West Seattle, Washington
01 Thursday
Thieves and scammers to tell you about tonight in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GROCERY THIEF ON VIDEO: John in High Point, near Lanham and Graham, sent this video:
He says that person took two items off his porch including a bag of groceries that had been delivered, and appeared to join an accomplice on the sidewalk, pushing a shopping cart away. If you have any leads on the thief’s identity, HP’s Community Police Team Officer Kevin McDaniel is on the case; his contact info is here.
SIGN THIEVES/VANDALS: Jane in Delridge shares the photo and report:
Well, this is pretty sad. One would think that in a racially diverse neighborhood like Delridge, this wouldn’t occur. But, I put up a “Black Lives Matter” sign in my front yard, and after about a week, my neighbor found it in his trash. It made him mad, so I put up another one and we got him one too. Every couple of days, one or the other would get knocked over or stolen and we’d just replace it. A third neighbor also got into the act so the signs were on three houses in a row. Finally, after having about six or seven signs stolen, I put up the signs you see in the photo. Two days up and so far, so good. I haven’t been home today — the sign may have gotten blown away in the wind. But I have a bunch more. It’s hard to think of who might have done this, but I hope at some point he or she finds some peace in their own life.
WALLET THIEF: Lindsey wants to remind you to “watch your pockets.” She says a pickpocket stole her man’s wallet and keys while they were at a Junction bar recently, and he apparently wasn’t the only one targeted.
PHONE SCAM: David at Moondrop Coffee e-mailed today to say they’d been targeted by the relentless “City Light” scammers – and wanted to remind their fellow businesspeople, in particular, to be vigilant. We’ve reported many times on these scammers – who call and insist a bill is overdue and that shutoff is imminent unless money is provided. As the utility reiterates here, they don’t work that way.
It’s the annual question – when do Girl Scout Cookies go on sale? This year’s answer: Friday (March 4th). You can find the nearest location via the cookie finder here. Looks like West Seattle sales start outside Husky Deli at 3 pm, and more locations join in starting at 4. The locations closest to zip code 98106 are here; 98116, here; 98126, here; 98136, here; 98146, here. See the seven varieties available this year by going here.
Big event at West Seattle High School tomorrow night! We were asked to help with one last round of getting the word out:
When: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: The Library
Who: African American families and students
What: This night is an opportunity to access the resources that were requested at the Fall African American Family Night and build relationships. It will also be a night to provide the school with further feedback.
Resource Fair:
College Resources
School Resources
Community ResourcesDinner:
Enjoy a meal with WSHS staff and African American students and families in order to build relationshipsOpportunity for Feedback:
What could WSHS be doing to make school great for your student and familyWhy:
We want to partner with our African American students and families on how to better serve you. You asked for access to more resources.Questions: Please contact Rebecka McKinney at 206-252-8833 or ra********@************ls.org if you have any questions about this event.
Thank you! We’re excited to see you on March 2nd.
(SCROLL DOWN for the newest weather/power-outage updates and photos)
The wind. Loudly rustling evergreens now and then, but not sustained pic.twitter.com/d99V0P43mx
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) March 1, 2016
3:19 PM: We have word of two outages so far – the Seattle City Light map shows 100+ customers out in the Seola/south Arbor Heights area:
And we just received a call from someone in Gatewood – right about the time our power flickered (but stayed on) here, south of Gatewood. It’s been about an hour and a half since the wind started kicking up – some gusts, but not a lot of sustained strong wind, so far.
3:40 PM: Gatewood’s still not on the map (California/Orchard was the area mentioned by the caller), but that historically outage-plagued area doesn’t always show. None of the lights on California in that area were out when we went by a few minutes ago.
3:51 PM: Now we have an explanation for the Gatewood outage – Cynthia and Scott have sent photos of a tree down on Gatewood Road:
4:05 PM: Thanks to Cathy for this report: “At Genesee and 49th, a tree has pulled down a wire, which is dangling into the middle of the street. Cars are swerving around it. Tried to call 911 but got put on hold for 15 minutes. May want to give folks a heads up.”
4:16 PM: Just got to that area – all clear now, and a City Light vehicle was just leaving.
4:27 PM: We’re now in Gatewood, where a variety of wires are down on Glenridge (same area as tree photo above). Neighbors have put out cones and have called it in but haven’t seen SCL yet.
4:44 PM: And an oddity that might just be coincidental to the wind, or not – Gay sent this photo of a “flying starfish,” explaining that a “neighbor kid and his chaperone” found it – about a third of a mile inland!
Gay says they’re speculating an eagle dropped it.
5:08 PM: Per comments, new trouble on Genesee – tree/wires at 48th.
5:21 PM: We’ve also had, for the third day in a row, rainbow reports! Thanks for the photos – this is from Al:
And right before the rainbow, Deb photographed hail in North Admiral:
Whitecaps on the water this afternoon, as this photo from Alki by W.T. Vandermark shows:
5:44 PM: Back to Gatewood, where Scott says City Light hasn’t arrived yet, though SDOT has helped block off the affected area:
The wind advisory remains in effect until 9 tonight.
6:30 PM: According to the City Light map, the number of customers still out in Seola/south Arbor Heights is down to 51.
6:44 PM: New tree trouble, tweeted by Mike Jensen:
Big tree down at 44th and Juneau in West Seattle @westseattleblog #warain pic.twitter.com/XWPXzft6sl
— Mike Jensen (@mjtwit) March 2, 2016
9 PM: Gatewood is back on, per Zephyr in comments. But the SCL map still has 51 out in Seola/south AH.
9:18 PM: Make that “some” in Gatewood – Scott says City Light is there but isn’t working yet, and his neighborhood remains without electricity.
The city-funded Seattle Preschool Program is open to 3- and 4-year-olds from families of all incomes, and it’s accepting applications right now. Two of its locations are in West Seattle. Here’s the announcement:
We have added even more classrooms, and it’s time for families to apply.
The preschool application period is now open for children 3 or 4 years old who live in Seattle. Our first selection process will take place Friday, March 11.
Families can apply one of three ways:
*Online at seattle.gov/education. The application is available in English, Spanish, Somali, Amharic, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
*In-person at Seattle libraries, Seattle Community Centers, or Seattle Preschool Program sites.
*Over the phone by calling 206-386-1050
Visit our website for information about our preschool sites and where sites are located.
The West Seattle locations are in North Delridge and Highland Park. Questions? pr*******@*****le.gov or that same phone number mentioned above – 206-386-1050.
We’re at that point in trying to solve a mystery where it’s time to go wide – maybe *you* know something?
Last night, Mike tweeted about a strong natural-gas-type odor in a RapidRide bus as they traveled past Harbor Island – enough of a concern, he says, that the bus driver stopped to call it in. We checked the Seattle Fire log from yesterday – as SFD often responds to “natural gas odor” calls – and found 6 of them around the city, no obvious confluence, but two were in SODO.
First thing this morning, we checked with the major local natural-gas utility Puget Sound Energy, whose spokesperson Ray Lane replied, “We investigated the incident, and our team determined it was NOT natural gas. It could be some odor coming from the Port. We understand the odor was being detected again this morning.” Mike confirmed that – under the bridge, this time. We’ve also checked with the port, whose spokesperson Peter McGraw told us, “Our folks have been smelling the same thing around East Marginal and Spokane, and was reported in, but it was not likely from port operations.” We’re not at a total dead end yet, but thought we’d ask you. If you don’t want to comment openly, ed****@*************og.com – thanks!
8:37 PM NOTE: Still a mystery. We also checked with Corey Orvold, spokesperson for SFD, to ask if any of the crews investigating those six calls on Monday found anything. The smell was very real, she said, having been in one area where it was reported – but firefighters’ tests didn’t identify it, either.
(Townsend’s Warbler in Fauntleroy Park, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
First and foremost – remember that a wind advisory is up for this afternoon/evening, so we’ll be tracking the weather if it really does kick up. In the meantime, looking ahead to the rest of today/tonight, including listings from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BIKE-SHARE BAILOUT? 2 pm at City Hall, the City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee takes up the issue of whether the city will bail out/take over the Pronto bike-share system. Though it has no stations in West Seattle, this is of local interest because District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is proposing an amendment that would reject the proposal to bail it out and take it over. She explains that she supports bike share, but that a private firm is best to operate it. The meeting will also be live on Seattle Channel, online or cable 21. (600 4th Ave.)
WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS: Their invitation for you:
Come join us at our semi-annual club speech competition on March 1! This meeting is our “International Speech” and “Evaluations”
competition. See our members compete in delivering inspirational speeches or in speech evaluations, applying their best skills to try to advance to the next level of the competition. This event allows guests to see Toastmasters in a broader light than just speech practice. We compete and win! 5:30 for early setup, 6:00 for briefing, 6:30 to 8:00 for the meeting, including the speeches.
(4611 35th SW)
PECOS PIT RESTAURANT SAFETY CONCERNS: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, members of the Junction Neighborhood Organization and neighbors will meet with reps of the under-construction Pecos Pit restaurant at 35th and Genesee to talk about neighborhood safety concerns including the drive-through that’s being added to the building. Among other goals, they hope to “identify possible solutions for enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists around the site and especially at the drive-through egress.” JuNO’s René Commons says any interested community members are welcome to attend. (California SW/SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: 6:30 pm at HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) in The Junction – here’s what’s on the WSBC agenda this month. All welcome. (41st SW/SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE CROCHET & KNIT SOCIAL CIRCLE: 7-9 pm at Uptown Espresso in The Junction, all welcome, beginner to expert. (California/Edmunds/Erskine)
LIVE MUSIC: Tuesday night means time for Billy Joe and The RCs, 7:30 pm at Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Admiral Way), and the Starlight showcase at 9 pm at Shadowland. (California SW/SW Oregon).
MORE OF WHAT’S UP today/tonight/beyond, on our complete calendar.
9:54 AM: Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo of the megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin in the murky distance, as seen from Alki as it sailed out of Elliott Bay about an hour ago, after its daylong visit to Harbor Island, biggest cargo ship ever to visit here (or any other U.S. port). According to the posted itinerary, it’s headed for Xiamen, China. When will – or will – it return here? Too soon to say.
Our coverage of Monday’s visit is here, with additions including a Puget Sound Pilot‘s time-lapse video from the bridge as it entered Elliott Bay.
P.S. As discussed in Monday comments and explained here – CMA CGM stands for Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement, the name with which the company was founded in 1978, and Compagnie Générale Maritime, with which it merged in 1996.
2:15 PM: Thanks to Don Brubeck for a closer view of the Benjamin Franklin’s departure:
The BF is currently west of Port Angeles and approaching the entrance/exit of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
That’s the West Seattle High School baseball team on the day they played in the annual HS Baseball Classic at Safeco Field last year. Caryn Johnson shared it in honor of the team getting ready for the 2016 season – with updates including their annual sales of tickets to an M’s game:
Bring on BASEBALL!! The West Seattle High School Wildcats took to Hiawatha Monday afternoon for their first practice of the season. It is a great turnout of boys and they all, including the longtime coaching staff, can’t wait for the season to begin. A jamboree is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th at Liberty High School and the first game is the following Wednesday, March 15th, vs Highline at Moshier Field.
We would also like to pass along some information on the team as well as our annual fundraisers. The team has a new website – www.westseattlehsbaseball.org It is still “a work in progress”, but we hope to get more information about the team uploaded soon. On the website you will find information about our big Mariners Ticket fundraiser. Selling Mariners tickets not only raises funds for the team, it also qualifies them to play in the annual High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field. We are always so excited to see our boys play at this spectacular venue. You can find information on the new site about how to purchase tickets to support the team as well as when to come out to Safeco to watch this FREE game. Any inquiries about M’s tickets can also be sent to we************************@***il.com.
The other fundraiser is our annual silent auction/spaghetti dinner hosted by the baseball team on Saturday, April 9th, at West Side Presbyterian Church from 5:00 – 9:00 PM. Again, we’ll be posting information about this fun event on our website as it becomes available. Here’s to a great season. Thank you for your support.
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: Welcome to March! The National Weather Service has a wind advisory out for later today, noon-9 pm. Here’s what else you should know as the day begins:
–Water Taxi fares increase today – see the new prices here
–Advance alert of bus-lane enforcement on the bridge tomorrow morning
-Remember the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closing for its twice-yearly inspection this weekend
-The megaship that arrived at Harbor Island yesterday is due to head back out this morning around 8 am.
7:39 AM: Thanks to Living In The Wild West for the comment tip – we’ve just confirmef the signals at Avalon/Harbor/Spokane are flashing. Not a major backup factor so far as we can tell.
8:26 AM: A vehicle fire at California/Fauntleroy has led to a call for police to help direct traffic. We’re headed over to find out more.
8:32 AM: Not a major fire – the vehicle is blocking a northbound lane on California just south of Fauntleroy; SFD has already left but SPD is with it.
8:37 AM: We had a question earlier about a backup on the Fauntleroy approach to the bridge. In comments, CandrewB says there is (or was) a crash by Nucor. Neither SDOT – which is checking now that we mentioned it – nor any of the other dozen-plus sources we monitor had any word of it, so we didn’t either.
10:30 AM: Crash reported on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, blocking the two left lanes at Seneca.
10:31 AM: Also sounds from the scanner like there’s a problem on Fairmount Avenue in the ravine and there’ll be traffic control added at Harbor to keep people from heading partway up and having to turn around.
4:45 AM: Police are reported to be investigating gunfire in North Delridge. We heard from one person who heard something that sounded like shots around quarter till 4, and now a second person who says police found shell casings near Cottage Place and SW Edmunds [map]. No reports of injuries. We’re checking and will add anything more we find out.
5:22 AM: Police were gone by the time we arrived; we stopped by the precinct and confirmed that the original dispatch did come in with word of damage to vehicles in that area, as our second tipster mentioned, but we’ll have to get the official report later for further details.
12:47 PM: Just obtained the report from SPD. It says damage was done to three “party buses” (photo below) and a window at their owners’ residence, and “several” shell casings were found.
The owners told police they didn’t know of anyone who would target them but they did hear two males arguing out back before it happened. A nearby resident had told dispatchers of hearing three shots and seeing a red Cadillac SUV leaving the area. Police obtained surveillance video that might have recorded it.
11:54 PM: The new month might begin in blustery style. The National Weather Service has a wind advisory up for our area and vicinity, noon-10 pm Tuesday, with southerly winds that could gust up to 45 mph. Read the advisory here – and keep everything charged.
5:10 AM: Slight revision in the time frame – the NWS now has the advisory in effect from noon-9 pm.
Candice Lastimado from Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) in Admiral won the National Grocers Association’s “Best Bagger” title tonight – three years after another employee from the store, Andrew Borracchini, took the title. Here’s the announcement we just received:
West Seattle Courtesy Clerk Candice Lastimado Wins 2016 National “Best Bagger” Championship
Metropolitan Market Employee Takes Home $10,000 PrizeCandice Lastimado, an employee at the West Seattle Metropolitan Market, captured the championship trophy and a check for $10,000 in heated competition at the 30th Annual National Best Bagger Battle held tonight in Las Vegas, NV.
The 2016 national competition, sponsored by the National Grocers Association (NGA), drew contestants from 25 states. Contestants from Washington have won the NGA National Best Bagger championship in three of the last four years.
“Candice did an outstanding job in competition,” said Jan Gee, Washington Food Industry Association President and CEO. “Candice showed amazing poise and just got the job done in the face of stiff competition.”
Candice won the state title four months ago, setting up the trip to tonight’s finals. We hope to find out more tomorrow.
(From Fire Station 32 “schematic design” packet dated August 2013, by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson)
Last October, we reported on the latest twist in the years-delayed construction of a new Fire Station 32 in The Triangle – the city was sending it out to bid again, despite having been so close to construction that it had moved the crews into a temporary location half a year earlier.
Tonight, the city has announced that construction is finally about to begin, with the “notice to proceed” issued today, and demolition of the old station planned within a few weeks:
The new contractor Howard S. Wright – which, as noted in our December followup, built the Space Needle – will start staging this week, according to the notification letter (thanks to Anand for sharing a copy), and major work is expected to start by mid-March, projected to last about 14 months. The project is funded under the 2003 Fire Levy and was originally supposed to be complete in 2007 – instead, if everything stays on schedule now, it’ll be 2017.
A variety of factors played into the 10-year schedule slide; most recently, as the city’s Finance and Administrative Services Department explained for our story last year, the city and its original contractor had a “general contractor/construction manager” contract but couldn’t agree on “a negotiated cost that fit within the city budget,” so the city was cancelling the pre-construction contract and seeking a new contractor via a more traditional process.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
The megaship wasn’t the only human-made marvel drawing attention in West Seattle today. It was photo-op time at the Aviation Maintenance Tech building of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) this afternoon, as the college celebrated a big donation from Boeing – a Pratt and Whitney 777 engine (previewed here last Friday). SSC president Gary Oertli said the gift was a big reminder of the many partnerships that help fuel the school’s success:
On behalf of Boeing – which had never before donated an engine to a college – Robert Thayer from the propulsion unit spoke.
He had some warm words for SSC welding students who were there; they fixed the stand on which the donated engine sits.
After an hour-long open house, the celebration moved next door to another of SSC’s crown jewels, the Northwest Wine Academy. The Aviation Maintenance Tech program now has more than a dozen aircraft and 70 engines utilized for hands-on teaching of the 175 students served by the program each year, pursuing educational pathways from an Associate of Applied Science to an Aviation Powerplant Mechanic Certificate.
That’s a taste of what you’ll be able to listen and dance to this Friday night (March 4th) at the fourth annual Big Band Dinner Dance presented by the West Seattle High School Music Program. Along with the WSHS Jazz Ensemble, the West Seattle Big Band will play – that’s who’s in the clip, performing “Mack the Knife” during a recent event (thanks to WSBB director Jim Edwards for sharing the video – the WSBB is all about helping local students). Dinner will be prepared and served by WSHS’s culinary program ProStart. Here’s how the night will go:
Dinner served 6-7 pm
Group lessons in basic swing dancing steps 6:30-7 pm
WSHS Jazz Band perform 7-7:30 pm
Door prizes and raffle prize drawings at 7:30 pm
West Seattle Big Band perform 7:30-9 pm
Buy your ticket in advance for $15 – that includes dinner and a door-prize ticket – or $17 at the door. E-mail we****************@***il.com – or ask any WSHS music student you might happen to know!
P.S. As asked in a comment – yes, it’s at the school (3000 California SW); here’s our calendar listing.
Just in from SDOT:
On Wednesday, March 2, the City of Seattle will conduct Bus-Only transit lane enforcement (eastbound) on the West Seattle Bridge from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Officers from the Seattle Police Department will be issuing warnings and citations to motorists traveling in violation of posted restrictions that the Bus-Only lane should be used a through corridor by buses.
This is an effort to educate and enforce traffic laws that support transit. With 45 percent of downtown commuters using transit, the enforcement work will help ensure the reliable and efficient movement of transit riders along Seattle’s important bus corridors, and improve safety for all travelers.
Driving in violation of posted restrictions is a violation of SMC 11.53.230 (traveling in a bus only or BAT lane) can result in a fine of $136.
P.S. A few years back, SPD used to send out what it called the Aggressive Driver Response Team and follow it up with stat roundups like this one.
As reported here on Saturday, Alki Elementary‘s principal sent a letter home to families (read it in our previous report here) about a suspected luring attempt. We’ve obtained the full report narrative from Seattle Police this afternoon, with more details than the letter had included:
[On February 26Lh, 2016 at 1500 hours, was picked up by his mother from AIki Elementary School; as school weather was clear but overcast they decided to walk home a short dístance away. (The child) was walking slower than his mom and sister as their distance extended a block ahead. (The child) explained that he was walking N/B on 59th Ave SW approaching SW Spokane Street when he stopped for a vehicle to drive by. As the vehicle slowly drove past, the passenger inside this vehicle looked at him and asked, “Do you want to get in?” (The child) stated he replied, “no thanks.” The vehicle drove off and made a turn and drove off in an unknown direction.
(He) describes the vehicle as a red pick-up truck with lifted suspension and a canopy. He stated two subjects were on board. The male passenger is described as a black male 18-25 with short hair and medium complexion. He wore a goatee and a dark brown jacket. He was smoking a cigarette during the encounter.
I asked (the boy) if he was fearful from the encounter. He stated,”No.”He really didn’t think too much of it. He reported the incident to his mom when he arrived home. (She) stated this incident caused her alarm and wanted to report the incident to law enforcement.
Two developments in the ongoing issue of whether the city should sell the undeveloped Myers Parcels in southeastern West Seattle or, as advocates have long urged, keep all or part of the 30+-acre site as open space:
First, as reported here three weeks ago, today was supposed to be the deadline for the latest round of comments on the land’s fate. But that’s changed. The deadline’s being extended until at least early April, Julie Moore from the city’s Finance and Administrative Services department confirmed to WSB:
We just determined … that we would reissue the notice in the interest of reaching a broader community. We expect to get it out in early March, and the comment period will be extended for 30 days past the date of mailing. … All comments received by the new deadline are certain to be represented in the preliminary recommendation report, but as with every property disposition process, we will continue to accept all comments up to the point a final decision is made by City Council. Also, all parties providing contact information will continue to receive updates through the evaluation process, including notices for future community meetings and/or public hearings, publication of reports and City Council actions.
Here’s how to comment: E-mail Daniel Bretzke at da************@*****le.gov or send postal-mail comments to him via City of Seattle FAS, P.O. Box 94689, Seattle 98124-4689.
Second: The Seattle Green Spaces Coalition has launched an online petition asking city leaders not to sell the land. You can sign it here.
LOOKING FOR MORE INFO? Each of the three parcels involved in the most recent city notice has its own page on the city website: 9501 Myers here, 9600 Myers here, 9701 Myers here.
(WSB photo)
When Mayor Murray first announced on January 19th that the city would open two “safe lots” for people living in RVs and other vehicles – one in Highland Park and one in Ballard – he said the city expected to have them open within 30 days.
While the one in Ballard made that timeline – opening February 19th – there’s been no sign of activity on the West Seattle site, a paved lot at W. Marginal Way SW and Highland Park Way, aside from a canvas-covered chain-link fence around it. We’ve been asking city reps frequently for an update on the plan, and today there’s a new answer. From Katherine Jolly of the Human Services Department:
We are currently focused on getting the Ballard safe lot fully operational before we open the second lot. As you know, this is the first time the City has done this and we want to make sure we address many of the lessons learned in the first lot before we stand up a second one. I will keep you posted as we decide on a more specific timeline for the second Safe Lot.
The two lots together were originally announced as expected to hold a total of 50 vehicles; the most recent estimate for the Highland Park lot was 12. We have a followup question out to Jolly to ask about the current count at the Ballard lot, which had four when we went by two days after it opened.
(Photo by David Hutchinson, taken from Jack Perry Park)
FIRST REPORT, 11:45 AM: It’s the most gawkable thing in our area today – the first-ever visit of the biggest cargo ship to call on North American ports, the CGA CGM Benjamin Franklin, whose arrival was watched at spots from sea level to skyscraper:
(Photo courtesy Deb)
It’s at Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, and it just received a VIP welcome across the East Waterway at Terminal 25, fireboat and all.
The event was a chance for the port to show off, in an intensely competitive time up and down the West Coast, as well as the rest of the world. (updated) Here’s our video of the welcoming speeches:
If you don’t have time to watch – some highlights:
Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman emceed. She described herself as an unabashed champion of the working waterfront. “We want to see our working waterfront filled more with working cranes than ferris wheels,” says Bowman.
Next: Mayor Ed Murray, who used the word “incredible” to refer to the ship and our local economy. He echoed Bowman in saying it represents our future as well as our past. And he gave a shoutout to the Lander Street Overpass, vital not only for port traffic but as a surface link between West Seattle and SODO/Downtown.
Northwest Seaport Alliance (the Seattle/Tacoma joint venture) CEO John Wolfe told the crowd he rode in on the Benjamin Franklin.
“What an incredible sight to come into the harbor and see the sunrise over the Seattle skyline.” He says this is the result of the industry “work(ing) together.” He says that in his days as a terminal operator, a ship with a third the capacity of this one – 6,600 containers, compared to 18,000 – was considered big. He touts nearly a billion dollars in investment ahead for the port (that would include the Terminal 5 modernization planned for northeastern West Seattle).
Ed McCarthy, senior VP of the ship’s owner CMA CGM, said it took months of work to get ready for this. He hailed the other modes of transportation it takes “to handle vessels of this size” – including rail and trucks. “There is still some work to be done” here in Seattle, he notes. “This is really a trial right now – the reason we brought the vessel in is that (company leadership) wanted to bring the ship into ports all over the West Coast … There’s a lot of learning we’re gathering from bringing the vessel in, and we’re looking forward to sharing that information with stakeholders as we complete the study.”
Carrix, the parent company of SSA Marine – operator of Terminals 18 and 30 – also was represented, by CEO Knud Stubkjaer.
He said, “This is a moment we’ve been looking forward to, and we’ve been ready for a while.” He talked about the expansion work that has already been done at terminals including the one at which the event was being held, “to create what is a unique and competitive infrastructure for … our customers. … The future has arrived here today.” He also talked about the competition among West Coast ports, and the investment that others were making to fight for the business from megaships like the Benjamin Franklin.
Puget Sound Pilots‘ Capt. David Grobschmidt noted that his day started very early, as he and a team of pilots brought the Benjamin Franklin “successfully into Seattle,” starting alongside Port Angeles around 3 am. “We would really like to see this called her home port,” he concluded.
And president Rich Austin of ILWU Local 19 wrapped up, saying that on behalf of his union, they welcome the ship.
“There are many components to a successful port, and labor is as important as any of those components.” He noted that the ship represented “the future of the industry” and that a “new approach” identifies labor as “instrumental” in making this port “a shipper’s best option.”
Others here include not only port officials but also city and state elected officials. (added) Here’s the official port news release, including an infographic about the ship’s size and capacity.
3:01 PM UPDATE: We’ve added our video, above, of the entire 26 minutes of welcoming speeches. The ship is scheduled to be here until about 8 am Tuesday.
ADDED MONDAY NIGHT: One more visual – just found this time-lapse, from-the-bridge video published to YouTube by another of the Puget Sound Pilots who brought the BF in, Capt. Ed Marmol:
We’ve been showered with rainbows these past few days – here’s our Sunday gallery, and now another rainbow sighting over the bay this morning – thanks to Kanit Cottrell for the photo above, from the 7:45 am Water Taxi. Now, on to four things from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (go there to find even more):
777 ENGINE OPEN HOUSE/CELEBRATION: As mentioned here Friday, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Aviation Maintenance Tech program has received a truly big donation – a Pratt and Whitney 777 engine, courtesy of Boeing, which SSC says has never before donated an engine to a college. An open house is planned (with ribbon-cutting) 1-2 pm, and a reception next door at the Northwest Wine Academy 2-3 pm. All welcome. North side of campus. (6000 16th SW)
PACIFIC NW BOARD GAME LEAGUE: Celebrate Leap Day by doing something new – if you haven’t been playing Monday nights at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), this might be your chance to jump in. 6:30 pm – explained here. (3737 California SW)
GUN SAFETY FOR FAMILIES: 7 pm at A Child Becomes Preschool (co-housed with Admiral UCC Church), a conversation about kids, guns, and safety. All welcome. (4320 SW Hill)
LAST NIGHT FOR COMPANY BAR: As reported on our partner site White Center Now, popular WC bar Company is closing after tonight. DJ Plantkiller is expected tonight to play it out. (9608 16th SW)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:30 AM: Welcome to the final day of February. A few notes to start:
BIGGEST SHIP EVER TO STOP HERE: If you’re watching for the Benjamin Franklin – it’s just starting to pass north Bainbridge Island, per MarineTraffic.com.
VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: This Saturday is the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s next inspection closure, 6 am-6 pm. Sunday only if needed, as WSDOT told the West Seattle Transportation Coalition last week.
WATER TAXI FARES RISE TOMORROW: March 1st brings a fare increase for the Water Taxi – see the West Seattle rates (new in blue) here.
7:07 AM: Car fire on NB I-5’s “collector-distributor” by Dearborn – could affect traffic north of the bridge. Meantime, the Benjamin Franklin is now in Elliott Bay. We just passed groups of shipwatchers at vantage points including Luna/Anchor Park. Separate story later, but for now, we’ll be updating here.
7:28 AM: It’s now southward, headed for Harbor Island. We’re watching from Jack Block. Check our Twitter feed for photos.
7:54 AM: And it’s now in the East Waterway, arriving at Harbor Island. Our last view from JB Park:
And into the East Waterway it goes. pic.twitter.com/30hnimvV6c
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 29, 2016
Meantime, rain’s returned.
8:24 AM: Motorcycle vs. semitruck crash reported on Harbor Island, 16th SW and SW Lander.
8:35 AM: Sounds like the motorcycle rider, a 31-year-old man, will be OK – hand and arm injuries, per scanner.
8:59 AM: One more note about the big boat – thanks for the photos! – we’ll be including a gallery with our coverage of the welcoming event that’s coming up at the Port later this morning.
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