candace Blue at blueyvette47@gmail.com.
FERRIES: President Mike Dey recapped the most-recent Community Advisory Group meeting for the ferry-dock replacement (WSB coverage here); also note, Washington State Ferries has two systemwide online community meetings next week.
NEXT MEETING: FCA’s board meets second Tuesdays, 6 pm, most months, but rescheduled this one so people could watch the presidential debate. Next month’s meeting will be October 8.
(WSB photo from spring 2024 Recycle Roundup)
Lots going on this weekend, so we’re starting the reminders now – first, if you have unwanted items you can’t recycle at curbside, this Saturday (September 21) is the day every fall when you can bring those items to the free Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. 9 am-3 pm Saturday at 9140 California SW, drive up, ride up, or walk up, and drop off, between 9 am and 3 pm. Here’s the list of what the church’s Recycle Roundup partner 1 Green Planet will – and won’t – take, this time.
The photos and report are from Thomas:
found these items dumped at the salmon lookout above the ferry dock. Mostly junk, but there are some expensive women’s eyewear items in there as well.
If you recognize any of these items, let us know and we’ll connect you.
(WSB photos)
Looking for indoor activities for the weekend? Fauntleroy Church is ready for shoppers to show up starting tomorrow morning for its annual fundraising Second-Time Sale – carefully curated, donated items you might not be able to resist. Like this satin and velvet “crazy quilt”:
Or maybe a porcelain figurine:
Or a puzzle to keep busy on another rainy day:
If you need it, they just might have it. Furniture, books, sports equipment, kitchenware, jewelry, the list goes on. The Second-Time Sale is in the Fellowship Hall of the church (9140 California SW), 9 am-4 pm Saturday, 11:30 am-3 pm Sunday.
P.S. To make room for your finds, you can set aside stuff to take to the church NEXT Saturday (September 21) during the fall Recycle Roundup!
(WSB photo, September 2023)
Just two weeks to go until the next Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church – 9 am to 3 pm on Saturday, September 21. Here’s the list of what Recycle Roundup partner 1 Green Planet will and won’t accept this time. If it’s on the list of what they’ll accept, just bring it to the church’s lot (9140 California SW) and drop it off, free. One request from organizers: Don’t procrastinate – the earlier in the six-hour window that you can arrive, the better – they don’t want to see 3 pm approach with a long line waiting.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The state’s automated tolling system Good To Go! might be a payment option for the future Fauntleroy ferry dock replacement, but it’s not worth relying on entirely, or worth giving a dedicated tollbooth.
That’s a key result from Washington State Ferries‘ long-anticipated study of how Good To Go! and advance ticketing might factor into the dock rebuild. The presentation was made at last week’s online meeting of the Community Advisory Group for the project – here’s the draft report provided to committee members. Below, WSF video of the meeting, followed by our summary:
First, for context, here’s where the project planning stands: WSF is continuing to screen nine alternatives for size/configuration of the new dock, all with footprints bigger than the current dock. WSF is expecting to zero in on a preferred alternative by the end of this year. Construction is currently expected in the 2027-2029 biennium.
The advisory-group members had long been asking for information on how alternate payment methods, both Good To Go! and advance ticketing, would affect performance of the new dock, and shape its design and operation expectations. GTG is not currently used by WSF; advance ticketing, Wave 2 Go, is, and they estimate 50% to 60% of Triangle Route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) riders use that.
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