West Seattle, Washington
07 Monday
A beautiful sight in a West Seattle backyard brought holiday cheer to “Awesome Avery” Berg and her family. We have reported before – here and here – on Avery, who was diagnosed with brain cancer just as she prepared to start middle school this fall. The photo and update are from friend Kelly Malloy:
She begins her second round of chemo today – and the community surprised the family on Tuesday by showing up in their back yard with candles and holiday songs to sing. Her dear friends Liza and Rachel coordinated this and it was AWESOME. (like Awesome Avery)
Caroling at Avery’s and seeing (at least) 50 people in her back yard was mind blowing, inspiring, brilliant, sweet, and just another reflection of the fabulous community of West Seattle.
Avery’s mom Kristie has continued to post updates from time to time here.
The Southwest Design Review Board‘s next meeting on January 5th now has a second project.
We already reported a month ago that the Arbor Heights plan for 9 live-work units at 4220 SW 100th would go before the board that night (6:30 pm, Senior Center/Sisson Building). It’s an Early Design Guidance hearing but this concept rendering of the project is already in the file:
The formal notice of that hearing finally appeared in the Land Use Information Bulletin today.
What’s not in the bulletin yet – but has just been added to the Design Review website – is an 8 pm hearing that same night (January 5th) for 3039 SW Avalon Way. This is the second and potentially final review for the six-story, 71-unit, 20-offstreet-parking-space project. Here’s our report on its first review back in February. The “packet” for this review is not in the system yet but will eventually be linked here.
The Southwest District Council is asking the city for an extra half-year to deal with the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) rezoning plans.
That’s part of what happened when the SWDC met Tuesday night – postponed from last week, when the city scheduled its rezoning-and-more “open house” (WSB coverage here) on the district council’s longstanding regular meeting night.
Here’s the text of the resolution passed by SWDC members:
The Southwest District Council requests a six-month extension to the HALA proposal, prior to the (Environmental Impact Statement) submittal, to accommodate necessary outreach, assimilation, and planning so that alternative draft zoning proposals can be developed, and in order to have design charrettes take place for the following urban villages: West Seattle Junction, Admiral Junction, and Morgan Junction.
As we’ve been reporting since October, four West Seattle “urban villages” are among the areas of the city where upzoning is planned as part of what the mayor calls Mandatory Housing Affordability – giving builders/developers additional capacity, while requiring them to build a percentage of their projects as “affordable” units, or else pay into a fund that will pay for it to be built somewhere else in the city.
One of those UVs, Westwood-Highland Park, has already had a “design charrette” organized by the city to talk about and look at specifics of its plan, but the city is currently not planning similar events for the three UVs mentioned in the SWDC resolution. And the overall concern is that most current residents potentially affected by this still don’t know about it, as there’s been no direct, clear messaging from the city about the proposed zoning changes.
Also at Tuesday’s SWDC meeting, three items that you might call operational.
(Western Grebe, photographed by Mark Wangerin. Curious about its leg? Read this.)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
DINE OUT FOR LAFAYETTE: 3-10 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, part of the proceeds benefit Lafayette Elementary. (4730 California SW)
TINKERLAB: With the High Point Library temporarily closed, Southwest Library is the place to go for today’s Tinkerlab drop-in session, focused on Finch Robots. 3:30-5 pm. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
CIRCLE OF SINGLES: 5 pm at Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor). Event for singles 60+. (1936 Harbor SW)
SHOP LATE THURSDAY AT CLICK! Many Junction shops are open later than usual tonight – among them, longtime WSB sponsor Click! Design That Fits, with a special pop-up event in its loft – details here. (4540 California SW)
CAROLING IN THE JUNCTION: Join in holiday songs while you’re shopping The Junction tonight – meet up with Emerald City Voices at 6 pm at Junction Plaza Park “to join in a stroll around the Junction. You’ll be stopping at local businesses to sing the season with holiday cheer,” as part of Hometown Holidays. (42nd SW/SW Alaska)
DENNY CONCERT: Postponed last week because of weather, the Denny International Middle School winter band/orchestra concert is happening tonight, 6:30 pm at Chief Sealth International HS Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)
WSHS CONCERT: The West Seattle High School Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Orchestra are performing their Winter Concert tonight, 7 pm, in the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)
ORCA TALK: The Southern Resident Killer Whales’ situation is more precarious than ever. Tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), The Whale Trail‘s first Orca Talk of the season brings you Lynne Barre from NOAA Fisheries with the latest on their status. Our preview includes ticket info – check to see if there’s room. (5612 California SW)
SHAKE THINGS UP: The monthly Alauda bellydancing showcase at The Skylark is at 7:30 tonight. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOTS MORE … for today and tonight – just check our complete calendar here.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:30 AM: The main weather word is “cold,” says the National Weather Service. Two more notes:
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: If you travel through the stadium zone – be aware that it’s game night, Seahawks hosting the Rams, 5:25 pm. Here’s the SDOT alert.
SECOND-TO-LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Tomorrow is the last day before winter break for Seattle Public Schools (and most independent schools). SPS will be out an hour early on Friday.
7:36 AM: Commenter mentions backup on the low bridge.
8 AM: Automobile rescue call at 16th/Florida on Harbor Is.
8:20 AM: The location has been corrected to 13th/Florida (map).
Photos and video by Christopher Boffoli for West Seattle Blog
A cheery scene of holiday giving this morning, in the chilly sunshine: A large group of bundled-up students and teachers from the North Admiral preschool A Child Becomes marched the two blocks from the school to Seattle Fire Station 29, pulling seven wagons of toys:
The toys were for the SFD Toys for Tots drive:
After the students helped unload the toys into the bins at the station, school director Shelley Neal led everyone in song.
And to sum it all up in video:
You can drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Seattle Fire station by December 23rd, and Toys for Tots, via the US Marine Corps Reserve, will get them to local kids in need. FS 29 is at 2139 Ferry SW; also in West Seattle are FS 11 at 16th SW/SW Holden, FS 37 at 35th SW/SW Holden, temporary FS 32 on 40th SW between Edmunds and Alaska, and FS 36 at the north end of Delridge Way.
As mentioned earlier – when we published this story about Seattle Police trying to get recovered items backto their owners – we have reader reports to share, too:
MORE CAR PROWLS IN LA FITNESS GARAGE: From Jordan:
I wanted to pass along this story about two car break-ins at the LA Fitness parking garage that happened last night, December 13th. A buddy and I were leaving the gym and approached his car to find that his driver side window had been completely broken, along with the car next to him. Both cars had been gone through (glove boxes open, center consoles open, etc..), nothing too valuable was taken from either car.
When we went to report it to the front desk staff at LA Fitness, they said, “AGAIN!”. Which leads me to believe it has been happening quite a bit lately. Just trying to raise awareness for people who use the gym and maybe encourage the management of the building to install some security cameras in the parking garage since there is a total of zero now. With how many members the gym now has and how much the monthly dues are it seems like it would be a minimal expense to install some cameras to deter crime for their members.
We’ll be checking with corporate HQ.
CAR PROWLERS ON CAMERA: From Matthew along Fauntleroy Way:
My work vehicle was broken into this morning between 3:15 and 3:40. There were three men in two vehicles. They appear to know their trade, as they spent a good deal of time looking evidence of an alarm, and a means of deactivating it. They eventually picked the driver door, set off the alarm, had the side and rear doors opened for them and looked for anything to grab in a hurry then ran off.
A good reminder to be watchful and review good vehicle-theft-prevention practices.
PACKAGE-THEFT ALERT: From Joseph: “I’m writing to report multiple package theft in the Morgan Junction areas. Many in the area have found or reported ripped open boxes and missing packages. Specifically Willow and California west-side residences, and down Willow to Fauntleroy.”
PREVENTION ADVICE: These are exactly the type of crime that rises at this time every year. This flyer circulated to community groups has suggestions for what you can do to deter it.
(UPDATED to reflect that the meeting day, December 19th, is next Monday)
That’s a file photo of the USNS Bob Hope – a Military Sealift Command ship that might be berthed next year at West Seattle’s Terminal 5. Northwest Seaport Alliance (the joint Seattle-Tacoma ports’ organization) spokesperson Tara Mattina tells WSB that a special public meeting is set for next (updated) Monday (December 19th) to discuss a plan for the NWSA to join Foss Maritime in seeking a contract for the ship to be berthed at T-5. This would require Foss to have a deal with the port beyond the February expiration of its the one it has now. First, some background, from Mattina:
The USNS Bob Hope is the first ship in the Navy’s first class of large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSR), and is part of the United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC). The primary mission of these ships is to transport shore-based equipment and supplies in support of military and humanitarian operations.
This past summer the Bob Hope participated in the Cascadia Rising earthquake recovery exercise. These ships are a key asset in recovery efforts in the event of a widespread natural disaster.
The ships are operated by 30 civilian mariners who work for a private company under contract to MSC and up to 50 embarked military personnel who monitor and maintain the equipment being transported. The ships are maintained in reduced operational status, which means they are operationally ready in four days.
Should Foss and the NWSA be successful in winning this bid, the ship would berth at Terminal 5. The Navy plans to run the ship on shore power while at berth.
This type of interim use for Terminal 5 is part of the alliance’s strategic business plan to diversify cargo and maximize terminal use. It will in no way interfere with the modernization of the terminal and the goal of creating a first-class container terminal.
Lots of additional information is in this memo attached to the agenda for next (updated) Monday’s meeting. It says that the branch of General Dynamics that operates the Bob Hope and similar ships is seeking “berth space, facilities, services, equipment and support in order to maintain USNS Bob Hope in ready-reserve status for a base term of one year.” That year would be the entirety of 2017, with the possibility of extending the contract “up to four additional 1-year terms.” The document also says “The RFP provides for other vessels to moor during times when USNS Bob Hope is away from berth” and that this could bring in at least $300,000 a year. It also notes that Foss’s lease for T-5 ends in February, so the NWSA would have to make a new deal with Foss in order for that company to handle this. (The Bob Hope is currently in San Diego.)
If you have something to say about this, there’s a public-comment period during the meeting at 8:30 am next (updated) Monday at Pier 69 downtown (2711 Alaskan Way), or you can e-mail comments@nwseaportalliance.com.
P.S. The tanker Evergreen State is the ship you’re currently seeing at T-5. We asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw about it after a Seattle Fire medical call to T-5 earlier this week. He explains, “Foss still has a 50-acre lease at T-5; they received a call over the weekend that the Evergreen State needed a berth to undertake some repair work to the piping. The vessel will be at T-5 until the work is complete. Although a tanker, its voids are dry and empty.”
(WSB photo by Christopher Boffoli)
1:51 PM: Big “automobile rescue” response for a crash at 16th and Thistle in Highland Park. Avoid the area. More to come.
1:59 PM: More units are on the way – the call has been escalated to “heavy rescue.”
2:11 PM: Via scanner, SFD is treating a 24-year-old man who will be taken to Harborview Medical Center. Injuries do not appear to be life-threatening. Meantime, the crash is affecting Metro Routes 125 and 128.
2:56 PM: Photo added. Police told us this is being investigated as a hit-and-run; this comment includes what a witness reported seeing. The medical exchange we heard via scanner described the victim as having been hit “at high speed.”
If you’ve been car-prowled lately …take a look at this photo:
It’s from Southwest Precinct Officer DeBella, who explains:
SPD Southwest Anti-Crime Team and Patrol Officers broke up a car-prowl crew. We believe them to be prolific car prowlers with ties around the city and into King County. We have some distinctive property which was recovered but do not know who the owners are. If anyone recognizes their property in the photograph, please e-mail Officer DeBella at spd6844@seattle.gov.
At least one person is in custody in connection with this, we’re told.
P.S. We will have another Crime Watch update later with today’s reader reports.
If you’re hoping to see “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at West Seattle’s newly renovated Admiral Theater, here’s an update:
Though the official start date is Friday, The Admiral does have Thursday night shows, and manager Dinah Brein wants you to know: “Tickets will NOT be available online or at the theater until this Thursday [tomorrow]. Box office opens at 2 PM. You can buy tickets for either Thursday’s 2D 7 PM show or the 3D 9:40 at that time. ‘Rogue One’ will be showing 4 times a day starting Friday. You can come to the box office at noon starting Friday and buy tickets for any show ON THAT DAY. Remember, our theater is smaller now; only 225 seats so you will want to come early. Lines will be forming outside.”
Thanks to Alisa for the tip: Washington State Ferries reported southbound orcas about half an hour ago off Bainbridge Island’s Restoration Point. “Presumably residents,” she adds, noting that J-Pod was seen in the Sound yesterday. Please let us know if you see them!
(Bewick’s Wren, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
CRAFT FAIR: You’re invited to today’s Craft Fair at the Salvation Army, 10 am-6 pm. (9050 16th SW)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am-11 am, for ages 3-5, at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)
LOCAL BIZ MEETUP: Entrepreneur? Proprietor? Wannabe businessperson? Noon-1:15 pm, come to this week’s free meetup at West Seattle’s only coworking center, Office Junction. (WSB sponsor; 6040 California SW)
DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR WSHS SOPHOMORES: 2-9 pm, Shelby’s in The Junction is donating a percentage of proceeds to the West Seattle High School sophomore class. (4752 California SW)
DINE OUT BENEFIT FOR ALKI ELEMENTARY: 3-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction, a percentage of the proceeds benefit the Alki Elementary Learning Garden project. (4730 California SW)
FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can bring in nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 7:30 pm public swim! (2801 SW Thistle)
BUILD A GINGERBREAD HOUSE: Free Gingerbread House Building Event for the community – Delridge Community Center, 6-7:30 pm. Must pre-register, barcode #158853, so call the center ASAP to register, 206-684-7423. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
CHRISTMAS PARTY: Trinity West Seattle hosts a free West Seattle Christmas Party for the community, 6 pm. Dessert bar, free photos with Santa Claus, Santa’s workshop for kids, live music. (7551 35th SW)
SANTA AT PEGASUS: Come get your Santa photos at Pegasus Pizza on Alki, 6-9 pm. Images free with any purchase. (2770 Alki SW)
‘GET FIT WEST SEATTLE’ INFO NIGHT: A new couch-to-half-marathon training program is about to start at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and tonight at 7 pm, you’re invited to the store to find out about it. (2743 California SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ HOLIDAY PARTY: 7 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy, this month’s meeting is a holiday celebration. (9131 California SW)
AND THERE’S MORE … for today, tonight, and beyond, on our complete calendar.
Family and friends will gather on Sunday to remember Bette Markley, 98. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:
Bette Markley, born in Seattle on June 6, 1918, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2016 – a full 98 years of life. Bette grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1936.
Working with her Dad in Roullard’s Public Market, she met and married Bob at the close of World War II and together raised their family after returning to West Seattle. She returned to work as a medical receptionist and stenographer to support the family when Bob fell ill. Additionally, she served as secretary to the King County Academy of Family Physicians.
She was always positive, supporting and encouraging others and extending a genuine kindness and concern for neighbors, friends and most especially her family.
She loved to travel. She and Bob toured Europe numerous times in their camper van through their 80s, and she celebrated her 87th birthday on safari in Africa with her brother.
Bette is survived by her brother Richard Roullard (Shirley); her daughter Shannon, sons David (Jeanne) and Scott (Sally); and grandson Galen.
A celebration of her life will be held at The Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW) on Sunday December 18, 2016 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to The Kenney Foundation, Resident Care Fund; 7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, WA 98136-2008.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. But it’s at or below freezing out there, so ice is possible here and there. The National Weather Service‘s “forecast discussion” says flurries are possible tonight but nothing major.
Three West Seattle biznotes:
LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT HOMESTREET BANK: Change at the top for West Seattle’s branch of HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) – vice president Melodie Van Houten has left to lead the Federal Way branch, and Nam Le is West Seattle’s new branch manager. They posed with Santa during last Friday’s open house in West Seattle:
Van Houten was active with many West Seattle community organizations during her time here, including the Chamber of Commerce. Federal Way is much closer to where she lives. P.S. Another holiday event is coming up Friday at the Junction branch of HomeStreet (4022 SW Alaska) – which marks its third anniversary this month – a mini-bazaar noon-5 pm, with local vendors plus cocoa and cookies for visitors.
THE LODGE IS OPEN: Also in The Junction – thanks to the commenters who’ve pointed out that The Lodge Sports Grille has opened its West Seattle location (4209 SW Alaska), a year and a half after first word that it was on the way. We last wrote about it November 25th, noting that proprietor Shawn Roten said it would be opening despite the parent company’s Chapter 11 filing, which continues to make its way through the court system; all Lodge locations remain open.
CACTUS REOPENS TODAY: As mentioned here December 4th, Cactus at 2820 Alki SW has been closed for a little over a week for a “10-year refresh.” General manager Darin Kawabata tells WSB the work is on schedule, and that Cactus will reopen today, as expected.
That time-lapse video shows road-building inside the under-construction Highway 99 tunnel, and it accompanies WSDOT’s latest update on tunneling progress. The tunneling machine is now more than 70 percent of the way along the 9,270-foot route, according to WSDOT, which included the video in this update published today. It’s the second update of the week – this one details progress at the tunnel’s “south portal.” It’s been almost a full year since tunneling resumed on December 22, 2015, two years and two weeks after the machine stalled.
7:01 PM: Avoid 35th/Holden – SPD and SFD are dealing with an “assault with weapons” response right now. More to come.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
7:11 PM: Awaiting word from our crew headed to the scene, but so far we’re hearing this is reported to be a case of someone shot elsewhere and taken to Fire Station 37 (which is what’s at the address on the real-time 911 log, 7700 35th SW).
7:27 PM: At Station 37, SFD tells WSB’s Christopher Boffoli that an 18-year-old man showed up there with a gunshot wound and has been taken to Harborview. No information on his condition. Police have left FS 37 and Christopher is off to the second scene, reported to be at or near the small commercial center on the northeast corner of 35th/Roxbury.
7:52 PM: Police there were leaving but Christopher did find out they suspect the victim was NOT shot near A Pizza Mart as reported; the store’s owner told Christopher he’s been there since 11 am and there have been no disturbances, let alone shootings, nearby. Meantime, SPD tweeted that the victim’s wound is not life-threatening.
Metro has just announced its final decision on two bus shelters in The Junction: They’re going, not staying.
(WSB photo from October; shelters set for removal are the two on the right)
The original announcement of a removal plan for the two shelters on the west end of the south side of SW Alaska between California and 44th was made via signage that appeared on those shelters – and two NOT proposed for removal – on October 22nd; then concerns arose that the announcement, part of a Junction problem-solving plan, had been made without a chance for comment. So a comment period was opened up, until November 18th, and Metro told us at the time its decision would be made within “weeks.” Now, it’s here:
As part of an effort to address customer comfort and access to Metro bus service as well as to address non-transit use including illegal and uncivil behavior at the Alaska Junction, Metro is moving forward with the retention of two of the four oversized “double” shelters at one of the six transit bays in the area of California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Alaska Street as soon as December 20.
The decision to remove two of the shelters was finalized after several weeks of public feedback and further analysis of rider usage. With this change, the remaining two double shelters at Bay 2 will continue to provide a weather-protected area sufficient for the riders who use these facilities. Metro also provides two RapidRide shelters at Bay 1 for transit riders. The removed shelters will be reused at other bus stops that are in need of shelters, and the artwork will be relocated to bus shelters within the Junction.
Bay 2 is served by routes 50 (Alki to Othello Station) and 128 (Admiral to White Center and Southcenter). Route 50 generally operates every 20-30 minutes and Route 128 every 30 minutes. Metro staff were sent to the location to observe how riders were using the stops at different times and days. Staff observed between zero and five customers waiting for buses at any one time under normal conditions, based on recent observations during peak and off-peak hours.
Metro solicited comments between October 28 and November (18th) and received feedback from both riders and non-riders, some opposed and some supporting the change. The majority of comments opposed to the removal were based on the misconception that Metro intended to remove all shelters at this location.
The change is expected to reduce non-transportation use of Metro facilities, and to better match transit facility supply and demand.
Should road-usage charges replace gas taxes? The state is looking at the idea, and looking for volunteers to help figure it out. Here’s the announcement, just out of the WSB inbox:
Drivers will have a chance to “test drive” a proposed system that would charge them by the mile, rather than by the gallon of gas for their road usage. The Washington State Transportation Commission today approved a plan to conduct a Road Usage Charge pilot project in fall 2017 that will simulate how this system might work.
“As the fuel efficiency of vehicles increases, gas consumption decreases and this equates to a reduction in gas tax revenues over time. The gas tax serves as the major source of funding for building and maintaining our state highways and ferries,” said Commission Chairman Jerry Litt. “Under the direction of the state Legislature, the commission has been assessing a road usage charge as a possible replacement for the gas tax in the future.”
The commission’s Executive Director Reema Griffith added, “During the commission’s evaluation over the past four-plus years, we’ve determined a road usage charge is feasible and that it could produce the revenue needed for Washington’s roads well into the future.”
The commission’s next step is to test the concept with the public and see what people think of it based upon actual experience using it. Recruitment will begin in spring 2017, with up to 2,000 volunteers needed from across the state to participate in the year-long test. Individuals who want to learn more about the project and have an interest in participating can visit the Road Use Charge website at www.waroadusagecharge.org.
Pilot project participants will choose different ways to participate and report their vehicle’s mileage. Some options do not involve any technology, such as manually reporting odometer readings; others do involve technology utilizing smartphones or in-vehicle technology. Because this is a simulation, participants will not be charged for any miles driven.
A 25-member steering committee has guided this work since 2012. The steering committee includes representatives from: auto and truck manufacturers, ports, environmental groups, trucking industry, cities, public transportation, business community and state agencies. The committee also includes three transportation commissioners and eight legislators.
A key finding from the work of the steering committee is that the gas tax is becoming more and more inequitable. Under Washington state’s current gas tax system, drivers pay widely different amounts for roadway use, depending on their vehicle’s fuel efficiency; those driving older, less efficient vehicles fill up more often and therefore, pay more in taxes. This inequity is expected to grow each year as vehicle fuel efficiency continues to rise, and as more alternative fuel vehicles that don’t use gas at all come onto the market.
Currently, 14 other states are evaluating a shift from the gas-tax revenue model to a road use charge. Funding for this work stems from a $3.8 million Federal Highway Administration competitive grant received earlier this year.
Here’s the slide deck that accompanied this agenda item, on the first day of a two-day meeting for the WSTC. Tomorrow morning its topics include tolling updates, one of which will focus on the future Highway 99 tunnel (see the agenda here).
Two updates related to the city’s plans to change a Myers Way encampment from unsanctioned to sanctioned, one of three new authorized encampments announced almost two weeks ago:
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING TOMORROW: When the council’s Human Services and Public Health Committee meets at 2 pm Wednesday (City Hall, downtown), its agenda includes an update from the city’s director of homelessness George Scarola on the interim plan that includes three “new” authorized encampments, including one on Myers Way in southeast West Seattle. Here’s the slide deck just added to the meeting agenda:
(If you can’t read it via the embedded document, here’s a direct link to it on the city website.) Two notes of local interest – one, it says the city is still talking with potential operators of the Myers Way encampment, which suggests that Camp Second Chance, which has been there without authorization since July, might not be the operator after all. Second, it mentions showers open for use at Delridge Community Center “since December 1st”; our understanding is that they’ve been available longer than that. Tomorrow’s meeting, by the way, as with most Council meetings, has a public-comment period, and will be live on Seattle Channel (cable 21, seattlechannel.org).
COMMUNITY CONCERNS: Following up on last week’s meeting at Greenbridge about news of the authorized encampment (WSB coverage here), Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council chair Amanda Kay Helmick has sent Scarola this letter voicing community concerns. We were copied and are publishing it in its entirety below: Read More
42nd Avenue SW continues to be the busiest street for West Seattle Junction redevelopment. Newly filed documents show the local developers who built Junction Flats at 4433 42nd SW have a new early-stage proposal on the same block, between SW Genesee and SW Oregon. We just found the “site plan” for 4417 42nd SW in the city Department of Construction and Inspection files. The site plan filed less than a week ago proposes a four-story building with 55 apartments and an unspecified number of underground parking spaces. The site plan shows the new building replacing what county records say are three 1930s-built houses at 4417, 4421, and 4423 42nd SW, separated from Junction Flats by a parking lot owned by the West Seattle Eagles. No formal application filed yet, but this will have to go through the Design Review process.
(Downy woodpecker – our state’s smallest woodpecker! – photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
FOOD DRIVE AT SOUTHWEST POOL: As we noted on Monday, you can drop off nonperishable-food donations during pool hours and/or bring in 3 items to get discounted prices for specific swims this week. Tonight – 8:30 pm water exercise. (2801 SW Thistle)
BABY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library, for 4- to 12-month-olds and their parents/guardians/caregivers. (35th SW/SW Henderson)
DINE OUT FOR OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: 2-9 pm at Shelby’s Bistro and Ice Creamery, 10 percent of the proceeds today/tonight go to Our Lady of Guadalupe School. (4752 California SW)
COMMUNITY DIALOGUE ON SCHOOL DISCIPLINE: 6-8 pm at the Salvation Army in West Seattle, families and students are invited to this dialogue, presented by the Southwest King County Discipline Coalition, to help shape how schools in our state handle discipline. Whether you can or can’t be there, you’re also invited to take this survey. More info here. (9050 16th SW)
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Sisson Building/Senior Center, it’s the meeting that had to be postponed when the city booked the big “open house” for last Wednesday. (Added) The agenda includes:
6:40 P.M. Election of 2017 Southwest District Council Officers
· Nominations for Chair and/or Co-Chairs: David Whiting, Eric Iwamoto
· Nominations for Vice Chair (see Co-Chairs)
· Nominations for Secretary: Vicki Schmitz Block
· Nominations for CNC Representative:6:50 P.M. Discussion on changes to SWDC Bylaws
7:10 P.M. Proposed Rezone Changes
· Recap on last week’s HALA Mandatory Rezone Meeting(s) in West Seattle
· Overview of proposed changes7:40 P.M. Southwest District Council Business
· CNC Update
· Announcements
· Other business
(4217 SW Oregon)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, with an agenda – as previewed here – including a citywide proposal for a “renters’ commission.” (42nd SW/SW Lander)
COMMUNITY MEDITATION: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center: “Meditation instruction offered at the start of each evening, with tea and open discussion following group meditation for any who wish to participate.” Free. More info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
HOLIDAY CONCERT: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12 & Warm Holiday Classics. West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ final concert of the season. “Our Intermediate Orchestra will perform familiar works by Bizet and Dvorak as well as a contemporary treatment of ‘Hatikvah,’ an Israeli traditional folk song. A special treat is the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 12, featuring the orchestra’s own piano prodigy, Vincent Pham, age 12. The Wind Symphony will follow up with classical wind ensemble pieces and holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘A Christmas Festival’.” 7 pm, Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. FREE! (donations appreciated, of course!) (2600 SW Thistle)
CLASSIC COUNTRY: That’s what The Rolling Blackouts play, and they’re at Parliament Tavern 8-11 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
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