West Seattle, Washington
13 Sunday
SPD and SFD are arriving at the scene of a collision at 16th/Myrtle. According to emergency-radio exchanges, a 35-year-old woman is reported to have been hit by a driver and suffered an ankle injury. The driver, according to dispatch, pulled over and remains on scene. Avoid the area for a while.
Your ballot likely has already arrived. You might even have voted already. If not – tomorrow (Monday, October 23) brings another opportunity to see the Seattle City Council District 1 candidates. Rob Saka and Maren Costa are scheduled to answer questions about topics of interest to older Seattleites during a forum presented by Age-Friendly Seattle. It’s set for 3 pm to 4:30 pm Monday at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). Registration isn’t mandatory but if you sign up here you can also submit a question for consideration and list the topics you’re most interested in hearing Costa and Saka address.
Just in case either of these items is yours …
ABANDONED BOAT: Sent by Susanna:
Guessing this paddle boat was stolen and dumped in the middle of the night when criminals got tired of carrying it. It is currently in front of 9028 14th Ave SW. Reported it to the city as illegal dumping.
ABANDONED BICYCLE: Sent by Seth:
Possibly stolen bike at 26th and Nevada. Bike’s been here for a few days.
One week from today, while the West Seattle Farmers’ Market will be in its usual spot on California SW between Alaska and Oregon, an extra block will be closed for The Junction’s Halloween celebration. To recap, the West Seattle Junction Association decided, starting this year, to split what had been the Harvest Festival into two events – the Fall Festival, with a variety of games and activities, happened four weeks ago, and Halloween in The Junction, with a costume parade and trick-or-treating, happens next Sunday (October 29th). It’s set for 11 am-2 pm, kicking off with the costume parade starting at Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska), led by the West Seattle High School Band as in years past. Then at noon, the Seattle Thrillers will perform. An extra block of California SW, from Alaska to Edmunds, will be closed to vehicle traffic; you’ll find trick-or-treating and activity booths there (as well as treats offered throughout Downtown West Seattle by businesses). See you in The Junction next Sunday!
P.S. This and other business-district-trick-or-treat events – along with other Halloween-season events – are listed on our West Seattle Halloween Guide page.
(Photo by Jamie Kinney – see more here)
Here’s what’s happening as the weekend continues!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Now they’re running on Sunday mornings too – meet at 9 am at Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market is open as usual between SW Alaska and SW Oregon on California, offering fall fruit and vegetables as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from cider to kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list.
DONATION DRIVE: Help people in need – bring donated items to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 11 am-3 pm. The wish list is in our calendar listing.
ADMIRAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT MEETING: All are invited to come hear and talk about the church’s recently finalized partnership with Homestead Community Land Trust, 1:30 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
LEARN TO RESEARCH FAMILY HISTORY: Free family-history lab at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), 2:30 pm-4:30 pm. Email to reserve a slot if you can – info’s in our calendar listing.
DRUMMING TO CALL THE SALMON HOME: It’s just about time for splmon to show up in Fauntleroy Creek, looking for love. To encourage them, the annual tradition of gathering to drum and sing for a bit is set for 4 pm. Come to upper Fauntleroy Way and SW Director (across and upslope from the ferry dock), and a drumbeat will lead you down the driveway to the gathering.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
Something for our calendar – one-time or recurring? Email us the info – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
As always, the Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting was update-laden. Here’s what we heard at Wednesday’s online meeting, facilitated by MoCA president Deb Barker. Here’s how it unfolded, starting with the quick notes dubbed Morgan Minutes:
‘WE NEED HELP’: MoCA needs a recording secretary – “very easy position” since the organization meets only once every three months. This person takes minutes and posts them online – email mocacnc@gmail.com if you might be interested in helping.
EX-BANK BUILDING: The former Washington Federal building on the northeast corner of California/Fauntleroy remains for sale, two and a half years after closing; Barker talked to the broker recently and was told the bank “only wants to sell the building and is not interested in leasing it” – but with the stipulation that future owners can’t use or lease it as a bank. Price has been cut to $2 million.
MORGAN JUNCTION FESTIVAL PLANNING: MoCA will start talking in January about next June’s festival. First thing: Pick a festival date, then consider the scope of the event. All are welcome to help plan – if interested, mocacnc@gmail.com.
HYBRID MEETING? MoCA hopes to move from online-only to hybrid meetings next year.
Another one-car crash tonight toward the southwest (Fauntleroy) end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge, near the remaining Walking On Logs sculptures. No injuries reported. SDOT was called to reset the pushed-out-of-position barrier(s) into which the driver crashed.
Our nightly Halloween-decoration spotlights continue. Thanks to Aaron for sending tonight’s photos with the simple note that this is “on 64th Ave SW, between Admiral and Alki.”
Got/seen a great display? Let us know – with or without pics – via westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (And see our list of seasonal events, including major trick-or-treat opportunities, at westseattleblog.com/halloween.)
Both of these sightings were reported Friday:
GATEWOOD: From Cathy:
As usual, it happened while walking the dogs early this morning. About 5:15, my dogs were suddenly very alert to another canine crossing 37th Ave SW ahead of us at Willow St. The coyote was also very alert to us, but even more so to the rabbit flushed between us. This coyote looked to be the same size as in the photo you posted previously from “Rob.” I thought it looked pretty skinny and it didn’t run very far away nor very fast. We entered our yard and it lingered in our neighbor’s bushes across the street. Our neighborhood is rife with wild rabbits and plenty of outdoor cats and fruit trees; it’s a wonder we don’t spot more of the pack.
BEACH DRIVE: From a texter:
Coyote spotted with middle-sized animal hanging out of its mouth, this AM at 6:30 on my way to work. It ran across the street from a house on the water on Beach Drive, toward Jacobson!
As always, we include a note that we publish these sightings for awareness, not alarm, and for education: Here’s the state’s advice on do’s and don’t’s for coexisting with coyotes. (If you’re interested in previous sightings, click on the coverage-category link – “coyotes” – under the headline above.)
As they promised last weekend, opponents of Seattle Parks‘ plan to convert Lincoln Park‘s former tennis courts into pickleball courts came back today for a larger protest rally.
Their main concerns remain two-fold: That pickleball is too noisy for an area of the park where birds roost and nest in trees and people come for refuge from urban bustle, that possible lighting of the courts would also disrupt wildlife and that Seattle Parks made the court-conversion decision without environmental review and public input.
To recap – we reported in August, after a reader tip, that Parks planned to add pickleball striping to three of nearby Solstice Park‘s six courts during resurfacing work. At the time, the resurfacing work was considered imminent. But it hadn’t happened by the time Parks announced a change in plan in mid-September – that it would create six pickleball-only courts on the former tennis courts in the north part of the park, long used for storage. Solstice, Parks said, would remain tennis-only. Both these protesters and pickleball players said soon after that they would like to see Parks go back to the previous plan.
We counted about 60 people at the gathering’s peak. The protesters waved signs along Fauntleroy Way for a while before marching and chanting to the planned court site, where they gathered for speeches, by both organizers and by park users who spoke passionately about the solace they take in visiting it.
(Video added below, 7:33 pm)
They acknowledged a youth soccer match happening next to the court and described children’s laughter as a welcome sound, unlike the sound of pickleball, a recording of which was played at one point during the gathering, They also talked strategy, since so far Parks has not granted their request to have a public-comment period on the court-conversion plan. They plan to continue gathering names on an online petition, as well as emailing politicians and political candidates, from the City Council to Congress. Parks, meantime, plans to put an informational sign at the site this week, according to a brief discussion at this past week’s Morgan Community Association meeting, and Parks told us last week – after one activist launched an “occupation” – that a “work zone” will be created at the site.
Seen at Duwamish Alive! this morning – one example of what the twice-yearly habitat-helping event is all about. That was just before volunteers set out by water and by land for four hours of volunteer cleanup and restoration.
First, at həʔapus Village Park and Shoreline Habitat in West Seattle, some of the volunteers heard from river champions – like Cecile Hansen of the Duwamish Tribe, whose longhouse is just across West Marginal Way SW:
It’s important for you to understand why Seattle’s only river – West Seattle’s eastern border – matters so much. Listen to what the speakers had to say:
If you missed this work party, watch for the next Duwamish Alive! in spring – and many other work parties in the months ahead.
On the first of this year’s two “Halloweekends,” there’s lots to do, and one fun event is happening right now – the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s second Great Pumpkin Search. Between now and 3 pm, you can go to the Endolyne business district (centered on Wildwood/45th/Brace Point) and search for hidden pumpkins large and small. FCA adds, “As a bonus, there will be special pumpkins and holiday gifts to find in various locations.” But don’t wait – it’s popular – FCA told us they’d counted 23 pumpkin-hunters in the first five minutes!
Just received this update on this afternoon’s planned COVID/flu vaccination clinic at Southwest Library:
This morning, we received an unfortunate update from Seattle/King County Public Health. Due to a shipping delay from the manufacturer, the COVID doses earmarked for today’s clinic have been drastically reduced. Here is the updated availability for the vaccines at today’s clinic:
VACCINE DOSES AVAILABLE AT 10/21 SOUTHWEST LIBRARY CLINIC:
NO COVID doses for insured folks who are 12+
Only 7 COVID doses available for uninsured 12+
Limited pediatric COVID doses (5-11 years old) for children insured by state Medicaid or private insurersPlenty of flu shots available for ages 3 years & older (including high-dose flu shots for seniors)
We anticipate running out of the 7 doses for uninsured folks 12+ very early on. Library staff have been numerous phone calls to pharmacies all over the west/southwest Seattle area, and have only located two sites with confirmed walk-in COVID vaccine availability for today: Sea Mar Burien (14434 Ambaum Blvd SW; 206-812-6140) free for folks regardless of insurance, and Fred Meyer Burien (14300 1st Ave S, Burien; 206-433-6446) free for folks with insurance and out-of-pocket for folks without insurance ($180). We’re working to locate more walk-in COVID vaccine options for today.
For more information, patrons are welcome to call the Southwest Library at 206-684-7455. We’re very, very sorry for this unforeseen development.
The clinic remains scheduled for 2-5:30 pm; the library is at 9010 35th SW.
(Photo sent by Sam)
ORIGINAL SATURDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tips. A person was found dead on the Lincoln Park beach just south of Colman Pool this morning. The 911 dispatch happened just before 8 am. The person was described as an “adult female” whose body was “wet.” Police responded, as did SFD in case there was a chance she could be revived, but she could not. So far there’s no indication of suspicious circumstances that would require a homicide investigation; it’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, which sent a crew to the beach to take possession of the woman’s body, to determine what caused her death.
ADDED MONDAY: Police tell us the woman was 61 years old; and, “There were no signs of trauma or foul play at this time.” Again, the Medical Examiner will determine how/why she died.
(Fish photographed from Jack Block Park Pier on Wednesday by Steve Bender)
Welcome to the weekend! Highlights for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween Guide:
ROAD WORK ALERT: Northbound Delridge Way traffic north of SW Genesee is temporarily in one of the southbound lanes because of ongoing road work that’s scheduled to wrap up by Monday.
FREE GROUP RUN: Get your weekend going with this weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) group run, All levels welcome. Meet at the shop by 8 am.
FREE HIKE: Explore the West Duwamish Greenbelt on a guided hike! Meet at 9:30 am at the South Seattle College Arboretum (north end of campus at 6000 16th SW)
DUWAMISH ALIVE! 10 am-2 pm at multiple sites, today’s the fall installment of the twice-yearly mega-work party to take care of the Duwamish River’s watershed. If you haven’t already signed up to volunteer, the Herring’s House site in West Seattle still has volunteer openings. All are welcome, volunteering or not, for the opening ceremony and speeches at həʔapus Village Park and Shoreline Habitat at 10 am (across from the Duwamish Longhouse in the 4700 block of West Marginal Way SW).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: You can admire the community art on display at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), open 10 am-6 pm.
SOUTH DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: The weekly farmers’ market on the grounds of Hope Academy (9421 18th SW) is open for shopping 10 am-2 pm – second-to-last time this year – prioritizing vendors of color, presented by African Community Housing & Development.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Fall is planting season, and you can shop for student-raised plants at the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open 10 am-2 pm on the north end of campus.
WESTCREST DOG PARK TLC: If you can spare a little time to help out at the dog park, be there at 10:30 am. (9000 8th SW)
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Learn about Marco’s music here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
COURT-CONVERSION PROTEST: People opposed to Seattle Parks‘ plan to convert the former Lincoln Park tennis courts to pickleball courts plan a protest today, meeting in the park’s north lot (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) at 11 am.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
ART-GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH: Seasonal specialties at Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way), noon-4 pm.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM FAMILY DAY: Special day to visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens), 12-4 pm – as previewed here, it’s Family Day, with opportunities to learn about the beavers of Longfellow Creek!
CANDIDATE COFFEE: School board candidate Debbie Carlsen will be at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) noon-2 pm to meet voters.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS: Alki UCC and Kol HaNeshamah team up for this walk-by event, with live music, 12:30-1:30 pm in the front courtyard of their building at 6115 SW Hinds.
GREAT PUMPKIN SEARCH: The Fauntleroy Community Association invites you to the Endolyne Triangle (Wildwood/Brace Point/45th) to search for pumpkins big and small, 1-3 pm.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HALLOWEEN PET PHOTOS: 1-5 pm, free Halloween pet photo booth at Mud Bay (2611 California SW).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm, with student-produced wines available. North end of South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus. (6000 16th SW)
TALK WITH YOUR SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR: Leslie Harris hosts her final community conversation before the election in which she’s not running for re-election, 2-5 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW). She again promises to bring her famous lasagna!
FREE VACCINATIONS: Flu and COVID shots available 2-5:30 pm in a clinic at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), no appointment needed, just show up. (UPDATE: Changes announced at the last minute – details here.)
FALL BEER SHOWCASE: 30 fall favorites, 2-9 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), where the Tat’s truck also is visiting 3-8 pm.
HALLOQWEEN BASH: 4-6 pm, Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW) hosts “an afternoon of fall festivities including seasonal pastries and cider, costume contest, kids’ activities, drag performances and FUN with Seattle drag queens Holli B. Sinclair, Cookie Couture, and Sylvia O’Stayformore!” Tickets here (by donation).
BURGERS & BEATS: Saturday night food and music at Revelry Room – burgers start at 6, DJs at 9. (4547 California SW, alley side)
ARTSWEST GALA: 6 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) – tickets and details here.
SPOOKY SHOW: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm (see our Halloween Guide for full-season schedule). No admission charge, but charity donations requested – food or funds.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
‘GREAT NIGHT’ LAUNCHES: New Saturday night program for young adults 18+ to hang out 7 pm-midnight, at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle).
Planning a concert, open house, show, sale, event, meeting, seminar, reading, field trip, fundraiser, class, game, or ? If the community’s invited, get your event on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
11:27 PM: After a vehicle went into a yard in the 10200 block of 31st SW in Arbor Heights, police tried to get the driver to come out. He was reported to have a gun and a dog, and was not responding to commands to come out. So after trying for a while, including loudspeaker calls, police have called in negotiators and SWAT. Thanks to all the neighbors who’ve texted tips and photos (206-293-6302 any time); one neighbor describes the vehicle as a “white Chrysler 300”). We’re not clear on the driver’s status; we heard “passed out” at one point. We’re continuing to monitor.
11:44 PM: It does sound as if he’s passed out but showing signs of life. Meantime, they report “the dog is aggressive” but they’ve managed to seize the gun.
12:06 AM: The man is now reported to be out of the car and in custody. SFD medics will be checking him out. (And police have been figuring out how to have the dog cared for.)
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: This incident is featured on SPD Blotter tonight, with some additional information:
Police arrived around 10:00 p.m. in the 10200 block of 31st Avenue Southwest. They found a white Chrysler 300 sedan had backed into a tree. Inside the vehicle was the driver and a large dog.
When officers initially contacted the driver, he had difficulty staying awake. During this contact, police noticed he had a handgun in his coat pocket. In addition, the Pit bull started becoming aggressive within the vehicle.
Officers attempted to call out the driver from the vehicle, but he did not comply. More resources arrived on the scene to assist with taking the suspect driver into custody.
After SWAT and HNT responded to the location, the firearm and dog were secured first, then the suspect was taken into custody.
The firearm recovered was a loaded handgun with an extended magazine.
(SPD photo)
Prior to being booked into King County Jail, police obtained a blood warrant for the DUI investigation. The 41-year-old male suspect was arrested for unlawful possession of firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving under the influence.
Not all Halloween decorations are spooky and macabre. Two examples in tonight’s spotlight: Above and below, we found Snoopy and The Great Pumpkin in a Gatewood yard, near 37th/Elmgrove.
And Jerry Simmons sent this photo celebrating the love-it-or-hate-it candy corn (location not provided):
Lots more decorations to show you – with Halloween still 11 nights away. We’re also listing them in our West Seattle Halloween Guide, along with all the local trick-or-treat events, haunted houses, parties, carnivals, etc. – we’ve got a new bunch to add later tonight, and there’s still room if you haven’t sent yours yet – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Among the many options you have this weekend – the Log House Museum welcomes you to a special event Saturday afternoon – in case you haven’t seen this in our calendar, here’s the announcement:
This Saturday we celebrate Fall by celebrating the beaver families that live along Longfellow Creek – the subject of our ongoing exhibit t?awi: Creek of Hope! Stop by the Log House Museum from 12 – 4 for free, family-friendly crafts, complimentary cider, build your own dam, and enjoy an interactive display of a beaver lodge!!
The Log House Museum is at 61st and Stevens in Alki.
5:45 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to a crash reported to be blocking the West Seattle low bridge – as many as five vehicles, according to the initial dispatch. So far it’s not visible on the traffic camera. But steer clear of the low bridge for a while.
5:48 PM: Police say the crash has closed the bridge in both directions.
6:45 PM: At least five vehicles were involved. Live traffic camera shows the bridge has reopened.
3:21 PM: We heard a bit about this in radio exchanges earlier but had not yet verified. Now we’ve heard from the witness who reported it to police:
I witnessed a purse-snatching at the corner of 42nd & College, right by the WS Library. A woman was walking her dog and a man came up, punched her in the face, grabbed her bag and then hopped in a car and sped off. I called it in to 911 and gave them all the details I had, and there were several other witnesses taking care of the victim (she was unhurt, but obviously shaken).
Then about an hour ago, the witness got a call from police who said they arrived at the scene but hadn’t found the victim, so the witness wondered if we could publish something “to let the victim know she should contact the police.” We are asking SPD if they ever heard from the victim – if not, she can call and refer to case 23-304246. As for robber description, the description originally given by dispatch was “unknown-race male, 5’9″-5’10”, all-black clothing, ski mask” and the getaway vehicle was initially described as a “blue sedan.”
3:35 PM: Police arrested a juvenile suspect a short time ago at Westwood Village (photo above, near Chase Bank) and tell us the suspect is potentially linked to this case. They recovered a gun that, according to dispatch, was reported stolen in Federal Way. A second suspect who was with this one got away, apparently in a vehicle.
Meantime, this may not have been the only purse-snatch robbery in Admiral today – we’ve heard mention of at least one other report – more info when we get it.
7:45 PM: We have no additional info from SPD and might not get any before Monday but we’re still trying. Meantime, the victim of the purse-snatch robbery at 42nd/College has told her story in this comment below.
8:29 PM: With the help of archived dispatch audio, we’ve sorted this out: There were two purse-snatch robberies in Admiral this afternoon. In addition to the one reported above, the second one – similar-sounding circumstances – happened around 2:30 pm at 45th/Stevens. The robber in this one also was described as having a covered face, dark clothes, and got away in a “blue sedan.”
(WSB photos/video)
More than 150 Chief Sealth International High School students walked off the campus just before noon today in a protest demanding action against sexual harassment and violence.
Staffers joined them in support.
As reported here last night, this was sparked by text messages described as “graphic … group text messages” that “encourage sexual violence.” The students involved were reported to be football players; the principal’s message only alluded to “athletic” involvement
After walking out, students gathered on the Southwest Athletic Complex field across the street. School officials would not allow media crews into the stadium to hear the speeches (which were inaudible from the street because of a TV chopper hovering overhead).
The student who sent word last night about today’s rally said this has been an ongoing situation without much action from school administrators. We asked principal Ray Morales today if anyone had been suspended and he said he could not comment. We asked the district media office the same question, and others, and received only a statement similar to what the principal sent to the school community Thursday; this one was attributed to district chief of staff Bev Redmond:
SPS takes the safety and wellbeing of students very seriously. We respect student voices and listen to our students’ concerns. SPS condemns any form of sexual abuse, assault, and violence, and we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and safe educational environment for all students.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, concerns were brought to the attention of Chief Sealth International school leaders. The concerns were related to group text messages written by several Chief Sealth students. The content was graphic and extremely inappropriate. Chief Sealth International staff and SPS leaders do not condone this type of communication in any format.
Chief Sealth International school leaders took immediate action, including:
-SPS and Chief Sealth International leadership will continue to evaluate appropriate discipline and corrective action
-Outreach by school social workers and school leaders to offer direct support to each student who was the subject of these messagesThe school’s leadership is actively taking steps to be sure students approach their peers and community members with respect. This includes a plan by athletic leaders to promote gender equity, prevent sexual harassment, and help our students better understand what behaviors are expected of students and student athletes.
The district did not answer our question about whether police had been contacted.
(WSB photo, Alki Elementary demolition site in August)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
ORIGINAL 12:08 PM REPORT: More than two months after the old Alki Elementary was demolished, the rebuild/expansion project remains on hold because of what’s become a court fight. A short hearing in the case was held this morning.
First, the backstory: Seattle Public Schools needed nine zoning exceptions – “departures” – to get approval for its plan to build a bigger, taller school on the site. The city Department of Construction and Inspections granted the nine departures. Four Alki residents appealed the decision. After a subsequent daylong hearing, a city hearing examiner upheld the city decision on all but one departure – the one that would allow the school to be built without off-street parking; current zoning would otherwise require 48 spaces. The examiner’s ruling sent the parking issue back to the city for “further consideration.” The district could have opted to work on that issue with the city but instead decided to file a court challenge to the decision. That challenge is set for a full hearing in January, but the city filed a motion to dismiss it, and that’s what was heard today in an online hearing before King County Superior Court Judge Wyman Yip. We monitored the hearing, which lasted less than 15 minutes.
The case is not a lawsuit per se, but rather, a land-use petition. Lawyer Liza Anderson, representing the city, contends the district’s challenge should be dismissed because the hearing examiner’s ruling was not a final land-use decision – it simply sent the parking issue back to city planners to work with the district, Lawyer Katie Kendall, representing the district, contends the hearing examiner’s ruling is indeed a final decision, because if SPS, for example, found a way to provide parking in or near the project, it could get its permits without further proceedings,
Judge Yip had no questions, and said he’d already read the documents filed by both sides. He told the lawyers – who also included counsel for the residents who filed the appeal, though she did not speak – that he expected to file a written decision on the dismissal motion by Monday. (We’ll be watching the case file.) If he doesn’t grant the motion to dismiss the case, it will proceed toward a hearing set for late January. Alki Elementary, meantime, is holding classes at the former Schmitz Park Elementary, which it was expecting to do for two years even if construction of the new school had started this summer as originally planned.
5:35 PM: Just got word that the judge has already made his decision, and he has dismissed the district’s case, agreeing with the city that the hearing examiner’s ruling granting the appeal of the no-parking decision was not a final land-use decision, so this manner of challenge was not appropriate. Here’s how the ruling ends:
Having reviewed the pleadings, the Examiner’s August 10, 2023 written decision, and the
authority cited by counsel, this Court finds that the Examiner’s decision was not a final
determination under LUPA. The Examiner found that “more attention to parking impacts within this
highly constrained and unique setting is needed” and that the decision is “returned to the
Department” for proceedings consistent with the decision. This was not a denial of the requested
parking departure. It was a remand for more/better information before a more informed decision can
be made.Based on the foregoing, pursuant to Civil Rule (“CR”) 12(b)(1) the Court ORDERS that:
1. Respondent Seattle’s Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED; and
2. Petitioner Seattle School District’s Land Use Petition Act Petition is dismissed.
This does NOT necessarily mean the district has to provide the required parking – it does mean that the city and the district have to work on the issue, as the hearing-examiner ruling ordered. We’ll be seeking comment on Monday.
(Fall colors, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for the rest of today/tonight:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Open 10 am-2 pm for plant shopping, north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
STAY ‘N’ PLAY: Free drop-in indoor gym for kids 5 and under and their caregivers, 10-11:30 am at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE CONTINUES: 10 am-6 pm, Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open – drop by to see the work displayed by community members in its annual Southwest Artist Showcase.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room/wine bar open 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SIDETALKER: Live in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW).
AT KENYON HALL: Monthly songwriter showcase at 6:30 pm (signups at 6 pm) at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW).
SPOOKY SHOW: Nightfall Orphanage, spooky experience at 4544 51st Place SW, 7-10 pm (see our Halloween Guide for full-season schedule). No admission charge, but charity donations requested – food or funds.
SPORTS: One football home game tonight, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, West Seattle HS hosts Nathan Hale. Also at 7 pm, at West Seattle Stadium, Garfield vs. O’Dea.
DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
CRYSTALS 101: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Piston Ready, Trip the Wire, Halcion Halo, “hard rock ‘n’ roll” – 8 pm at The Skylark, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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