West Seattle, Washington
02 Thursday
That’s the east end of the Alki Art Fair on the promenade at the beach, on until 6 pm today with art, music, food, and family fund, all in a low-key, “just hanging out” atmosphere – sit on the lawn by the stage east of the bathhouse and enjoy some of the music (there’s a “Busker Stage” further west on the promenade, too).
And if you’re not riding or walking already – consider the shuttle bus from The Admiral District; it’s how we got down the hill post-parade:
It’s a yellow school-bus marked ALKI ART FAIR SHUTTLE and you can catch it on the northwest corner of Admiral/California, outside the Metro shelter by the Chevron station. Music continues tonight until 9 pm, by the way. While there, get your T-shirt:
And if you buy chowder from Spud across the street this weekend – $1 goes to Seal Sitters, who have a booth at the festival too.
The @SeattlePD motorcycle drill team starts @wsparade pic.twitter.com/IMRaoYASPb
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 23, 2016
10:49 AM: This year’s West Seattle Grand Parade is officially under way. The Seattle Police Motorcycle Drill Team has just headed down the parade route southbound from California SW south of SW Lander, and will be followed by the Vancouver, B.C., Motorcycle Drill Team (which doesn’t appear in ANY other parades in this area).
And the Vancouver BC Police drill team – only in @wsparade in our region! pic.twitter.com/3anNBswxQa
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 23, 2016
More than 70 entries will follow. Lots of photos and video later – in the meantime, if you’re not watching, remember that California SW is closed between Admiral and Edmunds until the parade is over and everyone’s packed up, and there are restrictions on some side streets too.
12:30 PM: The parade is over at the north end, still heading south to The Junction.
1:20 PM: The parade has ended in The Junction, too. Our photos/video will be in separate reports later.
(Above, starting-line video, added Saturday night; below, video of runners moving from Hiawatha to the street, posted during the 5K)
9:53 AM: Before the West Seattle Grand Parade starts walking, rolling, and dancing down California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, hundreds of Float Dodger 5K participants are on the run! The 5K presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) started from, and is finishing at, Hiawatha Playfield this year, and the runners are now returning from their trip down the parade route. Our video shows them heading off the field and onto California SW, where they “dodged” the West Seattle Hi-Yu “Around West Seattle” float.
8:19 PM: As WSR’s Tim O’Donnell noted in comments, it was the biggest Float Dodger 5K yet. The online results show more than 400 entries. Top three finishers:
Brett Winegar, 17:10
Megan Heuer, 17:41
John Serrano, 17:55
But the Float Dodger has always been about fun more than competition – from the actual dodging, which led to this swarm around the Hi-Yu float:
To the costumes and headgear:
WS Runner’s Tim McConnell (below with co-proprietor and wife Lori McConnell) switched up his costume this year – he was Han Solo:
This was the fifth year for the Float Dodger, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and West Seattle Food Bank. It was followed by a beer garden at WSR.
(Added 8:43 am, WSB photo of Port Orchard float in Grand Parade staging zone)
Welcome to a huge summer Saturday. Here’s a quick roundup of what’s up today/tonight – and please remember that parking restrictions and road closures related to the parade and 5K (California SW, from south of Admiral to south end of The Junction, plus some of the side streets – look closely for signage!) started kicking in at 7 am – bus reroutes too:
FLOAT DODGER 5K: 9:30 am start from Hiawatha Playfield, going down the parade route and back. Also a beer garden at 5K-presenting West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), where you’ll find last-minute registration starting at 8 am. Costumes encouraged. (2700 California SW)
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary Club Foundation. The two motorcycle drill teams start from California/Lander at 10:30 am; the rest of the parade, with more than 70 groups, individuals, floats, vehicles, bands, etc., at 11 am. This year’s Grand Marshals are The Schmitz Family; the Orville Rummel Community Service Trophy honoree is Clay Eals of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. The route goes southbound down California, to Edmunds at the south end of the heart of the Junction business district.
KIDDIE PARADE: All kids welcome to be part of this shorter parade right before the main Grand Parade gets to The Junction. Starts at 11 – once the motorcycles have cleared – at California/Genesee; but get to the starting line before that. Parade proceeds to California/Edmunds, and then everybody can get back to their seats for the Grand Parade.
Outside The Junction:
ALKI ART FAIR: First of two days with more than 90 vendors plus two stages of music, and more, 10 am-6 pm, with music continuing until 9 pm. On the Alki promenade by and west of the Bathhouse (60th/Alki); see the AAF home page for details of the free shuttle from The Admiral District.
FUNDRAISING CAR WASHES: Two are planned at Les Schwab in The Triangle today, according to announcements we’ve received – 10 am-2 pm, Chief Sealth International High School Cheer Team; 10 am-4 pm, West Seattle High School Volleyball Team. (Fauntleroy/Alaska)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Don’t let summer go by without visiting the historic lighthouse! 1-4 pm, last tour starts at 3:40 pm; more info here. (Alki SW/Beach Drive SW)
LUCHA LIBRE: Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park hosts a celebration of the “art and culture” of Lucha Libre, masked Mexican-style wrestling, with Lucha Libre Volcanica and community organizations. Festival starts at noon with family-friendly activities, wrestling 2-4 pm. Free. (7900 10th Ave. S.)
WEST SEATTLE HS CLASS OF ’96: 20th-reunion weekend begins with tonight’s gathering at 6 pm at Dakota Place Park. (California/Dakota)
WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR MOVIES: Week 2 tonight at the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) – officially, gates open at 6:30 pm, but some took up spots as early as 6 pm last week. “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is this week’s movie, starting at dusk. Free; bring money for raffles and concessions that raise funds for local nonprofits. (4410 California SW)
FREE SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Greenstage presents “Merry Wives of Windsor,” 7 pm at Lincoln Park – our calendar listing includes details on exact location. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
YES, THERE’S MORE … just take a quick look at our complete calendar if you’re not fully booked!
11:08 PM: Thanks for the texts about suspected gunfire heard near Lincoln Park; we are just uphill and with windows open, we heard it too. Per scanner, police have been dispatched to check the area. If you saw anything, be sure to let them know. No report of any victim(s) so far; two people have mentioned hearing a vehicle “peeling away,” and we’re just now hearing on the scanner that someone by the ferry terminal has told police they believe the suspected shots came from “the woods.”
11:24 PM: In case you see Seattle Fire Engine 37 has been dispatched to Lincoln Park but the call isn’t related to gunfire, it’s a request for help in “extinguishing a campfire.” Also via scanner, police are saying they were told that “a group of high-schoolers was partying in the park” and “scattered” about the same time the gunfire was heard.
12:25 AM: We’ve confirmed with Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams that casings were found. No injuries reported. No other details right now – he’s busy with officers working some other incidents (not related that we know of, but we’re checking; thanks for all the tips).
2:04 PM: More info from Lt. Williams: “Thirteen .40 caliber shell casings recovered. No known injuries or damage.” The gunfire was believed to be associated with a “party” in the woods at Lincoln Park.
Two months after Aaron Parypa, the West Seattleite originally charged with murder for a deadly shooting near Sea-Tac Airport last year, struck a plea bargain, he has been sentenced. The online record of this afternoon’s sentencing hearing says King County Superior Court Judge Andrea Darvas went along with the recommendation made by both prosecutors and defense attorneys – 21 months in prison, with credit for the nearly 8 months he already has served. Parypa has no prior record.
When we reported in May that he had pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter, we didn’t know his sentencing date, and failed to follow up until two people e-mailed us late today asking what happened. The information just became available after online court records were down for several hours.
Backstory on the case is in our report on the charges filed after he was arrested in December at his West Seattle home. Parypa, now 40, shot at two men who had contacted him about buying marijuana and then apparently stole it from him during a meetup in a Burien parking lot; a pursuit ensued, ending in the gunfire near Sea-Tac. One man, 28-year-old Andrae Medina-Wong, was killed. The brief court report on today’s sentencing says family and friends of both Parypa and Medina-Wong were in court for this afternoon’s 46-minute hearing.
On a quiet (so far) Friday night, a few notes about West Seattle coyotes, starting with a question:
SCHMITZ PARK COYOTES STILL THERE? Nita wonders:
I’ve lived on Manning Street by Schmitz Park for about 13 years. There has been a pack of coyotes in the park for about 10 years. We usually hear them howl at night, especially if a siren goes down Admiral. It sounded like 6 or 8 individuals, probably a family group. We would see one trotting down the street near dusk or dawn maybe once every other month.
I haven’t heard or seen a coyote in the park in at least 6 weeks. I was wondering if anyone had any information about this.
Prior to the coyotes moving in about 10 years ago, there was a breeding pair of red foxes who lived in the park. They could often be seen in the neighborhood and I have photos of them on my front lawn. Then the coyotes moved in and either killed them or chased them out.
The coyotes also greatly reduced the number of raccoons in the neighborhood. And greatly increased the number of raccoons sighted with most of their tails lopped off – “the ones that got away,” no doubt.
Anyway, just a local amateur naturalist here, wondering what’s become of the pack that’s lived in Schmitz Park for so long. My theory is that they’ve hunted out the mice and rats and moles that they depend on for survival, and have had to move on. I’d be interested to hear from someone more knowledgeable than myself.
This also came up recently in the WSB Forums. We don’t have any recent Schmitz Park reports, but we do have these three:
EARLY-MORNING SIGHTING: Dave e-mailed to report a coyote seen early Thursday, “Avalon and 32nd at 7:00 am.”
MID-AFTERNOON SIGHTING: Trileigh Tucker photographed this coyote in her yard:
Trileigh lives near Lincoln Park.
EAST ADMIRAL SIGHTING: And via Twitter: “Spotted a young adult coyote eating apples that fell from a tree in the alley at Andover between 35th & 34th Ave SW.”
(photo added) Thanks to Karin for this photo of a coyote she says is the 32nd/Avalon visitor mentioned above:
WSB coyote coverage is archived here. Info on co-existing with coyotes is here.
(Preferred ‘massing’ – size and shape – rendering by Hewitt for 2749 California project)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Southwest Design Review Board took its first look last night at the mixed-use project proposed for 2749 California SW [map], longtime site of PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor), which will get a bigger new space in the project.
Result: As often happens with sizable projects, this one will have to come back for a second round of Early Design Guidance, the first phase of Design Review, in which the focus is on a project’s “massing” – size and scale.
Along with four of the board’s five members plus the architects, the meeting drew more than 20 members of the public, including nearby residents whose major concerns included how trucks for a doubled-in-size PCC are going to get through the alley between Lander and Stevens. It’s already a problem now, some of them said.
For board members, the 300-foot length of the building and how its ground-level features will interact with the street was a concern, as it had been for other big projects in the area – Admiral Safeway to the north, Springline Apartments to the south.
Here’s how the review unfolded:
Five of West Seattle’s nine public elementary schools will have new principals this fall.
When we reported last week on the latest departure, at Lafayette Elementary, it was the third one we’d heard about after Alki and Roxhill; then a commenter informed us that Sanislo Elementary‘s principal had also left; and when following up with Seattle Public Schools communicators this week, we learned that West Seattle Elementary‘s principal has moved on too.
Four of the five departing principals already have been replaced. Here’s the rundown on the departures and, where applicable, replacements:
ALKI ELEMENTARY: Shannon Hobbs-Beckley has left after three years; we published her announcement in May, as she told the Alki community she was headed to Brazil to work at “an American school.” Rena Deese, previously head teacher at Leschi Elementary, is succeeding her.
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY: Robert Gallagher announced his departure last week, also after three years. His replacement has not yet been chosen.
ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Sahnica Washington has left, also after three years. Tarra Patrick is succeeding her; she most recently served as a middle-school principal in Marysville.
SANISLO ELEMENTARY: Bruce Rhodes has left, also after three years, to become principal at the El Monte, Calif., school where he once worked as a teacher. His successor is Erika Ayer, most recently principal at Daniel Bagley Elementary.
WEST SEATTLE ELEMENTARY: After six years, Vicki Sacco has left to become a principal-development coach for the district. WSES assistant principal Pamela McCowan-Conyers has been promoted to succeed Sacco.
In addition to all this, as we learned in the Lafayette-departure announcement, the principals’ supervisor, Executive Director of Southwest Schools Israel Vela, has departed, too, for the Kent school district, after three years in the SPS role. No replacement announced yet.
1:27 PM: Thanks to Chana for the photo and Brenda for the tip: In the area of Weather Watch Park (4100 block of Beach Drive SW) SPD and SFD crews on the water and onshore have been dealing with a person, believed to be in crisis, who turned up on a boat anchored offshore. We have a crew en route to find out more.
1:34 PM: From the shore, police can be seen talking with the person, who is atop a powerboat. (Thanks to Brenda for the photo below.)
1:43 PM: We’ve confirmed that SPD Crisis Intervention Team members are involved. They tell us this has been going on for about an hour.
1:54 PM: SPD reports that they have a woman in custody. Police, fire, and Coast Guard boats all have been at the scene – here’s a photo our crew just sent back:
2 PM: The woman – who used a flare and an airhorn during the standoff, witnesses tell us – is being taken to shore; an ambulance will be waiting at Don Armeni.
(Added: WSB photo)
Police tell us she’ll then be taken to Harborview for a mental-health evaluation. Witnesses say she stole someone’s dinghy to get out to the powerboat.
4:46 PM UPDATE: A few more details have just been posted to SPD Blotter – mostly that the woman is 28 years old and stole the dinghy from a nearby beach; police aren’t aware of any connection between her and the owner of the 24-foot powerboat she boarded after rowing out to it.
1:06 PM: If you’re heading toward Northbound 99, could be trouble for a while – the Battery Street Tunnel is closed after its sprinklers activated, following a reported vehicle stall, according to SDOT’s Twitter feed.
1:21 PM: SDOT says the tunnel is now open again.
(Photo courtesy Seattle City Light)
If you use the West Seattle Bridge east of 99 at night, it’s a landmark of sorts – Seattle City Light‘s big red neon sign. Soon, its neon will be gone. Here’s SCL’s announcement:
Seattle City Light has contracted with Seattle-based Western Neon Custom Sign Builders to replace the neon lights in the iconic City Light signs at its South Service Center at 4th Ave. S. and S. Spokane Street with LED rope lighting, beginning July 26.
The iconic signs will go dark during the project, which is expected to last up to two weeks. Once complete, the new lights will resemble the classic amber color of the original signs, which were built in the 1920s. The signs do not have Seattle landmark status, but they are the last remaining pair of full “CITY LIGHT” signs from that era. City Light historically had similar signs at its Yesler Substation and control center, the Cedar Falls powerhouse and the Lake Union steam plant.
“Historic signs give continuity to public spaces, becoming part of the community memory. They sometimes become landmarks in themselves, almost without regard for the building to which they are attached, or the property on which they stand,” said City Light Historic Resource Specialist and Architectural Historian Rebecca Ossa, quoting from the National Park Service’s Preservation Brief on Historic Signs. “This project allows City Light to preserve a bit of its early history while demonstrating energy efficient lighting for the thousands of people who pass by the sign every day.”
Replacement of the neon lights in the South Service Center signs is needed because they have outlived their expected life span and have become hard to maintain. Using LED lighting will save energy and save money while maintaining the historical look of the signs.
A team of employees from City Light’s Facilities and Customer Energy Solutions divisions and its Lighting Design Lab designed the changes. The last upgrade to the signs was in the late 1980s.
The City Light signs are actually 18 separate signs. Each letter is its own, separate sign. One set faces west and one set faces east toward Interstate 5.
(Photo by David DeVilbiss)
We never tire of the aerial view, showing the water and greenspaces we’re so lucky to be surrounded by – great places to enjoy on the weekend, which is not quite here yet, but we do have events of note for the rest of today/tonight. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
‘LOCAL TASTE’ TENT SALE: Today through Sunday at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor):
More than 60 local vendors. (Fauntleroy/California/Morgan)
BARTELL DRUGS CARE CLINIC GRAND OPENING: Stop by Bartell Drugs (WSB sponsor) in Jefferson Square 1-4 pm today to celebrate the official grand opening of its new Care Clinic, a place for immediate no-appointment-needed health care for everyone 2 and up. Free ice-cream samples during today’s event! (4706 42nd SW)
FLOAT DODGER 5K PACKET PICKUP/SIGNUPS: 3-7 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), pick up your packet for tomorrow’s Float Dodger 5K or, if you’re not yet registered, sign up! (2743 California SW)
CHIEF SEALTH MULTI-CLASS REUNION: ’60s and ’70s graduates of Chief Sealth High School are invited to this event at Lincoln Park, 5-8 pm – details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
ALL-CITY BAND BENEFIT: Tomorrow, you’ll see the All-City Band in the West Seattle Grand Parade – tonight, supporters are gathering in the Brockey Center at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) for a dinner/auction benefit, 6 pm – check to see if tickets are left! (6000 16th SW)
SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Also in Lincoln Park, Greenstage presents “Cymbeline,” 7 pm, free! Our calendar listing explains where to find them, along with other information about the play. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
(WSB photo from July 2012)
For the first time in four years, tribal canoe families are scheduled to stop at Alki Beach during the annual regional canoe journey. Canoe families from around the region are headed into the South Sound on the Paddle to Nisqually, and the Muckleshoots are scheduled to host them at Alki on Wednesday (July 27th). Participating canoes are due to land in Nisqually three days later for a weeklong event. We don’t yet know the expected arrival time nor how many canoes are expected, but hope to get more information soon.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:54 AM: Good morning. Friday is off to a rainy start. So is traffic – a stalled-semi problem reported earlier from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge to northbound I-5 has just been cleared, but residual backups will take longer to dissipate.
PARADE AND FLOAT DODGER 5K TOMORROW: The weather IS expected to clear long before the West Seattle Grand Parade and Float Dodger 5K hit California Avenue on Saturday morning. Even if you’re not going, you should know about road closures, parking restrictions, and bus reroutes, ~7 am-3 pm Saturday – all in our latest preview.
ALKI ART FAIR: While the Saturday-Sunday Alki Art Fair (co-sponsored by WSB) does not close roads, you might want to know about the free shuttle – follow the link to the fair website and scroll down its homepage for info.
7:10 AM: Metro just texted and tweeted this bus cancellation:
Transit Alert – Route 56 to downtown Seattle due to leave Alki at 7:23 AM has been canceled this morning.
— King County Metro (@kcmetrobus) July 22, 2016
(WSB file photos)
Another quick peek at what and who you will see in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade! Two junior roller-derby teams are set to roll down the route – Southside Revolution and Seattle Derby Brats. So are the unicyclists from Pathfinder K-8.
Seattle Fire Engine 29 from The Admiral District is on the lineup, as is a 1942 American LaFrance Fire Truck. And WestSide Baby‘s new #StuffTheBus bus too. Hundreds of people walking, riding, rolling. Many are your neighbors – so clap, cheer, hoot, holler. Here’s what you need to know, whether or not you’re going:
*Road closures and no-parking zones start kicking in on California between Admiral and Edmunds and on some side streets at 7 am, lasting as late as 3 pm
*Go here for Metro bus reroutes
*The morning spectacles begin with the Float Dodger 5K, leaving Hiawatha Playfield at 9:30 am – online registration is closed but you can sign up during packet pickup 3-7 pm today (Friday) at West Seattle Runner (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor) and be part of this costumes-encouraged run!
*10:30 is when the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. – will start leaving from the starting line, so if you’re watching from Admiral, don’t be late
*11 am, otherwise, is the official parade start time from California/Lander
*After the runners and motorcycles are clear, the Kiddie Parade walks and rolls down an abbreviated route from California/Genesee to California/Edmunds starting at (update) ELEVEN AM – kids are welcome to participate, just show up before then!
*Bring a trash bag so if you’re hanging out on the curb and there’s no trash can conveniently nearby, you can pack it in/pack it out (or take your empty containers home to recycle, for example)
Have a great time! More later today (Friday), and then our Saturday coverage starts early …
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
Maybe it was traffic, maybe it was the clouds gathering to the west … took a while for the crowd to build at tonight’s season kickoff for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, but eventually, they were there. Along with Smokey Brights, the first of this year’s six acts:
Smokey Brights is a Seattle quintet, together since 2011.
Summer Concerts at Hiawatha go back even further, now in their 8th year, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with sponsors including WSB. Next Thursday (July 28th) at 6:30 on Hiawatha’s east lawn, bring your chair/blanket to see and hear The Banner Days. Full season lineup is here.
P.S. In the meantime, lots of outdoor music this weekend at the Alki Art Fair, which we’re also co-sponsoring this year – see the lineup here – and remember the free shuttle!
ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:50 PM THURSDAY: We often publish photos of bicycles found around West Seattle, likely stolen and dumped. Most of the time, those photos are from readers. Tonight, the photos are from Seattle Police. Detective Scotty Bach says, “On Monday, we arrested a couple of criminals in a stolen vehicle. They had these two bicycles which were likely stolen near the Morgan Junction.” He’s hoping to find the owner(s): “To claim, email scotty.bach@seattle.gov – I will need the owner to provide a police report number, serial number or receipt of purchase.”
UPDATE, 10:26 AM FRIDAY: Det. Bach says this report has led police to “the owner of the red Cervelo. The bicycle was stolen from a vehicle in the 7400 block of California Ave SW. We are still looking for the owner of the white Pinarello.”
We’re at the Sisson Building in The Junction, where the Southwest Design Review Board – meeting for the first time in more than a month – has just recommended final approval for a proposed 4-story apartment building in South Delridge, “The Edric,” at 9021 17th SW [map]: 32 units, 32 underground vehicle-parking spaces, and 15 bicycle-parking spaces. Here’s the design “packet” with the renderings that were shown; this was the third review for the project.
“The project has come a long way,” observed SWDRB chair Todd Bronk, who had criticized the original early design last October as a “mini-fortress.” Presenters from Blue Architecture pointed out changes made in response to previous feedback include removal of some “articulation” on the building’s sides, addition of blue accents, “softening” the appearance of the retaining wall, as well as enlarging its “amenity space,” adding seating area and changing the landscaping to add some lawn area nearby. They’ve also improved visibility for the parking-garage entrance/exit. Each floor is expected to have four 1-bedroom units and four 2-bedroom units.
Without public comment or major new criticisms, this project review ended early, after barely an hour. Up next at 8 pm, the board’s first look at 2749 California SW, the mixed-use project with 112 apartments and a new PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) store on the site of the current one.
P.S. Regarding 9021 17th SW – you can still comment until the permit’s issued; contact assigned city planner Tami Garrett (who was at tonight’s meeting), tami.garrett@seattle.gov.
After more than a year, SDOT has just gone public with what it’s decided to do on SW Admiral Way, between Admiral Junction and Alki. Here’s the full text of the e-mailed announcement, including plans for “walk-and-talk” meetings on August 20th:
We’ve spent the last few months incorporating feedback into a street design that will reduce speeding and crashes and preserve parking where it’s in high demand.
We heard during public engagement that people are driving too fast along SW Admiral Way, crashing into parked cars, and residents are afraid to cross the street. In fact, one mother choked up at our first public meeting at the thought of walking her children across SW Admiral Way.
When we started the project data showed there had been 71 vehicle crashes, two bike crashes and one pedestrian crash between 2011 and 2014. From January 2015 through May 2016 an additional 34 crashes have occurred. This statistic shows that crashes along Admiral Way SW have increased by nearly 28% in the past 1 ½ years. The neighborhood has people who’ve lived here for decades, new families, and visitors enjoying Alki Beach. Each person deserves safe travel whether walking, biking or driving.
After sharing a few designs with the neighborhood, studying on-street parking occupancy during the summer, and talking with community members, (the map above shows) what will be installed.
You may be wondering how the new design improves safety. We have proven success throughout the city that narrower travel lanes reduce the speeds people drive and the number of crashes.
We are also adding buffered bike lanes. Adding buffered bike lanes makes the street operate more predictably by giving everyone a space; and makes biking more comfortable, which can encourage more people to give it a try.
Here is how your input was included:
· Parking study. We conducted an on-street parking study during the month of August. Study times were 5-7AM, 1-3PM and 5-7PM on a sunny Saturday and Tuesday. The study confirmed what you told us. Parking spaces on the west end of the street with convenient access to Alki Beach are in high demand.
· Center turn lane. At our first public (meeting) you suggested we remove the center turn lane rather than impact on-street parking, so we did in the high-demand parking area.
· Left turn access at 57th and 59th Avenues SW. At the second public meeting, you requested left turn access to help reduce the risk of being rear-ended. We’ve included the access. To make room for them, about nine on-street parking spaces will be removed on the south side.
· Crosswalk at 61st Ave SW. We asked if you would like a new crosswalk in this location and one is included in the project.
Here is what we were not able to include and why:
· All-way stop at 59th Ave SW. You suggested we change the pedestrian activated signal at this location to an all-way stop. Unfortunately, studies showed that an all-way stop at this location did not meet guidelines. However, we have agreed to look at it again in the future.
Finally, we heard you want improved pedestrian crossings and supplied information on where. We’ll conduct a second round of outreach on August 20 in the form of “Walk and Talks” to gather site-specific input and talk about low-cost opportunities (visit web site for more details). The Walk and Talks will build off of comments collected through the first phase of outreach. Any improvements identified would be installed as a second phase of construction.
Our project web site at seattle.gov/transportation/swadmiralwaysafetyproject.htm has information on the walk and talk; and a flier with similar information will be mailed early August. Construction information will be shared as soon as available. However, work to restripe the street is expected to be completed before October 2016.
BACKSTORY: The first version of the plan was unveiled in April 2015 at an Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting. Ten months have passed since the second and final community meeting held by SDOT – which wasn’t planned until community members demanded it.
Datapoint regarding one assertion in the city news release: The “mother who choked up at (the) first public meeting at the thought of walking her children across Admiral Way” was reacting to what the city was proposing at the time, removing parking on the side of the street where her family lives, as noted in our coverage of that meeting.
Following up on Wednesday’s arrests in High Point in connection with a fight on the shoulder of the east end of the West Seattle Bridge:
Hearings were held for three of the suspects today. Bail was set at $225,000 each for two men, 18 and 20; a juvenile-court judge ruled that a 17-year-old boy should remain in detention. The fourth person taken into custody yesterday, 19, was not booked into jail. Probable-cause documents include more information on what police found out:
(At 2:19 pm Wednesday), officers were dispatched to an accident scene where the parties involved were fighting. This was happening westbound on the West Seattle Bridge just off the exit ramp from southbound I-5. Witnesses said 4 guys (were) beating up another and trying to throw him off the bridge. Vehicles involved were a silver car and a red car. …
(At 2:22 pm), complainant advised that the red car sped past him onto Fauntleroy SW from the bridge. The victim tried to follow the suspects throughout West Seattle but lost them at 36 SW and SW Snoqualmie. The victim gave the suspect-vehicle plate … The victim advised he was standing by at that location.
Police say the victim had a bloody face, possible broken nose, and badly chipped front tooth.
Just in case you see either of these and wonder – thanks to tips, we’ve already checked them out:
RAPIDRIDE SHELTER AT FAUNTLEROY/ALASKA: Christine Deppe from West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) sent the photo and wondered about the removal of the shelter next to Les Schwab:
Metro’s Jeff Switzer responded to our inquiry: “The small shelter was removed today and will be upgraded to a larger shelter, to be installed tomorrow (Friday, July 22nd).
BROKEN GLASS AT 45TH/ADMIRAL: Al sent the photo:
Since we were already asking about the Triangle shelter mentioned above, we asked about this too. Switzer says, “Thanks for the heads-up. Staff are submitting a work order to repair the glass at that shelter.”
West Seattle Car Show sponsors Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (also WSB sponsors) want to remind you that this year’s show is a little more than five weeks away!
Saturday, August 27th, 10 am-4 pm, South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)
Registration’s open NOW – go to this page on the official website. See the list of trophy categories here – this is NOT just about the typical “classic” cars.
First 200 vehicle registrations get dash plaques
What’s planned so far:
*Live music and a DJ
*Kids’ activities
*Hydroplanes
*Seattle Fire Department
*50/50 raffle
*Drawing for a donated drone
*Food trucks
*Vendors
SSC will have its Northwest Wine Academy open on West Seattle Car Show day for tours and purchases, as well as beer sales. You’ll also be able to tour the SSC Automotive Technology and Auto Body programs. If you’d like to join the list of Car Show sponsors or vendors, find the applications here.
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