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Highland Park 1046 results

SOUTH DELRIDGE ACTION PLAN: Survey extended; HPAC briefing Wednesday
February 19, 2023 4:47 pm
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 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods

Today was scheduled to be the last day for answering the city survey that kicked off work on the South Delridge Action Plan. However, checking its start page reveals it’s been extended through February 28th. We discovered that while preparing to write a preview about community council HPAC’s monthly meeting coming up this Wednesday (February 22), which will include guests discussing the SDAP, described a month ago as intended “to develop a vision for the future of South Delridge, which includes parts of neighborhoods such as Westwood, Roxhill, Highland Park, Delridge, and White Center … (to) help the City support community and focus investments in the coming years.” If you haven’t already answered the survey, go here to find links in 4 languages; attendance info for Wednesday’s 7 pm online HPAC meeting is here.

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BIZNOTE: Highland Park Corner Store to host Dick’s Drive-In burger truck
February 13, 2023 11:44 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(Reader photo from Dick’s truck visit in The Junction, December 2020)

West Seattle’s food truck scene just keeps sizzling. Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way) hosts a different truck every week, usually on Thursdays, but this week it’s adding a bonus truck visit two days after that – proprietor Meaghan Haas just sent word that the Dick’s Drive-In burger truck will be at Highland Park Corner Store 11 am-2 pm Saturday (February 18th). It’s made scattered West Seattle stops since launching in fall 2020, but this is the first one we’ve heard of in a while. Just remember – the truck sells burgers and shakes, not fries. Meaghan says, “We’re excited to bring this Seattle legend to Highland Park and greater West Seattle!”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shot-up sign
February 2, 2023 11:34 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Seattle Police say they confirmed gunfire off the Highland Park Way hill after 911 calls Wednesday evening. They responded after reports came in just after 5:30 pm. Officers arriving in the 7000 block of Highland Park Way SW [vicinity map] found, according to the SPD summary, that “the sign to the trailhead had been struck by at least 20 rounds (and a) tree was also struck.” No injuries were reported. As for who did it, the summary says, “The male suspect left in an older-model sedan that was either white, tan, or charcoal gray.”

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FOLLOWUP: Conversation and celebration Friday as next step in rebuilding Highland Park Improvement Club
January 30, 2023 6:33 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Conversation and celebration Friday as next step in rebuilding Highland Park Improvement Club
 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

(Inside HPIC, shortly after 2021 fire)

As mentioned in our coverage of last week’s HPAC meeting, Highland Park Improvement Club is set to take the next step in its plan to rebuild after the fire that ravaged its building – with a special Corner Bar event this Friday. We just received the announcement and community invitation:

Come meet your neighbors and enjoy a beverage this Friday night as we roll out our plans to rebuild a community space that’s been central to our neighborhood for more than 100 years: the Highland Park Improvement Club!

In 2021, the Highland Park Improvement Club (HPIC) building was tragically destroyed in a fire. Once home to monthly gatherings, live music, a community garden, regular yoga classes, and more – HPIC is no longer the bustling center of neighborhood activity it once was. Now the burned building sits vacant on the corner of 12th and Holden in West Seattle, deemed unsafe for use after the blaze.

This is not the future anyone wants to see for this rare gem that has played such a vital role in connecting and supporting the surrounding communities, like it did when community leaders used it as a food insecurity resource during the pandemic. To keep HPIC alive, the executive board and trustees have been hard at work for the last year creating a vision for the future to make sure it can be sustainably restored – including working with architects, designers, contractors, donors, volunteers and more to bring this space back to life.

Now – it’s crunch time. We’re about a third of the way there on fundraising, but we need more help to cross the finish line and raise about two million dollars this year. That’s where you come in! Join us for a fun night of community conversation about how to restore this wonderful place and make it even better than before!

Who: You!
What: Corner Bar
When: February 3, 2023, 6 pm-10 pm
Where: Highland Park Corner Store- 7789 Highland Park Way SW
Why: To build community support around the REBUILDING TOGETHER fundraising Campaign. Help us reach our capital fundraising goal of 3.4 million dollars by Q3 2023!

Our goal is demolition and groundbreaking in the fall, hoping to open in late 2024. Board members for the Rebuilding Together campaign will be on site to talk more about HPIC’s Nine-Month Fundraising Sprint at Friday’s event. Hope to see you at the Highland Park Corner Store on Friday, February 3rd for fun, music, and the kind of community enthusiasm we need to keep HPIC’s future alive!

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Uninsured? Underinsured? Health help in Highland Park on Saturday
January 12, 2023 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on Uninsured? Underinsured? Health help in Highland Park on Saturday
 |   Health | Highland Park | West Seattle news

A health-insurance enrollment event at Highland Park Elementary 10 am-2 pm this Saturday (January 14th) is open to everyone and offering some services – health and otherwise – for people in need:

HEALTH INSURANCE
-Get enrolled into health insurance.
-Find our health insurance options.
-Apple Health Insurance (Children, Pregnant Women, & Adults).

MAMMOGRAMS
 Women 40 & older & You must live in King County
 Uninsured or Underinsured
 Immigration status is not a factor
 Call for an appointment 800-756-5437

ADULT DENTAL SERVICES
Treatment for URGENT dental needs: Extractions – Filings – X-Rays – Exams – Pain/Swelling
 Must be a King County resident.
 Immigration status is not a factor.
 Not eligible for Apple Health (Medicaid) due to citizenship status.
 Meet income guidelines
 Call for an appointment: 800-756-5437

ALSO
-ORCA Lift Enrollment with preloaded cards. If you’re on TANF or SSI you get free fare for one year.
-City of Seattle Utility assistance Applications.
-COVID Vaccines (with gift card)
-Free lunch provided by Soul Fusion Food Truck!
-Cell phones & more

HPES is at 1012 SW Trenton.

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VIDEO: Highland Park’s Not-So-Silent Night Parade returns
December 31, 2022 10:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video)

By the time tonight’s Not-So-Silent Night Parade headed out from the Highland Park Corner Store lot, the crowd was going on 100 of all ages, carrying lanterns, lights, bells, drums, and noisemakers. Here’s how it looked and sounded:

Pre-pandemic, the parade was a New Year’s Eve tradition, a spirited walk through several blocks of Highland Park to ring out (and drum out, etc.) the old year and welcome the new one. Since the last one, the parade-presenting Highland Park Improvement Club has been through something else – the fire that gutted their building – but they’ve continued serving as the heartbeat of the community anyway, and that’s why the parade went on.

Along the way, as well as making noise and music – we spotted a trombonist in the crowd – paraders yelled “Happy New Year!” at people who came outside to wave and watch.

The parade ended at Riverview Playfield, where all gathered in a circle to watch another part of the tradition:

As one person called out to the circle just before that, “This is to celebrate the fact that we’re all still here” as another year begins.

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UPDATE: ‘Road rage’ shooting on Highland Park Way hill
December 31, 2022 2:50 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

2:50 AM: Police and fire have responded to the 7000 block of Highland Park Way SW [map], which is toward the bottom of the hill, for a report of a man shot in the abdomen. Updates to come.

2:57 AM: Police are telling dispatch they’re finding shell casings nearby.

3:03 AM: Added a frame grab from the traffic camera at the bottom of the hill. Avoid the area for a while. The victim is being taken to Harborview by SFD Medic 26. No information so far on circumstances.

3:30 AM: Police just tweeted that “the victim reported being shot while in his vehicle.”

10:47 AM: SFD says the victim is “approximately 30 years old” and was in stable condition when transported.

2:26 PM: SPD has just released more information, calling this “a road-rage incident,” though not elaborating on why:

At 2:39 a.m., police responded near the entrance of the Duwamish River Trail and Highland Park Way Southwest after a witness in the area heard several shots fired. Officers arrived and located a man sitting outside his vehicle with a gun shot wound to his lower back.

Officers provided medical aid to the male victim while waiting for Seattle Fire Department medics to arrive and later transport the victim to Harborview Medical Center. The suspect involved fled the scene in a sedan-type vehicle in an unknown direction. Police canvassed the area and located evidence of the shooting but nothing further at this time. If you have any information about this incident, please contact SPD Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000.

L

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NEW YEAR’S EVE: Not-So-Silent Night Parade returns
December 28, 2022 9:58 pm
|    Comments Off on NEW YEAR’S EVE: Not-So-Silent Night Parade returns
 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | Holidays | West Seattle news

hpmye1(WSB file photo)

A lively all-ages way to start your New Year’s Eve is back this year – the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s Not-So-Silent-Night Parade Since HPIC’s building remains closed, awaiting rebuilding after last year’s fire, the parade will start at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) and proceed to Riverview Playfield. Bring a light, noisemaker(s) – drums, tambourines, whatever you have – costumes if you want. There’ll be free cider as everyone gathers at HPCS between 5:30 and 6, and hot chocolate and cookies at the end of the parade. It’s on no matter what the weather does (so far, the NYE forecast looks fairly calm, mostly cloudy, 40s, slight chance of rain. The parade is a tradition dating back to 2009!

This is one of the NYE/NYD options in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, and we’re still adding to the list – let us know if you have something to add!

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WATER: Another big flush ahead, this time for southeast West Seattle and South Park
December 2, 2022 2:35 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | South Park | Utilities | West Seattle news

Back in 2016, after repeated problems with “brown water” in multiple West Seattle neighborhoods, Seattle Public Utilities carried out a major flush of local lines. Now they’re planning one for southeast West Seattle and South Park, in the areas outlined on this map:

That map is included in a letter SPU has just mailed to affected residents and businesses, saying the flush will start soon and continue into next year. Here’s what else the letter says:

SPU is performing this work to help maintain water quality and help reduce the occurrence of discolored water that can sometimes occur. Flushing won’t eliminate discolored water, but it will help decrease it.

What do customers need to do? SPU crews will perform the flushing at night by flowing water from fire hydrants. Residents and businesses do not need to take any action to prepare for this work. Customers will be able to use their water as usual. When crews are flushing nearby, customers may notice a slight reduction in their water pressure. They may also experience temporary discolored water, which should clear quickly once crews are done flushing the water main. Running the cold water for a few minutes can also help clear the discoloration.

Why does discolored water occur? Discolored water can happen when crews operate a fire hydrant, when there is a water main break or leak, or when the water in the pipes is forced to travel in a different direction than normal. When one of these events happens, sediment in the water and rust in the pipes get stirred up, causing the water to look discolored. Flushing the water mains will remove some of the sediment and rust that has been resting in the pipes. This will help reduce the level of discoloration and the time it takes for the water to clear when there’s a disturbance in the pipes.

Is the water safe? Yes. Every single day, SPU takes samples throughout the drinking water system that serves 1.5 million people. The water is tested for contaminants and is regulated by the Washington State Department of Health. Seattle’s water remains safe to drink.

See the full letter here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search in Highland Park
November 21, 2022 9:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

9:42 PM: Police are out with a K-9 right now in Highland Park, searching for a man suspected of shooting at another man. This is centered at 10th/Cloverdale, though the search is ranging further out – the suspect was reportedly last seen eastbound on Cloverdale. We haven’t heard a description yet. No injuries reported.

9:50 PM: Police have reported finding a shell casing – “.380 auto” – in the alley behind the house where this is reported to have happened.

11:10 PM: The search has wound down. The initial call was that a man had found an intruder in his neighbor’s house, and the intruder shot at him. The man chased the intruder a ways “with an ax.”

ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Here’s the police summary of the incident:

At 2125 hours, officers responded to a report of an interrupted burglary where the suspect had fired a shot at the victim. The caller reported that he had heard the burglary occurring at his neighbor’s house. The caller armed himself with an axe and confronted the suspect, who was in the process of piling stolen items on the back deck. When confronted, the suspect fled on foot with the caller following. The suspect turned as he was running and fired 1 round at the victim, who discontinued his chase and returned home for police response. Evidence of a shooting was located and submitted.

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FOLLOWUP: See what Highland Park’s big bird will look like
November 15, 2022 11:53 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Earlier this month, we reported on the future public art for Highland Park Way/Holden, part of the city’s 1 Percent For Art program in conjunction with upcoming intersection changes including the installation of a permanent signal. Today we have our first look at what the giant Steller’s Jay sculpture by artist Matthew Mazzotta will look like, in the rendering above, made public by the city Office of Arts and Culture. The city’s update notes that the previously reported tentative title for the $120,000 installation, “Where’s the Party,” refers to “the fact that a group of jays is known as a ‘band,’ ‘cast,’ and a ‘party’ of jays.” It’s expected to be installed next summer, though other work at the intersection is scheduled to start this winter.

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Highland Park Improvement Club’s new post-fire price tag: ‘If we can’t raise this money, we can’t rebuild the building’
November 10, 2022 10:08 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Wittman Estes)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Almost a year and a half after fire gutted their historic headquarters, Highland Park Improvement Club has a design, an architect, and a new price tag: $3.1 million.

That’s four times the total amount they expect to get from insurance.

But if ever there was a can-do crew, it’s this one, and HPIC board members presented an optimistic, determined front at an online Town Hall tonight updating the community on the rebuilding plan – including how you can help even if you can’t donate a dime.

The new estimate came from architect Wittman Estes – whose designs were shown and discussed at previous Town Halls – and newly hired contractor Metis Construction. It’s for a building envisioned aw a “future connector and heart of our community” in multiple ways, not the least of which is as a performing-arts center. That’s important because of a big grant they’ve just landed: $400,000 from the Washington State Building for the Arts. This is a prestigious, competitive statewide grant, and HPIC trustees are ecstatic they got it. Add that sum to the expected insurance money and $55,000 already received in community donations, and they’re up to $1,205,000.

But they need community support to lock in that grant, as it requires State Legislature approval, so they’re asking for people to contact first Governor Inslee and then local legislators to ensure the grant goes through. The message: What HPIC means/has meant to you. It’s been a community center for more than a century, hosting celebrations, meetings, bazaars, workshops, performances, and in times of trouble – like the pandemic – campaigns to help, like emergency food distribution. If you don’t have your own message to convey, HPIC has a suggested template on its website, as well as information on how to get your message to the governor. Get a message to him by Thanksgiving, and then attention will turn to state legislators before they convene in Olympia early next year: Our area’s State Senator Joe Nguyen, State House Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, and State House Rep.-elect Emily Alvarado.

And while they mount a letter-writing campaign to secure that $400,000, HPIC board president Rhonda Smith said, “We need to start working in the direction to find (the rest of the) money – if we can’t raise this money, we can’t rebuild the building.” They’re acutely aware that the charred HPIC, at 12th/Holden, is an eyesore, and even if all goes well, will remain that way for a while – they have a tentative date to submit building permits in February, and once permits are granted, construction is likely to last a year. If necessary, they said, the building can be built in phases – even if only part of it can be occupied for starters.

While strategizing how to fundraise, they’re also grappling with how to continue serving and connecting the community despite the lack of a building, They’re welcoming “fresh ideas” and more volunteers on that front as well as the search for dollars. If you are interested in helping – or have an idea about funding sources – hpic1919@gmail.com is how to contact them. And watch hpic1919.org for updates.

ADDED FRIDAY: HPIC has uploaded its video recording of the meeting here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Search for armed robbers
November 9, 2022 8:01 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | Highland Park | West Seattle news

8:01 PM: Police are searching in Highland Park for three people who are suspects in an armed robbery. K-9 is already involved in the search, and the Guardian One helicopter is expected to join the search, so you might hear it soon over eastern West Seattle. The suspects were last seen in an alley north of Fire Station 11 at 16th SW and SW Holden. Per an exchange between officers and the helicopter deputies, the suspects might be linked to other robberies outside Seattle. The one who is reported to have had a gun is described as Hispanic, male, black clothing, red gaiter-style face mask. No other details yet.

(Added: Texted photo of one of the SPD cars involved in search)

8:22 PM: Archived dispatch audio indicates the holdup was at Seamart at 16th/Holden. Meantime, the helicopter and K-9 ended their search because the trail grew cold, possibly with the robbers having left via a getaway vehicle nearby. If you’re in the area and see anything suspicious on your security video, the SPD incident number is 2022-301827.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Big bird coming to Highland Park intersection
November 4, 2022 12:10 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

We noted in coverage of last week’s HPAC meeting that an artist has been chosen for the “percent for art”-funded installation that will be part of finishing changes to the Highland Park Way/Holden intersection. (You might recall that the signal there now is a “temporary” version installed quickly days after the West Seattle Bridge closure, when the intersection suddenly had to handle a dramatically increased share of traffic.) HPAC said the art would be a “giant Steller’s Jay.” Those of course are the fractious blue-and-black birds often seen (and heard!) in local neighborhoods:

(Photo by Jeremy Barton)

As promised, we followed up with the city Office of Arts and Culture to find out more about the plan. Here’s what spokesperson Erika Lindsay told us:

The selected artist is Matthew Mazzotta; the artwork is tentatively titled Where’s the Party. The artwork concept is a large-scale Steller’s Jay that will overlook the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden Street.

Construction on this intersection-improvement project includes new permanent signal lights and roadway improvements, which will begin in January. The new artwork will be installed in Summer 2023. Total project cost is $120,000 and is funded through SDOT % for Art.

So how big is “large-scale”? Lindsay says, “We are still working to determine clearances from overhead wires, but for now the estimate is that the overall sculpture will likely be over 10 feet in total height.” (The city had presented three very different concepts for the intersection project last year, as we reported here, and at the time said $120,000 wasn’t enough for a sculpture.)

P.S. The “percent for art” program isn’t new – it was created almost 50 years ago.

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FOLLOWUP: Next step toward Highland Park Improvement Club rebuild
October 30, 2022 10:01 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Next step toward Highland Park Improvement Club rebuild
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Our photo is from Trick or Trees at Highland Park Corner Store on Saturday, an event the co-presenting Highland Park Improvement Club would likely have hosted at their own site if not for the fire that shut it down almost a year and a half ago. We stopped to ask what’s new with the work toward rebuilding since this update last spring, and found out the next Town Hall to talk about it is happening soon – Thursday, November 10th. They’ve hired a contractor, and hope to submit the plan for permits in February. One topic of the upcoming Town Hall will be “new funding opportunities”; community contributions remain vital. The time and other details of the November 10th Town Hall will be announced shortly; if you’re not on the HPIC email list, keep an eye on hpic1919.org (and here on WSB too).

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VIDEO: Trick or Trees party in Highland Park
October 29, 2022 1:26 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Trick or Trees party in Highland Park
 |   Halloween | Highland Park | West Seattle news

It’s the only trick-or-treating event where you can get free trees (up to four per Seattle property!) as well as candy: Trick or Trees is happening outside the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), including a closed half-block of SW Kenyon south of the store:

Along with Halloween, this also celebrates Dia de Muertos, with Cocina MX32 selling food, and music too, with Mariachi Alma Nueva:

(added) For Dia de Muertos, an ofrenda was set up inside the store:

If you can give, there’s a donation box on a table outside the store, collecting cold-weather clothing for Highland Park Elementary:

That’s just part of what you’ll find. If you can be there at 3 pm, there’s a pet-costume contest! Trick or Trees continues until 4 pm.

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FOLLOWUP: SW Holden ‘natural drainage’ plan explained at HPAC’s October meeting
October 27, 2022 10:44 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Highland Park | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With SDOT director Greg Spotts canceling his appearance, most of HPAC‘s monthly meeting Wednesday night focused on the “natural drainage” project newly surfaced for part of SW Holden in Highland Park.

It’s a Seattle Public Utilities project that we first heard about when SPU sent us a notice 26 hours before the meeting. We wrote about it a few hours later.

This is far from the first “natural drainage” project in West Seattle; others planned and built by both city and county agencies over the past decade have gone by names including “green stormwater infrastructure” (2011), “bioswales” (2012), and “roadside raingardens” (2014). This time, the “natural drainage” features are proposed for the south side of SW Holden between 16th and 17th, plus the east side of a half-block of 17th south of Holden.

So why that particular section of street? we asked when the meeting got to Q&A. The SPU team in attendance had started their presentation with some generalities about Longfellow Creek pollution and this area being part of the creek’s watershed. Salmon in Longfellow Creek die before spawning at a higher rate than any other creek in the city, they said. So their goal is to “naturally” filter rainwater before it gets to the street and carries vehicle-related toxins into the creek. But no specifics about why this specific block, until they answered our question: SDOT approached SPU about “doing a project” there. SDOT says the street is too wide for its classification as a “residential” street, so there’s room for it. The SPU team said that as part of the project, the curb on the south side of the street would be “bumped out” five feet.

They said the project wasn’t expected to extend further west because of “obstacles” including a gas pipeline. How much street parking would be lost? Kuo insisted they didn’t know yet, since design doesn’t start in earnest until early next year. Before then, they want feedback, she said, so that’s why they went to HPAC.

In addition to the extended curb, they revealed a few more aspects of the project plan. SPU will maintain the project area, they said, adding that they in fact “prefer that (residents) NOT” try to do maintenance. The project will be built north of the existing sidewalk; none of that will be replaced unless there’s damage during the construction process. Some street trees will be removed, but they don’t have a count yet, and they noted the city’s policy of requiring two trees to be planted for every tree removed. (Not necessarily in the same area, though.)

One point of concern in the project zone is the city-owned ex-substation on the southwest corner of 16th/Holden. Despite much discussion in recent years, its future has yet to be determined. An attendee voiced fear that any work at that corner would be torn out when the site is finally redeveloped.

The project team also heard a complaint that this was just becoming public now, when it obviously has been planned for a while (though construction isn’t expected until 2024 or 2025). They said they’re doing what they can to inform everyone now, from doorknocking to mailing a flyer. The project website is here and includes contact information for Kuo, if you have feedback.

ALSO AT HPAC’S MEETING: A few quick notes – gratitude for Seattle Parks‘ recent trail refresh at Riverview Playfield and SDOT’s revision of its south-side sidewalk; the Trick or Trees event with something for everyone (details here) on Saturday afternoon; and an artist selection for the Highland Park Way/Holden intersection improvements’ public-art installation – the art will be a “gigantic Steller’s Jay.” (We’re following up to find out more.) Also, HPAC had a visitor from the Fauntleroy Community Association, continuing to solicit other West Seattle community organizations’ support for its opposition to expanding the ferry dock when it’s rebuilt.

NEXT MEETING: Watch hpacws.org for updates.

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More ‘natural drainage’ in Highland Park, and a chance to ask questions
October 25, 2022 8:22 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Highland Park | West Seattle news

(From SPU website: Rendering of ‘natural drainage system’ a few years post-installation)

On a rainy night, we have an update on another “natural-drainage systems” project in West Seattle – this time in Highland Park. These are the types of installations that have previously gone by names such as “roadside raingardens.” If you have questions about it, you’ll have a chance to ask project reps from Seattle Public Utilities during Wednesday night’s HPAC meeting. An info-sheet sent to nearby residents (see it here) says the project will be built along SW Holden between 16th SW and 17th SW and on a half-block of the east side of 17th. SPU is working with SDOT because the project will involve street changes too:

• Natural Drainage Systems: Natural drainage systems will help improve stormwater drainage and remove
pollutants from stormwater runoff to improve water quality in Longfellow Creek.

• Roadway Improvements: This project will include roadway improvements, such as curb bulbs, ADA ramps, and landscape plantings.

Community input, alongside technical evaluations, will be essential during each project phase. The project team will work with impacted neighbors and community members to understand important issues in the neighborhood and identify feasible and appropriate locations for natural drainage systems. Community members will be able to share their input through a variety of online and in-person activities and surveys. Community engagement will be ongoing through all phases of the project – planning, design, and construction.

There’s more project info on the official website, where you’ll also see how to participate in/watch tomorrow night’s online meeting, which starts at 7 pm. SPU says the design starts early next year, and construction is expected in 2024-2025.

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WEDNESDAY: New SDOT director Greg Spotts @ HPAC (update – he canceled)
October 23, 2022 11:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | Transportation | West Seattle news

Last month, new SDOT director Greg Spotts talked with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition (WSB coverage here); now, he’s scheduled as the spotlight guest for this month’s meeting of HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge. Got a question about which way the transportation policy in the city is going? This is your chance to ask – or just to listen to what he has to say, with so many transportation issues having emerged or intensified in the HPAC neighborhoods during the bridge closure. The meeting will be held online at 7 pm Wednesday (October 26th); video/call-in info is on the HPAC website, along with details of what else is on the agenda. All welcome.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: HPAC says Spotts had to cancel due to a conflict.

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FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Way bike-lane proposal, awaiting grant funding, yet to be designed
October 7, 2022 1:53 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

One week ago, we reported that the proposal for a bicycle lane on the Highland Park Way hill – shelved in 2020 – had resurfaced in SDOT‘s application for federal grant money to fund a variety of “Safe Streets for All” projects. We asked SDOT a few followup questions. First, what happens to the project if the grant money isn’t received? SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “If we do not receive the Safe Streets for All grant, there is not another funding source identified to build this project.” An even-bigger question: What design is envisioned for the lane – which side of the street would it be on, and would it require removal of a general-traffic lane (as was envisioned in the previously shelved plan)? Bergerson’s reply: “We have not begun the design of this bike route. If we receive funding, we would engage the community on potential designs such as the two options you mentioned. We may also consider other possible alternatives like widening the existing trail.” As noted in our story last week, other West Seattle proposals listed in the grant application are mostly smaller projects such as curb ramps.

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From 16th SW concerns to stormwater-storage tank plan, here’s what happened at HPAC’s monthly meeting
October 1, 2022 9:49 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Safety and stormwater were hot topics as HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – met online this past Wednesday night.

SOUTHWEST PRECINCT: New third-watch (nighttime) commander Lt. Nathan Shopay was a guest. He was surprised to find how busy it is “deep into the night” in West Seattle/South Park – it’s the quietest precinct but still busy. “We augment a lot – a minimum amount of officers we have to get to (via volunteers) to get to 10 officers a night.” He said they run many “emphasis patrols,” including Westwood Village, and extra staffing for gun violence. He says cross-precinct dispatches to or from South Precinct are common. “Our priorities are … enough officers to serve the community (plus handling) shots calls, anything gun violence related, and we’re still going after all our violent offenders.”

16TH SW SAFETY: With the increase in RVs along 16th SW near South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), crime/safety concerns, said an attendee who works at the college. “I’m at a crossroad where I don’t know what to do with the situation.”

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Highland Park Way hill bicycle-lane plan resurfaces in pitch for federal funding
September 30, 2022 11:48 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

Back in 2020, not long after the West Seattle Bridge closed, SDOT unveiled a version of the Highland Park Way/Holden safety-improvements plan that included rechannelizing the HP Way hill – removing a northbound (downhill) lane and installing a protected bike lane on the southbound (uphill) side. This idea generated considerable community concern (partly but not entirely because the hill was a vital artery for bridge-detour traffic), and SDOT shelved it later that year. Now a bike-lane proposal for the hill is apparently back. We discovered this while reading SDOT’s grant-proposal document published here, part of an application for $30 million in federal funding. Most of what’s proposed for West Seattle in the Safe Streets For All proposal consists of small projects such as curb ramps. But on page 15, we found the bike-lane proposal, now described as “protected bike lane, east side, separated 2-way bike lane” on Highland Park Way between West Marginal and Holden. No design or rendering is featured in the document, so we’re checking with SDOT, including the question of whether this is planned regardless of grant-funding status. The new 2-way bike-lane proposal isn’t mentioned on SDOT’s HP Way/Holden project page, which recaps the scrapping of the previous idea and notes the community suggestion that the existing east-side roadside path be widened instead.

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VIDEO: Here’s why Highland Park Elementary sheltered in place (updated Friday)
September 22, 2022 1:01 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle schools

1:01 PM: Thanks for the tips. Highland Park Elementary families got a message that the school had been sheltering in place due to “suspicious activity” nearby. We checked with SPD, which says police have cleared the scene, and said a responding officer summarized the incident this way:

“At approximately 1033 hrs (a witness) saw the subject to the north of the school walking in the attached park. (The witness) stated that the subject was wearing all camouflage and had on a small backpack and was carrying what appeared to be a small rifle type case. (The witness) stated that the subject was looking around nervously and appeared to be suspicious to him. (The witness) took a video of the subject. I reviewed the video and I did not see any weapon, but it was not possible to see what he was carrying on his left side. … The subject was last seen around the bathroom on the park. A check of the park by myself and other responding officers did not locate the subject. The surrounding neighborhood also checked clear.”

We’re checking to see if the school has lifted the shelter-in-place.

1:53 PM: Parents have received an update from HPE’s principal saying they’ll continue sheltering through day’s end, and that police and district security will be there at dismissal time.

ADDED FRIDAY: We’ve received the video showing the “suspicious person” from the person who recorded it:

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