West Seattle, Washington
28 Monday
3:44 PM: Various citywide news sources are going into the details of this more deeply than we will. Suffice it to say if you haven’t already heard: Public-safety personnel have closed off (this is changing rapidly) parts of 3rd, 4th, and 5th near the county courthouse and jail on the south end of downtown; they have been trying to rescue a woman who at least at one point was threatening to jump, and has walked atop the skybridge between the two buildings. The street closures are affecting bus routes as well. We will add information here if anything changes.
(For anyone needing help – 206-461-3222 is the 24-hour Crisis Clinic hotline.)
4:43 PM: Onscene reports via Twitter say the woman has been rescued. Metro alerts say streets are open again and buses returning to normal.
Live right now at www.seattlechannel.org: The City Council Budget Committee is talking about changes to the mayor’s proposed cuts in the Department of Neighborhoods. Assistants are presenting the proposed changes: First, they re-added a coordinator who was to be cut from the Historic Preservation program; next, came restoration of more than $300,000 that was to be cut from the Neighborhood Matching Fund program. None of this is final until the council votes on its official plan in about two and a half weeks. Still to come: A discussion of possibly canceling the plan to close the Neighborhood Service Center in The Junction and cut the job of its Neighborhood District Coordinator; we’ll continue to add updates here. The full agenda, with supporting documents, is here.
2:16 PM: They are now discussing the Southwest NSC’s fate. The council’s assistant is noting that the location in The Junction is on a month-by-month basis (because of the proposed Conner Homes development, which, she added, may be delayed further – “That hasn’t been moving too quickly,” observed West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen). “And if the development takes place, we’ll have the extra property taxes to fund the new location,” added Council President Richard Conlin cheerily. Now on to the proposed cut of Neighborhood District Coordinators’ jobs (including Stan Lock, who works out of the Southwest NSC in The Junction) – they’re talking about keeping those jobs, but at 80% time, and they want the mayor to explain how neighborhood engagement would play out without these jobs. “This allows us to make a rational policy choice, instead of just sweeping them away,” observed Councilmember Tim Burgess.
2:35 PM UPDATE: They’ve moved on to SDOT – and the first item is about the proposed street-parking changes. Councilmember Jean Godden has suggested she’d like to see the top parking rate be $4 instead of $5.
3:10 PM: Though no official votes are being taken, there seems to be more sentiment about NOT starting paid Sunday parking – studying it as a possible addition later. Councilmember Nick Licata says the public should be “cut a little slack” given they’ll already be asked to start paying for parking all the way till 8 pm on other nights.
4:22 PM: They’re still talking transportation – right now, the proposed increase in the commercial parking tax.
4:45 PM: Today’s meeting is over. Next week, it’s “Round 2,” which means final decisions on changes – so NOTHING is final till then, even items that were well-received in meetings like today.
Thanks to TouchTech Systems‘ Brian Presser for sharing the photo of the sign going up today. We’re awaiting owner Aimee Pellegrini‘s announcement of the opening date, but it’s clearly very close for her Tuscan Tea Room and Romanza Floral in The Junction, next to the newly opened Wing Dome. We first reported on the new business back in June; Aimee’s been running Romanza Floral for quite some time, but decided to venture into the tea-room business.
Thanks to Evan Wilson, who shared that photo after we asked for one when he e-mailed to say tonight’s episode of HGTV’s “House Hunters” will feature him and wife Becky: “Our house is here in West Seattle (in the Gatewood neighborhood). All the homes we toured were in WS and we did some filming at Lincoln Park and Bird on a Wire Espresso as well.” Evan also notes they worked with West Seattle-based realtor Todd Williamson. Tonight’s episode is at 10 pm.
(WSDOT’s newest animation showing the tunnel plan and other area components)
In the Alaskan Way Viaduct project offices downtown this morning, project leader Ron Paananen led a media briefing meant to underscore the point in our headline – why you should take the time to comment on the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the tunnel, officially released a week ago. Much of the discussion centered on the fact project managers believe the tunnel has to carry a toll to raise hundreds of millions of dollars – but, as the SDEIS points out, if the tunnel is tolled, there will be almost as many drivers avoiding it as drivers using it – about 45,000 daily for each. And, according to the summaries handed out at this morning’s briefing, that would affect West Seattle drivers: Not just the obvious effect, the fact that West Seattleites going downtown won’t use the tunnel because it has no exits, but the fact that the “diversion” (tunnel avoidance) will put enough traffic on other streets that it’ll increase the travel time. This morning’s presentation included:
With a tolled bored tunnel, the West Seattle to downtown and Woodland Park to downtown trips’ travel times could be 3 to 4 minutes longer than without tolls.
“No toll” is apparently not an option, but the new report does study three levels of tolling (ranging between $1 and $5 “in 2015 dollars), including one option that would only raise about a fourth of the money. It also notes that the tunnel still puts more traffic on city streets than they carry today, since it is not designed for as much capacity as the current Alaskan Way Viaduct carries – two lines in each direction compared to the current three. So if so many people would avoid the tunnel, how will gridlock be averted? The “potential tools for traffic management” listed at the briefing include:
Fine-tune toll-rate structure throughout the day
City street operations
Transit priority into and through downtown
Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
Manage parking on downtown streets
Seek additional transit funding
Active Traffic Management (ATM)
The state has started to dabble in the latter – variable speed limits, among other things. Meantime, it was asked whether tolls would continue after the loans were paid off; “That’s up to the Legislature to decide,” Paananen replied. Tolling and traffic are just part of what the SDEIS looks at; it also discusses tunnel-construction effects, such as five and a half years of 24/7 construction work with “17 potential staging areas.” But the biggest direct West Seattle effects are those travel times; you will be able to comment, and ask questions, at the public hearing/open house coming up at Madison Middle School, 6:30 pm November 16, and you can also have your say all these different ways. (The links to the entire document, including an “executive summary,” are here.)
Just got word that West Seattle Thriftway, an independent, locally owned grocer, is getting a $2 million loan through the National Development Council and the City of Seattle. The announcement from the NDC says its Grow Seattle Fund is loaning Thriftway the money to help it consolidate its debt and “make energy-efficiency upgrades to lighting and refrigeration units, resulting in an annual energy-savings of more than 596,042 kilowatt-hours … enough energy to power 45 single-family homes for an entire year.” The program uses a U.S. Small Business Administration “guarantee program,” according to the announcement, which says this is designed to help small businesses that might otherwise have trouble getting financing. The city says businesses can apply for a Grow Seattle Fund, with qualifications including three years of profitability and a need for $100,000 to $5 million “to help with working capital, equipment purchases, tenant improvements, or energy-efficiency improvements” – there’s more information here.
Also from last night’s Southwest District Council meeting, and confirmed by the mayor’s office this morning: Mayor Mike McGinn is coming to West Seattle for a Town Hall meeting, December 2nd at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. More details to come with the formal announcement; the time is expected to be 6-8 pm.
(Look closely and you’ll see some of the new lighting atop the ArtsWest building)
Exactly one month till this year’s tree-lighting ceremony in The Junction on December 4th – and this year, it’ll be in Junction Plaza Park, instead of the 44th/Alaska parking lot where it’s been held the past few years. (The first year we covered a ceremony for WSB, 2006, it was on the site that’s since become the park!) 
Meantime, we also learned from West Seattle Junction Association director Susan Melrose at last night’s Southwest District Council meeting that the Junction’s holiday lighting will be different this year – instead of hanging lights in Junction trees, you will find the tops of “Downtown West Seattle” buildings outlined in lights, plus the trademark Junction wreaths will have additional lighting, for a “brighter, more festive experience,” as Melrose puts it. As previously noted, you can also mark your calendar for three Hometown Holidays Sundays in The Junction, December 5th, 12th, and 19th (the 5th is when the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Awards will be announced – separate from the tree-lighting ceremony this year – nominated someone yet? do it now!). Watch wsjunction.org for even more holiday-happenings details to come.
Two events previewed here in recent days are happening tonight. First, “Dine Out to Remember the Fallen,” raising money for the Lakewood Police Memorial, has lots of West Seattle participants, as outlined here (along with specifics on how they are participating – proceeds from food sales, drink sales, both, etc.), and concludes with an all-star jam at 8 pm at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki (latest on that here) … Another fundraiser happening tonight: West Seattle Helpline‘s fall benefit, 6 pm, Salty’s on Alki (previewed here last month) … Also tonight, the West Seattle High School Drama Club‘s fall production “12 Angry People” premieres for the first of its six-performance run, 7:30 pm (ticket details and a video clip are part of the preview we published here) … The freeform Ecstatic Dance comes to West Seattle starting tonight, 7:30 pm, VFW Hall – read about it here … Youngstown Cultural Arts Center hosts a special event with teenagers exploring the issue of climate change, 6:30 pm, all invited (full details here) … In The Junction, West Seattle jewelry designer Dave Sheely has a trunk show at knows perfume, 6-9 pm (Facebook event page here), and CAPERS hosts “Girlfriends’ Night Out” with West Seattle author Cynthia Nims signing her new book “Gourmet Game Night“ (and more), also 6-9 pm … More on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar!
Once again this holiday season – yes, it’s the holiday season, with Thanksgiving just three weeks from today! – the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival is raising money by selling special ornaments. You can place an order by phone or look for them at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market starting this Sunday, says Hi-Yu Vice President Deena Mahn:
It’s time for West Seattle Hi-Yu’s Annual Ornament Sale!!! This year we have 3 beautiful handmade ornaments to choose from. Each ornament is approximately 7-8 inches long and was designed and created for Hi-Yu by glass artist Zeus Rudner. We met him at this year’s Issaquah Salmon Days parade! The cost of each ornament is $15.00, and will help support this year’s Senior Court Scholarship program, float building and our festival events! They make great gifts for family, friends, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, clients and yourself!! Pre-orders are being taken now with our first shipment coming in mid-November; please call (206) 935-6517 to place your order. Ornaments are also available for purchase from any Hi-Yu member and will also be sold at the Farmers’ Market in November. Thanks for your support!
From tonight’s Southwest District Council meeting: There’s new hope the City Council will consider canceling a budget cut directly affecting West Seattle — the proposed closure of the Neighborhood Service Center in The Junction and elimination of its Neighborhood District Coordinator‘s job. The coordinator’s responsibilities include liaison and communication work on behalf of the council and the neighborhoods it represents, and the SWDC, as well as many of its member groups, had formally asked the council to consider canceling the cuts. Tonight, SWDC co-chair Erica Karlovits noted that the council is looking at the Department of Neighborhoods‘ budget tomorrow, with two specific line items of interest, one titled “(r)estore Southwest Neighborhood Service Center,” the other titled “(r)estore Neighborhood District Coordinators.” (In the mayor’s budget plan, which DON director Stella Chao outlined to SWDC last month, Southwest coordinator Stan Lock is one of seven whose jobs are on the line.) The agenda calls for the council to get to this item around 2 pm; you can see the full agenda here. (More news to come from tonight’s SWDC meeting.)
Out of the WSB inbox, from Kelly:
I was down at Lincoln Park (northwest side) … and there was a small group of people standing very close to a seal pup. I stopped and listened to what they were saying, ready to impart my seal (keep away!) knowledge if need be and ready to call the Seal Sitters. Apparently, one of the men who was standing there (a man maybe in his 60s or 70s?) had picked up the seal pup and tried to put it back in the water! Three people had stopped and told him that he needed to leave the seal alone. Apparently, he thought he was “helping” the seal and that it “was going to die” if it were left on the beach. I heard him say these things. I started to tell the group about the Seal Sitters and ask them to move their dog away (I had a dog with me too and wanted to move it away from the seal), but they were telling the man about a boat that will come and take the seal away if its mother doesn’t come back in a certain amount of time. ??
Anyway, I got my phone out to call Seal Sitters, but as I was looking for the number, a woman with a NOAA bag (presumably from Seal Sitters) came up and told everyone to back away and that we are supposed to stay at least 100 yards away, not 10. The other people explained what the man had done and as I left, she was talking with the man.
I just couldn’t believe that anyone would think it was a good idea to approach, let alone handle, a seal pup! There is a sign not too far away from where this happened explaining to people that you should leave marine mammals alone! WSB runs a story a week on seal pups! Why is there still so much ignorance? Very frustrating. Hope it all turns out well for the seal, but he was very scared looking and skittish when I saw him.
Seal Sitters did mention this briefly in the latest update on their “blubberblog” site (be sure to check out other entries, which now include lots of beautiful seal-pup video updates).
Just announced by the Alki Community Council board:
To members of the Alki Community Council and the West Seattle Community:
It is with deep sorrow we mourn the passing of Jule Sugarman, President of the Alki Community Council yesterday, Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at about 3 PM, after a brief illness.
Jule’s Memorial Service will be on Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 2 PM. More details will follow.
Mr. Sugarman was first elected as president of the Alki Community Council in March 2008; that’s when we took the photo at left. As noted at the time, he had a long history of work in government and nonprofits, including running the nationwide Head Start program for its first five years, and serving as our state’s Secretary of Social and Health Services. Mr. Sugarman was 83 years old. His passing also is announced on the Facebook page of the Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation, of which he is a past president; he and his wife Candace were major donors to the campaign to fund the recent WSUU church purchase. That’s where his memorial will be held November 20th.
Followup tonight on one of the cases summarized in WSB contributing reporter Megan Sheppard‘s police-files roundup published early today: Southwest Precinct detectives have arrested a suspect in the coffee-shop robbery/lewd conduct case; that’s the word from Detective Brian Ballew. The suspect is in the King County Jail; we’re looking for more information about him and will add anything we find.
(King County Councilmember-elect Joe McDermott thanking commuters at 35th/Fauntleroy this afternoon)
Without any really close local races, nothing has changed in terms of potential outcomes … but in case you’re tracking something else, we thought you’d want to know that King County is now out with today’s vote count. If you’re watching the statewide race for U.S. Senate, with the latest vote counts, Sen. Patty Murray is now two points ahead of Republican challenger Dino Rossi, 51% to 49%. P.S. The county says turnout already has exceeded projections – they thought they’d get about 68 percent of the ballots back, and they’re already up to 71 percent.
In addition to the business comings-and-goings noted the past few days, we have a virtual stack of notes to share. First:
GUITAR TEACHER ON THE MOVE: That’s Richie Jenkin, longtime WSB sponsor, who teaches guitar. He’s switched locations and asked us to share:
I have relocated my guitar lesson studio from my office on California Ave SW to my home studio in the Alki Beach neighborhood. My new location is a half block from the beach and right across the way from Alki Playfield. I can be reached via my website: www.richiejenkin.com or by phone at (206) 799-7432.
SPEAKING OF ALKI, NEW ATM: One year after the BECU ATM was removed from the wall near the Alki Starbucks, Robert pointed out via Facebook that a Chase ATM has now taken its place. Via the WSB Forums, Jo tells us it was installed just yesterday.
ANGELINA’S CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY: In a Facebook invite, Angelina’s West Seattle notes that it’s celebrating 1 year in business, and offering specials Friday to commemorate the occasion, plus a DJ starting at 9 pm.
JUNEAU STREET MARKET: We’ve received many notes this past week-plus about this market appearing to have closed again, less than 6 months after it reopened following an eight-month shutdown caused by a fire in the apartment over the market. We have been trying to reach its owners, both in person and via e-mail. Finally spotted people working in the space yesterday and asked them what was going on. Only got a one-word comment: “Remodeling.” We’ll keep watching …
NEW HEAVENLY WHOLESALE LOCATION: This retail business was in The Triangle for a while, then made a temporary seasonal move last fall to the Junction space that had previously been home to Funky Jane’s and is now home to Suite Arrangements. Now, Heavenly Wholesale has turned up in the 5446 California SW space that used to contain On The Way Maternity.
AUTOMOTIVE SOLUTIONS OF SEATTLE: 13 months after this car-sales business moved onto a lot on SW Alaska east of Jefferson Square, they’re gone – the space has clearly been cleared out.
BUILT BURGER MAKES A STAND: This isn’t in West Seattle, but it’s big news for a business that was founded by a West Seattle couple, David and Rebecca Makuen. For more than a year, they have sold flavor-infused BuiltBurger patties by mail, and now they’re opening a burger stand in Pioneer Square, 217 James Street, on November 8th.
Lots of product-pushing national press releases having nothing to do with West Seattle turn up in the WSB inbox these days for some reason, but once in a while, there’s truly a local angle. And so it is with this: Foster Farms is touring with the turkeys it’s taking to the White House for the famous pre-Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony. They’re meeting with students from two schools in the metro area – and one will be West Seattle Montessori (WSB sponsor). For reasons we haven’t yet investigated, the stop itself will be at Delridge Community Center, 9:30 am November 15th. The turkeys will be accompanied by humans including Washington Agriculture in the Classroom reps and Foster Farms’ “Vice President of Turkey.”
Following up on our earlier report: The three lawyers arguing for key interests in the legal fight over lien priorities in West Seattle’s stalled Fauntleroy Place project, aka “The Hole,” have just wrapped up their closing statements before King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead. She then said she will deliver her findings in the case at 9 am Monday, November 15th; rather than just sending out paperwork, she will read them aloud, in order to answer any questions. We’ll add toplines here from the closing statements – during which, at one point, the judge observed to a lawyer that it seemed much of the project and its financing had been “a charade” (she also acknowledged, when setting the date for announcing her decision, that she knows this is “important to the community” as well as to the individual parties involved). ADDED 11 PM: Click ahead for toplines from the closing arguments:Read More
An all-star concert at Bamboo Bar and Grill on Alki is just part of the West Seattle lineup for tomorrow’s Dine Out to Remember Our Fallen regional benefit for Behind the Badge Foundation and the Lakewood Police Memorial. Thanks to Eric for e-mailing to share the latest details; the Bamboo concert is expected to be a jam featuring members of Queensryche, Candlebox, and Lotus Crush. Restaurants participating by donating part of their proceeds tomorrow include Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor; half of food proceeds for the day), Salty’s on Alki (part of proceeds from certain desserts), Puerto Vallarta (all proceeds for the day), Bamboo (half of all proceeds for the day, all proceeds from beer donated by Elliott Bay Brewery, plus the concert), Rocksport (proceeds from Georgetown Brewing beer plus drink specials), Christo’s on Alki (accepting donations), Talarico’s, Elliott Bay (proceeds from its beer sales plus has donated kegs to Bamboo and Pegasus), Shipwreck Tavern, Brickyard BBQ, Pegasus Pizza (proceeds from the donated Elliott Bay beer), Duke’s on Alki (donating $250 – had a different fundraiser already scheduled) – and Liberty Bell Printing in The Junction donated the posters! More info, including full regional participants’ list, on this Facebook page.
That’s Christopher Boffoli‘s WSB video from last year’s New Year’s Day polar-bear swim at Alki. Never too soon to start planning the next one; we just heard from Angelina Shell, who is ready to organize it but looking for coffee donations, for starters. If you can help – e-mail her at angelina.shell@gmail.com!
As the end nears for the trial involving lawsuits over who gets paid what/when in relation to “The Hole” (June 2009 photo at right) – the project once known as Fauntleroy Place, once slated for Whole Foods, Hancock Fabrics and apartments, now a massive excavation idle for 2 years – we’re covering what happens in King County Superior Court Judge Susan Craighead‘s courtroom. WSB contributor Katie Meyer sat in on the trial again Tuesday, and reported that closing statements are expected today after one last round of witness testimony. Right now, we’re in court, where the witness on the stand was with Chicago Title when it evaluated title insurance for a sale of the project in summer 2008. Yesterday, Seattle Capital’s Robert Story, Jr., was among the witnesses, and said on the stand, “The day before the transaction fell apart [to sell to another lender], everyone felt it would close. It was a quite shocking and horrible day when we found out the deal wouldn’t close.” He was questioned about signing the “Owner’s Affidavit” document that was required (by Chicago Title) to receive title insurance, saying he signed it in the capacity of Seattle Capital Company, “acting on behalf of the lender,” on June 18, 2008. He testified that to his knowledge, there had been no real “work” done at the site prior to June 18th (in the key trial issue of whose lien/s take precedence for payment, that is a major question – what work was done, by whom, and when). Read on for other highlights from yesterday – including testimony from the developer who hopes to take over the site:Read More
Though the final vote count will take weeks, most of last night’s King County/Seattle results were fairly clear, and further counting is not likely to change the outcome. One such issue: The defeat of County Proposition 1, which sought to raise the sales tax to get money that county leaders said would stave off more budget cuts for public safety and human services. With that measure failing 44% yes to 56% no, two county councilmembers involved in the budget process have just released a statement warning of “draconian” cuts as a result (note that many of these services are provided by the county for city residents too, so this isn’t just an unincorporated-area issue) – read on for the statement:Read More
Looking ahead: King County Elections says it’ll count about 45,000 more ballots for its second release of results, due out around 4:30 pm today (our coverage from last night is here, here and here) … 
In West Seattle, tonight’s big meeting is the Southwest District Council, with a very busy agenda, including presentations about RapidRide (which Morgan Community Association heard about last month), the Duwamish River cleanup, and the much-discussed petition regarding low-flying aircraft. The public’s always welcome at meetings of the SWDC, whose members represent community councils and other major organizations/institutions around western West Seattle (the Delridge District Council, same thing for the eastern peninsula, meets in mid-month) – be at the South Seattle Community College board room (campus map here; the building with the board room is detailed here) at 7 pm … Tonight’s nightlife includes trivia at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor) at 6:45 pm, open mike at 9.
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