West Seattle, Washington
20 Friday
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Finding a clean, open, and safe restroom in Seattle city parks is, for lack of a better word, a crapshoot. That’s the blunt conclusion of a City Auditor report issued earlier this month, documenting a number of failures around maintenance and access to potties in the parks. West Seattle parks fare no better than the rest. As of this writing, half of District 1’s 26 restrooms are closed for a variety of reasons, some expected and some not.
The auditor’s report (read it here), covering operations in 2023 and 2024, will be discussed by a City Council committee tomorrow. More on that later. First: The report details a confluence of circumstances that contributed to not meeting Parks’ goals around cleanliness and availability, despite almost doubling the parks tax levy in 2023. A hiring freeze in 2024 was the primary culprit, but an increase in vandalism, inconsistent/unenforced standards, and lack of data collection have added up to a situation where managers don’t know if bathrooms have been cleaned, or how much, and the public often can’t tell if the restrooms are usable, let alone open, until they arrive. Improvements are now promised for 2025, and park visitors have the potential to play a larger role in assessing them than previously.
Park restrooms bear the brunt of the challenges that come with providing public restrooms.
5:18 PM: As we head into evening, that’s the last major outage in not only West Seattle, but citywide, with the 1,600+ affected customers representing just under half the 3,800+ customers still out around Seattle City Light‘s entire territory. For earlier events, see our morning coverage here and midday/afternoon coverage here. Best news is that the wind has moved on, and we’re even expecting a break from the rain, tonight at least through Thursday – when the temperature could reach almost 60 degrees.
5:27 PM: As if by magic, a moment after we published this, the outage ended, and the SCL map now reflects that.
Before the Our Lady of Guadalupe School (WSB sponsor) fundraising event this weekend, two things happening right now are open to everyone: First, now through Friday, you can bid in the school’s online auction, with items donated by local businesses and other supporters – gift cards, tickets, more. Second, both today and tomorrow (Wednesday, February 26), The Westy (7908 35th SW) is hosting a dine-out fundraiser for the school – use the code OLG and mention you’re supporting the school, and they’ll donate 15 percent of the proceeds. Though The Westy is a 21+ establishment for dining and drinking, you can get take-out for the whole family, and that can count toward the fundraiser too.
If you were planning on guitar-shopping before the day’s out – Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) sadly won’t be able to help you today. They’re one of the Seattle City Light customers still out of power, and with the possibility it won’t be back until day’s end, proprietor Frank Gross tells us, he decided to close. Check out the shop tomorrow, 10 am-6 pm.
Despite the stormy weather, workers are on site today at the Alki Elementary rebuild project; Don sent the photo showing the concrete pour that’s under way. If you’ve passed the site in recent days and noticed the white tent-like structures, those have been part of the preparations for this. This is for the building’s ground floor; other work already been done includes foundation construction and piping for utilities including the building’s heating and cooling system. We asked the district about any other updates, and a spokesperson says, “The mass timber structure installation will begin in March.” The new school is expected to open in fall of 2026; staff and students will have been in temporary quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary site for three years by then. It’s been a year and a half since the old school was demolished; after demolition, the start of construction was on hold until an appeal was resolved.
10:55 AM: The wind hasn’t entirely ebbed yet, but the official alert expired at 10 am and – at least in our observation – things are calming. Much of what we covered in our morning report has been resolved, so we’re starting fresh here with midday updates:
(Photo sent by Taylor)
TREE TROUBLE: The major roadblocking trees (Delridge Way, Olson Place, Holden) have been cleared by SDOT, as noted in our earlier coverage. But others are still awaiting clearance – like the one in the photo above, in the park near Delridge Community Center, west of the skatepark (thanks to everyone who sent tips and photos). And here’s another downed park tree, with some backstory:
This tree is at Highland Park. The large downed portion is covering half the road on SW Thistle between 11th and 12th.
As seen in the photo, the city knows about it and has already put caution tape around it this morning.
This is a favorite climbing tree of many kids who visit this park.
Seattle Parks also reissued its reminder that forested parks are places to avoid during high wind, and in general, when the wind kicks up, stay out from under trees. … In South Admiral, a texter reports this tree partly blocking at Walnut/Manning:
POWER OUTAGES: Many power outages were triggered by trees – City Light crews have been busy all night and morning – Al sent this photo from 47th/Eddy:
The largest remaining West Seattle outages are 1,600+ customers on the central west side of the peninsula, and almost 500 in Puget Ridge/Pigeon Point/North Delridge (see the darker markers):
We’ll continue adding to this story in the hours ahead – in general, give yourself extra time if you have to go somewhere, because you might encounter a downed-tree detour, or an intersection that’s stop-all-ways because a sign’s down or a signal’s out.
11:43 AM: The North Delridge/Pigeon Point/Puget Ridge outage is down to 215 customers.
12:30 PM: A caller wants to alert you that the California/Charlestown light is out, though everything around it seems to have power.
1:44 PM: A texter says this is where City Light is working to remedy the Seaview/Fairmount Park outage – “tree on power lines at 37th/Raymond”:
SCL has arborists in the trees (no alley access), but it looks like it will be a little while longer.
3:36 PM: Watch for low-hanging wires/cables – they’re not all live wires, but they can be dangerous just the same. One reader texted about one over the road at 55th/Andover.
3:59 PM: Also – beware of at least one flagpole! Our Lady of Guadalupe reports they’ve closed Myrtle between 35th and 34th (usually just closed during school hours) because of possible danger from their flagpole. They offer apologies to the neighbors.
Good morning – it’s Tuesday, February 25, and strong wind has been pummeling our area all night. Updates below, as they happen.
WEATHER UPDATE
The High Wind Warning alert remains in effect until 10 am. Otherwise, the forecast is for on-and-off rain, high in the low 50s.
POWER OUTAGES
6:08 AM: The Delridge/Thistle tree mentioned below has also just taken out power for 6,100 homes/businesses from Highland Park to White Center to South Park.
7:11 AM: Some if not all of those in the biggest outage say they’re back on.
7:39 AM: New big outage – almost 5,000 customers mostly in western West Seattle – here’s that part of the map:
Update: Per commenters, that outage was resolved around 9:30 am.
EARLIER: The Seattle City Light map shows scattered outages around the peninsula (as well as elsewhere in SCL territory) – the largest is about 500 customers in the Puget Ridge area, and about 200 around Alki Point, plus the 100-customer second Seaview outage noted earlier.
TRAFFIC TROUBLE, INCLUDING TREES
6 AM: The wind has brought down some trees that SDOT crews are dealing with; we’ve just heard a dispatch for a tree blocking Delridge/Thistle, while earlier tonight, one was reported on 35th near Holden. 7:30 UPDATE: SDOT crew on scene; RapidRide H rerouted until this is cleared … 7:55 AM: Now cleared!
ADDED 6:41 AM: And this tree’s blocking Holden about a block west of Delridge, per the texter who sent photo:
8:33 AM: Holden is now clear.
ADDED 7:28 AM: Two more road-blocking trees – one at 31st/Myrtle, this one on 47th between Oregon and Alaska (thanks for the photo):
ADDED 7:43 AM: A tree down on Olson Place at the east end of the Roxbury corridor is blocking eastbound traffic and rerouting Route 60.
Please let us know if you come across any closures – 206-293-6302 text or voice.
SCHOOL CHANGES
Added 6:33 am: The Highline district just south of West Seattle is on a two-hour delay.
Added 7:53 am: Vashon Island School District 1 1/2 hours late … Genesee Hill Elementary lost power in the newest outage but is carrying on …
Update, 8:02 am: Vashon Island SD has now decided to CLOSE for today.
Any other changes? 206-293-6302.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Three biznotes tonight:
ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE WESTWOOD VILLAGE TENANT: Even as other future Westwood Village tenants like Total Wine & More (seemingly on the brink of signage) and Panda Express work on remodels, another prospective tenant has turned up in city permit records: F45 Training, a fitness chain, is penciled in for the former Massage Envy spot on the north side of WWV. Its current Seattle locations include the Central District, Queen Anne, Ballard, Eastlake, and Northgate.
BECU OPENS IN WHITE CENTER: As noted here last month, BECU (WSB sponsor) has been building a Neighborhood Financial Center in the new mixed-use development at 16th/107th in White Center, and the credit union says it’s now open. They’re planning a grand-opening community celebration at 3 pm Wednesday, March 19. Readers have asked if the Roxbury Safeway BECU mini-branch will close; a BECU spokesperson told us today, “At this time, we have not announced plans for our Roxbury location.”
WAXING CLINIC:: Skiing and boarding season continues! So Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is presenting an “Intro to Waxing” this Wednesday (February 26), 6 pm:
The workshop will provide attendees with the skills and knowledge needed to keep their ski and snowboarding gear in top condition. There is a $10 ticket but that ticket cost can be used as credit toward the purchase of personal waxing supplies at Mountain to Sound.
Get your ticket, and find out more about the clinic, here.
6:24 PM: Eight hours or so into the High Wind Warning alert, the wind kicked up a short time ago (we heard thunder too!), and West Seattle has its first power outage of note – more than 250 customers in Seaview. People in the area report hearing a “boom” before the power went out. Updates to come …
6:56 PM: This storm seems to be arriving (and departing) in waves, and we’re between waves right now. The photo above is from James Bratsanos, who noticed it just before that intense wave of rain, wind, and thunder. So far the 256-customer Seaview outage is the only one in West Seattle; citywide it’s the second-largest after a 5,300+-customer outage in North Seattle.
7:43 PM: The SCL map shows the Seaview outage has been resolved.
2:36 AM: An area further south in Seaview and beyond has lost power this time:
City Light says this one is affecting 100+ customers. The wind is about the strongest-sounding we’ve heard all night.
For the third time in four days, the Admiral Way Bridge lane alignment has changed; as shown in our photo above, by dusk, one eastbound lane was closed, while the other one and both westbound lanes were open. Before that, all lanes were open during the weekend. SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson explained, “Admiral Way SW was briefly reopened this week as our crews are preparing for an upcoming shift from working in the center lanes to working in the northern lanes.” He says it’ll continue to change at times in the next few months, while the seismic-strengthening project remains projected to be completed this summer.
Some readers have asked about the sinkhole coned off in the middle of 35th SW near SW Edmunds. We asked SDOT, which in turn pointed us to Seattle Public Utilities; SPU spokesperson Brad Wong tells WSB that crews investigated it today:
Seattle Public Utilities is monitoring and working on a void in the 4700 block of 35th Avenue Southwest, which was reported by the Seattle Department of Transportation.
On the morning of February 24, SPU crews completed an initial investigation and inspection of the roadway and found that a 10-inch combined sewer pipe had collapsed. Flow, though, was continuing. As of 1 p.m., SPU had not received any report about properties experiencing sewer backups.
SPU is working with SDOT on traffic control in the affected area, which is barricaded. SPU crews are moving a pump unit to the location as a preventive measure for any system backup. SPU expects the pipe rehabilitation work on the affected area to be finished in about two weeks.
This stirs memories of a water break that flooded 35th downhill from there, between Alaska and Avalon, in 2017. That, however, was blamed on a private line.
It’s been a while since the last 7-11 holdup report, but one happened early today, according to Seattle Police. They were called to the Highland Park 7-11 (16th/Holden) shortly after 1:30 am. According to the police-report summary, an “employee was emptying trash outside when he saw a car parked at the east side of the building, occupied by at least 3. One suspect male brandished a gun and ordered the employee back into the store, where he had the employee open and empty the registers. The suspect and vehicle fled northbound on 16 Ave SW.” Police say they have fingerprints and surveillance video. Their summary didn’t include a description but the archived audio had this descriptio: Black, male, 20s, 5’6″, blue or black pants, black shoes, a black hoodie; the vehicle was described as a black or blue sedan.
(Overview of proposed footprint of new dock/terminal)
Today’s the day Washington State Ferries promised it would launch an online “open house” for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project, and its announcement has arrived:
Washington State Ferries is nearing the end of the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process. WSF recently completed Level 3 screening and selected an alternative to replace the Fauntleroy ferry terminal. We’re moving forward with a longer dock concept to provide more space to load and unload passengers—holding between 124 and 155 vehicles on the dock, compared to 80 vehicles today. This footprint also avoids nearby Cove Park. WSF will refine the design to minimize impacts to other environmentally sensitive areas.
Participate in upcoming engagement opportunities
Join our virtual information session or participate in the online open house to learn more about the Level 3 screening process and results. The virtual information session and online open house will cover the same information, so choose the one that works best for your schedule.Visit the online open house now
The online open house is open now through Friday, March 21.
Register for upcoming information session
Join us for the upcoming project information session hosted by the project team.
Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Register here: bit.ly/FauntleroyMarch11
The online “open house” contains information that’s been presented to the Community Advisory Group for the project and offers commenting opportunities. Construction, for which almost $100 million has been budgeted so far, is expected by the end of the decade.
The National Weather Service has upgraded the wind alert for our area to a High Wind Warning, in effect now through 10 am Tuesday. In part, the alert says, “South winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 to 60 mph (are) expected.” As always, we appreciate hearing from you about storm effects – power outages, toppled trees – so once you’ve reported to authorities (206-684-3000 for City Light, 206-684-ROAD for SDOT, or 911 if it’s an immediate safety risk), you can text/phone us at 206-293-6302.
(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
As we’ve been reporting, a wind alert is up, until 10 am Tuesday. But while we wait to see what happens with the weather, here’s what’s on the schedule for the rest of today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ART EXHIBIT: 11 am-6 pm, visitors welcome at the Washington State Black Legacy Institute (2656 42nd SW) in The Admiral District.
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
ART SALON: A “safe place for creative people to gather,” 4-6 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), bring your own project/supplies.
HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places to play tonight! … Every-other-week music quiz at Easy Street Records, 6:30 and 7:30 pm sessions (4559 California SW) … 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 AT ALKI UCC: It’s back, every Monday. Doors open at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights, jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday night, sing your heart out during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who contributes listings to our calendar – if you have something to add (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:21 AM: Thanks for the photo! Demolition is under way at 4448 California SW [map], a few doors north of California/Oregon in The Junction. We reported a week and a half ago that it was imminent after a fence went up around the building whose final tenants had included Rush Hour and West Seattle Coworking (both of which moved to new locations months ago). As we noted then, the plans show its nearly 90 units are planned to be half apartments, half “lodging” (hotel), with about 3,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, and no offstreet parking. It’s another collaboration between Housing Diversity Corporation, STS Construction Services (WSB sponsor), and Atelier Drome architects (WSB sponsor), also currently building a mixed-use project at 9201 Delridge Way SW. This one is expected to be complete in the second half of next year.
11:27 AM: Updated photo from a WSB team member:
ADDED: End of day:
A groundbreaking ceremony is planned next week.
Transient orcas were here for much of the weekend, and they’re still around today; Kersti Muul just texted that a group is eastbound from the north end of Vashon Island. Let us know if you see them! (Here are the photos and video shared with us on Saturday.)
6:00 AM: Good morning – it’s Monday, February 24, 2025. School is now back in session for everyone, including those who were out on mid-winter break last week.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
This afternoon through tomorrow morning, we’ll be under a Wind Advisory alert, with strong southerly gusts possible. Otherwise, the forecast is for on-and-off rain, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:58 am and 5:47 pm.
ROAD-WORK NOTE
(Photo sent by MJ)
Friday, readers reported the Admiral Way Bridge traffic lanes had shifted again. Then by Sunday morning (photo above), the bridge had fully reopened. We’re still waiting to hear from SDOT on whether that’s the end of all top-side work in the seismic-strengthening project.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V
CLOSURE REMINDER
-As noted here, the Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight tonight into tomorrow morning (2/21-22) for maintenance work.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
After a month of moving from Morgan Junction to The Junction, Paper Boat Booksellers has announced it’s ready to reopen in its new location at 4522 California SW:
… We just have a few finishing touches to add and while things will be a work in progress for the next few weeks – we are pretty much there and ready to open our doors – trust us, we are ready to open the front shade, take down the paper on the door and let in the natural light. …
They’ll reopen at 10 am Tuesday (February 25) and will keep later hours – 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 am-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm Sundays, closed Mondays. We first reported on the shop’s planned move in December; among other attributes, the new space is twice the size of their old one.
(Photo by Oliver Hamlin)
At left, above, is Chief Sealth International High School wrestler Micah Policarpio, who took second in his division (190) at the just-completed state tournament. CSIHS reports head coach Maurice Dolberry‘s team finished 8th in the state and says they’re the highest-placing Seattle Public Schools team ever. Other top-ten finishers from Sealth are listed in their announcement as Lucy Self (3rd, 140), Xavier Nguyen (3rd, 150), Lanu Amituanai (5th, 145), Eli Policarpio (5th, 215), Alex Pando (7th, 175), and Xander Gomez (8th, 132).
P.S. You can find full brackets/results by starting here.
ORIGINAL SUNDAY AFTERNOON STORY: If you see Holy Rosary Catholic Church‘s bus sometime soon, it’s not on a church outing – it was stolen early today. Here’s the report and photo sent to us:
(Image from Google Maps)
Early this morning (Sunday, February 23), the Holy Rosary Church bus was stolen while parked on 42nd Ave SW. We do have surveillance video and have contacted the Seattle Police Department … The bus has been used for multiple activities – transporting parishioners who do not drive to Mass, senior outing events, some school activities, and for many years to transport homeless women to our shelter until that was closed during Covid.
Other info
– 2015 Ford E-350 Micro Bird bus
– WA license C52784N
– Color white with “Holy Rosary Catholic Church” lettering on sides and back of busWe are hoping one of your readers has seen the bus since it was stolen and can provide information on its whereabouts.
Call 911 if you see it. (We’ll add the theft video if and when we receive it.)
ADDED MONDAY: As noted in comments, Holy Rosary got the bus back today. It was found in Burien and they were having it towed to a shop there, to repair damage including the torn-up steering column.
Keep everything charged and make sure your outdoor items are secured – strong wind may be on the way. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory alert that takes effect at 1 pm Monday and continues until 7 am Tuesday. In part, it projects “south winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 to 50 mph.”
One week from today, Tibbetts United Methodist Church in West Seattle plans a tribute to the organist who’s been at their keyboard for 44 years – here’s the announcement, with some history:
(Photo courtesy John Van Lierop Jr.)
On Sunday, March 2, for the 10:00 am service, Tibbetts United Methodist Church, 3940 41st Ave SW, will honor John Van Lierop Jr’s 44 years of service as their organist. The church was not able to recognize John’s 40th year of service due to the Covid outbreak.
John started his organ playing in the church that his Father was minister of in Portland, Oregon, Hope Presbyterian Church, in the mid-’60s. His first official organ position was at Centenary-Wilbur Methodist Church in 1966 while he was a student at Lewis and Clark College in Portland. From there, John played the organ in churches in Spokane and Seattle, with his previous organist position prior to coming to Tibbetts being Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church in Seattle, where he served 7 years.
When John came to Tibbetts, the organ was a 2 Manuel Balcom & Vaughn pipe organ. Due to upkeep costs on that organ and other issues, Tibbetts decided to replace it with an electronic organ. After a successful fundraising campaign, a 3 Manuel Allen Digital Organ was purchased and installed in late 1989. The Dedication Recital was held in 1990, with John at the organ.
In addition to his usual organ playing in church and choir accompanying, John enjoys doing piano/organ duets during the church services. His piano partner is the talented Shirley Lindberg, who happens to be the director of the bell choirs at Tibbetts, in addition to directing the Bells of the Sound, a professional bell group based in Seattle. During these last 44 years at Tibbetts, John has worked under 7 ministers and 10 choir directors. He enjoys using the Tibbetts sanctuary with its 7-foot Steinway grand piano for his student piano recitals in Winter and Spring. Also, the Annual Guild Piano Auditions are held in church’s sanctuary.
John doesn’t plan on retiring quite yet from being the organist at Tibbetts but hopes to stay a little while longer.
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