West Seattle, Washington
13 Saturday
Three biznotes today:
SAUNA ON THE SHORE: Alki already has one, and now another West Seattle beach park will be getting regular visits from a mobile sauna. Good Day Sauna is owned by Julia Winter and based in West Seattle. She explains: is a
Beginning September 20, 2025, our sauna will be stationed at Lincoln Park for scheduled events, located along the beach path to offer guests a seamless heat-up and cool-down experience with direct access to Puget Sound.
As demand grows, we plan to increase our presence and establish a regular schedule at the park. Good Day Sauna operates as a community sauna, with individual seats available for booking to encourage shared wellness and connection.
Julia has online booking for Good Day Sauna at gooddaysauna.com.
IN PIZZA WE CRUST UPDATE: This pizza joint long in the works for the former Swinery at 3207 California SW is getting closer to opening, proprietor Stephanie Tran told us when we inquired for the first time in four months: “We are finally making some headway. The city of Seattle finally approved our change of use permit last week and we are now pending our final inspection with the health department. I don’t have an official date yet as I’m waiting for the health department but we’ll likely open a couple weeks after the inspection.”
PANDA EXPRESS CEREMONY: One day after the Westwood Village Panda Express started serving customers with a “soft open,” they had a grand-opening ceremony this morning. We met manager Sophia – who has worked her way up through the ranks at other Puget Sound locations – and regional director Simon – they’re holding the commemorative T-shirt given to the first 88 guests:
Simon thanked the 20 or so people in line and introduced the Inochi Taiko duo:
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter coordinated the official ribboncutting:
Other businesses with future openings at WWV include J.Crew Factory, a UPS Store, an H&R Block branch, and F45 Training.
ORIGINAL 1:30 PM REPORT: Haven’t received one in a while till this came in via text today:
On my way to the bus today at 7:30 am I saw a coyote run across the street at Hanford and Belvidere. Probably going after the rabbits in the neighborhood. But with kids going back to school I thought it was worth sharing.
Our years of coyote reports are in this archive; if you haven’t read up on co-existence tips, go here!
ADDED 2:23 PM: Rose De Dan sent another video from her Wild Reiki Spa backyard pond – where a visiting coyote made off with a dog toy:
The local coyotes seem to favor the Wild Reiki Spa, making more frequent appearances. This one took advantage of an experiment I was conducting. Knowing how much my raccoon visitors enjoy using their paws, I thought they might enjoy playfully dunking a small dog rubber toy in the fountain. It never occurred to me that Coyote might find the ring toy fun too, carrying it off for a bit of play in the center of the yard, where the camera faintly catches a bit of pawing and pulling on it. The next morning, I found it at the end of the yard. I have since retired the ring toy after realizing it could present a choking hazard due to its size in relation to Coyote’s mouth. If I decide to try again, I’ll need to purchase a coyote-sized dog toy and see if it suits the raccoons as well.
12:12 PM: Thanks for the tip about the Seattle Fire crews headed toward Don Armeni Boat Ramp. There’s a water-rescue response for a reported vessel in distress. They’re not sure, according to first units on scene, whether there’s anyone aboard the boat, but they’re planning a quick search to find out.
(Added: Reader photo from Steve)
12:17 PM: SFD describes the boat as 18′, “partially submerged.” They’re sending in divers and rescue swimmers to be sure no one’s in the water. But as we suspected, it’s just been confirmed, this is the same boat that was towed to Don Armeni yesterday after taking on water off Beach Drive.
12:24 PM: “No one on boat, no one in danger” responders have just told dispatch. They’re trying to reach the boat owner with whom they made contact yesterday.
12:45 PM: Many of the responding units have been dismissed. Adding photo above, posted in a comment by Steve, and photo below, emailed by Stewart L.
(Added: Reader photo from Stewart L.)
10;42 PM: As of about 8 pm, the boat was still alongside one of Don Armeni’s docks, half-submerged.
Seattle City Light has finally published the video and slide deck from last week’s online meeting about the long-planned, finally under way Brace Point underground-cable replacement project. We monitored it as it happened last Thursday; an hour was allotted, but attendees ran out of questions and the meeting ended after 35 minutes.
The project premise is fairly simple, though the work is not – SCL needs to replace underground cables that have been failing, plunging hundreds of households into multiple outages. The project was originally slated to start in 2020; SCL gave a variety of reasons in 2022 why it didn’t. Then this past spring the project went out to bid again, a contractor was chosen, and work is starting now.
Leading off the meeting, SCL communicator Grant Barton began with a project presentation, including the project team:
Barton then went into a glossary of sorts, defining “electrical vaults” and “electrical conduits.”
He explained that the SCL service area has 590 miles of underground cable, some of it – like the Brace Point cables – buried without conduit protection, mostly back in the ’70s, and that’s put it more at risk of damage and resulting outages, as has happened here. Communications consultant Natasha Wheeler picked it up from there, explaining what the project entails:
She said work will have some traffic effects, and there’ll be flaggers when needed. The work will include some planned outages, likely in spring 2027. That work will involve transferring power service “from the old cables to the new cables” once everything is in place. Here’s the construction timeline:
Q&A included daily construction hours and a specific question on behalf of a condo building in the construction zone which needed to ensure access would be possible for a specific activity (the reply was to be sure to directly talk with the project team to arrange logistics). Another question was about whether above-ground poles would be removed; team member Francis Sammy said no, there are no plans to bury lines that are currently above ground. And then there was a question about whether some curbing and sidewalks would be added; the project team said generally not – their focus would be on “restoring” what they’d have to dig up. But, at least one type of addition is likely in some places – if they’re working at an intersection, restoration would have to be ADA-compliant (regardless of whether the intersection had been so before), which means curb ramps, for example. Barton also said the question suggested they need to include more information on the project website about what “restoration” work will entail. They also were asked about a large redwood tree, and SCL said they have tree protections in the plan. Also, some streetlights will be replaced, they said in response to another question.
P.S. If you’re interested in comparing, here is our report from a similar meeting when the project was about to launch under a different contractor four years ago.
(Seen Tuesday night in Fairmount Ravine, photographed by SeanO!)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HOTWIRE: The Junction coffeehouse celebrates its 23rd anniversary, until 5 pm. (4410 California SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still time left in gardening season! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), free.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is back today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Marigold Wood-Fired Pizza.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING: Discussion of safety issues relating to the High Point Library/Neighborcare parking lot, 6 pm at the library (3411 SW Raymond).
DUSTY 45s FT. JOE ROSS & THE BIRDWATCHERS: Free live music 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Rather walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Tomas, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
It’s a Fauntleroy Community Association tradition – the Pumpkin Search – and this year’s event is exactly one month away, scheduled for Saturday, October 4. But before the Pumpkin Search can happen, organizer Candace Blue launches a volunteer search, to line up people to help with hiding the pumpkins. This year the search returns to the Endolyne business district, and one more special addition – synergy with the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (October 19), with some of the hidden pumpkins marked so they can be brought to the festival two weeks later and receive a prize. If you plan to join in the search, set your calendar for 1-3 pm October 4; if you can volunteer to hide pumpkins, that starts at 11:30 am that day, and you can email Candace now – blueyvette47@gmail.com is her address.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, September 4, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast is for sun, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:32 am; sunset will be at 7:42 pm.
BACK TO SCHOOL
All schools are now back in session.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights.
TUNNEL ALERT
The Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight late Friday/early Saturday – here’s the WSDOT alert:
From 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, maintenance crews will close both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle between S Atlantic Street and Roy Street for tunnel maintenance. The Royal Brougham to northbound SR 99 and 6th Street to southbound SR 99 ramps will close at 9 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Another school where students were warmly welcomed on this first day: Madison Middle School. Thanks to PTSA president Amber Zeddies for the photos! Arrivals were celebratory, with a photo-op station:
Longtime principal (since the ’13-’14 school year) Dr. Robert Gary even got into the spirit:
And another reminder, it’s the first full year of the School Street in front of Madison, with 45th closed to through traffic on weekdays:
P.S. Want to get involved with the PTSA? This year’s board-meeting schedule is here.
Two name-change followups:
ADMIRAL CVS: West Seattle is now officially without a Bartell Drugs store. The third local drugstore to become a CVS, the ex-Bartell in Admiral, reopened today under the new name. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen reports that it’s open but still in transition, as all the parking-lot activity suggests:
The Jefferson Square ex-Bartell made the same changeover last week.
MECHANICS BANK: As previously reported, this Northern California-based bank has taken over HomeStreet Bank, and now that it’s official, they’re commenting on how it will affect West Seattle customers. Bottom line: It mostly won’t. A Mechanics Bank spokesperson confirmed to us that the West Seattle Junction branch (and all other former HomeStreet branches) will remain open, that the staff will be the same, and the hours/days will be the same. Any products/services changing? That reply: “Generally speaking, there are no changes. Customer accounts and services will remain unchanged. As we prepare to integrate systems (sometime in early 2026), we will provide advance information about any future changes to products and services.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Sanislo Elementary community is rallying support for a school employee’s husband who is in ICE detention.
Chittakone “Alan” Phetsadakone, originally from Laos, is at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the online roster confirms. A flyer is circulating to request community presence at his hearing this Friday morning in Seattle:
The flyer was shared with us by a family friend, who also shared a social-media post made by the Sanislo PTA, reading in part:
This is not the post I imagined for our first day of school, but a Sanislo family member needs your help. One of our own has been caught in the deportations that are sweeping our community and you have a chance to help keep a faily together. Cheryl Eugenio is the backbone of Sanislo. She keeps our school running every day from the front office and knows each of your kids. Her husband was detained during his regularly scheduled check-in with ICE and has been held in Tacoma. He is at ris of deportation to a third country. Cheryl has asked that everyone share the information of his next hearing so we can fill the courtroom with quiet supporters. … If you have ever asked what you can do to protect our community, this is your chance to show up. The courtroom holds 70 and we want it packed with support.
Sanislo community members plan to carpool to the federal-court building.
According to an online docket, the hearing is related to Phetsadakone seeking a temporary restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, and seeking release. We haven’t been able to obtain the court docments yet but w will be asking seeking ICE comment tomorrow about the case.
ADDED THURSDAY: Since we published this story, another family friend has started a crowdfunding page, which has more information on the situation.
3:59 PM: Seattle Fire is responding by land and sea to a boat off Beach Drive (near Shore Place) with a man and dog on board, now reporting that they are taking on water, according to the dispatch. Responders got a call about this boat earlier today, but at the time, the boater was reported to have said he didn’t need help, just had a dead battery, so that response was canceled fairly quickly.
4:05 PM: Crews just told dispatch that the boater reports 2 1/2 feet of water in his engine compartment, so they’re trying to get some equipment to help with that.
4:43 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted that photo. The fireboat crew has just told dispatch that they’ll be towing the boat to Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
After Tuesday’s report on a break-in at the Westwood Village Post Office‘s curbside mailbox, we followed up with the USPS today on its status – and also asked what’s up with the long-promised replacement of the one at the Junction Post Office.
(WSB photo, Tuesday)
USPS regional spokesperson Zachary Laux answered both questions. Regarding WWV, he said, “The damaged Westwood Village box will be removed from the street as it is beyond repair. A replacement box will be ordered and installed as soon as possible.” Eleven months ago, the box was replaced in less than a month. But it’s been more than a year and a half since the box in The Junction was stolen, and no replacement yet, though we noted that a reader said the staff told him it was finally close, which Laux also said: “Maintenance staff is awaiting one more component before the California Ave. collection box can be securely replaced.” (If you happen to be nearby when it arrives for reinstallation, please text us – 206-293-6302 – thanks!)
King County Sheriff’s Office deputies say their investigation remains open and active regarding a West Seattle man’s report of an armed robbery aboard a Metro bus. We heard a little about it the night it happened, then learned the victim had reported it on a neighborhood mailing list. We asked if he would share that story with WSB, and he agreed:
At around 12:10 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2025, I boarded the King County Metro C Line at 3rd Ave. and Pike St. in downtown Seattle and sat down in an empty elevated seat near the middle set of double-doors.
After a few minutes, a twenty-something black male in a blue hoodie sweatshirt moved to a seat directly across the aisle from me. He was carrying a skateboard, and had been in the seat behind me. He began engaging me in conversation with questions like, “Where are you headed?” and “What have you been up to tonight?”
It seemed a little strange, but I carried on the conversation in order to be polite. He said that he liked skating because it kept him out of trouble. I think he said that he had been skating at Cal Anderson park on Capitol Hill.
Another man, this one a twenty-something white male who was in the seat in front of the black male, joined in the conversation as well.
After ten to fifteen minutes of occasional chit chat, and as the bus was driving up Avalon Way, the black man moved into my seat and said in a calm, low voice “this is a gun.”
I could see that his hand was in the front pocket of his hoodie and the outline of what appeared, in fact, to be a handgun. He pushed what felt like the barrel up against my side. He told me to hand over my wallet or else he was going to shoot me. “I need it,” he said.
Unsure of whether I should comply or not, I didn’t respond for at least a few seconds before he reached into my right front pocket and removed my wallet. Somehow he knew exactly where it was. He said, “I need it,” again and moved out of my seat and walked up the aisle to stop in front of the
firstmiddle set of doors. I could see now that he was about 6’1″ in height, of slim to medium build.I began yelling to the driver that I had just been robbed at gunpoint and not to open the doors at the next stop so that the perpetrator couldn’t escape. I pointed at the man who robbed me while yelling to the driver.
The perpetrator shrugged and said, “What?” frowning as if he hadn’t done anything.
I stepped into the aisle and the white man who had been part of the conversation stepped in front of me with his back to me, intentionally blocking my way. I realized at that moment that they were co-conspirators. I tried to get by him, but he was too large and heavy. In the scuffle, I punched him and kicked him in the side. The bus turned the corner onto 35th Ave. SW, reaching its next stop. I continued yelling at the driver but he opened the doors anyway and the perpetrators exited the bus. The black man appeared to head north on 35th. I didn’t see which direction the white man went. I called 911 from inside the bus. Later when I checked, I discovered that it was 12:30 a.m. when I made
the call. I described what had happened to the dispatcher. In the course of the conversation, I discovered that the underside of my right forearm was bruised and bleeding from a long cut. I surmised that I acquired it during my scuffle with the white man. The dispatcher communicated my injury to the Fire Department and relayed my call to the King County Sheriffs, who arrived on scene and took my statement.
His report # is C25026195; we asked KCSO – which has jurisdiction in crimes aboard Metro buses – about it, and they say they sent out a K9 team but no one was found, and they have no further information, though the investigation remains open and active.
ADDED 4:45 PM: The victim adds that he has more descriptive information for the white suspect: “He had short brown hair, stood about 5’10,” and was of stocky to heavyset build. He was wearing a white t-shirt which I believe had some text or image on it. I could see that he had some kind of suitcase, bag, or backpack with him, and a device a few feet long with a claw on one end that you open and close by squeezing a handle on the opposite end.”
(WSB photos/video)
Some students walked into West Seattle Elementary this morning; some ran; one boy even danced his way through the doors.
All crossed a red carpet lined with staff, parents, and community members cheering and offering high-fives – one student even reached out with both hands:
It was also the first day of Ritchie Garcia‘s first full year leading WSE, and he welcomed the students before the doors opened, telling them this was more than simply “the first day of school”:
Those on hand to welcome the students also included West Seattle’s school board rep Gina Topp, who is the board’s president (she’s toward the right edge of the clip below).
The red-carpet tradition at WSES dates back to 2016!
(The Brothers at sunset, photo sent by Betsy)
Quick reminders about what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ADMIRAL CVS: Today is the day the former Admiral Bartell Drugs is scheduled to reopen as a CVS drugstore.
WESTWOOD VILLAGE PANDA EXPRESS: Today is scheduled as a “soft open” for the new Panda Express at Westwood Village.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is a last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can set their calendars for next Wednesday morning!).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)
AQUATICS REMINDER: Since this is our first full list this week, one reminder that sprayparks and wading pools are now closed for the season. Colman Pool is closed today but has two postseason weekends ahead.
NO AMERICAN MAH JONGG TODAY: Afternoon meetups are on hold until The Missing Piece reopens in its new West Seattle Junction location.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix that broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: 6 pm, “Nova” is this month’s book. Club meets at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW).
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), membership not required.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Rhythm & Roots Night at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), no cover, all ages.
FREE ART CLASS: 6 pm, pay what you can, all levels invited to explore watercolors at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
FREE QI-GONG CLASS: 6 pm, register here and meet at south Lincoln Park lot. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly happy-hour meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: An energetic way to enjoy your evening – join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – all welcome.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
LISTENING PARTY: Big Thief/Double Infinity – hear it early at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 7 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four West Seattle trivia locations on our Wednesday list: Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) at 7 pm … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 8 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and it’s an 8:30 pm start for trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: You can be in the spotlight – 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SALSA & BACHATA CLASS: Open-level class with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW), 8 pm.
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather September 19 to remember Jim Eldred, and are sharing this remembrance with the community now:
James “Jim” Eldred will be remembered by his family and friends on September 19th in West Seattle. Jim passed away on October 27, 2024 in Benson, North Carolina. He was profoundly thoughtful, kind and considerate, and steadfastly dedicated to his family, friends, community, and faith.
Jim was born in West Seattle on February 27, 1948 and attended West Seattle High School, where he played basketball and football. He studied at the University of Washington, setting the stage for a career at Pacific Northwest Bell and US West Advanced Technologies.
Following retirement, Jim served his community in Monroe, Washington, by volunteering as Administrator for the Christian School and as Deacon and Elder at his church. Jim later moved to Benson, North Carolina. Passionate about his hobbies, Jim was an avid sailor, a skilled writer, a determined wood carver, a painter, and an excellent cook and baker.
In recent years, Jim focused on sharing the significance of living in relationship with Jesus and wrote a book, A Depth of Insight, about his experiences.
He is survived by his wife, Maudene “Dena” Eldred; children Kim, David, and Jeff Eldred; siblings Beth Davis and Bill Eldred; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Betty Eldred.
We will miss our wise counselor, problem solver and fixer of things ,and his legacy will continue to bless, influence, and inspire us.
(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)
8:09 AM: Texter says eastbound West Seattle Bridge is backing up west of Delridge onramp because of a rear-ender involving a school bus and a car.
8:44 AM: An officer just told dispatch that the lanes are all open now.
9 AM: Readers tell us that’s NOT so. Backup persists too. (See comments – also, this texted photo of backup:)
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast is for sun, high in the low 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:29 am; sunset will be at 7:46 pm.
REOPENED
-One last reminder – Admiral Way Bridge work is mostly done, so Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge has reopened after 13 months.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Almost everyone who’s not back already will be back today, including Seattle Public Schools. That means School Street restrictions are back in effect near some schools (note that Madison MS has painted curb bulbs too); the new speed cam near West Seattle High School is not expected to be activated until later this month, but pre-existing cameras will be operating.
TRANSIT TODAY
Fare changes – One last reminder, Metro and Water Taxi fare changes took effect Monday (mostly increases); here’s what to know.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
In a week and a half, the City Council will listen to what might be hundreds of speakers at the last major public hearing on the first phase of the Comprehensive Plan – aka One Seattle Plan – which is meant to guide the city’s growth for the next 20 years.
Upzoning has been the focus of what’s working its way through the system, dating back to the unveiling of proposed maps last October. The plan details included new terminology for new types of zones, including Neighborhood Centers envisioned as hubs of businesses and denser housing. We first reported, after that unveiling, on seven West Seattle areas proposed for the Neighborhood Center designation – north to south:
*Delridge (centered on Delridge/Dakota)
*Brandon Junction (centered on Delridge/Brandon)
*Fairmount (centered on California/Findlay)
*High Point (centered on 35th/Morgan)
*Holden (centered on 35th/Holden)
*Upper Fauntleroy (centered on 35th/Barton)
*Endolyne (centered on 45th/Wildwood)
We also noted in our initial report that the city had considered three other West Seattle areas as potential Neighborhood Centers but decided against the designation:
*Alki (would have been centered on 61st/Stevens)
*Sylvan Junction (would have been centered on Delridge/Orchard)
*Highland Park (would have been centered on 9th/Trenton)
Now, one of the 106 amendments that councilmembers have proposed for the Comp Plan/rezoning would resuscitate the idea of an Alki neighborhood center. And Alki neighborhood advocates say that shouldn’t happen without a chance for them to be part of the process – more than just having their say at the upcoming eleventh-hour public hearing.
The Alki NC proposal is in the 34th amendment in this package of amendments, one of eight neighborhood centers that citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck wants to add to the plan (none of the other seven are in West Seattle) with support of a housing-advocacy organization. This amendment starts on page 56 of the 424-page document with all councilmembers’ proposals. Her amendment describes the proposed Alki neighborhood center as follows:
1. Alki (District 1)
This amendment would create a new Alki Neighborhood Center generally located west of 59th Avenue (SW), north of SW Hinds Street and south and east of Alki Avenue SW (Council District 1). It would encompass approximately 95 acres.
The area to be included in the Neighborhood Center includes a mixture of Neighborhood residential zoning, generally to the south, Lowrise 1, 2, and 3 zoning in the middle and west of the proposed center, and Neighborhood Commercial 1-40 zoning along Alki Avenue SW in the northeast corner of the proposed district. The area contains mostly single-family homes in the Neighborhood Residential zone, multifamily buildings in the lowrise zones, and a mix of commercial, mixed-use and multifamily structures in the Neighborhood Commercial zoned area. In addition to the section of commercial zoning proposed to be included in the neighborhood center, the commercial district extends three blocks east along Alki Avenue SW outside of the proposed boundaries. In addition, there are a number of parks in the area, including Alki Beach, Bar-S Playground and Alki Playground.
Bus stops for the 50 and 56 bus routes are located along SW Admiral Way, 63rd Avenue SW, 61st Avenue SW and Alki Avenue SW. The 775 bus route runs westbound along SW Admiral Way, north of 63rd Avenue SW, and eastbound along Alki Avenue SW. None of these routes individually meets the definition of providing frequent transit service. The areas farthest from the transit stops are approximately one half mile (2,640 feet) from the center of the proposed neighborhood center.
“Neighborhood center” was originally defined by the city as:
… places with a variety of housing options centered around a local commercial district and/or major transit stop (such as RapidRide). They typically serve as focal points within neighborhoods, offering shops, services, grocery stores, restaurants, and more. These places are suitable for residential and mixed-use buildings up to six stories in the core and smaller apartment buildings on the periphery. Neighborhood centers should generally encompass areas within 800 feet, or one to three blocks, of the central intersection or transit stop.
Councilmember Rinck’s amendment notes that some of her proposed additions (obviously including Alki) don’t fit the definition;
Many of the proposed boundaries of these Neighborhood Centers include areas that are significantly more than 800 feet from the central intersection of the center or a bus rapid stop. Consequently, the boundaries that would be adopted through this amendment are generally not consistent with Comprehensive Plan policy GS 5.4 which states: “GS 5.4 Determine the boundaries of Neighborhood Centers based on local conditions, but generally include areas within a 3-minute walk (800 feet) of the central intersection or bus rapid transit stop. ”
If the Council wants to adopt the boundaries for the new centers as proposed under this amendment, it should also amend this policy to allow greater flexibility in the configuration of neighborhood center boundaries.
While the originally proposed Neighborhood Centers around the city have been up for scrutiny and feedback dating to last October, the ones Councilmember Rinck seeks to add, including Alki, have not, and the Alki Community Council is voicing concern about that, sending the ACC mailing list an alert today, saying in part:
your voice will not be heard unless you message City Council that Alki deserves the same education, workshops, and outreach that the 30 other designated Neighborhood Centers received before zoning is approved. To compare public information in the 30 other Neighborhood Centers, here is a synopsis below from the city webpage. Alki deserves to be treated equally and fairly.
Outreach & Timeline in 30 Neighborhood Centers
Oct 16, 2024 – Dec. City launches One Seattle Plan zoning update website; 60-day public comment period opens.
Dec 20, 2024 – Public comment period closes.
May 2025 – Mayor introduces plan to City Council with 30 Neighborhood Centers (Alki still excluded after feasibility analysis).
July 31, 2025 – CM Rinck [proposes amending] plan to add back Alki and the other excluded neighborhoods, just weeks before the Sept. 19 vote — leaving no time for public education or feedback in Alki.
Aug 9, 2025 – CM Rinck’s staff holds a small unadvertised meeting in Alki to discuss rezoning.
If you aren’t on the ACC list and therefore haven’t seen it, you can read the full email, including information on how to comment, by going here.
(Regarding the “small unadvertised meeting” last month, we can confirm there was no media notification. One attendee, community advocate Steve Pumphrey, described it to neighbors in a message about the proposed rezoning, saying that he “attended a less than well-publicized (there were just four legitimate Alki residents that I could see) community meeting that was supposed to be for fact finding and community feedback. It was nothing more than a sales pitch.”
Councilmembers are scheduled to vote on the 100+ amendments, and the rest of the Comprehensive Plan’s Phase 1, the week after the September 12 public hearing, so that they can finalize it before spending more than two months focused on the budget, as happens every fall. In urging people to offer feedback, pro, con, or otherwise, ACC president Charlotte Starck says, “Your voice matters — no matter your opinion on how Alki growth evolves. What’s unacceptable is eliminating Alki’s voice altogether.” Testimony will be accepted in person and online during the two-session hearing on Friday, September 12 – 9:30 am and 3 pm; the agenda explains how to participate, as does the ACC email linked above. (Also on the agenda, links to everything that’s currently up for consideration.)
12 years after Panda Express first considered Westwood Village, and two years after they got serious about it, the fast-American-Chinese-food chain is finally hours away from opening. We heard tonight from their PR team and it seems both this banner …
… and the Thursday grand-opening announcement are correct. The company says the WWV Panda Express is soft-opening tomorrow (Wednesday, September 3) and having the gala grand opening on Thursday (ribbon-cutting, T-shirts for the first 88 in line, music from the Japanese taiko-drum band Inochi Taiko). Ongoing hours will be 10:30 am to 10 pm.
P.S. If you’re not a frequent WWV visitor and don’t know this offhand – PE is just north of the QFC, on the east side of the center, where Pet Pros used to be.
Young skater in the house? This might be the sport for them! Here’s the announcement of Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby‘s upcoming tryouts:
Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is gearing up for its 12th season, and your kid is invited to join its skaters at the rink. Open to any gender, ages 7-18, this fast-moving sport is a perfect place for any kid ready to assert their personality, skate quickly, and (when appropriate, and with safeguards and safety gear) smash against other kids.
The league will teach your kid everything they need to know at its New Skater Clinics, September 14th, 21st, and 28th. It does help to have some basic skating ability. Coaches will roster them on a team matching their skills during the clinics; the regular season starts up the following week and runs through May. Sign up for clinics here: https://bit.ly/ssr_derby_clinics
Experienced roller derby players who want to skate for one of SSR’s travel charters are invited to attend tryouts on September 7th and 9th. Sign up to attend these by early September, here: forms.gle/q8DEXhfFp8svzC3i7
SSR doesn’t want the cost of equipment to prevent anyone from playing this fun, kinetic sport. Reach out to the league upon registration to see what is available to borrow prior to the first clinic.
Learn more about Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby and its teams at southsiderevolution.org.
SSR’s home rink is Southgate on 17th SW just south of Roxbury.
Seattle Public Schools first through 12th graders return to school tomorrow, and this year six local SPS schools will have new principals/interim principals starting their first full school year:
Arbor Heights Elementary – Lauren Porto
Boren STEM K-8 – Adrienne Ollerenshaw
Chief Sealth International High School – Hope Perry
Pathfinder K-8 – Daxa Thomas
Roxhill Elementary – Kelly Bruno
West Seattle Elementary – Ritchie Garcia
We’ve linked each school name above to the official SPS announcement of that principal’s appointment.
P.S. While Wednesdays will be early-release days for SPS schools for most of the year, the first day tomorrow will be a full day. And one more reminder that West Seattle Elementary will start the first day with its annual red-carpet ceremony, in which community members are encouraged to participate.
Here’s what we’ve found out regarding two incidents readers have asked about:
EARLY MORNING RIVERVIEW SEARCH: Here’s what led to a police search in Riverview around 3 am today: A car turned up in the playfield lot that was linked to a crash-and-grab burglary that the South Precinct police had been investigating a short time earlier. Here’s the narrative for that:
At 2:07 a.m., officers received reports of a vehicle backing into a store in the 5900 block of Corson Avenue South. Police arrived and found severe damage to the front door of the store and tire tracks leading up to the building from the parking lot. A building search was conducted, and no suspects were found inside. The employee of the store arrived and stated thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise was stolen from the establishment.
The police investigation revealed that a silver-colored sedan backed into the store and damaged the front entry. Two suspects entered the store wearing dark clothing and masks. The suspects exited the store with stolen items and fled the scene in the vehicle. There may have been a third suspect driver.
There was no narrative for the Riverview search itself but archived audio shows a K9 search – which is why neighbors heard “short bursts of sirens” – followed the discovery of the car, a silver Hyundai sedan stolen from Burien, and that police reported seeing a gun magazine in it. The burglary suspects however, were not found, at last report.
JUNCTION RESPONSE ON MONDAY: Several readers asked about a big police response at 41st/Alaska early Monday afternoon. This turned out to have been the arrest of the suspect in an assault a short time earlier at Admiral Safeway; the 22-year-old man remains in jail today. According to the police narrative, it started just before noon with reports of a man “throwing merchandise at staff and punch(ing) a customer” inside the store, then leaving southbound on California. Police circulated photos of the man – described as a “chronic shoplifter” who had allegedly stolen a six-pack of beer from the store three hours earlier and was back for a repeat of that. When a store employee called 911, police say, the suspect threw “a 6-pack of full glass bottles” at the employee “from about 10 feet away,” then threw a “four-pound bag of oranges” at someone else. The employee escaped being hit by the bottles but the other person was hit by the oranges; three other customers were assaulted before the suspect left, according to the narrative, including a 76-year-old disabled woman who thought she was hit by a pumpkin. A short time later, police found the suspect in The Junction (the report says 42nd/Alaska though readers reported it was the Bank of America parking lot at 41st/Alaska), at which time officers say he threw “a glass jar of salsa” at an one of them, and missed, though it broke and splashed both the officer and their patrol car. The narrative continues:
(The suspect) was escorted to the ground where he continued not listening to officers’ commands to put his hands behind his back and continuously tried biting officers. (He) was eventually handcuffed and transported to KCJ without incident.
The jail roster shows the suspect is facing misdemeanor theft and assault charges for starters, with bail set at $2,000.
1 PM: As reported here yesterday, the new Wendy’s in White Center was expected to open today. And a texter reports it’s indeed open, saying they’ve got “Frosties in hand.” If you missed earlier coverage, it’s at 16th SW/SW 102nd.
3:05 PM: We finally got someone over to verify and grab a couple photos:
No permanent signage outside so far but lots of banners and balloons. Here’s what the franchisee’s spokesperson told us last week the hours would be, once they opened:
Pick-Up Window:
Sunday–Thursday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday & Saturday: 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM
Dining Room: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (All days)
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