West Seattle, Washington
25 Friday
For those who wondered how a walking tour starting at Westwood Village would address pedestrian safety in South Delridge, here’s how:
(Digital image from SDOT substituted Thursday for previous photo of paper map)
That was the planned route for tonight’s SDOT-coordinated tour, meant to give people a chance to suggest how/where to build “at least 10 blocks” of sidewalks and/or walkways in the area, with money from the billion-and-a-half-dollars-plus Seattle Transportation levy that voters approved last year. The longest stretch of the road, uphill on Barton toward Delridge, actually had sidewalks, but a northward turn, west of Delridge, put participants on a street that did not.
About half of the ~20 people who participated were city employees. SDOT project leaders stressed that the walking route was by no means predetermined as the future-sidewalk route. The community members who participated had some specific suggestions about making walking safer – including the small children they brought along. Participants got to experience a variety of walking conditions.
That included the Barton Place hill where an encampment sprawls across the sidewalk close to the top of the stairway down to 22nd (which has a foil-wrapped railing):
(One walker recalled a Find It Fix It Walk in the area nine years ago, and the goat deployment that followed.) The block north of there was again without sidewalks, and the participating families had a lot to say about that since that was their neighborhood. (They expressed interest in upgrading the 22nd/Trenton crossing, too.)
We left the tour on 22nd to get to HPAC‘s 6:30 meeting; it didn’t appear to be resulting in any particular to-do list- the SDOT reps promised a report would be forthcoming; whatever project area(s) they settle on, they expect to get to “10% design” before year’s end, and construction could start as soon as next year – or as late as 2029. If you have suggestions – crosswalks, lights, and other safety measures, not just sidewalk sites, you can email this team at le***********@*****le.gov.
OTHER AREAS: They’ve already done a tour in North Delridge, and said tonight they’ll be announcing one for Highland Park on May 21.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Though Thursday night’s Alki Community Council meeting yielded no major revelations about the summer safety plan for the beach, the fact that the meeting happened at all, one month before the season’s traditional start, was a triumph.
ACC brought together reps from Seattle Police, Seattle Parks, and Seattle Public Utilities, with other guests and with the Alki Bathhouse serving as a symbolically important setting, just steps from the epicenter of summer activity at the beach – both good and bad. Last year, a multi-agency community meeting (WSB coverage here) happened after a still-unsolved murder on Duwamish Head in June.
As we’ve been reporting since last month, Parks plans to finally make earlier closing times at Alki (and elsewhere) permanent, after years of implementing them as a “pilot” (here’s our coverage of last week’s Parks Board meeting at which commissioners voted in favor of the change. So that means a 10:30 pm closing time for Alki. But closing times alone won’t solve everything. Other aspects of Alki summers were spotlighted at the meeting.
“We are really looking forward to the summer season,” opened Starck with optimism, even with the possibility that a small percentage of “bad actors” can cause trouble. The meeting was intended, she explained, to learn from city reps who are “guardians” of the area, and to learn how everyone can be a “guardian” in their own way.
Taking the concept of guardianship back a few centuries, the area’s First People were represented by Chief Sealth descendant Ken Workman stood before the crowd to deliver a welcome in Lushootsheed, the Duwamish Tribe‘s language, which he said children are learning again. He spoke of his great-great-etc. grandfather welcoming the Denny Party in 1851. In the less than two centuries that have passed, he observed, “On this land, everything has changed. … this was all trees.” He wanted to come and “show you where you are.”
EXPLORER WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS: Two guests whose stewardship of the land started far more recently spoke to the ACC next – Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) eighth-graders whose “Change the World” project is plastic pollution. They’re oganizing a beach-cleanup day – no date chosen yet – and will need help getting the word out. They haven’t set a date yet but will let the ACC know. Starck told them, “We’re super proud you’re taking control of what’s happening in your back yard.”
SUMMER-PREVIEW PANEL: Then it was on to the summer-preview panel – Seattle Police Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair, Jon Jainga from Seattle Parks’ security and emergency-management team, Tracy Cramer from Seattle Public Utilities‘ Clean City Initiative, and one more Parks rep, Brian Willis, Southwest District maintenance captain (handling 86 parks – with “not a lot” of staff, he said when Starck asked).
West Seattle Crime Watch starts tonight with a reader report:
SANDBOX STOLEN: Megan says this happened around 1:20 am today in North Delridge:
These 3 in the video came into my fenced yard and stole my kids’ brand-new sandbox (wasn’t yet built). Was large box of wood. They went down Nevada St and 26th Ave. going into several yards, garages, and porches ,as well taking items.
Hoping they dumped the sandbox. Also found 3 propane tanks dumped outside as well as a purse and some clothes – after this theft. Just wanted to share in case others also encountered these people. Not sure if they are on foot or using a car.
We’ll add the police-report number when we get it.
SAFETY MEETING REMINDER: One more reminder that all are welcome at a Westwood-area community-safety meeting with SPD at Village Green-West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor), 6 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, April 16).
(WSB file photo, SPD at Alki on a summer night)
As we’ve reported, the city is moving toward an earlier closing time for Alki Beach Park this spring/summer – and beyond. But what else is planned to address safety concerns as warmer weather brings more people to the regionally renowned beach? The Alki Community Council invites you to this Thursday’s monthly gathering, this time at Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), to hear from and talk with a panel of people working on the issue. Here’s the ACC announcement:
Reminder: Alki Community Council Meeting – Thursday, April 17th
Special Summer Safety Prep Meeting* New Location: Alki Bathhouse
* New Start: 6:30-8 pm (In-person only)We’re switching things up this month as we take it to the beach—right where it matters most. Our meeting at Alki Bathhouse is all about the beach: how we can protect it, and the people who live and visit here.
As we prepare for a busy summer with environmental and ongoing safety concerns—amid a 300+ officer shortage—you’ll hear directly from those on the front lines of guardianship of both people and our parks.
What makes this meeting special? We’re bringing together voices from 8th grade changemakers to top city leaders—all committed to keeping Alki safe, clean, and cared for.
Speaker Lineup:
Explorer West Middle School 8th Graders – Youth-led action item.
Captain Krista Bair, SPD SW Precinct commander
Jon Jainga, Seattle Parks Security & Emergency Mgmt.
Tracy Cramer, SPU Clean City / Litter Abatement
Seattle Park Rangers
Dave Delgado, Seal Sitters –– Wildlife crisis responseBring your questions and concerns, and join us to help keep the place we love safe and beautiful.
Spring is a beautiful yet precarious time – and if you’re heading into the mountains, awareness and education can be life-saving. An informational event Wednesday at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) can help – here’s the announcement:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is collaborating with local mountain-guiding company Mountain Madness to host a springtime avalanche-awareness workshop! Attendees will learn tips and techniques for spring backcountry ski travel and gain insight into the unique challenges springtime avalanches present. One of Mountain Madness’s certified guides will be available to answer any questions attendees may have. Refreshments will be provided as well!
The event will start at 6 pm on Wednesday 4/16. Tickets are $5 and the money spent on tickets can be used toward the purchase of any backcountry-specific gear sold at M2S.
People can purchase tickets with this link.
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you feel like there have been more reports of shootings in the last few years, it’s not your imagination. Seattle Police are responding on average to twice as many reports of suspected shots fired as they did prior to the pandemic and 20% of the citywide incidents from 2021-2023 have been in District 1, which includes West Seattle.
Why is it happening and what changes can be made to bring those numbers back down? A new City Auditor’s report on gun violence is being presented tomorrow (Thursday, March 27)to a City Council committee with an eye toward increased cooperation and more effective ways to marshal data to reduce the injuries, deaths, and fear that come with gunfire.
The Governance, Accountability & Economic Development Committee will hear the results of the audit, which was at the request of the committee Chair, Council President Sara Nelson, and Mayor Bruce Harrell. What the audit found is that while a number of different agencies, including public health, have been gathering information about gun violence, they haven’t been collecting or sharing it in a consistent way. The audit pointed to more systematic programs used in a number of other cities — Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Portland — where sharing the data regularly within public agencies, coupled with a public information campaign to address gun violence, has resulted in a significant decrease in gun incidents and injuries.
The biggest takeaway from the audit is, “communicate, communicate, communicate,” but it also urges stronger data analysis and taking advantage of any resources that are available. It pointedly mentioned that the US Department of Justice offers a 10-step “roadmap” for reducing violent crime, for which the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs offers technical assistance free of charge to communities. Auditor’s staff took advantage of this assistance for the purposes of the audit, noting, “Before our audit, the City had not been following the Violent Crime Reduction Roadmap nor using free technical assistance from OJP.”
The question about why there’s been such an increase in guns being fired (and a similar increase in injuries and deaths) since 2020 doesn’t have a single answer. The audit does note that the number of guns stolen in the city is also up since 2018. But it focuses most on clues in the data that have the potential to yield actionable next steps. Patterns like time of year (gun violence spikes in the summer), location (a particular park or street corner), who is involved and why, whether there is other crime in the area, can help focus violence prevention efforts in specific places rather than responding to calls of “shots fired,” when it’s already happened. A suggestion to potentially bring in the city’s Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department was another key recommendation.
The committee meeting starts tomorrow at 2 pm in the Council Chamber at City Hall. There is an opportunity for public comment shortly after the start of the meeting for which you must register ahead of time, as the agenda explains.
(Reader photo, Sunday)
We promised that after another flipped-car crash toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge last weekend, we’d ask SDOT for an update on what they told us a month and a half ago, that they had a “plan to add safety enhancements” before year’s end. However, this plan apparently hasn’t solidified, as the answer we got today to the request Monday for timeline etc. was:
We’re continuing to explore potential safety improvements. Our team is working on next steps and will provide updates as plans progress.
We’re trying again to see if they can get a little more specific.
One more reminder that a Resource Fair is planned at Westwood Village‘s ex-Bed Bath Beyond/Spirit Halloween space on Saturday, 11 am-3 pm. We asked the Seattle Police Community Resource Officers, who organized it, for a list of the 40+ participating agencies/organizations – here it is:
Community Service Officers/SPD
Villa Communitaria
Seattle Animal Shelter/Control
Promoteres Network
Hopelink Community transportation program
King County Public Health Community Navigators
Building Beyond Communities
King County Health Public Outreach
Resource Navigation Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House MHP
Community Access & Engagement King County L&I
Washingron Relay Outreach
Project Help
Impact Public Schools Outreach
King County Environmental Health Services
Cell Phone Provider
Disability Empowerment Center
Union Gospel Mission
King County e-911
DEA Outreach
Seattle Public Schools
Victim Support Team
We Heart Seattle
Sea Mar Community Health Centers
Valley Cities Behavioral Health
Southwest PCT Crime Prevention Coordinator
Arms Around You
Communities of Belonging
Community for Youth
Delridge Community Center
Overdose Coordinator/KCME
Cultivate South Park
The More We Love
Care-a-Van WSDOH Vaccine Van
VA – suicide prevention coordinator
Transform Burien
Target
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
Haircut Team
West Seattle Food Bank
Park Rangers
Humana
Atlantic Street Center
Community Health Plan of WA
Alcoholics Anonymous
Seattle Public Library – High Point
Molina Healthcare
TJX/Marshalls
If you’re in need of vaccination – either child or adult – here’s what the Care-A-Van will be there to offer.
A little over an hour before today’s deadly shooting outside the Southwest Precinct (WSB coverage here), Mayor Bruce Harrell and CARE Department Chief Amy Barden were in West Seattle to talk about the expansion of CARE Community Crisis Responders into the SW and South Precinct areas. At the media briefing after the shooting, SPD Chief Shon Barnes was asked if this was a situation for which they could have been called. He said he didn’t know, but pointed out that the situation unfolded very quickly. (The official description of CCRs is that they “typically respond to low-acuity mental health crisis calls that do not pose a threat of violence nor involve a medical emergency […] and will only respond to calls that do not require enforcement of any kind.”)
The CARE responders officially started responding to calls in this area last week, as we showed you on Friday. This morning’s event outside Delridge Community Center was meant to be celebratory as well as informative. Here’s what the mayor – who had announced the expansion months ago – said:
He was followed by Chief Barden, who noted that so far in the past year and a half, her responders have gone out on more than 1,700 calls, with only three resulting in calls for police to return to the scene:
As with many city-presented media events like this, they scheduled community speakers too – including Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck:
And the city officials took Q&A, during which the mayor and chief were asked about further plans to expand the responder team, which would among other things be subject to negotiation in the city’s contract with police:
Since the responders told us last week that they’re working out of a Third Avenue location, we asked how soon they are expected to have a workspace at the Southwest Precinct, as previously suggested. Answer: As soon as next month.
(WSB photo)
Michael, Vanessa, and Alfred are Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team. We caught up with them for a quick photo at Alki this afternoon as they wrapped up their first week of being available for calls in West Seattle and vicinity. As reported here previously, the CARE Team was able to expand to this area of the city once it grew in size, as budgeted, after its first year and a half. As explained here, CCRs – all behavioral-health professionals – respond (at least initially with police) to situations involving people in crisis or other behavioral-health emergencies. CARE – short for Community Assisted Response and Engagement – is led by Chief Amy Barden and is considered one of the city’s public-safety departments. Though they’ll eventually have workspace in this area, the responders told us they’re currently based downtown. (We might hear more about that when the mayor comes to West Seattle next week for a formal announcement that the CARE responders are now available here.)
The Seattle Transportation Levy includes money for some of the many areas around the city that need sidewalks. Just a drop in the bucket – SDOT says 11,000 blocks around the city are sidewalk-less, while the levy has funding for 350 blocks of new sidewalks/walkways. 10 of those blocks will be in North Delridge, according to SDOT. A commitment’s already been made for the long-promised SW Brandon sidewalk as an “anticipated initial (levy) project.” Where else does North Delridge most need sidewalks? SDOT has just announced a walk-and-talk event to give community members a chance to talk about it:
Want to see new safe places to walk in the Delridge neighborhood? Please join us for a neighborhood walk and share with us where you would like to see new walkways and/or sidewalks.
Date: Wednesday March 19th, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm
Location: Gather at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) and then walk the neighborhood with us!Kids are welcome! Rain or shine.
Here’s the official flyer for the event.
From Dave at Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had to close the block of SW Myrtle east of 35th around the clock for a week-plus after windstorm damage destabilized their flagpole:
The pole is down, the street is open, thank you to our neighbors for your patience.
OLG plans to eventually replace the flagpole.
(WSB photo, looking southwestward toward school and flagpole from 34th/Myrtle)
In our windstorm coverage last Tuesday, we mentioned that Our Lady of Guadalupe School had closed SW Myrtle between 34th and 35th – usually just a school-hours closure – because the stability of its flagpole was in question. The street has remained closed, and taped off, since then, while OLG determined whether the flagpole had to come down. Tonight, we checked back in, and the answer is “yes.” Dave from OLG tells WSB, “The pole needs to be taken down and we think that will occur on Thursday or Friday, and we will open the road at that point.” He says the flagpole eventually will be replaced.
After a tip, we went over late today and confirmed that the “School Street” signage on 45th Avenue SW in front of Madison Middle School has been damaged, a little over a month after the weekday street closure was implemented. Our photographer reports the signs are in pieces on both ends of the block, a little too deliberate-appearing to blame on, say, yesterday’s wind. We’re checking with SDOT about plans to replace it.
Since this’ll start before we publish tomorrow morning’s daily event list, we’re mentioning it tonight: 9:30 am tomorrow (Tuesday, February 18), the City Council’s Transportation Committee – chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka – takes on two big topics: Transit safety – with a multi-agency/department roundtable – and the transportation levy’s spending plan for this year. We reported toplines of the latter here, after a media briefing last month. You can see the presentations for both, and get information on how to comment to the committee if you want to, via the agenda. The meeting will be viewable on Seattle Channel.
(Reader photo from November 1, 2024, crash)
After another round of crashes in early January near the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – by the welcome sign, sculptures, and pullout – we asked SDOT what they were doing to evaluate the site and potentially take action. Comment discussion has centered on whether a pavement change is a factor, and/or whether speed is the major problem, and/or possibly certain vehicle types. SDOT’s first reply was that they were looking into it. We followed up again, and this afternoon received this update:
Our pavement engineers and Vision Zero team met recently to discuss this issue.
This year we plan to add safety enhancements to encourage drivers to approach the curve at a safer speed. We are currently considering various treatments such as warning signs, raised pavement markings, and/or reflective markings.
If the pattern continues after those safety enhancements have been made, we are looking into the feasibility of two possible methods to increase the traction of the pavement in this area either by grinding down the top layer of pavement or adding a high-friction surface treatment. We’re considering the pros and cons of each option to determine if either one makes sense in this area. Either option would need to be scheduled at some point a little further out in the future after considering resources, crew availability, weather, and traffic impacts for drivers.
We don’t have stats on how many crashes have happened along that stretch – even our archives show crashes that aren’t reflected on the SDOT collision-info map.
1:15 PM: If you’ve been tracking national news, you have likely heard about the many orders and policy directives issued by the new federal administration. One today also has the potential for many city-level effects, so we’re checking on those. It’s an order from the federal Office of Management and Budget director, “paus(ing)” grants/funding. (See the memo here; Eastside U.S. House Rep. Suzan DelBene is circulating this analysis of potentially affected programs.)
Given the possibility for effects on city programs such as public safety and transportation, we asked whether any statement is forthcoming from Mayor Harrell. Not so far, responded spokesperson Callie Craighead, but here’s what she told us:
The City is analyzing the memo to understand the potential impacts of this action given its broad and vague language. We are actively working with City departments to evaluate any potential immediate effects.
Strong constitutional protections exist that limit the federal government’s ability to coerce cities by conditioning funds. We will continue to assess actions that impact Seattle’s access to federal funding that supports all of our residents and respond appropriately.
Checking WSB archives, we have 79 references to federal-grant funding for projects on which we’ve reported – most recently including the Spokane Street Viaduct repaving and Hiawatha Community Center renovations (a project that’s not yet complete). There are also school (we’re checking with the district) and medical programs potentially affected, among others. We’ll continue following up.
4:27 PM: The spending-pause order was supposed to take effect at 2 pm our time but a federal judge has put it on hold until next Monday afternoon (February 3).
ADDED WEDNESDAY MORNING: The AP reports the order has been rescinded.
ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: But NBC says the White House spokesperson contends the freeze hasn’t.
(Reader photo from crash and fire January 3)
After multiple crashes (including this one and this one) weekend before last toward the southwest end of the West Seattle Bridge – near the pullout by the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign and remaining “Walking on Logs” sculptures – we asked SDOT if they’re looking into that particular spot.
(January 5 photo from commenter SeaKev)
Though neither crash resulted in serious injuries, among other things, they had other effects – such as, both led to callouts for SDOT responders to come reset the jersey barriers that the crashes had knocked out of place, which required blocking traffic for a time. Meantime, here’s what SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson told WSB:
Thank you for bringing this pattern to our attention … we’re still working on this question for you. Our pavement engineers and Vision Zero team are looking into this location to better understand the history and current conditions and consider potential next steps.
Some commenters have wondered whether a change in pavement types at that spot is a factor in these crashes – or whether it’s just a speed problem – or maybe a risk faced by certain types of vehicles. Even a quick search of our archives shows crashes at that spot for years. (Side notes – the number of crashes in our archives outstrips what’s shown on the SDOT collision data map, if you’re looking for hard data. And the bridge has had at least one other focused trouble spot before.) We’ll continue checking back to see what SDOT eventually deduces.
As of Saturday afternoon, signage was already out for the new “School Street” partial closure of 45th Avenue SW in front of Madison Middle School, which officially starts tomorrow and will be in effect 7 am-5 pm on weekdays per SDOT. We checked it out after a tip from a nearby resident; this sign on the northbound side of the street at SW Spokane is matched by one in the distance at the start of the southbound side at SW Hinds. Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary Jr. reminded the school community in this email on Thursday. As the SDOT program page and the signage both note, the “closure” exception includes drivers who live on the street and drivers making deliveries on the street. Other “School Streets” around the city include SW Dakota in front of Genesee Hill Elementary.
In an end-of-week email addressed to “Highland Park Neighbors” (with blind CCs including us), the city’s Unified Care Team says it will “resolve” three South Delridge encampment areas in the next month:
Based on the availability of resources, UCT is scheduled to resolve the following locations by mid-February:
*SW Barton St from 15th Ave SW to 17th Ave SW
*SW Barton St to 18th Ave SW to Delridge Way SW
*SW Cambridge St from 15th Ave SW to 16th Ave SW
The email goes on to tell recipients:
We appreciate your patience in the lead up to the resolution of these sites. The City’s contracted outreach partners will be actively engaging at the sites to make offers of shelter and provide connections to services. Due to the region’s limited shelter availability, these connections can take some time, but our goal is to prevent the displacement of high-needs individuals into other parts of the neighborhood or repopulation of these sites.
UCT has been and will continue to provide regular site cleanings to the above sites as well as other areas in Highland Park in hopes of mitigating public impact by removing trash, debris, and dangerous objects like propane tanks. Our teams regularly work in this area, conducting site inspections and continually evaluating sites for resolution as site conditions change and resources become available.
Seattle’s Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) are working to address the recent service requests reporting lived-in or abandoned vehicles as well as conducting proactive enforcement of any non-compliant vehicles in the area. City parking ordinances require vehicles to move at least one block face every 72-hours to be considered compliant. UCT works to keep lived-in vehicles moving and in compliance, however we understand that this can be frustrating as vehicles may remain in your neighborhood even if they are moving regularly. If you have submitted a customer service request for an abandoned vehicle that was closed as a duplicate request, please know PEOs will still be addressing the location in your request.
Please note that parking violation and ordinances apply to all vehicles equally – they do not differentiate between lived in and non-lived-in vehicles. However, under Washington state and federal law, there are extra protections extended to persons living in vehicles to protect their privacy interest. Because of that and absent extraordinary circumstances, a law enforcement officer may not enter an occupied/lived-in vehicle without an approved warrant. An occupied, non-compliant vehicle cannot be safely moved without this process occurring.
The Highland Park area will continue to be frequently inspected and reassessed for resolution and trash mitigation services based on the level of activity observed. If you observe new or worsening encampments, please report it using the Customer Service Bureau’s Unauthorized Encampment service request form or submit a service request using the City’s Find It, Fix It mobile app. As always, dangerous or criminal activity should be reported to 9-1-1 including drug use, theft, and trespassing.
Community groups who are interested in potentially activating a public space or public right-of-way in your neighborhood can contact UCT’s community liaison Tom Van Bronkhorst (to***************@*****le.gov) to discuss how the City may be able to support you and your neighbors in options for restoring a frequently encamped space for public use.
This arrived too late in the day/week for followup but next week we’ll also be asking the UCT about the status of the 8th/9th/Henderson area, which despite a recent city operation continues to be the area that people most often mention to us.
As we first reported last month, 45th SW in front of Madison Middle School will become a “School Street” – closed to through traffic – 7 am-5 pm on school days starting Monday (January 13). Today, Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary Jr. sent the following reminder to Madison families, several of whom forwarded it to us with the suggestion that the wider community be reminded too:
Dear Madison Parents, and Guardians,
I hope this message finds you all well in the New Year. I am writing to you today to share more about the safety street closure on 45th Avenue SW between Hinds and Spokane that will begin next week. This street closure will reduce the likelihood of accidents and encourage alternative forms of transportation. As a school principal, the safety and well-being of our students are always my top priority, and I believe this closure will help foster a safer, healthier, and more sustainable environment for everyone in our community.
Traffic congestion around school zones is a major concern, particularly during the busy drop-off and pick-up times. Unfortunately, this heavy traffic can increase the likelihood of accidents, particularly involving pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. By temporarily closing off certain streets during peak hours, we can reduce congestion and provide a safer, less stressful space for our students to walk, bike, or scooter to and from school. There have been too many “near misses” in crosswalks, illegal U-turns, and high-speed drivers around the school in recent months and we are grateful to the City of Seattle for taking this proactive step with us.
Additionally, we hope this will encourage families to explore alternative forms of transportation. Walking, biking, public transit, or carpooling can not only reduce traffic but also promote physical activity and environmental responsibility. These options offer great benefits to both the health of our students and the overall well-being of our community. Please remember we have the covered bicycle and scooter parking off the North parking lot for student and staff use. If driving is the only option for you, we encourage dropping students off at least one block from the school to alleviate congestion during this transition on neighboring streets. Any students or families needing ADA accessibility can be accommodated in the safety zone.
This safety street closure is not just about reducing risk; it’s about fostering a culture of safety, wellness, and sustainability. By taking proactive steps now, we can create a safer and more positive school environment for our children and set an example for other communities to follow.
I understand that change can sometimes be challenging, but I truly believe this is an important step toward a safer future for our students. I encourage you to support this initiative, and I am available to answer any questions or discuss any concerns you may have.
Thank you for your continued support and commitment to making our school and community a better place.
Here’s the official SDOT flyer about the change. When we asked SDOT last month about the process for approving School Streets, they replied, “School Streets are requested by schools and reviewed and approved by SDOT as long as they meet the criteria (more detail on the criteria on the webpage).
(Looking north on 45th SW, future ‘School Street,’ in front of Madison MS)
Thanks for the tip! From the Madison Middle School PTSA newsletter comes word that 45th SW in front of the school will become an SDOT-designated “School Street“ starting in mid-February. Here’s the SDOT flyer explaining what that means:
In short, as explained by the PTSA:
Starting on Monday, January 13th, this block will be closed from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM to all through traffic, including parents dropping off children. It will remain accessible for: residential access, district provided transportation, anyone with ADA needs, local deliveries, and any non-motorized vehicles.
The PTSA is recruiting volunteers to help with the transition. Meantime, the parent who alerted us to this says, “This is great news for safety concerns.” Other “School Streets” around the city include SW Dakota in front of Genesee Hill Elementary (recently adorned with a mural – we don’t know if one will be sought for 45th; we’re awaiting followup info from SDOT).
Just got word of this, also happening tonight – here’s the announcement sent to us by the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention:
Did you know 1 in 5 adults in King County say a firearm is kept in or around their home and about a third of firearm owners with kids and half of firearm owners without kids don’t store their firearms locked up?
Locking up firearms saves lives and protects communities. Using a gun lockbox can prevent unauthorized access, reduce the risk of accidental shootings, and prevent theft or misuse. On December 5, 2024, the King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention will hand out FREE handgun lockboxes at the Junction Shop Late Pop-Up Market at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW). Lockboxes will be available from 5-9 pm at Jet City Labs while supplies last.
Have concerns about public safety in King County? The King County Regional Office of Gun Violence Prevention invites you to share your thoughts through an anonymously in a short survey HERE. The survey takes seven minutes or less to complete, and your responses will remain confidential.
We’re told they will have 75 of the Snapsafe lockboxes to give out.
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