West Seattle, Washington
27 Wednesday
6 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 10, still spring break for Seattle Public Schools and independent schools with similar calendars.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Increasing clouds, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:28 am, sunset at 7:52 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERT
More repaving work today on 21st SW between Dawson and 22nd – details here.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, NO WATER TAXI this weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19). The shuttle buses WILL run, though, Metro says.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – and a reminder, it’ll be closed to surface traffic April 19-28:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
8:57 PM: Seattle Fire and Police are arriving at a two-car crash at Avalon/Andover [map], with one vehicle reported to have flipped. Updates to come. Avalon is blocked at Yancy.
(Added: WSB photo)
9:02 PM: SFD is downsizing its response – they say three people are all out safely, and no one needs to be extricated.
9:15 PM: The initially dispatched medic and aid units were cleared, which suggests no life-threatening injuries. SDOT has a crew on the way to clean up fluid and debris.
(Added: Photo sent by Mark)
9:35 PM: Photos added. We were told at the scene that one person was taken to a hospital; we’re following up further on that.
9:53 PM: Police say they’re reopening “all lanes of travel.”
10:09 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells us a woman in her early 30s was taken to a hospital by private ambulance.
We’ve been following up on the 13-year-old boy arrested for investigation of a robbery and assault at the Westwood Village Rite Aid last Saturday night. According to prosecutors and court records, he already has two other cases pending – and was wanted on warrants for both. (We are not publishing his name, as he is in the juvenile prosecution/detention system.)
The first case gained regional media attention – also a business robbery and assault, last September at a mini-mart in Normandy Park, where security video (aired in TV reports like this one) showed someone – allegedly this same suspect – beating and kicking the clerk. The suspect was charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, and third-degree theft. Court documents say he was identified to authorities by his parents – his father is quoted as telling authorities he had taught his son to box and recognized his movements in the store security video. He was held in secure detention for some time but then, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, he was placed on electronic home monitoring this past February 14 (though the KCPAO says they have “consistently” argued for detention). One week later, prosecutors say, he cut the monitoring device, and a warrant was issued. One week after that, on February 28, he was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission in connection with the theft last October of a Hyundai Elantra in Renton. Two weeks after those charges were filed, he failed to appear for arraignment in mid-March, and prosecutors sought another warrant. Since his arrest last weekend, he has pleaded not guilty. Tomorrow is the deadline for charges in the new case; prosecutors asked that he remain held in secure detention, and a judge agreed.
We’re now in the second week of registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024, and 180+ sales are now on the list for Saturday, May 11, one big day of shopping and selling, from Alki to The Arroyos, Pigeon Point to Brace Point, North Admiral to South Delridge, Sunrise Heights to Arbor Heights, and just about every neighborhood inbetween. Most are individual sales but there are also block sales, business sales, and fundraiser sales – wide variety of sellers and merchandise. Registration still has two-plus weeks to go but don’t wait too long – once the deadline (which we’ll set soon) passes, we have to lock down and get busy with the map and guide so that they can be available a week in advance (on May 4). So if you’re ready to register now (with your 20-word sale listing ready to go too), here’s the link!
(Photo sent by Kellie, sighting near 41st/Alaska)
They’re not turkeys, though they’re often mistaken for them. The wandering Guinea Fowl of West Seattle have been seen for months north of The Junction – we’ve featured them in some of our galleries of bird photos sent by readers. But these past few days, readers have sent photos of them closer to the heart of The Junction, expressing concern for their safety – the next photo was from Kristin, who emailed this morning to say, “They’re on the corner of 41st and Oregon. Cars on Oregon are dodging them.”
Those two photos above are from today; the next one was sent by James last week, taken near 41st/Genesee, closer to the north-of-Junction location of most previous sightings people have mentioned to us:
If these are your birds, we’d be interested in the story behind them, after so many sighting reports – westseattleblog@gmail.com.
**UPDATE: The dates are now April 20-29**
(Low bridge, SDOT traffic camera)
When SDOT first sent the alert last Friday that a low-bridge closure was ahead, it was described as likely being for “about a week” during the window of April 19-28. Today, an update from SDOT – the bridge is expected to be closed to surface traffic for that entire 10-day window:
From Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 28, the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) will temporarily be closed to people driving, walking and biking. This closure is necessary because the Seattle Department of Transportation crews have to move the control tower wires from the West Seattle Bridge (the high bridge) to a new underground conduit below the West Duwamish Waterway and replace the control system. These wires are connected to the hydraulic system that opens and closes the bridge. The West Seattle Bridge (high bridge) will remain open during the low bridge closure.
Travelers will need to detour to other routes. During the closure of the low bridge, here are options for reaching your destinations:
–Riding the bus: Buses provide a reliable option for travel across the Duwamish Waterway via the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge). They accommodate people walking, biking, and rolling, offering the fastest route without driving. Use King County Metro’s trip planner for route and schedule details.
–Riding the Water Taxi: The West Seattle Water Taxi offers direct service to downtown Seattle and operates seven days a week. Large vessels can accommodate up to 26 bikes.
–Driving/Carpooling on the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge): The West Seattle Bridge (high bridge) remains open for drivers with no vehicle access restrictions. Note that pedestrians and cyclists cannot use this bridge.
–Walking, biking, and rolling: For people who bike, walk or roll, there are several other routes to get around the closure. Check out the SDOT Bike Map to find available bike facilities. For people who walk or roll, we recommend utilizing public transit to reach your destination.
We are offering assistance to people impacted by the closure to use transit with a rewards code available through the TransitGo app. For detailed instructions on how to access this reward, go to this link.
For more detailed information about the closure and how to get around, visit SDOT Blog.
There’s other work ahead too over the next two years that will require “short-term closures,” including more cylinder overhauls. More info about the bridge’s ongoing work is here.
(Course map, from Emerald City Ride website)
Planning to join the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s Emerald City Ride across the West Seattle Bridge and beyond on May 5, but haven’t registered yet? If you sign up by Thursday (April 11th), you can get your packet by mail instead of having to pick it up. We first told you one month ago about the Emerald City Ride, which will close the westbound side of the high bridge for a few hours that Sunday morning so riders can cross as part of a route that starts and ends in SODO, with other West Seattle streets along the way. See the course map here; the full ride is 20 miles, but there are shorter options. You can go here to register.
One of Westwood Village‘s two biggest vacant storefronts apparently has a tenant. Five months after Staples moved out of 2501 SW Trenton in the northeast corner of the shopping center, city permit files show a site plan for Total Wine & More, the multi-state chain that sells liquor as well as wine and beer. Its website shows seven stores in the metro area; two are in Seattle, in Interbay and Northgate. We have a message out to Total Wine to ask about timeline. (Side note: The north side of WWV had a liquor store in the 2010s, state-run for about two years until privatization. Now you can buy liquor at the WWV Target, QFC, and Rite Aid stores.)
(Harbor seals seen near T-107 Park on the Duwamish River – photo by Steve Bender)
Here are quick links to what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Second week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: (corrected) 6 pm, board meeting open to community members, in-person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room (9131 California SW) or online.
FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: New series starts 6 pm tonight, at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.
WEST SEATTLE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Monthly meeting, 6 pm at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) – RSVP here.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with new (or not-so-new) friends! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What are YOU planning? Are community members invited? Tell everyone via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The spring edition of “Write Your Story” – the free workshop series for 8- to 12-year-olds, coordinated by West Seattle’s Julia Douthwaite Viglione – just wrapped up, and she reports that 12 participants created a “rollicking fable” titled “The Troll of the West Seattle Bridge.” What will the summer group do? Registration is open now – here’s the announcement!
Write YOUR Story – Summer 2024 – Enrolling now!
Theme: Growing Things
Who is invited? People age 8-12 who like stories
When? Every Wednesday, July 3 – September 4, 2024 – 4:30—5:30 pm
Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store – 4740 California Ave SW
Stories we’ll read:
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and
“A Pumpkin Seed” by Patrick Chamoiseau in Creole Folktales
Write YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids
“We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”
For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, April 9, and spring break continues for Seattle Public Schools and independent schools with similar calendars.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Morning rain likely, then partly sunny, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 6:30 am, sunset at 7:51 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERT
(WSB photo on 21st, noontime Monday)
Repaving work is expected to continue today on 21st SW between Dawson and 22nd – details here.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, NO WATER TAXI this weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-in-the-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19). The shuttle buses WILL run, though, Metro says.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Just out of the inbox tonight – news of an electric-vehicle show in West Seattle next Sunday. The Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation‘s Environmental Justice Group is presenting the show from noon-2 pm Sunday, April 14 (right after WSUU’s 10:30 am Earth Month service, “Answering Creation’s Cry“). Their invitation to you: “Talk to your neighbors about their electric cars. Leaf, Mustang, Mini-Coop, Tesla, etc.” WSUU is at 7141 California SW. Questions? Email jfawcettlong@gmail.com.
TUESDAY P.S. We asked if they have room for more participants. The reply: “We have room for two more; we try to avoid duplicates, there are a lot of Leaf owners already.”
This Wednesday (April 10), two city councilmembers – District 1’s Rob Saka and citywide Position 8’s Tanya Woo – will speak at the monthly meeting of our area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats. All are welcome at the online meeting. After each councilmember speaks, they’re scheduled to answer questions. Also on the agenda (see it here) for the group’s meeting, members will vote on several proposed endorsements. The meeting is set to start at 7:30 pm (after a 6:30 pm pre-meeting program) and you can get the link by registering here.
(WSB/WCN photo of Justin, Ann, and kids Moss and Ruby last year, when Full Tilt marked 15 years)
Five weeks after the death of Justin Cline, who founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center in 2008 with wife Ann Magyar, she just sent us the announcement that their flagship store and wholesale operations will close:
Dear Full Tilt family,
Justin founded Full Tilt with the hope he could work for himself and be part of the neighborhood in a positive, fun way. He wanted a place for music and art and for families to play. We opened on June 20, 2008 and were floored from day one at how much the community embraced us. We met so many people and made so many friends that we still hold dear. We loved watching kids learn to play pinball and Pac-Man and beg to stay just a little longer. So many artists and musicians and chefs have shared our space and we’ve been honored to be part of those journeys. Full Tilt was never just about the ice cream. But now Justin is gone, and it just isn’t the same without him. It’s time for Full Tilt as we know it to end.
Our wholesale operations will stop at the end of April. The last day for the White Center shop will be May 26th. The Columbia City shop will remain open but they do not accept gift cards, coupons, or birthday party certificates from other locations. You can find more info about that shop at www.fulltiltcolumbiacity.com.
I’m beyond grateful for the love and friendship and support these past 16 years. It’s truly been the best years of my life. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this craziness. Thank you White Center.
With love,
Mrs. Full Tilt
(WSB file photo, future park site at 48th/Charlestown)
We’ve heard updates in recent months about two of Seattle Parks‘ three “landbanked” sites in West Seattle, in The Junction and Morgan Junction – but nothing recently about the third, at 48th/Charlestown, aside from a brief mention during last November’s “West Seattle park projects” meeting. Now the city has announced that planning has resumed:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to get back to work on the 48th and Charlestown Landbanked Site Park Development after it was paused during the pandemic. SPR is currently working on renewing Osborn Consulting’s contract to complete the Bid Documents and SDOT Street Improvement Permit. A few refinements to the construction document’s electrical design are the last remaining coordination items needed to complete the set for final technical review. SPR anticipates a Bid Opening in late 2024 and construction to run through the end of 2024, with completion in mid 2025. We look forward to bringing the Community’s ideas and vision synthesized during the early design stages of this project to life!
Seattle Parks and Recreation and Osborn Consulting worked with the community on the design for the new park, which will provide a “neighborhood green” for people of all ages to meet, eat, play, and celebrate. The design includes an oval lawn surrounded by a loop path with arching seat walls, imaginative and active play for young children, picnic areas, and a small stage. Native and drought-tolerant plants will express the natural history of this area, and trees will frame the park and provide shade.
Parks says $1.2 million is budgeted for the project, from Park District funding. Site development/planning was “paused” in June 2020; the site was purchased more than a decade ago.
The photo is from William on 37th SW between Hanford and Hinds, who reports: “Just to let you know water has been on and off today for the last few hours, and it’s still quite brown at the moment. Many neighbors experiencing the same.” That’s apparently related to a water outage this morning in the area – we got a text about it last hour, but when we checked the SPU water-trouble map moments later, it was listed as an “emergency repair” situation that had been resolved. We’re following up with SPU.
MONDAY: Reported by Lisa:
Our 2016 Kia Sedona minivan was stolen overnight from in front of our house in 5600 block of 41st Ave. SW. We went out to find it missing at 4 am. It is a dark gray van with a mountain decal on the left side of the car above the back tire. The license plate is CJL4195. The police (incident) number is 24-94634.
THURSDAY: Lisa says it was found in Ballard.
(WSB photos)
11:15 AM: With unbroken clouds overhead, expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen is hosting her solar-eclipse-viewing event inside Olympic Hall at the south end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, room 105. She’s tuning in feeds from other areas of the nation/hemisphere (so far, Texas, Missouri, Mexico, Canada) that are seeing a total eclipse (even if we weren’t socked in here, we’d be seeing only 20 percent coverage).
11:27 AM: Alice has sent out scouts to check outside every few minutes. Still “totally socked in.” (If that changes, though, she promises, “we’re going outside.”) The feeds onscreen have varied from totality in Mexico to “just getting started” in Maine (where totality is a little over an hour away).
(Maine feed shown onscreen – this is close to what it peaked at here, above the clouds)
11:45 AM: If you could see through the clouds here, we’d already be more than 15 minutes past the partial-eclipse peak here, so this is definitely remaining an indoor viewing event. Alice, who is an instructor here at SSC, has explained that one of the feeds is from a North Seattle College instructor, Tracy Furutani, who traveled to Missouri to see it and provide a livestream.
12:04 PM: The Missouri location dimmed noticeably on the live feed and is now coming out of totality. (One total-eclipse image also revealed a couple of planets, too, which Alice jumped up to point out.) Other areas are still heading for complete coverage so Alice will be here a while longer; we’re moving on.
10:07 AM: Eclipse visibility: Iffy. Whale visibility: Good news – Kersti Muul just sent word of two groups of orcas in the area: “Group 1: southbound from West Point. Group 2: west of mid-channel off the north end of Blake Island, unknown direction of travel.” Let us know if you see any!
10:22 AM: Kersti has updated in a comment below. In short, group 2 is headed out of sight (for now) along the west side of Vashon, but group 1 has entered Elliott Bay.
1 PM: Another update below from Kersti; meantime, we’ve added a photo above, sent by Dan Ciske.
6:24 PM: Thanks also to Robin Sinner for the next photo, taken as orcas passed Constellation Park:
First on the list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ECLIPSE EVENT UPDATE: Never one to give up hope, West Seattle’s expert skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen says she’s still planning to be at the field on the south end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW) campus 10:35 am-12:25 pm in case there’s a break in the clouds allowing a glimpse of the solar eclipse (peaking here with 20% coverage at 11:29 am), but: “If there is a downpour, we may go inside a nearby classroom for a livestream and activities. Look for signage if you don’t see us in the field.”
Now the rest of the Monday list:
(‘Future plums,’ photographed by Gary Pro)
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: For a second week, the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) is soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring wee ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome to join free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm is the start time for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, April 8, solar-eclipse day whether we get a glimpse or not.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Probably not, since the forecast is for a mostly cloudy sky, then a chance of rain by mid-afternoon, high in the low 50s, breezy too. (But hold out hope for Alice Enevoldsen‘s eclipse event!) Sunrise will be at 6:32 am, sunset at 7:50 pm.
TRAFFIC ALERT
Repaving work is expected to start today on 21st SW between Dawson and 22nd – details here.
SPRING BREAK
It’s break week for Seattle Public Schools and independent schools with similar calendars.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, no service next weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-in-the-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19).
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
The city has given a homebuilder the green light to cut down that evergreen tree in Upper Fauntleroy.
Advocates who hoped to save the tree, nicknaming it “Henry,” consider the approval ironic – new city rules passed last year require so much of a buffer zone to protect the tree, its lot would be unbuildable, so the tree comes down. They hope its removal will be an example of why the city’s new tree rules should be revised.
We’ve reported before on the site where “Henry” stands – at least until Tuesday, the first day it can be legally taken down. It’s at 8822 38th Avenue SW, where six new residences are planned – two single-family houses, each with two accessory dwelling units, one detached and one attached – plus 10 offstreet parking spaces. Five months ago, before the house on the site was demolished, it was used for Seattle Fire Department training. One month after that, the house was torn down. The site’s been idle through the winter while permit reviews continues. And now the Department of Construction and Inspections has granted the permit for taking down the tree, which is described in project documents as a red cedar, though Sandy Shettler of Tree Action Seattle contends it’s a Lawson cypress.
Shettler asked SDCI about the reason for the removal approval; a reviewing arborist replied via email that “it met Code requirements, particularly SMC 25.11.070.A.1.a.” You can see the code here. Here’s what Shettler says is the problem: “The new code mandates a very large, inviolable tree protection area which uses this formula: 1-ft diameter tree protection area per each 1″ of trunk. So for a 41″ diameter tree, a circle 82 feet in all directions needs to be set aside. Obviously that makes the lot unbuildable, (and even makes the neighboring lots unbuildable!) Since this absurdly rigid tree protection area cannot be excavated into by even one inch, the tree gets removed.”
She’s not calling for a protest, but advocating for future change: “Seattle needs to revise its tree ordinance to plan for trees — not just the ones we have, but to have space for new ones since we are cutting 4,000 per year. The new projects are all hardscape and heat.” The new tree rules require replacement plantings after removal, but not necessarily on the same site, according to this explanatory city post: “When a tree must be removed, a property owner can choose to either replant onsite or pay the equivalent value into the One Seattle Tree Fund. This added flexibility allows for trees to be planted more equitably and spread throughout neighborhoods or public spaces with historically less tree canopy.” The current tree rules were passed before a majority of city councilmembers left office; Shettler says she’s hoping to work with newly elected members to save more “Henry”-size trees.
SIDE NOTE: As with so many other types of data, the city has a map for tree-removal/tree-work permits, past and present.
TUESDAY NOTE: “Henry” was cut down this morning, as commenters’ photo and video show; we just went by to check, and only a stump remains.
After six days of registration, we have more than 160 sales on the list for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024 – one day of selling and shopping all over the peninsula, on Saturday, May 11, 9 am-3 pm. Whatever you’re looking for, somebody will probably be selling it – we’ve been browsing the sale descriptions, and making note of some unique items. One example: a “large pristine fake Christmas tree.” Another seller is offering an “elevated dog-wash tub.” Multiple sellers are promising plants, just in time for the heart of gardening season. Love art? Pottery, glass, woodwork … and this is just part of it. Are you thinking about having a sale, but haven’t registered yet? You still have two and a half weeks to decide – but then we’ll have to close registration so we can make and circulate the map and list (available one week before WSCGSD). If you’re ready now (including the verbiage for your 20-word sale listing), here’s where to go!
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