West Seattle, Washington
25 Friday
(Photo by Jim Edwards)
Four more West Seattle Bridge updates tonight, this time from West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. They’re in her weekly newsletter (which is also online here); she begins with the stabilization-contractor announcement, reported here last night, and continues:
Bridge Monitoring
SDOT’s instrumentation consultant, BDI, measured crack depths on the sides of the box girders where they meet the deck and also used ultra-sonic pulse echo imaging and ground penetrating radar to help in understanding if there is any weakness in the steel rope that holds the bridge in compression.
On April 22, SDOT’s design consultant, WSP, provided an estimate of rate of crack growth as well as a critical failure projection. WSP also continues work on a decision tree to inform the question of whether or not to replace or repair the bridge.
SDOT also is installing additional structural health instrumentation (such as crack-width gauges, strain gauges and high-resolution cameras). This is mostly complete and will allow for a clearer definition of the condition of the bridge, and which path to pursue.
I’ve asked how the rate of crack growth informs the question of whether or not to replace or repair the bridge, and about the critical failure projection.
Road/Traffic Update
SDOT paved and reconfigured the 5-way intersection below the West Seattle Bridge last weekend; average daily traffic on the low bridge is down to 6,480 vehicles per day, approximately the same as the baseline. Here is the most recent traffic data we’ve received, with West Marginal and Idaho, and Highland Park and Marginal showing significantly higher than usual volumes:
SDOT has installed new controllers, added communications to signals, and tweaked signal timing in both the Roxbury and 35th corridors, and has upgraded these intersections over the past two weeks:
Chelan 5-Way Intersection
17th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
16th Ave SW/Delridge & SW Roxbury St
15th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Thistle StSDOT also noted they are planning to improve operations at the following intersections over the next few weeks:
30th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
26th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
20th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
8th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Roxbury St
35th Ave SW & SW Barton St
35th Ave SW & SW Henderson St
35th Ave SW & SW Trenton St
16th Ave SW & SW Austin St
16th Ave SW & SW Holden St
35th Ave SW & SW Kenyon St
35th Ave SW & SW Holden St
35th Ave SW & SW Webster St
35th Ave SW & SW Myrtle St
35th Ave SW & SW Holly St
35th Ave SW & SW Morgan St
35th Ave SW & SW Raymond St
35th Ave SW & SW Findlay StChanges include allowing SDOT to manage signals from a central location, rather than needing to go to the signal to manually make changes.
Town Hall Question Totals
For the Town Hall held last week, over 1000 questions and comments were submitted: 133 on the use of the lower bridge, 156 on traffic management, 212 on transit (including ferries), 63 on whether to repair or replace, 209 on process and oversight, and 254 on multiple subjects, or other items. My office is continuing to organize the suggestions.
Letter to Washington State Ferries
I sent a letter to Washington State Ferries, linked here, asking that they consider re-directing some of the ferry traffic from Vashon and/or Southworth, that usually travels to the Fauntleroy ferry dock, to Downtown Seattle instead; and that they consider trips from Fauntleroy to Downtown, and options suggested by the public.
The letter notes that during some previous years, for example 1981, 1993 and 2002, eastbound ferry traffic has been diverted to Downtown on a temporary basis. Thanks to the community members who assisted with this research.
SDOT info, meantime, is on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Safety Project website; our coverage since the bridge closure March 23rd is all archived here.
The need is greater than ever – for helping prevent hunger and homelessness. The West Seattle Food Bank does both. If you can help, you’re invited to register for the WSFB’s virtual “Instruments of Change,” now a little more than one week away – here’s a reminder:
Every year we celebrate our community and raise money to support our neighbors through our annual Instruments of Change Dinner/Auction. While we cannot gather together in person this year, we are adapting this event for the virtual world!
Join us on Saturday, May 9th at 5:30pm for our virtual Instruments of Change. We will celebrate our community, the merge between the West Seattle Food Bank and West Seattle Helpline, and raise funds to support our neighbors. This interactive event will include exciting auction items, fun activities, and a compelling program about the West Seattle Food Bank services.
You can join for free — just register here! And for those who want to get a head start, the event’s online auction will be open at 10:00 am on Monday, 5/4. All who register and attend are automatically entered into a drawing to win 2 round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines!
We want this to be a party, so invite your friends!
Can’t wait to spend time with you celebrating and supporting our community!
WSB is an Instruments of Change co-sponsor.
Two things coming up tonight:
CORNER BAR, ONLINE: First Friday means the Highland Park Improvement Club Corner Bar. Still can’t do it in person, so tonight they’re presenting an hour of live music online, 8-9 pm:
Come join us for an hour this Friday evening. We missed April’s event and who knows when we are all going to get together again. This one will be from the comfort of your own home.
Evan Flory-Barnes will livestream us some songs and we can all sit around at home, have a drink, and dance along.[The livestream will be via HPIC’s Facebook page]
These are difficult times for a lot of us. Please feel free to tip Evan at your favorite sites – Venmo @Evan- Flory-Barnes PayPal evflorybarnes@gmail.com or the Cash App. $EvanFloryBarnes
Also, there are no events at the club since the stay at home order has been in effect – feel free to join the HPIC as a member, and help us chart our course for the future.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, #3: If you missed the mention in last night’s roundup – look for SFD trucks/engines driving through neighborhoods, with flashing lights and maybe even siren bursts, 6:30-7:30 pm tonight.
It’s set to happen in the highlighted areas on this map.
2:34 PM: Just under way in Olympia, Gov. Inslee‘s briefing, with health officials, at which he’s expected to talk about “phases” of reopening more of the state’s economy. We’ll be updating as it goes.
He says he’ll “issue a new extension of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order on Monday, and that businesses will be allowed to reopen “in four phases.” Monday’s order will extend Stay Home, Stay Healthy “through May 31st.”
But “what we’re doing is working,” he insists. He says he’s making “good, data-based decisions (about) reopening at the right pace.” He notes that 800+ Washington residents have died so far and rebukes those who claim the threat is “exaggerated.”
2:40 PM: The four phases, he says, are:
Phase 1 – “Essentially where we are right now” with recent partial reopenings of construction, recreation, etc. Plus: Retail curbside pickups, drive-in spiritual services, car sales, car washes will be allowed. A ban on “large gatherings” will remain in place.
Phase 2 – More recreation, including camping, small gatherings, in-store purchases, barber shops & salons, some offices, pet care services, restaurants with reduced capacity.
Phase 3: 75 percent capacity for restaurants, 25 percent for bars, movie theaters and gyms with partial capacity, nonessential travel, more
Phase 4: “Resuming the majority of public interaction.”
He says cities and counties would be free to keep tighter restrictions in place.
Now – how will those phases be triggered? By “data,” Inslee says. He’s going through a variety of charts. (PS – We keep losing the video feed but are monitoring audio via the media call-in line. The details should be available via the governor’s website later, too.) No specific dates have been mentioned for anything beyond the 5/31 extension of the stay-home order. One of the key metrics, as he’s said before: Increased testing. Also: Contact tracing; protecting those most at risk; health-care readiness in case there’s a case spike. “We will be looking at all these metrics … on a regular basis … to determine whether we can move to the next phase. … We’ll have three weeks, at least, between phases, to determine whether (changes have) worked or not.”
10 counties with smaller outbreaks (none in the urban area) may be able to move to Phase 2 sooner than others, he says. “What we learn from those counties can help (other) counties as well.” Other counties “may be able to apply for a variance” depending on data, he says. But “this remains a precarious situation,” he warns.
2:56 PM: On to Q&A. He’s asked what kind of testing numbers he’s looking for. He says that depends on the status of the outbreak when more test kits – he says the feds have promised 1 million – arrive.
Then: So realistically, restaurants and salons (etc.) won’t be reopening before June – how are you going to deal with people about that? The government insists “the vast majority of Washingtonians” understand this is necessary. “We don’t want to do this twice – it’s hard enough to do this once. … The hard-headed science tells us we have one decision here if we want to continue on the road to recovery.”
Also: What are the repercussions if a county reopens without state permission? He didn’t answer.
And: Looking at the three-week gaps (at least) suggested between phases, “does this take us to mid-July”? Would he have to extend this again? Inslee says that’s a realistic assessment for returning to large gatherings but it’s “possible …we’d get a large break” such as a cure/treatment.
Next: What if there’s a “great uprising”? Inslee says that “hasn’t happened” and he doesn’t expect it to, citing again indications of widespread public support and saying people in this state “are willing to make temporary sacrifices” to stop the outbreak. He adds, “I feel good about the course we’re on” and feels he has given people “hope” by outlining these phases.
Also: Amazon is allowing some to work from home through much of the fall. Reaction? Inslee says he suspects more people might do that permanently. “I want to thank the enlighened business leadership in our state” for adopting telecommuting early on.
Another Q: By mid-May, if Phase 1 is fully implemented, could restaurants, hair salons, etc. reasonably hope to reopen under Phase 2 by June 1st? A little “deeper in June,” the governor says, “but that depends on the course of the virus.”
Then: What’s the prospect of in-person school reopening in fall? He sees a “good probability” but says that what happens in the weeks ahead will have a major bearing on that.
Also: Is it reasonable to expect restaurants can survive with restricted capacity? Inslee says he was talking with a Starbucks executive who said they’re “adapting” so he believes that’s what everyone needs to do.
He ends by thanking everyone “who has helped us design this Reopening Washington plan,” and wraps up at 3:21 pm. Links with details should appear before long at governor.wa.gov.
4:53 PM: Here’s the chart the governor showed, showing what’s included in each “phase.”
(Photo sent by Glenda)
Thanks to everyone who has tipped/asked us about this! Thursday afternoon, we started hearing about those new additions to the south parking lot at Lincoln Park, more than a month after Seattle Parks closed it and some other parks’ lots. We checked some of the other closed lots around the area – nowhere else, just this lot. This morning we asked the city about them. Our reply is just in: “”We are looking at ways to provide ADA parking access without reopening the whole lot. We will have more to share in the coming days.”
P.S. Thanks to everyone who continues to share sightings even before official announcements are made (like last week’s boarding and unboarding of Alki benches) – that’s true community collaboration! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 any time.
From wildlife watchers:
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: The photo taken earlier this week is from Bob Karnofski, who writes:
A seal pup was resting comfortably at Don Armeci boat launch. Seal Sitters – who I’ve volunteered with – aren’t staffing perimeters at this time, but the dock has barricade tape up as the pup has been here often. I was watching from a distance as a lady and her small child strolled down the dock to get a better look. This frightened the seal pup, who arose and dove into the water. Can you please remind readers that seals are protected and to leave them be and admire from a distance? Thank you. I took this shot with a zoom lens. You can see the pup looking up and getting anxious.
WATERFOWL: It has been a long time since we got photos of Common Loons – and this week we received two! From David Hutchinson, at Lowman Beach:
And from Mark MacDonald, at Lincoln Park:
WHAT THE HERRING LEFT BEHIND: Remember the recent herring-spawning event that drew seals/sea lions and birds off our shores? “Diver Laura” James has sent photos of the eggs on offshore sargassum:
Learn more about herring here.
P.S. More wildlife/bird photos this weekend – along with the rest of the news!)
Beth sent that photo of illegally dumped items along a West Seattle street. The state Ecology Department noted earlier this week that illegal dumping statewide – including toxic items – has risen during the pandemic. But it’s as illegal as ever, so if you see items dumped on public property within city limits – including roadsides, as shown – here’s what to do: Fill out an online report (linked from this page of the city’s website, which also shows locations already reported) or call 206-684-7857.
P.S. If you absolutely have to take something to the city transfer station – here’s the latest on their status.
The purple line on that map (also viewable here in PDF) shows the next West Seattle stretch of what the city calls “Stay Healthy Streets,” closed to all motor-vehicle traffic except those accessing homes or businesses. This comes two weeks after the city’s first round of “Stay Healthy Streets” included a stretch in and south of High Point. The full announcement is here. Though it doesn’t name the streets verbally, as best we can tell from the map provided, north to south (mostly), it’s:
*21st SW from 22nd to Myrtle
*Myrtle from 21st to 17th
*17th from Myrtle to Webster
*Webster between 17th and 15th
*15th between Webster and Kenyon
*Kenyon between 15th and 17th
*17th between Kenyon and Delridge
Also:
*Trenton between (corrected) 17th and 10th
*11th between Cloverdale and Trenton
The announcement says the “Street Closed” signs should be in place by “early next week.”
*
5:58 AM: 39th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Here are the cameras for the restricted-access low bridge (where police enforcement continues) and the 5-way intersection west of it:
For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map). To get to I-5, exit onto Michigan. Here are cameras for the bridge and Michigan east of it:
You can also cross the Duwamish River via the South Park Bridge (map), which puts you on East Marginal Way. Here’s the South Park camera:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.
TRANSIT ALERTS
STARTING TODAY: Washington State Ferries fares are going up.
ONGOING: Metro buses continue on a reduced schedule – details here. Also, bus capacity is now restricted … The Water Taxi continues its reduced (and shuttle-less) schedule.
OTHER LINKS
SDOT’s traffic map, with cameras
Our traffic-cams page
Let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.
Three days after a police search in High Point resulted in the arrest of a suspect in an attack/robbery, he is charged, and his bail has been tripled. The 27-year-old suspect, Abdikadir A. Khalif, is charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, and attempted indecent liberties. The latter charge is an aspect of the attack that wasn’t previously revealed – that the victim was sexually assaulted as well as beaten and robbed. The charging document says Khalif has a criminal history going back 13 years, with more than 20 convictions. At the time of the April 16th attack, the Department of Corrections had his status listed as “escaped” from community-custody supervision. Other new details in the charging documents allege Khalif tried to strangle the victim in addition to hitting her while she struggled to get away, and that he left a gun magazine behind at the scene. The documents also reveal how he was identified – through security video at the 16th/Holden 7-11, where he allegedly used one of the victim’s cards. Police sent the photo around and heard from a corrections officer who recognized the man in the photo as Khalif. As noted in our report on the arrest, patrol officers spotted him Monday, not far from where the attack had happened, and arrested him with K-9 assistance. Because of his history and the additional violent details of the attack, his bail was increased today, from $100.000 to $350,000. The King County Jail Register says he’s still there.
9:45 PM: If you’re noticing the law-enforcement helicopter Guardian One over the Highland Park Way hill, here’s what’s going on: Police are searching for a “felony warrant suspect” last seen near HP Way and West Marginal Way SW, and asked if the helicopter could help. We don’t know the suspect’s name, description, or warrant details.
10:04 PM: Suspect in custody. We’ll follow up tomorrow to see if we can find out who he is and what the warrant’s for. (added) Officers just told the helicopter crew it was a warrant for robbery.
11:39 PM: Guardian One has published video of the search and arrest:
Medics were called for the suspect after he was in custody, and the video appears to show why.
ADDED FRIDAY: The suspect is 41 years old and wanted in Kansas.
No announcements or pronouncements on the local front of the coronavirus crisis today, but of course we have notes for the nightly roundup:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health data dashboard:
*6,308 people have tested positive, up 126 from yesterday
*446 people have died, up 10 from yesterday
*1 of those deaths was in West Seattle – the 98126 zip code now has 7
One week ago, the countywide totals were 5,569 and 384.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: More than 3.2 million cases – a third of them in the U.S. See how that breaks out, nation by nation, here.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TOMORROW: In his Wednesday briefing, Gov. Inslee promised more details Friday on the “phased” plan for getting to an end of the stay-home order at some unspecified time after May 4th. He’s set to speak at 2:30 pm tomorrow, joined by state health officials; you’ll be able to watch the livestream on TVW, and we’ll carry it too.
MANDATORY MASKS #1: The requirement is becoming a grocery-shopping trend.
MANDATORY MASKS #2: Labor and transit advocates are calling for them to be required when riding public transportation.
ARE PETS AT RISK OF COVID-19? Here’s a UW study that hopes to settle the issue.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS #3 6:30-7:30 pm Friday, SFD and SPD will be out cruising through neighborhoods, this time in the highlighted areas of this map. Even if you don’t see them, you might hear them – we heard the short siren/horn bursts last Friday night from miles away!
SIGNS TO SMILE BY: Thanks to Theresa for sending the photo of this fence display that no doubt brings smiles to those passing 46th SW/Glenn Way:
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
New trend in grocery shopping: Mandatory masks. You’ve probably heard that Costco will be requiring shoppers to wear them starting next Monday. Now we have a local grocery store adding the requirement: West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) announced today that it will require shoppers to cover their faces, also starting Monday. Checking other stores – Metropolitan Market says it’s “asking” shoppers to wear masks; PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) “strongly encourage” customers to do it.
6:49 PM: Just announced by SDOT:
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is moving forward with West Seattle High-Rise Bridge stabilization. The City used emergency contracting authority to move with urgency in selecting a construction contractor to carry out Phase 1 stabilization work. Kraemer North America has been selected for Phase 1 construction and work is already underway.
There are three phases of repair for the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge:
Phase 1: Stabilization – The first step in stabilizing the bridge was to remove traffic from the High-Rise bridge on March 23. The second step is to repair lateral bearings on Pier 18.
Phase 2: Shoring – In Phase 2 we will add temporary external structures called shoring. Shoring is necessary to help support the bridge as we continue to assess repair feasibility, timeline, and costs.
Phase 3: Long-term repair – We do not yet know if repair of the bridge is feasible technically or financially. In the meantime, it’s critical that we carry out stabilization and shoring work to protect public safety.
Earlier this month we sent out a Request for Information (RFI) to determine who we would contract with to begin Phase 1 stabilization work on the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge, as quickly as possible.
Though this emergency situation authorized SDOT to waive all competitive bidding requirements (pursuant to RCW 39.04.280). On April 13, the City contacted six contractors and requested information on capacity, availability, resumes for key personnel, and approach. Four contractors provided the requested information by April 15, and our Capital Projects and Roadway Structures divisions evaluated and rated the submittals while also taking into consideration the City’s previous experience with the contractors and other factors.
This process selected Kraemer to fulfill the needs of the project.
Kraemer is a 109-year-old, engineering-minded, construction-focused contractor with a foundation in complicated structure work. The team’s construction experience directly relates to the High-Rise Bridge’s repairs.
Kraemer is an industry leader in segmental bridge repair and construction, as well as in concrete post-tensioning. This expertise will allow the team to carry out key stabilization activities, help in forensic investigation of the bridge, provide the engineering team with construction input to determine the best approach to stabilization, and confirm repair estimates.
With recent work on WSDOT’s Duwamish River Bridges Project, Kraemer also comes with a detailed understanding of the immediate vicinity, as well as knowledge of US Coast Guard permitting requirements. This is essential because obtaining these permits – or not – could add or subtract months to any stabilization, shoring, repair, or replacement efforts.
Kraemer’s northwest headquarters are located here in Seattle, with a committed, locally experienced team.
With a current contract to construct the new Northgate Bike and Pedestrian Bridge, which broke ground earlier this year, Kraemer understands the complexities of working in and around the City of Seattle. Finally, Kraemer has also worked closely with WSP, our bridge consultant. This relationship, which allows for a quick team integration and efficient approach to the work, will be essential as we move forward with stabilization work.
Kraemer is excited to help the people of West Seattle and others who rely on this critical infrastructure by delivering stabilization, shoring, and repairs quickly and safely.
Kraemer will provide the construction for Phase 1 stabilization work.
They will conduct repairs designed to stop further cracking in the bridge’s most vulnerable sections.
They will then replace the lateral bearings on Pier 18 at the east end of the bridge. These bearings, when working correctly, allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature change.They will work with SDOT and the engineering consultant team to develop and finalize strengthening solutions for the bridge.
Kraemer’s first priority is to provide a constructability review of the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge stabilization designs.A “constructability review” is critical to getting a construction project off the ground quickly and performing work safely. The contractor reviews the designs produced by the engineers to determine how easily it can be built and to provide input. In addition, the project leads at Kraemer are starting to develop plans for construction, health and safety, equipment and material procurement, work timelines and schedules, and permitting.
The bridge has been closed since March 23. We’ll be following up on questions not answered in the announcement such as projected cost/timeline.
9:55 PM: Here’s the work Kraemer is doing on the Duwamish River Bridges (the two spans that comprise what’s more commonly known as the 1st Avenue S. Bridge).
Up for some evening whale-watching? Kersti Muul sends word that transient orcas are in view off Constellation Park (south of Alki Point) right now – “on a kill,” so no particular direction. Let us know if you see them!
Many West Seattle options for sweet treats already, and the list is about to grow:
JET CITY BEIGNET: This new West Seattle business is kicking off sales of beignets and coffee with a pop-up this weekend:
We will be offering a limited number of beignet orders by the dozen and half-dozen for pick up this Sunday from 10 am-1 pm. We will also be selling our custom Jet City Blend coffee by Middle Fork Roasters and offering honey made by Seola Bees in West Seattle.
We are asking people to order and pre-pay directly from our website to reduce contact. We will be setting up a little table for pickup outside of the USI kitchen at 4611 36th Ave. SW.
THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE: JCB tells us they are now sold out for this weekend.
GELATO RETURNS TO ALKI: If you haven’t already noticed this poster in the window at 2758 Alki SW …
… here’s the announcement explaining it:
Award-winning Medzo Gelato Bar, formerly Gelarto Italian Ice Cream, is returning to Alki for a summer pop-up on the beach. After departing their temporary Alki location in October of 2016, Gelarto relocated to Burien under the name Medzo, where they began producing hand-crafted Italian gelato and sorbet from scratch, one pan at a time. In Italy, owner-operators Fareed and Jennifer Al-Abboud were labeled fanatico for their insistence on the highest quality natural ingredients, and they proudly embraced that distinction. Their soft opening target date is May 5, five years to the day since they first opened on Alki. 1-9 pm daily.
Again, the new spot is NOT the same as their old location (now a preschool).
Shannon sent the photo and report:
Just wanted to let you know that this bike has been lying on the tree lawn on the SW corner of the intersection of Hudson and 47th Ave SW since at least Sunday. Thought it may be a stolen dumped bike.
(WSB photo)
Thanks to Karl for the tip: Demolition is wrapping up at 5616 California SW, on the south side of C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor). We first reported in July 2018 that townhouses were proposed for the site, replacing a nearly century-old house. Recently finalized permit documents show the plan is still for eight townhouses with five off-street parking spaces (none required as the site’s on the RapidRide C Line).
The photo is from Keith Mathewson of Delridge’s KBM Commissary, whose resident food truck/catering chefs will continue their weekly free-meal distribution this weekend, and it’s expanding, as he explains:
The stay-home order has been extended and the strain on local families is becoming more acute. As a result the need for meals continues to increase. Last Sunday we produced 600 meals and ran out in under two hours. This week we will make 1000 meals and hand them out Saturday from 4 pm to 6 pm. Given the volume, two companies will be directing production; thankfully there are no shortage of volunteers in the kitchen.
*T’Juana Tacos will make 800 portions of Chicken Fajatias with Gallo Pinto
*Go Seattle Catering will produce 200 Bahn Mi Sandwiches.
We are asking people not to arrive too early as the cars are beginning to back up around the block and onto Delridge Way. There are now 3 people handling the distribution and are able to keep the line moving once we open.
I wish to thank all who are donated. The level of demand has become much greater than anticipated and without the communities support we would not have been able to meet a demand of this size.
KBM is at 5604 Delridge Way SW. Mathewson has been underwriting the project but help is welcome – here’s the crowdfunding page. Meantime, some of the KBM-based businesses are also selling from the window, as noted last month, and are part of our ongoing West Seattle list.
(WSB photo from earlier this month)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A new community “coalition to convey urgency” about the West Seattle Bridge closure has just launched.
We were invited to cover the first meeting last night of people participating in West Seattle Bridge Now.
The online meeting was coordinated by community advocate West Seattle Realty (WSB sponsor) co-owner Kevin Broveleit, who opened with the declaration of what the group says tens of thousands of people know here, but others around the city and region need to realize too: “Losing the bridge is a catastrophic event.” So far, he said, most of what’s been heard from SDOT is “it’s not our fault” and “trust us, we’re doing everything we can … and nether resonate with us.”
So in the spirit of community groups that pushed for action to get the now-compromised bridge built in the first place, this one is determined to turn up the pressure and push for “action, not blame” by creating “as broad a coalition as possible” and focusing on “creativity in potential solutions.”
Those already involved who were part of last night’s meeting included a who’s-who of local community and business advocates. While there was spirited discussion about all three major needs created by the sudden shutdown of the bridge March 23rd, two of them – traffic mitigation and accountability – are not the central purpose for West Seattle Bridge Now, according to Broveleit. “The sooner we have a soluton with any sort of certainty,” the less painful it will be. Right now, he observed, his industry and others are grappling with people wracked by fear of the unknown – will West Seattle be bridgeless for more than the near-two-year minimum of which SDOT has already warned?
From today’s Land Use Information Bulletin, a proposal for seven townhouses on two adjacent Fauntleroy Way parcels has reached the official comment stage. We first reported almost a year ago on the proposal for 5051-5053 Fauntleroy Way SW, which is now listed as two separate projects: four units at 5051, three at 5053, with one offstreet-parking space for each unit. You have two weeks to comment; the notices (here’s the one for 5051; here’s the one for 5053) explain how to do that.
Family and friends are remembering Lissa Stephens, and sharing this remembrance with her community:
On April 19, 2020, Lissa Stephens passed away unexpectedly in her home at the age of 62.
She was born on February 1, 1958 and raised in Burien by her parents Norm and Nancy Kendig. Lissa graduated from Highline High School in 1976 and married her junior high school sweetheart, Bill Stephens, on June 14, 1980. Lissa and Bill made their home in West Seattle for over 40 years, sharing their home with many beloved cats.
After high school, Lissa pursued a career in the insurance field and then found a passion for the construction industry, where she worked on many big projects in the Seattle area, both as an Administrative Assistant and in Project Management.
Lissa cared very deeply for her family, friends, neighbors, and most of all, the children and godchildren in her life. Her generous spirit and compassion consistently made her the first to offer to help a friend, care for a family member, or assist a neighbor.
She was a world traveler, describing Paris as her “favorite place on Earth.” When in Seattle, you would find Lissa enjoying her arts and crafts, especially the jewelry she made and gave away for birthdays and holidays. Her favorite pastimes included being in a local book club and enjoying the camaraderie with those in her Fauntleroy YMCA Pilates class. She never missed an opportunity to cheer on the Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Sounders.
Lissa was predeceased by her father, Norm. She is survived by her mother, Nancy, her brothers John and Paul, her nephew, Jeramy, her niece, Katelyn, as well as several cousins and extended family members.
Lissa’s amazing laugh and her infectious smile will be missed by all who knew her. A “Celebration of Life” will be planned when friends and family are able to gather after the Stay at Home/Stay Safe order has been lifted.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
5:58 AM: 38th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge. Here are the cameras for the restricted-access low bridge (where police enforcement continues in various dayparts) and the 5-way intersection west of it:
For general traffic, the main route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map). To get to I-5, exit at Michigan. Here are cameras for the bridge and Michigan east of it:
You can also cross the Duwamish River via the South Park Bridge (map), which puts you on East Marginal Way. Here’s the South Park camera:
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if a bridge is opening for marine traffic.
TRANSIT ALERTS: Metro buses continue on a reduced schedule – details here. Also, bus capacity is now restricted … The Water Taxi continues its reduced (and shuttle-less) schedule.
OTHER LINKS
SDOT’s traffic map, with cameras
Our traffic-cams page
Let us know what you’re seeing – comment or text (not if you’re at the wheel!) 206-293-6302.
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