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West Seattle schools: This year’s Global Ambassadors visit Schmitz Park Elementary

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Schmitz Park Elementary principal Gerrit Kischner for the photo from this year’s Global Ambassador Day – here’s what it’s all about:

Once again, Schmitz Park students had the opportunity to meet and learn from international students from the University of Washington. Schmitz Park students spend every year bolstering their geographic knowledge through our Global Passport Program, and this event allows us to meet the real people who live in the countries we study. This year’s Global Ambassador Day included UW students from Brazil, Iceland, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Taiwan, France, and Italy. Our fifth graders hosted the event, demonstrating the culmination of the multiple experiences they have enjoyed. This event is conducted in cooperation and great support from the Foundation for International Understanding through Students.

‘Lofts’ project at 4535 44th SW passes 1st round of Design Review

| Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

We learned a lot more about the “Lofts at the Junction” project last night during its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting, which ended with the board giving it clearance to move to the next phase of the process.

For one, while it does include about 40 apartments on a lot of less than 4,000 square feet at 4535 44th SW, it does not have all the attributes of so-called “microhousing” – each of its units will include a private kitchen and bath.

For two, the Nicholson Kovalchick Architects-designed project is now envisioned with an “industrial loft” type of look, and a brick facade, as shown in the “character sketches” (above is the 44th SW view) – completely different from what was shown in the design “packet” prepared for the meeting and shown here two weeks ago.

The Design Review process has drawn more consistent public interest lately, and this meeting brought another full house of about 40 in the upstairs meeting hall at the Senior Center of West Seattle.

Boyd Pickrell from NK Architects led the presentation, which was weighted toward context for the site and an overview of the project’s goals:

May 10, 2013 4:32 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Just in from Justin, word of a burglary this afternoon just west of The Junction:

My neighbors’ house was just broken into at about 3:15 pm today. Several officers responded but didn’t find the guy. He also broke into a lady’s house a few blocks north.

My neighbor has a security camera so got a good description. The police would like help spotting the guy; he can’t be far.

Black male, both large and tall, wearing baggy pants, white tennis shoes, grayish hoodie, was wearing a black knit cap, had a “very overstuffed” backpack.

This happened on the 4700 block of 46th Ave SW. Thank you, let’s get this guy!

Call 911 with tips.

West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow: Updates and reminders!

May 10, 2013 2:54 pm

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| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Just 19 hours till the start of selling and shopping – or, as we call it, person-to-person recycling – at West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2013! Here are some last-minute reminders/updates:

WHAT IS IT? Not one big sale – but LOTS of sales, of all kinds, all over West Seattle, tomorrow (Saturday, May 11), 9 am-3 pm. (Sellers registered between April 1st and 24th, so you can’t just get on the map at the last minute. We open registration around 4/1 every year, and keep it open for three weeks.)

WHERE? The registered sales are all on the map, which we have in two versions shown on and linked from this page:
-Clickable/zoomable online map
-Searchable, too (the “search” button is now back in view on the online map)
-Printable 14-page PDF with the sale listings

WEATHER? Partly sunny, 70s, says National Weather Service

MOBILE? Yes! Access the map on your phone using this link – it includes list and map versions, and you can even check directions to specific sales.

WHERE ARE THE BIGGEST SALES? Everywhere! Browse the listings to see who’s having a group sale, block sale, school sale, etc. There are three “group” sites, with multiple sellers – Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW), C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), and the VFW Hall (36th/Alaska).

WHO’S RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY? We have a list of the sales that listed themselves as fundraising for a cause – see it here.

ANYBODY SELLING PLANTS? Yes, they are – you could almost call this a garage and garden sale day. Here’s that list.

WHAT HAPPENS TO STUFF THAT DOESN’T GET SOLD? This year, three nonprofits and a school are all interested in any leftovers that sellers are interested in donating, and they have special dropoff spots and hours. We’ve just updated the information – adding a book-collection request on behalf of Denny International Middle School; see the details here.

CHECK TOMORROW MORNING FOR UPDATES … We’ve had a few last-minute cancellations, and while we can’t change the “printable” (PDF) map, we are noting those sales as “canceled” on the online map, and listing their numbers atop the WSB page that hosts it as well as at westseattlegaragesale.com.

PRE-SALE CHAT … continues to happen on the WSCGSD Facebook page.

Have a GREAT time – and send photos! editor@westseattleblog.com (or share on FB)

West Seattle food/drink notes: New wine-tasting spot; North Delridge food-truck stop

May 10, 2013 12:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS beverages

Two food/drink notes to share this morning:

LA ROMANZA BISTRO PAIRS WITH SIREN SONG WINES: This weekend in The Junction, it’s your next chance to try out the new Siren Song Wines tasting room inside La Romanza Bistro Italiano (4521 California SW; WSB sponsor). It’s open 3-6 pm Saturdays and Sundays. In our photo above, that’s La Romanza proprietor Aimee Pellegrini and Siren Song’s Kevin Brown.

NEW FOOD-TRUCK STOP: Delridge Way has been a popular area for many of the city’s food trucks to park when not out serving their wares. Now, though, we have word that a popular truck is adding a Delridge stop to its schedule: Starting next Monday, 11 am-2 pm, TFN, you can find the new Orleans cuisine of Where Ya At Matt in the parking lot of West Seattle Corporate Center (Delridge/Andover), also known as “the building with the big flag.”

West Seattle traffic alert: Delridge Way work next Wednesday

May 10, 2013 11:35 am

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| Delridge | Transportation | West Seattle news

Another “spot repair” project just announced for a stretch of West Seattle roadway:

Seattle Department of Transportation’s paving crews will replace concrete roadway panels on Delridge Way Southwest at 23rd Avenue Southwest (near SW Graham Street) on Wednesday, May 15th. Two-way traffic will be maintained. Drivers may encounter some congestion in this area during the work.

This project is being funded by SDOT’s annual paving program and the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative approved by Seattle voters.

Nine days till West Seattle 5K! Can you volunteer that day?

May 10, 2013 11:27 am

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| How to help | West Seattle news

If you’re not running or walking in the fifth annual West Seattle 5K on Sunday, May 19th, can you help out? Plenty of volunteer power is a must to make sure everything goes well:

West Seattle High School is looking for adult volunteers next Sunday (May 19th) to help with the 5K race. If you are able to help Sunday morning between 7:30 am to 12:00, or anytime inbetween, it would be much appreciated. Please send an email with your name and time you are available to ‘wshs5kvolunteers@gmail.com’ Any and all help will be much appreciated.

Registration is still open for WS5K (which WSB is co-sponsoring again this year), too – go here.

West Seattle Friday: Hi-Yu coronation/auction/ceremony, and more

May 10, 2013 10:41 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Young bald eagle, photographed last week by Danny McMillin and shared via the WSB Flickr group)
With almost 300 of your neighbors – or maybe you AND almost 300 of your neighbors – getting ready to host sales on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow, we’re mentioning it everywhere we can. Like here. But as always, there’s lots more going on, too – here are notes for today/tonight:

WV POST OFFICE REOPENS: We added the update to our coverage of yesterday afternoon’s pickup-truck crash at the Westwood Village post office: The branch IS open today as usual. (P.S. Don’t forget to put out your food donation tomorrow for the Stamp Out Hunger door-to-door postal carriers’ food drive!)

BAKE SALE AND MINI-BAZAAR: Happening all day, till 4 pm, at The Mount. (4831 35th SW)

MAYORAL CANDIDATE IN WEST SEATTLE: It’s a busy campaign season with eight people on the August primary ballot for Seattle Mayor, so every time we hear about one of them coming to West Seattle to meet with potential voters, we’ll tell you about it. Tonight, Peter Steinbrueck is at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse, 6-8 pm.

‘BOBCAT BOB’ AT C & P: Tomorrow, C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is a group site for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, but tonight, it’s a coffeehouse with live music – courtesy of fan favorite “Bobcat Bob” Rice. He performs 6-8 pm. (5612 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE HI-YU AUCTION, CORONATION, WHITE ROSE CEREMONY: Tonight, 7-10 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Life Center, help West Seattle Hi-Yu raise money and celebrate royalty past and present, with the White Rose Ceremony and the coronation of the new queen. Details and ticket link here. (35th and Myrtle)

More on the calendar!

WestSide Baby donation-drive followup, new diaper partnership, and WS Community Garage Sale Day request

May 10, 2013 9:01 am

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| West Seattle news

More words of thanks today from WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland, who sends an update including the launch of a new diaper partnership AND a reminder of what WS Baby is looking for as a spotlighted nonprofit on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow:

About one month ago WestSide Baby put out an urgent cry for help securing donations. Thanks to this amazing community, the donations have been flying in and this is fantastic because we are filling an increasing number of orders, with a record week of 450 last week.

In addition to the many gently used things donated (like all that we hope comes from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday), WestSide Baby collects and purchases disposable diapers. About 200,000 will be donated by families this year. We gave out 540,000 last year though and the difference has been made up by our purchases and corporate donation gifts. We are so thrilled to launch a new program, Side by Side Northwest, which is a partnership between WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby Corner (in Issaquah) to receive a gift of 2,000,000 diapers over two years for distribution throughout King County. It is our first partnership of this kind and we are one of only six named Regional Diaper Bank Affiliates established through this gift by the National Diaper Bank Network.

We have learned that we need to ask, just as so many families need to ask for help. You have taught us that you will respond and we so appreciate that. Because of you, we are ready to scale up our impact to do more right here and to start to serve communities of great need such as those in the Central District and Rainier Valley. These diapers are an incredible jump start for the next two years. Believe it or not, we will still need your diaper support and we continue to need your donations of other gently used items such as children’s clothing and equipment like portable cribs, strollers, high chairs and car seats.

For this weekend, we are particularly hoping donors will drop off reusable car seats (those less than six years old) at collection sites during the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. We’ll still take them all but we have a two story high mound of car seats for recycling that will be cleared away (shortly) so we’ll be especially thrilled to get those we can use rather than recycle.

WestSide Baby’s special WSCGSD dropoff spots/hours can be found here.

Followup: Last chance for Arbor Heights-grown tomato plants!

May 10, 2013 8:36 am

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| Arbor Heights | Gardening | How to help | West Seattle news

Remember the call for plant pots at Arbor Heights Elementary, for teacher Marcia Ingerslev and her farming first-graders – and the great response? The tomato plants – and some radishes too, we’re told – have been on sale after school this week and you’re welcome today as they sell plants one last time before Ms. Ingerslev has to haul the remainders off to be donated! The parent volunteer who shared the photo says it’s your chance to “be a proud new home to a grown-from-seed tomato plant (or radish) for a donation that goes fully to the farm program.” It’s a short sale window – about 3 pm to 3:30 pm, we’re told – but if you can make it over to Arbor Heights (37th and 104th), the plants await you, at a $2 donation each.

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday on the move

May 10, 2013 6:47 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:47 AM: Happy Friday – and, might we say, happy West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day Eve! So far so good.

8:30 AM: I-5 might not be your best choice if you are heading out now, reports KING 5’s Tracy Taylor, tweeting about a backup from the Convention Center to Boeing Field.

9:12 AM: For low bridge and bicycle path commuters – there is a crash at East Marginal/S. Spokane, just east of the low bridge, involving a semi-truck on its side, per an image our friends at KING 5 has shown. Avoid the area.

11:36 AM: No injuries in that crash, by the way. Looking ahead: Road work on Delridge just announced for next Wednesday.

12:05 PM: Someone asked about the East Marginal Way status in comments; SDOT tweeted that the scene was clear as of an hour ago.

(Photo by ELLEN M. BANNER/THE SEATTLE TIMES; republished with permission)
12:56 PM: Adding a photo from that scene, courtesy of our partners at The Seattle Times.

Video: Northwest Hope and Healing’s ‘Style ’13’ success

May 10, 2013 6:43 am

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| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

From words of hope, to walks of celebration, the “Style ’13” fashion fundraiser by and for West Seattleite-founded/led Northwest Hope and Healing was a success – so we hear from Captive Eye Media‘s Edgar Riebe, who shared the video highlights from last night’s event at Showbox SODO. Edgar says NWHH announced a fundraising total of $120,000, more than last year – we will check today for any additional details. Next big benefit for NWHH is the annual Alki Beach 5K Run/Walk, August 25th.

Why officers are at 24th and Holden right now

May 10, 2013 2:01 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

2:01 AM: Via text and e-mail, several people have asked us about some kind of police operation at 24th and Holden, including use of a loudspeaker/megaphone to try to get someone to come out. Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says King County is serving a warrant – in other words, trying to arrest somebody and/or conduct a search – and SPD is not involved. So we don’t know what or who the subject of the warrant is, but we will ask the Sheriff’s Office later this morning.

12:21 PM: KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says it was NOT their operation – their SWAT team WAS out last night but in an entirely different part of the county. So we’re still trying to find out what this was about.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Rock thrown; home broken into; items stolen; items found

May 9, 2013 11:56 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Thursday’s West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports, starting with one we just received from Preston:

We were driving home tonight and passed in front of Caffe Ladro on SW California at 9:45. The passenger rear window exploded as someone threw a fist sized rock at us.

Three witnesses at Caffe Ladro said a man on a dark maroon bicycle wearing a long-sleeved shirt with white on it was standing on the side of the cafe drinking beer. He was in and out and came in through the back of the cafe. He then stood in the breezeway between the adjacent buildings. We stopped at the end of the block and he got on his bike and rode north down California. Police were called and they are sweeping the area. The dark maroon bike has a flashing light on the back and the suspect was wearing a blue shirt with white and a backpack.

If anyone has any clue as to who this may be – someone that would be at Caffe Ladro at 9:45 at night drinking beer and on a bicycle – please call the police.

(The coffee shop, it should be noted, does not serve alcohol.)

A home on Charlestown Hill was burglarized this morning – while somebody was at home. Marty reports:

My ex-husband’s house was broken into around 6:30 this morning. The back door was kicked in and our dog was found by a neighbor around 7 a.m. Our 17 year old daughter was in the house alone (dad had already gone to work), sleeping downstairs in the basement as this was happening. A neighbor found the dog, called my number which is on her tag. I live in Queen Anne, so called my daughter and woke her up to go get the dog. She heard a lot of noise upstairs and in her sleepy state, assumed it was her dad still at home. As she approached the stairway and called out for him, the person upstairs left out the front door. The only items taken were about 40 CDs from the living room. A very scary situation, which could have ended badly but fortunately did not.

Burglary, by the way, is the topic announced for the next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – Seattle Police burglary detective Jill Vanskike “will go over some of the factors that attract burglars to specific homes, common points and methods of entry, target hardening and the protective devices most effective at preventing burglaries. Also, tips on measures you can take to aid in the recovery of stolen property …” The meeting is at 7 pm Tuesday, May 21st, at the Southwest Precinct.

Back to Crime Watch – Gretchen reports an overnight theft:

We had one of our wine-barrel planters stolen off our berm (Wednesday) night. Took either one very strong person to tip the dirt out or two people. Those suckers are heavy! Happened between 10 pm and 4:30 am. We live near 17th and Thistle.

And a reader who doesn’t want to be identified found what looks like discarded crime loot in the Fairmount Springs area:

A duffel bag full of a boy’s baseball equipment turned up in our alley this morning, with some of the contents strewn about our yard. There is no name or phone # anywhere in the bag. I would like to get it back to the owner–looks like a lot of valuable equipment.

You can e-mail the finder at dgmob@outlook.com.

West Seattle scene: Seeing RED at Lincoln Park

May 9, 2013 10:43 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to “Diver Laura” James for sharing the photo from today’s Keller Williams Realty RED Day volunteer event at Lincoln Park (mentioned in our “West Seattle Thursday” daily preview). Laura works with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, which partnered with KW to clean up the beach and dig up invasive plants, among other things, during today’s work.

Taste of West Seattle: Only 1 week away

May 9, 2013 9:33 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news

It would take you months to get to all the West Seattle food and drink establishments you’ll be able to sample in one night, one place, next Thursday, during the Taste of West Seattle: Almost 50 of them, including breweries and wineries! Through the West Seattle Helpline, all proceeds go to local families facing emergencies. Just buy a ticket (and see the participant list) at tasteofwestseattle.org – they’re not expecting to have any left to sell at the door – and show up at The Hall at Fauntleroy on Thursday (May 16th), 6:30-9 pm – half an hour before that if you buy a VIP ticket (which also includes VIP seating and entry in a VIP raffle).

Happening now: West Seattle Art Walk, May edition

May 9, 2013 6:45 pm

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

It’s West Seattle Art Walk night till 9 pm – a beautiful night to traverse the peninsula and enjoy art at a variety of venues. One is Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, whose co-proprietor John Smersh shared the photo of their featured artist, Amy Huber, explaining:

Amy Huber is showing two bodies of work for this show: Organically Controlled. The images she’s posing in front of are her “sketchbook experiment”. Each pair of illustrations starts with an original drawing of something recognizable. The second drawing is an abstract started from where the ink bled through to the next page in her sketchbook.

She’s also showing her “Stress Paintings”. Amy works as a graphic designer at Nordstrom; when she’s trying to work out an idea at work she’ll often doodle absentmindedly on post-its. The patterns that emerged proved strong enough to be recreated as original paintings on canvases.

We’ve also made a stop in North Delridge – more on that in a moment. The map with all of this month’s venues can be found at wsartwalk.com.

ADDED 7:00 PM: Earlier today, we showed you around Youngstown Flats (see the photo tour here), a new WSB sponsor that’s leasing apartments in North Delridge. One big aspect of the project is its art – on every floor – and tonight the 14 artists and their work are being celebrated. One is Sara Everett, who also curated the work:

She posed for us in front of two of her pieces near the Dakota entry, both evoking greenery such as that you would find along nearby Longfellow Creek.

That’s Oval/Burst by Carla Grahn, which you’ll see right when you walk into the main entry. You can meet her and many of the other 13 artists, while touring the building and enjoying refreshments, till 9 tonight (26th and Dakota).

P.S. A note from Art Walk organizers:

This quarter the postcard/walking map and Art Walk Here posters feature the artwork of Emily Williamson. Emily was a West Seattle artist who passed away recently; her life touched the lives of many in our community. Her cheerful art is a reminder of her beautiful spirit and the brief time that we have to live and create!

Emily’s artwork was featured at Mind Unwind during March. Read remembrances of her life here.

9 nights after mayoral forum, 34th District Democrats host multitude of other candidates

May 9, 2013 5:53 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Seattle Port Commission races often get little attention, but deserve more, candidates told the 34th District Democrats at their monthly meeting in Fauntleroy last night. Most of the meeting was devoted to a candidates’ forum moderated by chair Marcee Stone-Vekich, with various races from Burien City Council to Southwest Sewer District – not including Seattle Mayor, since the 34th DDs co-sponsored the campaign’s first major forum just last week in Georgetown. (Here’s our coverage of that event, including video of the entire forum.)

Our video above features the three Port Commission candidates who showed up, from left: Commissioner John Creighton, candidate Michael Wolfe, and recent commission appointee Stephanie Bowman.

Part of the forum included unopposed (so far) candidates, among them King County Sheriff John Urquhart, who was elected last year to the remaining year of his predecessor’s term, so has to run again this year:

May 9, 2013 4:32 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

After a one-year hiatus, the Arts in Nature Festival at Camp Long really will be back this year, the West Seattle-based Nature Consortium affirmed in an announcement this afternoon. Dates are set, and so is the headliner – read on for the news release:

May 9, 2013 1:57 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:57 PM: Big “heavy rescue” callout right now in the 2700 block of SW Trenton, and a texter (thank you!) tells us it’s a crash at the Westwood Village post office. (added) We’ve just arrived at the scene – looks like a pickup truck has hit the building to the left of the entrance. Avoid the Trenton entrance to WV – lots of emergency vehicles. More to come.

2:12 PM: One person is being checked out by medics. We’re trying to find out more about possible injuries. Just added a photo (above) from Natascha, showing the inside of the post office.

2:23 PM UPDATE: Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore is here now so we should get updated information shortly. Adding a different angle of the scene, from Val – thanks to everyone who’s been sharing photos (we have two photographers here but all views appreciated!). Again, AVOID the Trenton entrance to the shopping center for now.

2:32 PM UPDATE: Moore says that the driver of the pickup was not hurt. The person who was being checked out by medics has cuts/bruises from being hit by collision debris. The concern now is that the truck hit a brick support column – so the building’s structural integrity has to be addressed. Obviously the post office is closed TBA – if you have USPS business, go to the one in The Junction (on California SW between Genesee and Oregon). Moore estimates about three dozen people were evacuated here after the crash, including employees.

(This photo and next by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
3:03 PM UPDATE: Added video of Moore’s briefing. He says that while the brick column posed a challenge for SFD to remove, it apparently does NOT leave the building structurally compromised. We’ll be checking with USPS on when they believe they’ll be able to reopen the branch.

3:33 PM UPDATE: Adding two photos by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli showing the aforementioned brick column.

3:55 PM UPDATE: We asked local USPS spokesperson Ernie Swanson about the branch’s status. He replied: “The retail lobby is closed for the remainder of today. At this time we do not know if it will be open tomorrow. The area where the Letter Carriers work was not damaged so there should be no delay in mail delivery.”

FRIDAY MORNING, 7:39 AM: The post-office-box and mail-drop lobby is open, and from inside that lobby, looking through the doors to the “retail lobby,” it looks all cleaned up and ready to reopen at 8:30 am as usual – we will go check again then to be sure. (Update: Yes, it is.)

Easy Street Records awning update: Landlord won’t replace it, says store owner, but he will

May 9, 2013 1:43 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(SDOT “live” image from Easy Street’s corner at California/Alaska)
As one WSB commenter put it after the kerfuffle earlier this week over the removal of the Easy Street Records awning (WSB coverage here), the big question was – what next? At the time, ESR owner Matt Vaughan said he didn’t know – it was up to the “landlord,” who was the one who decided to take it down. Vaughan has just posted this update as a comment following our original story:

Thanks all for thinking about us and this corner. I’m looking forward to creating another beautiful corner. We know this corner and intersection is special to all of you, I know that maybe more than anybody and I appreciate your years of patronage and good positive thoughts…even when you’re just walking by “all ways,” of course. So, with that being said …..here is the UPDATE.

It was impossible to know what the corner would look like until the canopy was removed. The landlord didn’t know, I didn’t know. I didn’t think it would look good, I knew that much, but what I did know is that it would present some ideas. The canopy had been on the Hamm Building for almost 70 years. Do keep in mind, maybe the big reason that we all loved this corner was not necessarily just the canopy and overhang, but it was the neon signage and under lighting we attached to it back in ’92 or so. I do understand that the canopy also represented a period of time, another era, childhood memories etc.. and that is also why there is sentiment.

When the Alaska St side awning was removed 3 years ago, there wasn’t a peep and that was even more sq footage than what was recently removed. Without good signage complementing the canopy, there wasn’t much of an allure, especially as the years wore on.

I have to say though and maybe some of you could agree.. these last 5 years have not looked all that good. The canopy took some big hits and our neon was continuously broken and under repair. With that being said, I was a proponent in saving the framework and repairing and improving it, but there were some potential issues and unknown costs going down that road too. I am not the owner of the building, the Yen Family is and has been for 30+ years or so. The property manager is WM Mgmt. Neither live in West Seattle, so they may not understand some things we do as residents and inhabitants of the building, but what they were aware of and why they felt committed to demolishing it was that it was essentially red-tagged. It was becoming increasingly dangerous. Lead paint, loose and exposed electrical, rusted and corroded framework. In the end, as vintage and retro as we all like to imagine ourselves, there comes a time where we have to be practical and pragmatic. This was just one of those kind of decisions that had to be made, as difficult as it was for me to surrender to.

We had originally invested $20k into the signage and neon throughout the 90′s … and that doesn’t include the annual repairs over the ’00 years, but retro-styled neon is becoming an old form and more costly as the years go on. As for why I didn’t save any of it, it was just too costly to do so. Neon is brittle, it was literally attached to the flashing and trim, would’ve been an expensive and tedious job.

Keep in mind, when I closed our Queen Anne store, that signage was considered “iconic” as well. It wasn’t really all that special of a building we were in, but we made it seem as though it was. I paid $3k to have it removed before I left the building, I couldn’t let it get demo’d.

The landlords think the storefront looks best without a canopy and they’ve told me as of yesterday that they will not invest in a replacement. However, I need to protect my storefront, I need to allow customers to sit outside our cafe in the spring/summer months, I need to protect our product from the elements during our sidewalk sales. I need to protect all of you when our instore performances spill outside the garage store, I need to ensure that people don’t slip and fall in front of our store during the rainy months, we’ll need sidewalk lighting for passerby’s and our storefront. I need to protect our storefront from the sun, the heat, the rain, the sleet, and snow. The maintenance would be overwhelming without protection, so…I will be putting a design together and will invest in creating an attractive corner…again.

Faithfully Yours, Matt Vaughan

BULLETIN: Construction about to resume at ‘The Hole’

May 9, 2013 11:14 am

| 28 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

11:14 AM: West Seattle’s most notorious stalled-construction site, where ground was ceremonially broken almost five years ago for a project then called “Fauntleroy Place,” is now back in action. Multiple tipsters tell us crews are on site getting ready to work on what is now known as Spruce – the new name first reported here when we found the revised plans last July. The only commercial tenant planned for Spruce is an LA Fitness health club (the Whole Foods store it once was to hold is now destined for the future 4755 Fauntleroy project right across the street). We’re headed over for a look; more to come.

11:50 AM: Added two photos – the backhoe in the top image is visible at the site entrance off 39th SW, south of West Seattle Bowl; from the short alley off 40th SW, you can see a second one is onsite, too. Checking online files showing the site’s permits – many of which have long been approved and waiting, given the project’s history – the newest application is for onsite power, also a “getting started” sign.

After a long court fight that ensued when the project stalled after the site was excavated, Madison Development Group was the winning bidder for the site, $32 million, more than a year and a half ago. The only significant discussion of its plans since then – besides what we found in the files last summer – came at a Seattle Design Commission meeting last December (WSB coverage here), required before the project’s “alley vacation” could be finalized.

Youngstown Flats: Welcome, new WSB sponsor; open for Art Walk tonight

May 9, 2013 11:10 am

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| Delridge | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Tonight during the monthly West Seattle Art Walk, the new North Delridge apartment building Youngstown Flats not only will be open to visitors, it’ll host a reception for the 14 artists whose work can be seen around the complex. Youngstown Flats, now open to leasing and already home to its first tenants, is a new WSB sponsor; we toured recently to give you a peek inside. The art is not only outdoors, , but also in the public hallways of each floor, including the work shown above, and in the main lobby: