West Seattle, Washington
12 Friday
Thanks to Ingrid for noticing that SDOT‘s Highland Park Way/Holden traffic camera has been showing a very non-West Seattle scene for at least a few days. We’ve had the camera image in our traffic-cam lists for months, and hadn’t changed the link; investigating further, we found the SDOT Travelers’ Map has also changed the view for that location:
So we checked with SDOT. Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson responded:
The portable camera was moved last week to NE 45th St and Roosevelt Ave NE in the U District to monitor detour traffic during the WSDOT Montlake Bridge closure. We plan to move it back to West Seattle when that construction project is completed in a few weeks. We had actually purchased a new portable traffic camera so that we could monitor conditions in both locations, but unfortunately the parts did not all arrive on time due to supply chain issues. So there’s some possibility we may be able to re-install a camera Highland Park Way SW & SW Holden St sooner depending on when the new camera components arrives.
The camera’s description as “portable” refers to its technically temporary status – it was placed at the intersection after the temporary signal was rush-installed the week after the West Seattle Bridge closure almost a year and a half ago. A permanent camera with upgraded technology is expected to be part of the permanent signal, now on hold until after the bridge reopens next year.
(WSB photos)
Another way to show West Seattle pride – Highland Park Improvement Club merch! It’s part of what you’ll find outside HPIC (1116 SW Holden) today during the summer’s second Giant Garage Sale – happening outdoors, less than two months after the big fire that ravaged the historic building.
Just like any good Giant Garage Sale, sellers are offering a variety of stuff – with some helping out their hosts too:
Another way to support HPIC – have a drink:
The portable bar survived the fire and is set up again today for thirsty Giant Garage Sale’rs. As for the post-fire recovery, HPIC’s Kay Kirkpatrick tells us they’re still dealing with the insurance company. Fencing is the newest addition around the century-old building:
But as is evidenced again today, HPIC isn’t letting the fire damage push it out of its community-centered role – watch for other outdoor events while the summer/fall weather allows. (P.S. As a nonprofit, they’re also continuing to accept donations, here.)
(WSB photos)
Thanks for the tips! After reader questions about the future of the bright-green building at 11th/Henderson, we made contact with its owners, who bought the property late last year, and found out about their plan:
Addy’s Pet Shop is on the way this fall. David Leischner and wife Cortney are the building’s owners, and he’s busy remodeling:
He explains that they live in Highland Park “and we would drive by the building every day. During the start of the pandemic, I was helping out a friend at his pet store in Wallingford, Wally’s Pets, which is where the idea of opening our own shop began. We would walk our dog, Addy, past this building frequently to Westcrest dog park. We feel fortunate in our decision when you consider the location of the building to the dog park and the great neighborhood we live in.”
So far they’re on schedule to open Addy’s Pet Shop on October 1st. Hours will be 10 am-7 pm Tuesdays through Sundays, closed Mondays. They’ll specialize in dog and cat supplies – food, treats, toys, carriers, leashes, collars (no fish or reptile supplies).
P.S. This is not the family’s only new venture – their second child is due soon, too!
(March 2020 photo)
Shortly after the West Seattle Bridge’s abrupt closure in March 2020, SDOT installed a traffic signal at Highland Park Way and Holden – an intersection where community members had long been begging for help. The signal was described at the time as “temporary.” It was scheduled to be replaced by a “permanent” signal this fall. Today, SDOT announced it’s pushing back construction of the permanent signal until after the West Seattle Bridge reopens. From the announcement:
We originally scheduled construction at this intersection for fall 2021. Out of sensitivity for Highland Park neighbors who are already experiencing increased traffic, and the travelers who use the intersection, construction on the signal will now begin after the bridge reopens in 2022. This is to ease the impact on people living in Highland Park of more congestion and more cut-through traffic. We expect to select a contractor later this year.
Prior to the high bridge closure, we had already been working with the community to better understand needs for this intersection. The Highland Park community had been asking for changes at this busy intersection, which has been the site of several crashes and safety issues. Poor sight distances, high speeds, travel lane confusion, and a lack of curbs and crosswalks for pedestrians have contributed to these issues.
The project has reached final design and we expect to select a contractor for building the changes next year after the high bridge reopens to traffic.
The final project design includes:
• A more durable traffic signal with metal poles that have signal lights instead of lights connected to wooden poles.
• The signal will also include traffic cameras to monitor and adjust the signal in real-time, as well as vehicle detection in the pavement so the signal can recognize when a person driving is waiting at the light.
• Rebuilding all four corners of the intersection with new American with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible concrete curb ramps and curb bulbs.
• Painting permanent crosswalks at each crossing.
This is the intersection where a roundabout once was proposed, but eventually scrapped because required grading cost too much.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you use West Seattle’s only dog park, the Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area, you’ve benefited from the work of Steve McElhenney, who’s been the volunteer steward there for two decades.
He’s given thousands of hours. But one of the gifts he’s tried recently to give – the gift of safety – has been roundly rejected. And he’s furious.
As has been reported in West Seattle Crime Watch coverage here over the years, Westcrest is a car-prowl hot spot. (Here’s just one of dozens of reports we’ve published.) McElhenney says he’s tried to get extra police attention there. But, he’s been told – as precinct leadership has said at countless community meetings – they’re shorthanded. (Back in February, the precinct said they’d try for extra patrols, but nothing’s been mentioned since then.) So he tried something else, something countless people are using on their own porches, decks, and yards: A camera.
Logwatchers may have noticed a “scenes of violence” callout just before 3 am. Here’s the police summary of what that was about:
On 7-14-21 at about 0250 hours, an unknown male entered a business in the 1600 block of SW Holden St and requested the employee call 911 because he had accidentally shot himself. The subject then fled the business, got into his vehicle, and fled the area. Responding officers observed the vehicle leaving and followed it to the area of 17 Ave SW / SW Graham St, where the subject parked the vehicle and fled into the greenbelt area. An extensive area check was conducted, but the subject was not located. A handgun was observed inside the locked vehicle, which was impounded to the processing room.
If you wondered what the big police response at 10th/Henderson [map] in Highland Park at noontime was all about – it was related to a reported armed carjacking. After that happened near 2nd SW and SW Michigan (by the 1st Avenue South Bridge), police tracked the car (in our photo above) up the Highland Park Way hill and southward to 10th/Henderson, where everybody bailed out of it. At least one person – possibly the armed woman who was believed to be at the wheel – was reported to have fled in a second vehicle; two others were on foot after abandoning the car, and police arrested one suspected accomplice found nearby.
The investigation is being turned over to robbery detectives.
(1st two photos by WSB; after that, courtesy Troop 41169)
New art outside the Highland Park Improvement Club! This was in the works long before last month’s fire, and it has just been installed. It’s the “Bronze Award” project for the 5th graders of Girl Scout Troop 41169 – an “inclusion fence” along the SW Holden side of HPIC.
The project started with an idea for a mural in The Junction – but that didn’t work out (though it may eventually become a reality due to recent interest), so instead, the Scouts pivoted to this idea. Noirin Lynch sent us more photos and her troop’s explanation:
After 9 months of emails, phone calls, Zoom meetings, and painting sessions, we have finally completed our Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn. We are so excited to share our artwork with West Seattle residents and hope as they drive in and out of our community they are reminded of all the beauty and strength that our diversity provides. We were inspired to celebrate diversity and inclusiveness after watching our community, our city, and our nation become so divided this past year after the death of George Floyd.
Our troop started working on our Bronze project in 2020 and we have learned so much about working as a team, being responsible, and being resilient through the process. After our idea for a mural was rejected dozens of times, we were challenged to think creatively and persevere.
In the end, the Highland Park Improvement Club turned out to be a perfect match for us. They actively work to represent diversity and foster inclusion through all the work they do as an organization and this is exactly what our troop wants to celebrate. We are so grateful for their positivity and willingness to support our troop and we appreciate the invaluable role HPIC plays in lifting up our community. So as West Seattle residents are sitting in traffic trying to get on or off of our little “island” our troop and HPIC hopes our inclusion fence art brings you a little joy. Remember it is our diversity that makes our nation so unique and we are better for it. Differences in race, religion, gender identity, abilities, and politics should be a source of celebration, not divisiveness.
Congratulations to the Scouts – in the photo immediately above, front row L-R Vivienne, Akemi, Natalie, Harper; back row L-R Lena, Grace, Bereket, Ella. You can see their work at 1116 SW Holden.
(WSB photos, June 26th)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Highland Park Improvement Club is more than a building … it’s people.
And that’s why the early-morning fire that heavily damaged the century-old HPIC headquarters two weeks ago (WSB coverage here) hasn’t stopped HPIC from continuing to be the heart of its community.
Tomorrow (Saturday, July 10th), for example, the first of three “Giant Garage Sales” – already planned before the fire – will be held in the HPIC parking lot and courtyard on the two sides of the 1116 SW Holden building least affected by the flames.
But while that should make for a fun day, what’s been happening since the June 25th fire has been hard, heartbreaking work for HPIC’s all-volunteer board. We talked Thursday by phone with Nicole Mazza to see what they have learned, what’s next, and how people can help.
(Photo from commenter Bayuh)
1:37 AM: Big Seattle Fire callout to the 1100 block of SW Holden. Avoid the area. Updates to come.
1:41 AM: The fire is reported (corrected) under control, but not out.
1:52 AM: Firefighters say there’s still fire in the attic. The address SFD has logged for the incident is Highland Park Improvement Club. Our photographer is on the way there to verify.
(Added: WSB photos from here down)
2:13 AM: A commenter confirms that the fire is at HPIC, a century-old community-owned-and-operated facility. … They’re down to a few hot spots.
2:26 AM: Our crew is back (after communications challenges at the scene) and also confirms it’s HPIC. SFD’s investigator was on the way to try to figure out how this started. The building had been undergoing renovations – just last month, we reported both on that donation/grant-funded work and the community services that HPIC has provided during the pandemic.
2:46 AM: More units are being dismissed from the scene, but about half a dozen remain. We’ll be seeking out HPIC leadership later this morning to follow up on the extent of the damage.
10:56 AM: The cleanup has begun. Here are photos from Highland Park photographer/artist Dina Johnson – first, the stage area, that’s seen many performances and presentations:
More of the interior:
And the exterior:
Badly needed roofing work had just been completed, HPIC board members told us this morning. They’re still dealing with the shock of the fire so no details yet on the best way you can help; SFD was still investigating the cause at last report. We’ll continue following up.
2:29 PM: SFD says its investigator has ruled the fire’s cause “undetermined.”
Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden) is bringing back its Giant Garage Sale – in three sessions – and seeking sellers! Here are the details:
Three Saturdays (July 10, Aug 14, and Sept 11), from 10 am to 3 pm.
-Music, food and beverages (including pop-up bar) will be available.
-Can’t sell but have items? Donations of salable items accepted for HPIC table – all monies go to HPIC with BIG thanks! Come have fun and support HPIC and our sellers
For Booth Rental:
-Contact hpic1919@gmail.com attn: Garage Sale
-Suggested donation for a 10×10 space and (1) 8-foot table is $30 ($60 for all 3 dates) – payment due in advance. Sign up and pay here!
-Rain or shine, sale will go on
-If you use an HPIC table, you take out and put away
-All unsold items must be taken with you after the sale. Due to Covid there are no donation trucks available for pickup of unsold items
-No public restrooms
SIDE NOTE: We list big nonprofit/institutional sales in our West Seattle Event Calendar, but if you’re having a personal garage/yard sale, you’re welcome to list it in this section of the WSB Community Forums – get a login here.
The photo and report are from Paul:
I found this bicycle dumped in my alley in Highland Park. It looks pretty new and I’m sure some kid is missing his bike.
If you recognize it, please let us know and we’ll connect you.
P.S. For smaller items more likely to be simply lost/found, see this section of the WSB Community Forums.
Thanks for the tips. SDOT crews are out today doing more speed-hump installation – including on SW Holden. We just went through the area and saw crews there west of 16th. No traffic issues apparent, but just FYI.
The report and photos are rom Amy:
Our car was the unfortunate target in the high-car-prowl area at Westcrest Park today. We were parked in the playground lot between 1:15-2:15 pm.
The thieves broke out two windows (passenger side and left rear), ripped out the rear privacy screen, and took a cell phone. Everything else was left intact. We were able to track the time of the break-in as well as their route due to the GPS locator on the phone, and tracked the phone to the last known location, just a few blocks away at SW Barton between 16th and 17th Aves SW though were not able to recover it.
Reporting to help others be aware… it was a cool and rainy afternoon, lot was not busy at all, but no observed obvious car sitters when we pulled in.
A police report has been filed.
As noted in our roundup last night, the weekly food-box distribution at Food Lifeline is NOT happening this Friday – but here’s something that is. Highland Park Elementary family-support worker Dominique Pie is teaming up again with Together Washington for a drive-up/ride-up grab-and-go food distribution 2-5 pm Friday. It’ll happen in the school-bus-loading zone at HPES (1012 SW Trenton); masks required, first-come first-served.
It’s been 20 years since our area’s last major earthquake. The next one could happen in 20 more years, or 20 decades, or 20 minutes. Preparedness is vital. It can also seem overwhelming – where do you start? Spend a little time at 7 pm Wednesday (May 26th) getting some inspiration with HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge. Here’s their preview:
We’ve been coping with a pandemic, and a major bridge closure, but are you ready for our next big seismic event?
If we had a major earthquake tomorrow that left us without water for several weeks would you know how to harvest water from your hot-water tank or make a makeshift toilet?
Both before and after a disaster, reliable information about services and supplies is just as important as preparedness for keeping people safe. The Highland Park Improvement Club is a member of the Seattle Emergency Hub Network, whose goal is to train Hub Captains and community volunteers to help provide important information both before and after a disaster strikes. Erika, one of the HPIC Hub Captains, will join us to give an overview of the Emergency Hub network, HPIC’s role, and give a preview of the types of events we have planned with the HUB in the coming months.
Other neighborhood concerns are welcome as always, HPAC says. Info on watching/participating via videoconferencing, or calling in by phone, is here – where you’ll also find info on the first in a series of upcoming webinars on the city’s earthquake plans.
Thanks to everyone who’s messaged us about the fence that has suddenly appeared around that play structure at Westcrest Park (thanks to Jon for the photo). We asked Seattle Parks about it – reply: “The playground has deteriorated and we have closed it. We will be replacing it, in-kind, as part of our Westcrest Off-Leash Area Project.” The reply did not mention a timeline, so we’re following up. It’s one of several Seattle Parks play structures closed in recent years for safety concerns; the south play area at Lincoln Park is still awaiting its replacement 4 years after its sudden closure (construction now set for this fall).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The pandemic forced a pivot for the century-old Highland Park Improvement Club and the community members who tend it.
There was no time for breath-catching after the sudden stop to events, for this community-owned-and-maintained facility that relies on them – including rentals – to pay the bills. HPIC quickly found itself filling a void by filling bellies. Even before closed schools got their meal programs up and running, HPIC sprang into action as a food-distribution center for families.
They were serving up to 600 lunches a week. Not just grab-and-go; before long, a local chef was cooking up hot to-go meals. A “community fridge” was in place. And as the weeks and months went by, HPIC became a center for much more.
HPIC took advantage of the downtime under part of its roof – the space with the stage – by working on long-needed renovations/repairs. But they’re pricey – so this Saturday (May 22nd), 4-8 pm, HPIC invites you to its first community event since pre-pandemic times – a modified version of its annual wine-and-more fundraiser. Instead of Highland Park Uncorked, this year it’s Highland Park Decanted, and it’s a two-fer: Outside, a pop-up bar – inside, a tour. We got a preview mini-tour courtesy of HPIC’s Kay Kirkpatrick and Julie Schickling. Read More
(HPIC photo – roof that’s in need of replacement)
It’s been mentioned at a few of the recent community meetings we’ve covered, and now the details are in, with two weeks to go – Highland Park Decanted, a fundraiser for, and at, Highland Park Improvement Club:
Highland Park Decanted: Breathing new life into HPIC – inside and out!
Saturday, May 22 from 4-8 pmInside: small-group building tours (masks required and donation requested)
Outside: pop-up bar in the courtyard (per King County Covid guidelinesThis will be our first community event since the beginning of the pandemic and community safety is top of mind. Tours will start every 15 minutes, and what better place to wait than our lovely courtyard with a pop-up bar serving wine, beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks, Little Miss Mufulletta Sandwichesm and other small snacks.
You can also order wine by the bottle from our curated wine cellar via the HPIC online shop (or on-site) and pick up at our pop-up courtyard bar on the day of the event. And all of our other swag will be available too.
Both the touring and the fundraising relate to major renovations to keep HPIC’s historic building up and running for another century. If you’re not already on the HPIC newsletter mailing list, here’s what they sent out today with a sneak peek at a multitude of projects, and what’s needed to finish them. (Haven’t been to HPIC? It’s likely that you’ve at least passed by during these many bridgeless months – it’s along the major detour route, 12th and Holden.)
(WSB photo from 2016)
From this week’s first city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin, a key approval is in for a 14-unit residential project proposed at 8822 9th SW [map]. This proposal has been in the works for more than two years, and we’ve been tracking the site for six years, as it’s a former substation location sold off by the city (backstory here). The 14-unit plan is the second redevelopment plan for this site, following a 9-unit plan that stalled, and would include 12 townhouses, two “accessory dwelling units,” and 14 offstreet-parking spaces. The decision opens a window for appeals (deadline May 17th); the notice explains how to file one.
(WSB photo, SW Barton west of 9th SW)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
New speed humps are popping up all over Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview. SDOT is building up to six a day, and sent reps to HPAC‘s monthly meeting to talk about Home Zone progress and other Reconnect West Seattle projects meant to tackle bridge-detour cut-through traffic.
SDOT’s Sara Zora and David Burgesser began by announcing the RWS project dashboard – centered on a map – has been updated.
A quarterly report is now out, too – here are the key points:
(Rendering identifying ‘opportunity areas’ at existing HPE playground)
If you can spare an hour Thursday afternoon, the parent/community coalition Highland Park Plays would love to hear what you think about three design concepts for the next stage of HP Elementary playground improvements, aimed at adding more play equipment and more play opportunities. It’s an online meeting at 4 pm Thursday (May 6th). You can register, and get more background on the project, by going here.
Also coming up this week, the monthly meeting for HPAC, the community council for the Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge neighborhoods. From the announcement:
Seeing these new SDOT signs around the neighborhood? Drop in to our monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 for updates from SDOT regarding work on the Home Zone projects and reporting on Reconnect West Seattle efforts rolling out in 2021 that need our input. Bring any new concerns or traffic impacts you are noticing!
We’ll also reserve some time to generate neighborhood specific concerns and questions for upcoming Mayoral candidate forums. Plus – save the date: Saturday, May 1 work party opportunity at Highland Park Improvement Club – help trusty trustees pull down the 100 year old chimney and do general garden/lot maintenance – social distancing + masking observed! Drop in any time 8 am-4 pm.
Wednesday night’s HPAC meeting is online; connection/call-in info is here.
| 2 COMMENTS