West Seattle, Washington
17 Friday
(UPDATED 12:56 PM with city’s plan to accelerate clearing the under-bridge area)
(WSB photos)
11:08 AM: Will this morning’s fire in the unsanctioned RV camp under the West Seattle Bridge accelerate planning to clear it? That’s one of the questions we have asked city reps in the aftermath of the fire. We were not at the scene during the 4 am fire – TV was – but have since gone for a closeup look and also to check the nearby area in the aftermath of last week’s sweep/cleanup. Above are the two RVs that burned. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Lt. Harold Webb tells WSB no injuries were reported, and the fire was accidental: “Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental and occurred when owner/occupant attempted to start the engine for warming purposes and it caught on fire.” This area is just west of East Marginal, under the bridge west of the Highway 99 overpass.
Those SDOT trucks were there during our stop but it did not appear to be related to the fire’s aftermath; SDOT spokesperson Norm Mah didn’t have information on what they were doing but said that the fire left the bridge with “superficial surface damage; the engineer thoroughly inspected and deemed it safe for travel.” Meantime, with a week passing since the recent sweep of tent campers nearby, we took a look at that area too, walking the path for a distance. It’s empty:
This sign warns would-be campers that it’s an “emphasis area,” as reported here last week:
Meantime, we’ll add updates later when we get answers to our questions about what’ll be done in this area in the future. This isn’t the first fire in an RV under the bridge; in January 2016, a man died of smoke inhalation in an RV fire near 1st and Spokane, a few blocks east of this morning’s fire scene.
12:56 PM: Here’s what the city says it’s doing – moving to “close the area to all camping.” An excerpt:
… While closing the area to all camping will take a bit more time, we are now addressing the immediate hazard where the fire occurred early this morning.
The Navigation Team has been there all morning, doing individualized outreach and offering alternative shelter. For today, we are focusing on removing the two burned-out RVs, which will first require moving other RVs and tents in that immediate vicinity to create a safe work zone. The Navigation Team is assisting with moving people a safe distance for that to occur.
Over the next 10 days, the area under the western end of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be cleared of all people and structures and a work zone perimeter will be established to allow SDOT and Seattle City Light to perform repair and maintenance unrelated to today’s fire. Outreach will continue up to that point to work with the individuals living there and find them alternative shelter.
We are beginning to assess the working condition of the RVs and other vehicles all along the Spokane Street as we work to close the area to all camping. Outreach will lead the engagement with any individuals living in tents or RVs.
In general, the City has been focusing its efforts to address the homelessness crisis on working with individuals in tent encampments, especially the ones with the greatest public health and safety concerns for the individuals and the surrounding community. The Navigation Team has been finding success with many individuals, finding solutions that fit their needs and helping move them into safer living situations. Other City crews are addressing the trash related to encampments and illegal dumping in general around the city. This work will continue.
Camping under low bridge structures presents a hazard for this essential infrastructure. In addition to other efforts to mitigate the impacts of the homelessness crisis, including working to move people into alternative shelter and cleaning trash, we will be assessing these low-bridge structures around the city and will prioritize efforts to address immediate hazards.
As we did with the previous cleanup in the area, we will check in on this one in the days ahead, too.
(Steller’s Jay, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Thursday highlights from the calendar:
DINE-OUT BENEFIT AT ZIPPY’S: 15 percent of today/tonight sales at the White Center location of Zippy’s Giant Burgers go to the Seattle Walk MS through Team Blitz; the walk is happening this Sunday and participants remind you that “every dollar raised counts.” (9614 14th SW)
STORAGE FACILITY STREET VACATION: As previewed here, the proposal for a street vacation at 29th/City View goes back before the Seattle Design Commission this morning, ~10:30 am at City Hall. This time the SDC looks at the “public benefit package” proposed in exchange for the street vacation. (601 5th Ave.)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR HARBOR AVENUE TOWNHOUSES: The 30+-townhouse project that is now proposed for 3257 Harbor SW gets an “early design guidance” (size, shape, placement on site) review from the Southwest Design Review Board tonight, 6:30 pm, Sisson Building/Senior Center. See the design packet in our preview. (4217 SW Oregon)
STYLE ’17: The benefit fashion show for and by West Seattleite-founded and-led Northwest Hope and Healing is at Block41 in Belltown this year, 6:30 pm – check to see if tickets are still available! (115 Bell St.)
PATRICK GALACTIC: 7 pm, psych-pop at Whisky West. 21+. (6451 California SW)
‘BONNIE & CLYDE,’ 2ND-TO-LAST NIGHT: 7:30 pm at the West Seattle High School Theater, musical adaptation of the true-crime legend, presented by the WSHS Drama Club and Music Program. Our calendar listing includes ticket info. (3000 California SW)
SOUTH SOUND TUG & BARGE ALBUM RELEASE: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern – details in our calendar listing. $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
AND SO MUCH MORE … check the full calendar here!
(WSB file photo)
With some spring activities happening this weekend, and Passover and Holy Week just days away, it’s time for our annual one-stop-shop list for egg hunts, services, and more, and it’s up now – see it here. Happy to add whatever your organization/center/church/synagogue/etc. is up to, so please send us the info ASAP and we’ll continue to update – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
6:55 AM: If you use the 1st Avenue S. Bridge, be aware that a crash is blocking one northbound lane. That’s it for incidents in the area so far.
Almost 80 years after Mary Anderson and her husband Lloyd Anderson co-founded what became outdoor giant REI in their Gatewood home, she has died at the age of 107. We obtained the photo above from REI, whose past presidents Dennis Madsen, Sally Jewell (also a West Seattleite), and Wally Smith are shown with Ms. Anderson at her centennial-birthday celebration. The company’s statement on her passing:
Mary’s legacy is deeply engrained in REI and her contributions to the outdoor community extend far beyond the co-op. REI and our employees are grateful to the Andersons for their dedication to REI and the incredible foundation they established. It is our honor to carry on their commitment more than 75 years later and beyond.
Mary Anderson and her husband also were Mountaineers; she was just 20 when they joined the club in 1929. The Mountaineers website tells her story, including how their quest to make it easier to get good-quality climbing gear led them to create the buyers’ cooperative that became REI, from which she retired in 1968. For years, their home in west Gatewood was headquarters to what is now a multibillion-dollar company. That house was renovated as part of site redevelopment at the turn of the millennium.
Anderson’s husband was the company’s president until 1971; he died in 2000 at age 98; the Seattle Times obituary for Ms. Anderson says she died March 27th and is survived by one of her two daughters and by two grandsons. No details on whether there will be a public memorial, REI told us.
Now even more local youth can play baseball! West Seattle Baseball shares this announcement:
West Seattle Baseball is proud to announce the formation of a new league, the Champions League™. The newest league in the PONY family is for youth with special needs.
We are excited to offer the first-of-its-kind baseball league for kids who would normally not have a chance to play ball. Participants can be between the ages of 4 and 23 years old or those who remain in a school setting, with special needs that would prevent them from playing in a traditional baseball or softball program.
Participants will be allowed to participate by the level of ability regardless of their age—either T- Ball or Coach Pitch. And we will be using the “Buddy” system in both levels of play. These buddies will assist their player catch, field, and throw; and as necessary, get around the bases. These buddies can be from our own West Seattle Baseball players (10 and older), family or community members.
For more information and to register, you can visit our Champions page here.
Just announced by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce – the 2017 winners of the Westside Awards. Back in February, the Chamber invited you to nominate businesses and people for the four categories, and the awards go to:
Business of the Year:
Eldercare Consulting, LLC
Proprietor Patricia Throop helps families with their needs “to find competent, safe and appropriate solutions for their needs.” She also volunteers and sits on several boards.
Emerging Business of the Year:
Peel & Press
(At right, Peel & Press proprietor Dan Austin, whose restaurant is in its third year at 6503 California SW in Morgan Junction. He’s been a catalyst for a variety of community projects and is currently working on a project meant to result in the restoration of the historic mural on the west side of the building that is home to his business and four others.)
Not-for-Profit of the Year:
Southwest Youth & Family Services
SWYFS’s role in the community – and its geographic presence – has continued to grow, as we detailed in a conversation with its longtime executive director Steve Daschle last fall. The many services they provide include education and health care, and they are one of the largest local nonprofits working with vulnerable populations such as immigrants and refugees.
Westsider of the Year:
Maria Groen
Maria is a fixture in the West Seattle community, in no small part because of her roles with organizations including WestSide Baby and the West Seattle YMCA. Currently she works with Seattle University.
You can applaud them in person at the 2017 Annual Westside Awards Breakfast on May 4th at Salty’s. Get your tickets by going here.
What will YOU sell? Or, if you’re shopping, what will you FIND?
(2016 shopper find; photo tweeted by @vdoyle)
Saturday, May 13, 2017, is the 13th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – 
and as of right now, registration is open!
First, for those who are new around here – like the person who called our 24/7 hotline a bit earlier with questions – this is one day with many sales of many sizes, all around the peninsula, open at least 9 am-3 pm on sale day (earlier and/or later if you want to, but that’s up to you). Many communities/neighborhoods around the nation have special days like this once a year; the people who founded this one in 2005 (three years before handing the baton to us at WSB) were particularly inspired by Greenwood Garage Sale Day in the north end. Registration gets your sale onto/into the map and listings that are made available one week before sale day, which we promote regionally. We also send the “official” mini-sign, to augment whatever wildly creative signage you come up with, like this one from 2015:
If you’re planning a sale, here’s where to go to register – any time you’re ready (signups will continue for about three weeks; the exact end date is usually set when we get closer). Same classifications and fees we’ve had for the 10 years we’ve been coordinating this. And before you register, be ready with your up-to-20-word sale listing – think about what you’re selling that’s most popular and/or most unusual. Any questions, garagesale@westseattleblog.com or our 24/7 hotline at 206-293-6302. Updates to come (including any multi-seller sites that jump in to offer space for people who have small sales/no place to host a sale – if your venue is planning on it, please let us know ASAP)!
(Photo from Highline Bears’ opening night last year)
We know, you’re just getting into the mood for baseball, with the Mariners’ season now under way, and high-school teams playing too. Here’s more: The Highline Bears will be back this summer, and sent this announcement to let you know:
The local semi-pro Highline Bears baseball team announced that their opening game for the 2017 season will be Friday, June 2 in White Center, with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m.
The Bears – who were established in the fall of 2014 – are a summer collegiate baseball team that plays their games locally at Mel Olson Stadium, inside of Steve Cox Memorial Park, in White Center.
The Highline Bears are part of the Pacific International League (PIL) that features nationally recognized teams such as the Seattle Studs and Everett Merchants. In the Bears’ inaugural season, they successfully met their goal of bringing a high level of baseball back to our community. In doing so they broke every league attendance record, and co-founder/manager Todd Coughlin led the team to a winning record.
Going into their third season, the Bears have some very exciting things planned for fans.
“We have put a lot of energy into creating a better fan experience for our community, as well as having one of the most competitive schedules in our league,” General Manager Justin Moser said. “This season will include new between-inning games, special game night promotions, and a ton of giveaways.”
The Bears are known for their fun in-game experiences, offering in past seasons a pizza box race, truck tire inner tube race, and sleeping bag race, where kids run away from “Buntly” the Bears’ friendly mascot. Between innings, and throughout the games, Buntly runs through the stadium handing out t-shirts, candy for kids, and other fun prizes. The Bears also work closely with local non-profits offering ticket fundraisers and doing a 50/50 raffle every game where the proceeds benefit the non-profit of the night.
The team will have a minimum of 17 home games, and Moser is hoping to get to an extra one or two more dates set before the season starts.“I’d love to have 18 or 19 home games, we’ve been working closely with King County Parks to be able to have this be a great home for semi-pro baseball. It’s going to be an exciting season for everyone involved,” Justin added.
The Bears opening night will be against the NW Emeralds on Friday, June 2, at 7:05 p.m. Tickets to games are very affordable at only $5 for adults, with kids 12 & under FREE. Season tickets for the Bears are $70 for a single ticket and $130 for a pair, which includes a free Bears T-shirt.
For more information on the Highline Bears – and to purchase tickets online – go here.
Tuesday morning, King County Executive Dow Constantine watched Bertha’s breakthrough with other VIPs at the north end of the future Highway 99 tunnel. Tuesday night in West Seattle, he launched his second re-election campaign. Here’s what he told the crowd:
(WSB photos and video by Leda Costa)
As you can hear about 11 and a half minutes in, the event at The Hall at Fauntleroy drew protesters as well as supporters. Some held signs outside.
For months, there’s been a campaign to try to convince Constantine to cancel a county project that includes a new youth-detention center. He issued a statement two months ago saying “zero youth detention” is a goal to work toward, but the project, approved by voters five years ago, is proceeding. (As you can hear in the video, his speech also addressed the issue before the interruption, saying his administration had been reducing “disproportionality” in the system.)
Meantime, his second re-election campaign since moving from the County Council to the Executive position in 2009 is starting without anyone actively campaigning against him so far – the main opponents he cited last night were the Republicans in the White House and Congress. “The last seven years have seen some challenges and some successes,” he said. “But the next four years … are going to be a fight.” Even without an opponent, the state Public Disclosure Commission website shows he’s raised $1.1 million in campaign contributions.
For PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) customers contemplating the West Seattle store’s upcoming construction closure – next year you’ll have another option. PCC announced today that it will open a store “early next year” in Burien, at the Five Corners shopping center (15840 1st Ave. S.). From the announcement:
The Burien PCC project will be the first designed for PCC by Seattle-based Graham Baba Architects. The firm will also design the co-op’s West Seattle and Madison Valley stores.
Since 2013, PCC has added new locations in Seattle’s Green Lake and Columbia City neighborhoods and, last year, in the city of Bothell. It plans to open its 13th store in Seattle’s Madison Valley neighborhood in 2019. The community-owned food market also complemented store growth with the addition of online delivery in 2016 through partnerships with Instacart and Amazon.
The West Seattle store is scheduled to close May 31st for construction of a mixed-use project including a larger new PCC.
P.S. We confirmed with PCC that its Burien space is the former Albertsons at Five Corners.
Happy Wednesday! Highlights for today/tonight:
(Heart of The Junction, 1926. Hamm Building at left, Campbell Building at right. Photo courtesy SWSHS)
CAMPBELL BUILDING LANDMARK HEARING: As previewed again here on Monday, today’s the day the Landmarks Preservation Board is scheduled to decide on whether to designate a second West Seattle Junction building as an official city landmark. This time it’s the Campbell Building (home to tenants including Cupcake Royale and City Mouse), across California/Alaska from the newly designated Hamm Building. Today’s hearing starts at 3:30 pm on the lower level of City Hall and this item is expected around 4:30 pm, with an opportunity for public comment. (601 5th Ave.)
DANCE TIME WITH LAUREN PETRIE: Dance at the Senior Center of West Seattle with popular musician Lauren Petrie, 6-8 pm. All ages welcome. Admission info and more here. (4217 SW Oregon)
GLOBAL READING CHALLENGE FINALS AT DENNY: Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark explains what you’re invited to watch tonight:
In elementary schools across Seattle, kids look forward to competing in the Global Reading Challenge in partnership with the Seattle Public Libraries. We wanted to continue this fun reading competition at the middle school level, but the libraries weren’t able to expand. As a result, in partnership with Aki Kurose Middle School and the Nesholm Family Foundation, we’ve made own event. Each team read ten exciting books to prepare. Thank you to the fantastic Denny 6th and 7th grade literacy teachers, Ms. Nestor, and Mr. Treistman for making this happen! Congratulations to the four teams moving on to the final Global Reading Challenge (tonight) against Aki Kurose Middle School:
6th grade teams: Dave Kat and Books Yay
7th grade teams: Krusty Krab Krew and LOL
The in-house competition was full of excitement with the 7th grade teams battling it out to the final lightning round, and the 6th grade teams competing through two full rounds of questions – amazing reading, everyone. We are extremely proud of the over 175 scholars who participated! Come cheer on the final four when they compete against Aki (tonight) at 6:30 pm in the Denny/Sealth Auditorium. Read on, Dolphins!
(2600 SW Thistle)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: As previewed here last night, three transportation projects are at the heart of the agenda when the SWDC meets tonight, 6:30 pm, Senior Center/Sisson Building. Public welcome. (4217 SW Oregon)
JIM PAGE: Singer-songwriter live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘BONNIE & CLYDE’: The West Seattle High School Drama Club and Music Department production of the musical version of the legend of “Bonnie and Clyde” continues tonight – third-to-last chance to catch it – 7:30 pm at the WSHS Theater. More info here. (3000 California SW)
From the “in case you wondered too” file: After we heard this morning about the Payless Shoe Source Chapter 11 filing and a plan for the company to close about 10 percent of its stores as part of its restructure, we wondered about the Westwood Village store. The company posted its closure list about an hour ago and the West Seattle store is NOT on the list, so it is staying open.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
5:55 AM: Good morning. Starting early thanks to tips about the NB 99 crash. It’s on The Viaduct near Seneca and backing things up. No Seattle Fire response (so far), so if anyone’s hurt, it’s not major.
6:01 AM: Metro warns this might affect buses, though no specific alerts so far.
6:05 AM: SDOT says it’s blocking the right lane south of Seneca.
6:17 AM: SDOT says the 99 crash has cleared. But NB 5 has some trouble downtown – a crash before Olive Way.
6:28 AM: Now SDOT says there’s a crash on Delridge at Myrtle.
6:38 AM: SFD has closed its response to that scene.
6:46 AM: New outbound problem! One lane blocked on eastbound WS Bridge ramp to NB I-5, reported to be a stalled vehicle.
8:08 AM: Slow, soggy going, but no further incidents reported since that one.
4TH AVENUE WORK: The Yesler Bridge project on the south end of downtown will lead to some major lane closures in the evenings starting tonight. Here’s the full advisory.
Three city-funded transportation projects are on the agenda for the Southwest District Council tonight (6:30 pm, Senior Center/Sisson Building, 4217 SW Oregon). Natalie Graves from SDOT will update SWDC on the two Neighborhood Street Fund projects that have been in circulation for community feedback, the Harbor/Spokane/Avalon/Manning Intersection Improvements and Chief Sealth IHS Walkway Improvements. Former SWDC co-chair Sharonn Meeks is also scheduled to talk with the council about the Fauntleroy Way SW Boulevard project; she has been involved with advocating for it for many years and spoke at both of the recent walking tours. SWDC is co-chaired by David Whiting from the Admiral Neighborhood Association and Eric Iwamoto from the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council and its meetings are open to all.
9:10 PM: Thanks to Cami for the tip: All those sirens are for an “automobile rescue” response in the 2300 block of Alki, which is blocked at Bonair. More to come.
9:14 PM: Cami also sent the photo added above. Two-car crash.
9:28 PM: And Cami reports a third damaged car. Meantime, SFD has closed the call, meaning all its units have left the scene.
6:57 AM: See comments for discussion and witness reports. The DUI arrest is confirmed via Tweets by Beat. We’re following up this morning for reports from SPD and SFD.
9:25 AM: Continuing to procure followup information this morning – SFD confirms that no one was taken to the hospital. Spokesperson Lt. Harold Webb says three people were evaluated, including the male driver and female passenger in the original car (who declined further medical attention), and a passenger in one car that was apparently “sideswiped” (the only two cars described as occupied, in the SFD report).
10:07 AM: Just talked to SPD spokesperson Det. Mark Jamieson. He says the final tally of vehicles involved was six, including the one whose 27-year-old driver was cited. That car (described in the police report as a 2015 Toyota Scion) hit a parked Camry “at a high rate of speed” northbound on Alki, so fast that the Camry was flipped, and it in turn, police say, hit the other cars. The driver was not booked into jail; the citation, according to Seattle Municipal Court, is for a misdemeanor violation logged as “person under the influence of intoxicants/drugs.”
(Photos and video by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli unless otherwise credited)
Not far from the most recognizable above-ground Seattle icon, the Highway 99 tunneling machine finished its 9,270-foot journey under watchful eyes this morning, as shown in our as-it-happened report earlier.
Photojournalist Christopher Boffoli was there for WSB and put together these video highlights:
If you noticed the drone – that was operated by WSDOT, which has since published this minute-long highlight reel:
So – now what? First: The tunneling machine, which arrived in pieces four years ago, will be taken away in pieces. After the cutterhead’s appearance this morning, removal of the braces began.
WSDOT elaborates on what’s ahead:
STP will disassemble the machine by cutting it into pieces. The pieces will be removed from the pit by crane and placed on trucks. Due to roadway restrictions, each truckload will weigh no more than 20 tons.
Some pieces of the machine may be reused on other tunneling projects, while others will be recycled. Because the machine is so large, removing it will likely take several months.
And then there’s a lot of work to be done inside the tunnel – digging it, and “building rings” along the way, was just the groundwork. This WSDOT post goes into details of what happens inside, from road-building to systems installation to testing and commissioning.
Once the tunnel is tied into the surface network, as recapped in the Viaduct/Tunnel FAQ (and discussed in WSB comments), here’s how Highway 99 is planned to connect to the south end of downtown:
Outside the tunnel, other matters remain unsettled. A big one: How much will the toll be? $1-vicinity recommendations were made three years ago. The Washington State Transportation Commission is charged with determining the final toll but there’s no date set for a vote yet. And of course you’ve heard a lot about court fights over cost overruns, mentioned again today in Seattle Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom‘s look at what’s ahead. (Asked today about the cost overruns, Gov. Inslee said, ““There will be other days to talk about paying for this. We know that our State is going to be insistent that the contractor be financially responsible for the project. We have to get that resolved. I know that will be resolved. And I think there is reason for confidence that the State is going to be held harmless here.” Mayor Murray, asked about a legislator’s proposal to require the city to cover those costs, said today, ” I know we have our annual ‘Let’s bash Seattle’ down in Olympia every legislative session. But again it is a State project and the State will make sure it gets paid. And we will pay for the brand new park that will knit Seattle back to its waterfront.”)
Once the tunnel is open – that clears the way for the remainder of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which opened 64 years ago today, to be torn down. It’s been more than five years since the south mile was demolished.
(March 22nd WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli – SFD units that responded for post-burglary rescue)
Eight days ago, we were first to report that the man pulled from the Duwamish River after allegedly breaking into a boathouse and attacking someone had been set free on personal recognizance, no charges filed, because, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told us, police hadn’t referred the case. Late today, we got word the KCPAO has filed a charge against the suspect, 44-year-old Admiral resident Paul D. Story. The charge comes with an arrest warrant/summons carrying built-in bail of $100,000. Story is charged with first-degree burglary, a charge that incorporates the alleged assault on the man who found him in the boathouse, eating someone’s food. The charging documents say Story maced and hit the victim, who tried to defend himself by picking up a pipe and swinging it at Story, who then jumped into the water and swam under the boathouse. Police and rescuers spent 45 minutes trying to get him out of the life-threateningly cold water before finally cutting a hole in the bottom of the boathouse and pulling him out. Charging documents say Story has been booked into jail 23 times in the past 24 years, but only has one felony conviction, for possession of heroin. Whether he is re-arrested in the meantime or not, he is officially ordered to appear in court April 17th to answer the charge.
In this edition of West Seattle Crime Watch – daytime gunfire and 3 stolen-car followups:
DAYTIME GUNFIRE: This unfolded during a busy time Monday afternoon and we didn’t get details until today, after someone called from out of town saying they had heard their business in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW had been damaged by gunfire. We found an incident number and obtained the report narrative from SPD:
Around 2:25 pm Monday, someone called 911 to say they thought they heard at least two gunshots in the parking lot of the Super 24 convenience store. When police arrived, they were told of a bullet hole in a red food truck/trailer parked behind the store, and that a white Buick and unspecified-color Mercedes had been involved with the gunfire. A witness told officers they had seen someone firing a gun from the white Buick and driving away southbound; police found “a silver 9mm Luger Speer casing” in the street nearby, on Delridge, and security-camera video showing a white Buick and silver Mercedes parked outside the store, but no imagery of the actual gunfire, as of the time the report was filed. No injuries, and no other damage, reported.
STOLEN-CAR FOLLOWUP #1: Todd e-mailed this update:
Just got a call from police and they found our stolen 2007 Honda Civic on Ferry and Massachusetts. It had been stolen the night got of March 24. Car was trashed inside and the windshield was cracked. There was also a lot of stolen stuff in the car. Mostly clothes and phone chargers. And several packages of stolen beef from Safeway. Definitely looked like someone had been living in the car.
Here’s our original report from after the theft; the car was taken from the 3200 block of 41st SW, about a mile from where it was found.
STOLEN CAR FOLLOWUP #2: The red VW Beetle mentioned in the “thwarted package theft” featured in Crime Watch last night was stolen, per commenter JHC, who spotted it and reported it to police.
STOLEN CAR FOLLOWUP #3: Also last night, commenter Mark spotted the stolen gold Forester from this Crime Watch story, and reported it to police; its owners have it back. Mark also shared a photo of the people he saw “dropping off” the car and getting into another one.
P.S. Interested in info on gangs and graffiti? That’s what a King County Sheriff’s Office detective will be discussing at Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting in White Center, 7 pm at the NH Fire District headquarters, 1243 SW 112th, all welcome.
(Rendering for proposed West Coast Self-Storage project)
Last month, we mentioned two self-storage facilities are now on the drawing board for Harbor Avenue SW. The one that’s been in the works the longest, at 3252 Harbor SW, goes back before the Seattle Design Commission this Thursday because the project team is seeking a street vacation – the right to include and ultimately acquire what’s on the books as undeveloped public right-of-way, technically part of 29th SW and City View. As part of the process, a “public benefit package” must be proposed and approved, and the Design Commission has to give its blessing. Its next consideration of the project is scheduled for 10:30 am Thursday (April 6th) at City Hall downtown. Steve Tangney of West Coast Self-Storage, proposing to build the new facility, told us last month that their proposed public-benefit package “will focus on improvements to the Alki Trail along our site frontage. We will be widening and reconstructing this section of the trail and adding landscape trees, art, lighting and relocating existing power poles out of the trail.”
Here’s the project page on the commission’s website, where you can see a map as well as documents from the SDC’s review of the project’s “urban-design merit” last December. The project would replace an old industrial building and tow yard with a new 4-story self-storage building with 50 enclosed parking spaces. Thursday’s hearing will include an opportunity for public comment.
11:06 AM: Now that WSDOT says Bertha the tunneling machine is in the final foot before breakthrough, we are going to do what everybody else is doing and put up the live stream. What we’re hearing from those on scene: It’s dusty. Very dusty. More to come. (And if you just want to check back later to see how it all came out, so to speak, Christopher Boffoli is there for WSB and we’ll have pics from him.) If you use Twitter, watching tweets with the hashtag #BerthaBreakthrough is a mix of commentary, observations, humor, and memories (WSDOT notes that today is the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s 64th birthday).
11:28 AM: Christopher sends this view of what it looks like where he and other media are right now.
The site was opened to media about two hours ago. And now as we type this – it just happened:
The cutterhead is visible #BerthaBreakthrough
— Bertha (@BerthaDigsSR99) April 4, 2017
11:35 AM: Pic from Christopher at the pit:
WSDOT has said it’ll take “weeks” before the machine is in its final position in the pit, to be broken down and hauled away in pieces … which is how it arrived, four years ago, via ship from Japan.
12:07 PM: Just in from Christopher, a new, clear view as the cutterhead continues its slow breakthrough:
And here’s the official news release just sent by WSDOT:
A year ago, SR 99 tunnel crews were about to face their biggest challenge: a trip beneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct they were working to replace. Today, with the viaduct and more than 9,270 feet of new tunnel safely behind them, there was nothing left to face but daylight as the SR 99 tunneling machine chewed its way into a pit near Seattle Center.
Bertha’s 1.7-mile drive beneath Seattle came to a successful end Tuesday afternoon, 64 years to the day since the viaduct first opened to traffic. Led by the Washington State Department of Transportation, and designed and built by contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners, the tunnel project will move a two-mile section of SR 99 underground when it wraps up in early 2019. Crews will then demolish the viaduct, clearing the way for the city’s new waterfront.
“This is a historic moment in our state’s transportation history,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Innovation and perseverance are the engines that keep Washington in the forefront. There is still more work ahead but this moment is one worth celebrating.”
Crews will spend the next several days removing steel support braces that stand between Bertha and the interior of the 90-foot-deep disassembly pit. When the braces are gone, crews will drive the machine into its final position and begin cutting it into pieces for removal. As owner of the machine, the contractor will determine which pieces could be salvaged for use on other projects or recycled.
“We were always confident that we would successfully complete the tunnel drive,” Seattle Tunnel Partners Project Manager Chris Dixon said. “The dedication and commitment of everyone on the Seattle Tunnel Partners team has been exceptional, and we wouldn’t be at this milestone without the hard work of our crews. We look forward to continuing this outstanding progress through project completion.”
STP still has significant work to complete before the tunnel opens. Crews must finish building the double-deck highway within the circular walls that were built by crews inside the tunneling machine. Mechanical and electrical systems, plumbing and safety features also must be installed.
Even as crews are installing these systems, crews will begin the extensive task of testing and commissioning the tunnel to ensure it’s ready for traffic. Inspectors will individually test more than 8,500 separate components before testing each of the tunnel’s various systems as a whole.
“This truly is a remarkable feat of engineering,” Transportation Secretary Roger Millar said. “There’s still work to be done, but the individuals working on this job should be proud of this accomplishment.”
Over the next several years, the City of Seattle’s Waterfront Seattle project will build new public space and a surface boulevard in the place of the double-deck viaduct, which is scheduled for demolition in 2019.
“Today is a major construction milestone in our plan to reclaim Seattle’s waterfront,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said. “We are one step closer to taking down the viaduct to make way for a reimagined waterfront and surrounding downtown neighborhood. We will build a waterfront for pedestrians, transit and sensible car trips without a freeway wall casting a shadow over our vision of a well-connected 21st century city.”
King County Metro will continue to rely on SR 99 to route buses to Seattle after the tunnel opens, said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
“The new tunnel will provide fast, reliable travel for transit and freight past downtown traffic, and reunite the city with its waterfront,” said Constantine. “The breakthrough highlights what we can accomplish when we think big, act boldly, and embrace the ‘can-do’ tradition of our region.”
Port of Seattle Commission Commissioner Courtney Gregoire said the tunnel will work with the new waterfront surface street to accommodate freight traffic.
“This Alaskan Way route is essential to a strong port and linking our industrial lands between SODO and Ballard,” Gregoire said. “Strong, vibrant transportation connections are essential to keep our economy growing and creating middle-class jobs.”
Background on tunneling machine repairs
Manufactured in Japan by Hitachi Zosen Corp., Bertha arrived in Seattle in April 2013. The machine was launched from a pit near the stadiums in July of that year. In December 2013, STP stopped mining after measuring increased temperatures in the machine.
After an investigation, STP discovered damage to the machine’s main bearing. Crews completed repairs and resumed mining in December 2015. The cause of damage to the tunneling machine is in dispute and is currently in litigation. Neither WSDOT nor STP is able to comment further on ongoing legal issues.
1:37 PM: Just in case you were wondering, the machine’s movement is done for the day, by the way, Christopher and other media at the scene were told.
4:08 PM: Pending our “what’s next” second wrapup later today, here’s Christopher’s video of highlights from the breakthrough and the comments afterward, including the governor, mayor, county executive, and others:
More later. WSDOT, meantime, says the livestream camera will be up until 9 tomorrow morning.
The official call has gone out this morning for volunteers to serve on the city’s newly created Renters’ Commission. Here’s the announcement:
Established by ordinance in March, the SRC will advise the City on policies and issues of interest to renters citywide.
The Commission is composed of 15 members – six are appointed by City Council, six are appointed by the Mayor, and one position will be filled by a young adult through the Get Engaged program. Two positions are selected by the SRC once established. Commissioners will serve without compensation.
The SRC will consist of people living in an array of rental housing types, including students, low-income renters, LGBTQ renters, people with past felony convictions, people in subsidized housing, and those who have experienced homelessness. It’s also expected that members be geographically representative of Seattle. SRC meetings will be open to the public.
Those interested in being considered should complete the online application by Monday, May 1 by 5 p.m. If you cannot submit the application online, contact Seferiana Day at 206-684-8806 and an application will be mailed to you, or you can pick one up at the Seattle City Council main office – Seattle City Hall, 600 Fourth Avenue, 2nd floor, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You can also learn more on the Seattle Renters’ Commission’s website.
Thanks to @MetPatrick22 for the first of several views shared of this morning’s glorious sunrise. Besides the imminent Bertha breakthrough – not expected for a few more hours, WSDOT says – here’s what else is notable today:
DINE AT JOE’S, HELP STUDENTS: Dine-out fundraiser all day/night at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) for the Alki Elementary PTA. Go for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner! (9261 45th SW)
JOB SEARCH HELP: Looking for work? 2-4 pm, stop by Neighborhood House High Point Center to “work one-on-one with a coach and get help searching for opportunities, filling out applications, creating a cover letter and resume, practicing interview skills and more.” More info in our calendar listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
CONSTANTINE CAMPAIGN KICKOFF: 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, King County Executive Dow Constantine officially kicks off his second re-election campaign. (9131 California SW)
WESTWOOD-ROXHILL-ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 6:15 pm, Southwest Library. The Delridge RapidRide H Line is the big topic, as previewed here, including mobility issues at the Westwood transit hub and how else this route will deal with the Westwood-Highland Park Urban Village. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. “Green space” issues in The Junction and Triangle will be discussed with city reps. (4217 SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor), busy agenda including an SDOT rep with an update on the Spokane/Harbor/Avalon/Manning project. (4022 SW Alaska)
LOTS MORE ON THE CALENDAR … see it here.
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