West Seattle, Washington
14 Sunday
(Black Turnstone, photographed at Constellation Park by James Tilley)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are reminders for the rest of today/tonight:
DROP-IN CREATIVITY: Bring your art/craft project to West Side Presbyterian Church (3605 California SW) until 11:30 am Wednesdays!
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: First week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Budget updates are part of what’s on the agenda for the Seattle School Board, whose regular meeting starts at 4:15 pm – you can attend in person at district HQ or watch the live stream here.
(added) DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Just out of the inbox:
Marination ma kai is hosting a Dine Out to support Alki Co-Op Preschool on Wednesday, April 3rd! Come say aloha and enjoy some delicious tacos or kimchi fried rice for dinner (5 pm – 8 pm) and Marination will donate a percentage of the total sales during the event hours to the school. There are yummy options for the kids too! Takeout orders also count. Marination ma kai is located at 1660 Harbor Avenue SW.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Repair your broken item instead of replacing it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
‘ONE SEATTLE PLAN’ OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, you can drop in at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) 6-7:30 pm tonight to learn about what the draft version of this growth plan envisions for your neighborhood, and to ask questions/offer comments.
FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6 pm.
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
‘MEAN GIRLS, THE MUSICAL‘: Second and final week for the West Seattle High School production, 7 pm. Get tickets here! (3000 California SW)
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the student-led Sexual Violence Resource Group at West Seattle High School asked us to publish this message so the community beyond campus can find out about their work too:
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, observed in April, is an opportunity to educate ourselves about sexual violence; including its prevalence in our community, and how we can prevent it. A student-led group at West Seattle High School, the Sexual Violence Resource Group(SVRG), has made it a goal to take on this effort. So far, they’ve organized educator trainings at their school and collaborated with local organizations such as the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center. One of their main objectives is to raise awareness about available resources, leading them to compile a comprehensive support service list for those in the Greater Seattle area. This list can be found at wshssvrg.carrd.co/#support.
Sexual violence in our community is rampant, and it’s vital to act against it in any way possible. Education and self-awareness are some of the best ways to prevent sexual violence. For example, it is estimated that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes, a statistic that has grown in recent years (WHO and 1in6.org). In a survey done by the SVRG, 11.3% of students at their school reported they had been sexually assaulted during their time enrolled at West Seattle High School. These numbers represent an urgent need for sexual violence prevention efforts and support for survivors. Together, we can create a safer West Seattle where sexual violence is not tolerated.
Learn more about the SVRG and follow their efforts – @wshs_svrg on Instagram.
Helpful Support Services:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text: 988
Chatline: 988lifeline.org/chatNational Sexual Assault Hotline*
Call: 800.656.4673
Chatline: online.rainn.orgKing County Sexual Assault Resource Center Hotline*
Call: 888.998.6423*24/7 hotline accessible to anyone – from survivors to educators and friends.
If you know someone who might benefit from this information, you can use the SHARE THIS link below (as with any WSB post, calendar listing, etc.) to forward it to them in a variety of ways.
8:52 AM: Thanks for the tip. Texter says a bus is broken down on the 99 onramp from the high bridge.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 3.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain likely, some sun too, high in the low 50s. Sunrise will be at 6:42 am, sunset at 7:43 pm.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners close out the home stand with a day game, 1:10 pm vs. Cleveland.
SPRING BREAK
Continuing all week for some schools (including Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Family, and the Highline district). Then next week, it’s most other schools, including Seattle Public Schools.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Reminder that this is the first week with the twice-yearly “service change” in effect – here’s our look at West Seattle changes.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
By Sean Golonka
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The sounds of Bob Marley’s “Buffalo Soldier” intermingled with the chatter of more than two dozen 7th-graders as students in Alan Blackman’s Washington state history class filed into the library at Denny International Middle School today.
At the front of the room stood Lenard Howze, whose grandfather was a Buffalo Soldier and whose father founded the Buffalo Soldiers of Seattle, a regional nonprofit dedicated to community outreach and youth engagement.
Blackman had previously spent time in class teaching his students about the Buffalo Soldiers, Black servicemen who served in the 1800s and 1900s (some of their history is told by the National Museum of African American History and Culture and National Park Service).
Now Howze was at Denny to give the students a look at the equipment the soldiers wore and used and to educate them on the Buffalo Soldiers’ role in American history – including their service here in the Pacific Northwest.
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
Preview night tomorrow is already sold out – but you can still get tickets for opening night and beyond for the next ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) production, “English,” the play that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Here’s how West Seattle’s only playhouse describes “English”:
Have you ever found yourself straddling more than one culture? Experienced the joy of finding parts of yourself you didn’t know existed? The fear of losing touch with who are by immersing yourself in one culture over another? Have you ever felt caught in the in-between? “English” explores this lifelong journey and its push and pull of self-discovery.
“English” by Sanaz Toossi takes place in a classroom in Iran, where four adult students are preparing for the TOEFL — the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Each student’s future hinges on passing the exam for very different reasons – family, education, immigration, exploring the unknown. Their teacher, Marjan, lived abroad for 9 years in Manchester, England, and has returned home to raise her family and teach. She loves teaching, but a part of her will always wonder who she would have been if she had stayed in Manchester.
“English” is directed by Naghmeh Samini and will be presented Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, through April 28th. Tickets are available here – just a few left for opening weekend.
Thanks to Brenda for the tip. Seattle Police investigated a burglary at Advance Auto Parts (4505 38th SW) early today. SPD says they investigated a reported alarm around 5 am and found someone had pried open the back door to get inside. They weren’t able to reach the store’s owner/management at the time so they secured the door after confirming the burglar(s) were gone.
(Photos courtesy SDOT. Above, by Tim Durkan)
As previewed here last night in our report on the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s latest meeting, dignitaries including Mayor Bruce Harrell gathered this morning for the East Marginal Way Corridor Project‘s ceremonial groundbreaking. One point of the event – also spotlighted at the WSTC’s meeting – was the mayor’s plan to later this week debut a draft of this year’s proposed transportation-levy renewal. From SDOT‘s summary of this morning’s event:
Later this week, Mayor Harrell will share a draft proposal to renew the transportation levy and address critical safety and maintenance needs across the city, including freight improvements. The levy renewal would fund repairs, maintenance, and modernizations to keep people and freight moving safely and reliably.
The levy proposal will allocate millions specifically for freight improvements and paving on major truck streets, supporting delivering goods and services, and focusing repair on the 20 percent of major truck streets in poor condition identified as part of SDOT’s data-driven Asset Management Strategy.
The levy renewal proposal builds upon the significant groundwork and community input that is shaping the future of transportation in the Seattle Transportation Plan.
(Photo by Luke Gardner)
The mayor also made a point of noting that part of the funding for the East Marginal project – currently in Phase 1, north of Spokane Street – came from the current transportation levy, which expires this year.
According to the project website, the central section of the project is in design, but the south segment is “unfunded for both design and construction” so far.
As reported here last month, the city is revising the Comprehensive Plan – meant to look ahead 20 years, but updated every 10 years or so – and hosting open houses for info, Q&A, and comments. The West Seattle open house for what’s now called the Draft One Seattle Plan is tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 3), 6-7:30 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle). Our March report looked at some of the changes envisioned for District 1; here’s a map featured in D-1 City Councilmember Rob Saka‘s latest newsletter:
Share your thoughts and get your questions answered by dropping in at any time during tomorrow’s event. You can browse the full draft plan here; see the full list of upcoming events (including an online meeting) here; provide comments online here (May 6 is the deadline).
Today we’re welcoming Anthony Avery aka West Seattle Bike Dad, a real-estate broker with Ewing & Clark, as a new WSB sponsor. 
New sponsors get to tell you about themselves – here’s what West Seattle Bike Dad wants you to know:
No real-estate broker knows the city quite like I do. During the pandemic, to get outside and experience my community more intimately, I rode my bike on every street in West Seattle. When I was done with that I moved over to Rainier Valley, and now my goal is to bike every street in the city.
Before earning my real estate license, I worked as a professional city planner. When we evaluate all there is to evaluate with your potential new home, I’ll help you understand any restrictions or easements on your property, evaluate zoning and comprehensive plan implications, and we’ll track future transportation infrastructure (such as light rail construction) that may impact your property. Too many times people buy a home expecting things to never change, but change is the one constant in a city growing as fast as ours. Knowing *how* change will impact your home will help futureproof your investment.
My clients seek me out because they want a broker who experiences Seattle the way they want to. We are a one-car family of four and navigate the city by bus or bike mostly, but still utilize a car from time to time. We got rid of our second car in 2013 and thanks to saving $6k-$8k every year since then, we were able to afford a home in West Seattle when we were ready to buy here.
Finding the right neighborhood, a place with walkable access to grocery or coffee, and an easy bike or bus commute to work, school, and extracurriculars is my specialty. I also work to show different types of homes, with different layouts and amenities so my clients can explore what they want and find new things they never would’ve thought about. Especially first-time homebuyers, I always recommend visiting at least ten homes before making an offer. You learn as much about what you want in a home by walking through places you don’t want as you do looking at places you do want. Patient, kind, fun, a great listener are adjectives my clients use to describe me.
For community involvement, I participate regularly with West Seattle Bike Connections and in group rides with Cascade Bicycle Club. I have sent my twin daughters to Alki Co-Op Preschool for the last two years, which has been a great way to meet neighbors and new friends thanks to the volunteer and participation component built into the program. Here’s how to contact me!
We thank real-estate broker West Seattle Bike Dad for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
Two “brown water” reports received by email this afternoon – in Highland Park, reported by Emerson near 18th/Henderson, and in Upper Morgan, reported by Andrew near 36th/Morgan. No work – planned or emergency – on the Seattle Public Utilities water-incidents map, so chances are, it’s hydrant testing. But always report to SPU at 206-386-1800 – sometimes it’s the first indication they get of trouble.
From North Admiral to Arbor Heights, Highland Park to Genesee Hill, 60 sales all over the peninsula are already in for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024, as we wrap up the first day of registration! In case you didn’t see the previous announcements – this year’s WSCGSD is Saturday, May 11 (second Saturday in May as always), official sale hours 9 am-3 pm, though you are welcome to start earlier and/or end later. Registration will continue for about three and a half weeks, so you have lots of time to decide if you want to be part of it; if you’re just planning to be a shopper – the sale map/guide, with sellers’ 20-word listings, will be available one week before sale day. If you’re ready to register, here’s where to go! (Any questions about WSCGSD, email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com.)
Two reader reports:
SCOOTER STOLEN AT SCHOOL: From Jody:
Yesterday while my son was at school (Madison Middle School) his electric scooter was stolen while locked on the school’s bike rack. This happened sometime between 8:50 am and 12:20 pm. I am assuming it will be dumped once the battery dies so thought I would put this out there in case a reader sees it. Or a student arrives home with it. The school did check their surveillance video and they state they show it there one minute and gone the next without ever seeing anyone near it. They state it just ‘vanished.’
The scooter is shown in the photo; we have a followup question out for a little more descriptive information. UPDATE:
It is a Navic T5, it has a grey base, black handle, with yellow rims. It is also foldable but currently has black electrical tape over the folding latch as it kept opening while in motion.
I just confirmed with the school the surveillance video shows it went missing at 10:05 am.
I filed a police report and it shows it is pending. The tracking number is T24006814.
ABANDONED-LIKELY-STOLEN SOUL: From Tim:
We discovered an abandoned vehicle obstructing the roadway in High Point this morning and called Parking Enforcement… where we were told first contact would be 7-10 days, and given Report #24-00080981. They transferred us to the Seattle Police non-emergency line, but after waiting nearly an hour on hold we have to get on with our day.
The Kia Soul, cream/off-white, has a broken passenger window and damaged ignition. It is parked on SW Morgan St alongside (a house in the 6400 block of) 29th Ave SW. The car was left over a foot away from the curb, facing the wrong direction and across from another large vehicle. We are concerned that emergency vehicles will not be able to pass through if needed, as other cars are barely getting through or opting to turn another way.
UPDATE: It’s since been moved.
(One more look at tree blossoms before they’re gone – photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: First week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Both MOD Pizza locations in West Seattle (4755 Fauntleroy and Westwood Village) are giving a share of the proceeds to WestSide Baby today – our calendar listing has the code to use.
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: One team is playing at home today, at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – 4 pm, baseball, West Seattle HS vs. Roosevelt.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: First class of April, 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW), all levels welcome.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with new (or not-so-new) friends! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
TOASTMASTERS 832: Join this group’s online meeting and give your communication/leadership skills a boost! 6:30 pm; more info in our calendar listing.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) now has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What are YOU planning? Are community members invited? Tell everyone via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Kath Giles and sharing this remembrance with the community:
Kath Giles died Wednesday, March 20, 2024. She ended her battle with cancer surrounded by family at her home in Mukilteo.
Kath grew up in West Seattle, attended Holy Rosary and Holy Names Academy. Kath met her husband George while working in a cannery in Seldovia, AK. They were married in 1968 and had three children while moving across the country for the military and George’s career. They lived together in Alaska, Washington, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Pennsylvania. After the untimely death of their son, Peter, they retired and returned to the Seattle area to be surrounded by family, friends, and in the area they love.
Kath was the de facto matriarch of a large and loving family. She loved jazz music, especially Ella Fitzgerald. She was often the first to lead a sing along of jazz standards. She spent hours tending to beautiful gardens in all of her homes, even becoming a master gardener. She had a soft spot for young children and would often teach them arts and crafts or be their pen pal. She worked as a preschool teacher. She was referred to as a “grand-neighbor.” She and George loved to travel and often did it with a large group of friends. Lastly, Kath loved to entertain – her home was a second home to many.
Kath is survived by her husband, George of Mukilteo, son Craig (Heidi) of Fort Collins, CO, daughter Monica Fuith (Chris) of Medford, MA, and two granddaughters, Camille and Natalie.
Kath was preceded in death by her parents Richard C. Kelly and Cecelia Kelly (Dick and Tommy) and her son Peter Giles.
There will be a celebration of life planned for the summer of 2024.
(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)
8:41 AM: The WSF Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route has had some crewing trouble this morning but the alerts have vanished from the bulletin list and the Vessel Watch map shows both boats in service, with one delayed.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, April 2 – spring break continues all week for some schools (including Holy Rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Holy Family, and the Highline district).
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Some sun, breezy, rain likely later, high in the low 60s. Sunrise will be at 6:44 am, sunset at 7:41 pm.
(Monday sunset, photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners play another home game, 6:40 pm vs. Cleveland.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Reminder that this is the second weekday after the twice-yearly “service change” took effect Saturday; here’s our look at West Seattle changes.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge:
1st Ave. S. Bridge:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, Mayor Bruce Harrell will lead a ceremonial groundbreaking for the many-years-in-the-making East Marginal Way Corridor project. It’s just east of West Seattle, but important to many people on the peninsula because it’s a key route to/from downtown, particularly for bicycle riders. Work on the north section of the three-phase project has actually already begun, and SDOT’s project manager attended last Thursday’s online meeting of the West Seattle Transportation Coalitionwith an overview and Q&A opportunity.
Project manager Joey Aitken said the north-section construction is starting with water-line work, but will include full reconstruction of the street in concrete, from South Massachusetts to South Spokane, as well as the long-anticipated two-way protected bicycle lane from Spokane to the “port trail” connection, plus pedestrian- and freight-geared improvements. All that will take about two years, Aitken said. Here are the key points he presented:
One of the factors in the long planning period has been “working with railroads,” and that’s not complete yet, Aitken explained, while saying the railroads have “agreed to relocate some tracks.” In addition to the current detours related to the water work, the full northern stretch between Massachusetts and Spokane will be closed to through traffic during the entire two years of work. “We should be done before the World Cup,” he said. You can get project updates by email (register on the project webpage), or by text – to sign up, text eastmarginal to 206-222-0105.
The WSTC’s other guest was Heather Marx, the West Seattleite who serves as policy adviser to District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the Transportation Committee. Major issues coming up for the committee include continued consideration of the Seattle Transportation Plan, for which amendments will be considered when the committee meets tomorrow at 9:30 am (linked from the agenda), with a possible vote two weeks after that. The committee soon will start its consideration of the proposed transportation levy renewal, too. Marx said they’re expecting the mayor to share a draft this week, with the legislation continuing its actual verbiage likely to be out by month’s end. The first discussion will be in early May, and the levy proposal – expected to span eight years (compared to the expiring levy‘s nine years) – is likely to be the focus of five committee meetings. An evening public hearing is expected too. One other quote of note – Councilmember’s oft-repeated quest to be the “king of potholes” isn’t just about potholes, she verified. He intends it to encompass all maintenance matters (among other things).
NEXT MEETING: The WSTC continues meeting every other month, 6:30 pm, usually fourth Thursdays, but watch for the announcements. And if you’re interested in joining the board, it’s got another opening. info@westseattletc.org to find out more.
Want to build commercial space and ~16 for-sale homes in Highland Park? As previewed last week, the city Office of Housing is now officially seeking prospective developers for the former Dumar Substation at 16th/Holden.
About a decade has passed since Seattle City Light declared it “surplus,” and now it’s finally on the pathway to something besides sitting vacant and fenced. Community advocates campaigned for it to be rezoned so that a mixed-use project would be possible, and it’s now zoned “neighborhood commercial” for up to four stories. Most recently, the city moved to transfer it from SCL to the Office of Housing, which is now in charge of finding an affordable-homeownership developer for the site.
The documents comprising the newly posted Request for Proposals describe the site and a project already planned for its periphery:
The site is rectangular, relatively level, and is estimated to be 9,425 square feet. In 2025, Seattle Public Utilities will construct a natural drainage system in the property’s frontage and within the public right-of-way. The natural drainage system will be located between existing sidewalks and the new edge of the roadway on SW Holden Street between 16th Avenue SW and 17th Avenue SW. The new system will help improve water quality in nearby Longfellow Creek, diversify landscaping in the neighborhood, and provide roadway and pedestrian safety by adding/updating ADA curb ramps. Proposals will need to include a plan to preserve this infrastructure.
The Office of Housing transferred $424,000 – the property’s current valuation as determined by the King County Assessor – to City Light, using funding from Mandatory Housing Affordability fees paid by developers instead of building affordable housing in their own projects. The documents say the Office of Housing will expect the developer to reimburse some of that, since it’s only supposed to go toward housing, and this project will include some commercial space. However, they also mention that the developer may apply for city subsidy funding to cover part of the costs of building. Other points of interest from the Request for Proposals – here’s how “affordable homeownership” is defined:
Affordability Level: The proposed sales prices must be affordable to households with incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for the Seattle area as published on OH’s website. For the purposes of this Request for Proposals (RFP), affordable is defined as a 5% down payment, a monthly payment for housing costs (mortgage principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and other dues) of not more than 35% of income, a household size of one more person than number of bedrooms and a realistic mortgage interest rate. Proposals may not contain any market rate housing, even if proceeds from market rate housing would subsidize the cost of the affordable homes.
Affordability Duration: The proposal must be for the development of ownership housing with agreements that maintain affordability for a minimum of 50 years.
The developer also will be expected to involve community groups in figuring out how to use the ground-floor commercial space, the documents say:
Community-Informed Development of Commercial Space: Competitive proposals will include thoughtful plans to engage the community on potential uses for the commercial space and include plans for outreach to potential occupants with a focus on small, locally and/or Black, Indigenous, or other person of color owned businesses that will help to activate the neighborhood and encourage walkability. Local organizations serving Highland Park and its neighboring communities, such as the Highland Park Action Coalition, the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, the White Center Community Development Association, the Cultural Space Agency, and Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery, should be included in this outreach effort. Projects that propose selling the commercial space will score higher than those proposing to lease it.
Prospective developers have until May 24 to get their proposals in.
This site was one of six former substations in West Seattle that were authorized in 2015 to go up for sale. Only one has been developed into housing, the former Andover substation site on Pigeon Point; another is now Delridge Wetlands Park, while the other three sites remain vacant.
6:16 PM: Just in from Kersti Muul: “Large group of transient orcas has been southbound and some are now south of West Point – just east of mid-channel.” That means they’re passing through the entrance to Elliott Bay. Let us know if you see them!
(Added: Photos by David Hutchinson)
6:20 PM: Update from Kersti – orcas are now heading into the bay.
6:40 PM: See comments for updates.
10:06 PM: Added two photos above, courtesy of David Hutchinson, who says they were “taken near the west end of the Alki promenade and from Constellation Park.”
ADDED TUESDAY: Photo from James Tilley:
.
4:09 PM: We’ve received several reports today about a significant amount of water in the street today at the bottom of the Admiral Way hill, just before the bridge. One person who called Seattle Public Utilities (206-386-1800, 24/7) says they were told “they’re doing some work around there”; the SPU water-incident map shows “planned work” today a short distance uphill.
5:33 PM: SPU’s Sabrina Register confirms this is related to the mapped work at Spokane/Fauntleroy: “Water crews should wrap up their planned work involving a valve later this evening, which should fix the issue.”
On Friday, we published a report from Angela at Budget Blinds-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) about someone stealing one of their company vans and the sample books inside, some of which turned up in Seaview. Today, she emailed to say the van was found in Sunrise Heights: “The van and a lot of missing books have been recovered. … It was the WSB post that a police officer read and realized the van he saw down on 34th and Holden was the stolen one.” Thanks to everyone who watched for it (and those who’ve helped find past stolen vehicles, too).
Saturday, May 11, 2024, is the 18th almost-annual West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – and as of right now, registration is open!
This is one day with many sales of many sizes, all around the peninsula, open at least 9 am-3 pm on sale day (earlier and/or later if you want to, but that’s up to you). It’s not the only neighborhood sale day in Seattle, but it’s the biggest; the people who founded it in 2005 (three years before handing the baton to us at WSB) were particularly inspired by PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day in the north end. Registration for WSCGSD gets your sale onto the map and listings guide that are made available one week before sale day, which we promote regionally – we’ve heard of people who come from as far away as Eastern Washington!
If you’re planning a sale, here’s where to go to register – any time you’re ready (signups will continue for three and a half weeks; we’ll set the exact end date when we get closer). Same classifications and fees we’ve had for all the years we’ve been coordinating this. And before you register, be ready with your up-to-20-word sale listing – think about what you’re selling that’s popular and/or unusual, for example. Any questions, email westseattleblog@gmail.com or call/text our hotline at 206-293-6302. Updates to come (including any multi-seller sites that offer space for people who have small sales/no place to host a sale – if your venue is planning to do that, please tell us ASAP)!
“You wouldn’t buy specialty bread baked a month ago … we don’t think you should have to drink coffee roasted a month ago.”
That’s the philosophy behind Café Verde, a West Seattle couple’s enterprise, currently roasting coffee in Auburn and shipping the same day – and soon, if all goes well, roasting, brewing, and serving in Sunrise Heights.
We happened onto the early permit application for Café Verde to move into 7354 35th SW, most recently a pop-up clothing shop (and briefly proposed for a mini-mart, but that fell through). We subsequently connected via email with co-proprietor K.C.
As you can see on the Cafe Verde website, K.C. and spouse Tatiana have a rich background in coffee roasting – they did it for more than a decade in Peru. “We’ll be replicating what we did in Lima,” a combination roastery and coffee shop. But the former will remain the focus: “We’re a coffee roaster first, coffee shop second.”
So what’s different about the way they roast? K.C. explains that most of the industry applies the light-roasting style to a variety of beans, but they have more differentiation – for one. And there’s that freshness thing – as little time as possible between roasting and serving. “Fresh-roasted coffee always tastes better.”
They’re excited about the space, which KC happened to see posted as “For Lease” while on a family errand. They’re in the very early stages of the permit process, so he’s aware it may take “many months.” They’re still working out other details of the future operation, like hours and what else they’ll serve, but K.C. expects traditional coffee-shop fare – like pastries (made in-house) – will be part of it.
(Photo by Thomas Bach)
Here’s the list for today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE: Need college money? Today’s the last day to apply for two scholarships offered by the Rotary Club of West Seattle. Get the details here.
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Starting today, the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) is soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm.
TONY’S MARKET OPENS: Today is the day the new owners of Tony’s Market (35th/Roxbury) were expecting to open for the season, 10 am-6 pm.
BABY STORY TIME: Bring wee ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play tonight – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASEBALL: One home game on the schedule – West Seattle HS hosts Roosevelt, 7 pm, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome to join free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION ON ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community welcomes you to Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds) for meditation. 7 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE: 9 pm is the start time for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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