West Seattle, Washington

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month : 02/2015 274 results

West Seattle development: First look at proposed CVS drugstore, with Design Review debut set next month
February 5, 2015 2:46 pm
|      59 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

The first Design Review date is set for the CVS drugstore project at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW. We broke the news of the proposal a year and a half ago; after the initial “site plan” filing, it sat dormant for a while. Then back in December, we talked to a CVS rep who said the project was proceeding but not expected to open this year. Now, it’s on the way to Design Review – tentatively set for a March 19th meeting – and the packet just turned up online. Above is the site layout described as the one preferred by the project team (while not labeled as such, the top square labeled “parking” is the Les Schwab lot, not part of the CVS plan). The project now has two numbers and addresses in the city system, one for the building and west parking at 4722 Fauntleroy Way, one for additional parking off the alley, at 4721 38th SW. Here’s the packet currently in the city system (keep in mind, it might be revised before the meeting next month):

The packet put together by architects Schemata Workshop describes the proposal as “a single-story CVS retail building with a pharmacy and a loading mezzanine. The project will include parking and a drive-through for the pharmacy. Loading will be accommodated in the alley.” That’s the alley east of the 4700 block of Fauntleroy, where the drugstore is planned to replace the building that currently houses West Seattle Produce and the consignment store Suite Arrangements. While the site is primarily zoned for development up to 85 feet high, the packet notes that there is a covenant for no building higher than 30 feet. It also notes that the land is being leased, not bought. The Design Review schedule says this project will take up both potential meeting slots on March 19th, starting at 6:30 pm.

SIDE NOTE: If you missed the earlier coverage, the West Seattle plan is part of CVS’s expansion into this state; it has stores open now in Burien and Renton, and others planned in Seattle including Wallingford and lower Queen Anne – some of those designs are shown in the packet you can browse above.

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West Seattle scene: Helping hands on Harbor Avenue
February 5, 2015 12:30 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

If you follow WSB on Twitter and/or Facebook, you might already have seen that photo; we posted it while in transit this morning, after stopping on Harbor Avenue for this rescue in process, which only lasted a moment. We were en route to a potential breaking story and couldn’t stop to find out what happened – nor did we see what preceded this, just that it looked like a young seagull, hurt or at least stunned, and that the person in the green jacket knelt to pick it up, and carried it off to the water side of Harbor, by Seacrest Park’s east end. If you are the person in the photo and/or know what happened, consider a comment, or e-mailing us – editor@wsb.blackfin.biz – thank you.

P.S. If you aren’t sure what to do if you encounter injured wildlife – in response to this photo, Lesley tweeted this link to info from PAWS.

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Followup: What SDOT’s about to do, Delridge/Andover northward
February 5, 2015 12:03 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

A reader question last week resulted in this short story about work starting soon on pedestrian and drainage improvements along the north end of Delridge Way. SDOT promised more information – and now we have it:

Beginning Monday, February 16, SDOT will begin construction to build curb ramps at the intersection of Delridge Way SW and SW Andover Street, widen the sidewalk along the east side of Delridge Way SW and install storm drainage improvements. This project will help improve safety and access for all roadway users in the neighborhood.

Crews have set up construction barriers near the work area to facilitate the installation of new Seattle City Light poles. Leading up to construction, you will see increased pre-construction activities, construction equipment and crews, and placement of temporary “No Parking” signs.

Below is information regarding the construction schedule and impacts that will take place in the project area. Please note that this schedule is dependent on weather and may change.

2/16 – 3/6 Construction will start at the intersection of SW Andover Street and Delridge Way SW as crews remove existing asphalt and install new storm drainage and curb ramps. You can expect curb lane restrictions, parking restrictions, transit stop relocations, pedestrian and bicycle detours around the work area.

3/9 – 3/27 Work begins north of SW Andover Street to extend the sidewalk, rebuild the 23rd Avenue SW/Delridge Way SW intersection, and install storm drainage. You can expect temporary driveway and parking restrictions, lane restrictions, and pedestrian detours around the work area. Access to the West Seattle Bridge Trail will occasionally be restricted; bicyclists and pedestrians may detour around construction activity via 23rd Avenue SW or use an alternate route. At times, 23rd Avenue SW at Delridge Way SW will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained. We will provide additional advance notification before driveway access is restricted.

More information on the project background, funding and schedule can be found at the project webpage at seattle.gov/transportation/DelridgeImprovements.htm. Construction information will be posted here as it becomes available.

As for construction itself, during this work you can expect:

· Temporary driveway closures of up to 7 days; advance notice will be provided
· Closure of 23rd Avenue SW at Delridge Way SW
· Parking and lane restrictions near the work area
· Construction during normal work hours, between 7 AM and 6 PM, with possible weekend work
· Noise, dust and vibration associated with concrete removal and paving
· Impacts to bus stops
· Restricted access to the West Seattle Bridge Trail (see note above)
· Pedestrian and bicycle detours

We expect construction will be complete in April 2015, depending on weather.

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For your West Seattle Thursday night: ‘First Look’ at City Council hopefuls; Design Review Board looks at 2 projects…
February 5, 2015 11:16 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tree silhouetted against the fog, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen near High Point Library last weekend)
Two months in the making – with the candidate lineup changing up to the last minute – tonight’s the night for the first District 1 City Council forum. That starts our look ahead to tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar!

DISTRICT 1: FIRST LOOK: 6:30 pm doors, 7-8:30 pm forum at Highland Park Improvement Club – WSB is presenting the first candidates’ forum of the history-making first-ever District 1 City Council race. Voters approved a monumental change, 7 district-elected councilmembers and 2 at-large as of this year, instead of all 9 at-large, and now we see how that changes city leadership. As of right now, four candidates are vying for the West Seattle/South Park spot – in order of declaration, Chas Redmond, Amanda Kay Helmick, George Capestany, Phillip Tavel – and this is your first chance to see and hear them on a shared stage. (12th/Holden, with overflow parking suggested at Riverview Playfield a block north)

DESIGN REVIEW X 2: Two developments are on the Southwest Design Review Board agenda tonight: 6:30 pm, the fourth review for 4505 42nd SW; 8 pm, the second review – six years after the first one – for 4106 Delridge Way SW. Both are mixed-use projects; click either aforementioned address for a direct link to the “packet” showing you project graphics and information. Both reviews are upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle. (Oregon/California)

‘4,000 MILES’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain for this Pulitzer-nominated dramatic comedy at ArtsWest Playhouse & Gallery (WSB sponsor), whose artistic director Mathew Wright is directing. (4711 California SW)

COUNTRY AT THE BENBOW: 9 pm, the Benbow Room bill includes Darci Carlson and Burley Mountain. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

THE REST OF THE CALENDAR … for today, tonight, and beyond is here.

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Dock talks reach pivotal point: Terminal operators make ‘all-in’ offer; ILWU says the two sides are ‘extremely close’
February 5, 2015 10:15 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(January 2015 photo by James Bratsanos – cargo ships anchored off Manchester, a holding zone for Tacoma)
Depending on how you interpret what the two sides in the Seattle-and-beyond West Coast dock talks are saying right now, a deal – or a port shutdown – could be close. It’s been more than half a year since the International Longshore and Warehouse Union‘s contract with the terminal operators, under the umbrella of the Pacific Maritime Association, expired. The PMA says it made an offer Wednesday that it calls “all-in” – detailed here. The ILWU describes the two sides as “extremely close” and says it’s “dropped” some issues in hopes of a resolution. But the organizations’ respective statements indicate continuing disagreement over what’s led to loaded freighters waiting at anchor and trucks backing up from the docks – the PMA continues to allege “ILWU slowdowns” while the union alleges the problem is an “employer-caused congestion crisis.” In a video linked from the PMA website, its president James McKenna claimed West Coast ports are as little as a week from “collapse” and says the offer is “as far as we can go at this time.” ILWU president Robert McEllrath, meantime, says, ““Closing the ports at this point would be reckless and irresponsible.”

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@ Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights CC: The no-$ urban village
February 5, 2015 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | Westwood | White Center

Spotlight topics at this week’s Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting included how the area’s “urban village” has fared in city spending, plus, potential White Center/North Highline annexation.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Rainy Thursday updates/alerts
February 5, 2015 6:45 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
The big commute news so far this morning is the rain, which means slow going – be safe.

METRO SURVEY: Among the transportation stories reported in the past day – Metro’s on the road to a long-range plan, and as part of it, invites you to take an online survey. The link’s in our story.

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Election 2015: Phillip Tavel joins District 1 City Council race
February 4, 2015 9:42 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

9:42 PM: Another West Seattleite has announced he’s joining the District 1 City Council race. Phillip Tavel sent his official announcement tonight, describing himself as an “attorney and entrepreneur.” Tavel says he is ready to “make tough decisions for our community and our city” on “existing projects,” singling out the Highway 99 tunnel: “Stopping the existing tunnel project is the most responsible decision we can make. The remaining project money should be used to increase transit and implement a lower-cost alternative that actually delivers on the promise to reduce traffic.” He lists a professional background including teaching high-school physics, co-founding an entertainment company, and working as a trial lawyer, now in private practice, as well as serving as a court-appointed advocate for children. He also leads the long-running Wednesday trivia night at Talarico’s in The Junction. This is not his first run for office; Tavel ran for District Court Judge last year.

We are waiting to hear whether he’ll accept our invitation to join previously announced candidates Chas Redmond, Amanda Kay Helmick, and George Capestany in the District 1: First Look candidates’ forum, presented by WSB, tomorrow (Thursday) night at Highland Park Improvement Club, doors open at 6:30, forum at 7.

12:01 AM UPDATE: Tavel has confirmed he’ll participate.

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Seattle Public Schools tech ‘Town Hall’ set for March 2 @ WSHS
February 4, 2015 8:14 pm
|    Comments Off on Seattle Public Schools tech ‘Town Hall’ set for March 2 @ WSHS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Something to say about tech at school? Here’s your chance:

Seattle Public Schools wants to give everyone an opportunity to provide feedback and input into the district’s Technology Vision process. To accomplish this we are scheduling five “Town Hall” meetings around the District. One in each of the five major regions …

WEST SEATTLE REGION: Monday, March 2, at West Seattle High School cafeteria

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. so that attendees can browse sample results from the Tech Summit. The structured meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Interested individuals who are unable to attend any of the Town Hall meetings are encouraged to submit their vision, ideas, and comments to techvision@seattleschools.org

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Where is Metro Transit going? Help shape its new long-range plan
February 4, 2015 4:24 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

What will regional transit be like in 25 years? That’s the question the county says is at the heart of the long-awaited long-range-planning process for Metro Transit, just announced: “We’ll Get You There: Our Vision for the Future of Public Transportation.”

(WSB photo: Route 21 northbound on 35th at Morgan)
According to the official announcement, this will all unfold over the next year and a half. Metro promises multiple ways for you to get directly involved, starting with:

First: Take this online survey.

Second: Apply by February 18th to join the community-advisory group “that will collaborate regularly with Metro to ensure that the final plan represents a diversity of needs and perspectives.” The first of its every-two-months meetings is set for March 12th.

Ultimately, this will result in a draft long-range plan for public review early next year, and a final version for the County Council to consider in fall 2016.

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Last call for your question(s)! “District 1: First Look” tomorrow night
February 4, 2015 3:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Last call for your question(s)! “District 1: First Look” tomorrow night
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Sustainability-award-winning Highland Park Improvement Club, location for Thursday night’s forum)
Before the day’s done, here’s one more invitation to e-mail us any question(s) you’d like to hear the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council candidates answer during the “First Look” forum we’re presenting tomorrow night – editor@wsb.blackfin.biz. The format includes time for questions to be asked by attendees from the floor, too, but the time will go fast. Here again is the list of declared candidates:

George Capestany
Chas Redmond
Amanda Kay Helmick

We’re exactly six months from the deadline for casting your first vote (August 4th primary), so come see and hear from the contenders Thursday night at Highland Park Improvement Club (12th/Holden), doors open at 6:30, forum at 7.

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West Seattle Soccer Club launches spring-season registration
February 4, 2015 2:10 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Soccer Club launches spring-season registration
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSSC photo: GU-10 at Walt Hundley Playfield on opening day of 2014 spring season)
Another local youth-sports league has just opened up signups for its next season: West Seattle Soccer Club. WSSC’s Tim McMonigle tells WSB that spring soccer registration will continue all month long – but if you’re not signed up by month’s end, it’ll be “space-available basis” only, so the sooner you sign up, the better. Find info/links here.

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NOAA decision is in: ‘Lolita,’ last surviving captive Puget Sound orca, to be included in endangered-species listing
February 4, 2015 11:42 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(January 17th WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
Two and a half weeks ago, hundreds rallied at Alki Beach to support freedom for the last surviving captive Puget Sound orca, best known as “Lolita.” The rally was partly in anticipation of a federal decision on whether to include Lolita in the endangered-species listing that already covers her wild family members. Today, this federal news release announces, the decision is in:

NOAA Fisheries will issue a final rule to include Lolita, a captive killer whale at the Miami Seaquarium, in the endangered species listing for Southern Resident Killer Whales that spend much of the year in the inland waters of Washington and British Columbia.

While Lolita will now share the endangered listing status of the population she came from, the decision does not impact her residence at the Miami Seaquarium.

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Weekend lookahead: 5th annual ‘Soul Jambalaya’ at Sealth/Denny
February 4, 2015 11:16 am
|    Comments Off on Weekend lookahead: 5th annual ‘Soul Jambalaya’ at Sealth/Denny
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(2013 photo courtesy Denny IMS: Septimus collaborating with Marcus Pimpleton & Denny musicians)
Best way to go through football withdrawal this weekend: Stay busy. Our calendar has many possibilities, including this fab FREE concert on Saturday night: The 5th annual Soul Jambalaya music extravaganza, featuring, again this year, not only student jazz musicians from Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School directed by Marcus Pimpleton, but also guests including Total Experience Gospel Choir, Septimus, and Westside Blues. It’s an exceptional night of music in multiple genres including jazz, gospel, funk, and blues, 7 pm Saturday in the Sealth Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle); donations accepted to support student music programs.

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West Seattle power-outage update: Underground cable to blame
February 4, 2015 10:57 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

10:57 AM: The power outage affecting more than 60 homes on western Charlestown Hill is in its 10th hour and the estimated time of restoration has been pushed back again until after 1 pm. We’re waiting to hear back from Seattle City Light on details regarding the “equipment failure” listed on the outage map as its cause, and we’ll add an update here when that information is available.

1:33 PM: Still out, according to SCL map, which now describes restoration as “pending.” SCL spokesperson Scott Thomsen tells WSB, “The crew working on this outage is still trying to determine what piece of equipment failed. This can be a challenge with underground facilities where you can’t just look at the cable and see whether it is intact or damaged. They work through a progression to identify the section of line where the problem exists, including checks on transformers and connections. In some cases, it can require digging up the last section of cable to find the damaged spot and make the repair.”

3:37 PM: Just checked the outage map, and this is no longer listed – if you don’t have your power back, though, be sure City Light knows!

4:46 PM: Update from SCL’s Thomsen – an underground-cable failure caused this outage, as was also the case in an early-morning outage in southwest West Seattle about two weeks ago.

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7 possibilities for your West Seattle Wednesday, morning to night
February 4, 2015 8:50 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Working waterfront of the Duwamish River, photographed by Don Brubeck, shared via Flickr)
Midweek highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ARBOR HEIGHTS KINDERGARTEN TOURS: 9 am-10 am – if you’re not signed up for today, check our listing to see other upcoming dates, and how to RSVP. Remember AHES continues at Boren for one more year, so that’s where the tours are. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

SPANISH STORY TIME @ MY THREE LITTLE BIRDS: 11:15 am on Wednesdays, My Three Little Birds in Morgan Junction offers Spanish story time. (6959 California SW)

HOME OFFICE/CO-WORKING MEETUP: Noon at West Seattle Office Junction – get out of the house and into a meetup to network, share ideas, take a break from the usual surroundings. Details in our calendar listing. (6040 California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, all welcome. Agenda items include City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and further discussion of the Fauntleroy Boulevard project, including whether its utilities should be undergrounded (here’s our coverage of the most-recent discussion). Other topics will include the Port of Seattle’s upcoming “West Seattle working waterfront” community boat tour. (Oregon/California)

JIM PAGE AT C & P: Singer-songwriter Jim Page performs 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) – find out more about his music here. (5612 California SW)

NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN MEETINGS: What can you do about climate change? For starters – 7-9 pm, join this twice-monthly gathering at Admiral Bird. (California/Admiral)

4000 MILES, WEEK 3: It’s the third week of performances for this Pulitzer-nominated dramatic comedy at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor). Curtain time 7:30 pm; get tickets online. (4711 California SW)

WHAT ELSE IS UP? Please browse our calendar for more of what’s going on today/tonight, and beyond.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates/alerts
February 4, 2015 6:58 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:58 AM: Good morning!

As we start today’s commute watch, there’s word of trouble in the bus lane on northbound 99, just tweeted by Kevin:

7:06 AM: The truck has moved on, according to SDOT, and the lane is open again.

7:35 AM: A note from Lisa calls our attention to a power outage on western Charlestown Hill. Does not appear to be in an area with any traffic lights, according to the City Light outage map (which blames “equipment failure” and projects the power will be back soon), but you might encounter repair crews in that area.

8:30 AM: From Helga in comments: “E Marginal backup from Atlantic to Spokane for the 3rd day in a row.”

8:38 AM: Traffic reporter Tracy Taylor @ KING 5 found a camera for it:

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VIDEO: 1st West Seattle ‘community conversation’ with Police Chief O’Toole cut short after shoutdown
February 3, 2015 7:44 pm
|      84 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(From left, Pete Spalding of the SW Precinct Advisory Council; Chief Kathleen O’Toole; Capt. Steve Wilske; Deb Greer of the WS Block Watch Captains’ Network)

7:44 PM: Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole‘s first “community conversation” in West Seattle was cut short after a woman concerned about police-brutality shouted down the chief and others before the meeting was an hour old.

Those who had come to hear Chief O’Toole talk about West Seattle community crime issues tried in turn to get the protester to stop so they could ask their questions, but after a few minutes of semi-chaos, host Pete Spalding announced the meeting was over. Some community members moved ahead to the front of the room to try to get the chief to answer their questions in a one-on-one type of situation, which continued for at least 15 minutes after the meeting’s official end, and is continuing even as we publish the first version of this.

We’ll add video of the truncated meeting a bit later. (9:54 PM: Here’s the link; 10:12 PM, it’s embedded below – note that our camera was fixed/pointed to the front of the room, so the shouting is off-camera:)

Below, our notes as it unfolded.

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West Seattle development: The almost-all-about-Fauntleroy (Way) edition
February 3, 2015 6:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

DEMOLITION OF THE DAY: The 99-year-old house at 6540 Fauntleroy Way SW is being torn down, three months after the demolition permit was issued. A new house will replace it – with a different address, 6501 44th SW.

ALSO ON FAUNTLEROY WAY: New in the city files, a 64-year-old house at 5628 Fauntleroy Way SW is set for demolition, to be replaced by three houses, with three parking spaces on the alley to the east.

SPEAKING OF FAUNTLEROY: Tomorrow is your last chance to comment with “early guidance” for the streamlined design review process under way regarding four townhouses proposed to replace a house at 5917 Fauntleroy Way SW. Here’s the “packet.” (Updated: A nearby resident points out a rowhouse planned to replace the house next door, 5915 Fauntleroy Way, is separate.)

AND SPEAKING OF DESIGN REVIEW: Reminder that the Southwest Design Review Board has a doubleheader public meeting on Thursday night at the Senior Center of West Seattle, for two mixed-use projects – 6:30 pm, the fourth review of 4505 42nd SW, see the “packet” here; 8 pm, the second review of 4106 Delridge Way SW (with a 6-year gap between reviews), see the “packet” here.

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Followup: Encampment proposal gets first City Council airing
February 3, 2015 3:44 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Screengrab from Seattle Channel webcast of committee meeting; we’ll substitute SC video when available)
Just wrapped up at the City Council’s Planning, Land Use, and Sustainability Committee meeting: The first discussion of the new encampment proposal that emerged from Mayor Murray‘s office.

As mentioned here last Friday, the proposal specifies commercial and industrial areas of the city as possible locations for encampments; there would be a limit of three (not counting any hosted by religious institutions) in the city at any one time, no closer to each other than a mile, no closer to a residentially zoned site than 25 feet, with each encampment having gone through an official permitting process and occupied by no more than 100 people. (See the full list of toplines in the slide-deck PDF.)

The team that briefed councilmembers today was led by Deputy Mayor Hyeok Kim and Department of Planning and Development director Diane Sugimura. Deputy Mayor Kim reiterated multiple times that the intent was not to “aggressively recruit” new encampments/sites, but to find a temporary way to get at least a few hundred more people off the streets. She mentioned the “alarming increase … in unsheltered homeless people on (Seattle’s) streets,” as most recently documented in the One-Night Count.

The briefing team said that within a month of the ordinance’s passage, they expect to have a list of city-owned sites that could be considered by groups interested in managing encampments. While, as shown on the zoning map, private sites could be proposed, the city briefers said there was no intent to “recruit” them. Sugimura said DPD would have a “streamlined” permit process so that encampment proposals did not get hung up in endless reviews.

In the public comment period that preceded the committee discussion, many of those commenting identified themselves as affiliated with current encampments and unhappy that the proposal excludes residential-zoned areas from consideration.

The committee didn’t vote; chair Mike O’Brien decided the measure would be discussed again when they next meet on February 20th, which will be less than a week before the 5:30 pm February 26th public hearing devoted exclusively to the proposal. That is expected to be followed by a March 3rd committee vote, with full Council consideration after that.

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Hoping not to become the sport without a court, West Seattle Racquetball Club looking for place to play
February 3, 2015 2:41 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The West Seattle Racquetball Association is looking for a place to play. Commissioner Ben Weagraff explains, “We are a group that started with a handful of racquetball players and now have nearly 60 members. We play two tournaments a year at the YMCA (one for singles and one for doubles) plus many times a week and every weekend. We represent all levels of play and a cross-section of the diverse community that is West Seattle.” They’ve known for a while that the Y (WSB sponsor) is dropping racquetball (as mentioned here) as part of its renovation. Weagraff says they had planned to move to the under-construction LA Fitness but have been told it won’t have racquetball courts after all. So, he says, “While this is not a crisis of epic proportions, our group is wondering if there are other options on the Peninsula for us to play racquetball — it truly is a great and empowering, albeit under-appreciated, sport.” Suggestions, anyone?

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Election 2015: City Council District 1 still 3-person race, plus 1 ‘deciding’, with ‘First Look’ candidates forum Thursday
February 3, 2015 1:31 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Since City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen announced a week and a half ago that he wouldn’t run for the new District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) seat, speculation has abounded about who, if anyone, would join Chas Redmond, Amanda Kay Helmick, and George Capestany in the race. The name most discussed in citywide politics coverage has been Highland Park resident Lisa Herbold, longtime assistant to City Councilmember Nick Licata, who, like Rasmussen, has decided this is his last year on the council. Herbold has taken a step toward running, as noted by PubliCola earlier today and as now shown on the city Elections website:

But she has NOT formally declared candidacy, Herbold clarified in an e-mail exchange with WSB today, characterizing what she has filed as “… a preliminary step to declaring candidacy, which I have not yet done. … It’s just smart (I think) to get an infrastructure – to the extent possible – in place while I’m still deciding.”

Three months remain before the May 15th filing deadline, but who’s in/out is of special interest this week because our long-scheduled get-the-conversation-going-early “District 1: First Look” candidates’ forum is coming up this Thursday (February 5). We’ve said all along that anybody who declared their candidacy by forum time would be welcome to participate (with a committee created, our offer remains open to Herbold). Meantime, candidates (L-R below) Helmick, Capestany, and Redmond have been confirmed since we set the date in December, and we hope you’ll be on hand.

Though it’s not the traditional way to do things, we wanted to schedule an early forum because there’s SO MUCH to talk about, so much facing the first-ever District 1 councilmember – transportation, housing, growth, public safety, education, more … We’ll be asking questions for about an hour (including some already suggested by readers – send yours ASAP! editor@wsb.blackfin.biz) and then we’ll open the microphone to attendee questions. Doors open 6:30 pm Thursday at Highland Park Improvement Club, 12th/Holden (overflow parking at Riverview Playfield just a block north; nearest bus is Route 131 on 9th SW), forum at 7, see you there!

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Update: Lowman Beach Park culvert repairs start tomorrow
February 3, 2015 12:40 pm
|    Comments Off on Update: Lowman Beach Park culvert repairs start tomorrow
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Seattle Public Utilities has a new start date for culvert repairs at Lowman Beach Park: Tomorrow (February 4th). As noted here last week, the work originally was expected to start before the end of January. The basics:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will be making repairs to a culvert located at Lowman Beach Park. The culvert conveys Pelly Creek and storm drainage to the outfall west of the tennis court at the park. The culvert at this location is damaged and requires repair to stop erosion of the surrounding soil. The repair work consists of excavating a portion of the damaged pipeline, repairing the broken pipe, and backfilling to surrounding grade.

The project will take about two weeks – 10 working days – with work expected to run 7 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday. Crews will access via the service road on the south side of the park. Meantime, the weekly seawall surveys promised by SPU as part of this already have begun and will continue for about three months.

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