August 2026

Glassyard Commons: Correcting an error brings more questions on the “other lot”

Construction is apparently underway on the site of the future RV Park and Tiny Home village

By Liz Steen

A photo earlier this week showed the wrong lot for Glassyard Commons, the $3.3 million RV Park and Tiny Home village coming to West Seattle this November.

Our photographer had assumed the city was using the only lot on the block that appeared large enough to accommodate dozens of RVs while meeting fire-code requirements. The city is not using that lot.

Glassyard Commons

 

The city is using the other lot, a triangular piece, pictured, where the city plans to fit three rows of RVS for a total of 70 RVS, together with laundry and kitchen facilities, 30 tiny houses, and bathrooms for 100 people.

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The future of Westside Neighbors Shelter: Keith Hughes addresses rumors, outlines operational changes and key challenges

Neighbors have been demanding change for years and now some are in the works

Questions and rumors have been swirling around the future of the Westside Neighbors Shelter in West Seattle for the last few weeks. With some community members speculating that its director, Keith Hughes, would be leaving and operations likely curtailed, local residents have expressed growing concern over what will happen to the area's vulnerable unhoused population when the cold weather returns.

In an in-depth interview, Hughes offered to clarify the facts, debunk local rumors, and outline the extensive operational and legal strategies being prepared to address community concerns regarding crime and disorder.

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Gridlock Alert: Double-weekend closure of 1st Ave South Bridge to strangle regional commutes

Brace yourselves, south-end commuters. What has been a months-long headache is about to become a full-blown regional bottleneck. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced a major blow to the south-end commute: all northbound lanes of the 1st Avenue South Bridge (SR-99) will be shut down for two consecutive weekends in August 2026.

The emergency closures are scheduled for the weekends of August 15–16 and August 22–23. The bridge will be completely dark to northbound traffic from 5 a.m. Saturday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday on both occasions. For those living in West Seattle, White Center, and Burien, this represents a significant disruption to the city's already strained traffic arteries.

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Seattle details Glassyard Commons RV Safe Lot plans and funding amid strong pushback from outreach critics

Now set to open in November the lot still has issues to resolve

The City of Seattle and the Mayor’s office have shared new details regarding a planned RV and tiny home safe lot at Glassyard Commons, located at 7200 2nd Ave SW in the Highland Park neighborhood. However, the initiative faces growing scrutiny from outreach groups who argue the city is repeating a "failed playbook."

Developing Glassyard Commons

The site, which is scheduled to open in November 2026, is currently owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). WSDOT has leased the land to the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to operate the safe lot. Although visitors to the property have noted an immediate lack of sewage infrastructure or restrooms, the Mayor's office stated that hygiene facilities will be installed on-site as development progresses, matching the standards of other authorized encampments.

 

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REMINDER: West Seattle neighbors to 'Quake, Rattle & Roll' in major disaster readiness exercise at Morgan Junction Park

People in West Seattle are preparing to head to Morgan Junction Park this Saturday for a massive community coordination exercise designed to test the city’s resilience. On August 15, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the "Quake, Rattle & Roll!" event will bring together over 400 community members to practice the essential skills needed to support one another following a major earthquake.

The West Seattle activation, located at 6401 California Ave SW, is one of four hub locations across the city participating in this large-scale annual exercise. Other participating neighborhoods include Roosevelt, Madison Valley, and Rainier Beach. You can view a full map of the locations here.

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West Seattle Light Rail timeline shifts to 2035 as SODO design refinements unveil over $100 million in savings

Previously set for 2032 the additional time is needed due to construction complexity

Sound Transit announced a major dual update for the West Seattle Link Extension today, shifting the projected start of light rail service to 2035 while simultaneously unveiling a breakthrough design refinement in the SODO segment that will save over $100 million and significantly reduce construction impacts on local businesses.

The update follows 18 months of intensive technical coordination between Sound Transit, the City of Seattle, Seattle City Light, and local community stakeholders. While the timeline shift represents a delay of approximately two to three years, officials emphasize that the updated schedule is a realistic delivery plan backed by both internal and independent third-party reviews.

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Broad political spectrum backs Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson recall as court review looms

By Liz Steen

With online crowds cheering the recall of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson in the seventh month of her first term, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will write the court filing that Wilson’s opponents want to use to bring their public safety concerns to a vote to recall the Mayor for “malfeasance” for her handling of personnel decisions and public safety concerns.

“I will bring two pens,” said one commenter planning to sign the recall if the King County Superior Court allows the charges onto a ballot - the last recall to survive the notoriously sticky court recall process was in 1975. A judge will decide whether or not the recall goes to the voters after the prosecuting attorney’s office has prepared any specific bad acts that they can find. Wilson’s recall will only make it to a ballot if a judge finds evidence of“malfeasance or dereliction of duty,”

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West Seattle neighbors air raw safety fears at community forum

Police pledge closer partnerships at meeting; SW Precinct Commander Bair and Interim Chief Sayles spoke

Neighbors from Southwest Seattle packed the Delridge Community Center on August 12 to share raw, emotional concerns about gun violence, open-air drug use, and speeding traffic during a public safety forum. The event, titled "Our City, Our Safety," was part of an ongoing series of community meetings co-hosted by the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. Designed to build collaborative relationships and listen directly to neighbor concerns, the forum brought together city executives, precinct leaders, and local residents seeking both immediate and long-term solutions to a recent uptick in neighborhood crime.

The meeting opened with a dramatic update regarding a delay in the arrival of Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles, who had to divert to an active scene where shots were fired at officers in the South Precinct.

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Rebuilding a West Seattle treasure: City and State leaders tour arson-damaged Camp Long Lodge as path to recovery begins

Local and state representatives gathered at the historic Camp Long Lodge on August 12, 2026, for an in-depth tour of the fire-damaged facility. Led by Andy Sheffer, Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Deputy Superintendent of Planning and Capital Development, the group inspected the building's current conditions, discussed the urgent need for $700,000 in state design funding, and reviewed the long-term vision to "build back better" following a devastating November 2024 arson fire.

alvarado and saka
State Senator Emily Alvarado and Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka with his aide Michael Taylor-Judd toured the burned lodge. Photo by Patrick Robinson

 

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