West Seattle, Washington
26 Sunday
(WSB photos)
Though volunteers tell us drivers were lined up down the street when the spring Fauntleroy Church Recycle Roundup began at 9 am today, there’s no waiting now, and traffic is expected to be steady through the duration of the dropoff event, until 3 pm (don’t wait until the last minute, though, unless you can’t get there any sooner).
That’s just some of what people have brought – here’s the official list of what they’re accepting, and not accepting, this time.
1 Green Planet is the longtime recycling partner with the church, which is at 9040 California SW. Dropoffs are free but volunteers are happy to accept monetary donations if you can chip in to support this twice-yearly event (next one, by the way, is set for [corrected date] Saturday, October 3).
(Volunteer Ann Dunbar helped students measure a torso in centimeters)
Story by Judy Pickens
Photos by Tom Trulin
Special to West Seattle Blog
Students from the Urban Nature Preschool got a taste of scientific research on Thursday when they did the annual survey of stonefly exoskeletons in lower Fauntleroy Creek.
As nymphs, stoneflies are a major food source for juvenile coho. Mature stoneflies crawl out of the water in the spring and leave their exoskeletons behind as they take flight, and students have been counting and measuring them since 2000. Their findings are a way to track both quantity of food available to the fish and how clean the water is.
(Finding exoskeletons on bridges required close examination)
With the school’s outdoor focus, the four-year-olds already knew a lot about the creek and, with support from teachers and volunteers, they were up to the challenge of following study protocol. Three teams closely examined trees and bridges while a fourth measured torsos as adults recorded the numbers.
(Volunteer Ann Dunbar helped students measure a torso in centimeters)
After teams reported their findings, volunteer Alana Khayat added the numbers to line graphs so students could see how they compared to findings since 2015.
Washington State Ferries sent this alert for work starting on the dock (trestle) Monday:
A Washington State Ferries maintenance crew will be onsite at the Fauntleroy ferry terminal starting Monday, April 27, to carry out much-needed repairs on the vehicle transfer span (the overwater bridge linking the ferry with the slip).
A transition plate on the span is the source of the noise you’ve been hearing. Unfortunately, the repair itself will be loud. Work hours for the crew will be limited to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays. They will not work on the weekend. Work is expected to take about a week.
This is not a safety issue with the transfer span but is a necessary repair. The timing was chosen to minimize disruptions to ferry service during the busy morning and evening commutes. There could be delays during the work as only one lane will be available for vehicle loading and unloading.
Thank you for your patience as we work to fix the cause of the noise.
We asked if this work will involve a barge/mobile crane as is sometimes the case with dock repairs; WSF says no, this will be done entirely with shore-based equipment/crew.
(WSB photo, April 2023 Recycle Roundup)
Another reminder that one week from today – on Saturday, April 25 – it’s the spring Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Drive up, ride up, walk up with your items that are recyclable but not routinely picked up on curbside. But before you load up, check to be sure that your items are on the list of what the church’s partner 1 Green Planet is accepting this time – see the will-and-won’t-accept list here. The event starts at 9 am and continues until 3 pm – organizers ask that you not show up at the last minute unless you absolutely can’t get there sooner, so they don’t have a line still waiting at 3 pm; they usually have multiple trucks to fill so you don’t have to rush to be there right at the start, either. (And if you miss this one – they usually do it again in fall!)
(Vashon sailing approaching the Fauntleroy terminal, Tuesday)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Ferry service for all riders could see some temporary improvements under Washington State Ferries’ plans to adjust while the FIFA World Cup soccer matches and events are held in locations around the Seattle area this summer.
WSF released the annual Service Contingency Plan, as they have for the last several years, outlining progress, challenges, and a framework for how to provide service when something goes wrong. This year’s plan includes a temporary increase to staffing and decrease to response times to breakdowns when they happen during FIFA. One of the keys to making this happen is that maintenance is being scheduled to minimize the number of boats out of service at the same time.
Seattle is a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Six matches will take place in Seattle, and the region will see significant visitation associated with the event. There are nine “Fan Zones” in Washington state, including one in Bremerton, where fans can gather to watch matches and celebrate. In addition, seven matches will occur in Vancouver, British Columbia, and significant travel between Seattle and Vancouver is expected. We will make several adjustments to our normal contingency framework during the World Cup:
1. Relief vessels. We will have 20 of our 21 vessels available for service during the six weeks of the tournament. With 18 vessels needed to maintain full summer service, this means we will have two vessels available in relief in case a vessel must be removed from service. This will provide us with the flexibility to deploy an appropriate relief vessel if needed. These vessels will be docked at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility.
2. Additional vessel crew. We will have additional crew on standby at Eagle Harbor, where our relief vessels will be positioned, allowing quick response to any vessel-related issue in Central Puget Sound.
3. Additional terminal staff. We will have additional staff at terminals to assist passengers and manage crowds.
4. Relaxing of the “24-hour rule.” Because we will have relief vessels available, and to maintain service on Central Puget Sound routes where the heaviest event-related ridership is likely to occur, we may respond to issues more quickly by deploying a relief vessel. This includes the Seattle/Bremerton, Seattle/Bainbridge Island, and Edmonds/Kingston routes.
The “24-hour rule” usually means a replacement vessel is not assigned until a route is missing a boat for that time frame. The change may mean faster resumption of schedules on routes closest to Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge that have maintenance issues, though response time to the San Juan Islands is still about 6 hours.
This year’s plan pointed to an increase in ridership on the Triangle Route (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) of 4.7% over the previous year, and included a graph of average loading numbers from a single week in last November when the route had 2 vessels instead of the regular 3. The report said this is the type of data WSF uses to make service decisions. The system overall reached 20.1 million riders in 2025 for the first time at that level since 2019, and 5% more than in 2024. That was accomplished in part by an increase in hiring that made it possible for an additional 7,000 sailings, while cancelling 400 fewer than the previous year.
(Average number of vehicles loaded per sailing, week of Nov. 3, 2025)
Another new feature of the contingency plan this year is the “Terminal Contingency Framework,” which outlines most likely steps in the event that a terminal is out of service—either briefly or longer-term—while something is fixed. For the Fauntleroy dock, that is, “No service until repaired or consider moving service to Seattle.” For Southworth, it’s the same with a possibility of moving service to Bremerton. Vashon, with 2 slips and a spot on the dock where a boat is tied up overnight, has more complicated solutions: “If a vehicle slip fails, use other vehicle slip but there will be delays when vessels conflict. Will need alternate for overnight tie-up if one slip is not available.”
The service plan also provided an update on the hybrid-electric ferries that WSF has contracted to have built at Eastern Shipbuilding Group on the Gulf Coast of Florida. They are expecting steel to start being cut for the first boat this summer, with completion in 2030. The plan notes, “With limited vessel availability, we will be unable to operate full service on every route until new vessels are constructed and delivered.”
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The Fauntleroy Community Association board met on Tuesday night at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse for their April meeting, chaired by FCA president Frank Immel and featuring several updates in addition to special guests from Washington State Ferries talking about plans for the new traffic signal scheduled for installation starting this fall at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal.
Meeting summary below:
SPD UPDATE: Crime prevention specialist Matt Brown and community service officer Jamie Heslin from the Southwest Precinct were in attendance to give an update, starting with some statistics:
Brown also noted that he followed up on the FCA’s board’s request from their March meeting to see if SPD can provide neighborhood support to help ease the potential “traffic nightmare” from the “dueling construction projects” planned for the area in a similar timeframe, including:
Brown said that requests for traffic support have been filed and that the SW Precinct captain (Krista Bair) is “definitely taking this seriously.” As Brown and Heslin departed the meeting for their next commitment, board members expressed gratitude for the support and action.
FERRY TERMINAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL: Next up was an update from WA State Ferries external relations director Hadley Rodero (who also lives in West Seattle) and Charlie Torres who serves as the project manager overseeing the design of the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. The team provided an update on the new ferry dock intersection signal installation planned for fall 2026, and they explained the design, safety features, and how it will be maintained by SDOT with the timing of the signals adjusted based on performance data.
The team brought some updated visuals and renderings to share, including an overhead view of the new signals:
From Fauntleroy Way SW looking south:
From the ferry dock, looking east:
As well as the view from the bluff across the street, which has a lookout area known as Captain’s Park:
The team expects to award the construction contract in June, and construction work is scheduled to begin after September 8th to avoid the summertime “high season” rush as well as a construction moratorium related to the World Cup. The project will involve 3-4 months of construction work (which puts likely completion in late 2026 or early 2027). The signal will have sophisticated light controls designed to manage vehicle flow in different directions, with pedestrian safety being a key consideration. Rodero said there are plans to do extensive outreach to ferry customers and neighbors to provide information about the new system before it goes live. Torres said the signal is necessary due primarily to too many “close call accidents” in the area, as well as needing to improve overall traffic flow and efficiency with loading/unloading the boats.
FCA board members generally expressed support for the initiative but asked again about the aforementioned “dueling construction projects” in Fauntleroy, of which the new signal is one of them. The team acknowledged the challenges and agreed to have WSF representatives in attendance at FCA’s September board meeting (by that time, a contractor for the signal installation will have been selected and will likely be getting started), and again at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival in October to answer questions from the general public. The group also explored options for community engagement around the multiple related projects, including potential collaboration with the Rose Street crossing project, and potentially developing a community advisory group for the next environmental review phase.
Other points of Q&A:
FOOD FEST RECAP: FCA’s David Haggerty and Reed Haggerty, along with other FCA board members, talked about the group’s successful annual meeting and Food Fest event last month (WSB coverage here). There were over 175 people in attendance, and 21 vendors. There were 40 renewals of annual FCA dues, and 12 new households joining FCA. Feedback about the event was positive from vendors and attendees alike. Board members discussed strategies and ideas for future Food Fests and events.
FCA FINANCES: Treasurer Alan Grainger presented the group’s financial report, noting that dues and contributions from the annual meeting and Food Fest exceeded expectations, and highlighted the progress toward business member support goals. As of the beginning of April, the group is 46% of the way toward its annual goal for incoming contributions, thanks to the bump from last month’s Food Fest and egg hunt.
FALL FESTIVAL PREPARATION: Related to finances, the group also discussed fundraising for the group’s other big annual event, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (scheduled for Sunday October 18). To raise funds between now and then, there are several events planned, including:
ROSE ST CROSSING: Immel noted that he had talked again with SDOT’s Ching Chan about the Rose St crossing project (involving pedestrian-operated flashing signals and a bus stop design with an island), and said that she wants to put together a joint community meeting with FCA and MoCA (Morgan Community Association) about the project, as a next-step. Details about that meeting are TBD.
OTHER FCA BUSINESS:
The FCA Board meets ten times per year on the second Tuesday of each month, at 6 pm in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse board room. Meetings are open to the public.
(WSB photo, September 2025 Recycle Roundup)
If the return of the rain has you spending some time indoors today and wondering what to do – sort your recyclables for West Seattle’s next big free-dropoff recycling event. We’re now exactly two weeks away from the spring Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 9 am-3 pm Saturday, April 25 – here’s the list of what will and won’t be accepted. Twice a year, the church partners with 1 Green Planet to offer this free service to the community; since it’s a six-hour window, they request that you come earlier rather than later, to avoid a last-minute backup.
If you live in the Fauntleroy-area neighborhood where Seattle City Light is working on long-needed underground repairs and updates, Brace Point, you’ve probably closely followed their progress. For those who haven’t, here’s the latest of SCL’s periodic updates:
Seattle City Light contractors continue to work on the underground electrical infrastructure serving the Brace Point neighborhood. They are installing new duct banks, conduits, cables, vaults, and streetlights. The new infrastructure will help reduce the risk of outages and improve service for residents.
Underground civil construction is approximately 32% complete. Our crews have installed 3,470 linear feet of conduit and 13 underground electrical vaults. We expect to finish most civil construction by the end of 2026. After that, crews will focus on cleaning staging areas and restoring the project area to the same, if not better, condition.
You can reach our team at bracepointcable@stephersonassociates.com or 206-312-0021.
If you would like to talk to a member of the project team in person, you can find us in the upstairs meeting room at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library on Wednesday, April 8 from 12-1 PM.
Current work areas:
Southwest Brace Point Drive: Crews are working near the intersection of 46th Ave. SW and SW Brace Point Drive.
47th Ave. Southwest: Crews are working north along 47th Ave. SW near the intersection of 46th Ave. SW and SW Roxbury St. Please drive carefully through this intersection and expect changing traffic patterns as the work progresses.
Longer than usual delays: Concrete pours are scheduled to occur on Wednesdays from 8 AM – 2 PM for the remainder of the project. Due to the narrow streets, trucks may have to park in the right-of-way. Please plan for longer than normal delays during these times.
Pedestrian trail: Crews are running new conduit and replacing the streetlight on the trail between 47th Ave.
Southwest to 48th Ave. Southwest. The trail is closed and expected to reopen in mid-April, once crews have finished the foundation for the new light pole. They will restore any areas disturbed by the project to City standards.Upcoming work areas
46th Ave. Southwest: After crews complete work on Brace Point Drive, they will start utility work on the segment of 46th Ave SW between Brace Point Drive and the intersection of SW Roxbury St and 47th Ave SW.
47th Ave. Southwest: This spring, crews will start working near the south end of 47th Ave. SW and work north towards the intersection of SW 98th St.
The work finally started last fall, five years after the originally projected start date.
West Seattle’s first egg hunts of the season happened this afternoon, including the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s volunteer-powered hunt behind the historic schoolhouse. This one happened in two waves – video above shows the littlest hunters getting a head start after the countdown led by organizer Candace Blue; below, ages 5 and up followed.
The FCA made some changes this year, to ensure everybody would leave happy, increasing the number of eggs and setting a limit for how many each hunter could amass, to avoid depletion before all the older kids had a chance to find some. Also of note: The FCA uses plastic eggs that hunters are asked to recycle after extracting the treats (which are non-candy items).
OTHER EGG HUNTS: Here’s the list we published recently; we’ll add any more of the Easter-service hunts we hear about too.
Thanks to Lisa for the photo! Her garage door in Upper Fauntleroy now holds a mural by artist Henry, just completed this afternoon. She explains, “It’s a continuation of the 1000 Sasquatch Heads project he started last fall.” And, she adds, “I’m hoping it will put a smile on people’s faces when they see it … we can use some joy these days!” The mural’s on SW Barton near 39th SW.
Washington State Ferries has announced a milestone for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal replacement project. The next step is construction of the traffic signal where the dock meets Fauntleroy Way SW – above is a rendering of the intersection with the signal – but here’s what else is happening, as announced by system leader Steve Nevey:
Our Fauntleroy terminal replacement project has completed its planning phase. The Federal Highway Administration recently approved the final Planning and Environmental Linkages study, closing a five-year process of exploring options for replacing the terminal. Based on community feedback, we are moving forward with a design that adds more dock space and increases capacity from about 80 to 124-155 vehicles. This option also avoids impacts to nearby Cove Park, and we will continue refining the design to reduce effects on other sensitive areas. Later this year, the project will enter the National and State Environmental Policy Act phase. This is when we’ll begin preliminary design, complete environmental review and permitting, and continue seeking funding. Major construction is expected to begin in 2028. The new terminal is expected to open around 2031.
WSF says the signal construction, meantime, is expected now to start this fall. Also happening right now, the state is in the permit process to convert the beach house immediately north of Cove Park into an office for the project, among other potential uses.
6:34 PM: The Hall at Fauntleroy is abuzz with people snacking and learning. Local food purveyors and nonprofit community groups/agencies are ringing the big room at the south end of the historic schoolhouse for the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s annual meeting, which has evolved into more of a mini-festival known as the Food Fest. If you live, work, play, or study in Fauntleroy, this is the time and place to learn about community contributions not only by the FCA but by everyone else who’s here, while enjoying bites from local food purveyors (including Endolyne Joe’s, Wildwood Market, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering – whose parent company DSquared operates The Hall – Village Green West Seattle, The Birdhouse, and The Unsweetened Tooth. We are based here at a table by the entrance and. took a quick spin around the room to see who’s here – participants include Washington State Ferries, the Fauntleroy Watershed Council, Nature Alliance, The Whale Trail, Fauntleroy Fall Festival, Seal Sitters, Seattle Emergency Hubs, A Cleaner Alki, Fauntleroy Children’s Center, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, photographer Jamison Johnson, and Seattle Police. In addition to learning and snacking, this is also about supporting – the FCA is happy to sign up new members at the entrance table (or renew existing memberships, both business and individual. They also will conduct some business a bit later – the vote for next year’s. board. Updates to come!
6:53 PM: Gotta show you the food at Food Fest. Above, Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering’s jojo poutine; below, Wildwood Market proprietor Lonjina with tomato, basil, and housemade croutons:
Caprese from Village Green West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
Endolyne Joe brought fried chicken and mac and cheese:
The Birdhouse (whose Amber Heinemann is on the FCA board) brought desserts:
And The Unsweetened Tooth had chocolate/peanut-butter treats without sugar:
Fronting on the water, Fauntleroy is a place to see sea life, which is why you can talk to Seal Sitters reps here …
And Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail …
Among others!
7:37 PM: The event is wrapping up – the FCA board election is in the books; more on that when we get back to HQ.
Another neighborhood group with a notable event in the week ahead is the Fauntleroy Community Association. The FCA’s annual membership meeting Tuesday is known as the Food Fest because of bites contributed by local businesses. It’s also a chance to mingle with local nonprofits and what FCA describes as “civic-minded” organizations (we’ll be there to promote West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, now just a month and a half away on Saturday, May 9). And the Food Fest will briefly convene everyone in attendance for the annual FCA board election. It’s a free event, but you’ll have the opportunity to renew or initiate FCA membership, supporting the organization’s community work. This will be in The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW), south end of historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 6-8 pm Tuesday (March 24).
(Photo by Dave Gershgorn)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog
Coho “teenagers” (smolts) are about to leave Fauntleroy Creek for the big wide world of saltwater, and volunteer monitors are ready to count them on their way.
On Tuesday (March 10) members and adults from Scout Troop 284 installed two net traps that will enable volunteers to count smolts heading for Fauntleroy Cove, an annual study begun by the Fauntleroy Watershed Council in 2003. (Here’s a report on some of the work in 2024.) The young coho will fatten up in the cove before venturing farther afield for their two years in saltwater.
Monitors will be checking each trap twice daily through May to document how many leave from the upper creek and also from the middle and lower reaches.
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The March board meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association, chaired on Tuesday night by FCA president Frank Immel, focused largely on putting the finishing touches on planning for the group’s annual membership meeting, aka Food Fest. The big event is coming up in just a couple of weeks on Tuesday March 24th from 6-8 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). All neighbors are welcome!
Board member David Haggerty, joining the meeting remotely, went through his list of items and tasks in preparation for the fest, including the list of local food and beverage vendors who plan to attend and provide attendees with a variety of tasty bites and sips. The board conducts a brief annual meeting at the event, which includes the election of officers for the upcoming year.
As usual, there will also be large number of community-table participants (civic, community, nonprofit, and advocacy groups) at the event, and WSB will be there as well to cover the proceedings and also to share info about the annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day which opens for registrations on April 1. Here’s the flyer that was sent to neighbors last week, with additional copies being handed out as well:
Another popular Fauntleroy event coming up: The Annual Spring Egg Hunt at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse on Saturday, March 28 at 1 pm. Board members said that planning is well underway for the event, and the group looks forward to welcoming egg-hunters for the event.
Other items of interest that were discussed at Tuesday night’s meeting:
SPD UPDATE: Crime prevention specialist Matt Brown provided some crime statistics, with the help of another officer. For the SW Precinct as a whole (West Seattle and South Park), total crime is down 14% year-to-date compared to last year, larceny/theft down 10%, and violent crime down by a whopping 29%. For Fauntleroy in particular, total crime is actually up 62% year-to-date (but Brown pointed out that the numbers are small, with 22 incidents so far this year compared to 15 last year during the same time period, and that the 5-year weighted average is “right on par.”) Fauntleroy has had zero violent crimes this year-to-date, and all incidents logged are property crimes (with larceny/theft being the highest), including burglary and one motor vehicle theft. Shots fired: zero for Fauntleroy this year, while the SW Precinct as a whole has had 11 incidents; 3 with injuries; zero deaths; most recent incident at Alki on Saturday.
A board member asked Brown if he had any insights regarding the notable drop in crime, and he called out the citywide policing strategy emphasizing repeat offenders, for example, focusing on individuals tied to the most gun-related incidents, as being a possible factor.
Another meeting attendee asked about staffing: Brown said things are going well, with many recruits currently in the FTO (Field Training Officer) phase, ready for assignment soon. He did add, though, that the SW Precinct—having the lowest crime compared to other Seattle precincts—will likely receive fewer new officers than other precincts.
Immel asked about the availability of community safety resources for neighbors, and Brown said he frequently provides personal safety and de-escalation trainings, and there are home/business security assessments available, along with brochures and handouts. Brown said SPD will bring handouts and materials to the March 24 FCA meeting, as well as probably have a squad car available out front (the popular “mobile precinct” vehicle is unavailable that night, though).
DUELING PROJECTS IMPACTING TRAFFIC: Before Brown and his colleague departed for their next commitments, Immel raised the issue of the “traffic nightmare” looming as a result of the large number of concurrent civil/traffic projects that Fauntleroy will soon be facing. Imel asked if SPD was involved to help with enforcement and/or initial emphasis around upcoming the upcoming traffic changes (especially at the ferry dock). Brown took notes and said he would inquire internally at SPD and report back.
Imel called out several concurrent projects that will all be occurring with a mile of each other, likely causing a serious congestion and safety risk:
Board members and meeting attendees including neighbors Victoria Nelson and John McNulty continued the discussion on these projects, with several noting that the agencies involved appear to be “siloed” and not coordinating with each other. Attendees agreed that ideally there should be much tighter coordination between various groups like Metro, SPD, SPU, and Washington State Ferries, with some suggesting that projects should be staggered over time to ease gridlock. Immel said that if many of these projects indeed happen at the same time, then drivers trying to leave the area will have “no way out” due to competing detours and closures.
Immel did provide an encouraging update that he met recently with Councilmember Rob Saka and asked if he could help. Immel noted that Saka’s office has already sent a coordination request letter to several relevant department heads, and that Saka seemed ready and willing to assist with encouraging coordination. FCA board members agreed that they would also draft a consolidated letter to numerous parties, outlining the traffic and safety issues likely to be caused by so many concurrent projects happening in the area.
For the Rose Street project in particular, Nelson and other attendees reiterated their opinion that the project is too heavy-handed and that desired results could be achieved without including components such as the planned pedestrian refuge island. Attendees agreed that better coordination with Metro to ideally install a visible bus shelter would be beneficial, and the group also talked about signal design, possible speed cushions/raised crossings, protecting bicycle access and allowing for emergency vehicle movement.
Attendees agreed that there isn’t enough community awareness for most of these projects, and still a lot of unanswered questions, and it would be ideal to have project representatives attend future FCA board meetings to provide updates. These would include people like Washington State Ferries’ Hadley Rodero (who also lives in West Seattle) and SDOT’s Ching Chan.
BOARD BUSINESS: Some board members were absent Tuesday night and the group didn’t have quorum until partway through the meeting, so the agenda shifted a bit. No significant financial updates because FCA’s treasurer was not in attendance. For membership, the group expects a bump in activity at the upcoming Food Fest, as neighbors renew their memberships or sign up for the first time. Board members also discussed the existing committees that FCA has, and that some of them should be evaluated and potentially restarted.
CROSSING FLAGS: As the meeting closed, board member Bill Wellington also said that he had recently noticed a disturbingly high number of the group’s orange crossing flags being strewn on the ground and in the streets. Attendees agreed that this was something worth watching, to ensure that there are enough flags being properly stored and restocked for neighbors to use when crossing busy streets.
The FCA Board meets ten times per year on the second Tuesday of each month, at 6 pm in the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse board room. Meetings are open to the public.
(Friday photo of Fauntleroy ferry at sunset, by Joshua Crowgey)
Starting tomorrow (Sunday, March 1st), Washington State Ferries will start charging a new fee on card transactions, as ordered by state legislators. If you haven’t heard about it already, here’s the summary from WSF leader Steve Nevey in the latest weekly newsletter:
Starting in three days on Sunday, March 1, a 3% cost recovery surcharge will be added to all credit and debit card purchases. The Washington State Legislature directed this change (RCW 47.60.860) so the state can recover the cost of processing card payments. The 3% recovery fee applies to all in-person, kiosk and online fare purchases, including single-ride, multi-ride, and ReValue tickets. It also covers no-show fees for vehicle reservations and carpool and vanpool permits. The cost recovery surcharge does not apply to fees for memorial services, annual business accounts or promotional activities like tabletops and film or photo shoots. Customers can avoid the recovery fee by paying with cash or by using a preloaded ORCA card. If a card transaction is refunded, the 3% surcharge will also be refunded. See our ticket information page for a full list of accepted payment options.
One reader told us they thought fees like this couldn’t be charged on debit-card transactions; WSF explains that they aren’t able to process debits, so debit cards are charged as credit cards and will include the fee.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Planning for next month’s Fauntleroy Community Association annual membership meeting, known as the Food Fest, was a major item of business for the February FCA board meeting, facilitated by FCA president Frank Immel.
FAUNTLEROY FOOD FEST: Local food and beverage purveyors usually participate in the annual meeting by contributing bites and sips, and that’s how it got its name. Board member David Haggerty reminded everyone that Tuesday, March 24, is this year’s date (6-9 pm) and invitations are going out; they discussed all the food/beverage purveyors in Fauntleroy that anyone could think off, as well as past community-table participants (a wide variety of civic, community, nonprofit, and advocacy groups – this year we’ll be there too, not just to cover it but also with info about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, since registration will start just eight days later, on April 1).
The annual meeting is the occasion for voting on the next year’s board; there could be room for someone new, it was discussed, They currently have 12 members and the bylaws cap board membership at 15. To change that or any other bylaws would require a quorum of at least 50 percent of the membership – currently numbering more than 350 people.
One board role is being vacated – a new secretary is needed because Kris Ilgenfritz is stepping down from that role, while intending to stay on the board. A discussion ensued about whether an AI voice transcription of meetings would be “good enough” to fill the role. Human oversight/responsibility would still be needed, it was noted. What about recording and publishing the meetings? One objection to that: Some people would rather not have their voice online for fear of spoofing, some said. Nothing was finalized regarding handling the secretary’s role going forward, though at least one current board member expressed interest.
Other major items of discussion:
SEATTLE POLICE: A Community Service Officer attended with crime stats – first, the same general Southwest Precinct stats reported at preceding neighborhood-group meetings since the start of the year, that crime is down overall. For Fauntleroy, violent crime is “down 100 percent,” she said (without numbers) and property crime up by 1 (eight incidents compared to seven for the first month of the year) also, one shots-fired incident in Fauntleroy so far this year. She said a grant has been approved for a Resource Fair expected to happen at Westside Neighbors Shelter. Some talk turned briefly to security officers in Target, since WWV is still a shoplifting hotspot. Anything happening in schools, in light of the South Seattle killings? She said even CSOs “have to be invited into the schools,” not only sworn officers. But that is happening in some places. CSO still number 24 – four supervisors, 20 officers. They were deployed at South Seattle after the shootings, she added, just there in case people needed support, and have been out at the ongoing memorial too.
EMERGENCY HUBS: Fauntleroy’s hub – a pre-designated place where information would be collected and disseminated in case of catastrophe – is being rebooted, Cindi Barker from the Seattle Emergency Hubs said, with a series of West Seattle events soon, starting with a hub explainer in mid-archand culminating in a big meeting and annual hub exercise on June 7. “You may find someone who finds their entry into community via disaster preparedness,” Barker said. She and/or the Fauntleroy hub’s volunteer coordinator will be at the Food Fest too.
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES: So will WSF, Immel said, focusing on the dock-intersection signal update. No new developments otherwise – “the dock [replacement] work is still (at least) a couple years away.”
COUNCILMEMBER MEETING: On another transportation-project matter, vice president Catherine Bailey said she and board member Dave Follis had met with District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka and his district director Erik Schmidt a few days earier. She said they talked about the Rose Street crossing and the interest in more conversation with the project manager. She reported that Saka also tried to clarify for them the difference between what he can do and what the executive branch (mayor) can do. Bailey reminded the board that they’ve been campaigning for the crossing for at least 10 years. (Going on 20 – a marked crosswalk was removed there in 2007.) They’re hoping SDOT might send a rep to the Food Fest to talk about it.
SPRING EGG HUNT: FCA’s event is March 28.
PEDESTRIAN FLAGS: Discussion focused on keeping them maintained and stocked.
FUNDRAISING: The egg hunt, autumn’s pumpkin hunt, planter boxes in the Endolyne triangle, and pedestrian-safety flags are just some of what FCA spends money on. So board members engaged in a round of brainstorming on fundraising ideas. No conclusions were reached; board member Bill Wellington suggested that increasing (paid) membership might be a more-suitable overarching goal. VP Bailey suggested making a pitch for donations and membership during the Food Fest (which, despite being the annual membership meeting, draws non-members too).
MARCH: No FCA board meeting next month since the Food Fest will be March 24. Watch for updates at fauntleroy.net.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: It’s the next best thing to adding an hour to your day … adding an hour of accessibility to services and facilities that help make your life better. The West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) locations recently started opening at 5 am, and want to be sure everyone in the community hears about that. We asked branch executive Cleveland King to explain what the earlier opening time enables:
.
Opening at 5:00 am allows us to better serve a wider range of members whose schedules don’t align with a later start time. Many of our members rely on early-morning access to fit in wellness before work, school drop-offs, or family responsibilities begin. A 5:00 am opening provides uninterrupted time for workouts, swimming, and programming, helping members build consistent routines without feeling rushed.
From a programming standpoint, the earlier opening supports structured aquatic offerings — such as Masters Swim — by allowing adequate warm-up, instruction, and swim time while still accommodating lap swimmers and other early-morning users. This flexibility reduces congestion, improves the member experience, and creates a calmer, more welcoming environment during peak hours.
Additionally, opening earlier reinforces the Y’s mission of accessibility and community support. It signals that we recognize and respect the diverse schedules of our members, including shift workers, parents, and professionals who need to complete their workout before the traditional workday begins.
The Fauntleroy YMCA is at 9140 California SW; the West Seattle YMCA is in The Triangle at 3622 SW Snoqualmie. Find their activity schedules here. This is the Y’s 150th anniversary year.
UPDATE: The Y clarifies, after readers said the Fauntleroy Y staff reported they are NOT opening earlier, that this is for the main West Seattle YMCA only.
Another update from Washington State Ferries – the two-boat schedule will continue on the Fauntleroy-Southworth-Vashon route at least two more weekday:
At least one more day for the two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, per Washington State Ferries:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is running the two-boat schedule through Wednesday, Feb. 11. The Salish is currently running as a third, unscheduled vessel to help move additional traffic and help keep the #1 and #2 vessels on time. We’re working on a service plan for the rest of the week, and we’ll send updated schedule information as soon as it’s available.
WSF also of course is bracing for increased ridership on many routes tomorrow, and says, “To support increased traffic, we’re also adding crewing to many of our vessels and terminals during the day.::
Last night, we reported that a Washington State Ferries alert said the route will be back on the two-boat schedule next Monday because of boat moves. In today’s weekly report, WSF said that may last longer because of the repairs necessitating the boat moves:
This week brought another reminder of how fragile our ferry system is. We simply don’t have enough vessels available to cover unexpected issues. Tuesday night, Kitsap had to be removed from service because of an engine issue. That left our Mukilteo/Clinton route with only one boat yesterday and this morning. In a timely coincidence, Walla Walla was cleared for service late yesterday following successful sea trials, allowing that ferry to replace Chimacum this morning as our Seattle/Bremerton route’s single vessel. We then moved Chimacum to replace Sealth as the #3 boat at Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, so Sealth can join Tokitae at Mukilteo/Clinton this afternoon.
Kitsap moved to our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility yesterday so our employees can fix an engine issue.
As we have done the past several weeks, tomorrow night we’ll move our “Triangle” route’s #3 boat, which does not run on winter weekends. That allows Chimacum to serve alongside Walla Walla to provide two-boat service at Seattle/Bremerton Saturday and most of Sunday. Walla Walla must then go in for scheduled maintenance and required inspection on Monday. With Chimacum remaining at Seattle/Bremerton as the route’s single ferry after the weekend, Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth will be on its two-boat weekday schedule next week. We expect Salish to return from its maintenance and inspection period next week and when it does, we will send it to the “Triangle” to serve as the unscheduled, bonus boat.
We should know more in the coming days about how long repairs to Kitsap will take. Our service plan for Monday and beyond may adjust depending on vessel availability.
Announced tonight by Washington State Ferries:
Due to necessary vessel repairs, we need to move vessels and adjust the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth schedule the next few days.
Thursday, Feb. 5: Around midday, the 144-vehicle Chimacum will replace the 90-vehicle Sealth as the #3 vessel.
Friday, Feb. 6: The following #3 sailings will be cancelled due to boat moves:
8 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
8:20 p.m. Vashon to Fauntleroy
8:50 p.m. Fauntleroy to Vashon
9:15 p.m. Vashon to Southworth
9:30 p.m. Southworth to Vashon
Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 7-8: Regular weekend winter schedule.
Monday, Feb. 9: Two-boat schedule due to timing of vessel moves. We’re working to add a third, unscheduled vessel in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: The route will return to the three-boat schedule.
Fauntleroy Creek didn’t see many spawners during last fall’s coho-salmon return, but the first results have just appeared! Judy Pickens from the Fauntleroy Watershed Council shares the photo from Dave Gershgorn and report from Dennis Hinton:https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=1141337&action=edit#edit_timestamp
We spotted the first tiny little coho emergents from the fall spawn today. Observed four little fry in the exact same spot where we saw the spawning pair, in the curve just above the fish ladder. Saw another eight just a few feet up the creek, below the first bridge. Dave got excellent photo proof, attached. So if you were desperately looking for a little good news today, here it is. New life on the creek. Heaven on this 60-degree, almost spring day.
| 1 COMMENT