West Seattle, Washington
12 Sunday
We’ve been keeping you up to date on plans for the city’s “community-parking review” in The Junction — which ultimately will lead to a decision on whether changes are made in management of the parking spots managed by the city (pay stations? Residential Parking Zones on nearby streets? status quo?). We published our first report last February, when WSB went to the Municipal Tower downtown for the first media briefing on the plan; then in May, the city Transportation Department (SDOT) told us it expected to start the review in September — and in our May update, we included the West Seattle Junction Association‘s call for your comments on the parking situation. Now that it’s September, we checked with SDOT – and here’s what communications director Rick Sheridan told us about the parking review’s status, and how you’ll get to have a say:Read More
The Mayor’s Small Business Awards will be presented tonight, and the city’s just gone public with the list. On it: Anne Phyfe Palmer, operator of 8 Limbs Yoga, which includes a Junction location; and the West Seattle entrepreneur behind BabyLegs, Nicole Donnelly. Here’s the announcement with the full citywide list of winners.
We found those three neighboring homes on 26th SW near Westwood Village, displaying flags on today’s anniversary. No official West Seattle commemorations that we know of (please advise if you’ve heard of one) – we will be visiting the Alki Statue of Liberty later to see what’s happening there, given its informal role as a remembrance location, dating all the way to the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. On this date last year, the recast statue made its debut in a ceremony that was both an unveiling and a tribute (WSB coverage, including video, here); a year earlier, on September 11, 2006, the old pedestal stood empty, as the original statue (now at the Log House Museum gift shop) had been taken away so the recasting process could begin.
(Updated version of WSB clickable Junction/Triangle development map)
Heard about this after last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting (full report on that is still in the works), and it’s just been confirmed by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen: Toward the widely voiced concern that the Junction and Triangle areas be looked at in a “big picture” sense while so much development roars forward, Rasmussen is asking Junction developers (here’s our report on their West Seattle Chamber of Commerce appearance yesterday) and leaders of the Chamber and the West Seattle Junction Association to be at the September 22nd City Council “briefing” session. Also invited: along Representatives of city agencies including SDOT (transportation) and DPD (planning). Rasmussen staffer Brian Hawksford explains, “The purpose would be to have the developers describe their projects to the Council in an informal setting and to explain how they hope the city can be helpful in the overall improvement to the streetscape.” Rasmussen himself elaborates:
I see all of the development that is being planned in the Junction area as a tremendous opportunity to create one of the greatest residential and commercial neighborhoods in the City. For that to happen it is important for the developers and the City to work together to insure that design of the buildings, landscaping, transit planning, traffic management, parking and pedestrian walkways are all coordinated and complementary. The City can play a major role to insure that the coordination occurs. Recently I met with representatives of the Fairmount Community Council and they too see this potential. I would like as many people who are interested to participate.
I know it may be difficult for the public to attend this meeting during a weekday here at City Hall. The meeting is planned to be held here … because I would like the Council to understand the importance of this effort. It will be televised and can be viewed online as well. If people would like more meetings to be held, we can do so in West Seattle.
The meeting’s at 9:30 am September 22nd at City Council chambers downtown. It will be shown live, as are all such council sessions, by the Seattle Channel — channel 21 on cable, or seattlechannel.org online.
Last month, we brought you in-depth details of the $150 million redevelopment project on the drawing board for The Kenney, the longtime retirement community in Fauntleroy. (Read our story here.) Today, we get word from The Kenney’s CEO Kevin McFeely that two meetings are set next week to discuss the project with, and answer questions from, neighbors and other area residents/community leaders: 6 pm Wednesday at Fauntleroy Church (with official invitations going out to everyone within a half-mile radius), 6 pm next Thursday (9/18) at The Kenney (targeting local neighborhood associations and business groups). The project also is tentatively scheduled for its first Design Review Board hearing — which is a public meeting too — at 8 pm October 23rd (location TBA); here’s the city’s project page.
It’s the second-furthest-along of the Junction megaprojects – Capco Plaza, which longtime local businessman Leon Capelouto is building between 41st and 42nd on the north side of Alaska. Capelouto was one of four developers, with 8 projects between them, who spoke to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly luncheon today, and we were there to get the latest:Read More
It was fun while it lasted, but now it’s over: Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) barista Blayne got kicked off “Project Runway” tonight (along with Terri), after a design that judges called “a joke.” However: “No one is sorrier to see you go than I am,” PR regular Tim Gunn told him. “You can’t second-guess yourself,” Blayne said cheerily and circumspectly, referring to himself. We’ve got someone at the Ginomai viewing party, so we’ll add reaction from there when we get it. ADDED EARLY THURSDAY MORNING: Here’s what Blayne’s Hotwire boss Lora Lewis told the WSB video crew afterward:Read More
Just added to the Design Review calendar, a second project for the 10/9 meeting, which previously had only the 35th/Graham mixed-use building on the agenda: 3008 63rd SW (map), described in the city files as three single-family homes slated for demolition, to be replaced by seven units. The lots are immediately south of the Cactus end of the ex-Alki Market building, east side of 63rd just south of Alki SW. No meeting site listed yet, but the Alki project presentation is scheduled for 6:30 pm 10/9, the High Point project for 8 pm.
Earlier today, we reported that West Seattle-based Southwest Youth and Family Services (headquartered just southeast of the Delridge Community Center) is tabbed for a big role in the new youth-violence-prevention initiative announced by the mayor. SWYFS director Steve Daschle was among the West Seattleites at today’s announcement (others included Southwest Community Center coordinator “Junior” Kitiona); we talked with him this afternoon in search of details about what this new role means to his agency:Read More
That’s the scene from the first half of last night’s transportation forum presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce — the first hour was open-house format, so attendees could get information on virtually every major transportation project that’s about to affect West Seattleites; the second was Q/A moderated by CR Douglas. WSB contributor Evan Baumgardner covered the Q/A session — we thought that you might like to know exactly what was asked, and exactly how it was answered — Evan’s transcription follows:Read More
Another update on the first-ever West Seattle Junction Car Show coming up September 21st (one week from Sunday!), co-sponsored by WSB — Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Printing says more than 140 cars are now registered, and they’re expecting about 300 (preregistration is closed so you’ll need to show up on show day, first-come first-served – call June @ 206/334-6606 with questions); as previously mentioned, California SW will be closed in The Junction for the car show, Edmunds to Alaska, Alaska to Oregon, Oregon to the post office. What you see at left is the cool design for T-shirts that will be sold (first-ever show! collector’s item?) – price starts at $10 (XL and up will be a bit more; sizes run to 6XL). The day’s highlights also will include a pancake breakfast at the West Seattle Eagles, starting at 7 am; Puerto Vallarta will open at 7 am with a special breakfast menu; the West Seattle Farmers’ Market‘s annual Zucchini 500 races (kids get to make zucchini vehicles!) will be happening 10 am-1 pm. Now, about those cars – all are pre-1975, no 4x4s, says Michael – and at least one dates back to 1920! There also will be a raffle and 50/50 drawing to raise money for the Maple Valley Street Rats Scholarship Fund – available to students studying to work in the automotive field – the MVSR is organizing the show along with the West Seattle Junction Association.
No massive topic on tonight’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting agenda, but some things you should know about: The time’s set for the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, 2-6 pm October 19 at Fauntleroy Church, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) – “better than ever,” promises FCA; some volunteer help is still needed – the FF page explains who to contact. Next week, the church will host a state meeting about the Alaskan Way Viaduct (updated from our original post – FCA’s Phil Sweetland says after further discussions, the meeting WILL be at the church, 5:30-7:30 pm). The following week, Fauntleroy Church WILL be the venue for a screening of the “final cut” of “The Fauntleroy Story: 100 Years of Community,” the 35-minute documentary produced in part with city $ (we attended a preview earlier this summer), 7 pm 9/24 (DVDs will be available for a suggested donation of $10). We recently mentioned the Fauntleroy Art Show is in the works for early November at the church – Judy Pickens sent word a few days ago that artists from outside West Seattle are now welcome as well as WS artists (read more here about what they’re looking for; Oct. 1 is the deadline to apply). Also in the works: Calling the salmon home at the Fauntleroy fish ladder, set for 5-6 pm Sunday 10/26, BOYD (bring your own drum). And right before then, scheduling will begin for volunteer shifts between 10/27 and 11/27 to document coho coming into the creek to spawn — more info available on the FCA website.
As Bil Hood puts it, “The building may not look finished, but school began tonight for Hope Lutheran School. Parents and students met with teachers tonight for a back-to-school BBQ.” Bil sent the photo above, plus this one from tonight’s event:
He adds: “Most classrooms are finished and ready to go. A few classes will be in alternate accomodations until next month. Regular classes begin tomorrow.” Project progress is being chronicled on the Hope Lutheran website: HopeSeattle.org. (We reported on the groundbreaking for the church/school project that’s under way – along with 2 others nearby – see that report here.)
We’re at the Westwood Neighborhood Council meeting, where a school-district rep has just announced that the Design Team process to figure out what’ll happen to the current Denny Middle School site will start with two meetings at Denny to “listen to stakeholders,” with the first one tentatively scheduled for 9/22, more or less “the same meeting held twice” at different times of day for school staff/student and community-member convenience. (The second date will likely be in early October but may change – WNC is working to set up its own community meeting around that time.) You still have time to sign up to be on the Design Team; here’s the form on the district’s website. The district also confirms that Denny is scheduled to move midyear 2010-2011 – during winter break – from its current location, to the new building to be built on the Sealth campus. More from this meeting, as well as tonight’s transportation forum and the Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, coming up later.
Just announced by the Parks Department — an event next Wednesday afternoon, with former West Seattleite and current Portland Trail Blazer Brandon Roy dedicating a “refurbished community basketball court” at Delridge Community Center. Here’s the full announcement:Read More
Five days after demolition began at 6053 California, the building’s distinctive facade (along Graham as well as California) finally came down today (the top “before” photo is from last year). We once wrote we’d be sad to see it go, but as we acknowledged last week, neighbors tell WSB they’re glad, because the teardown will take away what had become a hotbed of trouble.
Raccoons have sparked more than a few conversations here on WSB – including the comments on the original post last month with that photo Jenny Simonds took in her neighborhood near Lincoln Park — and here’s word of an alert that the Fauntleroy Community Association is issuing: FCA is getting reports of “raccoon latrines” in Fauntleroy — communal spots the critters single out for elimination. They’re a concern not just for the obvious reasons but because what FCA notes is “a parasite called raccoon roundworm … Raccoons excrete roundworm eggs and larvae, and if ingested, the resulting infection can cause severe disease and even death. There is no known cure. Particularly at risk are young children and pets.” Please note, however, this is not cause for hysteria – we looked up the incidence of this disease, and online references say there’ve been 25 cases of “serious roundworm disease” in the U.S. in the past five years. Meantime — FCA leaders say they’ve asked the City Council to “take appropriate action regarding this serious public health issue” but have learned, “As it stands now, there is no department that will offer assistance.” FCA says it’s received the following advice that everyone can follow:
• Don’t feed wildlife because they become dependent on it
• Don’t feed feral cats, which provides a food source for raccoons
• Don’t feed your pets outside except when supervised, then remove bowls and spills
• Prevent raccoons from entering your home through pet doors by securing them
• Feed birds by planting bird-friendly vegetation since bird seed attracts raccoons, and
• Compost wisely because food waste attracts raccoons.
How to tell if there’s a raccoon latrine on your property, and what to do about it? Here’s some info from the King County website. Also note, this topic is likely to come up again at FCA’s monthly meeting tonight — 7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, public welcome.
Just announced by the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council: Special guest at its next meeting (next Tuesday 8/16, 7 pm, Southwest Precinct meeting room) will be Sgt. Dyment of the Seattle Police Gang Unit. The WSCPC staff liaison from Seattle Neighborhood Group, Jennifer Duong, is inviting those who plan to attend to send questions in advance, to help make sure the sergeant can pre-research specific West Seattle gang-related issues. Anything in particular you’d like to know about? E-mail jennifer@sngi.org – and be there one week from tonight.
Have to confess we haven’t seen so much as a single entire episode of “Deadliest Catch,” so we’re not too sure how big a role this guy plays – but we did see the rock-star reception another DC star got in the Seafair Torchlight Parade, so we’re thinking fans might be interested to hear that “Captain Phil” will be at West Seattle Thriftway this Sunday, pitching his own brand of coffee — “Deadliest Brew” — and signing autographs. 11 am-1 pm. P.S. Our friends at MyBallard.com mentioned over the weekend that the Nordic Heritage Museum‘s auctioning (bid now!) a chance to hang out with the crew up in Dutch Harbor, Alaska (the blurb includes the “Deadliest Catch” boat’s current local whereabouts).
We mentioned this briefly earlier today, but wanted to give it a more prominent shoutout: West Seattle’s Seal Sitters, who keep watch to protect baby seals whose moms leave them on local beaches while off hunting, have another volunteer-training session tomorrow night; we noted a decent turnout for their first one last month, which happened on a weekend afternoon — this time, it’s at night, 7-9 pm tomorrow at Alki Community Center, all welcome. When Janette Wilson from the Seal Sitters called WSB this afternoon to remind us about this, we asked how seal-pup season was going so far, and she admitted they’re “a little worried” — they’ve only responded to one pup sighting, a dramatic difference from last year, when things started getting busy in August. But she also noted that the chum run is yet to arrive, and that may bring some pups, so they want to have a full volunteer corps ready. If you want to find out more before showing up for tomorrow’s session, there’s contact info on the Seal Sitters‘ site.
Five months to the day after we first told you about Coffee at the Heights, which Paul Binder and David Robertson plan to open at 7349 35th (map) in their former PB&J Textiles location (that shop’s now in Fairmount Springs), next to their Olympic Heights Laundry — Paul sends word that the building permit’s just been granted and work starts tomorrow. ADDED 9:40 PM: A few more notes – Paul says they’ll use Caffe D’arte coffee, Sunshine dairy products, pastry provider TBA, hours 5:30 am-8 pm daily (including holidays), compostable cups/sleeves, and will be selling coffee by the pound. They hope to be open within a month.
A couple leftover photos from Alki’s Car-Free Day, to go with answers to a few questions we asked SDOT spokesperson Rick Sheridan. First, we reported during the event that we did not see anyone ticketed or towed, so we asked him to confirm, and he replied: “No cars were ticketed or towed for the event. SDOT worked aggressively to notify residents and businesses about the parking restrictions, and it paid off with no real parking issues on Sunday.” Next question, we asked about costs — some citywide reports cited $45K as the price tag for all three Car-Free Day events — Sheridan replies: “We do not have a definitive breakdown of costs yet. If the city decides to hold similar events next year, one of the items we will explore is the feasibility of sponsors.” Speaking of next year, that was the third question we asked – how/when will it be decided if the city will do this again? Answer: “It may be a little early to determine the process for next year’s plan. Car Free Day on Alki was a great event, however, we want to evaluate the results of all three Car Free Days and determine whether Seattle should hold similar days next year.” General SDOT feedback how-to can be found here.
City leaders have talked a lot lately about saving trees and even increasing the city’s “tree canopy” — and yet the tree-cutting doesn’t seem to have slowed. This afternoon, the mayor’s office sent a news release about “interim regulations” just proposed to “close a loophole” — take a look and see what you think:Read More
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