West Seattle, Washington
21 Wednesday
6:52 PM: Thanks for the texts. SB 35th is blocked at Juneau right now because of a 2-car crash. No serious injuries; no one being taken to the hospital – so SFD has just left.
6:54 PM: One SB lane has just reopened. Juneau remains blocked west of 35th – might be that way until the damaged cars are clear, as one is up on the curb of the NW corner of the intersection (photo added above).
7:35 PM: Just went by again. Outside SB 35th lane still blocked as is Juneau to the west. No tow trucks in sight.
7:50 PM: Thanks to Jay for the text saying the tow trucks have arrived.
8:54 PM: And shortly thereafter, Patrick reported via Twitter, the scene was clear.
SIDE NOTE: On Twitter, Matt brought up the potential changes ahead for this intersection, which has had high-profile crashes over the year. We checked the archives and it was exactly one year ago today that SDOT had its 35th SW Safety Project Phase 2 “open house” in High Point – mentioning that a signal or other crossing improvement was possible at 35th/Juneau as part of the West Seattle Greenway project. But the “most promising route” unveiled for that in June didn’t include 35th/Juneau at all. And we’re still waiting to hear about the next steps on 35th SW Phase 2.
Though the original plan was to repave 63rd SW this week, south of Alki SW, it was still in the condition shown above (photographed Thursday evening) when we took another look earlier today. At day’s end, SDOT sent this updated schedule:
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) advises travelers that crews will be paving 63rdAve SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way through August 8.
Through August 8, travelers can expect:
-There will be lane closures 24 hours a day on 63rd Ave SW between Alki Ave SW and SW Admiral Way.
-The two inside general purpose lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed.
-The bike lanes on 63rd Ave SW will be closed. A signed detour will be posted.
-Northbound and southbound traffic on 63rd Ave SW will be routed to the outside curb lanes until the work can be completed.
-There will be no parking on 63rd Ave SW during this time.
-The work is expected to be completed on August 8.This project is part of SDOT’s Arterial Major Maintenance (AMM) program.
No update on Beach Drive yet.
If you’ve shopped and/or worked in The Junction, you might know Jeannie. Even if you don’t – those who do are hoping you can help her. We were asked to share the announcement:
We at Jan’s Beauty Supply in West Seattle are starting this GoFundMe page for our dear friend and business associate Jeannie Scarpello. She has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the second time.
Thirteen years ago, she survived her first terrible battle against this awful disease with chemo and surgery. This time it is much more serious, requiring a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. She lost her beloved sister, Betty, to this insidious disease a few years ago. You can imagine how emotionally distraught she is.
Jeannie has worked in the Junction for many years and is one of our brightest lights! Always caring for others, she lifts spirits with her contagious smile and genuine concern. She is truly loved by many.
It is extremely humbling to be in a position where you cannot provide for yourself. It is our hope to ease her stress of daily living without an income. Jeannie needs to focus all her energy and her strength on this fight for her life.
Please donate and help us be her light during her darkest days. Anything and everything helps! Thank you in advance for your generosity and support!
Again, the donation page is here.
FIRST REPORT, 12:45 PM: Thanks for the tips – we went to The Junction to check out reader reports about major tagging vandalism overnight, with huge tags painted in at least one bus shelter as well as multiple large tags on the bricks on the north side of the Senior Center of West Seattle. When we arrived, we found Mike already at work with a pressure washer, getting rid of the vandalism outside the Senior Center. There are other tags on various structures, and cleanup is obviously a big time and money drain for building owners, but the best way to deter more of this is to clean it up as fast as possible, police advise – whether by washing or paintover (and cleanup IS required). We had to leave The Junction before checking on the Route 50 shelter from which Rich had sent a photo showing a huge tag covering almost all the etched glass, but we advised him to call the Metro graffiti/vandalism hotline to report it for cleanup – 206-477-3850. The city also has a hotline for graffiti vandalism on public property: 206-684-7587, with an online report form here.
If you see a vandal in action anywhere, call 911 – as this city webpage notes, vandals have to be caught in the act to be prosecuted.
P.S. What you think you know about graffiti/tagging vandalism is probably wrong, as the Seattle Police detective assigned to that beat told the WS Crime Prevention Council in a briefing we covered a while back.
3:53 PM UPDATE: We went back to the Senior Center to check on progress – Bradi had joined Mike in the cleanup:
We also talked with Lora Swift, executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, which has offices across SW Oregon from the Senior Center. She said they are strategizing what to do with a few other vandalized spots, like a streetlight pole kitty-corner across California/Oregon with big black spraypainted lettering.
(WSB photo)
FIRST REPORT, 12:01 PM: Two months ago, we reported on “soft demolition” for an upslope structure that’s part of the long-in-the-works project including the ex-Alki Tavern site. Today, demolition of the street-level structures along Harbor Avenue is under way.
(Photo by Carolyn Newman)
The crew started at the west end of the site; the former tavern – closed almost 4 1/2 years ago – is one of two structures on the east end. What’ll be built on the site: A six-floor mixed-use building with 15 residential units, office and “light manufacturing” space, ground-floor retail/commercial, 41 offstreet parking spaces, and a public hillclimb/breezeway between California Way and Harbor SW. We’ll be checking on demolition progress late this afternoon.
3:22 PM UPDATE: We went back just under an hour ago and the two structures on the west end were both gone, as was the crew.
At the left edge of the photo is the brick west side of the ex-tavern.
(Osprey, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Highlights for the rest of your Friday:
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm; Highland Park spraypark, 11 am-8 pm; Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm; EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm. (Find addresses here)
(Blue Angels photographed by David Hutchinson as they flew over Elliott Bay during Monday arrival)
BLUE ANGELS: Their Friday “practice” show (which is usually the same as the “real” one on Saturday and Sunday) should start with Boeing Field/Museum of Flight takeoff between 1 and 1:30 pm; the I-90 bridge closure is scheduled for 12:55 pm-2:40 pm, today and both days this weekend.
WORDS, WRITERS, WEST SEATTLE: 5-7 pm at Barnes & Noble in Westwood Village, this month’s featured author is Jenny D. Williams:
The free author-talk series is presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. (2600 SW Barton)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE MOUNT: Tonight’s the first of four free Friday night concerts on the south side of the Providence Mount St. Vincent campus. Dinner/drinks available for purchase at 5:30 pm, music at 6 pm with the Neil Diamond tribute band Cherry Cherry. Bring your own chair. Free popcorn/snow cones! (4831 35th SW)
CORNER BAR: First Friday of the month means it’s Corner Bar night at Highland Park Improvement Club, 6 pm! Come hang out with your neighbors. (1116 SW Holden)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents Shakespeare’s “Richard II,” directed by Susannah Rose Woods. Free! (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ABBAGRAPHS: 8:30 pm at Parliament Tavern, “West Seattle’s tribute to everyone’s favorite Swedish supergroup.” $8 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MUSIC X 3: 9 pm at The Skylark, Jordan Lowe, Young-Chhaylee, Caleb Yi. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … including the weekend … via our complete calendar.
Before we get to what’s happening today, one note about something NOT happening this weekend – Sunday’s scheduled Community Advisory Committee meeting for city-sanctioned Camp Second Chance on Myers Way has been postponed, according to an announcement received this morning, citing “unforeseen circumstances.” A new date/time/location is TBA. The committee is a city-required condition for each of the six sanctioned encampments around the city; we covered its first three monthly meetings (here, here, and here).
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:09 AM: One nearby traffic alert this morning – police are investigating a deadly crash on 1st Avenue South at Fidalgo [map] in Georgetown, and 1st will be closed there while that continues.
Otherwise, we have reminders for you again:
PAVING: Beach Drive at Andover and 63rd north of Admiral are both in progress, we noted while checking the area Thursday evening.
BLUE ANGELS CLOSURES: I-90 closures east of I-5 for Seafair (Blue Angels) practices and airshows continue today through Sunday, 12:55 pm-2:40 pm each day, per the WSDOT website.
WATER TAXI SERVICE INTERRUPTION STARTS MONDAY: No West Seattle or Vashon Water Taxi service starting Monday while the downtown dock is moved to a temporary location north of Colman Dock so the new permanent dock can be built. Here’s our update from earlier this week.
7:42 AM: Couple more notes – Speaking of the Water Taxi, you have a few more days to take its online survey … and the “online open house” for the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition plan is now up and running.
8:44 AM: SPD says 1st Avenue S. at the crash scene should reopen soon, and has released a few details about the collision, saying it involved a motorcycle rider – who was dead at the scene – and car driver.
9:45 AM: 1st Avenue S. has reopened, SDOT reports.
Thanks to everyone who sent photos from last night’s red-again sunset – above is by Harry Pohlman; below, by Jim Borrow. We thought we’d wait to see how things looked this morning before publishing a weather update.
Verdict: No change. Still smoky. The National Weather Service has a Special Weather Statement about that saying the smoke is expected to persist at least through Saturday – and its Excessive Heat Warning is still in effect through 9 pm tonight, though temperatures haven’t been quite as high as feared. Last night, we also had multiple reports of what seemed to be ash accompanying the smoke – let us know if you’ve noticed that. And the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency‘s Stage 1 Burn Ban – no outdoor burning – continues TFN.
Just out of the WSB inbox:
Our locked car in our alley just had rear window broken. My husband heard the black 4 door import car with approximately 4 white adult males cruise the alley. He walked outside and they drove off, only then did he realize the rear window was broken. Police have been notified. Thanks for costing us money we don’t have!
We live a block south of Admiral.
Police reiterate, call 911 if you see a crime or suspected crime in progress.
Something new at New Luck Toy: One patron now has a seat at the bar with his name on a plaque.
That’s Brent Amaker, local musician and entrepreneur – you might remember him as the headliner on West Seattle Summer Fest night 2 – seen below with New Luck Toy co-proprietor Chef Mark Fuller.
Story goes that Fuller told Amaker the plaque was OK as long as he installed it. That happened Thursday afternoon – instead of a guitar, Amaker wielded a power tool. Final result – crafted by Jimmy Davies of Craftsman Copper in Olympia:
The bar-with-Chinese-food at 5905 California SW has been open almost 10 months.
(WSB photo: Kayleen Dunson, before Delridge Playfield game in July)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
When the Pan American Women’s Softball Championships start tomorrow in the Dominican Republic, West Seattle will be represented.
Not by a player.
By an umpire!
We’ve introduced you to Kayleen Dunson before. She is in her fifth year as Umpire In Chief for USA Softball in this area (Seattle Metro Softball Umpires Association).
And she is one of two USA umpires chosen to go to the 20-nation championships in Santo Domingo.
(King County Assessor photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Where a burned-out former auto shop (above) now sits at the corner of Delridge and Henderson, a sawtooth-edged 31-apartment building will rise, if the project that just made it out of the first stage of Design Review gets built.
All four appointed-volunteer members of the Southwest Design Review Board – chair Matt Zinski, Alexandra Moravec, Don Caffrey, and Crystal Loya – voted to advance the project to the second and final stage. This was their first look at the project – the Early Design Guidance phase – which focuses on “massing” (size, shape, placement on site). Here’s the design packet put together for the review:
Along with the board members and architects, assigned city planner Abby Weber was at the meeting, plus two members of the public, West Seattle neighborhood advocates Kim Barnes and Diane Vincent. Both spoke during community-comment time. But first = here’s how the meeting began:
The Adarna is onstage outside Hiawatha Community Center right now, for the third show of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. The lawn is in the shade by this time of the evening so it’s a good place to get away from our extra-warm temperatures.
Lots of room to sprawl – the shows usually continue until about 8 pm, so grab a chair/blanket and get to Walnut south of Lander! We’ll add video later. (Update: Here it is.)
Three more shows this season – next Thursday (6:30 pm August 10th), it’s Adrian Xavier.
Watch out if your heading south on SR 509 near Cloverdale. Crews are battling a brush 🔥, and water is getting on the highway. #SlowForH2O pic.twitter.com/IqbUbensly
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) August 4, 2017
(Added: Video tweeted by @WSDOT_Traffic)
Thanks to the person who texted about this – Seattle Fire now has a big response headed to a brush fire reported along southbound Highway 509, south of Cloverdale. They’re also checking out the top of the slope along Myers Way.
(Slide deck shown for T-5 update at this week’s meeting)
No tenant yet for Terminal 5 in West Seattle – but port commissioners took steps this week to get closer to readiness for the modernization project they’ll launch if and when one is signed.
As previewed here Monday night, the steps were taken at Tuesday’s meeting of Seattle and Tacoma port commissioners as managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance.
One intriguing question was debated toward meeting’s end – Could, and should, the port pursue a “railroad quiet zone” even before, or without, signing a tenant? Specifically, commissioner Fred Felleman wondered whether it would be the right thing to do for the community.
Currently, the “quiet zone” is a condition that will have to be met for the modernized T-5, but train horns long have been a vexing issue for nearby residents, particularly on Pigeon Point. (Here’s one story we published in 2008, which also includes a summary of what a “quiet zone” entails.)
Before voting on what port staff called an “important milestone” in getting ready for T-5 modernization, three years after the terminal was closed, they got a briefing on where things stand.
(2015 photo of T-5 by Long Bach Nguyen)
They were told that an area resident’s appeal of the “shoreline substantial development” permit was settled a week and a half ago. The appeal, staff said, was mostly focused on concerns about construction noise, especially pile driving. The settlement includes a promise not to pile-drive on Sundays and federal holidays.
The building permit could be “essentially ready to go” in as little as a month and a half, as the result of other agreements approved by commissioners, with other parties including two tribes. If the tribes have no further issues, the Army Corps of Engineers could issue a permit within about a month.
Commissioners wondered whether the permits might be getting issued too soon, considering there’s no tenant, and asked how long they would be good for. Reply: Seven years in all – they would have three years to start the construction, then three years to complete it with up to a year’s extension.
As for the “quiet zone,” that process is starting early, port staff said, because “to be blunt, we have to deal with Burlington Northern, and they are very safety conscious.” While the port is agreeing to cover the $5 million cost, it was explained that the permits would be sought by SDOT, while the railroad “helps design and will actually implement it.”
So, the question then came up, would the “quiet zone” be built if there’s no T-5 tenant?
No, was the reply, “because it’s a condition” of the T-5 project. “We’re not building anything without a tenant.” But – it was clarified at that point – it COULD be built without a tenant. And that’s when Felleman suggested considering whether there might be “community benefit” no matter what.
After the commissioners voted to approve everything brought before them regarding T-5 – see the agenda items, with documents linked, here – they got budget updates, including a mention that interim uses of T-5, including military ships that have spent time there in the past few months (the Military Sealift Command ship Sgt. Matej Kocak and the recently seen Missile Defense Agency radar ship SS Pacific Tracker), have brought in about $1 million. The decommissioning of cranes at T-5, meantime, has been delayed. Next year’s budget timetable was mentioned – a public hearing on the Seattle-specific budget is planned November 14th, wth adoption November 28th.
(We monitored this meeting, held at Sea-Tac Airport, via its livestream on Tuesday. The archived video is not yet available online.)
SIDE NOTE: T-5 will undoubtedly be a topic when the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce gets its annual “State of the Port” briefing September 14th at Jack Block Park.
(WSB photo: Chris Langeler in 2016, photographed on the day WS Helpline was announced as WS Chamber Nonprofit of the Year)
Another West Seattle nonprofit is in for a change at the top. Just announced by the West Seattle Helpline:
The West Seattle Helpline is hiring a new Executive Director to lead the organization into the next phase of its efforts to put a stop to homelessness in West Seattle and White Center. The current Executive Director of the WS Helpline, Chris Langeler, will transition out in September 2017 after 2 1/2 years leading the organization.
Langeler says, “It has been a true honor to serve the West Seattle and White Center communities in this role. When I was hired, I made a commitment to our Board of Directors to give my all for 2-3 years to help the organization grow and reach its full potential. I’m so proud of the strides that we’ve made and immensely grateful to our incredible donors, volunteers, partners, and staff that have made this possible. I’m not yet sure about my next steps, but I am sure that I will always cherish my time here and will never stop supporting the West Seattle Helpline.”
The WS Helpline has grown significantly in the last two years, adding multiple staff members and more than doubling the number of volunteers. The result has been a significant increase in the number of West Seattle and White Center residents served through emergency rent & utility assistance, bus tickets, and the Clothesline, an all-ages clothing bank, recently moved to a new location in the WS Junction. The organization just finalized a two-year strategic plan for 2017-2019 and is seeking a new leader to implement that plan and further its mission:
Board member Rev. Ron Marshall says, “As one of the founders of the WS Helpline, I can say for certain that our organization is stronger and doing more to serve our community than ever before. We’re thankful to Chris for helping the organization grow and expand its impact over the last two-and-a-half-years. Now is the perfect time for us to select our next leader to help us take the next step toward put a stop to homelessness in West Seattle & White Center.”
The job description was posted online this week and the deadline to apply is Monday, August 23rd at 9:00 am. The WS Helpline encourages everyone to share the description widely with qualified candidates who may be interested in applying. More on the opportunity and how to apply is available (here).
WS Helpline is headquartered in High Point. Its annual fundraising events include the always-popular Taste of West Seattle; this year’s edition back in May brought in a record amount.
(WSDOT photo)
Back on Monday, we reported that WSDOT was launching (and advertising) an info campaign about the Alaskan Way Viaduct demolition that’ll start after the Highway 99 tunnel opens, expected in early 2019. As part of it, an “online open house” was set to go live today. While it wasn’t ready when we looked this morning, it is now. Go here to check it out, including some of the side topics that have been discussed here, including the transitional tunnel-to-Viaduct plan, and what happens to the Battery Street Tunnel. The last page of the “open house” site includes a chance to comment – and remember there’s also an in-person open house downtown a week from tonight (drop in 5-8 pm Thursday, August 10th, 1400 Western Ave.).
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
If you noticed a sizable police response in the Admiral area this past hour, here’s what we’ve found out. WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports that, in the 2600 block of 45th SW, “SPD at the scene told me that this began as a court-ordered warrant service. The subject was initially cooperative with officers but on the way to the car he apparently changed his mind and started a scuffle. One officer was treated at the scene for some scrapes and cuts. No serious injuries with either the subject or the officers.”
Another commercial space at The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW; WSB sponsor) has been leased. Orangetheory Fitness will move into a 3,905-square-foot space in the south building, Weingarten Realty confirms. Orangetheory Fitness is a chain with hundreds of locations, specializing in what it calls “heart-rate-based interval training.” You can see its future location on Weingarten’s Whittaker “site map” above, which also shows that nobody is signed yet for what was to be the Whole Foods space – the site map indicates that could go to two tenants. (The other four businesses shown on the site map – BECU, CityMD, MOD Pizza, and T-Mobile – were announced a year ago and expected to open later this year.)
Another red sunrise today – photographed this time by Ann Anderson. The visibility otherwise appears to have improved a bit – at least, looking to the west, where Vashon is more in view than it’s been for a while. But remember, the burn ban continues. Meantime, here’s what’s on the highlights list, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
BLUE ANGELS PRACTICES: The Navy jets, visiting for Seafair, will be practicing together today during two windows that, as mentioned in our morning-traffic report, also include I-90 closures east of I-5 – now through 12:15 pm and 1 pm-2:40 pm. As usual, they take off from, and land at, Boeing Field, not far east of West Seattle.
BEE STORY TIME: 11 am, story time moves out to the West Seattle Bee Garden in High Point Commons Park! (Graham/Lanham)
WADING POOLS AND SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park wading pool, 11 am-8 pm; Highland Park spraypark, 11 am-8 pm; Hiawatha wading pool, noon-6:30 pm; EC Hughes wading pool, noon-7 pm. (Find addresses here)
PLANET EARTH ROCKS! For ages 7 and up, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library: “Become a geologist and learn how rocks can tell us stories about everything from the formation of the planet, to fossils or asteroids and meteors from space with staff and exhibits from the Burke Museum!” Free, registration NOT required, just show up – more info here! (9010 35th SW)
JACK AND THE DRAGON: Oregon Shadow Theatre puppets and live music at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3:30 pm – details here. (2306 42nd SW)
FOOD TRUCK: One of the West Seattle spots with regular food-truck visits is Ounces beer garden/tap room (all ages) in North Delridge – you can check their calendar to see who’s coming on what night. Tonight, it’s scheduled to be Peasant Food, 5-9 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
GO SKATE ALKI! You’re invited to “grab your skates and bring your friends and family for an Alki Beach skate night!” Meet up at Seacrest (by Alki Kayak Tours) 6 pm; post-skate gathering planned too. If you need skates, Alki Kayak Tours rents them. (1660 Harbor SW)
RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL CLEANUP: 6 pm, you can join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society in cleaning up the memorial area for this weekend’s tour. (3810 17th SW)
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: As previewed here last night, The Adarna performs, free, 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center: Bring a chair/blanket, picnic if you want to, all the friends and family and neighbors you can gather, and enjoy the third of this year’s six free Thursday night concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. (Walnut south of Lander)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR 8854 DELRIDGE WAY SW: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, it’s the Southwest Design Review Board‘s first look at 8854 Delridge Way SW, a four-story building with 31 microstudio apartments and a commercial space, proposed for what’s currently the site of a closed-by-fire-damage ex-auto shop. The design-packet link and other info can be found in our preview from last week. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (4217 SW Oregon)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: 7 pm at Lincoln Park, GreenStage presents “Comedy of Errors.” Free! More info in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
Family and friends will gather Sunday to remember Denis Lavoie. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Denis J. Lavoie, 54, passed away July 30, 2017, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
He will be remembered for his kind heart and his adventurous spirit.
Denis leaves behind his wife Cindy and sons Thomas and Lucas.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 6, at 2:00 at Fauntleroy Church in West Seattle.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
In case you’re wondering, work really has begun on the long-closed, arson-damaged restroom/storage building at Riverview Playfield. Our photo above is from Wednesday morning – as we pulled up, workers were visible on the roof and operating the equipment that’s in the photo, but they were out of view before we got the camera out. Neighborhood advocates had been aghast to hear at one point that the relatively new facility might remain closed, waiting for repair funding, for several more years, but Parks confirmed in May that $200,000+ had been allocated from the levy-funded Seattle Park District, and during the Highland Park Find It/Fix It Walk days later, Parks confirmed the plan. They then said work would start with the roof, and that’s what a building permit has been issued for. Parks expects the building will be ready to reopen in fall.
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