April 2020

We've got the Gold Standard  

By Jean Godden

Leaders of political parties, often at odds with one another, do agree on one thing: This November's election will be one of the most critical in the nation's history. What matters now is how will we conduct that most important of elections.

For voters in Washington state there is excellent news. Once again, we will be voting by mail. We will receive our ballots in the mail. We'll have time to consider how to vote. Then we'll be able to either to drop our ballots in the mail, postage paid, or pop them into a drop box. Our state's elections have been made easier and more secure than ever.

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Metro announces new service reductions; Approximately 42% fewer buses, 36% fewer transit operators, and 27% fewer service trips

As the region continues to respond to COVID-19, King County Metro will reduce weekend bus service beginning Saturday April 18, and further reduce weekday bus service starting Monday, April 20. Water Taxi and First Hill Streetcar will continue to operate on previously reduced schedules.

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Work continues on the Evergreen High School Football/Soccer field

Workers are grading the soil for the base of the new field, inside the existing track, between Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School. 

School-related construction projects are within the category of public works and may continue with precautions in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. The earthwork is being performed by a limited number of construction workers.

The new field will be lined for football and soccer.  The field is expected to be completed in late summer.

FUNDING INFORMATION

A series of grants totaling $700,000 helped fund the $1.84 million synthetic turf field and $423,500 lighting project:

  • $450,000 from two King County Parks' Youth and Amateur Sports grants

  • $250,000 from the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program and the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC)

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West Seattle Summerfest cancelled; First time in 38 years

information from West Seattle Junction Association

For 38 years, the biggest festival in West Seattle has continued to evolve, starting out as the Sidewalk Sale, then the Street Fair, and now Summer Fest it's been a three day celebration in the West Seattle streets and a tradition for many families.

The festival has been a July tradition in West Seattle since 1982, the same year Seattle became the Emerald City. Even prior to the West Seattle bridge being built (but that's another story...).

After much discussion, the Junction has made the safest decision for the community - to cancel the 2020 Summer Fest - July 10-12th.

We are saddened but hopeful we will rise like a Westside phoenix to bring back Summer Fest stronger than ever July 2021.

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Number of people diagnosed with Covid-19 at Mt. St. Vincent jumps from one to 25

information from Providence Mt. St. Vincent

On March 30, we reported a single confirmed case of COVID-19 at Providence Mount St. Vincent. Thanks to Providence ExpressCare, we recently conducted rapid-testing of our entire community of caregivers, residents, patients and active volunteers for COVID-19. Through previous onsite testing and the additional rapid testing, we have confirmed a total of 15 of our residents/patients and 10 of our caregivers have tested positive for COVID-19. All residents/patients who tested positive have been cohorted together in a separate area of the building with dedicated staff providing care. The caregivers who tested positive are quarantined at home. The Intergenerational Learning Center (ILC) continues to operate safely to support our caregivers and the community. None of the teachers nor caregiver parents tested positive.

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City announces new guidelines on use of parks, Farmers Markets and Car-Free Neighborhood Greenways
34th Ave SW/SW Graham and Holly St/High Point Dr SW will become new Greenway for bikes and pedestrians

information from the City of Seattle

 The City announced additional steps taken and guidelines for safe use of City parks, greenways and local farmers markets. The City will allow major parks to remain open throughout the weekend but will be requiring residents to keep moving and not play sports, picnic or barbecue, with additional new guidelines at Green Lake and Seward Park. The City will also open two neighborhood greenways in West Seattle and the Central District to allow safe exercise opportunities free of cars so residents can bike or walk this weekend. Parking lots at our larger parks will remain closed.

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West Seattle Bridge history exhibit now available on line

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has revised and re-released their 2014 "Bridging the Gap" exhibit in a format you can experience from the comfort of your home! The West Seattle bridge closure is on everyone's mind as we wait to see what the future of peninsula transportation will look like. This is a timely moment to explore the history of how we have commuted across the water -- from ferries, to the Mosquito Fleet, to multiple iterations of bridges.

The online exhibit consists of a history of transportation to and from the peninsula, historic photos, and a video. 

You can see it now at: https://www.loghousemuseum.org/blog/bridging-the-gap

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Stay-at-Home 2020: You’ve checked on your friends– Have you checked on your car?

By Jennifer Danner

Seattle Police Department Southwest Precinct

Crime Prevention Coordinator

 

An arrest of a prolific auto thief in West Seattle last week threw a spotlight on an emerging crime of opportunity in a time of stay-at-home orders and significantly reduced vehicle traffic in Seattle.

On April 9th, SPD Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF) detectives were conducting an operation, targeting a prolific auto thief they’d learned was in possession of a stolen white Honda Civic and was keeping it at a West Seattle home.

Police later found the man sitting in the driver’s seat of the Honda outside the home, but when they ran the vehicle’s license plate, they discovered the Honda hadn’t been reported stolen.

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Still no answers on marina fire; Cause unclear

The fire on March 27 at the Jim Clark Marina just south of the West Seattle Bridge on the Duwamish river saw nine engines, three ladder trucks, Fireboat Leschi, Rescue Boat Five and several strategic support units respond. Flames and smoke were visible for miles.

While the primary fire was extinguished within 30 minutes  an engine company spent the night on fire watch.

Multiple vessels and two vacant buildings were destroyed.

Despite an investigation Investigators no cause of the fire has been determined.

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West Seattle Bridge will remain closed through 2021; Shoring and potential repair costs to exceed $33 million
Repair might not be possible; Funding for repair or replacement remains an open question

The West Seattle Bridge, which opened in 1984, was suddenly closed on March 23 after cracks in several locations on the span were found to have been growing faster than expected. In the ensuing three weeks, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has done daily inspections and scrambled to learn more about what caused the cracks and what to do about it. Now it looks as if it will remain closed through 2021 and beyond if repairs are even possible. If not, it means a new bridge would need to be built far sooner than expected.

SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe said, "We're at the beginning of a difficult conversation" as he briefed the media on the situation. 

The cracks that were increasing at an alarming rate continue to grow, even without traffic, but their growth has now slowed. It's not in danger of imminent failure or collapse and they have determined it's safe for crews to work on it.

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