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Seattle Planning Commission to visit Delridge for its next meeting
October 5, 2019 11:11 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The Seattle Planning Commission is the most influential advisory group you’ve (probably) never heard of. Its discussions look at policies and proposals long before they hit centerstage. One example: The commission’s Neighborhoods For All report, which suggests an end to single-family zoning. The commission’s next meeting will be held in North Delridge, 4 pm October 10th at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, centered on a discussion with east West Seattle community groups. From the draft agenda:

Discussion with Community and Neighborhood Organizations 4:30 – 5:20 PM

Representatives of community and neighborhood organizations will introduce themselves and share their organization’s respective mission, issues, projects, and concerns. Organizations include:

• Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
• Delridge Neighborhoods District Council
• Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council
• Puget Ridge Neighborhood Council
• High Point Community
• LD Arch Design

That’ll be followed by a public-comment period. The meeting will be held in the Movement Studio at Youngstown (4408 Delridge Way SW) and is open to all.

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RENTERS’ RIGHTS: West Seattle briefing at JuNO on Monday
October 3, 2019 1:30 pm
|    Comments Off on RENTERS’ RIGHTS: West Seattle briefing at JuNO on Monday
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

If you’re a renter, you should know about your rights. The Junction Neighborhood Organization, JuNO, is offering you an easy chance to learn, at the next JuNO meeting Monday night. Here’s the preview:

Helena Benedict with the Tenants Union of Washington State will give an overview of tenants’ rights and responsibilities. It will cover both the state and city laws and touch on all stages of renting. A short question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Also:

Cecilia Gunn with Sound Transit will give an update about light-rail route alternatives that are being studied in the Draft EIS, timeline and how the community can be involved in this process.

And:

JuNO needs new officers starting in 2020! Amanda Sawyer will discuss officer elections and how to run!

We hope to see you Monday, October 7, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the West Seattle Senior Center. (4217 SW Oregon St, upstairs)

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Transportation dominates discussion @ HPAC
September 28, 2019 8:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Transportation dominates discussion @ HPAC
 |   Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

This past week’s HPAC meeting – for the group that now includes South Delridge and Riverview as well as Highland Park but is keeping the acronym – was something of a small-group discussion, no guests, just updates, with transportation dominating the discussion:

HIGHLAND PARK WAY IMPROVEMENTS: Following up on the mayoral budget announcement earlier in the week, Michele Witzki – who has long worked on advocacy for Highland Park Way/Holden – provided some backstory. She and HPAC chair Gunner Scott had met with SDOT and mayoral reps.

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What you probably haven’t heard about how 911 works, as told to West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
September 24, 2019 8:29 pm
|    Comments Off on What you probably haven’t heard about how 911 works, as told to West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Just concluded this past hour at the Southwest Precinct, the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network‘s first post-summer-hiatus meeting, with a featured presentation delving deeper into how 911 works.

WSBWCN co-founder Karen Berge led the meeting, with some new participants among the ~20 attendees.

POLICE BRIEFING: “Our summer wasn’t as problematic as anticipated,” began precinct commander Capt. Pierre Davis. He talked about trying to track serial offenders “post-arrest,” and ongoing strategies including “area saturation … targeted enforcement … (and) public awareness.” They also use data to “track repeated call locations” which often help them find the aforementioned “serial offenders.” Crime in the area is down overall about 10 percent from a year earlier; he stressed the importance of “report, report, report,” even if it’s something small and simple. That helps police know where in the area – the SW Precinct covers West Seattle and South Park – to focus the types of strategies he mentioned.

In Q&A, he was first asked if LEAD had been implemented yet.

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Ferries, festival, more @ Fauntleroy Community Association
September 12, 2019 11:29 pm
|    Comments Off on Ferries, festival, more @ Fauntleroy Community Association
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Toplines from the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting Tuesday night, led by treasurer Alexis Zolner because of several other board members’ absence:

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: October 27th is this year’s date (which is the same date as the West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival), 2-5 pm. FCA doesn’t present the festival but supports it so it’s a big topic. Organizer Chantille Henry (from WSB sponsor John L. Scott-Westwood Real Estate) said the plan is coming together; the FCA Board voted to approve their usual financial support for the festival, and FCA will staff an info table at the festival, too. P.S. The quarterly FCA newsletter includes the news that Caspar Babypants will perform at 1 pm, right before the festival!

ART WALK: Lora Radford and Reeve Washburn talked about the revival of the West Seattle Art Walk, with venues hosting artists and food/beverage venues offering specials to support it. It’s still mostly in The Junction, though, said Radford, so they are now presenting it to “key neighborhood groups” to explore whether other areas want to get involved. Washburn talked about its growth and promotion. And: “So much energy happening in The Junction, what can we do to share that energy in other areas?” Radford said there are “pockets of small businesses” outside The Junction already participating but there needs to be leadership in other areas to take it beyond that. They’re offering “Art Walk in a Box” tools to help others become part of it. In Q&A, Radford explained that the more you get into it, the more you get back. It’s been a boon to local businesses, with increased foot traffic. This is their first presentation; they were headed next to talk to the Admiral Neighborhood Association (as reported here), and planning to talk with the Morgan Community Association in October. Also: many different types of art can be part of the Art Walk. No decision by FCA this meeting.

FERRY LINE-CUTTING: The recent incident we reported generated some discussion among the board. One board member said he would like to see Washington State Ferries take more responsibility for fully managing “the line and what it does to this neighborhood.” They agreed that line cutting “is getting worse, no doubt,” another board member said, and noted that SPD and WSF seem to be pointing fingers at each other regarding who is accountable for enforcement. There was also discussion of the status of WSF’s contract with SPD at the dock. Education and signage about line etiquette would be helpful too, it was suggested. This also veered into a discussion of people’s general disregard for the rules/laws (as noted in this Seattle Times story). A community member in attendance is considering making signs to let people know how to report line cutters.

FERRY DOCK: FCA is keeping close watch on the future Fauntleroy dock replacement project. The next public meeting won’t be before next month, said FCA’s ferry point person Frank Immel. It’ll be several years before WSF even comes up with a design of what they’re going to build – they have an expert adviser who warns it’s going to be “a long process.”

The Fauntleroy Community Association board meets second Tuesdays most months at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 7 pm; watch fauntleroy.net for updates.

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Music, park, art, more @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
September 11, 2019 10:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Music, park, art, more @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

We covered two community groups’ meetings last night. First report – toplines from the Admiral Neighborhood Association, by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand:

SURVEY: More than 240 responses are in but more would be awesome, per the ANA, so another pitch – if you aren’t among those respondents yet, go here to answer it (you don’t have to be an Admiral resident – if you shop, dine, work, study, even visit the area, your opinions are welcome)! ANA president David Hancock said they will close the survey soon and discuss the findings at the November meeting.

CONCERTS: Another successful ANA-presented series of concerts at Hiawatha has concluded since the group last met; Caspar Babypants (August 22nd, WSB coverage here) was the finale. Everyone agreed this was one of the best years for the decade-old series. Stephanie Jordan will continue coordinating the series; she’ll start the 2020 band search in February. Dave Weitzel plans to continue as the series’ business manager/sponsorship coordinator.

NANTES PARK: Two months ago, we mentioned a plan to improve west Admiral’s Nantes Park. Volunteer Susan Kegel spoke to ANA about work being done at the park, including a cleanup this Friday. She said volunteers have applied for small city grants to improve the park, possibly with artwork and ADA improvements. She said they would also like to add something to make Nantes Park more kid-friendly. She showed examples of what’s been done in other sister-city parks around town and said she’s made contact with an artist in Nantes who had done several art installations for the Nantes botanical gardens. She also said a delegation from Nantes will be visiting Seattle about this time next year.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: ANA was one of two community councils that heard last night from Lora Radford and Reeve Washburn on behalf of the West Seattle Art Walk‘s initiative to get more involvement around the peninsula. They are pitching neighborhood groups to get local businesses to participate in the second-Thursday event. ANA has long sought to connect more deeply with local businesses and agreed this might be a way. No commitments yet -this was just a preliminary discussion.

NEXT MEETING: On the second Tuesday in November, ANA expects State Sen. Joe Nguyen as a guest speaker. Watch for more info as it gets closer.

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LAST CALL! Admiral Neighborhood Association hopes you’ll answer these questions
August 26, 2019 8:59 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The Admiral Neighborhood Association may be best known for bringing you Summer Concerts at Hiawatha every year – just wrapped up last week – but that’s only part of what ANA’s about. Earlier this month we mentioned the survey the group opened in hopes of getting your answers to questions like the ones above. If you haven’t answered it yet – last call – it’ll close soon so the all-volunteer group can evaluate the results and chart a course. The survey starts here!

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SERIES FINALE: Caspar Babypants at Hiawatha on Thursday
August 20, 2019 1:52 pm
|    Comments Off on SERIES FINALE: Caspar Babypants at Hiawatha on Thursday
 |   Fun stuff to do | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, August 2018)

Though tomorrow will likely bring rain, it should be gone by Thursday night’s grand finale of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. The kid-geared rock of Caspar Babypants will undoubtedly fill the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center as usual, so don’t be late. 6:30 pm start time, free, BYO chair/blanket/kid(s)/picnic, along Walnut south of Lander. P.S. Mr. Babypants has a new album out – “Flying High.”

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SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Ranger and the Re-arrangers, plus a special guest
August 9, 2019 7:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

Cloudy and a bit cool last night, but that didn’t keep the audience away from this week’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show, with Ranger and the Re-arrangers.

As usual, there was dancing:

Here’s a sample of the music:

And a longer clip, courtesy of Mark Jaroslaw:

Another highlight of the night – a guest appearance by Katy Walum. She founded the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented series a decade ago:

WSB is proud to have been a community co-sponsor of the series since the start! Two more shows left on this summer’s lineup – The Highsteppers, next Thursday (August 15th) and Caspar Babypants the week after that (August 22nd), both shows at 6:30 pm, free, on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander).

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: Night Out 2019 in West Seattle and beyond
August 6, 2019 6:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

6:32 PM: Night Out is here, and hundreds of block/building parties have begun! We’re starting our annual rounds at a park party – in White Center, at Steve Cox Memorial Park, and heading north from here. If you’re having a party, send a pic so we can include in our coverage – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302 – thanks!

6:45 PM: Thanks to Jon for that pic from his neighborhood’s party in the 4800 block of 46th SW. … Some parties have live music, like the one at 36th and Charlestown where Athena reports the tween musicians of OK-ish are getting ready to play:

Athena says this is only their second gig – their first one was opening for Carrie Akre at Easy Street! (added) Video of the musicians, who she says study with School of Rock:

6:57 PM: We stopped in Arbor Heights, where JoDean and neighbors are gathered for their ninth annual Night Out party:

We asked about the menu highlights: Fried chicken!

7:11 PM: Just visited the annual “South Park Putts Out” community Night Out party in the 800 block of South Thistle. Mini-golf is the highlight, including artist-designed holes:

We’ll add a few more photos later. More photos:

This party had an SPD visitor too, Community Police Team Officer Powell – police and firefighters are out visiting some of tonight’s events.

7:44 PM: The Seattle Police Pipes and Drums just performed at the 36th/Dawson block party. Video later. Video:

Group photo, too:

Meantime, this aerial view was just texted from the 34th SW party between Andover and Charlestown:

We have one more stop to make before we have to switch gears to election-night mode …

8:03 PM: Thanks to Walter for inviting us to visit his neighborhood party at 48th/Dawson (above)!

10:30 PM: Adding more of your photos – first, from Pete Spalding, the big annual party on Pigeon Point:

Pete reports:

We had well over 100 Pigeon Point neighbors come out tonight. We had a visit from SPD in the form of Lt Steve Strand and former precinct commander Steve Paulsen. We also had a visit from Engine 36.

They let all of the kids climb all over the fire truck. Then we had a large contingent of DOC officers pay us a visit as well. In one of the pictures you will see that one of our neighbors was helping the kids make rocket ships out of construction paper and then they were launched into the air.

What a great neighborhood we have with so many caring folks that came out to meet their neighbors tonight.

From Michael Taylor-Judd in North Delridge:

Engine 36 stopped by their party too:

From 41st SW, Gary Potter reports “a fun group, from the newest neighbor to the oldest”:

Clay Eals sent this photo from Palm Avenue, taken by Pamela Quadros:

As the photo shows, their party had SPD visitors. Now over to 40th/Edmunds, a texted photo:

Also texted, this view from 55th/Dakota:

Thanks again for all the community contributions!

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PARTY TIME: Hours left to register your Night Out street party
August 5, 2019 1:28 pm
|    Comments Off on PARTY TIME: Hours left to register your Night Out street party
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

Procrastinating on signing up your Night Out block/building party? Almost forgot it’s tomorrow (Tuesday, August 6th) night? As long as your street isn’t an arterial, you can still sign up for the right to close it to traffic tomorrow night – 4:30 pm today is your deadline. Just go here! And then when you’re out in the warm, clear weather, enjoying the night with your neighbors, please send us a pic so we can include in our coverage (we’ll be roaming but we’ll also be covering Election Night so we won’t get to make many stops ourselves) – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to 206-293-6302 or if you’re on Twitter, @westseattleblog – thanks!

P.S. Putting your party on SPD’s online map is optional; go here to see where parties are already mapped.

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Live, work, shop, dine/drink in Admiral? This survey’s for you
August 4, 2019 5:35 pm
|    Comments Off on Live, work, shop, dine/drink in Admiral? This survey’s for you
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

In our coverage of last month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, we mentioned ANA was working on a survey meant to help ensure the group can better serve the community, and to find out what people would like to see in Admiral that’s not available/happening now. The survey’s ready for your replies – go here to answer it!

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Party time! Just one week away…
July 30, 2019 9:24 pm
|    Comments Off on Party time! Just one week away…
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

IMG_6240(SFD Ladder 11 visiting 39th SW during Night Out 2016)

Having a block (or building) party for Night Out next Tuesday (August 6th)? If you register it, you have a chance at an SFD or SPD visit. Here’s the one-week-to-go reminder from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner:

If you are planning a Night Out event and have yet to register, there is still time. Night Out is a national crime-prevention event promoted by Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention to heighten crime prevention awareness, increase neighborhood support in anti-crime efforts, and unite our communities.

Here is the link to register, download materials and to get additional information: http://www.seattle.gov/police/community-policing/night-out.

Night Out is a great opportunity to connect with your neighbors and engage in your community. We hope you participate and we hope to visit as many of your events as we can. Hope to see you next week!

The SW Precinct currently has 212 registered parties! Let’s surpass our numbers from last year :)

We’ll be out and about too as always – let us know where YOU will be partying (westseattleblog@gmail.com) and/or send a photo that night (same address or text to our hotline, 206-293-6302)!

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FOLLOWUP: Admiral Congregational Church’s open letter with ‘the facts as they presently exist’ about its future
July 29, 2019 2:06 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

Last December, we reported on Admiral Congregational Church pastor Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom speaking to the Admiral Neighborhood Association about his church’s future, saying “changes” were inevitable for its underutilized 27,000-square-foot site. While no specific plan has yet been crafted, the pastor wanted to share an open letter today to address “rumors” and “misunderstandings”:

Greetings to our neighbors in Admiral-

I have heard from a few of our immediate neighbors that a number of inaccurate rumors are rapidly spreading regarding the future of the oldest church in West Seattle, Admiral Congregational United Church of Christ, located at California and Hill Street in the North Admiral District. We would like to correct those misunderstandings and give everyone the facts as they presently exist.

Over the past 12-18 months, our congregation has come to realize that we are too small in size and our building is too expensive to maintain for us to continue with “business as usual”. We have thus embarked on discussions amongst ourselves and with others about what types of change might provide for long-term sustainability and health. One option we needed to seriously consider was to sell our property and move to some other location. Our congregation has overwhelmingly decided that we DO NOT want to sell our property or leave our neighborhood. We love being Admiral’s church.

Therefore, we have engaged the services of an architect and design firm to conduct a feasibility study for our property. We have asked them to give us insight on possible uses based on our needs, those of our mission partners (A Child Becomes pre-school, numerous 12-step recovery groups that use our facilities, and other community users), and other income-generating options. We have also started conversations with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Admiral Neighborhood Association about the needs of the North Admiral area in terms of housing, green space, and other services/amenities.

We want to stress that we are in the very preliminary stages of gathering information. We are endeavoring to be as transparent as possible, and we want community input on how we move forward together. At the same time, we are also clear that we cannot continue to serve this community without significant changes to how we operate. We hope that this information will address some of the rumors we have heard.

As pastor to this neighborhood, I keep community office hours at the Admiral Bird on Wednesdays from 1:30-3:00pm. If you have questions, concerns, praises, or pastoral needs, please feel free to meet with me there or contact me by call/text at 206-512-7537 if you’d like to schedule a meeting.

In Peace and Solidarity,
Pastor Andrew
www.admiralchurch.org

The church’s site at 4320 SW Hill is zoned Lowrise 3.

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Park project updates, policing, politics, more @ Morgan Community Association
July 17, 2019 9:33 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Toplines from tonight’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting, just wrapped up at The Kenney (WSB sponsor).

MORGAN JUNCTION PARK EXPANSION: Karen O’Connor from Seattle Parks followed up on the presentation of park design concepts at last month’s Morgan Junction Community Festival.

(WSB photo from park project booth @ June festival)

As mentioned here last week, a survey is now open on the city website. The survey is expected to stay open until next Monday. Other updates: SDOT will give up jurisdiction of the street end that’s between the current park and the expansion site; A schematic design will soon go to the Design Commission and then to another community meeting. Asked about soil mitigation that will have to be done at the site (which previously held businesses including a dry cleaner), O’Connor said that likely will be discussed at the community meeting (which will probably be held in September).

LOWMAN BEACH SEAWALL: Barker read a late-breaking update from Seattle Parks’ David Graves. They’re now at 60 percent design. Plans will be up online by the start of next week. He said the city has received Aquatic Lands Enhancement grant from the state, so the project is fully funded. He also wrote that the West Seattle Tennis group headed by Lisa Corbin is looking at a replacement for the tennis court that’ll be removed because of the project. Construction is expected next year. He’ll bring updated designs and more info to MoCA’s next quarterly meeting October 16th.

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NIGHT OUT: Registered your block party yet?
July 17, 2019 8:22 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news

We are now less than three weeks from Night Out 2019, a night to gather with your neighbors and celebrate community while reflecting on safety. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner is reminding you to register your block (building) party – a requirement if you plan to close a street (non-arterials only), but appreciated even if you don’t. August 6th is the night; deadline for registration is August 4th. (And if you wouldn’t mind us stopping by to photograph your party, email us before Night Out – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!)

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Concert series about to start, and other Admiral Neighborhood Association toplines
July 17, 2019 3:13 pm
|    Comments Off on Concert series about to start, and other Admiral Neighborhood Association toplines
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

That’s Sway Wild, which you’ll see tomorrow night at the first of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha. The six-concert series has been presented for a decade by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, so it was on the agenda when ANA held its semimonthly meeting last week. Stephanie Jordan coordinates the series for ANA and reported everything’s ready to go – you might have seen the posters/promo cards that debuted last weekend:

You can find out more about the six-Thursday-night lineup on the ANA website. Ahead, other toplines from the July 9th meeting:

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Lincoln Park 4th of July patrol secret revealed & more @ Fauntleroy Community Association
July 10, 2019 9:04 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Toplines from the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s board meeting last night at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse:

POLICE UPDATE, INCLUDING THE 4TH: Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand started with an overall West Seattle update. He said summer emphasis patrols have included speeding vehicles (2- and 4-wheels) leaving the Fauntleroy ferry terminal early in the morning (5:30-ish). One board member said people leaving 4:50 am boat are the biggest offenders. (A later question asked about traffic problems related to ferry lines. Lt. Strand mentioned the state paying off-duty officers to direct traffic at the dock.) The 4th of July included more officers at Lincoln Park including a Gator utility vehicle with lights and a loudspeaker.

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TUESDAY: From zoning to music @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
July 6, 2019 12:57 pm
|    Comments Off on TUESDAY: From zoning to music @ Admiral Neighborhood Association
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Next Tuesday, all are invited to the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s twice-monthly meeting at The Sanctuary at Admiral, 6:30 pm July 9th at The Sanctuary (42nd SW/SW Lander). ANA’s announcement:

At this month’s meeting, we’ll be discussing:

1. The Seattle Planning Commission’s Neighborhoods For All report;

2. July 4th Kids’ Parade;

3. Neighborhood Outreach Survey; and

4. The Hiawatha Summer Concert Series (starts July 18th!)

Come and meet your neighbors and discuss issues and events in our area!

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West Seattle scene: Neighborhood party, the aerial view
July 2, 2019 9:17 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

(First two photos by Noah Shampain)

The aerial views are a highlight from a neighborhood party last weekend. Pete Spalding tells us Pigeon Point neighbors gathered on the field by Pathfinder K-8 in spots representing where they live on the neighborhood street grid.

At ground level, some more conventional views of the party:

The “Start of Summer” get-together included music.

Pete says, “There were well over 100 neighbors that came out to celebrate our little slice of paradise in the city.”.

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From T-5 to traffic @ Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council
June 13, 2019 5:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Pigeon Point | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When the Terminal 5 modernization project starts construction next month, Pigeon Point is one of the neighborhoods that will have a front-row view.

So it was one of three major topics when the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council met this week at Pathfinder K-8.

TERMINAL 5 BERTH MODERNIZATION PROJECT: Before a project recap from the Port of Seattle/Northwest Seaport Alliance, they reminded the PPNC of the pre-construction open house June 22nd at Jack Block Park, 9:30-11:30 am (first noted here a week ago).

Q&A was interspersed with briefing points.

First question was about shore power. No, ships will not be required to plug in. They hope they’ll choose to, “when they have the capability.” They now expect more than 50 percent of the arriving cargo vessels will be shore-power-capable, up from the original 30 percent projection. They are also looking at policies for making it available at other terminals.

What about light pollution? One row of T-5 lights has to be “adjusted significantly,” was the reply. They added that work already has been done to keep the lights aimed down.

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NIGHT OUT 2019: Registration open; grant $ available, too
June 10, 2019 9:58 am
|    Comments Off on NIGHT OUT 2019: Registration open; grant $ available, too
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(2018 Night Out party at North Delridge’s Dragonfly Pavilion; photo courtesy Laura)

Eight weeks from tomorrow, on Tuesday, August 6th, neighbors will gather all around West Seattle and beyond for Night Out parties. If you want to close a (non-arterial) street for yours, you need to register, and Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner sends word this morning that you can do it now by going here. You can also apply for a city grant to support your event – the Department of Neighborhoods announcement with details on that is here.

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Junction Neighborhood Organization: Light rail, community planning, and JuNO’s future
June 9, 2019 8:05 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Sound Transit | West Seattle news

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“We have a real opportunity here.”

With regard to light rail and community planning in the Alaska Junction (and in West Seattle as a whole), that was one of the key themes Thursday night at the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) meeting at the Senior Center of West Seattle.

JuNO’s guest speaker was Lauren Flemister (pictured above), community planning manager from Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), who gave an overview of the processes, how her office works with Sound Transit and how the public can get involved.

Flemister, along with leaders in attendance such as JuNO director Amanda Sawyer and Deb Barker (who was on the light-rail project Stakeholder Advisory Group and is on the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s board), agreed that with light rail coming to West Seattle in 2030, this will be a “long process” with many opportunities for public input. When Flemister was asked by Sawyer if the planning processes for the Alaska Junction and West Seattle are likely to be “typical” compared to other regional rail-expansion projects in the past, Flemister said no, because her office expects this latest process to be “much more robust.”

The junction has been a focal point for these light rail discussions — as we reported back in March, an overflow crowd gathered at the Senior Center to hear from Sound Transit officials, and back in November 2017 a top ST manager spoke at a JuNO meeting and promised “an interesting year and a half” ahead. (See our comprehensive light rail coverage here.)

Sawyer kicked off the Thursday meeting by putting in a plug for neighbors interested in serving as a JuNO officer to email juno@wsjuno.org or go to wsjuno.org. The group will be holding elections during their September meeting for the positions of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. With all of the development and growth in the area, Sawyer said, now is a great time to get involved to “help create a collaborative vision and future for the Alaska Junction.” Sawyer noted that it’s an intentional effort to have a slate of elected officers for JuNO, and that although she’s currently the leader of the group, she wasn’t “elected” officially. She added that the group needs strong voices, representing both longtime residents as well as new neighbors and renters and business owners, particularly as light rail will be bringing transit stations and added density to the neighborhood. “It’s a decade-plus of discussion,” she said, “we’ll have some decisions to make soon but for much of it we’ll be waiting until much later,”

Sawyer then turned things over to Flemister for the remainder of the meeting, to lead the discussion on neighborhood planning and light rail. Flemister acknowledged that she was relatively new to Seattle and that this was her first community presentation of this type in the city, but is no stranger to large regional transit projects in the area, having worked on projects in the Tacoma area and south sound (focusing partially on property value impacts). She stepped through a slide presentation (see below) and took questions from attendees.

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