West Seattle, Washington
25 Monday
From last night’s Alki Community Council meeting:
FADED BRICKS AT ALKI STATUE OF LIBERTY PLAZA: The inscribed bricks at the plaza are harder than ever to read. Libby Carr, who led the original community campaign to create the plaza more than a decade ago, was at the ACC to discuss the situation. She said many things have been tried and proposed in recent years, since it’s a long-running problem; the bricks were treated in 2018, but that hasn’t stopped the deterioration. Potential coatings will be tried once the weather warms up. However, there’s also a possibility the bricks will have to be replaced. Carr said she had spoken with an Olympia engraver who told her about newer materials and engraving techniques that could last longer.
STONE HOUSE UPDATE: Members of the committee working to save and move the “stone house” from the future development site at 1123 Harbor SW provided an update.
Mike Shaughnessy said that they’re looking toward moving the house in June or July; that will cost about $60,000. It would be moved to a temporary spot on the industrial land east of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) and would likely be held there about two years while work on restoration and permanent placement continues, including fundraising. They’ve continued talking with Parks; Shaughnessy says that’s been positive so far. While – as discussed at last month’s Parks Board meeting – a Parks site might be possible for the stone house’s permanent home, the committee is searching for other options too. In Q&A they were asked if the house is holding up well enough to withstand a move. Answer: Yes. The biggest question is its permanent placement, and finding a site that, for example, won’t be underwater in 50 years. The committee, by the way, meets weekly.
POLICE UPDATE: Lt. Steve Strand from the Southwest Precinct was there; he said the formal Alki emphasis-patrol plan will go into effect when the weather warms up. He said they’ve already been dealing with some seasonal problems – noise from vehicle enthusiasts, for example. He urged residents to keep reporting problems when seen/heard. He also noted that officers from here are among those citywide taking turns supplementing patrols downtown, though it’s being done in a way that’s not having much effect on day-to-day resources.
The Alki Community Council meets third Thursdays most months, 7 pm at Alki UCC.
More than a dozen Special Olympics of Washington supporters just spent a long soggy day going into the water at Alki twice an hour.
This was the Super Plunge, a preview of sorts for tomorrow’s Polar Plunge. Everybody participating – mostly law enforcers – raised at least $1,500 in order to qualify as a Super Plunger. There’s still time for you to be a Polar Plunger if you show up in time for the plunge at 1 pm Saturday.
Just look for the “igloo” by Alki Bathhouse!
Don’t want to swim but do want to support Special Olympics? On Saturday, in connection with the Polar Plunge, there’s also a beer and food-truck festival, 11 am-4:30 pm, as previewed here.
When District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold spoke to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce a week ago (WSB coverage here), she noted that the committee she chairs was scheduled for a February 25th briefing on Seattle Police staffing and recruiting. With that now four days away, the agenda has arrived, and it includes two documents you can preview. Above is the slide deck outlining what SPD is doing to recruit more officers and to diversify the force; below, the council staff memo with information including current SPD staffing levels
The memo also includes current levels of patrol staffing in SPD’s five precincts. Southwest – which covers West Seattle and South Park – remains the smallest patrol staff, at 89, compared to 116 for East, 127 for South, 153 for West, and 171 for North. The briefing/discussion will be part of the Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting at 9:30 am Tuesday.
Thanks for the texted photo/tip! That’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), in view off West Seattle right now as it heads back to Bremerton after almost six weeks at sea.
After more than 20 years in The Junction, The Forsythe Studio is closing.
Sort of.
Proprietor Jessica Forsythe explains that while she’s closing the salon at 4456 California SW at month’s end, she’s not going out of business – she’s moving and “downsizing.” She and a partner will open Modern Roots in The Admiral District (the former Via space at 4217 SW College) on March 3rd.
Her Forsythe Studio stylists are moving on to new gigs, too, she says, and if you need to find someone, just call Jessica and she’ll point you to the right place(s). She says she’s keeping the Forsythe Studio’s longtime phone number, 206-935-1865.
(WSDOT photo, February 14)
The weekly SDOT lookahead (PDF), which often brings first word of key WSDOT closures too, arrived with news of an added Highway 99 tunnel closure described as being for “repairs,” 10 pm next Friday (February 28) to 8 am next Saturday (February 29). We asked WSDOT spokesperson Laura Newborn if the repairs are related to the water leak from the southbound tunnel’s ceiling. She said yes, elaborating;
The purpose of the closure purpose is two-fold.
1. For the tunnel contractor to repair and reseal a small grout-port where water is leaking (the tunnel is under warranty).
2. To complete regularly scheduled tunnel maintenance from Friday, Feb. 14 as crews spent maintenance time creating a temporary repair for the water leak.
We want to emphasize this is considered a minor leak with a straightforward repair plan. The tunnel remains very safe for driving.
The repairs involve re-grouting the area near a grout port and resealing the grout port. During construction, these types of ports were used to add grout to the area between the ground and the outside of the tunnel wall.
Again, that’s next Friday night, NOT tonight. The NB tunnel, meantime, has a regular maintenance closure March 13 (10 pm)-14 (8 am).
(Thursday photo by Gary Jones)
Lots of questions on Thursday about that smoke visible from West Seattle, looking across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains’ foothills. Some were sure it was an early wildfire, but we and others searched for info, to no avail. We finally inquired with the Olympic National Forest and got a reply this morning: Pile-burning, from clearing of private land.
From Kathleen:
My 17′ Vision (Current Designs) sea kayak was stolen in West Seattle (on Delridge Way SW near SW Andover St). It has a light blue faded top with a navy blue stripe above the white hull. I noticed it missing when I came home from lunch (Thursday).
The SPD report # is 2020-902478.
(Bald Eagle, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Almost the weekend! Here are the Friday highlights:
‘SUPER PLUNGE’: One day before the Special Olympics-benefiting Polar Plunge at Alki, 16 “Super Plungers” are going into the water twice hourly until 5 pm. Look for them near the Alki Bathhouse and go cheer! (2701 Alki SW)
DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER: Open 10 am-5 pm – visit on this last day of midwinter break and learn about Seattle’s First People. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School‘s must-win boys-basketball district-playoffs game is tonight, 6:30 pm, vs. Bellevue HS, at Bellevue College. (3000 Landerholm Circle SE)
PAUL GERARD: Singer-songwriter at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)
JONAS MYERS TRIO: Jazz at The Pacific Room on Alki, 8-10 pm. No cover.(2808 Alki SW)
ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: 8 pm at The Skylark, celebrate with Deadbeat Blackout. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK AHEAD! Preview the weekend and beyond via our complete calendar!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:50 AM: Good morning! No current incidents/alerts in our area.
Weekend reminders:
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Tonight and Saturday night, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to close, 9 pm-8 am both nights.
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY STARTING TOMORROW: The new pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes opens tomorrow (Saturday, February 22nd), as announced earlier this month. See the official service advisory for the affected routes here (PDF). The new pathway/stops map is also in our coverage of Wednesday’s media event there.
The Highland Park Elementary PTA invites you to step right up and join the party under the big top at Highland Park Improvement Club on March 21st. Here’s why:
We’ve worked hard on this event! Last year we turned HPIC into Alice and Wonderland with a full-size rabbit hole and fantasy land that blew guests away. The parents have outdone themselves this year with an amazing big-top-based off the book “Night Circus” and we are really hoping to reach our $20K fundraising goal to support the enrichment activities for our kids that our Title 1 school can’t regularly provide as well as family nights that provide culturally inclusive events and community building – the heart of what our school values.
Join us for at the Night Circus!
Highland Park Elementary Fund the Future Auction
Single tickets: $40Saturday, March 21, 2020 – Highland Park Improvement Club
Tent opens at 5:30 PM…
This after-dark extravaganza brings the magic of the big top to Highland Park. Step right up to the center ring for an evening of midway games, spectacular performers, tasty carnival treats, and a show-stopping auction!
Although this fantastical circus is just for grown-ups, all proceeds go toward much needed enrichment activities for the amazing students of Highland Park Elementary. As a Title 1 school, we have a rich diversity of cultures, languages and socioeconomic backgrounds but need community support to help fund the additional academic programs and vital community engagement events that our students deserve.
Circus apparel highly encouraged but come ready to be entertained and inspired, all for a good cause!
Get your ticket today here!
Can’t attend but would like to help fund our students’ futures? Donate here!
We appreciate our local business support! If you’d like to make our auction even more amazing by donating an item and be recognized as a community sponsor, visit here!
On our way to The Whale Trail‘s event tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), we noticed the usually well-lit intersection of California/Findlay was dark. Then we got a Twitter message about it during the meeting. We advised reporting it to Seattle City Light – that apparently had already happened, as we noticed those crews arriving just as we left C & P. Their work is focused near the southbound RapidRide stop on the southwest corner of the intersection, so be careful if you’re headed that way – in any mode – tonight.
With so many Seattle Parks facilities and properties in West Seattle, this announcement might be of interest:
As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.
SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.
In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:
SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
-Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
-Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
-Lobby desk tops
The full Parks post also includes general advice for helping prevent viruses from spreading.
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GYM THEFT: CrossFit Loft in The Junction reports a member’s wallet was stolen yesterday afternoon and within an hour, what was in it was used to buy gift cards and a variety of other things. The two suspects were recorded. If you have any idea about who they are, the SPD case # is 2020-063954.
DUMPED BICYCLE: This photo and report are from RLS:
This bike has been dumped in the alley between 25th and 26th SW at Cloverdale.
Somebody somewhere declared this “National Love Your Pet Day,” so in honor of that, the West Seattle Junction Association has opened registration for the third annual PAW-rade, set for Saturday, July 18th, right before the West Seattle Grand Parade. Free! Prizes! See the categories on the registration form. Then show up at 4400 California SW on PAW-rade day and show off for thousands!
Thanks for the tip! A texter today pointed out that Jiffy Lube in The Junction had finally reopened, so we went over to confirm. The oil-change shop’s staff told us it reopened on Monday, seven and a half months after it was closed by an early-morning fire last July. SFD was unable to determine how the fire started; no one was hurt.
(Sound Transit maps of what’s under consideration for light-rail routing)
Next up as Sound Transit continues environmental studies for the West Seattle to Ballard light-rail extensions, a survey announced today:
We are studying multiple route alternatives, which include a new rail-only bridge across Salmon Bay, either east or west of the existing Ballard Bridge and a new rail-only bridge across the Duwamish Waterway, either north or south of the existing West Seattle Bridge.
Sound Transit is collecting data on vessels that utilize these waterways and facilities that service vessels to help inform the environmental review analysis and support coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard regarding any potential bridge permits.
How can you help? Please share information about your vessel(s) or ones that you pilot by completing this survey by March 17, 2020.
You can do that by going here.
(Photographed Wednesday from Lincoln Park, by Susan Romanenghi)
Another sunny day! Here’s our quick look at what’s ahead:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm – side-trip idea if this midwinter school break day is taking you to Alki. (61st/Stevens)
GAME NIGHT WTTH THE TIMEBANK: The West Seattle Timebank invites you to a potluck and game-night gathering, 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Tonight’s agenda topics include the “Stone House” relocation project and Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza, 7 pm at Alki UCC. All welcome. (6115 SW Hinds)
THE WHALE TRAIL: As previewed here, you’re invited to the midwinter gathering to hear about how to help the orcas. 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). $5 donation, kids free. (5612 California SW)
AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm, live music with KizMet, Lucia Luna, Lizzie Clauss. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
LOOK INTO THE FUTURE … via the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!
Here are two reasons the West Seattle High School baseball team would love to see you at the big stadium. Just out of the WSB inbox:
West Seattle HS vs Ballard HS in the High School Baseball Classic at T-Mobile Field
4 pm, Saturday, April 4th, 2020
Free!The WSHS Baseball team is also selling tickets to the Mariner’s game on May 29th at 7:10pm vs the Atlanta Braves at T-Mobile Park.
100 level tickets – $40 each (down the first=base line)
300 level tickets – $20 each (behind home plate)To buy tickets, contact Sheree at tombiz@comcast.net
The season starts in mid-March.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts in our area right now. Looking ahead:
1ST AVENUE S. BRIDGE CLOSURES: Friday and Saturday nights, the northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge is scheduled to close, 9 pm-8 am, Friday into Saturday and Saturday into Sunday.
NEW TRANSIT PATHWAY STARTING SATURDAY: The new pathway into downtown for most West Seattle bus routes opens Saturday, as announced earlier this month. See the official service advisory here (PDF). Our coverage of an event there Wednesday is here.
(WSB photos/video)
It was a ribbon-cutting without a ribbon. It did, however, have ribbons of red paint – newly marked bus lanes. The about-to-open Columbia Street 2-Way Transit Pathway were commemorated this afternoon with a round of celebratory speeches from elected and appointed officials who arrived via a RapidRide bus marked “SPECIAL.”
Mayor Jenny Durkan, County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, Metro General Manager Rob Gannon, and Washington State Ferries boss Amy Scarton all took a spin at the microphone to hail the planned opening this Saturday (February 22) of the new corridor for buses to and from West Seattle and beyond.
No new information, but plenty of reminders that this will connect transportation modes more closely than before, with buses stopping conveniently close to the downtown dock where car and passenger ferries bring thousands each day. Here’s the map:
While this is the “permanent” route for the routes listed, there will be another big change when Alaskan Way is fully widened. That’s part of the city’s waterfront program, which the mayor hailed in her remarks, along with noting that there will be “many ribboncuttings we’re going to do down here” – which is when we realized, the event was more a ribbonless dedication than anything else. Here’s our video of everyone who took a turn at the microphone:
Since the mayor mentioned the extra bus hours paid for by the Transportation Benefit District taxes that are expiring this year, we asked about reports that a county version will be proposed. Constantine replied that discussions are under way with the county and its three-dozen-plus cities, and that we can expect a decision within a few weeks. But first – a new pathway for the buses that are funded now. Metro GM Gannon observed, “This doesn’t look like a transit hub, but it’s going to be.”
The building at 2716-2718 Alki SW – formerly home to Phoenecia (closed in December 2018, reopened in The Junction) and Alki Cleaners (closed July 2018) – is for sale, listed at $1,220,000. The site, zoned NC1-40, is touted in the offering memo as having the potential for “Multiple Development Opportunities, Rehab for mixed use, Townhome, ‘A-pod-ments’, Etc” The storefronts have been vacant since the end of 2018, windows papered over, no hint of the building’s future until now.
Thanks to David for tipping us to this by sharing an email discussion he’s been having with Seattle City Light and others. As the utility continues to deal with increased wire theft – as noted by The Seattle Times recently – it’s working to fix the resulting lights-out situations on, under, and around the West Seattle Bridge (among other places). Part of David’s exchange with SCL included this reply from a utility employee:
On the West Seattle Bridge, the streetlight crew attempted to splice together the wire that is left in an attempt to restore power to the control cabinet. That attempt failed and the only option left is to replace the entire run. This would restore the two separate circuits that feed the control cabinet. This requires coordination with SDOT because they have some control wires in the same conduit which have also been cut.
In the meantime, we have a traffic control plan and a permit to make a repair to the undermount lights, this is scheduled for the overnight Wednesday, 2/19/2020. The bike path has three sections, east, Harbor Island, and west, that will be handled separately. The plan is to start on that after the bridge upper deck lighting is completed.
The update also noted that crews have been working “7 days a week since October to address theft-related outages.” We followed up with SCL spokesperson Julie Moore to find out more about what’s planned tonight. She tells us the main work is actually planned this weekend:
We’re working to energize the undermounts along the lower deck of the bridge, though may be able to energize some on the upper level as well. Work will generally occur between 26th Avenue Southwest and Delridge Way. We’re doing prep work over the next couple days, but the actual work and any necessary no parking/lane closures will occur between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
A wider look at the wire-theft problem is under way as part of a city-budget action last November by District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who wrote about it here.
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