West Seattle, Washington
20 Friday
(WSB photo, Friday)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Before Camp Second Chance moved to Myers Way three years ago, it was hosted by a church.
Now a faith-based affiliation might be in its future.
Sunday’s Community Advisory Committee meeting at nearby Arrowhead Gardens brought that bit of news, as well as a reiteration of the milestone we reported earlier in the weekend – that the last tent had been replaced with a “tiny house.”
That was a big part of the camp update presented by resident manager/site coordinator Eric Davis offered the update:
His voice broke as he marveled at the amount of support that’s been expressed by the community. “We just want to have that level of success go toward the rest of the organizations that are struggling.” He also said the shower trailer should be ready to go in a few days once the graywater tank arrives. And he confirmed there’s a new case manager on site, though he was not at the meeting.
CITY UPDATE: Shawn Neal from the city Human Services Department said his colleague Lisa Gustaveson has been looking for a faith-based organization to sponsor Camp 2nd Chance. No further details, but later in the meeting, he said that could enable an extension for the camp at the Myers Way Parcels site, where it’s passed the 2-year limit promised when it became city-sanctioned. CAC member Cinda Stenger said she knows of one faith-based organization that’s “looking at taking over the lease of the land” but she didn’t identify it or comment further. A faith-based sponsor would not replace LIHI as the camp’s contract-holder with the city, Neal said.
We sought further details from HSD today but they have none to disclose, spokesperson Meg Olberding said:
We recognize that the faith-based community is an important part of the safety net and response to homelessness in our city. Many members of the faith-based community do this great work on their own and with other agencies or entities in the community. In order to better coordinate this effort, the City has been engaging with members of the larger faith community about how to work better together in addressing homelessness in a variety of ways. Nothing concrete to share at this time, as we are in the conversation stages.
Local churches have led the way in support for Camp Second Chance, from advocacy to funding and building tiny houses.
COMMITTEE UPDATES: Chair Willow Fulton says things have been quiet and clean. One RV was on Myers Way Sunday and they’ll keep an eye on it. She’s hoping to rally her fellow nearby residents for a roadside cleanup soon. The “major stuff” is already cleaned up, so she hopes neighbors will contribute to the not-so-major cleanup. She’s also looking into “street adoption” rules. You have to commit to a mile, for a year, at least four cleanups, before the recognition signage (“this street adopted by” etc.) can go up, Fulton said. She’s hoping local businesses along Myers Way and vicinity will join in too … Aaron Garcia from the White Center Community Development Association elaboratec on the Refresh cleanup – 50+ volunteers will be in the camp and along Myers Way, painting some tiny houses, cleaning up along Myers Way, 9 am-1 pm on June 8th. He also talked about White Center Pride events next week, and an Art Walk 6-9 pm June 5th, with the Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge a major hub for it; the White Center Chamber of Commerce is organizing … Stenger, with Sound Foundations NW and Alki UCC, reiterated gratitude and appreciation for the volunteers and donations that made the tiny-house-building possible … Grace Stiller with two local environmental groups had no major updates but offered gratitude. She also said the Nature Stewards have gloves they can lend for the upcoming cleanup.
COMMENTS/CONCERNS/QUESTIONS: CAC member Garcia wondered about the city’s promises of activating the east-side greenbelt after last fall’s cleanup. Stiller said that there seem to be no particular plans because the land is mostly state, not city.
NEXT MEETING: First Sunday in July falls at the end of the 4th of July weekend, so CAC members will confer via e-mail to dedide whether to go ahead with a meeting.
Four months after first word that Harry’s Beach House was on its way to the ex-Tully’s at 2676 Alki SW, we spotted crews at work this afternoon, so we stopped in to ask for an update. Proprietor Julian Hagood – known for Harry’s Fine Foods on Capitol Hill – was there, with family members too. He’s currently hoping to be open “late July, early August” but says the biggest bottleneck is a challenge faced by so many projects: The slow-moving permit system.
Got kid(s) in the family who would be interested in “low-key” summer baseball? Lisa sends word that West Seattle Crush signups are happening:
Summer Crush League registration is open!
-Pinto (6/7/8) and Mustang (9/10) age groups
-Low-key, weeknight only games in July/August
-No scheduled practices
-Great for extra reps and learning new positions
-Big rosters to accommodate vacations, etc.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: We first started hearing a few days ago from readers saying it appeared the West Seattle Midas shop (4457 Fauntleroy Way SW) had shut down. We couldn’t confirm it until that sign appeared on the door today, concurrent with the business’s disappearance from the corporate website, which still had a page for it as recently as last night. The new sign on the door says it’s “closed for construction” and refers customers to the Midas in Renton. A reader says the shop there attributed the “construction” to safety-related work; so far, though, there are no permits or applications in city files. We have an inquiry out to a spokesperson for the company, which owns the location, according to property records. The door signage says they expect to reopen but offers no timeline.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: A corporate spokesperson sent this statement today in response to our inquiry:
Midas locations are independently owned and operated. Since inception, more than 60 years ago, Midas has taken great pride in building trusted customer relationships based on reliability and professional service.
Regarding the location in Midas West Seattle, the location is temporarily closed for modifications from a construction perspective. We have every intention of reopening the location to continue serving the community. At this time, we are redirecting customers to receive the great service they have come to expect from Midas at the Renton location.
Still no applications/filings in the city system to indicate what kind of work will be done.
That’s the slide deck for a briefing on the Terminal 5 modernization project, planned for tomorrow’s meeting of the Northwest Seaport Alliance managing members – aka port commissioners for Seattle and Tacoma. Some notes of interest in the slides and the accompanying memo (PDF):
–Orion Marine was successful (and lowest) bidder at just under $160 million, $24 million below the engineering estimate for the project. Four others submitted higher bids, highest at $200 million.
-The construction-management team is now working in the Administration Building at the site
-An “open house” is scheduled later this month and groundbreaking in July; we’re checking to see if either will be a public event
The briefing is scheduled toward the end of the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting, which starts at 11:30 am at the Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center and includes a public-comment period in the early going.
(‘Preferred’ massing option, from April project packet by SMR Architects)
As previously reported, not only is the Seattle Housing Authority replacing the apartments lost in the 2016 Lam Bow Apartments fire at 6955 Delridge Way SW, it’s also replacing the existing building and expanding the number of units at the complex. Following the first phase of Administrative Design Review, the official master-use-permit application has now been filed, and that opens a new comment period. The project is currently described as “a 5-story, 81-unit apartment building (with p)arking for 68 vehicles proposed.” The comment deadline is June 17th; the application notice (PDF) explains how to send a comment.
As noted in our daily highlight list, it’s an excellent week for beach exploring – low-low tides at midday. Our photos show two views from Lowman Beach Park, looking south (above) and north, just before the -2.3-foot low-low tide at 11:37 am:
The tide’s out even further at the lowest point each of the next four days – -2.8 at 12:17 pm tomorrow, -3 at 1 pm Wednesday, -2.9 at 1:46 pm Thursday, and -2.4 at 2:45 pm Friday. If you’d like expert advice for your (careful) exploration, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists are at Constellation and Lincoln Parks today and daily through Thursday – see the times here.
Just in via SPD Blotter:
Being a teen is hard, especially when you’re in a stolen car and you’re trying to get away from the cops on a busy Saturday night down by the beach.
Around 9:30 PM Saturday, officers working an emphasis patrol near Alki Beach spotted a stolen car drive past them in the 2500 block of Alki Avenue SW.
They followed the car — reportedly stolen in Kent – at a slow speed through traffic and turned on their red and blue lights to pull the driver over. However, the driver appeared to ignore them and began weaving through incoming traffic at high speed.
The suspect eventually turned south onto 55th Avenue SW and entered a dead-end street.
Officers blocked in the suspect’s car and arrested the 17-year-old driver. Police booked him into the King County Youth Service Center for possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude police, and a robbery warrant.
(Peregrine Falcon hunting over the Duwamish River this weekend, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, where you can always look days/weeks/months ahead:
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Happening now until 12:30 pm, second time this season that you can explore low tide at Constellation Park (63rd SW/Beach Drive SW) or Lincoln Park (by Colman Pool) with volunteer Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists! (Low tide: -2.3 at 11:37 am – and it’ll be even lower the next two days!)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE CAMPUS TOUR: 3-4 pm. RSVP link and more info here. (6000 16th SW)
SEATTLE COUNCIL PTSA: Last general meeting of the year is tonight at Denny International Middle School, starting with dinner at 5:30 pm. Elections are part of the general meeting at 6. More info here. (2601 SW Kenyon)
HAM JAM: 6 pm on first Mondays at the Senior Center/Sisson Building:
New Hams, learn how to participate in the West Seattle Amateur Radio Club Monday night radio nets. Bring your handheld transceiver.
Future Hams, bring your questions and learn about the club, the hobby, how to get licensed, and ways to serve your community.
More here. (4217 SW Oregon)
OPEN MIC NIGHT: Signups start at 7:30, performances at 8 at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
(WSB photo from 2018)
This time of year, it’s fun to look ahead to the next weekend as soon as the last one’s over! Just five days till this one-of-a-kind obstacle-course-and-more event:
Mud pit-crawlers, wall-climbers, runners, and walkers will be taking over Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) in West Seattle on Saturday, June 8th, for the 3rd annual Loop the ‘Lupe Obstacle Course 5K.
The event, a benefit for the Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe, offers an obstacle course, a Youth Dash, a no-obstacle 5K run/walk, and a 100% flat, no obstacle “Senior Saunter” for walkers age 65+. There’s also live music from West Seattle School of Rock, food & drinks for purchase, and a beer garden sponsored by The Beer Junction!
Register at www.loopthelupe.com and check in for early packet pickup on Friday, June 7th from 4-7 p.m. at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW). Get in the Loop!
WSB is this year’s media sponsor. See you there!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:55 AM: Good morning! No traffic incidents or transit alerts reported in our area so far.
AVALON/35TH PROJECT: If you missed the Friday update from SDOT, here’s the latest.
STADIUM ZONE: Mariners are home tonight vs. the Astros, 7:10 pm, so the West Seattle Water Taxi will run into the late night.
12:09 AM: Police and fire are headed to what was dispatched as a flipped-car crash in the 3700 block of SW Thistle. Updates to come.
12:29 AM: No serious injuries; the driver was out even before SFD arrived, and they’d already departed before we arrived at the scene. The car is blocking SW Thistle just west of 37th SW. Photo added.
10:51 AM: The log notation this morning shows this incident is under investigation as DUI.
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