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Spotlight Stories

Dockwise Tern: What that unusual orange ship is here to do, and how long it’s staying
May 19, 2016 12:36 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 4:05 PM with drydock loaded)

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(Photo by Don Brubeck – just an illusion, the Tern is NOT lifting Celebrity Infinity!)

12:36 PM: Though it’s been in Elliott Bay for several days, the heavy-transport ship Tern – that orange ship that appears to be missing its middle – is drawing increasing attention, at least in the WSB inbox, in just the past 24 hours or so. We’ve been working to find out more about its visit before publishing something, and now we have enough to share.

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(WSB photo from Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Wednesday)

It’s owned by Dockwise, which describes itself online as “the global market leader in heavy marine transport with over 30 years’ experience.” The Tern’s fact sheet is here; it was built in Norway in 1982 and is 180 meters long.

Now, the part we couldn’t find online: Thanks to Peter McGraw at the Port of Seattle for helping us track down what it’s here for, He pointed us to Vigor Shipyards on Harbor Island, where senior vice president for public affairs Jill Mackie tells WSB, “The vessel is here to transport a no-longer-usable Vigor dry dock away from our site. The dry dock, built by Todd for use on this shipyard in 1968, will be recycled. The vessel, loaded with the dry dock is scheduled to depart over the coming weekend. Moving the dry dock frees up pier space for more productive use.”

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Mackie says the drydock will be taken to Mexico.

4:05 PM: The drydock is now aboard the Tern. We got this view while riding the Water Taxi back from downtown a short time ago:

terndrydockaboard

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West Seattle Thursday: From the stage to the diamond to the meeting room…
May 19, 2016 11:29 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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Today’s bird photo is courtesy of “SeamusSays,” who writes, “We are so fortunate to live in an area that supports such diverse wildlife – coyotes and all. Heard the enchanting calls of this guy/gal … and was happy to find her perched at the bottom of our backyard in a group of decaying Alder on Genesee Hill. Despite a constant protest from a group of the Steller’s Jays and crows, she managed a restful 10+ hours. Hope to see her again and just wanted to share.” Thanks to everyone who shares what they see … birds, breaking news, or … editor@westseattleblog.com or text to 206-293-6302. Now, on to today’s calendar highlights:

FREE KINDERMUSIK CLASS: 1 pm at My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in south Morgan Junction. (6959 California SW)

SOFTBALL: West Seattle High School‘s next game in the district tournament is at 6 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, vs. Lake Washington. (2801 SW Thistle, but the fields are on the SW Trenton side of SWAC)

SUMMER PARKWAYS EVENT PLANNING MEETING: 6-6:45 pm at Alki UCC, all are welcome to join the next planning meeting for the September 25th “Summer Parkways” car-free-day event. Here’s the event flyer. (6115 SW Hinds)

The topic carries on into this next meeting …

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with agenda also including Seattle Police (updates plus the micro-community policing plan) and speed limits. (6115 SW Hinds)

‘THE LION KING’: Parent volunteer Emily sent the invitation and photo:

All are welcome to come and see Lafayette Elementary‘s ‘The Lion King’ being performed tonight, 5/19 (6 pm), tomorrow, 5/20 (7 pm), and Saturday, 5/21 (7 pm), at West Seattle High School. Performances are by kids in grades 3rd through 5th who attend Lafayette. Costumes are amazing! It’s our once-a-year production, directed by Lafayette parent Joel Oltyan. Free admission but we are selling concessions so please come support Lafayette!

(3000 California SW)

BELLY DANCING: Monthly free Alauda showcase at The Skylark, 7:30 pm, all ages. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Plus:

SUMMER SWIM LESSON REGISTRATION: It’s now open at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor):

Jump in this summer! Y swim instructors emphasize personal safety, swimming skills, endurance and social skills while guiding students with praise and encouragement. A variety of sessions are offered throughout summer. Register online here or in person at either branch. Parent Child swim lessons for ages 6 to 35 months are FREE with family memberships at the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA.

(4515 36th SW)

WHAT ELSE IS UP TODAY/TONIGHT? See our complete calendar, here.

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RIDE ON! ‘Bike Everywhere Day’ tomorrow; ‘Alki Daze’ bicycle parade Sunday
May 19, 2016 10:36 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | Transportation | West Seattle news

Two notable bicycle events in the next three days:

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(WSB photo of low-bridge bicycling during the recent Viaduct closure)

‘BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY’ FRIDAY: We’ve been mentioning this in the morning traffic watch – what used to be “Bike to Work Day” is now “Bike Everywhere Day” and it’s happening tomorrow. West Seattle Bike Connections will present a commute station along the trail to the low bridge, 6-9 am, with treats, plus bike checks/simple repairs courtesy of Alki Bike and Board – more info here.

‘ALKI DAZE’ COSTUMED BIKE PARADE SUNDAY: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Alki resident Guy Olson and friends have organized a slate of “Alki Daze” activities, and you’re invited to join in, especially Sunday’s Costumed Bicycle Parade. Gather at 63rd/Alki at 1:30, ride at 2 pm, and afterward, “live music and bicycle parking in the 2600 block of Alki SW.) While this is the second year that Sunday morning’s West Seattle 5K is NOT being followed by a “car-free day” city-sanctioned street party (it’s set for September 25th instead), Guy says the bike parade is meant to carry on its spirit. Here’s our video from the start of last year’s parade, which had about 150 participants.

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West Seattle development followup: Comment time for 11-apartment plan @ 1118 Alki
May 19, 2016 9:01 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s Office photos)

We first told you last year about the six-story, 11-apartment, 16-offstreet-parking-space proposal for 1118 Alki Avenue SW, revised in December from a September plan for five units. It would replace the two houses shown in the photos above (at 1118 and 1122 Alki SW). Now, a formal application has been filed, according to this notice from today’s edition of the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin. That opens a comment period for two aspects of the application – shoreline and environmental approvals. The deadline for those comments is June 17th; here’s how to comment.

P.S. Also in today’s LUIB, notices relating to two citywide policy proposals – through June 2nd, you can comment on this proposal seeking to “remove barriers to the creation of backyard cottages and accessory dwelling units”; this notice announces a June 21st public hearing on a bill proposing a “mandatory housing affordability program for residential development.”

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch; Viaduct filming; fourth night of bridge closures
May 19, 2016 6:30 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

6:30 AM: Good morning! No incidents in/from West Seattle so far. What you need to know:

VIADUCT FILMING: Today is scheduled to be the first day of potential “rolling slowdowns” during filming of a movie on The Viaduct, as announced last week. The city wouldn’t ID the movie but commenters believe it’s a “Fifty Shades of Grey” sequel, otherwise being shot in Vancouver, B.C.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE #4: 9 pm-5 am tonight, the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to close again for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project. No EB bridge access from 35th/Fauntleroy; WB, you have to exit by Delridge.

“BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY” TOMORROW: Instead of “Bike to Work Day,” Friday is now “Bike Everywhere Day“ (presented by Cascade Bicycle Club), with riders in this area invited to stop at a “celebration station” along the path to the low bridge.

WEST SEATTLE 5K SUNDAY: From approximately 8 am to 11 am on Sunday, the West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) run/walk will close Alki SW. Today’s your last chance to sign up online.

10:08 AM:< Thanks for the Highway 99 traffic photo:

image

The sender captioned it “50 Shades of Traffic.”

11:46 AM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli (who was the first to point out that intel suggested this involves the “50 Shades” sequel[s]) sends photos:

christopher1

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West Seattle High School Class of 1966’s big reunion approaches
May 19, 2016 5:04 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle High School Class of 1966’s big reunion approaches
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two weeks from tonight, the West Seattle High School Class of 1966 starts the party of a lifetime … the 50th reunion celebration stretched across three days/nights. Tom Friberg shares the highlights:

THURSDAY, JUNE 2 – Golf at West Seattle Golf Club, tee times 9:30-10:30 am
Interested? Contact sue@westseattle66.com or greg@westseattle66.com

Welcome Party at The Bridge, 7-10 pm
“Low-key event providing an opportunity to renew old friendships and perhaps make new ones over drinks and/or dinner.”

cove

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 – Beach Party/Dinner Party at Normandy Park Cove, 5:30-10:30 pm
1500 SW Shorebrook Drive, Normandy Park

Vibraphone music with classmate and Hall of Fame member Tom Collier during registration
Appetizers 5:30-6:30 pm
Buffet dinner 6:30-8:30 pm
No-host bar
8 flavors of Husky ice cream for dessert
And more

SATURDAY, JUNE 4
All-School Reunion at WSHS, 2-5:30 pm

If you’ve ever attended an All-School Reunion, you know that the class celebrating its 50th reunion gets the biggest and best room in the place. This year, the big room will be ours. We’ll have several hours to continue earlier conversations and to start new ones, some with old friends from other classes. Finger food will be served. There will be classic cars to see. We’ll take a class photograph. Our own Gary Smith will be the Master of Ceremonies at a recognition program in the auditorium. Scholarship students, monogram club members and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees will be honored, as will we. And we’ll be first on the program!

Afterparty, 4-9 pm – Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW)

If you’re from the Class of 1966, or know someone who is, don’t miss it or let them miss it. Full details are online at westseattle66.com.

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HOUSE OR PARKLAND? Fauntleroy Community Association’s fact sheet for beachfront house by Cove Park
May 18, 2016 10:20 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Next Tuesday night brings the public meeting Seattle Parks promised for community comment on its potential “trade” with King County for 8923 Fauntleroy Way SW, a 35-foot-wide strip of beach with a single-family house, adjacent to community-maintained Cove Park, which is immediately north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. The county bought the house to use as a construction office and staging area during the Barton Pump Station Upgrade project, which was finished last year. It’s talking with the city about trading the house for use as parkland if in exchange it gets a street vacation for land that’s part of the pump station. We covered a Parks presentation about this at the April meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association. At its May meeting, FCA decided not to take a position on the possible trade but did commit to creating and circulating a “fact sheet” about the situation, and that’s what you can review at the top of this story.

The meeting, meantime, is at 6:30 pm Tuesday (May 24th) in the Emerald Room at The Hall at Fauntleroy on the south side of Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). In-person input always has a big impact, but if you absolutely can’t make it, you can comment via e-mail to chip.nevins@seattle.gov.

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UPDATE: Fire call in 9200 block 16th SW
May 18, 2016 9:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

16thdryer

9:31 PM: Big fire callout to the 9200 block of 16th SW (map) – but we’re hearing the first units to arrive reporting that the fire is tapped. More to come.

9:43 PM: We’ve just arrived in the area. 16th is mostly blocked at the scene, south of Barton, by SFD vehicles but what appears to be a civilian in a reflective vest is directing traffic so some is getting through.

9:45 PM: Our photographer’s been told it was a dryer fire – all out, no injuries, nobody evacuated, the fire crews will be leaving shortly.

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CONGRATULATIONS! 8 scholarship winners from Sealth
May 18, 2016 8:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

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The photo and report are from Chief Sealth International High School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer:

Eight Chief Sealth International High School students received scholarships Monday) night courtesy of the Alki Masonic Lodge #152. These students were honored by the Masons for their scholarship, community service and leadership. Congratulations to CSIHS Juniors Harrison Robel, Michelle Ly, Cormac Toler-Scott, Rico Romo, Emily Richards, Janet Carter, Daniel Hatch and Amy Ly. Also in the picture are former recipients of the scholarship, seniors Katherine Staudt and Hidetaka Yoshino. Both Katherine and Hidetaka delivered speeches in which they thanked the members of the Masonic Lodge for their generosity and recognition. CSIHS joins them in thanking the Masons for their commitment to the education of youth in West Seattle.

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West Seattle restaurants: Irashai confirmed for ex-Mawadda space in Admiral
May 18, 2016 7:34 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

IMG_3642

Thanks for the tip that the signage is up for Irashai, taking over the former Mawadda Café space at 2352 California SW in The Admiral District. When last we reported on this space in March, Mawadda’s proprietor indicated they would soon shut down – which they did – but wouldn’t confirm that Irashai was taking over, though a liquor-license application was already in the works. Now, there’s also a remodeling permit on file. We haven’t made contact with Irashai’s proprietor(s) yet but will update when we do. One more thing the signage reveals, besides the name – sushi seems to be part of the plan, underscored by the one detail in a document found online related to the remodel – “install sushi bar.”

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UPDATE: About the Seattle Fire response at 35th/Morgan
May 18, 2016 5:30 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:30 PM: Thanks for the text about the Seattle Fire response – four units sent – at or near Walgreens at 35th/Morgan in High Point. According to the SFD 911 log, the response is for a “natural gas leak.” We’re en route to find out more.

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5:45 PM: Here’s what we’ve found out: Store employees called SFD because of a strong odor of natural gas. Responding firefighters used detectors (special equipment from the technical rescue apparatus in our photo, we’re told) to try to find a source, but couldn’t trace it. It’s reported to have dissipated and people have been allowed back in the store.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: The loot left behind
May 18, 2016 4:01 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Car prowlers who hit a neighborhood west of Morgan Junction apparently had no use for CDs. It’s a complicated story – this is from the first note we received from Grant:

On the morning on Tuesday, May 17, a neighbor in the Beveridge-Holly neighborhood (off Fauntleroy near California) found a container of CDs abandoned in front of her mailbox. The container holds ~10 CDs and they are mostly from a “Golden Age of Country” disc set. I also found three abandoned CDs on my yard waste bin. Suspecting car prowlers abandoning loot, I checked my security camera footage and found that at 3:37 am, three drunken-appearing men deposited a vodka bottle in my recycling bin and these three CDs on top of my yard waste bin.

A neighbor confirmed these are her CDs and so the men in the video who abandoned them are almost certainly car prowlers.

That neighbor subsequently said those were empty CD cases. So far, no one in the neighborhood has spoken up for the other CDs – but the neighbor who did ID the CDs recognized something else in the video: A white box that had contained comic books and some paperwork from her job, all of which was taken from her vehicle.

Then, Grant contacted us again before we finished writing this, to say yet another neighbor found this tossed-aside garage-door opener:

If you have any clues about the unclaimed CDs or opener, or the identity of the people in the video – please speak up.

P.S. Car prowls remain the top crime problem in our area, Southwest Precinct Capt. Pierre Davis told the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council again last night (here’s our story in case you missed it).

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TUNNEL UPDATE: One-fifth of the way there
May 18, 2016 2:33 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

whereberthais
In the middle of the second week post-Viaduct closure, an update on the Highway 99 tunneling machine: After a “break for rest and routine maintenance,” WSDOT says this afternoon, “Seattle Tunnel Partners resumed mining late Tuesday evening.” The machine has now gone more than 2,000 feet in all, which is more than 20 percent of the way along the full tunnel route, shown in the WSDOT-created graphic above. It also shows the machine in Zone 2, which will take it under the Columbia onramp; as explained during the closure, when we asked WSDOT on behalf of a reader, the machine is much further beneath that structure, so a precautionary closure was NOT considered necessary. WSDOT says that from there, the machine will travel under Western Avenue, and they promise twice-weekly updates here.

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‘Adventure Park’ for Myers Way Parcels? New proposal emerges
May 18, 2016 12:15 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

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(Part of the Myers Way Parcels, photographed during last week’s tour)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The city-owned 30+ acres of southeast West Seattle land known as the Myers Way Parcels aren’t even officially up for sale – yet – but a prospective buyer has emerged with a new idea:

A commercial zipline-and-ropes-course park.

“My guy can provide the most elegant and simple solution to the whole problem,” declared Douglas Plager, who says he represents Brian Funtleyder, the owner of The Adventure Park at Long Island in Wheatley Heights, NY. “Leave the trees, clean out the trash, the Scotch broom, the blackberries, clear it all out, employ 40 or 50 people.”

Read More

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West Seattle development: 5431 California demolition; 6010 California plan
May 18, 2016 11:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two development notes this morning, both on California SW:

5400lot

DEMOLITION: Today’s teardown is at 5431 California SW, where a storage building is being demolished to make way for a project first mentioned here almost a year ago. It’s a mostly residential configuration that’s become fairly common: Three live-work units, with a two-unit townhouse building behind them, and two single-family houses on the alley. (Thanks to the nearby residents who tipped us to today’s demolition.)

NEW PROPOSAL: That configuration is so popular that a brand-new proposal is now on file for something similar a few blocks south (on a site with the same zoning, NC2-30, “neighborhood commercial” and three stories): An early-stage “site plan” just filed for the site of a small old house at 6010 California SW would replace it with three live-work units facing California, and two rows of two-unit townhouse buildings behind them. The plan shows six offstreet-parking spaces along the alley.

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West Seattle Wednesday: WordsWest; ‘Screenagers’ @ Madison; project pitches @ Delridge District Council; more
May 18, 2016 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: WordsWest; ‘Screenagers’ @ Madison; project pitches @ Delridge District Council; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Photo by Laura Goodrich, from the WSB Flickr group)

Six of the many options for the rest of your West Seattle Wednesday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FIGHTING STRESS: Free workshop at noon at West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing.

NETWORKING MEETUP: Noon-1:15 pm at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), network with local entrepreneurs, coworkers, freelancers, whoever shows up! Bring your lunch and spend some time networking. (6040 California SW)

KIDS’ NIGHT AT WORDSWEST: As previewed here last weekend, there’s a special 6 pm start time for this month’s WordsWest Literary Series presentation, which is geared for young readers as summer-reading season approaches – bring the family to C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) and enjoy the free event! (5612 California SW)

MADISON PTSA + ‘SCREENAGERS’: The final Madison Middle School PTSA meeting of the year at 6:30 pm precedes a screening of “Screenagers,” the documentary about today’s youth and their lives online, at 7 pm. All welcome for both, in the Madison Commons – it’s a dessert potluck, too! (45th SW/SW Spokane)

34th DISTRICT REPUBLICANS: 7 pm at American Legion Post 160, it’s this month’s meeting of the 34th District Republicans, with an agenda featuring Lieutenant Governor candidate Marty McClendon and an update on Bill Bryant‘s campaign for governor. (3618 SW Alaska)

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. This month’s meeting features community members’ presentations for proposed Neighborhood Street Fund projects. The proposals’ titles:

*Highland Park Way SW Access from Dumar Way SW
*New Sidewalks on 17th Avenue SW
*Operation Sidewalk 18th Avenue SW
*Project Fix Delridge Way SW
*Complete SW Barton Street
*Roundabout for Highland Park Way/SW Holden St
*14th Avenue SW Sidewalk Completion (Phase 1 – North of Trenton)
*Safety Improvements to 26th Ave SW and/or 25th Avenue SW (Connecting Chief Sealth HS and the Westwood Village Bus Hub)
*Modernize the Intersection of 16th Ave SW & SW Holden Street (Highland Park)
*16th Avenue SW & SW Trenton St (Safe Route for Schools)
*Brandon St Sidewalks (Delridge to High Point)
*16th Ave & SW Holden Left Turn Signal
*South Delridge Alleyway Improvement
*(Highland Park) SW Henderson Accessibility Improvements
*9000 – 17th Avenue SW Natural Drainage

DNDC members (representing organizations from around eastern West Seattle) will then have to decide which five they support advancing to the city for further review. All welcome. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

MUCH MORE … on our calendar – please take a moment to browse it here.

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TOMORROW: SPD and more @ Alki Community Council
May 18, 2016 9:11 am
|    Comments Off on TOMORROW: SPD and more @ Alki Community Council
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Before we get to today’s calendar highlights – if you live in and/or work at and/or visit Alki, you might want to know that the Alki Community Council has confirmed it is meeting tomorrow night for the first time in two months. On the agenda for the ACC meeting at 7 pm Thursday at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) are updates from Seattle Police, both recent activity and the neighborhood policing plan, plus the Seattle Summer Parkways event planned for September 25th and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways‘ campaign for lower speed limits.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday alerts; third night of bridge closures
May 18, 2016 6:21 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(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)

6:21 AM: Good morning! More sunshine, and so far, no incidents in/from West Seattle.

OVERNIGHT BRIDGE CLOSURE #3: Tonight is scheduled to be the third night that the west end of the West Seattle Bridge will close, 9 pm-5 am, for the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-cushion-re-replacement project. You might notice the closure – requiring, among other things, bridge exiting at or before Delridge – if you’re returning from …

STADIUM CONCERT: Stadium-zone traffic alert – superstar Beyoncé performs at CenturyLink Field tonight (7:30 pm).

LOOKING AHEAD – “BIKE EVERYWHERE DAY” FRIDAY: Friday is “Bike Everywhere Day“ (Cascade Bicycle Club‘s new name for what used to be “Bike to Work Day”), and riders will find a “celebration station” in the usual spot on the path west of the low bridge.

LOOKING AHEAD – WEST SEATTLE 5K SUNDAY: Sunday, Alki Avenue will be closed until late morning for the West Seattle 5K (with co-sponsors including WSB) run/walk. Tomorrow’s your last chance to sign up online, or do it at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) noon-6 pm Saturday or at the start line 8 am Sunday.

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West Seattle Crime Prevention Council: Puget Ridge frustration; city Code Compliance…
May 17, 2016 11:10 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news

pigeon1 (1)
(WSB photo from last month, police searching for shell casings after Puget Ridge gunfire)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Frustrated Puget Ridge residents came to the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting tonight to ask Southwest Precinct police what they’re doing about the gunfire problem plaguing their neighborhood.

First – the monthly crime-trends briefing:

“Our criminal element is alive and kickin’,” as is unfortunately usual in the warmer months, began Capt. Pierre Davis, Southwest Precinct commander. “Right now, the crime du jour is car prowls, up all over the city, and our regional partners are having the same type of issues.” In some areas, it’s doubled. Highland Park, Morgan Junction are getting the biggest increases right now.

He mentioned a spike in drug use, “and a lot of that activity is driving the car-prowl increase right now.”

Read More

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BIZNOTE: Former restaurant space to become dental office
May 17, 2016 10:17 pm
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: Former restaurant space to become dental office
 |   Health | West Seattle news

Quick biznote tonight for anyone wondering about the former Redline space on the ground floor of The Residences at 3295 on the southeast corner of 35th and Avalon, since the “for lease” signs came down recently: Building permit and “site plan” documents reveal it won’t be another restaurant, but instead will become a dental office; renovations are under the name Glo Dental Studio.

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SOFTBALL: West Seattle HS wins opening game @ district tournament
May 17, 2016 8:48 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The Metro League-champion West Seattle High School Wildcats won their first game at the district softball tournament tonight, 4-0 over Bainbridge at the Southeast Athletic Complex. They’ll be back in West Seattle for their next game, 6 pm Thursday night vs. Lake Washington at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

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One more development note: 4528 44th SW demolition in the West Seattle Junction
May 17, 2016 8:16 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

alleydemolition

Thanks to Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems for the tip that demolition was happening today at 4528 44th SW in The Junction, tearing down an 8-unit apartment building to build a 6-story, 58-unit apartment building. The project got final Design Review approval last September (WSB coverage here). The site is prominent, as it abuts a busy alley (from which we took the photo) behind a block of West Seattle Junction businesses, and as we reported here in March, the construction team is posting information online here, including what’s next with the project:

• Excavation for the foundation
• Installation of concrete foundation
• On-site utility improvements

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen bike?
May 17, 2016 4:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

konabike

In Crime Watch this afternoon – Marie‘s bike has been missing since Saturday:

My bike was stolen from my apartment building at 2250 Bonair Pl SW near Alki Beach. The bike was in the laundry room in a secured building. The robber would have had to wait until the door was propped or had a key. The Kona was a gray mountain bike with “hybrid” tires. The bar handles had scratches.

Bicycles are often stolen to get from crime to crime, so you might spot one dumped somewhere, down a ravine, against a pole or fence – if you do, contact police.

P.S. Speaking of police, last call for tonight’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, 7 pm at the SW Precinct (2300 SW Webster) – come hear about local crime trends and ask about your neighborhood concerns.

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