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Spotlight Stories

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday, with spring just hours away
March 20, 2015 6:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy end of winter! Spring arrives at 3:45 this afternoon (and Spring Equinox Sunset Watch with Alice Enevoldsen is three hours later). One weekend note: Washington State Ferries starts its spring/summer schedule on Sunday.

UP, UP, AND AWAY: The first big piece of the Highway 99 tunnel machine to come out of the repair-access pit achieved liftoff on Thursday – see it here.

TWO SURVEYS FOR YOU: Both about transportation – the West Seattle Transportation Coalition is focusing on parking, and the truth of what we do and don’t use and why; take that survey here. And the city is asking your thoughts related to its big levy plan – take that survey here.

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West Seattle Thriftway anniversary party revs up with Ladies Night
March 20, 2015 2:57 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As West Seattle Thriftway kicked off its 27th anniversary celebration this week, it brought back an event that was a huge hit last year – Ladies Night. Above, Thriftway’s Kolleen, Michele, and Gina played host for the throng who came to shop, sip, taste, and otherwise have fun:

Other local businesses and organizations were part of the party – below, Heather and Nancy from Illusions Hair Design:

Chris and Shelly from Sound Yoga:

Sandy and Danielle from ArtsWest:

The big basket of eggs was a reminder that Easter is just two weeks away – preceded as always by the big egg hunt at Thriftway:

This year, that’ll be Saturday, April 4th. Meantime, Thriftway’s anniversary sale continues through the end of March.

*West Seattle Thriftway, Illusions Hair Design, Sound Yoga, and ArtsWest are all current WSB sponsors.

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Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader, report #2: 44th SW Studios advances to 2nd round
March 20, 2015 2:11 am
|    Comments Off on Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader, report #2: 44th SW Studios advances to 2nd round
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(‘Character rendering’ of design option 3 – in the full-size version, the red lines point to text boxes)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The first West Seattle microhousing project to go through Design Review made it out of the first stage of the process in its first try on Thursday night.

Most of the concerns voiced about the 44th SW Studios project at 4528 44th SW in The Junction had to do with whether the building could be shrunk a bit in order to more creatively inhabit its site. (See the design “packet” here.)

In the end, the board voted unanimously to let it advance out of the Early Design Guidance stage:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Arbor Heights exposer reported
March 19, 2015 10:25 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report with an alert from an Arbor Heights resident who encountered an exposer this afternoon:

In the alley behind 100th between 37th and 39th, a 20-30-year-old white male (was) masturbating, watching me mow my lawn. I contacted SPD. Be aware of your surroundings!

That’s the only description given.

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Design Review Board doubleheader, report #1: West Seattle CVS sent back for second round of Early Design Guidance
March 19, 2015 8:11 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

In the first of two Southwest Design Review Board sessions tonight, the early-stage plan for the proposed West Seattle CVS drugstore at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW was sent back, with the project team told to try again.

Key concerns included the fact that the project team hadn’t brought three truly distinct shape/size/siting options for the board to review, as required, and the fact that the one siting option would appear from the Fauntleroy/Alaska gateway nearby as if it were floating in “a sea of parking.” The entirety of the discussion, from public comment to board discussion, was underscored by the awkwardness of this 1-story building being on the drawing board for an urban, rapidly densifying area and a site zoned for much more than this project would bring – even though the early design does include some “plaza” area and could accommodate a food truck as community members had hoped. Pedestrian safety all around the site was also a key concern. (See the design proposal in the “packet,” here.)

Here’s how the meeting unfolded on the way to the “try again” decision:

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Safety alert: Tree topples near bus stop south of The Junction
March 19, 2015 5:13 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to Cindi for the photo – that tree along the west side of California SW toppled this afternoon, taking some of the surrounding pavement with it, so if you are walking along that part of the street south of The Junction this evening, be careful. Since her photo, a tree crew has been on the scene and, we confirmed with a quick trip that way, turned the branches and trunk into chunks, currently piled between the surviving trees. The pavement in this tree’s vicinity still looks a little precarious.

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Neighborhood Conservation Districts to honor history? Next step includes 3 meetings, one in West Seattle
March 19, 2015 4:32 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

(From the Seattle Municipal Archives, 1900 photo of store in 1600 block 44th SW)
Last fall, we reported on Councilmember Tom Rasmussen‘s study of whether Neighborhood Conservation Districts might help some areas work to keep some of their character, even in a time of growth and change. Now, he’s taking the next step – public meetings to find out if neighborhoods are interested in the idea. One of those meetings will be in West Seattle next month. Here’s the announcement:

Does your neighborhood have strong character that should be preserved, but isn’t eligible or appropriate for historic district status?

Councilmember Tom Rasmussen is holding a series of Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) public meetings to gather resident input about establishing a program in Seattle. NCDs can be best described as a hybrid between Seattle’s Landmark Review Districts and our Design Review Program where unique neighborhoods can help dictate architectural style, square footage requirements, or other design elements.

Learn more & share your perspective:

· West Seattle, April 7, 6:00 p.m., High Point Center, 6920 34th Ave SW

Wondering how this relates to yesterday’s announcement about a “historical character survey” of The Junction? That *could* be a preface to a special district, although, as Southwest Seattle Historical Society executive director Clay Eals replied when we asked a related question during yesterday’s briefing, creating a district would mean going through a “political” process – while the survey, for starters, has no strings attached.

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Speaking of stolen vehicles … minivan taken, ‘car seats & all’
March 19, 2015 3:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

West Seattle Crime Watch reader report from JW:

Our dark blue 2009 Toyota Sienna minivan was stolen last night from Fauntlee Hills at 3:15 am, car seats and all! WA plates 909YUE. Please call 911 if you see it.

We woke up to the alarm and watched the taillights disappearing up the street. At least one other neighbor’s car alarm had gone off at around 2.30am as well. Prowlers?

P.S. If you missed our report on this week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, published very early today – lots of quick updates on local police/crime.

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Did someone steal your bike? Check out these photos
March 19, 2015 2:12 pm
|    Comments Off on Did someone steal your bike? Check out these photos
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

After a bike-theft bust downtown, Seattle Police have photographed the dozens of bicycles they recovered, and posted photos on SPD Blotter. If you’re a bike-theft victim, check it out in case yours is among them.

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Five years after last try, Seattle Parks smoking ban proposed again
March 19, 2015 11:57 am
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Five years ago, Seattle Parks‘ then-Superintendent Tim Gallagher decided to ban smoking in all city parks. But instead, as recommended by the Parks Board, the system ended up with a rule banning tobacco use “within 25 feet of other park patrons and in play areas, beaches, or playgrounds.” Today, there’s a new proposal to ban smoking in parks – here’s the memo spelling it out. Mayor Murray has already issued a statement saying he’s for it. Next step: The Parks Board will have a public hearing at 6:30 pm April 16th at Parks HQ downtown. (WSB file photo: Container of cigarette butts found on beaches, shown at Alki last year)

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VIDEO: What you need to know to keep your kids safe, as presented to Madison Middle School PTA
March 19, 2015 11:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you couldn’t make it to Madison Middle School last night for the PTA-organized presentation by/discussion with Seattle Police and Parks personnel, no worries, we recorded it on video. (No slide decks, so you can just listen to it in the background by playing the video, too.)

Starting at about 4 minutes in (after an introduction by PTA president Carla Rogers), the first presenter was SPD’s local Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon, who gave an overview of the situation – since the first of the year, in the Southwest Precinct‘s coverage area (West Seattle/South Park), police have investigated 17 incidents in which youth were targeted. Most of the robbers stole their victims’ cell phones; Solomon stressed the importance of not going around openly using your electronics. Most of them were, like their victims, youths, he said. He answered lots of questions about what advice to give kids, both about prevention and about what to do if something happens. Then at about 32 minutes in, Seattle Parks security supervisor Marlan Teeters spoke. His part of the discussion included community-center lockdown policies. And at about 49 minutes in, Madison principal Dr. Robert Gary spoke about school policies and procedures – including an explanation of “shelter in place” vs. “lockdown,” and also why parents will likely hear about one or the other before the school gets a robo-call or other notification out. Dr. Gary also talked about traffic/pedestrian safety outside the school and said they’re working with SDOT on ways to calm the morning traffic, in particular.

P.S. Find out more about the Madison PTA here.

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West Seattle Thursday: Design Review x 2, Alki Community Council, Thriftway ‘Ladies Night,’ more…
March 19, 2015 11:02 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to John Kieltyka for sharing the photo of that somewhat-soggy squirrel during last weekend’s deluge. Cloudy but dry so far today; here are highlights for the hours ahead:

TUNNEL-MACHINE WATCH: The first big piece of the machine will be lifted out of the repair pit sometime today (backstory in our project update from earlier this week). This WSDOT update includes a link to the camera you can check in on.

WEST SEATTLE THRIFTWAY ‘LADIES NIGHT’: 6-8 pm, a don’t-miss chance to get a swag bag (if you’re there early!) and check in not only with the folks at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) but also other great local businesses like Illusions Hair Design (also a WSB sponsor). As noted on the Thriftway website, “food, wine, fun, prizes!” And Thriftway’s anniversary sale is under way now too. (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)

DESIGN REVIEW X 2: Tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the Southwest Design Review Board gets its first look at two projects – 6:30 pm, the CVS drugstore at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW (see the “packet” here), 8 pm, the 44th SW Studios microhousing building at 4528 44th SW (see the “packet” here). As always, the meeting will include public-comment periods for both projects. (Oregon/California)

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: Also at the Senior Center at 6:30 pm, the monthly West Seattle Timebank meeting, starting with a 6:30 pm potluck – details here. (Oregon/California)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Crime/safety is the top topic for tonight’s 7 pm ACC meeting at Alki UCC‘s parlor. (62nd/Hinds)

OPEN MICROPHONE … third Thursdays at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7 pm – details in our listing. (5612 California SW)

THAT’S JUST PART OF WHAT’S HAPPENING … see lots more listings, for today/tonight and beyond, on our calendar.

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The truth about parking: West Seattle Transportation Coalition seeking it, via your survey answers
March 19, 2015 9:52 am
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

So what’s the truth about parking in our area – how do you use it, if you do? Do we need more? Less? And why? The West Seattle Transportation Coalition is trying to shine a little light on many aspects of that hot topic by inviting you to take a quick survey – just launched; start here. It’ll be open for one week (until March 26th), and then WSTC expects to publish results within a few weeks.

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You can help! West Seattle Food Bank invites you to attend, donate to, and/or sponsor ‘Instruments of Change’
March 19, 2015 9:12 am
|    Comments Off on You can help! West Seattle Food Bank invites you to attend, donate to, and/or sponsor ‘Instruments of Change’
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

One of the spring’s biggest benefits is just weeks away, and you can participate in one (or more!) of three ways. From the West Seattle Food Bank:

The Board and Staff of the West Seattle Food Bank would like to invite you to join us at our 8th Annual Instruments of Change Dinner/Auction, Friday evening, May 1st, at our new location at The Seattle Design Center beginning at the new time of 6:00 pm. This very fun event will feature a hosted Happy Hour with games, Liquor Tasting, Photo Booth and unique items in our Silent Auction. Guests will then enjoy dinner prepared by Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering, with our famous Dessert Dash, a special guest speaker, live auction, and Funds for Food.

The West Seattle Food Bank plays an important role in the future of our West Seattle community. Funds will be used to support the various programs we provide to our neighbors in need such as our:

· Food Distribution where we distribute 1.5 million pounds of food yearly through 38,000 visits from 9,200 individuals including 3,400 children and 1,200 seniors three times per week with the help of over 260 volunteers.

· Home Delivery Program where we deliver 170 grocery bags of food weekly to homebound elderly and disabled.

· Backpack Program where we provide nutritious & healthy food to school children at risk of hunger over the weekend.

· Baby & Child Corner where we help baby & toddler parents with diapers, formula, car seats, strollers toys & clothes through our partner WestSide Baby.

· Bookcase Program where we have distributed over 9000 books including children’s books, cookbooks, reference, fiction and non-fiction books.

This fundraising event will bring our neighbors together to support the Food Bank and ensure our continued role as a positive Instrument of Change in our community. If you are interested in being a sponsor, hosting a table at the event or donating an item to the auction, please contact Judi Yazzolino, Development Director at 206.932.9032 or judi@westseattlefoodbank.org. To purchase a ticket at $100/guest or $1000/table of 10, please go to westseattlefoodbank.org/News-Events.

The WSFB would like to thank our major sponsors: Jackson, Morgan & Hunt, PLLC; Seattle & Oregon Wine Awards; CHI Franciscan Health/Highline Medical Center, The CoHo Team of Windermere Agents, JPMorganChase, and First Lutheran Church of West Seattle.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday, now and then
March 19, 2015 6:25 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(More cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! For starters:

NOVEMBER BALLOT LEVY FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS: Our report from Wednesday includes the specifics of what’s in it for West Seattle – and what’s not. Take the survey and tell the city what you think; if you can, come to the March 31st West Seattle meeting.

THROWBACK THURSDAY, TRAFFIC JAM EDITION: It’s an online custom to share retro photos on Thursdays. Wandering around the Seattle Municipal Archives last weekend, we happened onto some traffic images that seemed perfect to deploy here on TBTs … for starters, this is from almost exactly 58 years ago, March 1957, looking west from east of where the “low bridge” ends now, 11th/Spokane:

Click the pic to see a larger image on the city website (get a better look at the details including those buses on the left).

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@ West Seattle Crime Prevention Council: What’s up, what’s down, what’s new + Force Investigations Team guest
March 19, 2015 1:53 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Council | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

From the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council‘s meeting at the Southwest Precinct on Tuesday night:

No new commander announced for the precinct yet, one week after the news of now-Assistant Chief Steve Wilske‘s promotion, which came one year after his SWP arrival. Operations Lt. Ron Smith, who’s in charge of the precinct in the meantime, said he isn’t seeking the position.

CRIME TRENDS: Lt. Smith led the customary briefing. Auto theft is up; burglaries are down. And as has been widely reported, including here, strong-arm robberies are up – if you don’t know the definition, “no weapons implied or used, but that doesn’t make much difference to the victim,” as Lt. Smith put it. He also discussed how incidents get classified as robberies if they aren’t the stereotypical case of a criminal coming up to a victim and demanding something; in particular, the shoplift-turned-robbery type of case was discussed.

Community Police Team Officers Jon Flores and Erin Nicholson got up at that point to get into more detail.

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West Seattle scenes: At the WSHS Big Band Dinner Dance
March 19, 2015 1:44 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle scenes: At the WSHS Big Band Dinner Dance
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

From Laura Martin with West Seattle HS‘s Music Boosters – if you weren’t there, her reader report and photos show you what happened at the Big Band Dinner Dance!

There was an impressive amount of talent on display at West Seattle High School last Friday night! Guests attending the annual Big Band Dinner Dance dined on a gourmet meal prepared by students in the Culinary Arts program, and danced to top-notch big band music performed by students in the Jazz Ensemble [below].

Dancers of all ages also had a lot of fun swing dancing to the fabulous music of the West Seattle Big Band [below], who performed at the event, and who very generously support the music program at West Seattle High School.

Led by WSHS teacher Danielle Warman [front/center below], students in the ProStart Culinary Arts program prepared a beautiful and delicious buffet of entrees, salads and side dishes for over 150 guests.

After dinner the Culinary Arts students followed up by serving delectable desserts. Guests raved about the dinner, as behind the scenes, 25 students prepped, cooked, plated, and served.

Under the direction of Music Teacher Ethan Thomas, the Jazz Ensemble performed a range of pieces that quickly brought the audience to the dance floor. Jazz Ensemble students rehearse daily for an hour before school for the entire school year, and nearly all of the students also are enrolled in a regular band or orchestra class period during the day.

The proceeds from this fundraising event will help fund travel expenses for orchestra, band and jazz band students to participate in music competitions and festivals. Thanks to everyone who attended and made this event such a success and so much fun!

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West Seattle development: Preview Thursday Design Review projects – Junction microhousing, CVS – & other updates
March 18, 2015 10:00 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

We start this roundup with a preview of tomorrow (Thursday) night’s Southwest Design Review Board doubleheader at the Senior Center of West Seattle:

WEST SEATTLE CVS, 6:30 PM AT DESIGN REVIEW: First up will be the Design Review debut of 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW, the proposed CVS drugstore that turned up in city files in summer 2013. It’s a one-story, 12,200-square-foot building proposed with a drive-through and 49 parking spaces; the “packet” prepared for the meeting notes that the land is being leased with a stipulation that it not be developed to the full zoned height (8 stories). Above, the “preferred” massing (size and shape) – looking southeastward over the site – shown by the architect, Schemata Workshop. See the full packet here.

44TH SW STUDIOS, 8 PM AT DESIGN REVIEW: This project – first noted here in November – is also debuting at Design Review, and the “packet” prepared for the meeting shows it’s being designed as microhousing: 6 stories, 58 units, described with the city’s new term, “small efficiency dwelling units,” replacing a two-story eight-Since it’s the Early Design Guidance stage of the process, the board will be focused on its massing (size and shape); below is the “preferred option” as listed by the architect, Alloy Design Group.

See the full packet here.

Now, from reader tips and permit files, among other sources:

3829 CALIFORNIA SW: Thanks to Ted for the tip – a fence (the type that usually precedes demolition) is now up around these brick multiplexes. This site hadn’t been on our radar for a while because the apartment building proposed here seemed to have stalled; the site had gone up for sale shortly after passing Design Review in summer 2013. The planned 29-apartment, 29-parking-space project still has open demolition/building permits, through next year.

6315 42ND SW: This single-family house in Morgan Junction has been proposed for demolition for a while, but its replacement plan has changed a bit. Now six townhouses are proposed. It’s expected to go through the “streamlined Design Review” process – no public meetings, but there will be a chance for public comment.

3310 HARBOR AVENUE SW: An old industrial building at 3310 Harbor SW just north of the West Seattle Bridge has an early-stage land-use proposal described as demolition and replacement with a new three-story self-storage building.

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11th annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day coming up May 9th; signups start in two weeks
March 18, 2015 8:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

We’re starting to get questions about signups for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, so we’ve set the date for registration to begin: Two weeks away, on Wednesday, April 1st.

Sale day is always the second Saturday in May, and that means this year it’s May 9, 2015. Official sale hours are 9 am-3 pm, but if you want to start yours earlier/end it later, that’s up to you; just include the times in the listing info you include with your registration, which gets you on the map, published on WSB and on the West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day website, as well as promoted/advertised regionally and in all our social-media channels, with online and printable versions. The map is ready a week in advance and assigns each sale a number, which you can use for cross-reference, your own promotion (“come see us, we’re sale #13!”), etc. We’ve been presenting WSCGSD since the 4th annual event in 2008, and are looking forward to it again this year, both the organizing and coverage – more info as we get closer to the April 1st opening of registration.

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You’re invited: 2nd annual Traditional Mini Pow Wow this Friday @ Highland Park Elementary
March 18, 2015 5:16 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Making your weekend plan? One-of-a-kind event this Friday (March 20th), 6-10 pm at Highland Park Elementary School:

The Traditional Mini Pow Wow is brought to you by The Niksokowaak; Community Pow Wow Association at Highland Park. Grand entry will be at 6 PM. Our event will feature Highland Park Elementary students as Head Young Lady & Head Young Man. Come enjoy traditional dance performances, Native art & delicious food from local vendors. We are sponsored by Highland Park Elementary, Roxhill Elementary, Blackfeet Tribe, Seattle Indian Health Board, Clear Sky & Community in Schools. For vendor & volunteer opportunities please contact us at niksokowaak@gmail.com.

See the official event flyer here. Highland Park Elementary is at 1016 SW Trenton.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: 2 of this week’s 20 WS car prowls…
March 18, 2015 2:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

According to our check of the police-report map, 20 car prowls have been reported in West Seattle in the past week:

That’s up from 15 during the same week last year. Car-prowl details aren’t posted by SPD – only where/when they happened – but we have details via two reader reports – first, from Jill:

Just wanted to inform the neighbors and also wondering if anyone saw anything:

The rear driver’s side window of my Subaru Outback was smashed in last night sometime between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm, at the West Seattle YMCA. It was parked in the gravel spaces on the north side of the building (along SW Oregon St). They rummaged through my really boring stuff in the backseat, but nothing was taken. I don’t think they even made their way to the front seats or the cargo area, as all the doors were still locked. If someone scared them off, I hope they can provide some description of the perp(s) to the police.

Earlier this week, Alex‘s car was ransacked in the Luna Park area:

My car was broken into (window smashed) and my backpack full of books and student papers ( I teach at a local college) was taken. I have a feeling that the backpack and its contents will be disposed of somewhere, as I can’t see them being helpful to anyone but me. Can you ask readers to keep their eyes peeled for a purple backpack full of ESL textbooks and papers?

These are the latest unfortunate reminders that even if you think what you left in your vehicle doesn’t look like something criminals would bother with – chances are, you’re wrong. Even a couple of canvas grocery bags strewn in the back of a car might look to a prowler like something worth checking out – possibly at the expense of the glass in your vehicle’s window.

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UPDATE: Mayor proposes 9-year, $900 million transportation levy; March 31st meeting in West Seattle
March 18, 2015 12:10 pm
|      64 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

12:10 PM: Mayor Murray‘s just gone public with his nine-year, $900 million “Transportation Levy to Move Seattle“ ballot proposal, successor to “Bridging the Gap,” which expires this year. It’s proposed for the November ballot, but first, three meetings are scheduled around the city, including one at 6 pm Tuesday, March 31st, in the gym at West Seattle High School. And if you want to say something before then, you can use this online survey.

But first, here’s the brochure detailing the draft proposal, which the city says would cost the average homeowner (described now as a $450,000 home) $275 a year – a little more than double the $130 that Bridging the Gap had cost. (Here’s a slide-deck version, too.) The brochure’s named projects don’t include anything in West Seattle, but the Lander Street Overpass and East Marginal corridors are certainly of interest, and a variety of project markers are in the West Seattle area on this “investment map.” We’re still looking for the fine print detailing exactly what/where those markers represent – more to come.

3:56 PM UPDATE: Our request for the “what’s in it for West Seattle” details brought this list from SDOT communications director Rick Sheridan:

Bridge Replacement
– E Duwamish Waterway North Bridge Replacement

Bridge Seismic Retrofit
– Admiral Way North Bridge
– Admiral Way South Bridge
– Delridge Way Pedestrian Bridge
– SW Andover Pedestrian Bridge

Multimodal Corridor Project (including Bus Rapid Transit Investment)
– Delridge Way SW

Bicycle Master Plan Implementation
– 24th Ave SW Greenway
– 34th Ave SW Greenway
– 8th Ave S Protected Bike Lane
– 36th Ave SW Greenway
– Fauntleroy Way SW Protected Bike Lane
– SW Admiral Way Protected Bike Lane
– SW Brandon/SW Juneau St Greenway

Arterial Paving
– 35th Ave SW from Avalon to Roxbury
– SW Avalon from Spokane to 35th
– SW Roxbury St from 35th to 16th

Corridor Safety Project
– 35th Ave SW
– SW Roxbury St

In addition to the West Seattle-specific improvements listed above, the West Seattle area will see improvements from the following citywide investment categories:

– Safe Routes to School projects and education touching every public school
in Seattle
– Crosswalk repainting every four years
– Repairing damaged sidewalks
– Curb ramp and crossing improvements
– Paving spot improvements
– Bus speed and reliability spot improvements
– Optimized traffic signal timing on corridors
– Building new sidewalks on priority transit corridors
– Installing bicycle parking spots
– Freight mobility spot improvements
– Neighborhood priority projects implemented through the Neighborhood
Street Fund
– Tree planting
– Tree pruning rapid response

That list does *not* include a major project for West Seattle that’s been funded for design and was named in the mayor’s 10-year plan earlier this month, the Fauntleroy Boulevard plan. We’re checking with Councilmember Tom Rasmussen to see whether – or not – that means there’s an alternate plan.

5:24 PM: CM Rasmussen’s reply: ““The Fauntleroy Way SW project is important to many people in West Seattle. The project is listed in the Mayor’s Move Seattle vision plan, and the Council will be reviewing the levy proposal closely and making changes as necessary.”

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Could West Seattle become an official Arts & Culture District?
March 18, 2015 11:29 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

More news from the Junction historical-survey launch event we covered earlier today: Edie Neeson from ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) announced a plan to pursue designation of West Seattle as an official Arts and Culture District. This is a relatively new city program – explained here – and so far, Capitol Hill is the only part of the city with the designation, which happened last fall. ArtsWest’s plan is in its very early stages but the organization’s board is talking about it again this week so you can expect to hear more soon.

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