West Seattle, Washington
25 Monday
Here in the midst – and mist! – of another not-so-summery night, we’re looking ahead to West Seattle’s two big summer parades.
(WSB photo, July 4, 2023)
FOURTH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: Just five days until hundreds of local families fill the streets of North Admiral for this annual “just show up and you’re in!” parade. It starts from 44th SW and Sunset at 10 am Thursday, and travels this winding route to get to post-parade fun at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (sack races, games, food/treat trucks):
The parade is a quarter-century-plus tradition, now presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, coordinated by Megan Erb, with community sponsors (including WSB). The walking and rolling starts right after the National Anthem, with a singer from Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), and a brief welcome from City Councilmember Rob Saka. Haven’t been before, as a participant or spectator? Our coverage from last year shows you what it’s like.
(WSB photo, West Seattle Yacht Club in 2023 West Seattle Grand Parade)
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Three weeks from today, you can stake out a spot along California Avenue SW somewhere between SW Lander and SW Edmunds to watch riders, dancers, marchers, musicians, pirates, clowns, cheerleaders, and others make their way southward in this community celebration. This parade – a tradition for almost 90 years! – is a presentation of the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation, coordinated by a team of volunteers (including amateur-radio operators who handle logistics along the route, and the judges who decide on each year’s winners). The parade starts at the north end of the route around 11 am and usually concludes about two hours later in The Junction.
(WSB photo, primary Vashon Water Taxi vessel M/V Sally Fox after its 2015 delivery)
The King County Water Taxi‘s Vashon-to-Seattle route has long run only during weekday morning and afternoon/evening commute times. With state ferries’ reduced service, Vashon has long requested expanded Water Taxi service – and Monday, it finally happens. With $3 million added funding from the state, the Water Taxi is adding four weekday Vashon-Seattle round trips – leaving Vashon at 9:25 am, noon, 1:30 pm, and 3:45 pm. Previously, the Vashon-Seattle route had six daily round trips, so now it has 10; still no weekend service. You can see the new schedule here.
DJ, also known as Dave or Dennis, is missing, last seen in the White Center/West Seattle area three weeks ago.
Family and friends say he was last seen at or near The Blu Grouse (9839 17th SW), and was in his 1970s-vintage VW bus:
His missing-persons case was filed with police in Thurston County because he had been staying at a friend’s property there, but White Center was the last sighting – please call 911 if you’ve seen him or his vehicle. The Thurston County (Yelm area) police case # to refer to is 24-002682.
One of today’s biggest events is happening right now – the Taste of White Center, benefiting the White Center Food Bank. Until 3 pm, you can visit any of the WCFB’s ticket-sales booths along 16th SW and buy $5 tickets good at participating venues for specific “tastes” – while they last!
This year it’s an all-out street fair, even a DJ, plus bouncy toys on 16th near 100th. Lots of places to sit and enjoy your “tastes.”
More than 30 restaurants, bars, and food stands are participating this year.
(Added: Traffic camera screengrab, 10:30 am)
10:21 AM: Thanks for the tips. Avoid the Delridge/Brandon vicinity – major police response reported per readers, including SWAT. Both directions of Delridge are blocked. Metro says RapidRide H Line is routed off Delridge between Genesee and Orchard. We’re headed that way to find out more.
10:39 AM: Our crew has just arrived in the area and reports that Delridge is blocked from Findlay to Brandon. … This is all focused on someone in a unit at Cottage Grove Commons.
10:46 AM: We don’t know yet what started all this but the person they’re after is described as wanted for felony harassment. Our crew at the scene reports the SWAT officers have used a flashbang and are making loudspeaker announcements asking the suspect to come out. A K9 team is standing by as well. (They have to warn the suspect about that as well.)
11:15 AM: A nearby resident tells us the suspect broke out one of his windows earlier today and started throwing stuff out onto the street.
11:21 AM: Now, our crew reports, the PA announcements are telling the suspect he’s under arrest (once in custody) for property damage and resisting arrest. Again, street blocked and buses diverted in the area.
11:37 AM: After deploying “O.C. gas,” they have reported that the suspect is in custody, and they’re bringing in SFD to check him out.
11:45 AM: Next step, they’re searching the unit. He was reported to have been hitting things (including his door) with a “metal pipe.”
12:06 PM: Delridge Way has reopened.
2:28 PM: We asked police for details; they say this started at 6:23 am, when a 911 caller said the suspect had threatened someone with a “large metal pole.” He subsequently “barricaded himself inside his apartment,” and that’s what eventually led to the large response. The pole was recovered when officers – who obtained a search warrant – searched his apartment after the arrest, SPD says. He’ll be booked into King County Jail.
7:11 PM: That process often takes a few hours, but the 39-year-old suspect is there now.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. P.S. Want to get out on the water? WSB sponsor Alki Kayak Tours is open!)
Here are your Saturday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER’S FREE GROUP RUN: The store is where you and other runners will meet up for the weekly free group run at 8 am. (2743 California SW)
FREE! HEAVILY MEDITATED: Arrive by 8:50 am for community meditation at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska). Free event every Saturday but please RSVP.
STATE SENATOR’S TOWN HALL: As previewed here, State Sen. Joe Nguyễn will be at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) 9-10 am for a Town Hall meeting. Coffee and pastries provided.
WESTCREST DOG PARK CLEANUP: 10 am-2 pm, volunteer cleanup at West Seattle’s only official off-leash area, everybody welcome, bring tools and buckets IF you have them.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, the market’s fourth season offers produce, plants, condiments, prepared food, more. (9421 18th SW)
ALSO AT THE MARKET: Learn about recycling from Waste Management Recycle Corps interns at the Delridge Farmers’ Market today.
STORYTIME AT SEOLA POND: 10 am, all ages, bring your own blanket to sit on – local teacher leads storytime! Here’s where to find the pond.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Join others on a walk in Lincoln Park (meet at 47th/Fauntleroy), 10 am.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: Student-grown plants await you at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-3 pm.
STORYTIME AT THE BEE GARDEN: 10:30 am at the West Seattle Bee Garden (Lanham/Graham), Seattle Public Library librarians will lead storytime.
MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am in West Seattle, registration required – see full details in our calendar listing.
TASTE OF WHITE CENTER: 11 am-3 pm, sample White Center eateries’ fare while helping the White Center Food Bank – this preview explains how it works – look for the WCFB’s booths on 16th SW to buy your tickets.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Spraypark season continues – open 11 am-8 pm, free, every day, whatever the weather. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: One last day for this series of swim-meet closures.
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: If the pools open today – check after 9:30 am at 206-684-7796 – the season continues for the only city-run wading pool in West Seattle to operate seven days a week, noon-7 pm, in the central upper part of the park near the north play area. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
HIAWATHA WADING POOL: Also open today if the pools open, noon-5:30 pm. (2700 California SW)
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Volunteers engaging in long-distance advocacy, noon-2 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: The home of West Seattle history is open for your visit, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
PURRDIE BURRDIE IN THE PARK: 1-5 pm at Lincoln Park Shelter 1 (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW; map), as explained here, West Seattle artist/author Danitra Hunter will be presenting free fun activities – and free copies of her children’s book about her character Purrdie Burrdie, too, for the second of four Saturdays at West Seattle parks.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: The tasting room/wine bar is open 1-6 pm with student-produced wines and “affordable eats” at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
NEPENTHE’S WALK-IN MASSAGE CLINIC: 3-5 pm, show up at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) with a specific problem to be addressed by massage, and you’ll get a free (gratuities appreciated) trial of their work.
BOOK SIGNING: 6:30 pm at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), book signing with authors of “Roads to Madness: The Touring History of Queensrÿche” Brian J. Heaton and Brian L. Naron.
WEST END GIRLS AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, show at 8 for the monthly West Seattle drag extravaganza’s “supersized Pride show” – info and ticket link here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: 7-10 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way)
LIVE AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, Koda’s Home and Friends – get your ticket(s) here. (7904 35th SW)
SEE ‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: Final 7:30 pm performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck-stop cafe.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.
BEATS AT THE ROOM: Saturday night, DJs at Revelry Room – 9 pm. Tonight, DJ Grizz. (4547 California SW, alley side)
KARAOKE AT THE PIZZERIA: Saturday nights, you can sing at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW), starting at 10 pm.
West Seattle event coming up? If the community’s welcome, your event belongs on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
On Tuesday (July 2), city councilmembers are expected to vote on one last round of potential changes to the transportation levy intended to go to voters in November. The council committee reviewing and refining the levy is chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, who announced his latest proposed revisions today. Checking the detailed documents for West Seattle specifics, 
you’ll see one addition: A tribute to Steve Hulsman, the 66-year-old West Seattle man killed in a collision with a driver on Marine View Drive last December. Mr. Hulsman’s brother-in-law John Good had been talking to the city about ceremonially renaming the section of street where he died; instead, he told us this morning, Councilmember Saka decided to propose, as spelled out in the amendment document, a “Protected Bike Lane project in West Seattle to be named in honor of Steve Hulsman.” The document does not specify a location; the only potential PBL project for West Seattle named in the levy is Highland Park Way SW, but the levy calls for many other to-be-identified-later safety projects around the city. Good showed us email from Councilmember Saka offering also to sponsor a proposal for a “secondary street naming” in memory of Mr. Hulsman, while saying that would take more time.
As for the rest of Saka’s latest levy revision, it still contains the West Seattle specifics we’ve previously mentioned – projects for 35th SW between Alaska and Morgan, Fauntleroy Way between 35th and Alaska, Olson/1st/2nd, plus sidewalks for SW Brandon between 26th SW and 30th SW, and transit-corridor work for sections of SW Oregon and SW Alaska in The Junction. Saka says his final proposal would result in a $1.55 billion levy, same as his previous proposal. Here are the categories into which that would break out:
i. $160.5 million for Vision Zero, School and Neighborhood Safety;
ii. $423 million for Street Maintenance and Modernization, including no less than $350 million for Arterial Roadway Maintenance;
iii. $221 million for Bridges and Structures;
iv. $151 million for Transit Corridors and Connections;
v. $193 million for Pedestrian Safety, including no less than $111 million for New Sidewalks and Sidewalk Alternatives and no less than $34 million for Sidewalk Safety Repair;
vi. $100 million for Signals and Operations;
vii. $113.5 million for Bicycle Safety;
viii. $66.5 million for People Streets and Public Spaces;
ix. $69 million for Climate and Resiliency, including no less than $32 million for
electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
x. $45 million for Freight and Goods Movement; and
xi. $7.5 million for Good Governance & Equitable Implementation Initiative
In the first year, council documents say, Saka’s version would cost the owner of a “median assessed value” home $499, compared to $467 for the mayor’s original $1.45 billion version. Other councilmembers’ amendments include a counterproposal from Councilmember Tammy Morales, totaling $1.7 billion, which would equal $546 in the first year for that “median value” homeowner. (The city says that’s an $804,000 assessed value, and that the expiring levy is costing a median-value homeowner $288 this year.) The meeting at which the final amendments will be discussed, and votes taken, is Tuesday at 9:30 am, and includes a public-comment period, as noted on the agenda (where all the proposed amendments are linked, too). Other ways to get comments to the council are listed here.
Thanks to Margaret for the tip and photo! That taped-off area in the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Arboretum will be the site of a new garden. It had held a rock fountain that long had stopped functioning; it was demolished this month to make way for a sensory garden. SSC spokesperson Ty Swenson told WSB that students in SSC’s Landscape Horticulture program (the same program that runs the Garden Center nearby) “did several designs for the sensory garden that are posted in the kiosks in the front of the arboretum. One will be chosen and students will bring that vision to reality.” The Arboretum is in the northwest corner of the campus, west of the Seattle Chinese Garden and the aforementioned Garden Center.
Though the newly named West Seattle Art Tour is more than two months away, two deadlines for being part of it are coming up fast! If you’d like to host artists as a tour site, you have a little over a week to apply; if you’d like to participate as an artist, you have two weeks. Here’s the announcement:
Save The Date for Art on September 21st! The West Seattle Art Tour (originally West Seattle Art Hop & Shop) returns on September 21, 2024 (10 a, – 5 pm) for its third year. This free, self-guided tour features a full spectrum of art, a chance to meet and talk with artists, and the opportunity to purchase exceptional works of art, all while exploring West Seattle’s beautiful neighborhoods.
Along with a new name, the Tour has a new look thanks to West Seattle artist Karen Johnson, who has designed a new poster, logo, and other marketing materials for the event. Tour co-chair Kassie Hennessey says, “The bold design Karen has put together reflects the West Seattle Art Tour’s commitment to producing an event that puts West Seattle’s artist community on the map!” Additional changes this year include a focus on sites where artists live, work, teach or create community and an application process for host sites and artists.
Artist and host sites are invited to learn more about this year’s criteria on the Tour website (https://wsartwalk.org/west-seattle-art-tour/) and encouraged to apply ASAP! This year’s event has a short application window, with site applications closing July 7th and artist applications due by July 15th.
The West Seattle Art Tour is organized by an all-volunteer committee of more than 20 artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk. Individuals interested in supporting the West Seattle Art Tour can reach out to WSArtHop@gmail.com.
(Rendering of new Alki Elementary entrance on north side of school)
Monday (July 1) is the day that Deputy Hearing Examiner Susan Drummond is expected to issue her ruling in the second appeal of a proposed zoning exception for the new Alki Elementary School. Thursday was the deadline she gave to the three parties in the case – the nearby residents who filed the appeal, Seattle Public Schools, and the city Department of Construction and Inspections – to file their closing statements, and all three did. You might recall that the only issue is whether SPS will be allowed to build the expanded new school with less parking than city zoning rules require. The rules require 48 spaces; the district originally sought to rebuild with no offstreet parking; a separate group of area residents appealed that and other zoning exceptions the city granted. Last August, Drummond ruled in their favor regarding the parking issue, ordering the district and city to go back to the drawing board on that. (Other exception appeals were either dismissed or settled.) The district subsequently revised the design to create 15 spaces on the southwest side of the campus; the city said OK, and then this appeal was filed.
The case was argued in a three-day hearing we covered in late May and early June (here’s our report on Day 1, our report on Day 2, and our report on Day 3), and now the ruling is awaited. The closing arguments are all in the case file – you can download and read the appellants’ argument here, the district’s argument here, and the city’s brief argument here.
Depending on what Drummond rules, a subsequent court challenge is possible; that was the first action the district took after the previous ruling, but a judge threw it out because it wasn’t a land-use decision, it was just an admonition to revisit the issue. Meantime, Alki Elementary spent the just-concluded school year in temporary quarters at the former Schmitz Park Elementary and will be there at least two more years. The school’s enrollment last year was ~271 (100 under the old Alki’s capacity), and the new school is planned for up to double that, counting two preschool classes expected also to be housed on the campus.
The West Seattle Little League 12s All-Stars are headed for state competition after winning the district championship. Thanks to Jackie Borg for sending the report and photos:
The WSLL All-Star baseball 12s achieved a thrilling victory Thursday night, securing the District 7 Championship!
With incredible determination and skill, the 12s had to rally to beat South Highline National twice to clinch the title. Now, the team is headed to the state tournament to represent District 7! The 12s state tournament run begins July 13 in Aberdeen.
Manager: Nick Datz
Coaches: Sean McKinney & Stu Widman
Players: Timothy Kime, Elijah Fraser, Gavin Ross, Patrick Bowen, Ben Datz, Cameron Widman, Nathan Shafi, Mason Pfeifle, Henry Corr, Milo Reese, Keanu Ignacio, George Faull, Duncan McKinneyFor the All-Stars Tournament schedule, visit the WSLL website:
westseattlelittleleague.com
Among the upcoming games, the 11s All-Stars play tonight at 6 at Bar-S (64th/Admiral).
12:10 PM: While awaiting the next major step toward Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light-rail extension, the release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement – due sometime this summer – businesses in the project’s path continue their awareness/support campaign. We just got this announcement this morning:
Rally For Relocation
Rally in Support of West Seattle Businesses Facing Relocation
July 11th | 4 pm-7 pm
At Ounces Taproom & Beer Garden and Skylark CaféJoin us for a rally in support of Ounces, Skylark, Mode, Alki Beach Academy, West Seattle Health Club & 60+ local businesses facing relocation as a result of light rail to our community. This rally is NOT about light rail, but instead about supporting those local businesses that face relocation as a result –– to ensure that they get the funding and assistance needed to successfully reopen their businesses in a new location should light rail be approved in the near future. Bring your family, friends & neighbors to stand with these businesses! Together, let’s walk Skylark to Delridge Deli Mart (and back) – all in support of local business! Then stick around for food, beer & community at Ounces & Skylark!
Skylark and Ounces are both on the west side of the 3800 block of Delridge Way SW. Meantime, we’re checking back with Sound Transit to see if there’s any new information on the FEIS timetable; after it’s released, the next step would be for the ST Board to take a final vote on routing and station locations. Construction is currently projected to start in 2027, with the line opening toward the end of 2032.
1:23 PM: ST’s Rachelle Cunningham replied to our inquiries, saying the FEIS release is “getting close, but there isn’t a publication date yet.” Also – a separate community group had said that ST Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine was championing their request for a community forum for West Seattle; Cunningham says about that, “The team is working on scheduling some upcoming engagement, but there aren’t any specifics to share yet.”
Orcas were in view off West Seattle earlier this morning, and while we missed the chance to mention them earlier, we just got word from Kersti Muul that they’re now “northbound after milling,” on the west side of the channel (so binoculars definitely needed), off Lincoln Park.
(WSB photo, Mount Rainier and the bridge seen from T-5 earlier this week)
Highlights for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SSC GARDEN CENTER: South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, until 3 pm.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open 11 am-8 pm. Free! (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: Open today since warmer weather is expected – Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm; Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Hiawatha (2700 California SW), noon-5:30 pm.
COLMAN POOL CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC: Swim-meet closure again today.
VISCON CELLARS: The tasting room/wine bar is open tonight for wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm – at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
HAND-BUILD CLAY ANIMALS! At The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), 6:30-9 pm – registration information is in our calendar listing.
STEEL GUITAR AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Fraser Havens performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SOUND BATH: 7 pm at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW), uphill – details in our calendar listing.
EMERALD CITY KINGS BALL PRIDE: Drag at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, $20 advance tickets or $25 at the door.
AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
SEE ‘CLYDE’S’ AT ARTSWEST: Third-to-last chance! 7:30 pm performance at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – “In this 2022 Tony Award®-Nominated Best Play, creating the perfect sandwich is the shared quest of the formerly incarcerated kitchen staff of Clyde’s, a truck-stop cafe.” Find the ticket link and more info in our calendar listing.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Tonight it’s DJ Supreme La Rock, 9 pm-1 am! (4547 California SW)
YOU SKATE, THEY PLAY: “Make It Loud!” returns at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), roller skating to live bands, featuring Leeni, Darksparkler, Miloisntreal. $18 cover, $5 skate.
YOU’RE THE STAR: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Warm weather and a summer holiday are on the way. David Hutchinson from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network offers this reminder:
Harbor seal “pupping season” in our part of Puget Sound runs from June – September. After the pups are born, they spend only 4-6 weeks with their mothers before heading out on their own. Over the next months, beach walkers in West Seattle will very likely come across these vulnerable young seal pups on both our public and private beaches. These marine mammals are protected by federal law. If you come across a seal pup (or any marine mammal) using the beach, please keep back, keep people and pets away, and call the Seal Sitters’ Hotline at 206-905-7325.
The telephoto image in the poster is of “Loki,” a harbor seal pup that was rescued from Constellation Park by Seal Sitters and successfully rehabbed by our partner SR3 at their facility in Des Moines. Loki was eventually released back into Puget Sound.
Seal Sitters is part of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. We are authorized to respond to all marine mammals, alive or dead, that end up on West Seattle Beaches. The official NOAA stranding map, which shows the coverage areas and the contact information for the various groups, is viewable at this link – then look under “Network Maps”).
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, June 28.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:14 am, while sunset will again be at 9:11 pm one last time.
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project – including a months-long closure of Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge – could start as soon as Monday.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners start a new homestand, 6:40 pm vs. Minnesota.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. P.S. Extra daily weekday midday Vashon Water Taxi runs to downtown start Monday.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route, but now with the unscheduled “bonus boat” on weekdays when available; check WSF alerts for last-minute changes and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (most bridge cameras we usually spotlight were still down as of early this morning)
1st Ave. S. Bridge (a state camera:
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 open 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!
10:44 PM: After multiple 911 calls about possible gunfire, police have told dispatch they’re finding casings near 15th and Holden. They’re blocking off that section of Holden while they look around more. They have a report that this may have involved someone being shot at, but that person left the scene and police haven’t talked with him yet. The only description so far is that the gunfire might have come from a silvervehicle last seen southbound on 15th.
10:52 PM: Officers have now caught up with the person who says he was shot at. They say he told them he didn’t get a look at the shooter(s), as they fired at his car – which has bullet holes – from behind. They’re also finding other vehicles at 15th/Holden with bullet holes. No report of any injuries.
11:22 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ve recovered 35 casings in all. At least some of the damaged vehicles will be taken to the SPD evidence room for further analysis. (Police have explained that gunfire evidence goes through testing so that it can potentially be linked to specific guns and suspects.)
11:50 PM: Police say they’re reopening Holden.
(WSB photos/video)
Those are the shore-power outlets for the newly modernized cargo-ship berths at Terminal 5 in West Seattle. Neither outlet was in use when we photographed them during a T-5 tour Tuesday, because no ships were calling at the time. That illustrated a point made by representatives of terminal operator SSA during the tour – Terminal 5 has much more capacity that is currently being used. Its biggest-on-the-West-Coast cranes are serving an average of two ships a week, while the completion of the south berth means they could be serving two per day.
The occasion for the tour was a low-key celebration of the conclusion of most of the quarter-billion-dollar T-5 project. (A few things remain, such as a new gate complex on the dock.) We rode in a van passing several other operational features, like these smaller cranes, used depending on the size, destination, and contents of containers:
Pre-existing rail access was originally cited as a major reason for choosing to modernize T-5, but it’s not being maxed out either; SSA says the on-dock rail has vastly more capacity than is being used. Another major motivation for the modernization was to enable T-5 to handle the bigger ships that are being built now; its client for both berths is MSC, and so far, SSA says, most of the ships calling are 10,000 TEU (20-foot equivalent unit, a measurement of cargo-ship capacity) – a few 15,000 – and they said during the tour that a 19,000-TEU ship, may stop here soon. The Northwest Seaport Alliance, the combined Seattle-Tacoma cargo-port authority, says a big challenge is that this is a “discretionary” port – most of the cargo that arrives here is headed somewhere else, not to this area. But they’re working to make it attractive in a variety of ways. The upgrades, meantime, include on-site stormwater treatment facilities:
The systems are intended to ensure that all the rain that falls on the dock gets treated before draining into the Duwamish River. Technology is also deployed to speed up truck processing, for the majority of containers handled that way, not just for the ships and shippers, but also to reduce truck waiting, in turn reducing the notorious backups on streets and bridges leading to the terminal. The new complex will have 300 truck-queueing spaces; the next step toward building it is to send it out to bid. Another not-yet-done feature – T-5 currently has 640 plugs for refrigerated containers, and that number will expand to 1,500 by the end of next year. (Refrigeration is important for agriculture, in particular. Among other things, we were told that “we export a lot of wine to South America.”) Speaking of containers, during a previous visit to T-5, we were told of a backup of empties; that is no longer a problem, we learned during this visit.
After the relatively short dock tour, it was off to Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor), where key players in the project gathered for a reception.
Speakers were from the Northwest Seaport Alliance managing members (Seattle and Tacoma port commissioners) and administration, SSA, MSC, Seattle City Light (which helped with the shore-power part of the project) and the ILWU. First up was Seattle Port Commission vice president Toshiko Hasegawa:
In addition to various words of praise, speakers recalled T-5’s past, only capable of handling ships far smaller than what’s common today. And again, a look to the future: “The upgrades at T-5 ensure we won’t get left behind.” We recorded all the speeches:
The speakers sounded a confident note on T-5’s future growth, often mentioning their own businesses’ growth (such as MSC growing its fleet from 20 to 820 ships): “The investments we made will pay off – it’s a long-term thing.” As NWSA CEO John Wolfe observed, “This was not an easy project” – so perhaps the next phase, business growth, will be easier in comparison.
Dozens of hardy concertgoers brought chairs and blankets to the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge tonight for the first of this summer’s two West Seattle visits by the Seattle Chamber Music Society Concert Truck.
Tonight’s musicians for the free concert included Rachel Lee Priday on violin, Susan Zhang and Nick Luby on piano, and Sterling Elliott on cello. The program included compositions by Maurice Ravel, Clara Schumann, Gabriel Fauré, Johannes Brahms, Florence Price, Anton Arensky, and Astor Piazzolla (the full music list is toward the bottom of this page on the SCWS site). Here’s a snippet of tonight’s performance:
Your second chance to see the Concert Truck performance is this Sunday (June 30) at noon outside Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki)
While local officials are often in the hot seat on issues such as public safety, they sometimes point out that their powers have been to some degree superseded by state law. So – as one speaker at this meeting last night put it – it’s important to pay attention to the Legislature. Here’s an opportunity: One of our area’s three state legislators is having a Town Hall meeting this Saturday morning, and you’re invited, to come listen and/or ask a question. State Senator Joe Nguyễn will be at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) 9 am to 10 am this Saturday, June 29. Sen. Nguyễn chairs the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and also serves on the Human Services and Ways & Means Committees – the latter is particularly notable, as it oversees budgeting. No RSVP needed for the Town Hall – just show up.
Their state-championship season is over and the school year is over, but the West Seattle High School baseball program just racked up more honors. Cindy Lockwood sent the report and photos:
West Seattle coaching staff Dylan McLauchlin, Tyler Haggett, and Mike Fahy, with players Caden Fahy and Tristian Buehring, were invited to coach and play at the 2024 WIAA Baseball All-State Games this past weekend in Yakima.
At an awards banquet highlighting player and coach achievements during the 2024 season, Coach Dylan McLauchlin received the WIAA 3A Coach of the Year Award and player Caden Fahy won the WIAA-3A Player of the Year Award.
Congratulations to Coach Dylan and Caden.
WS Players also invited to the All-State Games but unable to attend were Miles Chandler, Bobby Trigg, Matthew Henning.
WSHS won the state 3A championship May 25 in Pasco, beating Mount Vernon, as reported here.
Two weeks from tomorrow, the peninsula’s biggest party of the year begins – West Seattle Summer Fest. In the days ahead we’ll bring you festival previews with what you need to know about this year’s event, Friday, July 12, through Sunday, July 14, in The Junction. First off – this year is the first time Summer Fest goes big with an all-out “zero-waste” initiative, joining forces with Bold Reuse and Seattle Public Utilities for reusable drinkware, dishware, and serviceware at both festival food booths and at the beer garden. Your most important role in this is to properly return those items after use. Collection bins with explanatory signage will be available throughout the festival zone, and people will be standing by to help you know what goes into which bin – reusable, recyclable, compostable, or garbage. Throughout the days and evenings of the festival, the West Seattle Junction Association tells us, Bold Reuse will check in with vendors to be sure they’re stocked up; the company then will inspect, clean, and replenish items for each day. This will not only be a first for West Seattle Summer Fest, but the first festival-reusables program “at this scale” in the city.
(Photo courtesy Bold Reuse)
This is happening in connection with the city’s Reuse Seattle initiative, and in addition to doing your part as a West Seattle Summer Fest food/drink consumer, there’s another way to help: Volunteers are being recruited, to help festivalgoers know what goes where (as mentioned above) and to explain the benefits of reusing. If you’re interested, fill out this online form, and program reps will be in touch about the possibilities. More Summer Fest previews ahead!
(WSB photo of 16th/Holden site, April)
Three weeks have passed since the deadline for proposals to develop the 9,425-square-foot ex-substation site on the southwest corner of 16th and Holden into a mixed-use building with “affordable homeownership” units. The city Office of Housing was seeking proposals for building ~16 for-sale residential units over commercial space at the site, and tells WSB that it received two proposals. They’re not commenting on who the proposals are from, but plan to choose a winner “in August.” This was one of half a dozen area ex-substation sites declared “surplus” by Seattle City Light more than a decade ago; after years of discussion and community advocacy, SCL transferred it to the Office of Housing to get this project off the ground Housing paid the site’s current valuation, $424,000, to SCL, using funding from Mandatory Housing Affordability fees paid by developers in lieu of including affordable housing in their own projects. The units in the eventual project, according to the city, “must be affordable to households with incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for the Seattle area,” taking into account “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.” Assuming this plan proceeds to fruition, this will be only the second of those six surplus ex-substations to be developed into housing, after these “tiny townhomes” on Pigeon Point.
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