West Seattle, Washington
05 Sunday
11:21 AM: Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo, and to others for the tips: The first vessel in Shell‘s Arctic-drilling/support fleet has arrived in Seattle, and has docked at Terminal 5 (per MarineTraffic.com). It’s the Aiviq, mentioned here just last night in connection with the U.S. Coast Guard’s announcement of “safety zones” around the vessels expected here as part of Foss’s T-5 lease. The Aiviq is a three-year-old icebreaker that was among the Shell-related vessels that spent time here in 2012 before the company’s most-recent Arctic drilling attempts.
ADDED 11:52 AM: And for the first time in the weeks we’ve been watching for it, the Blue Marlin, carrying the drilling platform Polar Pioneer, is in MarineTraffic.com range, approaching the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the northwesternmost tip of Washington state, on schedule with its announced arrival in Port Angeles by tomorrow.
(Image captured this morning from construction-site webcam)
Remember the call for suggestions about what to call the new school being built on Genesee Hil, for the program currently housed (and overflowing) at Schmitz Park Elementary? A letter has just gone out listing four finalists, and launching a vote. The finalists are:
*Genesee Hill Elementary School: Genesee Hill is the name of the original building, which opened in 1949.
*Genesee-Schmitz Elementary School: Genesee-Schmitz recognizes the shared identity and history of the neighborhood and the two schools.
*Dietrich Schmitz Elementary School: Dietrich Schmitz was the longest-serving member of the Seattle School Board in history, serving 32 years and multiple times as President.
*Thelma DeWitty Elementary School: Thelma DeWitty was the first African-American teacher in Seattle, working first in West Seattle at the Cooper School.
The four potential names are not the only points of interest in the letter from Schmitz Park principal Gerrit Kischner. It’s been pointed out that the new school, with capacity around 650, might be not be big enough to hold SPE’s continuing-to-swell population, and Kischner’s letter includes this mention of one way that might be addressed:
… Please note that while we would like to move forward to finalize the naming of the new building, we are also continuing to watch enrollment numbers that could affect the long-term plans for both our current and future school sites.
The Building Leadership Team made a point of requesting that we ensure that the Schmitz Family legacy, which has inspired Schmitz Park Elementary School to be a flagship elementary program in the Seattle School District, will continue to be recognized and honored. If enrollment trends continue to the point that our program could be needed to operate at both sites, we will recommend to the Superintendent that the new building be opened as Schmitz Park School at Genesee Hill.
Regardless, we will not change the name of the school building we currently occupy, which is officially named by the School Board as “Schmitz Park School.” This is a promise made by the District to the Schmitz Family, who donated the land for the Schmitz Park Preserve and school site. Important Schmitz Park traditions and our fox mascot and logo will continue at the new building. …
We’re following up with the district regarding the “both sites” possibility; meantime, you can read the entire letter here.
Now, back to the name poll: Make your choice online here; if you’d like to vote another way, the letter mentions you can postal-mail or drop off your choice to/at SPES (5000 SW Spokane, Seattle 98116). Deadline is April 26th – one week from this Sunday.
Never give up – always do your best. That was the message Our Lady of Guadalupe students heard on Wednesday from an OLG alum who’s made it into the spotlight, James McGrath, who’s been a featured competitor for the past few seasons of the TV show “American Ninja Warrior” – here’s a clip of him in action last year:
McGrath was the special guest at an assembly looking ahead to the annual OLG Jog-A-Thon.
McGrath attended OLG through 8th grade, back in 2001. His PE teacher Susan Sutton is still at the school, so we caught a pic of both of them:
Also noted: McGrath worked for a while at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center; now, in addition to his TV exploits, he works as a personal trainer. Students had lots of questions for him about “American Ninja Warrior,” which airs on the Esquire Network, and he says you’ll see him again on the show in late May. (Thanks to Jog-A-Thon chair Sarah Housknecht for the tip about his appearance!)
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing of note on the roads so far but we do have a major problem on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry run. Most recent update from WSF:
The Issaquah is out of service for necessary repairs. The 7:05am sailing from Fauntleroy to Vashon and Southworth is cancelled. The following sailings may also be affected until repairs can be made: 7:30am Vashon to Southworth, 7:55am Southworth to Vashon and Fauntleroy.
Please check the online schedule to view sailing times. Updates will occur as information becomes available.
8:01 AM: Aside from the ferry trouble, no incidents. So it’s on with our Throwback Thursday Traffic photo of the week, from the Seattle Municipal Archives. You’ll probably recognize this spot in what’s now The Triangle:
The date: November 1957. The intersection: Fauntleroy/37th. Click the image to go to the Muni Archives page with a larger version of the photo, so you can take a closer look.
8:42 AM: Ferry update – M/V Issaquah is still out and runs are still being canceled – keep watch on the WSF website for the latest.
9:26 AM: WSF says the Issaquah is fixed and is returning to service with “a late 9:20 am departure from Southworth to Vashon and Fauntleroy.”
He’s been on the job a few weeks, but in case you haven’t met him yet, West Seattle Helpline is officially announcing its new executive director, Chris Langeler:
West Seattle Helpline, a nonprofit social service agency offering emergency assistance for West Seattle residents, is pleased to welcome Chris Langeler as the new Executive Director. Mr. Langeler comes to West Seattle Helpline with years of experience in fundraising, social services, community development, management, and working with underserved individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.
Most recently, he managed the political campaigns for Washington State House of Representatives Speaker Frank Chopp and State Representative Brady Walkinshaw of Seattle during the 2014 election cycle. He is on the Board of Directors for the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association and volunteers at Southwest Youth and Family Services and at High Point Community Center.
Mr. Langeler earned his Master of Science in Community Research & Action at Vanderbilt University in 2013 and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington in 2015. Previously, he served as the Director of Research for the National Mobile Market, an organization dedicated to providing access to affordable, healthy food to food insecure neighborhoods nationwide. Prior to that, he worked in Portland, Oregon at the Boys and Girls Aid Society, a program to support youth transitioning out of the juvenile justice system.
“We are so excited to have Chris on board! With his solid experience and passion for our mission, Chris is going to have a huge impact on West Seattle families in need”, said Brooks Riendl, President of West Seattle Helpline’s Board of Directors.
Helpline’s next big event is the Taste of West Seattle, celebrating its 10th anniversary, coming up May 21st – ticket info is in our preview.
(Photo credit: WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Want to make your house more earthquake-resistant? Two chances to learn about retrofitting are coming up in West Seattle as part of the Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP) program. They’re free, but you do have to register. First one is next Sunday (April 19th), 2-4 pm, at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library – full details here; e-mail snap@seattle.gov if you’re interested. After that, another one is set up for 2-4 pm May 2nd at the High Point Branch Library; same registration address.
With the platform and vessel that Shell hopes to use for Arctic drilling getting closer to Western Washington waters, opponents of their expected stay at Terminal 5 have announced a schedule for protests, while the U.S. Coast Guard has announced “temporary safety zones” as well as a “voluntary First Amendment zone” worked out with potential waterborne protesters.
First, here’s where it all stands:
Two months have passed since the Port of Seattle announced it had signed a lease with Foss for a third of the idle-since-last-summer Terminal 5 expanse in West Seattle, with Foss expecting to host Royal Dutch Shell offshore-drilling equipment that would eventually head to the Arctic if Shell gets final federal approval.
Since then, as reported here and elsewhere, there have been protests, legal action, and preparation, and more in the works.
WHAT’S HAPPENING AT TERMINAL 5 NOW: Foss and the port have said preparatory work is already under way.
WHERE ARE SHELL’S DRILL RIGS? The Polar Pioneer, crossing the Pacific on the deck-cargo ship Blue Marlin, is expected in Port Angeles on Friday, with a two-week stay there before moving on to Seattle, reports The Peninsula Daily News. The Greenpeace activists who climbed onto it and camped out for five-plus days came down last Saturday, citing stormy weather; a federal judge in Alaska later granted Shell’s request for a court order against them. Their boat the Greenpeace Esperanza is still tailing the Polar Pioneer/Blue Marlin as far as we know.
The Noble Discoverer, the drilling vessel that was here in 2012 before it (along with the now-scrapped Kulluk) got into trouble in Alaska, is still crossing the Pacific too.
(2012 photo by Long B. Nguyen)
It stopped a week ago in the Marshall Islands port of Majuro, and then was reported to be Hawai’i-bound. Majuro to Honolulu is 2,300 miles; then it’s another 2,600 miles to get here.
OTHER SHELL VESSELS: The Coast Guard’s announcement today mentions the Aiviq:
That’s a photo we took while the Aiviq was here with other Shell-related vessels in 2012 (MarineTraffic.com shows it currently moored in Everett).
PORT COMMISSION: Its public meeting yesterday afternoon at Pier 69 was the first in three meetings that did not include dozens of speakers on the subject of the Terminal 5 lease. Four people did speak, all voicing opposition to the lease and concern about Arctic drilling and climate change. The bulk of the comment period was spent on other Port of Seattle business, primarily plans for a new international-arrivals facility.
COAST GUARD ANNOUNCEMENT: From the full announcement published today, which you can read here:
… A 500-yard safety zone [above] will be in place around the Noble Discoverer, Blue Marlin, Polar Pioneer, Aiviq and other Arctic drilling related vessels while underway. A 100-yard safety zone will be in place around the same vessels while moored or anchored. …
…The Voluntary First Amendment Area [above] is a regulated navigation area in Elliott Bay, developed following discussions with several special interest groups, where the Coast Guard recommends, but does not require, those desiring to express their views on Arctic drilling assemble. It is a no wake area where individuals can congregate without compromising their personal safety or jeopardizing the safe navigation of maritime traffic around them. …
As you can see from the map, that zone will be off the West Seattle shoreline north of T-5. As for when it might be used …
‘RESISTANCE’ PLANNED FOR MAY 16-18: In addition to the already-announced downtown waterfront rally on April 26th, opponents have announced “three days of creative, people-powered resistance to Shell and the climate crisis” for May 16th through 18th, including a kayak flotilla on the first day. Their plan detailed on this website vows to “transform … Terminal 5 and Harbor Island into a festival of resistance that will nonviolently block Shell’s preparations for Arctic drilling.”
(First three photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
3:39 PM: Avoid California SW south of Morgan Junction – a fire response has closed California in the 6900 block (map), south of Fauntleroy. It’s reported to be a car fire inside the garage of an apartment condo complex. Firefighters on the scene report heavy smoke and they’re having trouble getting to the source of the fire.
3:45 PM: Firefighters report they have “water on the fire” now.
3:50 PM: Fire’s still being fought; people in the building have been evacuated.
Though it’s a garage fire, lots of smoke is still coming out, and that’s being seen for a long ways around. No word of any injuries.
The big MVU ventilation unit is on the way to help.
(Updated photo: MVU in action)
4:01 PM: Again, California is blocked between Mills and Willow, lots of SFD. Investigators are on the way, to be ready to go in when it’s safe. Firefighters just reported by radio that they have searched upper floors of the building to make sure everyone got out OK.
(Added: Photo courtesy Diana Phelps)
We haven’t heard yet if the fire has spread beyond the garage at all, but as you can see in our photo, the smoke has been heavy. While it’s been described as apartments, county records show this is actually a 28-unit condominium building called Cinnamon Ridge.
4:20 PM: The MVU is being dismissed. Meantime, Metro has sent an alert that Route 22 is rerouted because of the fire. (Use stops north of Fauntleroy or south of Myrtle.)
We’ve just gotten briefed by SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who says: A VW Bus about 70 feet inside the garage is what caught fire. It was just underneath some of the building’s major electrical conduit, so the building has no power right now – they asked City Light to shut it off – and they’re evaluating the situation. A few residents were evaluated for possible smoke inhalation because of smoke in the lobby but no one needed hospitalization, we’re told.
4:50 PM: More units are being dismissed from the scene. We’ll update when the road reopens – for now, if you’re headed this way, you’ll want to access California south of Myrtle via Holden or Thistle from 35th. Meantime, our crew is back at HQ and we’re adding more photos.
5:19 PM: Adding video of SFD briefing mentioned above. California has now reopened both ways.
6:02 PM: Fire’s cause determined, we found out while revisiting the scene and talking to Moore, who had just tweeted it:
California AV SW fire caused by electrical event in VW van. Damage estimate $55k damage pic.twitter.com/qmtxcAlFv2
— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) April 16, 2015
The last units are just now leaving the scene. Moore also told us no major damage to other vehicles in the garage because the van’s owner pushed it out of its space for more separation.
11:02 PM: We’ve learned that the building’s residents were advised to stay elsewhere tonight as the building management brings in private crews to assess damage and make repairs, especially to the electrical system. They’re expecting an update from building management tomorrow.
Mayor Murray‘s visiting The Junction tomorrow for the second time in three weeks. This time, he’ll be at the Senior Center of West Seattle, circulating during lunchtime in the upstairs Junction Diner café, noon-12:30 pm. You’re invited, but if you want to have lunch, the Senior Center asks that you call ASAP for a reservation — 206-932-4044, extension 1 – so they know how much food to make – 60 or older, suggested donation of $3; if you’re under 60, $6. The menu: Jambalaya, mustard greens, corn bread, fresh fruit.
P.S. Looking ahead to the following Thursday (April 23rd) – City Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen and (departing) Sally Clark will be at the Senior Center for a forum on senior housing issues including affordability, 12:30 pm-2:30 pm – details on this flyer.
(File WSCGSD photo, Hotwire courtyard)
Quick update on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2015, coming up 9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 9th, all around the peninsula:
*More than 150 sales registered – individuals, blocks, schools, businesses, clubs, teams …
*Registration deadline is one week from tomorrow (Wednesday night, April 23rd)
*2 announced multi-seller sites, Hotwire Online Coffeehouse and C & P Coffee Company (both WSB sponsors) – please check directly with them for space availability
*Ready to sign up YOUR sale? Please go here!
(WSB photo taken at Seacrest this morning, after the West Seattle Water Taxi sailed away)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, six highlights for this afternoon/evening:
‘LITTLE MERMAID’ SINGALONG: The Southwest Branch Library spring-break singalongs for kids/teens continue, 2:30-4:30 pm – details in our listing. (35th/Henderson)
FREE YOGA CLASS: 6 pm at Delridge Community Center – no charge, but please call to register. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
FREE BICYCLE-MAINTENANCE CLINIC: 6:30 pm, Cycle U in West Seattle offers its free monthly clinic in bike maintenance and fixing flats – details here. (3418 Harbor SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), MoCA‘s quarterly meeting. The agenda:
7:05 Elections: All meeting participants may vote
New Officers:
Vice President – Jason Wax
Secretary –
New Executive Board Members
SW District Council Representative – Tod Rodman
Executive Board – Cindi Barker and Tod Rodman7:15 District 1 Candidate messages – 5 minutes each
• Lisa Herbold
• Phillip Tavel
• Tom Koch7:30 MoCA Minute Updates
• NEW ‘Little Library’ for Morgan Junction Park
• 10 years already!! The Morgan Junction Festival
• Future Morgan Junction Park Expansion & SW Eddy Street
• Hub Drill and Hub-a-thon – April 17, April 18, and May 9
• California Avenue streetscape improvement request7:35: Special Guest – Dove Alberg – Director, Capital Development and Construction Management, Finance and Administrative Services, City of Seattle.
8:00 Old Business
Morgan cut-through traffic study
Morgan Junction Business Association
New Bike Racks
SW Precinct Advisory Committee
Sidewalk Improvement Grant
Nazarene Church Comprehensive Plan Amendment
Receivership Committee report – Proposed By Laws Changes8:35 New Business
Report from SW District Council – Design Review Concerns
YMCA Expansion Endorsement
Neighborhood Conservation District proposal
Workshop – Things to know now that you are 50
The meeting rooms are on the lower level of The Kenney. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Agenda:
7:05 p.m. Welcome & Introductions
7:15 p.m. North Delridge Action Plan
7:30 p.m. “Aging Your Way: Things to Know Now That You’re 50”
7:40 p.m. Levy to Move Seattle
8:10 p.m. Update on NPSF
8:15 p.m. DNDC Member Additional Updates & Announcements
8:30 p.m. Closing Remarks/Other Items
(4408 Delridge Way SW)
WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES:This month, “Death and Taxes: The National Poetry Month Special with Kelli Russell Agodon and January Gill O’Neil”:
7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Read more about WordsWest here! (5612 California SW)
AND OF COURSE … there’s more on the calendar.
While sending a reminder about tomorrow’s “open house” drop-in info session about the SW Roxbury plan announced last week, SDOT also announced walking tours in May, for the 35th SW project updated last month as well as for Roxbury. Here’s the lineup:
*Tomorrow (3-4:30 pm), Roxbury project open house @ Southwest Library (35th/Henderson)
*May 16th (9 am-noon), 35th SW walking tour (details/meeting place TBA)
*May 20th (evening), Roxbury walking tour (details/meeting place TBA)
Along with our coverage links above, here are SDOT’s project pages:
10:46 AM: According to a text tipster and the Orca Network Facebook page, you just might see orcas between Fauntleroy and Vashon right now – heading slowly southbound, according to observers, but at some point they might turn around, so this is your official heads-up that they’re in the area. Please comment if you see them! (And we ALWAYS appreciate texted tips about so many things – 206-293-6302, any time of the day/night.)
12:24 PM: We didn’t have any luck right around 11 from the Brace Point area – but two commenters have been watching more recently – thanks for the updates!
ADDED 7:44 AM: Some video from Wednesday, posted to YouTube and credited to Alisa Lemire Brooks/Orca Network, identifying these orcas as transients, not residents.
Seattle Police are warning of a bogus “plumber” scamming his way into homes – and says one was in West Seattle:
… In five different cases between January 22nd and April 8th, the suspect has approached women – all between the ages of 76 and 91 – at their homes, claimed to work for Fox Plumbing, and then tried to snake his way inside to steal cash, credit cards, and IDs.
In the first incident, the suspect approached a woman at her home in the 4700 block of 25th Ave SW, said he was working at a neighbor’s home, and needed to check her water. The victim allowed the man inside, where he strolled from room to room, turning on faucets before leaving. The victim became suspicious and called Fox Plumbing, only to learn they did not have anyone working in the area. She then discovered the suspect had stolen cash, credit cards and her ID.
The full story, with incidents elsewhere in the city, is here.
(Photo of bicycle-parade participants gathering during 2014 Alki Summer Streets)
One week ago today, we broke the news that SDOT is changing its “Summer Streets“ program this year and, after seven years, scrapping the street festival it had been presenting on Alki Avenue SW after the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk (which **IS** still on for May 17th – it’s a separately organized benefit for the WSHS PTSA). Unless, SDOT told us, someone in the community wants to organize the event. That immediately galvanized some Alki residents including Guy Olson, who’s been an organizer of the bicycle parade during Summer Streets the past two years. He says – keep saving the date! Here’s what they’re working to plan:
We are most likely calling it “Alki Daze.” We are planning on still doing the costumed bicycle parade, hiring Bubbleman, having at least two bands play, and having the first ever bicycle drag race on Alki, all happening on May 17th. This will all be starting around 1:00 pm. I will be blocking off the parking spaces on the 2600 block of Alki, on the south side of the street for bicycle parking. In addition, we will be making this a 2-day event, hence the “Daze.” On May 16th we are going to host a community meet-and-greet at a local bar or restaurant. After that, we are planning a community bonfire.
Guy says they’re also checking into whether any kind of campout might be allowed in the area. We asked him if they’re looking for volunteers, sponsors, etc. – not yet, and no further details, but they wanted to let you know that they’re working on it.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning. No incidents in or from West Seattle so far this morning. One update on ongoing work:
UPDATE ON 47TH/ADMIRAL SIGNAL/CROSSWALKS: From SDOT:
Construction is scheduled to begin this week on the south side of 47th Avenue SW and SW Waite Street. We anticipated beginning demolition of the southeast and southwest corners as soon as Monday but the work has been slightly delayed. Residents and businesses can now expect demolition at the southeast corner as soon as (today), April 15, and at the southwest corner on Thursday, April 16. The corners will be impacted for approximately two weeks while crews prepare signal pole foundations and pour new curbs and sidewalk. Access to Alki Mail & Dispatch will be maintained at all times.
Corners may be closed to pedestrians and bicyclists during work. People walking and biking will need to follow marked detours or find an alternate route.
As we’ve previously mentioned, there will be a lull of activity between work at the corners of this intersection and installation of the signal. Construction at the intersection will slow down at the end of April while we wait for the delivery of signal equipment. We will continue to keep you informed as more information is available related to installation and configuration of the new signal.
SPEAKING OF ADMIRAL: Watch for our report on last night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, with SDOT’s briefing on two projects – adding bicycle lanes between California and 63rd, and reducing neighborhood speed limits in the WSHS vicinity.
10:26 AM: If you’re heading up from Harbor Avenue to California Avenue, a crash is blocking the uphill lane – thanks to the tipster who texted us. Does not appear from the SFD log that there were serious (if any) injuries.
Less than three weeks till your chance to break your breakfast routine and support nonprofits by having breakfast with the Rotary Club of West Seattle and special guest:
King County Executive (and West Seattle Rotarian) Dow Constantine will speak at the West Seattle Rotary Club’s annual Fundraising Breakfast at Salty’s on May 5, 2015, 7-9 am. Go to the club website for more information and to register.
The Rotary Club of West Seattle supports local projects including Pencil Me In For Kids, the Children’s Shopping Spree, Students of the Month, the Kiddie Parade, and the Grand Parade.
(WSB photo of Executive Constantine from March 28th dedication of M/V Sally Fox on Vashon Island)
The photo above is by “Diver Laura” James, one of several people who sent pics of the phenomenon in Tuesday’s sunset sky. Thanks also to JayDee and to Kerry, who described it, aptly, as: “Amazing clouds over West Seattle tonight!”
The city has just gone public with the list of 44 people who have applied to fill the rest of Sally Clark’s City Council term. We’re seeing at least two familiar West Seattle names – Delridge District Council chair Mat McBride and 34th District Democrats board member Chris Porter. (We’re still reading the list – let us know if we’re missing other West Seattleites.)
Other applicants include Mark Solomon, known here as Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Southwest and South Precincts; also, three former city councilmembers – Jan Drago, Heidi Wills, and Peter Steinbrueck.
The council is to announce finalists next Monday (April 20th) and to make an appointment one week later. Stand by for details on how to tell them what you think of the applicants.
Attempted car theft, mail theft, burglary, all in this roundup of West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports, ahead:
GATEWOOD REPORT #1: Mickey shared photos of coyote sightings this week in the Orchard Street Ravine (map) area, including the one above.
GATEWOOD REPORT #2: Not far from there, at 36th/Myrtle (map), Eugene reports: “3 pm today. Walking up Myrtle street in broad daylight. Maybe it’s not news anymore. But it looked like a chupacabra with fur so I thought I’d mention it.”
PUGET RIDGE: Forwarded from a neighborhood list, a sighting at midmorning today near 21st/Dawson (map).
REMINDER: The best thing you can do if/when you see a coyote is, scare it away – “hazing,” as wildlife advocates put it, explained here. (WSB coyote coverage is archived here.)
2:38 PM: We weren’t sure that was thunder until we got up from the desk and looked out to the southwest. Storm moving in! Checking the National Weather Service to see how long (or short) it might be. (Added) Forecast for the afternoon does say “possibly a thunderstorm.”
3:35 PM: And as is so typical for spring weather … now, even as rain continues, a sunbreak is moving our way from the same direction that yielded the big boom earlier.
7:13 PM: Thanks to Patrick for tweeting this photo of a between-showers rainbow:
@westseattleblog Pot O' gold currently located at approx. 17th and Holden. #Hurry pic.twitter.com/d4aOyj0opr
— Patrick kelly (@MetPatrick22) April 14, 2015
(Admiral Way Safety Project area map, from SDOT)
We’ve already mentioned that the Admiral Neighborhood Association will hear tonight from SDOT about bicycle lanes proposed along Admiral Way between the business district and Alki. Since then, SDOT has sent this preview – which reveals it’s not just a bicycle-lane project, but includes other planned safety improvements including narrower vehicle lanes (note that this area includes the already-underway 47th/Admiral signal-and-crosswalks project):
Project Need
Collisions from 2011 to 2014 along SW Admiral Way
· 1 pedestrian collision along project extent (2012)
· 2 bike collisions along project extent (both in 2011)
· 45 vehicle collisions along project extentProject Description
· Reduce lane widths along SW Admiral Way and design the street to encourage slower speeds and reduce collisions
· Add new travel option by installing buffered bikes lanes from 63rd Ave SW to 44th Ave SW.
In order to add the bike lane, depending on the location, on-street parking will be consolidated to one-side of the street where parking utilization is low; or the two-way, left-turn lane (will be) removed to keep on-street parking on both sides of SW Admiral Way.
Parking Study Results
Along this 1.4 miles of SW Admiral Way, there are 441 parking spaces. We tracked the parking utilization on weekends and weekdays, morning, noon, evening and late night. At the maximum occupancy for each block, only 33% of existing spaces are being used. Of course, this isn’t uniformly distributed across the corridor. Between 45th Ave SW and California Ave SW and between 57th and 63rd avenues SW on-street parking occupancy is relatively high.
Existing Spaces: 441
Current Utilization: 33%
Percentage Preserved: 56%Project Schedule
April – Community briefings
May 6 – SW District Council briefing
May – Open House
May – July – Final design
August – Implementation
2016 – Evaluation
(We are asking SDOT to confirm that “percentage preserved” in the “parking study” section means that 44 percent of the 441 parking spaces are to be removed, or whether it means something else. Update: Yes, SDOT’s Norm Mah confirms, that’s what it means – so, about 200 spaces will go.)
Now that you’ve seen the plan, if you have questions/comments, come to tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd/Lander). If you absolutely can’t – watch for one of the other briefings (such as the SWDC, 6:30 pm Wednesday, May 6th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle).
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