West Seattle, Washington
23 Monday
(What was the live-video window, then a placeholder screengrab, is now the archived video of Monday’s announcement)
11:12 AM: Click the “play” button to see the live Seattle Channel webcast that’s about to begin, with Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Mike O’Brien leading the presentation of the long-awaited report from the Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee, created almost 10 months ago. The report is live here, and the “action plan” the mayor is announcing is here (and embedded below):
11:20 AM: The briefing has begun.
11:24 AM: Here’s the full text of the news release from the mayor’s office, hailing a “grand bargain” between developers and housing advocates, which includes a requirement for “affordable” units in all multi-family developments, and also increases allowable heights in certain zones:
Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Mike O’Brien today hailed an unprecedented agreement that will lead to at least 50,000 new homes in Seattle, including 20,000 affordable homes, over the next 10 years. Affordable housing will be included in nearly every residential development across Seattle as the rate of construction of new affordable homes triples.
“As Seattle expands and experiences rapid economic growth, more people are chasing a limited supply of housing. We are facing our worst housing affordability crisis in decades,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “My vision is a city where people who work in Seattle can afford to live here. Housing affordability is just one building block to a more equitable city. It goes hand in hand with our efforts on raising the minimum wage, providing preschool education for low-income children, and increasing access to parks and transit. We all share a responsibility in making Seattle affordable. Together, this plan will take us there.”
“Since 2013, the City Council has called for a robust, citywide, mandatory affordable housing program to help ensure that the people who work in this city can afford to live here. The combination of Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and a Commercial Linkage Fee will ensure that as Seattle continues to grow, we are creating housing for all incomes,” said Councilmember Mike O’Brien.
At the heart of the action plan to make Seattle affordable is Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, a requirement that developers reserve five to seven percent of units in every new multifamily building to be affordable for residents earning up to 60 percent of King County’s Area Median Income (AMI). Developers could opt to contribute to a fund for off-site construction of the units.
In 2015, 60 percent of AMI is $37,680 for an individual and $53,760 for a family of four. Current market-rate rents in new buildings on Seattle’s Capitol Hill currently average $1,887. In 2015, individuals with incomes of 60 percent of AMI pay $1,008 for income-restricted apartments.
New buildings will have taller height restrictions in existing multifamily residential, mixed-use and commercial zones throughout the city. A substantial portion of the additional development will occur within the existing Urban Centers and Urban Villages, designated two decades ago as the preferred location for denser housing. Only single-family zoning within Urban Villages and along major arterials will be converted to low-rise residential.
A map of the proposal, which was negotiated by Murray, O’Brien, developers and affordable housing advocates, shows where the growth could occur.
Here’s the aforementioned map – the mayor’s news release continues after it:
The action plan also includes a Commercial Linkage Fee on new commercial development, phased in over three years, to fund additional affordable housing for the lowest-income families. The linkage fee will range from $5 to $14 per square foot, based on the size and location of the commercial development.
When fully implemented, Mandatory Inclusionary Housing and the Commercial Linkage Fee will lead to the construction of at least 6,000 new affordable homes over 10 years.
The Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) advisory committee today delivered to the mayor 65 recommendations after 10 months of work. The consensus-driven proposal was crafted by a 28-member committee of affordable housing advocates, community voices, developers and housing experts appointed by the mayor and Seattle City Council last September.
“Many thanks to all the committee members and staff for an extraordinary amount of work over the past 10 months,” said HALA co-chairs David Wertheimer and Faith Li Pettis. “We were asked by the mayor and council to offer bold, new concepts in our approach to solving the affordable housing crisis. We think this plan fully delivers on that request. We were able to complete our task because we approached the challenge with a single, shared goal: to make Seattle affordable for all families. None of us got exactly the solution we may have envisioned at the outset, and every one of us had to give a little to reach this landmark agreement. In the end, we are confident that our collaboration will result in thousands of new affordable homes across our city.”
Murray immediately responded to the recommendations with his roadmap to make Seattle affordable, a path to reach his goal of 50,000 new homes, including 20,000 new homes for low- and moderate-income people, over the next decade. Some items in the action plan could be completed this year, while others will require at least two years to implement. In the coming weeks, the mayor will transmit to council a resolution to formalize the elements and framework of the Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program.
Today, about 45,000 households in Seattle spend more than half their incomes on housing. An estimated 2,800 people sleep outside each night in Seattle. Currently, about 700 income-restricted homes are built in Seattle each year.
The increased development capacity across the city will ensure increase supply of housing to respond to growing demand, as Seattle is forecast to add 120,000 residents over the next 20 years.
Single-family zones currently represent 65 percent of all land in Seattle. After the proposed zoning changes, single-family zones will still cover 61 percent of Seattle. HALA proposes code changes that will make it easier to build accessory dwelling units and backyard cottages (only one percent of homeowners have done so), as well as allow duplexes and triplexes, while preserving the character of single-family neighborhoods.
Residential development continues to be excluded from industrial areas under the proposal.
The City is currently engaged in a community process to update its Comprehensive Plan, called Seattle 2035. Over the past two decades, the Comprehensive Plan has been successful in locating 75 percent of Seattle’s new housing in Urban Centers and Urban Villages. The update, to be completed in 2016, contemplates expansion of Urban Villages and denser housing around transit hubs and light rail stations. HALA’s recommendations will be implemented in conjunction with the updated Comprehensive Plan.
Doubling of Housing Levy in 2016
To meet the needs of the Seattle’s lowest-income residents, those earning less than 30 percent of AMI, HALA also proposes to double the existing $145 million Seattle Housing Levy scheduled to expire in 2016. Over the past 30 years, the levy has funded $400 million to build and preserve nearly 12,000 units of affordable housing.
In 2015, 30 percent of AMI is $18,850 for an individual or $26,900 for a family of four.
This year, the City will award a record $42 million from the Housing Levy and the existing Incentive Zoning program for the development and preservation of low-income housing. The Seattle Office of Housing will issue project guidelines and invite partner applications later this week.
The HALA report also urges the Washington State Legislature to allow Seattle to adopt a 0.25 percent real estate excise tax dedicated to affordable housing development, as well as an increase in the State Housing Trust Fund.
To support moderate-income families, HALA recommends expanding the Multifamily Property Tax Exemption Program (MFTE) that is set to expire at the end of the year. Under MFTE, developers receive a tax exemption when they dedicate 20 percent of units in new buildings for moderate-income people, typically between 65 percent and 85 percent of AMI. HALA proposes to expand the program to all areas where multifamily housing can be built and incorporate a new incentive for three-bedroom units to extend program benefits to larger moderate-income families.
In 2015, 80 percent AMI is $46,100 for an individual and $65,800 for a family of four.
HALA recommends a range of tenant protections to ensure better access to housing, prevent housing discrimination and minimize displacement as rental and ownership costs increase across the city:
· Prevent displacement as rents increase across the city through a Preservation Property Tax Exemption and other mechanisms.
· Remove barriers to housing for renters with a criminal history that disproportionately impact people of color.
· Strengthen the Tenant Relocation Assistance paid to low-income renters who are displaced by new development.
· Develop new homeownership tools for Muslim buyers who cannot use conventional mortgage products due to their religious convictions.
· Establish new protections to prevent discrimination against renters due to their source of income.
HALA also recommends that the City continue to review parking policies that contribute to the growth of housing costs or inhibit development in single- and multifamily residential zones.
11:47 AM: We’ve added embedded versions of the key documents/maps mentioned so far. Also of note, but not mentioned in the news release above – the mayor mentioned that, as part of the “bargain,” a lawsuit has been settled. Council President Tim Burgess, meantime, mentioned he’s creating a new City Council committee on housing that will deal with this, starting later this month.
(Photo by Flickr member alextutu1821, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
OPEN-HIVE DEMONSTRATION: 11 am at the West Seattle Bee Garden on the north side of High Point Commons Park – details in our calendar listing. If you didn’t see this in time, or couldn’t make it today, the listing has other upcoming dates for this demo! (31st/Graham)
MEMORY-LOSS CAREGIVERS/FRIENDS/FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: 1:30-3 pm, it’s this group’s twice-monthly meeting at Providence Mount St. Vincent. (4831 35th SW)
PLANT-ID HIKE WITH NATURE CONSORTIUM: 6:30 pm tonight, it’s your chance to learn about “Plant Identification in Urban Forests.” Free, but please register ASAP to RSVP – details are in our calendar listing. The hike starts from Pigeon Point Park. (1901 SW Genesee)
EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm at both Southwest (35th/Henderson) and West Seattle (Admiral) (2306 42nd SW) Libraries. Southwest is reading “The Orchardist” by Amanda Coplin this month; at Admiral, the July book is “The Art of Fielding” by Chad Harbach.
Today you can expect to hear a lot about housing, construction, and zoning, as the long-awaited Housing Affordability and Livability Advisory Committee report is going public at City Hall at 11 am. We’ll have the details when available. In the meantime, new project proposals continue to surface in city files daily, and we have another one to mention today:
MICROHOUSING ON 36TH SW: A brand-new early-stage plan in the files would replace that 95-year-old triplex at 4122 36th SW (map) with what’s described as a “4-story apartment building” featuring “small efficiency dwelling units” (SEDU), the official name for the studios more commonly known as microhousing. The site is zoned Lowrise 3; the potential number of units is not mentioned in what’s been filed so far. No offstreet parking is planned; it’s not required because of its proximity to what’s considered “frequent transit.”
SIDE NOTE: Two SEDU buildings are under construction in West Seattle right now – 5949 California SW (approximately 40 units) and 3268 Avalon Way SW (62 units), which is next to one of the two already-open SEDU buildings, 3266 SW Avalon Way.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
No incidents so far this morning on the routes through/from West Seattle. One alert for today:
LANE CLOSURE AT FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL: As the Barton Pump Station Upgrade Project wraps up, the north lane at the ferry terminal next door is scheduled for closure until 2 pm today: “Crews will restripe the ferry holding lane and crosswalk, and install wiring for the north toll booth.”
LOOKING AHEAD: The West Seattle Grand Parade is next Saturday (July 18th), preceded by the Float Dodger 5K, and California SW will be closed from Lander to Edmunds that day until early afternoon while it’s all under way (watch for transit info later this week). And next Sunday (July 19th), the West Seattle Farmers’ Market returns to California SW between Alaska and Oregon, so the 7 am-4 pm Sunday road closure resumes.
(Photos courtesy Delridge Grocery Cooperative)
The Delridge Grocery Cooperative is bringing back its weekly farmstand – different day, different location. You can help make it a success. Here’s the announcement with info for everyone from prospective shoppers to would-be volunteers:
The Delridge Grocery Cooperative will launch a ten-week summer farmstand this Thursday, July 16th. The farmstand will feature local, sustainably-grown fruits and vegetables in a festive setting from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursdays for the rest of the summer. This year (its second), the farmstand will have a new location in the parking lot of the Super 24 Food Store, at 5455 Delridge Way SW, thanks to the generosity of the Singh brothers who own the Super 24. The Little Red Hen Project has partnered with the Delridge Grocery to co-sponsor the farmstand.
Along with produce, shoppers will enjoy music from local musicians including Squirrel Butter, WB Reid & Bonnie Zahnow, Tim Wetmiller + friends, and Thaddeus Spae. The farmstand will also offer cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities, community organization tables, and possibly prepared food (organizers are still looking for a food truck to vend at the farmstand – food trucks should feel welcome to get in contact if interested!).
“Delridge Grocery will be opening soon, but, in the meantime, we’re bringing back fresh and affordable food to our Delridge community at our Summer Farmstand,” said Delridge Grocery President Andrea Wilmot. “So come shop, bring a friend, and sign up to volunteer.”
The farmstand is seeking a few more volunteers to assist with running the stand. Volunteers receive on-the-job training and free produce. A sign-up form is online here. Musicians and community organizations who would like to table are also welcome to sign up online. Volunteers can also help with outreach following our public meeting this Wednesday, July 15th, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at SW Youth and Family Services, 4555 Delridge Way SW. RSVP for the meeting on Facebook.
The Delridge Grocery Cooperative has always prioritized making healthy local food affordable to all Delridge residents. The mixed-demographic neighborhood is designated by the USDA as a food desert because of its lack of grocery stores, and many residents lack access to healthy food. Support from the City of Seattle has helped enable the co-op to keep farmstand prices low. This summer, clients of the West Seattle Food Bank will be able to spend their Market Bucks on produce at the farmstand. Farmstand organizers also hope to be able to accept EBT (electronic benefit transfer; the modern version of food stamps), although it seems unlikely this will be available by the first day. Until the farmstand is able to accept EBT, EBT users will receive a 10% discount on produce at the farmstand. Leftover produce will be donated to the West Seattle Food Bank and to Cottage Grove Commons, and donations for the food bank will be accepted at the farmstand: bring non-perishable food, or buy extra food at the farmstand to donate.
Potential vendors and others with questions can contact farmstand manager and Delridge Grocery board member Ariana Taylor-Stanley at taylorstanley@gmail.com or 206.660.8958.
The full-scale co-op is projected to open within six months. Permitting for construction of the store interior will begin once our bank loan application is approved. Meanwhile, more members are needed. New members can join on the co-op’s website.
Again this year, while 10,000 people bicycled 200+ miles from the city of Seattle to the city of Portland, a West Seattle group rode the “Little STP” – from SW Seattle St. in North Admiral to SW Portland St. in Gatewood. Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections shares the photos and report:
We made it to SW Portland and back! 25 people and one dog.
Youngest: 1 year old.
Youngest on own bike part way: 4 years old.
Youngest the whole distance on own bike: 6 years old.
Oldest: into his 70s.One family with three children rode their bikes from Queen Anne to ride with us.
A mother and daughter at SW Portland welcomed us with delicious, frozen Otter Pops! Highlight of the trip.
Especially for these young riders:
Some of the riders proceeded on to West Seattle Summer Fest – including Don, who stopped by our side of the Info Booth to say hi.
A ribbon-cutting today celebrated West Seattle’s newest public art – created by Brownie Girl Scout Troop 40255 at the bus-stop shelter on northbound 35th SW at Cloverdale. It tells the story of salmon, and shows our state’s terrain.
From left in the photo are Molly Gazewood, Marley Strackhouse Parks, Alana Bass, Tannée Heinen, Natalie Aguilar Fox. While inviting us to the event, Marcia Strackhouse explained that it was both a celebration of the art itself and of the people who inspired it:
Most of these young people have grown up along the Fauntleroy Creek Watershed, and in their schools, preschools and day care centers, Judy Pickens (and husband Phil Sweetland) have been there to ensure our youth understood their impact on the environment and our salmon. … As Troop Leaders, we were so impressed with their knowledge at ages 8 and 9. They know the cycle of Salmon, understand the importance of maintaining and
keeping our creeks, rivers, and ocean clean, as do many of our West Seattle youth. They have become environmental stewards.
Judy was there for the ribbon-cutting celebration, and accepted a bouquet:
Judy and Phil have kept the Salmon in the Schools program going locally, from egg deliveries to the creekside events at which fry are released each year.
11:56 AM: The sun’s out and so are hundreds of people, already here at West Seattle Summer Fest in hour 1 of day 3! Above, that’s the view from our side of the Information Booth in the center of the California/Alaska intersection, looking north. Here’s the map of the festival grounds, on California between Genesee and Edmunds (Oregon remains open to traffic, so please use the crosswalks and lights there), and on Alaska between 44th and 42nd:
Up by the stage, on the north end of the festival zone, east side of California north of Oregon, you’ll find the official Summer Fest Beer Garden – where it’s Happy Hour all day today, $1 off. Here’s the music lineup:
1 pm – The Solvents
2 pm – Memphis Radio Kings
3 pm – Stereo Embers
4 pm – Sick Sad World
Here’s who you’ll find in the Community Tent (along the south side of Easy Street, on Alaska west of California) today:
11 am – 2 pm
South Seattle College Parent Cooperative Preschools
See Dogs2 pm – 5 pm
Seal Sitters
Empower Mentoring Program
Also a full slate at GreenLife today – next up, Chef Doug from Salty’s (WSB sponsor) is making desserts from fresh Farmers’ Market produce, 12:15 pm.
And here in the Info Booth – besides answering your questions – our boothmates today are from the Junction Association – buy your Summer Fest T-shirt! (east side of the booth) – browsers and shoppers are stopping by (tweeted photo added):
Shopping for #WSSummerFest t-shirts on the @WSJA side of the Info Booth / festival is on until 5! pic.twitter.com/JG9Lf7o0bz
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
Also, from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – guess how many Lincoln Logs are in their jar! (west side of the booth) – and from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, offering free copies of the new West Seattle business guide (west side of the booth). We also still have free buttons and schedule cards for West Seattle Outdoor Movies, the six-Saturday-night series that starts next weekend (“Zoolander,” July 18th, dusk, in the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse [WSB sponsor]).
Hot question so far remains, “Where’s the Farmers’ Market?” Answer – where it used to be, 44th/Alaska:
It’s on until 2 pm as usual. And next week, it’s back here in the street, on California between Alaska and Oregon.
12:16 PM: Somebody just tried to steal a food vendor’s money bag – and didn’t get far:
Theft attempt at #WSSummerFest – suspect didn't get far – bolted, pursued, tackled, detained. pic.twitter.com/i0hZxSPd4Q
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
Police are questioning the suspect right now in the breezeway north of 4730 California. Lt. Ron Smith says it’s the first incident of that type that he recalls at the festival in recent years. (Added: The suspect, a West Seattle man, was arrested and will be booked into King County Jail for investigation of felony theft robbery, according to Lt. Smith.)
12:55 PM: Music’s about to start up – see the schedule above. (added – Instagram clip of band #1, The Solvents):
Meantime, even if you’ve already been to the festival, you’ll likely find something new today, and deals too; for example, right across from where we are, north of the Info Booth, the QFC booth has discounted its coconuts – $3 today. A few storefronts north, on the east side of California, Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) is continuing its sale – all kids’ goods are 30 percent off, including colorable placemats.
Along with shopping, all around the festival, you can spend a few dollars to help local nonprofits and get a chance at cool raffle prizes – from the Orca Network (booth #26), to the West Seattle Food Bank (booth #111) and the West Seattle Helpline next door (booth #109).
Visit HomeStreet Bank (WSB sponsor) at booth #144 and enter to win a Seahawks piggy bank:
At HomeStreet’s Junction branch, 41st/Alaska, it’s WestSide Baby Stuff the Bus time one week from today (July 19th) – if you can’t stop by next Sunday to donate diapers, visit the branch any time this week and drop your donation off.
3:35 PM: This is the point where the rest of the festival roars by. An hour and a half of fun remains – last band, Sick Sad World, is up at 4 pm (as mentioned earlier, Happy Hour at the Beer Garden by the stage – $1 off). And with the sun finally out today, it’s been perfect for features such as the dog pools up at Pet Junction.
You might find just the perfect thing for your house/apartment/garden … a guy just walked by with metal yard art, a fish made from rusted horseshoes.
Earlier, we mentioned some of the raffles – this one, we previewed before the festival, and here’s one more reminder about your chance to try for this outside the Senior Center:
Lots of #WSSummerFest raffles – $1 for a chance at the quilt outside WS Senior Center pic.twitter.com/PJA3AxU249
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
Or – no need to take a chance at the MaxMobile – just take a new friend home!
MaxMobile is at #WSSummerFest Pet Junction … adopt a friend! pic.twitter.com/8KNG4PGFGY
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
Still throngs of people, with and without pets, here. Sidewalk sales continue outside the year-round stores:
'Magic Tricks For Sale' outside Terjung's #WSSummerFest pic.twitter.com/bI60OtYHFL
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
3:58 PM: Here is the vendor we’ve been asked about most often:
The airplants seem to have a lot of fans.
4:09 PM: Final hour! Things you can do right now –
-Come to the Info Booth and get a free West Seattle Community Resource Guide from Chamber reps
-Watch street performers
-Have an early dinner at the many Junction venues with festival-only outdoor seating, and people-watch until the end
-Last call for fair food – elephant ears, deep-fried PB&J, chocolate-dipped cheesecake…
-Shop! Easy Street has tons of music on sale
-Go see Seal Sitters in the Community Tent and find out about caring for local wildlife
Though an election is coming up – ballots go in the mail this Wednesday – we haven’t seen much campaigning today. We did get an Info Booth visit (our longstanding offer: We’ll photograph candidates who stop by) from School Board incumbent Marty McLaren:
And the folks from the Chamber, next to us in the Info Booth, will also be glad to tell you about the City Council District 1 candidates’ forum they’re presenting at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) this Wednesday night (5:30 pm July 15th)
4:45 PM: Quick Instagram clip from the final band, Sick Sad World:
Sure sign this is wrapping up: The QFC booth has run out of coconuts. Looks like a few fruit kabobs are left. Elsewhere, signs of cleanup and packing up – the festival breakdown takes several hours, so don’t expect the streets to reopen until relatively late tonight (we’ll publish an update when we find out). By our informal observation, Summer Fest has been VERY well-attended! Some who have stopped by the Info Booth have asked how to apply for a booth next year – the West Seattle Junction Association presents the festival, and usually puts out the call in winter, so watch wsjunction.org.
5:05 PM: It’s a wrap! Thanks so much to everyone who came to Summer Fest (which we co-sponsored again this year) to shop, browse, wander, explore, dine, drink, dance … and thanks to everyone who stopped by the Info Booth to say hi. Stay tuned to WSB for info on all the summer fun yet to come.
#WSSummerFest 's icy aftermath! pic.twitter.com/3RH6G43GdK
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 13, 2015
MIDNIGHT NOTE: Traffic cameras show Junction streets still closed as cleanup continues.
From left in the photo are Sam Carballo, Cole Carden, and Thomas Mensing – when they get back home to West Seattle, you can congratulate them on being national champs! They’re part of the <strong>Pacific Northwest Soccer Club‘s ’98 Blue team, which played for the National Youth Soccer Presidents’ Cup U-16 title in Kansas this morning (as previewed here last night), and won a heartstopper, according to Cole’s dad Todd Carden – 2-1 over Virginia, with the winning goal scored in the last seconds of double OT!
Thanks to everybody who messaged us about a crew setting up this morning on the beach on the west side of Seacrest. Here’s what they’re up to: It’s a car commercial, for Ford. They even brought their own “lifeguard station”! Greg Whittaker at Alki Kayak Tours told us they’re using some of his equipment, too. The “No Parking” signs in the area are for 8 am-1 pm, so the shoot is likely to wrap by early afternoon.
Good morning and happy Sunday!
This is it for West Seattle Summer Fest – the third of three days for the street festival in the heart of The Junction. The basics:
FESTIVAL HOURS
11 am-5 pm for vendors
11 am-5 pm for kids’ rides (ticket purchase required)
11 am-5 pm for free kids’ activities
11 am-5 pm, events on the GreenLife stage, starting with info about organics, then a cooking demo at noon and a full afternoon slate including The Whale Trail at 3
1 pm, first band (The Solvents); 4 pm, last band (Sick Sad World) – see the full schedule here
Also happening in West Seattle today:
MINI “STP” BIKE RIDE: 9:30 am, as previewed here, meet at Hamilton Viewpoint Park to join in the third annual “Mini STP” – concurrent with the “big” Seattle To Portland ride – this one travels between SW Seattle St. in North Admiral and SW Portland St. in Gatewood, and on to Summer Fest. All ages welcome.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm today, you’ll find it where it was before its mid-June move into the street – in the lot on the southeast corner of 44th/Alaska – just this one “retro” time, because of Summer Fest, and then next weekend it’s back in the street.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM REOPENS: Regular hours today at the home of West Seattle’s history, noon-4 pm. (61st/Stevens)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: The summer tour dates go by fast – snag the chance to visit the historic lighthouse on Alki Point 1-4 pm (last tour starts at 3:40 pm) – details in our calendar listing. (3201 Alki SW)
SEATTLE GREEN SPACES COALITION: 3 pm meeting at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
10:31 PM SATURDAY: Three West Seattle soccer players have a huge game hours from now – they’re on the Pacific Northwest Soccer Club’s ’98 Blue team, shown above, set to play a national championship game tomorrow morning. They’re in the U-16 finals of the National Youth Soccer Presidents’ Cup in Overland Park, Kansas – the PacNW club’s first team to advance to a national title game.
Thomas Mensing (outside back), Sam Carballo (goalkeeper), and Cole Carden (center back) are the local players, comprising “the defense that’s been tough to score on,” says Cole’s proud dad, Todd Carden. They made it into the championship after tying Florida 1-1, beating Virginia 2-0, and tying Wisconsin 1-1; Virginia is who they’re facing tomorrow. He says the final is at 8 am our time; you can watch the live stream here.
10:31 AM SUNDAY UPDATE: They won! Separate story later.
Next week, King County Elections mails the ballots for the August 4th primary, and yours will include the nine candidates in the historic first-ever District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council race. One forum remains before the voting begins – next Wednesday night (July 15th) at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), which is partnering with the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce to present this forum, focused on business, jobs, and education issues. It’s set for the Brockey Center at SSC (6000 16th SW), and the Chamber describes it as follows:
The event will begin at 5:30 pm with a meet and greet between the candidates and the attendees of the forum. At 6 pm all candidates will have an opportunity for an opening statement, and then we will begin the next phase of the forum. This will consist of “candidating” with the attendees. After the opening statements, all candidates will be sent to a table of attendees for 8 minutes. At the end of 8 minutes, the candidates will move on to the next table of attendees. We will continue this process as time allows. There will be time allowed at the end of the “candidating” portion for all candidates to give a 30-second closing statement. We plan to conclude the event by 8 pm.
The candidates in the at-large Positions 8 and 9 races have a concurrent forum outside West Seattle but if it finishes sooner, some might drop by toward this one’s end. While there is no admission charge for the forum, the Chamber is hoping you will pre-register so it knows how many people to expect – you can do that from this page.
4:50 PM: Thanks to everybody who messaged us about a crash in the 7600 block of Fauntleroy Way SW. Traffic is alternating at the scene, near SW Austin, and that is causing big trouble with ferry-bound traffic, so if you’re trying to get to the Fauntleroy terminal, we’d advise approaching from the south instead of the north. According to Tim, a pickup truck hit parked cars and ended up on its side.
5:05 PM: SDOT says that’s cleared. But now there’s a crash at Delridge and Holden.
(Today’s first report is here; Friday coverage is here and here)
4:09 PM: The biggest day of West Seattle Summer Fest has REALLY been big. Lots and lots of people. And dogs! We couldn’t resist snapping the ones above, who were just outside the fence at the temporary outdoor seating at Talarico’s, one of many Junction venues that have outdoor seating – temp AND permanent – during the festival. If you’re just getting here, the basics, again:
FESTIVAL HOURS
Until 6 pm for vendors (some might choose to stay open longer, especially food)
Until 8 pm for kids’ rides (ticket purchase required; free kids’ activities end earlier)
9:30 pm, last band (The Cave Singers) – full schedule here
Until 9 pm, events on the GreenLife stage
TRANSPORTATION REMINDERS
Bus-reroute info here
Road closures – California from Oregon to Edmunds, plus south half of the block between Genesee and Oregon (which remains open west-east); Alaska between 44th and 42nd
Parking – Look for The Junction’s three free lots, plus the Seattle Lutheran lot at 41st/Genesee
More info on the festival website’s “Getting Here” page
4:58 PM: The Gray Sky Farms critters are still at GreenLife – don’t miss it at the south end of the festival zone:
Sheep too:
GreenLife is presented by Sustainable West Seattle; the people you’ll meet there include Stu Hennessey of Alki Bike and Board, who’ll be talking at 4 pm Sunday about “The Future of Cycling in Seattle.”
Also tomorrow at GreenLife, visit The Whale Trail, which will have an exhibit there. Donna Sandstrom of TWT says, “At 3 (Sunday) I’ll be talking about orcas on the GreenLife stage, followed by a game of Orca Bingo. Everyone is welcome to play! This is a special edition of a game we invented, customized especially for West Seattle Summer Fest.”
As we’ve been mentioning, the festival is a great chance to check out the always-here merchants as well as visiting vendors. Brian Presser runs Touch Tech Systems, inside the breezeway between Oregon and Alaska on the west side of California, but he’s on the sidewalk for Summer Fest:
The team from Emerald Water Anglers, usually found in their 42nd/Oregon shop, are in booth #156 for Summer Fest:
Outside CAPERS, you’ll find the famous “As Worn by Eddie Vedder” West Seattle T-shirts:
You can get mugs with the logo, too. Also keeping it mega-local: Maps of Puget Sound are are the Mountain to Sound Outfitters booth, along with kayaks and gear:
And back on the T-shirt front, Summer Fest tees are still on sale in the Info Booth – about another half-hour tonight, then during the festival’s final day (already?) 11 am-5 pm tomorrow.
5:49 PM: Up at the stage, Black Whales are wrapping up their set.
Next up at 6 pm, it’s S. The music schedule is this hour’s top topic at the Information Booth – we have it taped to the tablecloth, so you can just walk up and take a peek. It’s right next to our schedule cards for West Seattle Outdoor Movies – now a week away – one guy who just stopped by was stoked to see that “Zoolander” is kicking off this year’s slate.
Back to the booths – another of the upcoming events you can learn about here is the Alki Beach 5K, a fundraiser on August 23rd to help breast-cancer patients via Northwest Hope and Healing, whose Shari Sewell was at the booth when we stopped by:
More candidates today – we’re still catching up on photos. Just saw Port Commissioner candidate Norman Sigler walk by – remember, candidates who stop by the booth and say hi will get a picture – School Board candidate Nick Esparza just did:
Another School Board candidate, Leslie Harris, has stopped by too:
And earlier, we photographed City Council District 1 candidate Phil Tavel and family:
6:43 PM: Some vendors are still open – not a bad strategy, since lots of people are still roaming, all ages. Music ahead – Fame Riot at 7 pm, Kithkin at 8 pm, Voxmod at 9 pm, and the much-awaited The Cave Singers at 9:30 pm. Some are looking ahead to tomorrow already, and again asking the question: What happens to the Farmers’ Market tomorrow? 10 am-2 pm, usual hours, in its old location, the lot at 44th/Alaska, and then next Sunday (July 19th) and beyond, it’s back here on California SW between Alaska and Oregon.
7:06 PM: We’re wrapping up the info booth – back tomorrow by 11 (remember the festival opens an hour later on Sunday morning) – but first, a few more scenes:
The sidewalk drumming team got props from a fan. And minutes ago – another round of bubbling:
Bubbles! Very popular toy this #WSSummerFest pic.twitter.com/4RyWLS9uHc
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 12, 2015
The youngest festivalgoers are still out in full force, strollers to teens.
One week from today, the West Seattle Little League 11-12 Majors team starts play at the state tournament in Woodinville, after becoming the latest WSLL team to win the district title. Thanks to Laurie Rasmussen for sharing the news (and the photo above, by parent Jim Burgess). She says the Majors went undefeated in the District 7 tournament. Here’s who’s in the photo:
WSLL 11-12 team
Manager Stan Debiec
Coach Brian Pare
Coach Steve JosephPlayers
Max Debiec
Chase Eldredge
Nate Rasmussen
Reece McAllister
Dylan Mastroianni
Jaden Sadis
Spencer Burgess
Sam Pare
Nat Ardales
Jasper Mors
Gabe Palmer
Diego Contratto
JP Dufour
One hour into Day 2, and West Seattle Summer Fest is abuzz! Until 2 pm, visit the Community Tent along the south wall oF Easy Street Records, and you’ll find members of the West Seattle Community Orchestras:
Also in the Community Tent right now – the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network. Throughout the festival, you’ll find reps of cool community groups there, to tell you more about what they do and how you can get involved. The Community Tent schedule for the rest of the festival:
Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network
West Seattle Community OrchestrasSaturday 2 pm – 6 pm
West Seattle Be Prepared
Southside RevolutionSunday 11 am – 2 pm
South Seattle College Parent Cooperative Preschool
See DogsSunday 2 pm – 5 pm
Seal Sitters
Empower Mentoring Program
You’ll find some other local nonprofits interspersed with the vendor booths. Among them, the West Seattle Food Bank – west side of California between Oregon and Alaska – where you can buy a $5 raffle ticket for some great prizes.
And since lunch time is approaching, we thought we’d offer a quick video tour of the food zone today – the first :15 Instagram clip is the east half (east of the alley between the two new Junction 47 buildings), the second one is the west half.
Note the traditional fair food – deep-fried PBJs, elephant ears, curly fries – as well as heartier fare (including local restaurants Bang Bar and Matador). And if you haven’t been to The Junction since last Summer Fest, note some additions – Pagliacci Pizza is now open for slices, Coastline is open across the street from there (burgers), among others. Outside the food zone, you’ll find a few other spots, such as the QFC booth north of us, selling fruit kabobs ($3 or $4 with chocolate), coconuts ($4), water ($1), soda pop ($1), peanuts in the shell ($1).
Speaking of water, bring your own bottle and get it refilled at the GreenLife area toward the south end of the festival zone. GreenLife also has ongoing demonstrations, talks, and performances – the schedule is here.
12:24 PM: Compared to the heat wave we went through in recent weeks, today feels almost a little chilly. But nice. We’ve also noticed a few light droplets from the sky … major rain is NOT in the forecast so far but be ready for anything. Music’s under way up at the stage – right now, it’s Pig Snout, which is a family group, playing family music.
Concertgoing is a family adventure too:
The stage, if you haven’t been here yet, is at the far north end of the festival, as is the beer garden, and that’s just north of Pet Junction (bet you can guess what that’s about). Electronic duo Navvi is up at 1 pm.
Back here in the heart of the festival zone, if you saw our item last night about applying here for an ORCA LIFT card – you can do that at the green-tent Metro booth just west of us:
Be sure to bring along the verification info they need. Metro’s not the only transportation agency here – if you have questions about the Highway 99 tunnel project, WSDOT is on the east side of the block between Alaska and Edmunds:
1:26 PM: Had our first missing-child situation a little while ago – hope it’s not information you need while here at the festival, but if you do, come to the Info Booth, and we’ll summon help – festival staff, police, etc. Speaking of the latter, we’ve just checked in with Southwest Precinct Lt. Ron Smith, who supervises the officers assigned to the festival, and he says it’s been pretty quiet.
1:35 PM: We mentioned the WS Food Bank raffle earlier – another benefit raffle you’ll find here at Summer Fest is at the Orca Network booth (#26, on the east side of California between Alaska and Edmunds) – $1, you don’t have to be present to win; winner will be drawn Sunday night and you’ll be contacted if it’s you. Here’s the flyer listing all the prizes, donated by local businesses.
2 PM: Timbre Barons are on stage now. When you head up that way, duck into the beer garden photo zone!
Susan Melrose of the Junction Association shared the photo of Josh Sutton and Susan Sutton. And speaking of tropical … the sun is finally starting to make a cameo appearance; the temperature’s been perfect, but it’s been cloudy all day – now, a sunbreak off to the west. Another contributed festival photo – this one from Ryan:
The mound o’fries is a popular choice in the food zone on Alaska east of California; on the west, it’s shift change at the Community Tent, with West Seattle Be Prepared and Southside Revolution there now, until 6 pm. Just talked to WSBP reps – be sure to get the new postcard showing where the Emergency Communication Hubs are – 13 in West Seattle now!
That’s the screen in the courtyard outside Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) at 4410 California SW, where you can get coffee or an ice-cream bar (among other things) while you’re at West Seattle Summer Fest, and imagine what it’ll be like one week from tonight (Saturday, July 18th), when this year’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies series kicks off! “Zoolander” is the first movie, followed by “Singles,” “Raising Arizona,” “Big Hero 6,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The movies are free – there’s preshow entertainment, raffles to raise money for local nonprofits, concessions provided by and raising money for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society … While you’re at Summer Fest this weekend, come see us on the north side of the Information Booth (California/Alaska) and pick up a free WS Outdoor Movies button (with the robot logo) and card listing all the movies (so you can put it up on the fridge or wherever).
West Seattle Summer Fest is the star of the show again today – this is the second of three days for the street festival in the heart of The Junction:
FESTIVAL HOURS
10 am-6 pm for vendors (some might choose to stay open longer, especially food)
10 am-8 pm for kids’ rides (ticket purchase required; free kids’ activities end earlier)
11 am, first band (Sisters); 9:30 pm, last band (The Cave Singers) – full schedule here
11 am-9 pm events on the GreenLife stage (including 2 pm City Council District 1 forum)
TRANSPORTATION REMINDERS
Bus-reroute info here
Road closures – California from Oregon to Edmunds, plus south half of the block between Genesee and Oregon (which remains open west-east); Alaska between 44th and 42nd
Parking – Look for The Junction’s three free lots, plus the Seattle Lutheran lot at 41st/Genesee
More info on the festival website’s “Getting Here” page
Also happening today/tonight in West Seattle:
URBAN FARM AND CHICKEN COOP TOUR: Four West Seattle sites are part of this citywide tour, and one of them is an award-winner, as previewed here Thursday. It’s a self-guided tour, presented by Seattle Tilth, with the sites open 10 am-4 pm; buy tickets online and you’ll get a digital version of the map.
iPAD READING SUGGESTIONS: Stop by Southwest Library 10:30-11:30 for this class about using your iPad to read – details here. (35th/Henderson)
PLANT SALE: At the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, 11 am-3 pm, 50 percent off! North side of campus. (6000 16th SW)
FOOD AND WINE SUMMER SOCIAL: Join the Nature Consortium at the Northwest Wine Academy on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 1-3 pm – with Blue Willow Catering (WSB sponsor) providing appetizers and treats! – details here, including how to RSVP. (6000 16th SW)
ALKI LIGHTHOUSE TOURS: Visit the historic lighthouse on Alki Point 1-4 pm (last tour starts at 3:40 pm) – details in our calendar listing. (3201 Alki SW)
IN ALL HONESTY: Live music @ C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)
BAD NEWS BOTANISTS: 9 pm, live music @ Feedback Lounge. (6451 California SW)
Two closures of note today:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Closed today because Southwest Seattle Historical Society volunteers are at West Seattle Summer Fest instead. Come see them in the Info Booth with us; take a survey, bring your kid(s) to guess the number of Lincoln Logs in their jar.
COLMAN POOL: Final day of this summer’s first swim-meet closure; the pool on the shore at Lincoln Park will reopen to the public tomorrow. (One more closure is planned next Friday/Saturday, July 17-18.)
If you’re eligible for ORCA LIFT, the new discounted transit pass for lower-income transit riders, you can sign up at West Seattle Summer Fest this weekend – but you’ll have to bring the appropriate documentation, so that’s the reason for this separate heads-up. Metro’s in a bright green tent on the west side of the California/Alaska intersection. Go to orcalift.com for full details on how the program works.
New Admiral/47th signal is activated pic.twitter.com/QiSvu02Peb
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 9, 2015
As reported here Tuesday, a completion celebration is planned next Tuesday night for the newly completed and activated Admiral/47th/Waite traffic signal. That’s the same night the Admiral Neighborhood Association meets, so president David Whiting has announced the meeting will change locations for the occasion:
Our regular meeting this Tuesday, will have a change of venue to Alki Mail & Dispatch (4700 SW Admiral Way) because ANA will be co hosting a dedication for the new traffic signal at 47th Ave SW & Admiral Way, just before our meeting at 6:30 pm. Installation of the traffic signal was a long-term ANA effort and we should take a moment to celebrate the occasion and thank those who helped make it possible. We will also be revealing some public art.
In his announcement, Whiting also thanked volunteers who helped ANA handle concessions for the 4th of July Parade afterparty last Saturday, mentioned that the group will be part of the July 18th West Seattle Grand Parade, and noted that the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series will start soon – six consecutive Thursday nights, starting July 23rd (with Carrie Akre up first).
(EARLIER COVERAGE: Day 1, report #1, is here)
That’s a quick Instagram clip of Gibraltar, the kickoff band at this year’s West Seattle Summer Fest, less than an hour ago.
We’re continuing our as-it-happens coverage from the Summer Fest Info Booth in the heart of The Junction – where you can get a festival program, an info-card for the upcoming West Seattle Outdoor Movies series (six Saturday nights starting July 18th), the West Seattle Grand Parade (also on July 18th), and – just added – info about Alice Enevoldsen’s Plutopalooza fly-by watch on July 14th. More scenes from the festival, coming up. Infolinks:
SUMMER FEST MUSIC (stage is on California between Genesee and Oregon)
SUMMER FEST VENDOR LIST
SUMMER FEST VENDOR MAP (cross-reference the numbers from the list)
SUMMER FEST KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
SUMMER FEST GREENLIFE SCHEDULE
SUMMER FEST COMMUNITY TENT SCHEDULE (scroll down)
SUMMER FEST BUS REROUTES
While tonight’s official closing time is 6 pm, that’s mainly for merchandise vendors; food tends to stay open later, the kids’ rides (for which you have to buy tickets or wristbands) run until 8 tonight; the last band is at 9:30 pm.
4:23 PM: The rides are a mix again this year, some motorized:
Some human-powered:
While the main ride zone is on the west side of Alaska, between California and 44th, don’t miss the area with the free activities, including crafts and facepainting – just turn north, under the Wells Fargo overhang. This was organized by West Seattle Art Nest:
That’s Lashanna, who has long been delighting local kids with facepainting here (and other events like Hometown Holidays).
In today’s first report, we showed the West Seattle Hi-Yu float”Around the Sound,” now appearing in parades around the region, and getting ready for the July 18th West Seattle Grand Parade. Also making the rounds are Senior Court Queen Kelly and Junior Court Queen Emily:
If you see them, and have a dollar to spare, consider buying a Hi-Yu button – helps them cover the costs of showcasing West Seattle around the region, as well as the activities here at home (the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park, for example, is coming up next Tuesday, July 14th, 7 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha, with the West Seattle Big Band).
4:59 PM: After a few years’ break, the festival-presenting Junction Association is selling T-shirts again this year. You have several options in colors and styles – including those worn in our photo by Emelie, Megan, and Annie:
You can buy a T-shirt at the Info Booth – from the team on the east side (facing the food zone), until about 6 tonight, then again 10-6 tomorrow and 11-5 Sunday, provided supplies last! Meantime, a quick shout-out to some of the WSB sponsors you’ll see at Summer Fest – first, Dream Dinners, in booth #62:
Dream Dinners, which you’ll find the rest of the year on the outer east side of Jefferson Square, is where you can sign up for sessions to prep recipes for meals you then take home and freeze until you’re ready to cook them – a great time-saver if you don’t have the time and energy to make everything from total scratch. Also here, Office Junction, which is part of the GreenLife sustainability expo at the south end of the festival:
OJ is West Seattle’s only coworking center – also an awesome hybrid of sorts – you don’t have to work in a cube but you don’t have to work alone. And right across from us, north of the Info Booth at California/Alaska, is the West Seattle YMCA, which got a visit today from a gaggle of adorable preschoolers:
The booth features activities including hopscotch – at which we’ve seen people of all ages trying their luck today. The Y is headquartered in The Triangle, where it’s getting ready to expand.
6:30 PM: Many, but not all, of the vendors have closed up for the day; the kids’ rides continue until 8 pm (ticket booth is on the south side of Alaska by the rides); the music’s continuing for a few hours too. Right now, Deep Creep is onstage.
At 7, it’s The Shivas; at 8, La Luz; then DJ Lance Romance at 9, and The Thermals closing out the night at 9:30. A popular question here at the booth is, where’s the stage? Answer: At the north end of the festival zone, north of Oregon.
7:19 PM: We’re wrapping up at the Info Booth – back 10 am tomorrow. When you come tomorrow, one thing you can do – register for the July 18th Float Dodger 5K! It’s a presentation of West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), which has a booth y:
Come and register fur Float Dodger 5k at Summerfest @summerfest @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/d4RNjH8Aqb
— West Seattle Runner (@WestSeattleRunR) July 10, 2015
You’ll find them in #150, east side of the street, between Oregon and Alaska. The 5K – wear costumes! – is right before the West Seattle Grand Parade. We’ll take a look later at more of the not-so-obvious things you can do while visiting. Meantime, people are still asking us a question looking ahead to Sunday: What about the Farmers’ Market? Answer: It’s back in the “old” spot, just for this Sunday (the lot at 44th/Alaska) – same hours, 10 am-2 pm (though the festival itself starts an hour later on Sunday, 11 am).
If you noticed the police presence in North Delridge this afternoon – here’s what happened, according to WSB’s Christopher Boffoli, who went to the scene, and according to police we talked with at West Seattle Summer Fest:
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
What was first reported as a strong-arm robbery, but was later determined to have been a theft, happened just after 1:30 pm on a Route 120 bus en route to Westwood Village. Metro Transit Police weren’t available in the area so Seattle Police responded; the bus was stopped on southbound Delridge at Andover. Three suspects were reported to have gotten off the bus; a woman reported her bag and wallet were taken. Christopher says, “They had a good description. A patrol officer had coincidentally seen people matching the description on Adams at 26th Ave SW so units converged on that location and detained the suspects. One was determined not to have committed a crime and two others, a man and a woman, were taken into custody. The victim was transported by SPD to the station for identification.”
A K-9 team helped search. The victim’s bag was recovered but her wallet is still missing – if you happen to find one in the area, let police know.
| 81 COMMENTS