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Update: New California SW bike lane explained
July 22, 2009 4:04 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s the view of a small section of the new California SW bike lane, as seen from one of the big chairs outside Caffe Ladro in Morgan Junction. Since we first told you about the new lane last Sunday, more work has been done, and one stretch of California SW just north of here (south of Fauntleroy Way) now has bike lanes on both sides of the street. We had sent an inquiry to SDOT after noting the bike lane wasn’t called for in the Bicycle Master Plan, which simply recommended “sharrows” in this area (they’ve been painted in the same area between the bike-lane-lined sections). Here’s the explanation we received today:

The recommendations for bicycle facilities in the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan were based on detailed field work and available data regarding traffic volumes, turning movements, speeds and other factors. However, the plan also recognized that “in most cases, the facilities and actions identified in the Plan will require additional traffic analysis….”

In this particular case, there is about 48′ from curb-to-curb on the stretch between Fauntleroy and Myrtle, yet the 2-way left-turn lane is only present between Fauntleroy and Willow. That provided some extra room on the section between Willow & Myrtle, so we were able to install bike lanes on both sides of the street for those 3 blocks. We also determined that there is enough roadway width (~40′) to upgrade to a climbing lane (bike lane going uphill, sharrows going down) between Myrtle and Ida. In general, we prefer to install bike lanes over sharrows if there is space available.

Also today, the city issued a midyear “Bridging the Gap update” news release regarding how much road work’s been done so far this year – read it here.

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Facing eviction, West Seattle homeless-camp advocates go to court
July 22, 2009 3:48 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Another update just in from a spokesperson for the encampment that calls itself “Nickelsville,” currently set up on state-owned land along the eastern edge of West Seattle (2nd SW/Highland Park Way), and under orders to clear out by Thursday night:

Yesterday Attorneys Robert Siegel and Peggy Herman filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in Federal District Court. Judge Richard Martinez said he will issue an order either today or tomorrow. He has decided not to hold a public hearing before issuing his decision.

If Judge Martinez grants the TRO request, Nickelsville will have up to 2 weeks before a second hearing. At a second hearing a permanent order might be granted. If Judge Martinez does not issue a Temporary Restraining Order, at 5:00 PM Thursday Nickelsville and arriving supporters will load-up vehicles and trucks, in which case Nickelsville has asked the State to allow up to 12 PM Friday for people who have chosen to leave to leave, and for people to be given the opportunity to move both their own and Nickelsville community property.

Nickelsville’s residents who commit to stay through the arrival of Police, should this happen, will not be verbally abusive or disrespectful to either those issuing the orders, or those carrying them out.

“It is our opinion that it is both wrong and illegal to remove this community from this permanent site without having another permanent site available. Contrary to some claims, no church or other property owner has offered Nickelsville a site to go to. It is true that a temporary site is not suitable for our community. Our goal is to survive and solve homelessness with this stable, functional alternative, and not suffer continual disruption.”

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Traffic alert: Crash closes southbound Delridge at Barton
July 22, 2009 2:49 pm
|    Comments Off on Traffic alert: Crash closes southbound Delridge at Barton
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

No details of the crash at this point but police are saying (scanner traffic) that they’ll need to close the southbound lanes of Delridge in the 9200 block (map) because of a crash they and firefighters are responding to.

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The Porterhouse update: Job interviews Monday, menu shortly
July 22, 2009 2:30 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

They “don’t want to disappoint” by setting an opening date yet, but the people working to open the Porterhouse restaurant/bar in the former Blackbird space next to the Admiral Theater told us today during a quick sneak-peek tour that they are getting closer. For one, the new taps are in — “We added 21” (to the pre-existing 4), smiles co-owner Silas Reynolds, a West Seattle native, shown above with co-owner Linda Libby, posing with the 25-in-all taps in the background. That’s just one of the changes they’ve made to the space – they say they’ve made it more open, from the kitchen through the seating area: here’s a quick Flip-cam pan:

For two, they’re about to finalize the menu, which — as discussed in our earlier story about the Porterhouse — is described by Reynolds as “gastro-pub,” though he’s not a huge fan of the term – pub food but with a twist, yet “approachable” and, as Libby puts it, “affordable and tasty – our goal is to create a nice neighborhood restaurant for people who live here.” (Both Reynolds and Libby are chefs, but Porterhouse has its own chef – Katy Lauzon, who previously worked with the two in a Skagit County enterprise.) They’ve chosen their coffee – Vashon Coffee – and desserts will include Molly Moon‘s organic ice cream. They’ll be emphasizing “fresh, local, organic food as much as possible” and as little “processed food” as possible — they’re even hoping to make their own fries and onion rings. And many dishes, they say, will have a bit of a twist, like a tuna sandwich with pickled hopvines. (If we get a copy of the menu before the night’s out, we’ll add it to this story; otherwise we’ll publish a separate update.) Number three, they’re about to start hiring — next Monday (July 27), they’re inviting anybody who’s interested in working at the Porterhouse to come by between noon and 3 pm, and bring a resume. The restaurant hours will be 11 am-11 pm for starters, with the bar open later; they’ll probably add brunch in the not-too-distant future, and they’re working to add outside seating as well – for starters, they’re enhancing the space’s ties to the patio space on the south, with a new openable window added to that end of the bar. (Here’s our previous story about Porterhouse, explaining that the team runs a restaurant of the same name in Mount Vernon — see its website here, but take note that the West Seattle venue will be all-ages.)

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Engine 37 firefighters check out hot deals at Gatewood bake sale
July 22, 2009 1:21 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

It’s the little surprises that make life fun – like, when neighborhood heroes stop by your bake sale. Cori from Gatewood just e-mailed to share that photo (editor@westseattleblog.com) and explained, “Thanks to the firefighters of Station 37, who took time out to stop at a bake sale put on yesterday by some neighborhood kids. They were so great and it gave the kids such a thrill!” Inbetween fighting fires and crimes, local firefighters and police officers do spend a lot of time involved in community activities large and small – which reminds us that you probably need another reminder to sign up for your Night Out close-the-street block party August 4 – local public-safety personnel are known to make the rounds that night too. Sign up here before the July 31st deadline.

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West Seattle scene: Waiting for the tide to come back in
July 22, 2009 12:52 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

The cameraphone photo’s a bit fuzzy but you get the drift, so to speak – today’s low tide left a boat marooned on the Alki flats. Thanks to Stephanie for sending the photo; it reminded us of one we photographed last year – we looked it up and in fact, that one was in July 2008. Today’s low tide bottomed out before noon so here’s hoping today’s unlucky boater will be back afloat soon; there are minus tides for the next few days as well, but none as low as the past few days.

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West Seattle Helpline has back-to-school on its mind
July 22, 2009 11:11 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Helpline has back-to-school on its mind
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Helpline‘s “Clothesline” clothing bank (featured here in April) at Hillcrest Presbyterian Church in Arbor Heights, those two young volunteers were hard at work Tuesday morning helping brighten up the space. Other volunteers on hand during the work party were quick to point out that painting materials were donated by McLendon Hardware and TrueValue. Helpline executive director Anna Fern explains they’re painting one wall in the Clothesline space that same shade — “fruit punch.”

After the sprucing-up is done, Clothesline will reopen August 7, with an emphasis on getting kids the clothes they need for returning to school. And toward that end – Helpline’s big annual Backpack Drive is now under way. You can drop off a new backpack at Capers in The Junction – Mondays-Saturdays 10-6 and Sundays 11-5 – or at Helpline HQ in the resource center at 35th/Morgan, Mondays-Thursdays, 1-4 pm. Or donate $25 to Helpline and they will buy one on your behalf; 932-2746 is the number to call if you’d like to make a $ donation – or use the link atop the Helpline home page – also call to find out how/when to donate clothes for Clothesline.

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Design Review tomorrow night: 4532 42nd proposal online now
July 22, 2009 9:51 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

That’s the cover rendering for the revised design proposal for Golden Crest, the mixed-use (35 residential units, plus retail) building at 4532 42nd SW that’s been going through Design Review off and on since spring 2006. It’s the building at left – immediately south of Capco Plaza, which you see at right. The next Design Review meeting for Golden Crest could be its last if board members approve the latest version of the plan – the meeting’s at 6:30 pm tomorrow, Senior Center of West Seattle. You can see the full design proposal packet online here; the cover shot doesn’t appear much different from what was shown at the last meeting in April, but if you look very closely at the ground level, and read pages 3 and 4, you’ll see how the developer and architects believe they have addressed what was brought up at that meeting, including features to “emphasize the retail spaces.” (If the address still doesn’t jog your memory, this is the same site where the big old blue house – which had been a hospital long ago – was torn down in November.)

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Highland Park: HPAC’s new night tonight; HPIC weekend fun
July 22, 2009 6:43 am
|    Comments Off on Highland Park: HPAC’s new night tonight; HPIC weekend fun
 |   Fun stuff to do | Highland Park | How to help | West Seattle news

Two items from Highland Park: At 7 pm tonight, the Highland Park Action Committee debuts its new meeting night – the fourth Wednesday of the month. Agenda includes an update on the Westcrest Park mini-summit featured at last month’s meeting. HPAC gathers at the Highland Park Improvement Club‘s building, 12th/Holden (map).

Speaking of HPIC, they have two big events coming up this weekend – here’s the announcement:

2nd Annual HPIC Giant Group Rummage Sale! Come one, Come all …….

When: Sat., July 25, 2009 10 am-3 pm (setup 9 am)
Where: Highland Park Improvement Club parking lot (indoors if rainy)

corner of 12th & Holden
“Recycle” those useful items cluttering up your life! Sell your Crafts Projects and Bake Sale items-help raise money for the club while cleaning out your basement! OR call Kay for info if you want to just donate sale items for the club to sell.

Table Rental Fee (benefits the club 90th Anniversary)
$15 members/ $20 non-members
You keep all your sale proceeds!!
Questions or to reserve a table, contact Kay @ 206-762-2266

Followed by our Summer Neighborhood Potluck BBQ & Kickball event
When: Sun., July 26, 2009 2 pm-6 pm
Where: Highland Park Playground

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Election 2009: 14 council candidates on 1 West Seattle stage
July 22, 2009 2:41 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

There were moments of humor and moments of tension as 14 of the 16 candidates running for four Seattle City Council seats fanned out across several tables at center stage in the ArtsWest theater this evening.

(iPhone shot courtesy Chas Redmond – taken before Nick Licata arrived)
First – it’s become clear that for many West Seattleites, transportation is the hottest issue of all. That was one of the first questions to the candidates – listen to this audio clip as they take up to 1 minute each to discuss it (the first voice is Council President Richard Conlin, the others are each identified in turn):

Now, as for what else was said – read on:Read More

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One more day of notably low tide – and a bit of a weather break
July 21, 2009 10:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

We took out the pocket Flip video camera for a quick pan of the beach at Alki, where we stopped to check out the exact moment this morning (about quarter till 11) that the tide hit its lowest point of the month. (As you can see in the video, no major crowds, lots of room to explore.) Tomorrow will be almost as low, in case you have a chance to get out during the late morning — it bottoms out just after 11:30 am. And tonight’s “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service mentions a “minor cooling trend” for the next day or two, before a bigger blast of hot air comes this way over the weekend (just in time for the Alki Art Fair Saturday and Sunday, and the next West Seattle Junction Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentation Saturday night – the original “King Kong”).

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Fundraising begins for West Seattle High School Grad Night 2010
July 21, 2009 8:06 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Summer vacation’s not even half over and West Seattle High School parents and students are already looking ahead to the end of next school year and another successful Grad Night event. Last weekend, they washed cars to kick off the fundraising campaign, and Carol Viger shares this update and the accompanying photos:

Thanks to our loyal community, and our fabulous sponsor Hotwire Online Coffeehouse [WSB sponsor], WSHS students washed more than 40 cars Saturday 7-18 at our kick-off fundraiser for Grad Night 2010.

What is Grad Night at West Seattle High School?
Grad Night is a celebration on graduation night that is safe for seniors, and the location and activities are mysteries. All attendees are searched, no cell phones are allowed, and the venues remain a mystery until arrival. Grad Night was started by a young man who as a high school junior himself, lost his best friend (a then senior) on graduation night due to an alcohol involved accident. The next year, the student as a senior organized a safe and secret celebration for his classmates. It was so successful that it grew to his company.

Why support Grad Night?
Because everyone makes mistakes – even the smartest, most athletic kids. Accidents happen. (We heard stories of grad-night accidents from some patrons at our most recent car wash fundraiser.)

…and West Seattle High has the largest Alumni Association in the United States at 17,000 members. Grad Night is a good segue to that end. We want to keep our kids connected to our community, and coming back to give back and keep West Side the Best Side…and we have great kids. Last year’s graduating class had the highest attendance of any Seattle Public School, and 48% of the graduates were on the honor roll or above.

You as a parent of a senior will be glad you did support Grad Night. When your student comes home (and you have slept well, knowing they were safe all night) and grins that it was “so fun, I’m glad I went” even though they are exhausted, you will be glad. As a community member, maybe even one without kids, know that you may have saved a life, or at least given memories to last a lifetime in the community called “home” to these kids.

How much support is needed?
As a public high school, our goal is to raise $50 for every student who attends in order to keep the cost as low as possible at about $100 per student. We offer as many scholarships as we can. Additional funds at the end of the year will go to the next year’s class Grad Night. The kids get so much – security, camaraderie, food and beverage, entertainment, myriad activities, transportation, even some prizes! The last Big Yellow School Bus Ride ever!

How can I support Grad Night? Thank you for your consideration!
Cash of course is our greatest need. Donations can be sent to WSHS PTSA, attn: David Broadstoane, 2600 California Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98116, “for Grad Night 2010”; you will be sent a tax-deductible receipt. We are a 501(3)c. You can specify your desire (for scholarship, for general fund). Fund raising ideas, support: cviger@comcast.net, cathasue@comcast.net, Carol Viger 938-4204, Catha Elder 937-6119.

Here’s the car-wash team shot:

(Top row, left to right: Catha Elder, Cindy McComish, Joe Lam, Mark Viger, Christopher Tyler, Carl Swenson, TJ McComish. Bottom row, left to right: Helene Viger, Anna Rosen, Kaitlin Elder, Lori Tyler, Carol Viger, Kam Leng Lam.)

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Happening now: City Council candidates’ forum in The Junction
July 21, 2009 5:32 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

From left, candidate Sally Bagshaw, Admiral resident Dennis Ross, and candidates David Ginsberg and David Miller are among those on hand for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce-presented City Council candidates’ forum at ArtsWest in The Junction – starting shortly (but feel free to drop in “late” – it’s in the theater, and there’ll likely be seats left). We’ll be publishing in-progress updates via Twitter at @wsblive and will add a wrapup here later. 6:58 PM UPDATE: The forum just concluded on time. By the time it was over, 14 candidates had participated – Nick Licata showed up about half an hour after it started. Lots of lively banter and questions/answers about serious neighborhood issues. Will write up the wrapup as soon as we can.

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WS Crime Watch: Police manhunt for Morgan Junction-area burglar
July 21, 2009 3:34 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Just off the phone with Southwest Precinct Lt. Steve Paulsen, who we called to verify a few reports of a break-in early today in the Morgan Junction-area and questions about whether that case might be related to the South Park attacks. First of all – While there are rumors that the description of the burglar was close to that of the South Park killer, Lt. Paulsen stresses THEY ARE 98% CERTAIN IT’S NOT THE SAME MAN. That said, they are putting extra priority on finding the Morgan Junction burglar because he “doesn’t match any patterns.” They are working on a sketch to put out. Lt. Paulsen says the man broke into an apartment in the 6000 block of California around 6 am. “He fled after the occupant screamed.” He was not “hostile” toward the occupant – he didn’t indicate any violent intentions, according to Lt. Paulsen – and he didn’t take anything. But since they don’t know exactly what his motive was, they’re particularly eager to catch him. They know the man got on a Metro bus and headed toward downtown; they have collected “trace evidence” and have some good leads as well as witness accounts. The man is described as a “thin black male in his 20s,” 6 feet tall, shaved head, wearing a red shirt and dark pants, and he has a wound on his head – he apparently got cut while running away. (No one in the apartment was hurt.) He broke in through a ground-floor bathroom window, according to Lt. Paulsen. He promised to let us know as soon as the sketch is available, so we’ll bring it to you when we get it. Meantime, he stresses all the advice you’ve heard before – keep your doors and windows secure, and if you see anybody suspicious, call 911. (Meantime, as for the South Park case, no new major developments today.)

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Where to find free air conditioning tonight, 5-7 pm
July 21, 2009 12:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Evening sunshine along Beach Drive, photo by Chas Redmond)
BEFORE you go for your evening walk – one place to cool off in the early evening heat (temperatures peak around 5-6 pm!): ArtsWest in The Junction, where, tonight between 5-7 pm, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s City Council Candidates’ Forum takes the stage. You don’t have to be there right at 5 – the first half-hour is for mingling and/or one-on-one questions/answers – then the forum starts around 5:30. Candidates who are confirmed so far include West Seattleites David Ginsberg (Position 2) and Dorsol Plants (Position 4) as well as Sally Bagshaw and David Bloom (Position 4), Marty Kaplan (Position 6), David Miller, Mike O’Brien, Robert Rosencrantz, Jordan Royer and Rusty Williams (Position 8). #4 and #8 are the spots where the incumbents aren’t running again, so the primary vote (August 18, but it’s all by mail and your ballot will arrive by the end of next week) is particularly huge. CR Douglas moderates, no admission charge, and since it’s done by 7ish there’s still time to go enjoy the beach, a walk, whatever. ADDED 3:35 PM: One more name on the confirmation list – City Council President Richard Conlin, who’s being challenged by Ginsberg for Pos. 2.

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Delridge’s new playground: The “last sprint” before it opens
July 21, 2009 11:39 am
|    Comments Off on Delridge’s new playground: The “last sprint” before it opens
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

That’s just part of the exhausted yet exhilarated crowd of volunteers that gathered for photos last Friday afternoon after building Delridge Community Center‘s new playground. Among them, North Delridge Neighborhood Council co-vice-chair Betsy Hoffmeister, who wanted to share a bit more news today:

As we approach the Grand Opening Ceremony for the new Delridge Community Center playground on July 23rd at 6:30 pm, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is taking stock. We are immensely grateful to the community at large for supporting this amazing project. We have a few announcements to make.

· Only 14 Delridge tshirts are left. Made in White Center! Folks can buy one of the last 14 silk screened shirts left, Adult sizes: $15, Kids sizes: $10. Email your order to delridgetshirt@gmail.com .

· We have a donation of cupcakes for the grand opening, but, in order to make this a stylin’ event, we are looking for more food and drink donations. (We spent more than we anticipated on food for the build because we had nearly 270 people show up!)

· Every person or business who donated funds, goods, or services to the project is recognized on the 1X1 foot tiles attached to the fence around the playground (although the volunteers missed one). There are about ten more spaces for dedications. If you would like to add your message to the playground wall, please contact betsy@hoffmeisters.com with your contribution and message by Thursday. Minimum suggested donation is $25.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary encore in Admiral
July 21, 2009 9:56 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Pauline e-mailed to say that while she’s relatively new to the neighborhood, she has had an overly warm welcome from the criminal element – read on:Read More

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Lowest tide of the month today – and naturalists’ last day
July 21, 2009 6:30 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(photo via Twitter from @andreajwalker, taken Monday at Alki)
Lowest tide of the month today, and John Smersh – co-proprietor of Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) and volunteer beach naturalist – says it’s the naturalists’ last day of the summer. So if you want to low-tide-walk and learn as you go – get out this morning. John will be at Constellation Park; other beach naturalists will be at Lincoln Park. They’re out 10 am-1:30 pm but John notes that the lowest tide is 10:47 am, minus 3.5 feet – it’s still low-ish again tomorrow but not as low as today.

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Hiawatha haps: Concerts debut Thursday; wading pool now open
July 21, 2009 4:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Erik Walum for that photo – his spouse Katy Walum is organizer of the first-ever Admiral Neighborhood Association Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with WSB among the co-sponsors), and the banner sign just went up at the park as a reminder that the series is about to kick off: This Thursday night, 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Alma Villegas serenades you for free! Just bring your own blanket and/or chair. It’s the first of six consecutive Thursday nights with these free concerts – the lineup ranges all over the musical map, from jazz to Cajun to folk to rock and even Big Band; see the list of performers here.

SECOND NOTE: Hiawatha’s wading pool opened Monday as promised by the city, according to Holly. That means West Seattle now has three wading pools open, including Lincoln Park and Delridge; E.C. Hughes is scheduled to open next Monday, and Highland Park is not scheduled to be open this year at all because of federally mandated drain-safety upgrades the city needs to install (because of that work, it’s opening 14 wading pools citywide this summer instead of the usual 25).

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Election 2009 close-up coverage: Council candidate Sally Bagshaw
July 21, 2009 3:01 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgPrimary Election Day is coming up on August 18; your ballot will arrive in less than two weeks. WSB is offering close-up looks — with West Seattle-specific questions — at hot races including the three Seattle City Council contests you’ll find on the primary ballot. So far in the past week, we’ve looked at three of the Position 8 candidates; now we’re jumping over to Position 4, the seat being given up by Jan Drago for her mayoral run, and starting with one of the 2 candidates dual-endorsed by the 34th District Democrats: Sally Bagshaw.

By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

City Council candidate Sally Bagshaw was at the Luna Park Café for breakfast Saturday, working on a plate of eggs, a fruit bowl and bottomless cups of decaf coffee.

Breakfast could be her only meal of the day as she dashes to neighborhood events, meetings, interviews and fundraisers.

“The single most exciting thing about this campaign is what I have learned,” she said.

That’s saying a lot coming from an attorney who earned her pilot’s license when she was 47 and recently returned from an adventure to Bora Bora aboard a 39-foot sailboat that she called “eight months of the hardest work I ever did.”

Read More

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Video: Georgia Mitchell crowned as new Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu
July 20, 2009 9:52 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

The coronation just ended at West Seattle High School’s theater – big crowd – lively production – and the new Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu is Georgia Mitchell (center). Princesses are Veronica Pupava (left) and Kelly Nealson.

ADDED 11:50 PM: Video as the Queen announcement was made at the end of the 2 1/2-hour event – the voices off-camera are first, previous Queen Margo Femiano, and then emcee Elisa Jaffe from KOMO TV – as you’ll hear/see, the new queen had quite the cheering section:

Other candidates competing tonight were Kelsey Bills and Julia Hodges. Yet more to be added, including touching tributes to JB Webster, the Hi-Yu volunteer, Seafair Commodore and West Seattle real-estate agent whose sudden death shocked the community earlier this year. ADDED 3:51 AM: Read on for the rest of the story, including more video clips:Read More

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Update: State posts 72-hour warning at “Nickelsville”
July 20, 2009 7:20 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Today’s the deadline that the homeless encampment calling itself “Nickelsville” — on the eastern edge of West Seattle — had been given to vacate. They had said they didn’t plan to do so without a permanent site to which they could move. Now the state has just issued a news release suggesting they’ll be evicted if they don’t leave:

The Washington State Department of Transportation today posted
a 72-hour notice to residents of a south Seattle homeless encampment
that they need to vacate a nearly 4-acre state-owned property at 2nd
Avenue Northwest and West Marginal Way in Seattle.

The encampment moved onto the WSDOT-owned property June 6. For the past
six weeks, the state has worked closely with King County, the City of
Seattle and both the Church Council of Greater Seattle and the Lutheran
Public Policy office of Washington State to develop a long-term solution
for the members of the encampment.

Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary, negotiated a
two-week extension with the Church Council of Greater Seattle for the
camp to leave the site by July 20, which organizers failed to abide by.

The City of Seattle notified WSDOT Monday, July
20, that the state, by allowing the encampment to continue at the site,
is in violation of city health and safety codes. As a result of the
violation, the encampment can no longer stay on WSDOT property.

“The state negotiated an ample timeframe for a more permanent solution
for the residents of the encampment, and we even extended the deadline
to give church council leaders more time,” said Paula Hammond. “While we
are sensitive to the issues relative to homelessness in our state, WSDOT
is not equipped to manage homeless encampments. We are governed by state
law on the use of our property, as well as city zoning requirements.”

While an agreement on a more permanent encampment is being negotiated, a
local church has offered its property as a temporary place to stay while
a long-term solution is developed.

During the last six weeks, staff at DSHS has coordinated outreach
efforts, and has visited the encampment on several occasions to assist
food banks, and offer help with employment placement and health care.

The site has been posted for a 72-hour notice to vacate . Social services are on site to help members move. Washington
State Patrol will become involved after Thursday evening if people
insist on remaining on the site.

ADDED 10 PM: Here’s the Nickelsville spokesperson’s version of the latest development:

Per the State of Washington, Nickelsville has 3 days (72 hours) until they must vacate their current location.

Governor Gregoire’s Senior Adviser, Ron Judd, visited the Nickelsville encampment at approximately 7 pm tonight. At that time he provided written and posted notice from State Secretary of Transportation, Paula Hammond, which permits Nickelsville 72 hours until they must vacate the site.

2 hours prior, at approximately 5pm, the City of Seattle visited the site and posted a notice directed to The State of Washington. That notice said the site must be cleared by 5pm on Tuesday 7/21, but appears to be nullified per the recent visit by Judd.

Public calls and emails continue into Gregoire’s office asking for an extension while Nickelsville and its supporters actively search for a permanent site. Nickelsville’s residents express gratitude for the 3 days notice, but are committed to staying at the current location unless an adequate permanent site becomes available. They call on friends, supporters and the public to stand-by-them at this time.

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“We’re almost there”: A chat with Capco Plaza’s developer
July 20, 2009 7:07 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

After breaking the news about a prospective Whole Foods site buyer not pursuing the purchase, and then a restaurant closure, while looking into a couple of other reportedly stalled developments, it seemed like time to break things up by checking with a developer whose project IS proceeding and in fact is almost done: Leon Capelouto, longtime Junction entrepreneur who is building Capco Plaza/Altamira Apartments along SW Alaska between 41st and 42nd. We talked with him in his nearby office this afternoon.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A stone’s throw from the stalled project site dubbed “Hole Foods,” there’s a Junction development with a very different story to tell: Capco Plaza, the new home of QFC and Office Depot in The Junction, sharing its building with Altamira Luxury Apartments, is within a few months of opening for business.

In his office over nearby Matador, Leon Capelouto says he’s “very busy” with “hundreds of items” that need to be addressed before the building is done. He admits he’s very “hands on” – that’s part of his answer when we asked how he managed to keep this project on track when so many others of that scale have run into trouble. (Of course, financing is important too, he allows.)

The space where QFC will open a new store on the east side of his building has already been “turned over to the tenant,” Capelouto says – meaning the Kroger-owned store chain is now putting in its finishing touches. When we talked with a QFC spokesperson for our last update one month ago today, the company expected to open the store in “early fall,” ahead of schedule. Capelouto expects that is still the likelihood (we have a call out to QFC to doublecheck) – he showed us an e-mail exchange involving their scheduling of two Seattle Seahawks organization favorites, the Sea Gals and Blue Thunder drum line, for an event on October 10th that might be an official opening celebration after an earlier soft opening.

So what else is confirmed for the rest of the building?Read More

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