More ‘natural drainage’ in Highland Park, and a chance to ask questions
(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.
WEDNESDAY: New SDOT director Greg Spotts @ HPAC (update – he canceled)
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.
FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Way bike-lane proposal, awaiting grant funding, yet to be designed
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.
From 16th SW concerns to stormwater-storage tank plan, here’s what happened at HPAC’s monthly meeting
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
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.
VIDEO: Here’s why Highland Park Elementary sheltered in place (updated Friday)
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:
WEST SEATTLE ART: HPIC’s final pre-bridge-reopening A-boards
SW Holden, between 16th SW and Highland Park Way SW, just might be the West Seattle street most burdened by bridge-detour traffic these past 2 1/2 years. But a group of artists affiliated with the Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden) chose to try to lighten the spirits of pass-through drivers and riders rather than resenting them, by installing roadside A-board art. Now – exactly two weeks before the bridge’s scheduled September 18th reopening – they’ve done it one more time. Here’s the announcement and photos:
we did a low key install this morning of our final set of A-frame reader signs before the High Bridge detour ends.
We have been consciously staying away from any bridge mentions during the hard times of the detour, but now we want to have a celebratory note on bridges and connections restored.
Highland Park poet Judith Camann penned our “Burma Shave” style message:
Life is a bridge
a Connection
Without taking sides.
The “B-sides” are drawings of some fantastical bridges, hiding the HPIC initials.
We have had a great time expressing for our neighbors hosting the detour traffic, and writing and painting together – and look forward to seeing you all down the road.
Kay Kirkpatrick
Monica Cavagnaro
Kelly Lyles
Judith Camann
If you missed the previous displays, here are some of the stories from our archives:
March 2022
April 2021
October 2020
August 2020
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ‘Store robbery’ report turns out to have been not a robbery after all
11:44 AM: If you saw the big police response in Highland Park a short time ago, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 16th/Holden 7-11. A suspect was stopped quickly nearby and was reported to be in possession of “a blowtorch shaped like a handgun.” No other incident details so far; we hope to add an update later.
2:45 PM: We followed up with police. They say that after further investigation, this turned out to be a misunderstanding – “the ‘suspect’ pulled out a gun-shaped lighter while retrieving items from their pockets. They then made an approximately $40 purchase. They did not appear to point the lighter at anyone or make any demands.”
Season extended for Highland Park Spraypark
(WSB file photo)
As noted here last weekend, this is the final week of operations this year for three of our area’s city-run wading pools – South Park closes after tomorrow, Delridge after Friday, E.C. Hughes after Sunday. Lincoln Park will be open through Labor Day. That was supposed to be the last day for Highland Park Spraypark – but in an aquatics update today, Seattle Parks announced two extra weeks for West Seattle’s only spraypark, which will now be open through Sunday, September 18th. (Never been? It’s at 1100 SW Cloverdale.) The announcement also says, “Next summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation hopes to resume summer aquatics at our pre-pandemic schedules” and says they’re hiring for indoor-pool jobs – go here to find out more.
VIDEO: Highland Park Improvement Club celebrates ‘restart, rebirth’ at Reset Fest
(WSB photos/video)
4:08 PM: “We’re going to rebuild this club!” That’s the promise Highland Park Improvement Club president Rhonda Smith made, exuberantly, to neighbors gathered for what could have been a sad anniversary but instead is a joyful look ahead.
(HPIC president Rhonda Smith and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold speaking at Reset Fest)
One year after the fire that gutted HPIC’s building, you’re invited to a party in the park raising rebuild money as HPIC’s Reset Fest continues at Riverview Playfield (7226 12th SW) until 7 pm. Lots of live music, which started with a hard-rocking set by The Black Tones:
(They had to play early because guitarist Eva Walker has a show on KEXP tonight, we’re told, 6-9 pm.) The party’s on the south side of the Riverview field – you can’t miss the canopies. Look for the merch table, too!
The cost of an all-new HPIC (here’s our most recent coverage) is likely to be about $2 million, club leaders say; they’re planning to pursue grants but still need considerable community support for the 103-year-old club to continue and even expand its role as a community hub. Reset Fest – with food and games, too – is on until 7 pm.
7:35 PM: Added/substituted some photos and video. If you want to support HPIC, by the way, you can do it here.
COUNTDOWN: Highland Park Improvement Club ‘Reset Fest’ on fire anniversary next Saturday
Rather than grieving on the first anniversary of the fire that ravaged its community-owned building, Highland Park Improvement Club is throwing a party.
Next Saturday is June 25th, one year since the early-morning HPIC fire. That afternoon and evening, at nearby Riverview Playfield (7226 12th SW), HPIC is presenting Reset Fest, with live music, food, and fun for all ages. (So far the forecast looks promising – sunny and 70s.) It’s also a chance for you to see and hear about the plans for HPIC’s rebuild (here’s our most-recent report) – architect Matt Wittman will be there to present the design and answer questions. Plus, the celebration is a fundraiser as HPIC, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization, starts seeking what it’ll take to rebuild beyond the basic insurance coverage. Be at Riverview for the party between 2 pm and 7 pm next Saturday.
REOPENING DAY: Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area ready for use, city says
(Seattle Parks photo)
After seven month of work, West Seattle’s only off-leash area is reopening today. Seattle Parks announced early this afternoon that the Westcrest Park OLA would reopen by the end of the day – if it’s not open already (we won’t get to go look for a few hours). The drainage work that has had the area closed since November is detailed here. Today’s announcement says some work remains, however:
There are a few work items that will be completed after reopening due to shipment delays and construction sequence:
-Installation of (1) new accessible picnic table. The contractor will close off individual areas to install the benches once they arrive.
-Restoration of the temporary off-leash area near p-patch. Fencing around this area will stay up for the contractor to restore this area with soil amendment, hydroseed and allow for lawn establishment.
We have also kept temporary fencing around two newly seeded lawn areas in the main off-leash area for lawn establishment. Fencing will be taken down once the lawn has established vigorous growth.
As noted here earlier this week, another Westcrest project – play-structure replacement – isn’t expected until fall.
Brown water in Highland Park
If you’re noticing discolored water in Highland Park, it’s not just you. Caitlin (near 9th and Cloverdale) reports it’s happening, apparently attributed to fire-hydrant work in the area. (That can often stir up sediment – aka rust – in the system.) Any time it happens to you, Seattle Public Utilities wants to hear about it – 206-386-1800.
New traffic cameras for West Marginal/Highland Park Way area
As discussed in comments following this morning’s traffic watch, the traffic camera that’s long shown West Marginal and Highland Park Way suddenly moved to another part of the city. Responding to our inquiry, SDOT explained that the move is part of an upgrade – that was a long-in-place portable camera, but now the permanent ones are activated, explains spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:
We have installed four new permanent traffic cameras in this general area (two intersections, each with two camera viewing angles). All of these cameras will now have the option for live video streams. We’re in the process of updating the Traveler’s Map (at this moment the view from the University District is still appearing in addition to the correct camera feeds, and you can use the “prev” and “next” buttons to switch to the correct cameras.).
Here are the locations:
W Marginal Way SW & Highland Pk Way SW (two camera angles):
2nd Ave SW & Highland Pk Way SW (two camera angles):
(To get the video feeds, you have to access the cameras via the SDOT map; the cameras and where they point are controlled by SDOT’s traffic center.) We’ll be adding these cameras to the WSB Traffic Cameras page too.
UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way
11:52 AM: Thanks for the tip – a two-car crash is blocking the uphill (southbound) lanes on Highland Park Way. No word of injuries so far.
1:01 PM: Information on this one has been hard to come by; a commenter says downhill is blocked, uphill is getting through. Snippets of radio exchanges suggest that tow trucks are now on scene.
1:12 PM: Lanes have reopened, officers just told dispatch.
WEST SEATTLE ART: Here’s who will create ‘art interruptions’ along greenway
(2017 WSB photo)
Remember those goats and other art under the bridge in 2017? Those were “art interruptions,” temporary installations as part of a city program. Next round is in the works, as this week the city announced the artists chosen to create some along one of West Seattle’s greenways:
The Office of Arts & Culture in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation has commissioned four emerging public artists to create temporary art installations along the Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway for Art Interruptions 2022. The artworks will be installed on city-owned infrastructure and offer passers-by a brief interruption in their day through moments of surprise, beauty, contemplation, or humor.
The artists selected are:
Va’eomatoka “Toka” Valu
Clare Johnson
Malayka Gormally
Tommy Segundo
Look for the latest artworks in Delridge-Highland Park Neighborhood Greenway summer of 2022! Artists were selected by a panel of artists, community members, and city staff. Art Interruptions is an ongoing program funded by the SDOT 1% for Arts Fund.
You can find a map of the greenway here.
HELPING: Cleanup today, rummage sale and playground build ahead for Highland Park Elementary PTA
Volunteers of all ages started the weekend with Earth Day cleanups at various West Seattle sites. We stopped by one of them, Highland Park Elementary, where the HPE PTA has a lot going on. Volunteers are also working on a new Little Free Library at 11th/Cloverdale:
And they’re getting ready for a community playground-building day at HPE in July:
But first – a “give what you can, take what you need” rummage sale is planned next Saturday (April 30th), 10 am-2 pm. Not only are you invited to come shop at the sale, you’re also invited to donate if you have good-condition items you don’t need. Dropoffs will be accepted 9-10 am that day; here’s what they’re looking for. At the sale, everything will be offered free – monetary donations accepted.
Highland Park Improvement Club gets closer to rebuilding, with reveal of design options
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The roughed-out redesign of the Highland Park Improvement Club building would have the same footprint, but a different look and feel inside.
Sketches for the redesign were unveiled during HPIC’s fourth Town Hall about rebuilding, a project made necessary because of the major damage done by last June’s fire. HPIC’s Kay Kirkpatrick opened the online event Wednesday night by saying they’re working on a fundraising plan and hoping they can keep the cost lower by staying within the existing footprint and reusing the foundation.
Architect Matt Wittman of Wittman Estes presented the schematic design options. His presentation summarized nine key themes they’d heard from the community in previous discussions, and how they had responded to those themes.
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READER REPORT: 2 kids’ bikes, apparently abandoned
The photo and report are from Carl:
Our family discovered two child-sized mountain bikes left behind in the alleyway [in Highland Park]. The larger one is a red Dynacraft with a wipe out shield in front. The smaller one is blue and has a license plate that says “2cool4u.”
If one or both are yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you.
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