West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Maybe the endless semi-winter is really ending. Not only are there reports it might hit 70 degrees before the week is out – the annual hanging flower baskets have arrived this morning in The Junction. We photographed this one outside Husky Deli, looking south; crews are still at work moving them from staging areas including this one in the Farmers’ Market lot:
Though it’s been months since this year’s “car-free” Seattle Summer Streets day on Alki was confirmed for May 22nd, right after the West Seattle 5K (signed up yet?), a major change from years past has not been widely announced – till now. Checking the Alki Summer Streets page on the city website, we noticed the map above, showing that only 56th SW to 63rd SW would be closed all day, with the much-longer stretch to the east/south only closed till 11 am, during the 5K. We e-mailed SDOT last night to be sure we were reading the map correctly, and the confirmation just arrived from Dawn Schellenberg:
You are correct; we have changed the length of the Summer Streets portion of the 5K Run/Walk and Summer Streets Party. The decision was made after meeting with the Alki Community Council and talking with some of the businesses along Alki. Folks preferred a shorter route that could be fully closed over a longer one that required a travel lane remain open. Here are the details.
From 9 to 11 AM:
Alki Avenue SW will be fully closed from 63rd Avenue SW to the Don Armeni Boat Launch Ramp for the 5K run/walk. All parking will be restricted from 63rd to 56th and along the waterside from 56th to the boat ramp.From 9 AM to 5 PM:
Alki Avenue SW will be fully closed from 63rd Avenue SW to 56th Avenue SW for the 5K run/walk and then the Summer Streets Party. Parking will be restricted on both sides of the street during this time.Please note – There will be no eastbound travel lane open during the 5K or Summer Streets.
This means after 11 AM local access to condos will be allowed from 56th Avenue SW to Don Armeni Boat Launch Ramp. As in the past, SPD will detour those who do not live in the vicinity from Alki on to California Ave SW until 5 PM.
This is a change from past years, so thanks for helping us get the word out.
One month after we first reported a cigar/tobacco shop is moving into the former laundromat on the very busy east side of the Alaska-to-Edmunds block of California SW in The Junction, West Seattle Smoke Company‘s sign is up this morning – thanks to Brian Presser of TouchTech Systems for the photo. WSB contributor Katie Meyer had stopped by on Friday and taken a quick peek inside as the interior takes shape:
We have messages out to its owners to see if an opening date is set yet. (For whenever they do open, hours are listed already online.)
They gathered at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza right at 9 am – and if you have time to spare between now and noon, they would be happy to have your help too! Volunteers from the Alki Community Council, Seal Sitters and AmeriCorps are part of the effort, aimed at not just a nicer-looking beach, but making sure trash doesn’t get into the water (or elsewhere) to harm wildlife. More information here about who’s supporting the cleanup; if you can spare some time, head over and join in.
Still not feeling like disaster preparedness – particularly for an earthquake – is all that urgent? “Cascadia: The Hidden Fire” might change your mind. It’ll be shown tonight at the next special training/education presentation by West Seattle Be Prepared. WSBP will be joined by Mark Howard from the Seattle Office of Emergency Management and seismology expert Chris Jonientz-Trisler, who is featured in the film, to lead discussion afterward. Jonientz-Trisler manages FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs to mitigate flood and earthquake impacts in the Pacific Northwest. Join WSBP 6-8 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California and Oregon in The Junction).
(Scroll down for updates – and send us yours!)
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge & “low bridge” entrance cams, more on the WSB Traffic page)
6:17 AM: We’re tracking the first commute since the Highway 99 “lane reductions” were put into place over the weekend north of the West Seattle Bridge – more here, including our video from driving through that zone both ways after the highway reopened. So far – no problems, but it’s early.
6:38 AM: 1st report, from Hillary via Twitter: “17 minutes to downtown on the 56 … Viaduct didn’t hurt us a bit.”
7:01 AM: Thanks to whomever just texted us (206-293-6302, same number as our 24/7 breaking-news line): “13 minutes to Seneca.”
7:31 AM: Live TV aerials from KING5 show northbound 99 in the squeezed zone now starting to clog and slow, as the busiest commute time arrives.
7:46 AM: KIRO says it’ll stream live over the Viaduct shortly – here’s the link.
8:18 AM: Check comments for more updates. We’re heading out for a firsthand look at how things are going this hour. (And if anyone took the Water Taxi this morning, we’re interested in how busy that seemed – we’ll check with the county too.)
8:55 AM: We just traveled The Viaduct both ways through the work/reduction zone. Late end of the commute, we know, but aside from the usual bottleneck slowdown getting from the high bridge to 99, it was pretty smooth – less than 4 minutes from bridge exit to end of work zone. Will add video later. Video added above.
2:36 PM: We will track the pm commute in a separate story, starting around 4 pm. One tidbit – we’re told that West Seattle Water Taxi ridership was up 30 percent or so today (official numbers are not out yet). The WSWT is one of the options on our “commute alternatives” map below.
(back to original story) Meantime, here’s our map of potential commute alternatives beyond the standard “drive a regular route to the bridge” – click one to see details:
(WSB photo from 2010 West Seattle 5K‘s start)
Hang on – here comes summer! Seriously. The events are set and there’s no stopping them, even if you need a sweater. Think bright thoughts – there’s SUN in the forecast already for next Sunday, which has a major doubleheader on tap: The day starts with the scenic West Seattle 5K run/walk on Alki, followed immediately by the annual Seattle Summer Streets event keeping Alki open only for non-motorized forms of transportation till 5 pm.
The West Seattle 5K is now in its third year, created by the West Seattle High School PTSA, with co-sponsors including WSB. Are you registered yet? You have two ways to do it – online till 6 pm this Thursday (May 19th), or in person through Saturday at West Seattle Runner (also a race sponsor as well as a WSB sponsor), 3727 California SW. And if you just can’t help but procrastinate – or change your mind at the last minute – race-day registration starts at 8 am Sunday by Alki Bathhouse.
(P.S. For more on what’s in store during the street party after the race, check the Alki Community Council website.)
With their numerous appearances in local parades – usually including the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade (July 23rd this year!) – the Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team is, quite simply, famous. This afternoon, during a welcome break in the rain, they performed at a snug but perfect venue: The new Welcoming the Spring Courtyard at the Seattle Chinese Garden, atop West Seattle’s Puget Ridge on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus.
For 10 minutes – all shown in our unedited video – they performed their precision routines in their shimmering traditional costumes, in much-closer quarters than the usual parade route provides, yet without missing a beat (of the drum). The drill team’s appearance concluded two hours of performances and demonstrations welcoming the public to the ever-growing Chinese Garden. Other events are planned this spring, as you can see on the garden calendar here, which also lists its regular spring hours, Wednesdays-Sundays (admission is free to Seattle residents). You can also catch up on behind-the-scenes garden happenings here.
From Alki Point, Guy Smith has shared news of wildlife and other sightings. Tonight, he shares the photo above, and the story behind it:
This photo, taken at Alki Point looking toward Restoration Point, shows two of the boats racing in Seattle Yacht Club‘s Tri-Island series race this last Saturday. The near boat, Eye Candy, was skippered by Jim Marta, who relates that this series is one of the most important local series of the year. Saturday’s race, the second of the series, went from Shilshole Bay, around Vashon Island and back to Shilshole; 48 miles in all. The first race was the Protection Island 80 mile race. The third race will be the much shorter Blake Island Race. Jim, who taught at West Seattle High for twenty years (1962-82), thinks that his West Seattle friends might be interested to know that on Saturday his boat won first in class and also first overall for the corrected time in the entire fleet.
Here’s the Seattle Yacht Club calendar;
First we reported the expanding-next-door plans – now there’s more big news from Meander’s – late-night eats! Read on:Read More
(Added 1:46 pm, northbound trip through the lane-reduction zone. Note the 35 mph stretch. SB video added below)
Just in from WSDOT – the Alaskan Way Viaduct is now open again, with the new reduced-lane configuration between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadiums. Here’s the official announcement:
Crews reopened the State Route 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct ahead of schedule Sunday after completing work to narrow the highway for construction between the West Seattle Bridge and Seattle’s stadiums.
SR 99 reopened at noon, Sunday. During the closure, crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reconfigured the lanes and set up a new construction zone.
The early reopening brings an early start to long-term lane reductions on the south end of the viaduct. This section of SR 99 is now reduced from three lanes in each direction to two. The lane reduction provides crews with enough room to safely continue building the new side-by-side highway that will replace the viaduct between S. Holgate and S. King streets.
“This is a long-term traffic change that will affect drivers as they commute to and through downtown Seattle,” said Ron Paananen, WSDOT’s Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement program administrator. “If drivers can adjust their schedules, ride the bus, join a carpool or vanpool, or telecommute, that will help reduce congestion on the viaduct.”
WSDOT South End Projects Director Matt Preedy said drivers should also be prepared for narrower lanes shifted to the east, a 35 mph speed limit and no shoulder through the work zone.
“Drivers can protect themselves, their fellow commuters and workers by slowing down, paying attention and eliminating distractions,” Preedy said.
SR 99 will be a four-lane highway through SODO through at least 2013 and possibly longer, until the central waterfront portion of the viaduct is replaced. Due to the duration of the lane closures, WSDOT, the city of Seattle and King County Metro Transit invested in several road and transit improvements to keep people and goods moving during construction. WSDOT’s investment of $125 million provided for:
* Roadway improvements: Improved SR 519 and built a new Spokane Street Viaduct Fourth Avenue off-ramp.
* Transit investments: Added bus service to and from southwest Seattle and new programs to encourage the use of transit, ridesharing, and teleworking. .
* System reliability: New real-time driver information signs on I-5, SR 99 and other routes to downtown.
* WSDOT Incident Response Team patrols on SR 99 during the morning and evening commutes to clear stalls and collisions faster.WSDOT traffic engineers expect longer travel times on SR 99 and the West Seattle Bridge during the morning and evening commutes, and before and after events at the stadiums. Drivers can help minimize delays by using transit and by trying an alternate route or an alternative to their normal commute.
We are off to get a look, and will add photos/video soon as we’re back, for those who’ve been wondering what it will look like when they commute via the reduced-lane Viaduct tomorrow. ADDED: Northbound video is atop the story; southbound video here:
Thanks to the Barton Street P-Patch team for sharing photos from Saturday morning’s groundbreaking/volunteer-signup event. They celebrated the placement of a marker for the “web” design chosen for the 34th/Barton garden site after three community meetings, but need one thing to proceed:
We are looking to borrow a sports field marker to mark the P-Patch pathways prior so we can begin sod removal … anyone with a lead on a sports field marker is requested to e-mail construction coordinator Kate Farley at kfarleylandscapedesign@gmail.com. We would like to mark the pathways sometime this upcoming week, weather permitting
The city’s webpage for the project is here; on Facebook, there’s a Barton Street P-Patch group here.
The lushly landscaped traffic circle at 39th/Lander (map/Google Street View) lost its young tree to a hit-run driver overnight, according to a note we received from CD (who also provided the photo – thank you!). The tree was a 10-foot-tall coral-bark maple, CD explains, adding, “The vehicle must have been some sort of large truck/pick up truck as the traffic circle is fairly high.” The incident has been reported to police.
Another of the ex-Huling buildings in The Triangle won’t be empty much longer. We first reported in late January that Oregon-based Les Schwab Tires was seeking city permits to open up a West Seattle location at 3801 SW Alaska (map) in The Triangle; now, permits have been issued – for construction, and for its signage.
Note that this project calls for remodeling the existing building at 38th/Alaska, NOT building a new one; also, when we looked at the plans downtown in January, we noted they were NOT proposing to occupy the western part (Fauntleroy corner) of the site, only 38th/Alaska (which also had been an Enterprise rental-car location). When we reported the plan at that time, Les Schwab would not comment beyond confirming it had applied for a permit in West Seattle, but we’ll be checking with them again tomorrow to see if they’re ready to reveal more details now, such as a projected opening date.
Oh, the memories of our rainless Saturday … thanks to Tom Marx for the photo! Forecast says today’s rain will ease up somewhat by tonight. Here’s what’s on the schedule, with a caveat that we can’t guarantee “no rainouts,” since most listings are sent to us days if not weeks in advance, but we’ll update the list if we get word of any cancellations:
TRAFFIC REMINDER – VIADUCT STILL CLOSED: Till tomorrow morning, when it reopens with two lanes each way between the West Seattle Bridge and the stadiums.
ALLEY CLEANUP: North Delridge neighbors continue transforming an alley behind the Delridge Library, (between Delridge Way and 25th Ave SW, stretching from Brandon to Findlay). 10 am to 2 pm. Group photo at noon. Bring tools, bags if you can.
FARMERS’ MARKET: The West Seattle Farmers’ Market is always open on Sundays, rain or shine, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska).
SPA DAY: At Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in The Junction (WSB sponsor, 4707 California SW), 11 am – 3 pm. See full details on the Pharmaca webpage.
GREAT AMERICAN BAKE SALE: Camp Fire group “The Blue Angels” will be hosting their second annual Share Our Strength Great American Bake Sale. This group of 4th graders will be outside Capers in The Junction from 11 am – 3 pm selling great treats rain or shine.
TOOL LIBRARY: Need to borrow something for a rainy-day (or otherwise) project? Have tools to donate from West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day leftovers? The West Seattle Tool Library is open atYoungstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 1-5 pm.
POKER AT THE HEARTLAND: Free Texas Hold Em’ poker @ Heartland Café, 1:30 and 3:30 on Sundays, winyourwayin.com
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN CELEBRATION: Open house at the Seattle Chinese Garden from 3 to 5 pm includes a delegation from Chongqing (Seattle’s sister city). Enjoy lion dancing and Chinese cultural activities. See full story here
FINAL MATINEE: It continues through next Saturday, but this is the final Sunday matinee for “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment …” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), 3 pm.
DEPUTY STEVE COX MEMORIAL DEDICATION: In White Center, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is presenting the dedication of a long-in-the-works memorial to King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox, at the park that bears his name. 3 pm; more information here.
GLEE CLUB: The Glee Club performs “Everything Beautiful Happens at Night” ~Musical Theater Favorites~ at 4 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Church (7141 California Ave SW). Admission by donation.
RIVER BLESSING: On the 15th of each month, through October 15th, a blessing will be offered to heal the Duwamish River, at Duwamish Waterway Park in South Park, with West Seattleites participating including the organizer, Reiki practitioner Eileen Dey. 7-8 pm, details here.
We received two reports of coyote sightings about one hour and three blocks apart on Saturday morning. Karen in Hansen View reports her neighbor saw a “cat and coyote in a staredown” around 8 am at 36th/Dawson; a resident tried to scare the coyote away “but he didn’t seem to be afraid,” so the resident went on to “follow the cat down the street,” and its owners came out to get it. Then around 9 am, about three blocks north of there, Chris in the 4700 block of 37th SW saw a coyote in his backyard. Time to haul out the “coexisting with coyotes” advice from the state – which also reminds us, this is birth season.
Not only was it a gorgeous day to wander neighborhoods and shop, it was a spectacular day for a ride – particularly if you were helping the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle raise money to benefit cancer research at Children’s Hospital. They gathered at midmorning at 40th/Alaska, to head out on a “poker run”:
The concept was explained in the preview we published – get a card at each checkpoint along the ride, then see what kind of hand you wound up with. The ride was followed by a barbecue, and as you know if you were out and about today, the sun shone all the way through!
About 1 o’clock this afternoon – according to Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems in The Junction, who shared the photo – drivers heading westbound on the West Seattle Bridge would have seen that bumper-to-bumper traffic headed eastbound. (What? You left before West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day was over?) Backups have historically been fairly typical when the Alaskan Way Viaduct is closed – as WSDOT warned almost two weeks ago that it would be this weekend – but the photo gives us one more excuse to remind you that the reason for this closure will also affect Highway 99 drivers between West Seattle and downtown for at least the next few years: Crews are reconfiguring the section between The Bridge and the stadiums to be two lanes each way, to facilitate the next steps in construction of the South End (Holgate-to-King) Viaduct replacement (which is a separate project from the tunnel-or-? project for the Central Waterfront). So this is what you’ll find when The Viaduct reopens early Monday:
(It’s explained further here.) The vague end date is because, as WSDOT explains it, it all depends on what happens with the plan for the Central Waterfront section; the South End project, they say, is designed to connect to whatever eventually is built, tunnel or something else.
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Very busy spring on the southeastern side of the heart of The Junction’s business district. On Friday, we got a quick peek inside Bang Bar, the Asian-fusion restaurant/lounge that has been in the works for the former Tom Yum Koong spot (that restaurant closed three months ago, and we confirmed the Bang Bar plans the next day). Manager Michael Anthony Pascua tells WSB they’re working to set up the kitchen this weekend, after completing most of the other interior work. No date set yet – like most new restaurants, they will go through a few trial runs (private party, “soft open”) before throwing open the doors to the public.
Katie says one of the features inside is a waterfall wall that “rains” instead of just having water rippling down the surface. By the way, we don’t know if it’s finalized information, but a menu has taken shape on the Bang Bar website, too.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Around 4:30 last Friday afternoon, a 13-year-old was walking home from school when a car pulled into a driveway, blocking the sidewalk. A young passenger demanded money and the boy’s iPod. The boy said something to the effect of, “I don’t think so,” and added “I live near here. How about if I just get my parents instead?” The chagrined suspects drove off northbound in the 3400 block of Walnut SW. Both driver (aged 16 or so) and passenger (12-13 years old) were described as white males wearing white t-shirts; they were in a Nissan Frontier pickup truck.
4 more summaries (quiet week!) ahead:Read More
While checking back in on the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard sale during West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, we spotted this work under way next door at the Junction Post Office – with bins of donations for the Stamp Out Hunger one-day door-to-door food drive. Haven’t heard any local totals yet but we’ll be checking. And if you missed it, no worries, both food banks that serve West Seattle will be happy to take your donation another time (or even an online $ donation right now) – West Seattle Food Bank information is here, and White Center Food Bank (which also serves WS south of Myrtle) is here.
Some sellers are continuing on till 4 or so – the folks raising money at West Seattle High School for its girls’ basketball team have cut everything to half price, says coach Sonya Elliott. Other sellers who are extending hours are posting on the WSCGSD Facebook page. And then there are the spots where leftovers can be donated:
The Big Blue Truck from Northwest Center is staying late today at 44th and Edmunds for anybody who wants to haul over unsold items, instead of booking a pickup next week (which you can do online at bigbluetruck.org) or taking them back down to the basement. They’ll be there till 6:30 today only – then back tomorrow regular hours, 9 am-5 pm. If you have kids’ stuff, WestSide Baby always has a wish list – check it out here. Tools? See what the West Seattle Tool Library needs – they are open tomorrow, 1-5 pm, at 4408 Delridge Way (east side of the building).
(Among the many unusual items we’ve seen – Potter Construction hard hats at Sale #223, 5606 California SW)
Quick notes in addition to the coverage in earlier stories, to which we’re continuing to add: We’re publishing individual-sale photos/reports at westseattlegaragesale.com; sellers/buyers are continuing to post at facebook.com/westseattlegaragesaleday; and if you still don’t have a map, not too late to follow the downloadable-map link (12-page PDF) at westseattleblog.com/garagesaledaymap (where you can also browse the online version) – or there may still be a copy or two of the limited-edition printouts at Hotwire, C&P, Bird on a Wire, or the West Seattle Library branch in Admiral. Sales continue till 3 – and then if there are leftovers, Northwest Center‘s pickup spot is open later than usual today at 44th/Edmunds in The Junction (or schedule Big Blue Truck pickups next week); WestSide Baby also is taking donations longer than usual for a Saturday, till 4 pm. And the West Seattle Tool Library will be happy to take donations too!
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