West Seattle, Washington
21 Saturday
By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Concerns about safety in and around Westwood Village were the focus of a community forum organized and hosted by the Seattle Police Department.
The meeting was held online last week by Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner, at the request of staff and residents at nearby Daystar Retirement Village (WSB sponsor), but was open to neighbors and the general public (as we previewed here). The agenda included safety trends, suggestions for how to best communicate with neighbors and report issues to SPD effectively, and how to best use the neighborhood Block Watch model.
Danner was joined in the meeting by Southwest Precinct officer Tammy Frame, along with Crime Prevention Coordinator colleagues Sarah Lawson and Katelyn Yep (from SPD’s North Precinct).
10:03 AM: Thanks for the tips. That big red SITE CLOSED sign is what you’ll see if you show up at the city’s COVID-testing site at 2801 SW Thistle. We went over to find out why; staff at the site told us the generator was vandalized, and crews from UW Medicine, which does the testing at the site, were on their way to assess. They’re not sure yet whether they’ll be able to reopen today (normal hours are 9 am-5:30 pm), so for now they’re directing everyone to the SODO site (3820 6th Avenue South, same hours). As we note in our weekly COVID-stats updates (like this one published last night), there’s also a Curative-operated testing kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW), open until 3 pm.
3:46 PM: UW Medicine says the site reopened later in the morning.
(King County Assessor photo)
Just added today to the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review list, a plan for up to 140 “affordable” apartments at 8830 25th Avenue SW, currently the site of a driver-licensing office, across the street from the east side of Westwood Village. The description proposes “a mix of studios, 1-bedroom and 3-bedroom units for a total of 120-140 units [for renters] up to 60% AMI [Average Mean Income].” A site plan filed with the city says it’ll be a 5-story building with an unspecified amount of on-site parking, to be built by SRM Development. The “early outreach” phase mandates community feedback, so if you want to be involved with that, there’s contact info in the item on the city website. Online records show the almost-one-acre site was sold last year for $3.1 million. We’ll be asking the state about future plans for a new driver-licensing location.
More than three years after Payless Shoe Source closed its store on the south side of Westwood Village, its sign finally came down recently. Now we know why: A new tenant is listed for the space. the burgers-and-fries chain Five Guys. (Yes, right next to McDonald’s.) This is revealed via an update to the map and directory maintained by the center’s new ownership/management firm, Shopcore Properties (although the logo version used on the site map may not be the one they intended). Shopcore has also used the map/directory to announce other on-the-way-to-Westwood businesses including Pet Supplies Plus and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. This would be Five Guys’ 14th location in the greater Seattle metro area. According to a company factsheet, Five Guys started with a Washington, D.C.-area burger joint in the ’80s and started expanding nationwide in the early 2000s. We have an inquiry out to the company asking about the timeline for opening here.
2 PM: Seattle Fire is arriving at a house-fire call in the 8800 block of 30th SW. One person is getting medical attention. Updates to come.
2:03 PM: Firefighters report it’s under control and assess it as a “small” fire.
2:14 PM: The fire’s just been declared “tapped” (out) and the response is being downsized. The person who was medically assessed does not need to go to the hospital, we’ve been told at the scene.
ADDED FRIDAY: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Our investigators determined the fire was accidental, and likely caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. The estimated loss was $100,000.”
Safety at and around Westwood Village has long been a hot topic. So you might be interested in attending a community meeting just announced for June 7th. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner asked us to help get the word out: “We are holding a Westwood neighborhood Block Watch meeting. We have invited Daystar Retirement Community, as well as Westwood Village Property Management and Security. We are hoping our community will join us to talk about safety, how to communicate with one another, and how to report effectively.” It’s an online meeting set for 6 pm Tuesday, June 7th; you can participate via the link in our calendar listing.
It wasn’t just U.S. Postal Service trucks pulling into post offices today – trucks like this one from South Park-headquartered Food Lifeline were at post offices nationwide to pick up donations from the Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Along with the carriers who spent the day picking up donations left by mailboxes, volunteers descended on post offices to help with the transfer:
The photos are from Ian, one of today’s volunteers at the Westwood post office. This was the first Stamp Out Hunger drive since pre-pandemic, and the 30th anniversary of what’s called the nation’s “biggest one-day food drive.” No word on totals yet.
The totals – and words of appreciation – are in from last Saturday’s shredding and food-drive event sponsored by John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor):
John L. Scott-Westwood would like to thank everyone for coming out to Westwood Village last Saturday, May 7, 2022 for the shred (documents) event. It was wonderful to work with the White Center Food Bank again to come together in support of the WS community and beyond.
We were able to collect $977.25 in donations and 370 lbs. of food; also gained were future volunteers for the White Center Food Bank.
1,725 lbs. of paper was shredded which will never go to the landfill! We thank our many volunteers from John L. Scott=Westwood and their families for joining us in these efforts.
Even if you don’t have anything to shred, you’re welcome to stop by the northwest lot at Westwood Village before noon and drop off donationd for the White Center Food Bank – that’s Carmen and Jefferson in our photo. The free shredding is sponsored by John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor) – no waiting while we were there:
Also no rain! Just get there before noon.
(WSB photo from past vent)
Reminder – if you need shredding, tomorrow’s your opportunity to get some done at no charge: 10 am-noon Saturday (May 7th), sponsored by John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor), in the northwest lot at Westwood Village. If you can donate non-perishable food, bring something for the White Center Food Bank (cash donations are welcome too).
After 2 1/2 years, jewelry-shop owner Lauren Wiggins has a big announcement – her shop at Westwood Village has a new name, Lauren’s Jewelry:
To our valuable customers, we are pleased to announce that on May 3rd, we are rebranding our jewelry store. As many of you know, I bought Wyatt’s Jewelers in November of 2019 and have owned and operated it since then. This rename will play a major role in strengthening our growth and commitments, by helping our customers identify with our brand in the marketplace. We have worked so very hard as Wyatt’s Jewelers to take care of each and every one of you and look forward to many more years of providing you with all your jewelry needs. As Lauren’s Jewelry, we will still be providing our community with the latest trends, beautiful classics, custom projects, and repairs!
The changes will be effective from May 3rd on every platform.
We would like to take this time and thank you for your continued support with us as Wyatt’s Jewelers, and look forward to our time as Lauren’s Jewelry! If you have any suggestions or questions, please contact us at 206-937-9200 or laurensjewelrystore.com.
Her shop (a WSB sponsor) is in the center of WWV, on the ground floor of the building that also holds Sport Clips Haircuts and the future America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses.
(WSB photo – June 2021 shredding event)
If you have documents to shred – here’s your next chance in West Seattle: 10 am-noon Saturday, May 7th. That’s the date that John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor) will present its annual shredding event in the northwest lot at Westwood Village. The service is free, but a non-perishable-food donation for the White Center Food Bank is requested.
6:13 PM: Seattle Fire is arriving at what’s described as a residential fire in the basement of a house in the 9200 block of 25th SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
(Added: WSB photo)
6:18 PM: Firefighters are searching the other areas of the building after knocking down the basement fire.
6:20 PM: They’ve now told dispatch the fire is “tapped” (out). No injuries reported.
6:21 PM: City records show this house is slated for demolition – the permit was issued last November – with townhouses to replace it.
12:26 PM: As noted in our daily previews, a student-organized protest march is happening right now. It’s organized by 8th-grade students from Denny International Middle School, who say they “want to publicly make a statement that we as students want stricter gun laws to ensure that we no longer must live in fear of gun violence.”
This announcement details their route. Hundreds of students are participating, using sidewalks; they’re along 35th now, turning onto Trenton.
12:44 PM: They’re now gathering on the field at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (which is across Thistle from the Denny-Sealth complex).
1:40 PM: We just left the stadium as the rally was wrapping up after more than half an hour of impassioned student speeches – some as simple as “Enough is enough!”
2:38 PM: More photos added above. Before the rally concluded, we talked briefly with two of the organizers, Addison Whited and Hazel Simper.
This was entirely student-organized, stressed Denny principal Jeff Clark, who was monitoring the event and told us, “We’re very proud of our scholar leaders, but this is their event.” In email, the student organizers said these are proposals they’re specifically advocating for:
-Waiting periods after purchase
-More thorough background checks
-Responsibility laws (parents are responsible for kids using their guns)
-Methods to report unsafe gun users effectively
-Close gun loopholes(Gun shows/Boyfriend/Charleston/Hate crime/and patchwork law gun loopholes)
-Must enforce license for open-carry firearm
-New gun safety tests to allow access to firearms (especially parents and kids)
-Mental-health screenings
-Police having stricter access to guns
Speeches at the stadium were open-mic-style, with students lining up for turns.
One asked, “How many more dead kids will it take for people to pay attention?” Another promised they won’t stop advocating until change happens. From another: “I believe in freedom … the freedom not to be in a dark room wondering if this is a drill or the real thing.”
Another kind of recycling happening now – the CommUNITY Yard Sale in the lot between Southwest Teen Life Center and Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The weather’s unsettled but the sale has canopies, so take advantage of the sunbreaks and head over to check it out before 4 pm. SWTLC is gearing up more in-person events this spring – more on that later this weekend.
(Added: WSB photos)
5:33 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” fighting what they describe as a “working fire” in a house in the 9200 block of 25th SW, just south of Westwood Village [map]. Updates to come.
5:49 AM: Firefighters have told dispatch that one person was in the house, and they’re calling the Red Cross to provide assistance to that displaced person.
5:53 AM: Our crew just spoke with the incident commander at the scene. The fire’s out; the house was considered a “derelict building.” SW Barton is blocked nearby because of the big response; they’re expecting to remain on scene another hour or so. No injuries.
6:03 AM: City files show 14 complaints filed regarding this house in the past four years, most recently last fall, complaining about “junk” on the property.
ADDED SATURDAY EVENING: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
=
Thanks to Liz for the photos and report on a fire at the Longfellow Creek P-Patch, just east of Chief Sealth International High School. She emailed to say, “I first noticed something going on when driving east on Thistle St. around 2:30 pm. There were fire trucks and an ambulance parked on the north side of the road with lights flashing but couldn’t stop to investigate further. Then around 4pm I walked my dog through the P-Patch and took the attached photos of the damage.”
We checked with Seattle Fire, which could only tell us that a shed was damaged, and that no injuries were reported. Our later check of this week’s SFD dispatch logs shows this was the fourth day in a row that they were dispatched to that area – Thursday’s call around 4 pm was classified as an “encampment fire,” while the Wednesday response around 11:30 am was labeled a “shed fire,” and Tuesday’s response just before noon was not logged with a specific type of fire. Like other P-Patches, this one is tended by volunteers.
Mackenzie reports a stolen car to watch for: “Black Jetta GLI stolen from 29th Ave SW and Thistle SW. License plate is BWG7161 – WA plates. It was taken night before last (Monday) between 9 pm and 6 am.” If you see it, call 911. (Update: Found in Westcrest Park 10 days after this report.)
10:09 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” arriving in the 2200 block of SW Barton [map]. Updates to come.
(Added: WSB photos)
10:12 AM: Barton is closed between Delridge and 24th SW for this response. Firefighters are telling dispatch the fire is on the building’s third floor.
10:19 AM: SFD confirms it’s a “working fire” in an apartment building and their crews have water on it. The road closure is now extending west to 25th/Barton.
10:28 AM: One person is reported injured and will be taken to Harborview. Our crew has just arrived and says people have been evacuated from the building and a Metro bus is being used for them to shelter.
10:39 AM: They’re still working to extinguish the fire and to confirm that it hasn’t spread beyond the third floor. We also just heard a mention that a cat’s been rescued. Also, our crew reports some people are getting oxygen.
10:45 AM: Fire has been declared under control.
11:01 AM: No word yet on how this started, but SFD’s investigator is on scene. SFD says at least three people have been treated for injuries. This is a 40+-unit complex built in 1968, according to property records.
11:28 AM: At the scene, SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley told us five people were hurt – including a man who jumped from a balcony just as firefighters were arriving. He did not need to be taken to the hospital. Two of the four others did. SFD is not sure yet whether anyone will be displaced beyond the resident of the unit where the fire started.
11:53 AM: The Red Cross is assisting those who need it. Meantime, we’ll be checking back periodically on the street-closure situation but continue avoiding the area as a significant SFD presence is likely to continue a while – the incident log shows more than a dozen units still on scene for this call.
12:31 PM: SFD has told dispatch they’re working with property management to determine who can return to their apartments.
1:30 PM: Roads are reopening, police have told dispatch.
2:05 PM: Per Metro alert, area buses are back to their regular routes.
Three quick notes:
NO MORE SEE’S CANDIES: The temporary See’s Candies shop at Jefferson Square extended its stay until Valentine’s Day, but tonight we noticed that it’s officially gone, with a thank-you note on the door.
The Jefferson Square website lists the 1,400-square-foot space as “available.”
BED BATH BEYOND’S FINAL DAY: When the Westwood Village store’s closure was announced after Christmas, no date was given. But now the countdown is on, and posters in the windows are even announcing how many days are left. We stopped in today to ask; February 26th is the last day, they told us.
KAMEI STILL OPEN: You might recall that the Japanese restaurant at 4512 California SW announced back in October that it would close “early this year.” But so far, into the second half of the second month of 2022, they’re still open. So we asked this week if they have a date yet. Short answer, no – they’re awaiting an update on the development plan for the site. (The most recent construction plan in city files suggests that work could start as soon as April.)
(FRIDAY UPDATE: Commenter Michelle C. posted a photo of a sign that’s gone up since our conversation earlier this week – it now says the closing date will be March 15th.)
Thanks to the reader who tipped us that Toshi’s Teriyaki in Westwood Village had been broken into on Saturday morning. We obtained the report narrative from police today. According to the report, an alarm at the restaurant led to a police dispatch at 5:43 am. They found the glass shattered in the left entry door. When the store manager arrived, they looked at security video, which showed two people approaching the door just after 4:30 am, and one throwing a large rock through it. They left in a vehicle, and moments later another vehicle returned; two people got out of it and entered the restaurant, but weren’t inside for long before turning and leaving without taking anything. The report has only clothing descriptions for the people involved; the rock-thrower was described as “wearing a gray beanie, black jacket, gray sweats, and white sneakers”; the two who went into the restaurant are described as one “wearing a black jacket, dark-colored cap, dark pants, and black shoes or boots, carrying a black plastic bag in his right hand” and the other “wearing all-dark clothing with black and white tennis shoes.” If you have any information, the case number is 22-036584.
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: While on an errand at Westwood Village this morning, we noticed the work under way in the parking lot immediately south of the Post Office. That’s for the playground that’ll be used by kids from the new preschool/day-care center that the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is opening nearby. We first reported on the preschool plan almost exactly two years ago; back in November, we published a look inside the space as the remodeling work approached completion. The center will serve more than 120 kids when fully enrolled. We’re checking on the latest projection for when it’ll open.
ADDED SATURDAY: Center director Jill Mudge tells WSB, “We officially opened January 31st and have children already attending and each week add more children to our school. Families have been so happy to have us open. We are hoping to do an open house in mid March or early April.”
Two changes at Westwood Village:
CHICO’S CLOSES: Thanks for the tip! The Westwood Village clothing store Chico’s has closed. We reported last month that a site plan filed with the city showed America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses going into that space, though Chico’s hadn’t (at the time) announced its closure.
XFINITY OPENS: After photographing the shuttered Chico’s store, we turned around and noticed the new Xfinity store is open:
The staff told us this is opening day. We first reported almost nine months ago that this store was on the way. Hours are 10 am-8 pm daily except Sundays, when the store will be open 11 am-8 pm.
| 3 COMMENTS