West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
This time, the report is from Emily:
Our dark blue 2006 Chevy Tahoe was Stolen last night 10/26/2024 in West Seattle. Directly southeast of Westwood Village up the hill.
It has yellow painted tow hooks, a matte black Chevy emblem, some small/medium sized stickers on the rear sides. (Two pirate stickers, goonies, Forrest Gump sticker, and on the other side two stickers that depict the words and symbols for the Rocinante from the Expanse series.) The rear license plate is from Cars land, Disneyland in California featuring colorful neon designs.
(Keep in mind that license plate covers CAN be replaced and stickers can be scraped off so if anything looks suspicious and has signs of being vandalized in attempts to hide its unique features don’t second-guess yourself. Still take photos and reach out to me ASAP!)
Our neighborhood has been having LOTS of issues with crime and grand theft auto. This truck is important to the family as my parents need it for their business, which is our main source of income. Please help us get our Tahoe back!!!!
Plate CGK2844. If you have any information for me contact me via text 206-321-0572 or email lovelyanddapperdesserts@gmail.com
That’s some of what West Seattle/South Park’s Seattle Public Schools board director Gina Topp told those gathered at High Point Library this morning for her first community-conversation meeting since the district’s school-closure announcement last Thursday; West Seattle’s Sanislo Elementary is one of four schools the district wants to close, combining it with Highland Park Elementary. We counted 20 people at her meeting, which will be followed up by a gathering at Sanislo later this week.
(First two photos by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Perhaps they conjured the break in the rain! The annual Witches and Warlocks Paddle took off from Seacrest early this afternoon, substituting personal watercraft for brooms.
They glided onto Elliott Bay and its magical silver sheen:
(Photo by Steve Pumphrey)
Just another spellbinding West Seattle Halloween-season scene. This is organized by Maari Falsetto of Inner Alchemy.
Just checked the low bridge for signs of early reopening – and indeed, drivers and foot/bike path users have the green light again. The bridge has been closed since Friday morning for reinstallation of a turn cylinder (as explained here) and was expected to be closed until late tonight.
(Live SDOT camera from California/Alaska)
11:01 AM: Until 2 pm, The Junction is a center of Halloween-season happiness, for this year’s Harvest Festival. Here’s the schedule – costume parade from Junction Plaza Park, led by the WSHS Marching Band, starts it all at 11 am; the chili cookoff also starts at 11 at the KeyBank corner until chili runs out; and the Thriller Dancers are due at Walk All Ways at noon. (The Farmers’ Market is in its usual spot, usual time, until 2 pm, plus an extra block of closure on California south of Edmunds.) Updates to come!
11:31 AM: The costume parade has concluded – we’ll have video later:
Update: here’s the video!
(Videos by Edgar Riebe for WSB)
Trick-or-treating is now in full swing.
(This photo and next by Holli Margell)
The weather is dry but brisk – not a good day for oh, say, a beach-party costume.
12:05 PM: If you haven’t tried a flight of chili yet – $15, benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, and you get to vote – Robbin from WSFB tells us there’s still some:
“Steady crowd,” we’re told.
(We’ll report later who won.)
12:23 PM: Don’t forget the activity booths from local schools and businesses, mostly on California south of Alaska (which also is closed on the blocks bookending Calif):
Trick-or-treating status – we bought candy weeks ago and brought four big Costco bags today – hasn’t all run out yet!
12:34 PM: The Seattle Thrillers put on a show at Walk-All-Ways, as lively – or should we say undead – as ever:
(Photo by Paul Weatherman)
Update: Here’s the video!
Right now the pie-eating contest is happening (as is a rain shower, though costumed attendees are braving it). The festival continues until 2 pm.
12:45 PM: And now a sunbreak!
12:54 PM: Just announced – the chili winner, Easy Street Café! Proprietor Matt Vaughan says he lost by one vote last year so he’s thrilled to take the top spot this time. (Update: A commenter points out Margie’s Café was actually #2 last year. We apparently misheard at a distance.) Coming up in the stage zone, on the east side of Walk All Ways, the Heebie-Jeebies will rock the festival.
1:19 PM: The band says this is their 10th anniversary!
They’re singing what you might call Halloween-forward music, like the ’60s classic “Spooky,” plus selections from their most-recent CD.
1:35 PM: Final half-hour. The band’s still playing, telling spectators “we’ll keep going as long as it’s not raining!”
2:58 PM: The rain did return before the festival ended. We’re adding more photos – thanks to everyone who has shared pics! Another cool performance at the festival – RopeWorks:
SUNDAY NIGHT: In addition to the video we added above, here are two more clips – trick-or-treating …
And Joe Ross, one of the two spotlight musical acts:
Thanks again to Edgar Riebe for the videography!
Usually we see rainbows to the north and east – but this morning, one in the west. Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos! The image above is from James Bratsanos; the one below, from an anonymous emailer, looking toward Vashon:
This one’s from Brandy DeWeese, looking toward Lincoln Park:
And from Mark Dale, looking over the park toward Vashon:
This follows – if you slept through it – a night of sometimes-pounding rain. The National Weather Service expects showers to resume later.
The photo is from a texter who reports train trouble near Salty’s (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor):
Ran into the block at the end of the track, one set of wheels on top of block, car leaning over a bit.
It does not appear to be affecting traffic, either on the path or the street.
(Divers carved pumpkins under water at Alki on Saturday – photo by Don Brubeck)
Here are the highlights of what’s happening in our area today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings). First, two traffic alerts:
LOW BRIDGE CLOSURE: The West Seattle low bridge is closed to all surface traffic – bike/foot path as well as vehicle. lanes – for reinstallation of a turn cylinder, and might not reopen until 10 pm tonight. Check here to see if it opens sooner.
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION EXPANDED STREET CLOSURE: The West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival will stretch the usual Sunday closure of California Avenue SW a block further south, to Edmunds. More on the festival in a moment, but here’s what else is going on:
DIA DE MUERTOS BRUNCH: Special weekend brunch at La Chingona Taqueria (2940 SW Avalon Way), 8 am-2 pm.
SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, dive into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, with seasonal produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION HARVEST FESTIVAL: The biggest day of fall in downtown West Seattle! 11 am-2 pm – here’s the event schedule, starting with the costume parade from Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), also featuring trick-or-treating (at businesses as well as booths), the chili cookoff (here’s who’s competing) raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank, the Thrillers dancing at noon, live music, other fall-fun activities.
SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR MEETING: Three days after Seattle Public Schools went public with their proposal to close Sanislo Elementary and three other schools around the city, West Seattle/South Park school-board director Gina Topp is holding her monthly community-conversation meeting, 11 am at High Point Library (35th & Raymond).
BALLOT INITIATIVES PRESENTATION @ ALKI UCC: Still making up your mind about the statewide initiatives on the general-election ballot? 11:30 am at 6115 SW Hinds, Alki UCC is hosting presentations about them.
THE GREAT PUMPKIN SEARCH: 1-3 pm, the Fauntleroy Community Association invites you to come look for hidden pumpkins in the Endolyne area.
WITCHES AND WIZARDS PADDLE: Set out to sea in costume from Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW), 1-3 pm – details in our calendar listing.
FREE ART WORKSHOP: At Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 1-2 pm, letterpress art with Partners in Print.
CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California; WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has info on the book they’re discussing today.
WSPC FALL FESTIVAL: 5-7 pm, from costumes to chili, all-ages fun at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW).
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA: 5 pm at Dragonfly (5270 California SW), raising money to fight childhood hunger in White Center.
‘BEYOND LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT’: Series of Sunday night events at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW):
We are pleased to be able to offer this series to our community and invite all who are interested in learning more about the history and future of the Duwamish tribe and the effects of colonization on the Indigenous community to join us.
5 pm-6 pm, no RSVP required.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As we continue showcasing West Seattle Halloween decorations. David sent that video of his yard, worthy of a tour:
5206 23rd Ave SW – walk around haunted yard. Passing out full-size candy bars on Halloween with lights, music and animatronics.
Five nights until Halloween arrives; we’re still accepting pics (and video), westseattleblog@gmail.com, and see what we’ve shown in our Halloween-coverage archive.
SATURDAY: We don’t get this kind of announcement often, but we’ve always been interested in preparedness, and this topic resonates. Maybe you’ll want to spend a little time talking with these researchers on Tuesday night:
Oklahoma State University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are conducting a study about the use of micromobility (light, low-speed transportation modes) and resilience hubs in disasters. This study is funded by the National Science Foundation and is being conducted in partnership with local disaster preparedness organizations in Seattle to enhance community resilience.
The research team is seeking focus group participants (see below for date/time options) to learn more about how community spaces and transportation networks can better support Seattle communities during times of disaster or other kinds of disruption. We hope that you will consider joining a focus group to share your ideas! Individuals must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Each participant will receive a $50 Amazon gift card in appreciation of their time. Limit one focus group per participant.
Please email kidziorek@charlotte.edu to RSVP for a focus group (Choose any ONE of the date/time/location options below):
Tuesday, October 29 (6:00 – 7:00 PM), West Seattle Branch – Seattle Public Library (2306 42nd Ave SW)
Wednesday, October 30 (6:00 – 7:00 PM), Lake City Branch – Seattle Public Library (12501 28th Ave NE)
Saturday, November 2 (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM), Beacon Hill Branch – Seattle Public Library (2821 Beacon Ave S #5813)Participation in the focus groups is voluntary. We expect that there will be minimal psychological or physical risks or discomfort as a result of your participation in this research. The personal benefits for your participation include learning more about local hazards and disaster preparedness. The societal benefits will be a better understanding of the transportation and resource needs of different communities in disaster scenarios. In turn, this will allow researchers and emergency planners to more effectively prepare for the transportation and resource distribution needs of individual communities in the event of a disaster.
We want to thank you for your cooperation and invite you to contact us by email or phone if you have any questions about the purpose of the research, what we are asking you to do, the possible risks and benefits, your rights as a study participant, or any other questions you might have. Please feel free to reach out to the study leaders below at any time.
Thank you for your consideration,
Dr. Katherine Idziorek, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
kidziorek@charlotte.edu, (980) 729-5722Dr. Chen Chen, Oklahoma State University
chen.chen10@okstate.edu, (405) 744-5710
SUNDAY NIGHT UPDATE: Dr. Idziorek tells us they’ve had a great response and the group is full, as is the waitlist.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Festive participants of all ages gathered Saturday morning for the 13th-annual Monster Dash fundraiser at Lincoln Park to benefit South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools.
The event featured a 5k run/walk around the park, a 250-meter dash for kids, and a 100-meter dash for pre-K and under. There was also a family fun area with activities, sponsor booths, games and prizes. Although there were some sprinkles throughout the morning, the weather generally cooperated. Organizer Dawn Franklin said there were about 225 registrants for the 5k race, and at least 200 kids participating in the shorter races.
Prior to start time, participants got registered and ready to race:
At around 930am, organizers gathered the 5k participants near the starting line:
And they’re off! WSB video here:
Racers doing the 5k (including some pushing strollers) made their way through the park and then finished back at the starting gate. Many participants were sporting costumes — we spotted everything from skeletons and Minions to witches and tacos:
Here are videos of some of the age groups, racing to the finish line:
https://youtu.be/UYte8L-Tr8s
https://youtu.be/Ofy5-yXjE2E
https://youtu.be/vAe8lia3FSE
https://youtu.be/H8SFHH7GcPA
Next up was a slightly longer 250m race, for kids. Here’s our video: https://youtu.be/zAI5nqMkG-Y
Better than candy, it’s … trees! Highland Park celebrated Trick or Trees this afternoon at and around Highland Park Corner Store, centered on free trees for residents to take home and plant, but also featuring Halloween fun like a pet-costume contest:
Those were some of the contenders. Thanks to Kay Kirkpatrick of the Highland Park Action Committee (our report on their latest meeting is coming up later this weekend) and Highland Park Improvement Club for the photos!
In the summer, it’s beach-landing pirates … in the fall, trick-or-treating pirates! They were among the many kids who came to Alki Beach’s trick-or-treat event today, all along the avenue. Thanks to Charlotte Starck, president of the Alki Community Council, for sharing photos of what looked to be the biggest beach trick-or-treat event yet.
West Seattle Arcade has brought more all-ages fun to the beach, and was a big presence today – coordinating all the business participation – as the stream of trick-or-treaters kept coming, despite the rain.
Lots more trick-or-treat events this afternoon/evening, as listed here. And of course Halloween is still five nights away.
Charlotte reports, “Hundreds participated, with attendees from as far away as Columbia City and Burien.”
Sent by Angelita:
Reporting a stolen pickup truck – 2000 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab, license plate B12875D – dark gray. Was stolen sometime last night 10/25 from 38th Ave and Morgan.
Call 911 if you find it. (added) SPD report # is 24-303918.
Also winning last night were the West Seattle High School Wildcats, on the road vs. Nathan Hale. Final score was WSHS 21, Hale 14. West Seattle is now 5-4, having won 4 of their last 5 games, and plays a TBD opponent at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex next Friday (November 1), 7:30 pm.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
There was no scoring in the 3rd period until, with 1:11 left, Lincoln scored on a touchdown pass, but Sealth stuffed the 2-point conversion attempt, to tighten the score to 21-12.
Next Friday (November 1), Sealth is on the road at Renton.
9:46 AM: Orcas were northbound in the Fauntleroy ferry lanes as of about 9:30 am, Kersti Muul reports via text. Let us know if you see them!
(Added: One of six photos uploaded in a comment by Svenry – see below)
10:17 AM: Update from Kersti – they’re approaching Alki Point. And they’re Southern Resident Killer Whales, from J-Pod.
(Haunted ‘construction site’ in 2700 block 38th SW, photo sent by Nichol)
Day two of our Hallo-weekend. First, a traffic alert:
LOW BRIDGE CLOSURE CONTINUES: The West Seattle low bridge is closed to all surface traffic – bike/foot path as well as vehicle. lanes – for reinstallation of a turn cylinder, and might not reopen until late Sunday.
Next – the Hallo-weekend highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
DIA DE MUERTOS BRUNCH: Special weekend brunch at La Chingona Taqueria (2940 SW Avalon Way), 8 am-2 pm.
WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: 9:30 am at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – dash in costume! Benefits West Seattle Cooperative Preschools.
HALLOWEEN MOVIES AT THE ADMIRAL: Two screenings today, 10 am and 9 pm. (2343 California SW)
ALKI BEACH TRICK OR TREATING: Noon-2 pm at businesses all along the beach – see the map here.
TRICK OR TREES: Noon-4 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) is the epicenter of activities including free trees and a pet-costume contest.
PUMPKIN JUNCTION: Annual celebration of pumpkin beers and ciders! At The Beer Junction (4511 California SW), open noon-midnight.
WHITE CENTER TRUNK OR TREAT: 1-3 pm at 10452 15th Ave SW, the White Center Eagles are offering the day’s first round of trunk-or-treating.
BEER GARDEN TRICK-OR-TREATING: Candy, pumpkins, burgers … and for those 21+, beer. 2-6 pm. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
(added) OLG HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: Indoor/outdoor fun at Our Lady of Guadalupe (34th/Myrtle), 3-6 pm.
ADMIRAL’S HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL: 3 pm-9 pm, starting at The Good Society (California and Lander).
TRINITY HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: At Trinity West Seattle (7751 35th SW), 3-7 pm, free family fun.
TRAIL OR TREAT: Trick-or-treat at Camp Long‘s cabins, 3:30 pm-7 pm. (5200 35th SW)
‘COME AS YOU AREN’T’ AT THE SKYLARK: Bands pretending to be other bands – the biggest night of the year at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW). Doors open at 5 pm, music at 6:30, 21+. The Skylark website has the full lineup of who’s (not) who.
‘NIGHTFALL’: This haunted experience, benefiting charity, continues tonight at a West Seattle private residence, 5:30-9:30. See our calendar listing for details.
TRUNK OR TREAT AT HOPE NORTH: Hope Lutheran School welcomes families to come see the decorated trunks while trick-or-treating in the Hope North parking Kot (4100 SW Genesee), 6:30-8 p.
MEEDS MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE: One of West Seattle’s most-famous haunted houses is open for the second of three nights tonight, at 3011 45th SW, accepting donations for youth basketball. 7-9 pm.
RADIO ENTHUSIASTS OF PUGET SOUND’S SPOOKTACULAR: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – “The Radio Enthusiasts of Puget Sound (REPS) are celebrating Halloween by recreating spine-tingling radio dramas from the golden age of radio. The REPS actors, featuring Larry Albert of Imagination Theatre, will be joined by Sawyer Best on the mighty Wurlitzer organ and Bruce Johnson and Alice Watson, creating live sound effects.” Ticket info in our calendar listing.
OUT AT THE BOX, HALLOWEEN EDITION: Drag show with costume contest, 9:30 pm at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 21+, no cover.
(Friday sunset, photographed by Tom Trulin)
And everything else that’s up:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) at 8 am for the regular Saturday morning run.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: 9 am at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), free community meditation – RSVP here.
VACCINATION CLINIC: School clinic, but community’s welcome too – flu and COVID shots available, 9 am-3 pm at Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle has TWO farmers’ markets – and today is your last chance of the year to shop at this one! Start your market shopping with this one – your weekly Saturday opportunity to go get fresh food from growers and makers – 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more, plus free food for those in need! (9421 18th SW; WSB sponsor)
DRUG TAKE-BACK DAY: Take your no-longer-needed or expired prescription drugs to the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) for no-questions-asked dropoff, 10 am-2 pm.
BEGINNER OLYMPIC AIRGUN DAY: Visit the Roger Dahl Rifle Range beneath West Seattle Stadium and try out this sport. 10 am-2 pm. (4432 35th SW)
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: You’re invited to join others taking a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
COMMUNITY CUP SHOWCASE: Rat City Studios and Rain City Clay‘s annual show at Dubsea Coffee continues – shop’s open for viewing, and beverages!, until 2 pm. (9910 8th SW)
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Gardening season is year-round! Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – “This is a free, weekly, in-person active writing group grounded in the Amherst Writers and Artists method. It is a safe, critique-free space. Writers of all levels welcome, 16 and up.” Our calendar listing has location and RSVP info.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
GET YOUR FLEE BAG IN 45 MINUTES: Preparedness has never been so fun and fast. Join Alice Kuder from Just in Case for this free 45-minute session at 11 am.
Alice will also reveal the two most important steps you can take to be ready for “the big one” or any other natural disaster, plus more essential tips for safeguarding your home and loved ones. Small group and time for Q & A. Register at bit.ly/49cAGNM or by email: Alice@JustInCasePlans.com
This will be at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW).
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: Last bonus Saturday session of long-distance get-out-the-vote advocacy, noon-2 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the new West Duwamish Greenbelt exhibit! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER OPEN: The center is also open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SOUL SISTERS SONG CIRCLE: Meets monthly, 1-3 pm. Lift your voice in songs and chants. Register to get the address.
\NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Almond Brown. (4547 California SW)
JARAY’S DJ: 9 pm, DJ Buzsy at Jaray’s Lounge (2216 SW Orchard).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday singing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event is welcome to a spot on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(The size/shape alternatives under consideration for Fauntleroy terminal/dock replacement)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Building the new Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal could take up to four years.
That’s part of what the project’s Community Advisory Group learned during an online meeting Wednesday night.
The time frame depends on what alternative is chosen for the new dock – Washington State Ferries is on the verge of deciding on an alternative to carry forward into environmental review. “We’re getting to the end of the PEL (planning and environmental linkages) study process.”
WSF’s David Sowers started the meeting by revisiting the Good to Go! tolling/advance-ticketing study, a focus of the CAG’s previous meeting last month.
Group member Judy Pickens asked about costs. Sowers said it’s in the report – they had options from $5 million to $20 million for using Good To Go! He said it’s effective in its full implementation but only saving a few minutes in “dwell time. … That for us was not enough to .. (pursue) significant policy changes” that it would take, “not something we could implement any time soon.” He added that the cost of operating and maintaining the system is sizable too – “some capital upfront costs … if money were no constraint, it might be a lot more doable, but the benefit we saw” (wasn’t enough to suggest they pursue the costly option).”
WSF’s Hadley Rodero reminded everyone that they had decided to carry a partial implementation of Good To Go! into the level 3 screening, as well as Wave To Go advanced ticketing with a “similar-sized” dock. (All the dock sizes being screened are bigger than the current one.) So all vehicles will continue to go through toll booths.
Another group member, Mardi Clements, said she was glad that there’d be some time saved, so everyone would benefit.
Next, Sowers focused on the factors that would have to be considered for construction. WSF will continue some level of service during construction – the dock won’t be completely out of commission. Sowers said they’d been asked by a King County Water Taxi rep if passenger-only service would be an option. Site constraints include “a narrow piece of land on which to operate.” Permitting requirements will include addressing noise, dealing with staging areas. “We know construction is disruptive – it’s impactful, sometimes stressful, but will lead us to a product we’ll all be happy with.”
Construction criteria are spelled out here:
Regarding maintaining some level of service, they may consider building a temporary slip as well as looking at ways to move passengers. Sowers said they’d also recently hired consultants to look at the Triangle Route schedule – reviewing it for the current time as well as construction.
He handed off to Ed Thomas, project engineering lead, who got further into construction details. He said they’re still trying to identify construction staging and office areas.
In the first stage, they’d use the existing dock. Then for 15-18 months, traffic would move to the temporary slip. Phase 2B, another move, then Phase 3, the temporary dock/slip would be removed and the new dock would move.
They chose the A alternatives for the graphics but that does not mean other options have been ruled out, Thomas clarified in response to a question. In response to another one, WSF acknowledged that some of the offshore components will be replaced as part of the project.
Group member Anne Higuera said she’s “excited to see this” and asked questions – starting with, have they consulted any contractors yet? Sowers said no, but there are a lot of people on staff with experience enough to know these plans are promising. Would materials come in and go out through West Seattle or be barged in? Both, said Sowers – a fair amount of suppliers are on the Duwamish River, for example. It’s a large-enough project that “most of the work is going to be done from the water,” he said. Higuera wondered if the temporary dock should perhaps be built elsewhere on the West Seattle peninsula. No, said Sowers – “building it in a completely different location” would require another level of permitting, among other things. He said they acknowledge building the temporary dock and demolishing it will be costly, but there’s no way around it.
Is there an estimated start date? Sowers was asked. No – could be as early as 2027-2028, “regardless of the option” chosen, he said. And yes, he replied to a question, they have to work around fish windows (times when in-water construction is not permitted because of fish-related considerations).
How much holding will there be on the temporary dock? “Less than 84 cars, so there will be additional traffic that queues on Fauntleroy Way, Sowers said. Thomas said it could range from 18 to 40 vehicles on the dock, depending on how the loading/offloading phase works during construction. So it’s a small temporary structure, Clements said. Yes, Thomas confirmed, it would be pretty much the same between all the alternatives.
The estimated durations are based on all the permit requirements and noise/work hours rules, Thomas said. Pickens asked, so anything affecting the creek flow would be limited to three months of the year? Yes, said Thomas.
Group member Justin Hirsch said he’s glad to see the temporary slip idea – the concept of rerouting downtown just wouldn’t work. But he’s worried that potentially three years of traffic backups on Fauntleroy is daunting, so traffic would need active management. “Sometimes Fauntleroy Way SW looks like a Mad Max movie and it’s going to look even more like that.”
WSF’s Hadley Rodero stressed that planning for schedules and traffic flow will be vital, including how they communicate it to the community.
Thomas said there’ll be a 15-foot-wide clear zone on both sides of the dock, north and south.
For construction duration – depending on the alternative chosen, anywhere from 33 to 48 months. And that’s just the “physical construction activities,” Thomas said.
Sowers then picked up the topic of “construction-delivery method.” They intend to use “design-build” – a single contractor who will design and build the project – as opposed to design-bid-build. “This is more of a ‘best value’ approach to project delivery,” Sowers said, adding that it helps the state manage risk, via one contractor being accountable for so much of it. He said it also means the project can be built faster – maybe they’ll come up with a better way to phase it. (And yes, they’ll have incentives for finishing earlier.) “I want to dispel any myths that the design-builder is going to do whatever they want” – they still have to live up to terms of the contract, Sowers said.
Group member David McDaniel hoped they’d be reviewing a “rough draft” sooner rather than later.” Sowers agreed. He said they’d like to build it faster, but the current estimates are in a three- to four-year timeframe.
In other discussion, Sowers said WSF has a lot of leeway about what they can put into the request for bids – if they wanted the building to be sided in cedar, for example, they could specify that. There’ll also be more community engagement as they move further into the planning purpose. They’ll also have to decide if the CAG will go forward in its current configuration.
As the meeting moved toward the hour and a quarter mark, it was pointed out that WSF had just sent an alert about possible reduced service to Vashon tomorrow morning – “we have to make sure that doesn’t happen during construction,” WSF was told.
Yes, Cove Park north of the dock will be affected, temporarily, Thomas acknowledged in response to another comment. But, CAG member Frank Immel pressed, will it be closed? No, that’s not the intention, Thomas said. Immel and Clements said that the project should take the space it needs – “we as a community have lived without that (access) before,” like during the pump-station project last decade. Speaking of Cove Park, WSF is still working to acquire the “little white house” property north of the park and is in negotiations with King County, said WSF’s Charles Torres. They’re keeping the tenants apprised. They’d use the site for staging and break-room space for starters, with the intersection project starting as soon as next year. Then they’d use it for construction administration during that project, and find a way to occupy it during the interval before terminal construction begins.
Other discussion included logistics and aspects of the intersection project, which will signalize the intersection. Nearby residents along Upper Fauntleroy Way will be taken into consideration as the signal is built, the group was assured. WSF’s Mark Bandy said the signal height should not lead to major effects for nearby residents.
Here’s what happens next – the last steps before choosing a preferred alternative for the new dock’s size and shape:
No date yet for the next meeting – you can watch this page.
(Seattle Police photo)
The 73-year-old man arrested on Thursday after gunfire at Camp Second Chance, the tiny-house village on Myers Way, remains in jail tonight. Seattle Police have released more information on the incident. They describe the suspect as a convicted felon, which is why he faces a potential charge of unlawful firearm possession. The initial report that brought them to the scene was a report that he was shooting from his unit toward “the common areas,” and then when an employee checked on him, he “shot another two rounds through the door.” Neither the employee nor anyone else was hurt, but police say the suspect fired more rounds even after their arrival. Hostage Negotiation Team officers arrived and convinced him to surrender after almost two hours. Police say they found the gun and “ballistic evidence” after getting a search warrant. Next step is to see whether charges are rush-filed by early next week. His name is fairly common, so it’s hard to tell from court records what he had a prior conviction for; the newest case against someone with that name was in 2000.
Avoid 35th/Morgan for a while – there’s a two-car crash on the southwest side of the intersection. One was briefly described as flipped but then “back on all fours”; the two cars are described as a Toyota Prius and a Honda CR-V. No word on injuries yet.
From the bottom of Charlestown Hill come tonight’s spotlight decorations – J sent the photos:
We are at the corner of SW Charlestown and 48th are again excited for this Thursday. Weather permitted, we intend to flood the streets with fog again and have a spookier-than-ever trick or treat night!
That’s a reminder, the spookiest night of the year is now just six nights away. But we’re still accepting decoration pics – westseattleblog@gmail.com; go here to scroll through what we’ve already shown!
(WSB photos)
4:26 PM: The first big event of Hallo-weekend 2024 is happening now – from north to south throughout Admiral, businesses are welcoming costumed visitors with candy galore. The Admiral Neighborhood Association is coordinating this year’s candyfest, and it’s sweet. More pics later – and send us yours! westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us. This is one of a half-dozen-plus trick-or-treat events (listed here) around the peninsula this year.
ADDED 5:22 PM: The scene above is from Admiral Theater, where they were handing out kid-size bags of popcorn as well as candy – and it was going out as fast as they could set it out! Around the area, it was a trick-or-treat traffic jam:
Tiny trick-or-treaters, too:
You still have time to go join the fun – till 7 pm.
Don’t forget to wander far and wide – toward West Seattle Grounds and Mioposto (WSB sponsor) in the north, and Little Donkey in the south.
8:23 PM: Thanks to Scott at Seattle Dive Tours for this photo:
And a couple pics from the ANA crew in North Admiral:
The Admiral District’s next Hallo-weekend events are tomorrow – Halloween movie screenings and a bar crawl!
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