Highland Park 1121 results

Just in time for another heat wave, there’s a new type of ice cream in town. Meaghan Haas of Highland Park Corner Store says it’s a new sideline in her storefront:

Tip Top an Ice Cream Shop brings New Zealand-style ice cream to Seattle. New Zealand-style ice cream, also known as real fruit ice cream, blends frozen fruit into an ice cream base, creating a custom-flavored ice cream each time. While it has been popular in New Zealand for quite some time, this fruity treat is just now catching on in the States. With only a handful of Little Jems (the custom-made ice cream blenders) in the States, Tip Top is the first one here in Seattle.

Tip Top’s tagline is “New Zealand-style ice cream with a Northwest twist.” Sourcing local ingredients that reflect the flavors of both New Zealand (hokey pokey – aka seafoam – from Indu!ge Desserts) and the Northwest (sweet cream and coconut cream base from Full Tilt), Tip Top seeks to keep the simple intent of NZ-style ice cream with local NW tastes. Additional regional ingredients include locally sourced fruits (when available), Theo chocolate, Three Tree Tea matcha powder, and Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce spice powder.

Tip Top is located inside Highland Park Corner Store, a community-centric corner store in Highland Park, West Seattle. Owner Meaghan Haas immigrated from the Seattle area to New Zealand after high school and obtained her degree from University of Auckland. She sees Tip Top as a way to bring her appreciation of her time in New Zealand – and Kiwi culture – to the Seattle area. Tip Top serves ice cream 7 days a week, from 11 am-8 pm Mondays-Saturdays, and 11 am-5 pm Sundays.

Highland Park Corner Store, and Tip Top, are at 7789 Highland Park Way SW.

VIDEO: See inside SPD Mounted Patrol’s West Seattle home

| Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

A dozen years after saving the SPD Mounted Patrol, the Seattle Police Foundation has saddled up a special fundraising campaign for the unit, which is based here in West Seattle – in a barn next to Westcrest Park.

This time, it’s not in danger of shutdown, but the SPF funds “gaps” not covered by the basic SPD budget, so to get the word out, they invited media to visit the barn.

Riding McLovin – a name bestowed by the horse’s previous owner – in our video is Sgt. Brandon Caille, who along with one officer comprises the entirety of the Mounted Patrol’s permanent unit staff – supplemented if necessary, he says, with temporarily reassigned officers from elsewhere in the department. You must of course be trained to ride. Among those who are – SPD Chief Adrian Diaz.

When we visited during the “open barn” event on Wednesday, we had just missed the chief taking a turn around the indoor riding ring. The unit currently has six horses, plus Li’l Sebastian, who is wildly popular during community appearances:

Community appearances is what the unit focuses on, in fact, says Sgt. Caille – “relational policing” is the formal term. They might visit areas, for example, where data shows there’s been an uptick in crime. A common misconception is that they do crowd control work; Sgt. Caille says actually, they don’t.

The SPF calls its campaign “Adopt-A-Horse” – donations might even eventually fund a replacement for one of the current horses, which can cost up to about $20,000. (McLovin was one of the two most-recent purchases, in 2021.) SPF stepped up to save the unit when budget cuts threatened it in 2011; three years later, the city started covering its basic funding again, but the SPF has been covering “gaps” as it does for some other units in the department. If you’re interested in donating, go here.

FOLLOWUP: Here’s where Highland Park Improvement Club rebuild project stands as city announces permit-comment period

August 25, 2023 12:35 pm

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| Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Wittman Estes)

The nonprofit Highland Park Improvement Club‘s plan for replacing its fire-ravaged building is now in an official comment period with the city. The process was announced in Thursday’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin. It’s been more than two years since the fire and more than a year and a half since HPIC started working with local architects Wittman Estes. So where does it stand now? HPIC board president Rhonda Smith answered our questions.

Timeline for permit process? “We are in the MUP [Master Use Permit] process, which SDCI says will take 5-7 months. Providing the city gives us the permit to do the project, we most likely will see that permit coming [first quarter of] 2024.”

How long will the rebuild take? “The architect, Wittman Estes, and general contractor, Metis Construction, have stated it will take approximately 15 months to do the rebuild. This means that providing we have the funding in hand when the project is ready to start, the new building will reopen in 2025.”

Insurance on the old building only covers part of the cost of a new one, so HPIC has been fundraising. Where is that at? “We have effectively raised $1.7 million. We are working with RJZ Connections, LLC to develop a fundraising plan that can be executed in stages. We need to raise $2M more to rebuild the building. We have launched the HPIC Building Booster campaign to give our community the opportunity to help us raise funds. We are building a case statement that will help tell the story of HPIC to be shared with future private donors, foundations and agencies. We have applied for many grants, some of which we have received. We will continue to do this as we identify the grants that match our needs and purpose.”

Smith says there’s another way to get involved in addition to contributing cash: “We are looking for new community partnerships. We are building a business model for the future through the development of new community partnerships that will keep HPIC independent and self-sustaining. We will still keep some of the favorite things people loved about HPIC while adding new programming that will reach a broader community audience. If there are non-profit organizations that are seeking a home and think HPIC could be a great partner, please send an email to HPIC at hpic1919@gmail.com with the header PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY.”

Smith adds, “This has been a challenging project and we are working hard every day to make this rebuild a reality but we can’t do it alone. We need everyone’s help.” Here are more ways to get involved.

As for the city’s permit-review process, this notice explains how to comment; the deadline is September 6th.

WINE FANS! New event to bring together West Seattle wineries

August 8, 2023 9:00 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Highland Park Corner Store has announced a dream event for West Seattle wine fans:

HPCS proprietor Meaghan Haas tells WSB, “We’re really excited about this one. We now carry wines from all of the wineries here in West Seattle – part of our effort to support other West Seattle businesses. They told us they’d never had a tasting event where they all were together under one roof, so we decided to host one with them! And add in a couple of nearby wineries that are owned by West Seattle families.” It’s happening at HPCS 4-7 pm Saturday, August 19th. Participating wineries:

– Darby Winery
– Nota Bene Cellars
– Pine Lake Cellars
– T2 Cellar
– Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor)
– Welcome Road Winery

Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of event, available at highlandparkcornerstore.com. 21+ only – they’ll be verifying when you arrive at HPCS (7789 Highland Park Way SW).

BIZNOTE: ‘K-food’ coming to former Wanna space in Highland Park

August 2, 2023 11:49 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

(Photo sent by John)

Thanks to everyone who has texted and emailed about the sign that just appeared at the space where Wanna Burger and Teriyaki closed back in May, at 1513 SW Holden in Highland Park: Chef Korea Miso. We’ve been watching the space ever since a commenter on the original closure story noticed a sign indicating it was being remodeled and would “reopen” in June. A return of Wanna didn’t seem likely, as the restaurant’s website had been taken down as soon as it closed, but we didn’t know for sure until now. As with so many times we’ve been by on spec, no one was there when we went back this morning, but we did reach someone by phone who was able to tell us a bit about the new restaurant. She said the menu will be “Korean-food based (called K-food).” Hours will be Mondays through Saturdays, 11 am to 9 pm, closed Sundays, and they’re just waiting on the final health permit before they can open.

ROAD-WORK ALERT: Here’s what you’ll see and hear Saturday evening at Highland Park Way/Holden

July 28, 2023 8:14 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Most work on the Highland Park Way/Holden project is done during the day, but SDOT has sent an alert that evening work is planned tomorrow (Saturday):

Evening work on July 29 from 5 – 8 PM: Highland Park Way SW & SW Holden St Safety Improvements Project

We are removing the existing traffic markings at the Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St intersection. Removing this paint requires special equipment that is noisy, and we will be working outside our normal construction hours.

We will run equipment that sounds like a giant vacuum, but no vibration or banging is expected. Noisy work will be done by 8 PM. Alternating traffic lanes will also be closed, but there will always be one lane open for cars to get through.

The project includes a permanent traffic signal, curb improvements, and public art (a giant Steller’s Jay, as announced last fall).

Fire at Westcrest Park

July 20, 2023 9:41 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who sent photos from what Seattle Fire dispatched as a “brush fire” sweeping across a slope at Westcrest Park about an hour ago. SFD sent Engine 11, which was on scene for about 20 minutes.

No injuries reported, and no word on the cause – SFD did not send its investigator – but it’s a reminder of just how dry things are right now.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: BedHead Coffee reopens

July 18, 2023 1:20 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Thanks to Chau for the tip! BedHead Coffee has reopened on the southeast corner of 16th/Holden in Highland Park. When we reported last fall on its closure, its founder told WSB that she had sold her interest to her former partner and wasn’t sure about its future. But now BedHead is back in business. The barista there when we went over this morning said their hours are 6:30 am-2 pm weekdays for starters, until they hire someone to run the stand on Saturdays.

They have plans for a menu expansion, but coffee is the focus for now as they get going again.

WEST SEATTLE HISTORY: Highland Park discovery

July 15, 2023 10:40 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Thanks to HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick for sharing this on behalf of “Highland Park history buffs”:

(First two photos by Joe F, who’s in photo #3, taken by Craig R)

On Wednesday workers excavating for utilities relocation at the Highland/Holden signal-and-intersection improvement site dug up more than just old asphalt.

They unearthed several old railroad ties from beneath two feet of asphalt and concrete. These are believed to be from the historic Highland Park/ Lake Burien Trolley line that came up the hillside there between 1912 and 1931.

historylink.org/File/10401

(This find happened one day after the gas-line mishap.)

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen car retrieved from Westcrest Park slope

June 27, 2023 10:15 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks for the tips. We’re just back from Westcrest Park, where tow crews pulled a stolen Hyundai Elantra up from the park’s northeast slope.

Police told us the car was reported by a passerby. That happened to be Chris, who sent us this photo:

Chris reported spotting the car before 6 am: “Didn’t see any occupants but found it running and lots of windows broken. Looks like it came down from the top and crashed through the fence (and was) resting in a thicket of blackberries.” Chris also noted evidence of “donuts” in the big field on the park’s north end (atop the reservoir) – walking from the west parking lot, we noticed that too – a lot of it:

If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 23-179485.

FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Way/Holden work closer to starting

June 16, 2023 6:04 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Kay for the photo and tip from Highland Park Way/Holden. She reported that no-parking signs had gone up for “Monday through mid-July,” and wondered if this meant the start of improvements at the intersection including the permanent signal replacing the temporary one that went up days after the West Seattle Bridge closed. Not yet, says SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:

Crews are planning to visit the intersection this month to verify where underground utilities are located so that we can confirm the exact location to install the new traffic signal poles. This will involve digging and then re-filling some small holes in the ground so that we can get a better look at what’s underneath the pavement.

We’re still working out the timeline for the installation of both the art and the signal poles. The biggest unknown right now is the supply chain timeline for signal poles, as the delivery date is outside of our control and it often takes a while to obtain this part. Once the signal poles arrive and are installed in the ground, the final step will be to work with Seattle City Light to hook up power so that the new traffic signal can be turned on.

The art to which he referred is this – a giant Steller’s Jay.

FOLLOWUP: Two long-delayed West Seattle play-area projects finally go out to bid

June 1, 2023 11:56 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, Lincoln Park South Play Area shortly after July 2017 closure)

After years of delays – six years, in one case – construction is finally on the horizon for two West Seattle playground projects, Lincoln Park South and Westcrest Park. Bundled together, as Seattle Parks said last year would be done, they are now open for bidding. The previous play equipment at Lincoln Park South was closed in July 2017 because of safety concerns from termite damage; at the time, Parks said it might take until the following year (2018) to get it replaced. A community-engagement process in 2017-2018 settled on a marine theme for the replacement. But over the ensuing years, the timeline has just kept sliding, with no clear explanation.

(WSB photo, Westcrest Park play area shortly after May 2021 closure)

Meantime, the Westcrest Park play area was closed two years ago, with similar “deterioration” concerns cited. Parks first said it would be replaced as part of the work at Westcrest Off-Leash Area, but last year decided instead to bundle it with the Lincoln Park project. The bid documents aren’t yet available online, but the schedule says bidding opened yesterday and will continue for three weeks. Typically, the construction schedule isn’t set until a contractor is chosen, so we don’t know yet how soon the work will start, nor whether the two will be built simultaneously or sequentially. The city website says the Lincoln Park project is budgeted at $600,000, but doesn’t list a dollar amount for Westcrest; both projects will be funded by the Seattle Park District.

South Delridge Action Plan updates from HPAC’s May meeting

May 28, 2023 9:27 pm

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| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview – met in-person this month for the first time in a while. New venue, too – Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge. The centerpiece of Thursday night’s agenda was the South Delridge Action Plan, which kicked off back in January with a survey to which about 300 people responded. The city’s point person for the plan is David Goldberg, who shepherded the North Delridge Action Plan almost a decade ago, and he was at the HPAC meeting to talk about this plan, listen to suggestions, and answer questions, following up on his appearance in March.

The goal of the SDAP is to “create a shared community-city [government] vision and an action plan that builds community assets an capacity and aligns city investments to achieve this vision.”

Goldberg said the city was working on the foundation of the plan by gathering data on how people are connected to their neighborhood – where they gather, where they shop, other places they visit. When that information is all gathered, it’ll be presented, and the city will ask about how people get around. That’ll include transit – including Metro‘s RapidRide H Line and Route 128.

Goldberg said the overarching goal is to connect government with the people in the neighborhoods to create a narrative of what a given neighborhood is all about. Part of that is building relationships between city agencies and the people in studied areas – in this case, South Delridge.

That relationship-building needs to happen sooner rather than later, suggested HPAC co-chair Kay Kirkpatrick. She noted as an example that the new Highland Park Improvement Club has multiple city hurdles to clear before it can be built, even though it’s a building intended to strengthen the neighborhood. In general, attendees said they want more in-depth relationships with the departments/agencies that are supposed to be planning action for the community’s future.

NEXT STEPS: Goldberg’s department – the Office of Planning and Community Development – is working with the Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Public Utilities to “draft a shared Racial Equity statement for community review over the summer,” intended to “establish a shared framework for equity across the [South Delridge Action Plan] work.” OPCD also is convening seven local nonprofit community organizations to have a say in Station Area Planning and Equitable Transit Oriented Development for the future North Delridge light-rail station to which buses from South Delridge will connect. Watch for reps at community events this summer, such as the Low Rider Block Party (which will be presented for a third year by Nepantla).

HPAC’S NEXT MEETING: Usually the fourth Wednesday, 7 pm, but some months (like this one) may vary, so check hpacws.org for updates.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Who took the C out of HPIC?

May 23, 2023 1:43 pm

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| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

For almost three years now, intrepid artists affiliated with Highland Park Improvement Club have been creating A-board art installations outside the fire-shuttered HPIC building at 12th/Holden. This started when SW Holden was traffic-jammed during the bridge closure, and has continued. But today, one of the boards has disappeared. Kay @ HPIC hopes you can help find it:

Someone has made off with one of the HPIC A-Frame signs. Our volunteers complete these as a set and we need all of them to tell our stories. Hoping someone just pulled up and tossed elsewhere! Folks can email us at hpic1919 (at) gmail.com if they see it, and a volunteer can come pick up.

HPIC’s first A-board art installation went up in August 2020, and the art has changed several times since then.

Changeup for HPAC: Different date, location this month

May 22, 2023 2:53 pm

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| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Another chance for community involvement before the holiday weekend. HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – is meeting on the fourth Thursday this month instead of Wednesday, so that’s 7 pm this Thursday, May 25th. Also different: This meeting is happening in person, and at a first-time location, Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge. That’s especially appropriate because this meeting will focus on the South Delridge Action Plan, as HPAC leadership explains:

The meeting is open to all residents and business folks in the area. Learn what progress has been made on the City planning so far, and give thoughts on their efforts to work with the South Delridge Community.

What unique issues does this southernmost area of West Seattle face? What can we learn from successes and failures of growth plans elsewhere? How can we keep our homegrown spirit vibrant and healthy, providing food, housing, and community for all – while dealing with the wave of development speeding our way? What City services are lacking? How can the City work more closely with unincorporated White Center/ King County to better integrate community services currently provided?

Head to 9414 Delridge Way SW on Thursday night to discuss all that and more.

Dick’s Drive-In burger truck visiting West Seattle twice in next 2 weeks

May 5, 2023 9:21 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo – Dick’s Drive-In truck during February visit to Highland Park Corner Store)

If you’re a fan of Dick’s Drive-In burgers and/or shakes, you have two upcoming opportunities to get them without leaving West Seattle. Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is hosting the Dick’s truck on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – Saturday, May 13th – for hungry shoppers in HP. Hours that day will be 11 am-2 p. Then on Friday, May 19th, the Dick’s truck makes a dinnertime visit to Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) as part of the Seattle Beer Week kickoff – 5 to 8 pm. Live music too!

BIZNOTE: Wanna Burger and Teriyaki closes

May 3, 2023 1:02 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

That’s the sign on the door of Wanna Charbroiled Burger and Teriyaki at 1513 SW Holden in Highland Park. After a tip late Monday night about closure plans, we went over at what would have been opening time Tuesday, but they already were shuttered – no sign then, but when we went back in the afternoon, the sign had since been placed. We’ve been unable to reach the restaurant’s ownership by email or phone, and their website has gone down since it was last cached on Sunday, but staff at the SeaMart convenience next door told us that Monday was Wanna’s last day. The restaurant had been open almost a decade; among its predecessors there was the original home of the late, lamented Zippy’s Giant Burgers, which opened in the 16th/Holden spot exactly 15 years ago, moved to White Center three years later, and closed last year.

WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Highland Park Elementary benefit sale

April 29, 2023 11:18 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Sale season is on! Not only are we two weeks from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, you can shop right now at a big sale raising money to help a local school. This is the Highland Park Elementary PTA‘s sale, happening at the school until 2 pm. The merchandise includes lots of kid stuff and family-fun items, of course:

HPE is at 1012 SW Trenton.

Good news for HPIC rebuilding, updates on overflow-reduction project, more @ HPAC’s April meeting

April 27, 2023 9:20 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The biggest news at last night’s meeting of HPAC – the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge – was from another organization, HPIC.

While there’s been a fair amount of post-session grousing about what the State Legislature did and didn’t do this season, for the Highland Park Improvement Club, there’s pure delight in news that almost a million dollars in state grant money is on the way. HPIC is raising about $3 million to rebuild after its historic building at 12th/Holden was gutted by fire in 2021, and HPIC’s Rhonda Smith told HPAC last night that legislators gave final approval for a previously mentioned $400,000 grant plus another for $500,000.

We’re expecting to hear more from HPIC about this soon, but in the meantime, Smith exulted, “Not only can we break ground, but we can also do some construction,” even as they continue raising the rest of what’s needed. “When you keep pushing and pushing, your voice gets heard.”

The main guests at the HPAC meeting, held online, were there to talk about a different construction project – the West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility, centered on a 1.25 million-gallon underground storage tank meant to keep combined wastewater and stormwater from polluting the Duwamish River during heavy rains. Demmelash Adera from the project team led the briefing. They’re well into design, he said, adding that they incorporated community concerns and suggestions voiced in a survey last year. Greenspace around the facility near the 1st Avenue South bridge, at 2nd/Michigan, is important, Adera said.

They plan a solar installation to supply some of the power to run the facility, he added. Much of the rest of the briefing focused on what they’re doing to be sure people in West Seattle and South Park neighborhoods know about the project. Visiting meetings like HPAC is just part of the plan – they’ll also be out at summer events like the Duwamish River Festival, and they’ll be sending mailers to 6,000 addresses. They’re also working with community connectors like a group of South Park women known as Mujeres Conectoras.

Next milestone for the project – they’ll announce two artists next month. Construction is still expected to start in 2025. And yes, the planning and design is taking climate change into consideration, KCWTD’s Maud de Bel assured the attendee who asked about it: “This size should be good enough for a long, long time.”

Another meeting guest was the Southwest Precinct‘s night-shift commander Lt. Nathan Shopay. Asked about last weekend’s home-invasion robbery near 14th/Henderson (WSB coverage here), Lt. Shopay said he didn’t have anything to divulge, but detectives have it “under full investigation” and are very interested in community tips and information. That goes for all crimes or suspected crimes, he said. They’re particularly interested right now in anything that can help stop the escalating trend of auto thefts; Lt. Shopay said they’re beginning to suspect it might be the work of an organized theft ring rather than a large number of one-offs.

He was followed by Michelle McClendon of LEAD, who said the work to clean up the situation at South Delridge’s Rozella Building was continuing to progress. She said its owner is looking at seeking historic-landmark status for the building. She added that outreach workers are continuing to meet with tent and RV campers along sections of SW Holden.

HPAC meets fourth Wednesdays of most months, 7 pm, online for now – watch hpacws.org for updates.

Live, work, play, study in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge? HPAC wants to hear from you online Wednesday

April 25, 2023 12:57 pm

| Comments Off on Live, work, play, study in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge? HPAC wants to hear from you online Wednesday

| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

HPAC, the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge, is “interested in getting your feedback on issues you feel are important to the area that we can bring up with the folks running for the D1 City Council seat.” That’s just one of the reasons to check out HPAC’s monthly meeting online Wednesday night (April 26), 7 pm. They’ll also get a design update on the West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility, the 1.25-million-gallon storage tank that’s planned for a site near the West Seattle side of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, to reduce overflow pollution in the Duwamish River. Find out about what else is happening in the community, too, and bring your questions/concerns/ideas. Connection info is on this page of the HPAC website.

FOLLOWUP: Highland Park’s new signal at 12th/Holden complete

April 14, 2023 4:07 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo)

We just heard from SDOT this afternoon that the new signal at 12th/Holden is complete and should be in operation by now:

We have installed two pedestrian crossing signals (slated to be activated today), curb ramps, and a crosswalk, and painted the roadway. This project provides another controlled crossing at SW Holden St for people walking or biking along 12th Ave SW. There will be “new signal ahead” signs to alert drivers of the new signal. This signal at 12th Ave SW is also intended to be part of the Highland Park/Riverview Neighborhood Greenway. Signage on this is to come at a future phase of work.

The flashing lights at 11th Ave SW and SW Holden St will remain.

The 11th/Holden beacon was originally planned for removal until community pushback.

FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Way/Holden project open for bidding

April 4, 2023 6:45 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news

(March 2020 photo)

Though we’ve reported recently on more than a few government projects moving sluggishly, some are moving forward – such as Highland Park Way/Holden, which is now open for bidding. The centerpiece of the project is a permanent signal, replacing the “temporary” one quickly installed shortly after the West Seattle Bridge closure started funneling tons of detour traffic through the intersection three years ago. The official summary of the project on the city’s bidding website is:

Replace temporary signal with a permanent signal; re-channelize the intersection; realign curb, gutter & sidewalk; install ADA ramps; drainage and street lighting. The project also includes electrical work and rebar installation.

We asked SDOT what “rechannelize” refers to; spokesperson Mariam Ali replied, “Rechannelization was used to describe the project prior to the bridge closure. However, relative to what was out there before, the intersection was already rechannelized when the temporary signal went in. We will now make the temporary signal permanent, and the layout of the signal will not change. The only change is that we will add in concrete to the areas where paint prohibits people to drive and permanent markings, like sharrows, that were not laid down with the temporary striping.” Bidding is open for another week; once a contractor’s been chosen, they’ll set a schedule for the work.

BIZNOTE: Happy 2nd anniversary, Highland Park Corner Store!

March 30, 2023 7:39 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

You’re invited to a birthday party this Saturday! Two years have passed since Meaghan Haas opeened the doors at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), and you’re invited to visit 1-3 pm Saturday to be part of the celebration. HPCS has become more than a store – it’s become a community gathering place, helping fill some of the void left by Highland Park Improvement Club’s headquarters being unavailable until rebuilt. On Saturday, Meaghan says, HPCS will celebrate with cake and ice cream – the latter “marks the official return of our soft serve!” She also has a special offer for Southwest Little League players who swing by in uniform after their jamboree on Saturday – $1 off ice cream. HPCS opened in March 2021 with coffee and grab-and-go food; about half a year later, it expanded operations as a “true corner store.” Since then, HPCS has hosted a variety of events, including some recurring favorites like Thursday food trucks (always featured in our daily preview lists). It’s also the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s reigning Emerging Business of the Year.