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West Seattle Bridge seems fixable so far, Community Task Force told, and other headlines from meeting #2
June 17, 2020 3:32 pm
|      156 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We know we CAN fix the bridge – the question is, SHOULD we.”

That revelation from SDOT‘s top bridge engineer was a big piece of news that emerged at the second meeting of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force this afternoon.

Also, in response to a CTF member’s question, SDOT said the city and state are working on a disaster declaration in relation to the bridge closure.

Before we get to our summary of the meeting, held online/by phone – the task-force roster is here; co-chairs are Paulina López, executive director of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, and Greg Nickels, former Seattle mayor and longtime Admiral resident. We recorded video which we’ll add when it’s ready (added 9:14 pm – here it is:)

Here’s the slide deck:

First presenter was Matt Donahue, SDOT’s interim director of roadway structures (bridges and more), with a ‘state of the bridge” update.

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FOLLOWUP: New details on Metro service restoration Monday
June 17, 2020 2:39 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro is out today with more details of next Monday’s service restoration, and promises more to come. Today’s announcement – see it here – notes that the 21X and 125 will return, as well as the Water Taxi shuttles, (773 and 775). That same link also includes the restored Water Taxi schedule (5 days a week, commuter dayparts), but specific bus-route schedules aren’t expected to be posted until Saturday. As of Monday, Metro says, it will be running ” 85% of its pre-COVID service level” on weekdays, 99 percent on weekends.

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‘ALL WAYS WEST SEATTLE’: Local podcast spotlights students who organized huge Junction protest, and much more
June 17, 2020 12:24 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle protests

Have you listened yet to “All Ways West Seattle”? It’s a semi-new podcast by longtime West Seattle resident Keith Bacon, and he’s just published a new episode that he tells WSB is:

… focused on the March for Black Lives and BLM protest in the Junction. Highlights are interviews with two of the youth speakers at the Junction event: 12-year-old Ericka, who read her poem “Monsters, Criminals, and Liars,” and 15-year-old Coco, who was also one of the event organizers. Plus an extended talk with regular contributor Kisha Vaughan, reflecting on the event (which she also spoke at) and the days surrounding it.

This is the seventh episode of “All Ways West Seattle” – the others have included a wide range of topics, from the West Seattle Bridge to how COVID-19 has changed lives and businesses in West Seattle. Keith (photo left) launched the podcast back in March, just before the pandemic changed everyone’s world. He describes himself as “a writer and producer who lives in (and loves) the Alaska Junction” and is producing new episodes every two weeks or so. The podcast was something he had been thinking about for a while before launching it, and with the challenges posed to our peninsula from both the pandemic and the bridge closure, he says, “I feel like the opportunity to do something good for my neighborhood has become more important and valuable.” So give it a listen and let Keith know what you think – you can offer feedback via social media.

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ANOTHER CRACKED BRIDGE: This time, in Florida
June 17, 2020 11:29 am
|      45 COMMENTS
 |   Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

(Photo by Stephen B Calvert, via Wikimedia)

11:29 AM: Thanks to the WSB readers who have pointed this out: On the other side of the continent, a concrete bridge spanning a river has been closed because of cracking, and there are warnings that it’s in risk of collapse. This bridge is even newer than the closed-since-March West Seattle Bridge. It’s the southbound span of the Roosevelt Bridge, a mile-long, state-owned bridge that carries U.S. Highway 1 across the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida [map], and this webpage suggests it has a lot in common with our bridge – it’s a concrete “box girder” bridge, for example. Local media there report some concrete has fallen but the nature and risk of the crack is still under investigation; they also report the bridge was last inspected two years ago, with no problems found. It was built in the mid-’90s. The cracked span is closed to traffic, so the separate northbound span is currently handling both directions. P.S. This bridge also, like ours, replaced a drawbridge, and had a somewhat tumultuous backstory.

5:49 PM: Now both sides/spans of the Florida bridge are closed TFN.

8:23 PM: A couple other datapoints we found – the Florida bridge has about half the over-water clearance of ours, 65 feet, and more volume – 120,000 vehicles a day.

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HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT: Bridge Task Force, seawall Q&A, tube-tunnel talk, graduations, free food
June 17, 2020 9:31 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by David Wilson)

As we’ve been previewing these past few days, there’s a LOT going on today. Quick reminders:

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Online meeting, 1 pm-2:30 pm. Our preview has the link you can use to watch. ADDED: Here’s today’s agenda, thanks to a CTF member.

FREE FOOD: 2-5 pm at Food Lifeline in South Park – drive up or walk up. Here’s our preview.

SEAWALL MEETING: 4 pm online, Seattle Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers will present an update on the about-to-start Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook seawall replacemnt.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS DRIVE-UP GRADUATION: 5 pm outside the school (4100 SW Genesee).

‘IMMERSED TUBE’ TUNNEL: Retired civil engineer Bob Ortblad invites all to his online presentation about the “immersed tube” tunnel he suggests could replace the West Seattle Bridge. 7:30 pm – our preview has details on watching/participating.

CHIEF SEALTH IHS GRADUATION: 8:30 pm on YouTube/cable – here’s how to watch.

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ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes, 13th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
June 17, 2020 6:12 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Good morning – the 86th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

*The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.’

*Tonight, overnight work is planned at Delridge/Genesee to finish permanent striping there.

TRAFFIC

Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.

Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 6/16 roundup
June 16, 2020 10:28 pm
|    Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 6/16 roundup
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Waiting for the Phase 2 decision is where we start tonight’s roundup:

NO DECISION YET: It’s only been a day since King County applied for state permission to move to Phase 2 of reopening, but the “modified Phase 1” decision only took a day and a half, so you can be forgiven some impatience.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s the daily summary from Public Health, with cumulative totals:

*8,855 people have tested positive, up 58 from yesterday

*576 people have died, up 2 from yesterday

*1,532 people have been hospitalized, up 11 from yesterday

*127,616 people have been tested, up 2,293 from yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 8,536/570/1,499/109,813.

ANOTHER LOCAL DEATH: One of those newly reported deaths is in the 98146 zip code – part of which is in West Seattle; 98146 has lost 7 people.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

STATE COVID-19 RESPONSE BRIEFING: Nothing from the governor today, as he was in Yakima, but the weekly media telebriefing featured Lacy Fehrenbach, who holds the newly position of state Deputy Secretary of Health for COVID-19 Response. You can listen to it here.

CANCELED: Two more major West Seattle summer events won’t happen this year because of the pandemic – the Morgan Junction Community Festival (which usually happens on a Saturday in June) and the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (usually 6 free performances on Thursday nights in July and August).

HAPPENING: Though COVID-19 is keeping them from having traditional ceremonies, local high schools celebrate graduations this week – Chief Sealth International HS and Seattle Lutheran HS on Wednesday, West Seattle HS on Thursday.

NEED FOOD? Big boxes of it – 20+ pounds per box – will be available free at Food Lifeline again tomorrow in nearby South Park; just drive up or walk up.

GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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MORE GRADUATIONS: Seattle Lutheran HS Wednesday, West Seattle HS Thursday
June 16, 2020 8:59 pm
|    Comments Off on MORE GRADUATIONS: Seattle Lutheran HS Wednesday, West Seattle HS Thursday
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

We’ve already mentioned that Chief Sealth International High School‘s virtual graduation will be online/on cable tomorrow night. Two more coming up this week:

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL: Drive-by event, starting at 5 pm Wednesday in front of the school at 4100 SW Genesee.

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: Like other Seattle Public Schools graduations, this one will be shown on SPS-TV via YouTube and cable. It starts at 7 pm Thursday.

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PROTESTS: ILWU march during work stoppage Friday for Juneteenth
June 16, 2020 8:18 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

The next major rally/march near our area will be on Friday, for Juneteenth, commemorating the abolition of slavery in the U.S. – Seattle’s ILWU Local 19 has announced a march during a West Coast-wide work stoppage:

This Friday, June 19th, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) will cease operations for the day shift along the entire US west coast, including Seattle, comprising 29 ports from Bellingham to San Diego, in observance of Juneteenth.

At the vacant Terminal 46 downtown, ILWU longshore workers will host a Rally and March to Stop Police Brutality and end Systematic Racism. The event will begin 9:00 a.m. at the ILWU Local 19 Union Hall – 3440 E Marginal Way S (corner of Spokane and East Marginal). Longshore workers will march as part of the coast-wide work stoppage and with other local labor, community, and faith leaders, including leaders from MLK Labor.


Participants will march (or car-caravan) to Terminal 46 for a rally and show of solidarity before continuing on to the WA Department of Corrections (DOC) Day Reporting Center, 1550 4th Ave S. This rally will call attention to victims of the criminal justice system while incarcerated. Recent concerns have been raised about incidents of retaliation by the DOC against incarcerated laborers, who requested PPE and appropriate safety measures to protect against COVID-19 infection.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglar on video
June 16, 2020 6:16 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

The video and framegrab are from South West Plumbing (Delridge/Alaska), which wanted to alert the community about a burglar. The man used a cutting tool to get into the yard:

Then, SWP says, “He walked around for a bit, took items, and returned a number of times to load more stuff. He then tried our doors to the building without success. He then went to our truck to try and open it. That was when the car alarm went off and he scurried off.”

He got away in that truck, which SWP says he had parked in the back alley. Here’s a clear view as he entered:

We’ll add the police-report # when we get it.

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ROAD WORK ALERT: Avalon/Genesee, Wednesday night
June 16, 2020 4:53 pm
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK ALERT: Avalon/Genesee, Wednesday night
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Now that the weather has improved, SDOT plans overnight work tomorrow night as the Avalon/35th/Alaska project wraps up. Here’s the announcement:

As we complete striping along the corridor, we plan to work from 9 PM Wednesday, June 17 through the early morning hours of Thursday, June 18 to add striping near SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee St.

• We plan to complete striping at SW Avalon Way and SW Genesee St by installing new pavement markings on the raised protected bike lane at the northbound bus stop and at the intersection, just north of the bus stop. We will complete this work overnight with a noise variance from approximately 9 PM Wednesday, June 17 through the early morning hours of Thursday, June 18. During this work, you can expect to hear noise as crews use compressors to remove and add striping.

Once that’s done, SDOT says you might see crews for “final minor wrap-up activities along the corridor” before the month’s over.

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CANCELED: Morgan Junction Community Festival; Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
June 16, 2020 2:28 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Two summer traditions that are presented by West Seattle neighborhood councils will not be happening this year because of the pandemic. The announcements:

(WSB photo, Bubbleman @ 2019 Morgan Junction Community Festival)

MORGAN JUNCTION COMMUNITY FESTIVAL: Sent by Morgan Community Association president Deb Barker:

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that cancellation of the 2020 Morgan Junction Community Festival.

The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has been sponsoring this unique one day festival in Morgan Junction for over 15 years. The 2009 opening of Morgan Junction Park gave us a permanent home to experience the live festival music and watch the Bubbleman make BIG bubbles, while businesses Beveridge Place Pub, Zeeks Pizza, and Whisky West have welcomed vendor booths and food trucks to their parking lots. It’s always been a lot of fun.

But the Coronavirus pandemic has shut down the safe gathering ability of the Festival-loving public. MoCA wants to keep our community safe. So we’re canceling the 2020 festival and scheduling the 2021 Festival date for Saturday June 19, 2021. We’d like to share this reply we got from the City of Seattle Special Event staff when they learned of the cancellation:

“Thank you so much for letting us know. Each time we hear that another event is cancelled, it makes me emotional too. Special events like the Morgan Junction Festival celebrate the health and vibrancy of our community. Cancelling them in some ways feels like a defeat at the hands of COVID. Please know that you are doing the right thing, the prudent thing, the safe thing by cancelling the event. We are all going to come back stronger.”

Thank you, everyone. Stay Safe!! We Will Come Back Stronger!

-Morgan Junction Community Festival Planning Committee

(Caspar Babypants at Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha, August 2019)

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: From Stephanie Jordan, who coordinates the series for the Admiral Neighborhood Association:

After many weeks of hoping for better circumstances, we’ve made the sad decision to cancel the 2020 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha. During these uncertain times, it’s become clear that gatherings of this size will be difficult to manage in a way that ensures the safety and enjoyment of our community and guests. These events are very important to us, but your health and safety will always be our top priority.

I will truly miss the community that these concerts create – neighbors meeting neighbors, old friends catching up, kids at their first live performances. They represent a true collaboration between the ANA, our sponsors, city partners (Seattle Parks and ARC) and the wonderful team at Hiawatha Community Center. It’s been my pleasure to connect you with some of the best musicians in the region.

To the extent to which you are able, I hope you will continue to support our local music community in other ways. Many artists are being impacted by cancellations like this. I encourage you to see who is performing on social media, releasing new work, or rescheduling shows. Even kinds words can make a difference. Please also consider contributing to any of the several artist relief funds that have been set up in response to COVID-19. A quick Google search for “Seattle artist fund” will bring these up.

When large gatherings are back, we will be too – and we’ll be very happy to see you again. Until then, stay safe West Seattle, and keep well!

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FATHER’S DAY: Tasty ways to celebrate; got anything to add to the list?
June 16, 2020 12:40 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Shop/drink/dine local for Father’s Day! We’ve been asked about local food/beverage opportunities for the big day this Sunday (June 21st). So far, we have three from the WSB inbox:

OUNCES (3809 Delridge Way SW): Barbecue & Beer noon-5 pm on Father’s Day – “local NWTXBBQ will be at Ounces smoking up some tasty central-Texas-style bbq, featuring their specialty mesquite dry-rub smoked brisket and other goodies!” More info here.

Also, all weekend (Friday-Sunday) at Ounces, you can support the Lafayette Elementary PTA via any purchase made at the taproom (mention Lafayette) or online (click the Lafayette checkbpx when purchasing at www.ouncestogo.com.)

ROOT-BEER FLOAT KITS: As previously mentioned, the Alki Elementary PTA is “supporting Husky Deli, The Beer Junction, and Safeway on Admiral as we sell pre-orders of DIY ROOT BEER FLOAT KITS for drive-thru pick-up at Husky Deli (4721 California SW) on Father’s Day, June 21st. Info and ordering at alkipta.square.site.

JET CITY BEIGNET: “In addition to our regular Sunday pop-up on 6/21, we’ll be offering some fabulous and delicious Father’s Day beignet gift boxes that will include a maple bourbon sauce made by Green City Kitchens and add-on options of ice cream or sorbet from Seattle Sorbets and roca by Renee’s Roca. All of the items we are offering are made by small WS businesses. You can find the boxes and details here.”

Any other Father’s Day food/beverage specials? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302 so we can add to the list – thank you!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Awards for two Chief Sealth IHS seniors
June 16, 2020 10:57 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

On the day before Chief Sealth International High School‘s graduation, we have news of awards for two seniors. The announcement and photos – both honorees with principal Aida Fraser-Hammer – are from the school:

Della Floyd has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was granted by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Program.

Lola Taylor has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service with a Certificate of Excellence from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, and with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. Certificates of Excellence are granted to the top 10 percent of all Prudential Spirit of Community Award applicants in each state and the District of Columbia.

Chief Sealth International High School nominated Della and Lola for national honors this fall in recognition of their service.

P.S. If you missed our previous mention, here’s how to see the CSIHS ceremony tomorrow night.

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WEST SEATTLE PROTESTS: Hate-Free Delridge’s next streetcorner demonstration
June 16, 2020 9:40 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

(WSB photo, June 3rd)

Two weeks after leading two streetcorner demonstrations, Hate-Free Delridge plans another one – here’s the announcement:

Please join us for another peaceful protest in the neighborhood. Since the recent protests that our group organized on June 3rd and 5th, we have received a lot of positive feedback, and requests for more events like this, so we want to keep the momentum of our message going strong! See our message and the details below and bring your friends and family!

We mourn the murder of George Floyd and of so many other Black Americans at the hands of police in America. We sadly add to the list Rayshard Brooks, murdered in Atlanta this week. We want change in the systems of policy that are racist and oppressive. We want justice for Black Lives. Our goal is to keep our message alive and in the streets. Please join Hate-Free Delridge for another peaceful gathering in West Seattle and bring signs with your messages for justice! For everyone’s safety, masks are required and please maintain 6 feet of distance between each family group. Thank you for staying engaged and we will see you there!

WHO: Hate Free Delridge
WHAT: A gathering to support Justice for Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and all Black Lives
WHEN: Thursday, June 18th, 4-6 pm
WHERE: The intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Orchard St.

The group was formed almost four years ago.

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YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS: Sign up ASAP for Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s online workshop
June 16, 2020 8:55 am
|    Comments Off on YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS: Sign up ASAP for Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s online workshop
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is offering you another opportunity to learn from an expert about preserving irreplaceable items of personal history – family photos. Here’s the announcement:

Join us on June 18th for a live workshop on caring for your family photos. Curator Tasia Williams will walk you through storage and display considerations for different types of pictures you might have in your family collection. In this workshop you will learn which kinds of album pages will discolor your photos, what to do if an older picture is falling apart, and more! There will also be a chance to ask any questions you have about photo preservation.

The workshop will be live on Zoom on June 18th (Thursday) at 5 pm PST. Registration is required and due by June 17th (tomorrow) – go here.

As you’ll see at that link, the cost is whatever you can afford to donate.

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ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday notes, 13th week of West Seattle Bridge closure
June 16, 2020 6:07 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning – the 85th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.

TRAFFIC

Heading off-peninsula? First, the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:

Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

TRANSIT

Metro – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.

Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 6/15 roundup
June 15, 2020 10:12 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Ready for Phase 2? King County leaders say we are, and that tops tonight’s virus-crisis local roundup:

SEEKING PHASE 2 PERMISSION: King County leaders announced this evening that they’ve asked the state for approval to move from “modified Phase 1” to Phase 2. That would mean more sit-down dining, among other things – see pages 20, 21, and 22 in the application for more details on what Phase 2 would mean. (It contains lots of information about the state of the outbreak, too, if you haven’t been sifting through the county dashboards in search of that already.) How soon could the state decide? Likely sometime this week.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary – the cumulative totals:

*8,797 people have tested positive, 46 more than yesterday

*574 people have died, unchanged for a second day

*1,521 people have been hospitalized, 1 more than yesterday

*125,323 people have been tested, 1,815 more than yesterday

One week ago, the cases/deaths totals were 8,507/567.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.

MASKS MATTER: State health authorities held a “telebriefing” focusing on the importance of face coverings, especially for workers. You can hear what they had to say by going here.

PREMIUM PAY FOR FOOD DELIVERY: A bill co-sponsored by West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold passed the council unanimously today, mandating premium pay for food-delivery “gig workers,” while the pandemic continues.

BACK TO REGULAR HOURS: Transfer stations.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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BUSINESS UPDATES: Cherry Consignment, VAIN, La Rustica
June 15, 2020 9:11 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three more business updates:

CHERRY CONSIGNMENT: Reopening tomorrow, hours noon-5 pm to start with, open Tuesday-Wedneday and Friday-Saturday-Sunday this week for starters, closed Thursday. (4142 California SW).

VAIN: The salon/boutique in The Junction reopened today. Check here for their policies in this phase of reopening. (4513 California SW)

LA RUSTICA: This update came in today:

La Rustica will be open for Dine-in service starting tomorrow with our patio at 50% capacity and dining room at 25%. We also have a private dining room for up to 5 which can be reserved for parties of 5.

Hours will be Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday 4-9 – Friday & Sat 4-Close

We will also still be offering minimal contact take out service with online ordering only at larusticawestseattle.com

(4100 Beach Drive SW)

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REOPENING: King County applies to move to Phase 2
June 15, 2020 6:31 pm
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Just in from King County:

King County Executive Dow Constantine and King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci submitted an application to the state Department of Health to move King County to Phase 2 of the Safe Start recovery plan following approval of the plan by the King County Board of Health.

“After two weeks in what has been called Phase 1.5, our case counts, health care system capacity and other metrics are holding steady, and we are ready to move to Phase 2,” said Executive Constantine. “But make no mistake – successful economic recovery will depend on everyone in King County carefully following the recommendations of our Public Health experts, including wearing face coverings and avoiding unnecessary contacts, so together we can keep re-opening our community while holding the line on the pandemic.”

Under Phase 2, businesses can operate at twice the indoor capacity permitted in the modified Phase 1, provided they meet all re-opening requirements set out by the state’s guidance. Businesses with questions about their operation can also call the Public Health Business Compliance Line at 206-296-1608.

P.S. For more specifics, here’s the application.

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Why Guardian 1 was over Arbor Heights
June 15, 2020 5:47 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news

Sorry that took a while to sleuth – we had to drive over and look around for an officer on the ground to find out why the Guardian One helicopter was over Arbor Heights. They were looking for a domestic-violence suspect in connection with a protection-order violation.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: How to watch second Community Task Force meeting on Wednesday
June 15, 2020 5:19 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

This Wednesday, the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meets for the second time. With the get-to-know-each-other session last week (WSB coverage here) out of the way, this time around, the advisory group’s focus is expected to include (according to a preview on last week’s agenda):

– Engineering update
– Repair/replace bridge decision
– Recommendations for traffic mitigation/traffic plans
– Low bridge policy

Readers interested in watching live asked for an earlier heads-up on the link this time, so we’ve just obtained it from SDOT – you’ll be able to watch here, 1-2:30 pm Wednesday (June 17th). A link to an online comment form will be part of the meeting.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle City Light project still planned for Brace Point, hit by 36+-hour power outage
June 15, 2020 4:20 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Seattle City Light project still planned for Brace Point, hit by 36+-hour power outage
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Back on May 21-22, an underground-cable failure left hundreds of people south of Fauntleroy, mostly in the Brace Point area, without electricity for a day and a half. It wasn’t the first failure in the area. But it led to the question of whatever happened to a planned Seattle City Light project to fix the ongoing problems. We found some online documentation – such as the draft below, from early last year – which said the project was originally expected to start early this year.

Obviously, it didn’t. So we asked SCL about the project’s status. We got the reply today from spokesperson Julie Moore:

The Brace Point Cable Replacement Project is still active. It is in the project manual/specification preparation process for public work advertisement. The project was delayed during the project design development/SDOT permitting stage; that process took longer than originally expected. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start Q1 2021 and could last two years.

Brace Point property owners paid for the original underground project completed in the early 1970s (ordinance attached). As with such voluntary underground projects, the property owners pay for the initial installation and City Light is responsible for all maintenance, and in this case, the rebuild that should start next year.

A similar project in The Arroyos/south Arbor Heights has been under way for about two years.

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