West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, May 31.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the upper 60s.. (Watch the extended forecast, currently: “A late-season atmospheric river will bring moderate to heavy precipitation from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday across all of western Washington.”) Today’s sunrise was at 5:15 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.
WEEKEND ALERTS
*The White Center Pride Street Festival will close 16th SW between Roxbury and SW 100th for most of Saturday.
*From WSDOT: “The right lane on SR 99 northbound at milepost 27.17 near the First Avenue Bridge will close beginning at 6:00 am until about 1:00 pm on (Saturday).”
=ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
STADIUM ZONE
If you’re going through SODO tonight, note that the Mariners play the Angels, 7:10 pm, with fireworks afterward.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. And since it’s Friday, sailings run later into the night.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, although there was some crewing doubt last night, so be sure to check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (The low bridge has been reconnected to the feed, too.)
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!
ORIGINAL REPORT: Police responding to suspected gunfire in North Delridge have just told dispatch that they’ve found evidence – shell casings on the one-lane bridge across Longfellow Creek near 28th SW and SW Nevada [map]. There’s a report that someone saw a person in a vehicle firing a gun, possibly a dark SUV. No injuries reported so far.
ADDED MONDAY: Police finally released a bit of additional information – that they found a total of three casings. No injuries or damage otherwise.
ORIGINAL THURSDAY NIGHT REPORT: As a City Council committee led by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka continues reviewing the proposed transportation-levy renewal/expansion, Saka has released results of his survey about levy priorities. We published the participation link back in early April. He told his email-newsletter list today that more than 1,800 people took the survey; here’s how that broke out geographically:
Here’s how he wrote about and showed the results:
Of the high-level survey responses, the categories of “Street Repaving” (including filling potholes!), “Bridge Maintenance and Repair” (not surprising given the extended closure of the West Seattle bridge!) and “Safe Crossings, More and Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Better Lighting, Safe Routes to Schools” tied for the top combined first, second, and third choices of respondents.
I do understand that the categories of Personal Safety, Pedestrian Lighting at Stops, and, More Transit Routes & Stops, and New Sidewalks also ranked high and is strongly corroborated by the many qualitative comments.
And while other categories may not have ranked as high, they will likely be included in the final proposed Transportation Levy package – all which will be ultimately for the voters to decide on this Fall’s ballot.
The graph below shows the categorization of some of the major qualitative comments received. I read the many comments which, together with the quantitative survey results, will help inform my Office and guide my decisionmaking as we move forward together.
Soon, I will be sharing my draft “Chair’s Amendment” to the Mayor’s proposed Transportation Levy renewal package and this information will be available on Council’s website.
In the meantime, Councilmember Saka notes that one public hearing and four other meetings – all of which also include public-comment periods – remain for levy consideration:
June 4, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
June 4, 4:30 PM | Second Public Hearing
June 18, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
July 2, 9:30 AM | Committee Meeting
July 9, 2:00 PM | Full Council Meeting – Final Adoption of Proposed Levy Package to go before Voters in November 2024 General Election
Agendas explain how to comment, and will appear on this page when posted.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: A new council memo details key points of Saka’s aforementioned levy amendment, though the specific text is not yet available.
(SDOT current/future cross-section comparison, from project webpage)
For the first time since SDOT announced last Friday that it would proceed with the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, adding a few features, we’re hearing from the group that had been fighting the plan. Alki Point For All says it wants to clarify that the SDOT changes did not constitute a compromise. Here’s their statement:
Last week the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) announced that it is proceeding with construction at Alki Point, with changes based on community feedback, including ours. To clear up any confusion caused by that announcement, the changes are not responsive to our concerns. SDOT has not addressed the substantive issues we have raised regarding the harmful impact of this project on social equity, safety, and marine education and conservation. At a recent meeting we encouraged SDOT to consider solutions that would better meet the needs of the wider community, while still achieving its goals. The small cosmetic changes announced last week bear little resemblance to the ideas we proposed, as described below.
1. Transformative Art. We encouraged SDOT to consider street art as way to organically slow traffic and increase safety. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proven this concept in projects all over the country: Asphalt Art Initiative and Asphalt Art Safety Study. We suggested that local artists like the Youngstown Arts Collective could be engaged to create the design. In piloting this approach, Alki Point could serve as a model for other Healthy Streets, and bring communities together rather than dividing them. Instead, SDOT will add decorative art to their existing design — missing the point, and the opportunity.
2. Welcome Signs. We proposed replacing the Street Closed signs with signs that said “Welcome to Constellation Marine Reserve. Go Slow.” The goal of that change was to alert drivers they are entering a special place, and encourage (or require) them to slow down, while at the same time welcoming the public to use a public space. SDOT liked our idea for “Welcome” signs, but plans to install them in addition to, not instead of, the Street Closed signs. It’s hard to imagine a more confusing message: welcome, and stay away.
3. Bus Parking. SDOT’s solution is insufficient for the need—the spaces they’ve identified are too small. When students come to Alki Point for field trips, the number of busses can range from two to nineteen. We recommended that SDOT contact schools to determine the actual need.
4. Time / Area Closures. Instead of a permanent “rolling” lane, we proposed using time and area closures such as car-free Sundays. Shorter temporary closures would be safer for people who want to recreate in the street, and allow more people to access the area year-round. That suggestion was ignored.
In October 2022, SDOT announced its preferred design for Alki Point, which called for the loss of five parking spaces on Alki Ave SW. In December 2023, the agency revealed its final design, which for the first time included the addition of a “rolling” lane and the loss of 62 parking spaces along the west side Beach Drive. These significant changes were made too late for public comment, without stakeholder notification or engagement, and in violation of their own guidelines for Healthy Streets.
SDOT has broken faith with its constituents in both how its decisions were made and how they are described. This latest announcement is more of the same. We expect more from a city that values transparency and accountability in governing. Nearly 1800 people have signed our petition asking the Mayor to halt this project.
So beyond this statement, what does the coalition plan to do? we asked on followup. Spokesperson Donna Sandstrom replied, “We are considering our next steps. Our goal in writing this was to set the public record straight – SDOT’s announcement created a false impression that they were responsive to community feedback. They were not. For now we are still encouraging people to sign our petition. We’re working on a website and reaching out to the people who came to our meeting. We see this as the first leg of a relay. We didn’t achieve our first goal of halting construction, but we are confident that this wrong will be righted in the long run.” She says the group also is heartened that City Councilmember Rob Saka has pledged to evaluate the project in the fall. Meantime, SDOT said earlier this week that construction of the permanent features, including a walking-and-rolling path replacing waterfront parking spots, will resume as soon as this Saturday (June 1).
(October 2023 WSB photo of Lincoln Park ex-site)
One week after Seattle Parks announced it had ditched the plan for converting former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts, it’s out with a citywide update on pickleball and tennis, including a reiteration of its Lincoln Park intentions, and a bit about Solstice Park (both of which we’ve boldfaced below for emphasis):
Seattle Parks and Recreation is excited to announce several developments based on the 2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study and the recent 2024 SPR Pickleball and Tennis Vision presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners …
… First and foremost, SPR is announcing the establishment of two sport-specific hubs: Green Lake Park (East Courts) will be a dedicated pickleball hub, and Lower Woodland Park (Lower Courts) will be a dedicated tennis hub! These two locations are excellent models for the start of sport-specific hubs in the city. SPR will use these models to pilot new initiatives as we refine the “hub specific” model for implementation elsewhere.
Additionally, the Belltown Pickleball Courts at the intersection of 5th Ave. and Taylor Ave. are now conducting a “Quiet-Paddles” only pilot. Players must use their own paddles – or check out a loaner paddle from nearby businesses – that meets criteria for Quiet-Category paddles certified by USA Pickleball. These products deliver essentially 50 percent or less of the acoustic footprint of equipment commonly used in the play of pickleball.
SPR is moving forward with new outdoor court capital development. This summer SPR will be resurfacing and restriping the tennis courts at David Rodgers Park tennis courts, Amy Yee Tennis Center outdoor courts, and, if budget allows half the tennis courts at Solstice Park (with the other half planned for resurfacing in 2025). Additionally, we will be adding noise-reducing fence technology to the courts located at Miller Park and Laurelhurst Park to mitigate noise associated with pickleball play.
SPR will not be pursuing the proposed pickleball courts at Lincoln Park. The fence surrounding the existing court slab will be removed and the area will remain “undeveloped” until a more suitable site can be identified and agreed on by community members.
SPR has launched a new online engagement hub at Project: Racquet & Paddle Sports (seattleparksandrec.com) which will be a one-stop shop for all racquet and paddle sports in the City. The community who visit the online hub may engage with planning efforts, connect with other community members, get updates about planned events, and provide feedback on SPR’s efforts to improve and increase all racquet and paddle sports courts and programs.
Lastly, SPR is working through re-vamping the online reservation system and the “Rules of the Court” at all facilities to simplify and clarify when and how the courts are used for the sports of pickleball or tennis. Look for changes coming to the online system, as well as new signs and banners posted at courts over the next few months.
We’re seeking comment from Parks on one followup point – whether the old slab at Lincoln Park will stay or go. As for Solstice Park, it was originally scheduled for resurfacing and restriping last year – and after we learned and reported the plan to add pickleball striping, the now-scrapped Lincoln Park pickleball alternative emerged.
Two more window signs of note:
TOP POT DOUGHNUTS: When we reported a month-plus ago that Top Pot Doughnuts was returning to West Seattle, we noted that sources had told us the location would be the ex-Wildflour/Flying Apron spot at 4709 California SW. Thanks to Anne for the tip that proof has appeared in the windows today:
Our photographer talked to Top Pot employees working in the space today and they said they’re hoping to be open “in a couple months.” A company spokesperson told us by email “summer.”
PEARLS: We noticed this sign, and empty windows otherwise, while passing Pearls (4800 Delridge Way SW), and stopped for a closer look:
No further info so far. We’ve added it to our watch list for future reopening.
Thanks to Lauren for the tip and photo. MOD Pizza has closed what was its first West Seattle location, on the east side of The Junction, in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Its Westwood Village location remains open. The now-closed location opened in February 2018. Besides its employees and fans, another group will be affected by the closure – the many nonprofits, sports teams, etc. for which it’s held dine-out fundraisers. The Seattle-born chain closed more than two dozen stores earlier this year, according to reports.
(ABBAgraphs at The Mount, WSB photo from 2019)
As noted here two weeks ago, the Admiral Neighborhood Association is relaunching its summer concert series as Admiral Music in the Parks, and has chosen three locations for this year’s three shows:
Thursday, July 18th 6:30 pm @ Belvedere Park
Thursday, July 25th 6:30 pm @ California Place Park
Thursday, August 1st 6:30 pm @ Hamilton Viewpoint
ANA has now made its first band announcement – not for the first date, but for the third – ABBAgraphs will bring the music of ABBA to the final show on August 1st! All shows are free – bring your own blanket/chair.
P.S. ANA is still seeking concert sponsors – you can contact them here to find out more about that.
The next production at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is just one week away:
(ArtsWest photo)
ArtsWest will produce “Clyde’s” by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage (Sweat, Ruined). This co-production with The Hansberry Project will be directed by Seattle theatre staple Valerie Curtis-Newton. The cast features Reginald Jackson, Deja Culver, Jacob Alcazar, Joe Moore, and Tracy Michelle Hughes playing the titular role. Clyde’s performs at ArtsWest from June 6 through June 30, 2024. Tickets are available online at artswest.org or by phone at 206-938.0963.
In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck stop cafe. As the shop’s mischievous owner tries to keep them under her thumb, the staff work to see themselves as whole—to dream again—despite their pasts.
Through the lens of comedy and food, Nottage asks us to consider the long-term weight of the criminal justice system, the difficulties of reentry, and how we view second chances. Joe Moore, who plays Jason in the show, points to the fact that while we live in a country with “by far the biggest incarcerated population in the world,” there is “very little support” in the system for formerly incarcerated folks. This show calls us to “reflect on our own biases, and… open ourselves up to empath[y].” We hope you will join us.
ArtsWest will present Clyde’s, Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.
Before the official June 6 opening, there’s a Wednesday night (June 5) preview – check for tickets here.
(Osprey, photographed by Dan Ciske)
Here are highlights of what’s happening in the hours ahead!
INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Until noon, you’re welcome to drop in with your little one at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau) for free indoor playtime.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Need plants? The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar now open Thursdays-Saturdays 1 pm-6 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Food too – drop by to sip and nosh!
STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm class at what’s now the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Project Pizza.
VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle.
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Good Society (California/Lander) at 6 pm for a 3-mile run.
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL TALENT SHOW: Cheer for the students and enjoy their performances tonight, 6:30 pm in the WSHS Theater (3000 California SW), $5 at the door, bring cash for that and concessions.
HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)
BLUES NIGHT: 6:30-9 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.
TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).
Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in daily preview lists like this one? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
8:41 AM: Out on the eastbound bridge this morning and noticing very heavy traffic, both headed for the exit to 99 and beyond – so if you haven’t headed out yet, allot more time!
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, May 30.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Should see some sunshine, high in the low 60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:16 am; sunset will be at 8:58 pm.
=ONGOING ROAD WORK
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
STADIUM ZONE
If you’re going through SODO today, note that the Mariners have a day game vs. Houston, 1:10 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
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. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on it.)
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!
(WSB file photo)
June is Pride Month, and special events start as soon as the calendar changes. Here are announcements we’ve received so far, through the first half of the month:
JUNE 1 – WHITE CENTER PRIDE STREET FESTIVAL: 11 am-11 pm Saturday, June 1, on 16th SW in the heart of White Center between SW Roxbury and SW 100th, music, performances, more (toplines here). It’s free, but if you buy a wristband, that’ll connect you with special deals:
-Expedited access to VIP drink lines
-Backstage experiences
-Premium seating
-All-day discounts at 15+ bars and restaurantsFrom Happy Hour prices to $5 Wells, $4 Pints, $4 Slices – exclusively for wristband holders.
You can buy yours online for $15 (that link is also where you’ll find the list of participating venues), or look for the White Center Pride booth at the festival on Saturday.
JUNE 1 – JOKES AT THE JUNCTION PRIDE SHOW: The monthly Jokes at The Junction show at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW) features an all-LGBTQ+ slate this time, 8 pm Saturday, June 1. West Seattle’s own Cozy Comedy presents host AJ Norris, headliner Ricci Armani, plus Javann Jones and Novae Simper. Get your ticket(s) here now.
JUNE 8 – AZUQAR! DANCE NIGHT At The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), “a Sapphic Dance Night for BIPOC + Allies,” billed as a pre-Pride kickoff. 8 pm Saturday, June 8 – more info here.
JUNE 14 – PRIDE IN OZ: 7 pm Friday, June 14, doors open at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) for this all-ages drag show, hosted by Jizzuhbell Johnson. Tickets are on sale here.
JUNE 15 – PRIDE WITH POLLINATORS: 10 am-1 pm Saturday, June 15, it’s a volunteer restoration event at Westcrest Park:
Come celebrate Pride Month with Dirt Corps and Green Seattle Partnership‘s annual “Pride with Pollinators” restoration event! We’ll be honoring the beauty of diversity by tending to our vibrant pollinator garden and caring for the amazing creatures that help it thrive. We’ll get our hands dirty by removing invasive blackberry shrubs and applying nourishing mulch to prepare for new native plantings this fall. We’ll also be watering last year’s plantings to ensure our garden stays colorful and diverse.
Gloves, tools, water, snacks provided – register here.
Got something to add to our list/calendar for Pride in West Seattle/White Center – or other calendar events, for that matter? Please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
P.S. The West Seattle Junction Association currently plans to fly rainbow flags (like the one in our photo above) on Sunday, June 30, and is recruiting volunteers to place and remove them that day – you can sign up here.
The shoes and knee sleeves in this photo are among the powerlifting equipment stolen in a car break-in in Highland Park – here’s the reader report, via email:
May 29th: Car broken into at Overlook Apartments on SW Kenyon St/Highland Park area. Large black duffel bag was taken that contained powerlifting equipment, including
-red/yellow ASICS wrestling shoes
-red leather belt,
-white/blue Adidas weightlifting shoes
-black knee sleeves
-black competition singlet (women’s)Black bag has “Dragon” embroidered on one end and “Bull Power Team” on the side, and a bull logo on both sides. Hoping the burglar ditched the bag somewhere in the neighborhood: if found, please contact at 206-313-8854.
(WSB photo, Alki Elementary site at 3010 59th SW)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
For the second time in 10 months, a city hearing examiner is presiding over proceedings that will determine what’s next for the rebuild and expansion of Alki Elementary School.
Again this time, that hearing examiner is Susan Drummond, whose decision last summer left the door open for what’s happening now.
The backstory: Last year, four nearby residents appealed the city decision to approve nine zoning exceptions (“departures”) that Seattle Public Schools had sought for constructing the school with a taller building and higher student capacity. Through a ruling and a settlement, that all ended with just one appeal granted – the one challenging the departure that would allow the new school to be devoid of offstreet parking (as first revealed two years ago). Drummond told the district and the city Department of Construction and Inspections to “revisit” the issue. Rather than doing so immediately after that ruling, the district tried – and failed – to get a judge to throw it out. After that, it proposed a new plan with 15 offstreet parking spots. The city said OK. A different group of nearby residents appealed that, under the name Friends for a Safe Alki Community. And now, it’s all back before Drummond, who heard the first of at least two days of testimony Tuesday in the examiner’s hearing room at the city Municipal Tower downtown. We attended in person and plan to return for the next day of testimony on Thursday. No surprises, but here’s how it went:
This holiday-shortened week seems to be going fast, so here’s a semi-early reminder about a major meeting Saturday morning (June 1) in West Seattle – it’s the third in a new series of Seattle Public Schools meetings at which district officials are supposed to explain the “well-resourced schools” plan, which could close up to 20 elementaries around the city. The first version of the meeting happened last night at Roosevelt High School; the Seattle Times report indicates it was somewhat contentious. The district is still not ready to present a list of which schools it wants to close/consolidate; that’s expected next month. But it wants families to understand the rationale. Saturday’s meeting is scheduled for 10:30 am-noon at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), with translation/interpretation available in ASL, Amharic, Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. This is the last in-person meeting in this round; the district also promises an online version at 6 pm June 4 (no link yet).
Both working right now:
CRASH: Texters report a crash blocking one lane of California near Hanford, in front of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. Apparently no major injuries, as it’s a one-engine SFD dispatch.
TREE LIMB: SDOT is being dispatched for a “large tree limb” reported to be blocking part of Admiral Way near Garlough [map].
1:36 PM: After four years, and amid multiple lawsuits, Adrian Diaz is out as Seattle Police Chief, as citywide outlets had reported earlier. In making the official announcement a short time ago, Mayor Bruce Harrell said that Diaz will stay with SPD and work on “special projects,” but that he and Diaz had agreed that “with the amount of litigation” in progress, “the kind of culture change we want would be best served with him stepping aside.” Taking over the department as Interim Chief is Sue Rahr, who served as King County Sheriff from 2005 to 2012. “She is the right person at the right moment to lead SPD into the future,” Harrell said, adding that she’s “not a candidate for the permanent appointment” so they’re launching a “nationwide search” and he is “looking outside the department,” while also keeping the door open for internal candidates. The search also will include help from former SPD Chief Kathleen O’Toole, he said. Rahr said she wants the SPD ranks to know “we’re going to get through this” and asked them to be “brutally honest and open with me” regarding the challenges they’re facing. Harrell said some progress is being made against crime – the homicide rate is down 44 percent over last year, for example – and said that applications for police positions are up, “17 to 19 applications a day since (the contract approval), compared to 5 to 6 a day a year ago.” (Just yesterday, a City Council committee got a dismal report on hiring and staffing.) Any other command-staff changes? Harrell was asked. That’s “under discussion,” he replied.
Checking archives, we note that Rahr was a co-chair of the advisory group that recommended a slate of candidates for the chief position in 2018 that drew fire for not including then-acting chief Carmen Best (who eventually was reconsidered and then promoted). She resigned as sheriff in 2012 to lead the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, from which she retired in 2021.
2:34 PM: Here’s Seattle Channel video of the hourlong announcement and Q&A:
(added) And here’s the official news release.
4:58 PM: Here’s what District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka of West Seattle, vice-chair of the Public Safety Committee, said via email:
I want to join Mayor Bruce Harrell in thanking Chief Diaz for his 27 years of faithful service to the SPD and four years as Chief. I fully support Mayor Bruce Harrell’s decision. As I have said before, I am deeply troubled by reports of sexual harassment, discrimination and a toxic culture within SPD. That type of behavior has no place in our police department. I am ready to do everything I can to help support Interim Chief Rahr address those issues and ensure SPD is able to attract and retain the best officers in the country. I look forward to opportunities to partner and to continue our legislative oversight role in ensuring the city has the best police department to serve all our residents.
Five days after SDOT announced it would add “features” to the Alki Point Healthy Street plan, it’s announced a new construction start date:
As soon as Saturday, June 1, crews will resume installation of the permanent treatments for the Alki Point Healthy Street. This work includes:
-A 10-foot-wide shared walking/rolling space
-Three ADA parking spaces
-Stop controls at intersecting streets
-Pavement markings, parking signs, and striping the public parking lotUnauthorized on-street parking located within 20 feet of intersections will be removed for new installation. Please visit the project webpage for more information on design elements.
The plan includes two “public parking lots” – along Benton, north of the stormwater-treatment plant, and the existing one by the lighthouse. Meantime, the fate of one Healthy Street location in West Seattle has yet to be decided – Delridge-Highland Park.
Two and a half weeks after the rogue statue of Rolf Neslund was found toppled and headless – again – it’s been restored – again. We received this emailed communiqué, photo included, from Lars Fujikawa, in whose name most previous communications have arrived since the original installation in 2020:
Rolf Neslund, Patron Saint of the Broken Bridge, has returned to his semi-rightful place on the West Seattle Bike Path, near the Delridge onramp, below the Pigeon Point Obelisk. ‘
Described as “West Seattle’s Quirkiest Memorial,” this lowest-common-denominator statuary depicts Captain Rolf Neslund, a well-known Duwamish River pilot, who rammed the old West Seattle bridge in June of 1978, retired and went on to an unfair grisly end. Rolf’s likeness was recently knocked down again, and his head stolen by unknown ruffians.
The Delridge Maritime Historical Society, in conjunction with the Center for General Annoyance is proud to once again prop the old fella up. Part Golem, part J.P. Patches, part weird historical footnote, this is Rolf’s third incarnation and sad to say it will likely be his last. The mold broke and there shall be no further grimacing visages of the old pirate. Please visit the Rolf Neslund Plaza and take in its graffitied vistas and stripped wire insulation ambience while you can! Now on a somewhat more secure plinth, he will boldly face his future, where he is likely to be mowed over by Sound Transit’s one-mile theme park mini-train to the Alaska Junction. It just doesn’t work out for Rolf.
We’re just two weeks away from what will be the 46th anniversary of the bridge collision for which Neslund gained infamy, two years before he was murdered by his wife.
An update is just in from Seattle Public Library, one day after SPL announced a “ransomware event” had led to disruption of online and other tech-related services:
May 29: Update on Available Technology Services
www.spl.org is back online. You can now once access our Event Calendar, as well as some digital services, such as online versions of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
Hoopla is accessible. Please note: If you borrow a Hoopla item that isn’t displaying properly, please try 1) logging out of your account and then log in again, or 2) try deleting and redownloading the Hoopla app.
The Library continues working to securely restore more technology services, such as e-books, computers, Wi-Fi, printing and more.
The update was added atop Tuesday’s original SPL post about the disruption.
(Photo by Steve Bender, who says this is a Snow Goose)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
‘MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT’: Mayor Bruce Harrell says that’s what he’s making at 1 pm today and you can watch live here. According to citywide reporters, the headline will be that SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is out as chief, amid a variety of controversies and lawsuits.
SOUND BATH HEALING: 1 pm at The Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Bring a mat/small pillow.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: DO fix what IS broke, to reconfigure the saying. Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
ORCA MONTH 2024 – FROM ORCAS TO HUMANS: Free online event 5:30-6:30 pm:
Join the Orca Salmon Alliance and the Salish Sea Institute to kick off Orca Action Month in June and learn how you can help our beloved Southern Resident orcas! Free to attend online. Register here!.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
FREE GROUP RUNS: The weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run welcomes all levels, 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather June 13 to remember Doug Carlstedt. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now:
Douglas George Carlstedt passed away at home on Thursday, May 2, 2024 surrounded by his family after a 10-year battle with kidney disease.
Doug was a lifelong resident of West Seattle where he raised his family alongside his wife, Kate of 49 years. He was a graduate of West Seattle High School, Class of 1967 and attended Highline Community College for 2 years. He made a living working as a Teamster for various local trucking and delivery companies and retired in 2014.
He loved his many friends from the 41st Street tribe where he spent so many summers as a boy playing every game under the sun in the Admiral neighborhood and having adventures in the Fairmont gulley. As an adult, he enjoyed Sundays playing basketball at Hiawatha with Brad, his friends from 41st, and their sons at “Our Lady of the Hoops.”
He was a loving father to Brad and Maria, often coaching their CYO basketball teams at Holy Rosary and attending sporting events when they were students at Bishop Blanchet High School. He was so proud of his kids and was blessed with two new kids who married Brad and Maria, Melissa and Adam. They all started their own families and he was blessed again with three grandkids, Zooey, Miles, and Jackson. He cared for all of the grandkids as babies and was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and close friends; the Smiths; Chews, Jensens; Rabines; and Tunison/Bovenkamps.
He was a kind, humble, decent man who will be missed by his family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held at 12:30 pm on June 13, 2024 in the chapel at Providence Mount St. Vincent’s in West Seattle.
Please share memories & condolences for Doug at www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Douglas-Carlstedt.
Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:24 AM: Thanks for the tip. Crash blocking Avalon at Andover.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, May 29.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showers likely, high in the upper 50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:17 am; sunset will be at 8:57 pm.
=ROAD-WORK REMINDER
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
STADIUM ZONE
If you’re going through SODO tonight, note that the Mariners are home vs. Houston, 6:40 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
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. … Work at the Southworth terminal is continuing to close some lanes there.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on it.)
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!
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