May 2012

While few Highline residents may use the Sea-Tac Airport’s new consolidated rental car facility, its opening on May 17 will bring local benefits.

With the twelve rental car companies all consolidated in one location away from the airport, congestion along SeaTac city streets and airport roadways will be reduced, along with the resulting pollution from the vehicles.

The project also generated $25 million in local taxes as well as creating 3,900 local construction jobs during the great recession. Up to 350 trades people worked at the site at one time.

The massive five-story, $2.1 million square foot facility is located at South 160th Street and International Boulevard. The building, which is the largest concrete structure on the west coast, is easily visible from State Route 518, just southwest of the Tukwila light rail station.

Although construction has stretched over three years, airport managing director Mark Reis noted at a May 9 pre-opening celebration the project has been more like a “17-year journey” with several stops and restarts.

As we reported here, Salty's on Alki held a fundraiser last night, May 8, to help Edmonds artist Michael Reagan continue painting fallen soldiers that he gives to their grieving families at no charge for his Fallen Heroes Project.

As we reported here, Salty's on Alki held a fundraiser last night, May 8, to help Edmonds artist Michael Reagan continue painting fallen soldiers that he gives to their grieving families at no charge for his Fallen Heroes Project.

Press release
Arrival of RapidRide service in Ballard and West Seattle highlight adopted September transit service changes
Council approves service changes that reflect the start of RapidRide routes C and D, continue reallocation of services hours to high priority corridors

On May 7, the Metropolitan King County Council gave its unanimous approval to Metro Transit service changes that include the introduction this fall of faster service into downtown Seattle from two of the region’s heaviest transit corridors: Ballard and West Seattle.

“With this transit service change, King County will use existing resources to carry more riders to more destinations,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, chair of the Council’s Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee, whose district includes Ballard. “By delivering RapidRide and restructuring the system to become more efficient, county leaders are continuing to carry out our commitment to make Metro service a better and more cost effective.”

Press release
A portion of Beach Drive SW will get much needed repairs next week, weather permitting. SDOT crews will resurface a segment about 800 feet long in the blocks with addresses from 6200 to 6600.

Tomorrow, May 10, a contractor will prune overhanging trees in this area to provide adequate space for equipment to operate and to meet the city’s clearance requirement.
 
The paving crews plan to work from May 15 to May 18, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They will grind off the old surface and lay new asphalt from curb to curb. 

One lane will remain open for each direction of traffic and a Police Officer will assist drivers through the area.
 
This work is a part of SDOT’s annual paving program and is funded by the Bridging the Gap transportation initiative approved by Seattle voters.

After a brief scare that the West Seattle Grand Parade, coming up on its 79th year, would not happen this July due to a $3500 budget shortfall, good news arrived in the form of multiple donors pledging to fill the gap.

With the parade seemingly back on (assuming pledges are backed by money), a new addition to the July 21 festivity is a pre-parade fun run: the West Seattle Float Dodger 5k.

The race is sponsored by West Seattle Runner and the Rotary Club of West Seattle, with race registration proceeds benefitting the rotary club, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the parade itself.

Here are the details from the Float Dodger 5k website (visit their website at www.floatdodger5k.com for details on how to register):

Welcome to West Seattle Float Dodger 5K, Seattle's newest summer running tradition!

Former Seattle Mayor, and West Seattle resident, Greg Nickels held his official campaign kickoff and fundraiser last night for his Secretary of State campaign. Sporting his now trademark beard, he appeared low-key but determined at last night's event. It was held at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Av. S., scenically situated overlooking Lake Washington eastward, with dramatic views of Mercer Island, Bellevue and beyond, places where he will need to win votes in this statewide election.

Nickels' opponents include- Kim Wyman (R), the Thurston County Auditor, Kathleen Drew (D), the Former State Senator & Former Gubernatorial Aide, (Her husband Steven is Thurston County Assessor), and Jim Kastama (D), State Senator & former State Representative. Current three-term Secretary of State Sam Reed (R) retires. Primaries are Aug. 7.

Nickels' speech took on a sentimental tone as he honored his wife, Sharon, and thanked her for excusing him for holding his kickoff on her birthday.

Former Seattle Mayor, and West Seattle resident, Greg Nickels held his official campaign kickoff and fundraiser last night for his Secretary of State campaign. Sporting his now trademark beard, he appeared low-key but determined at last night's event. It was held at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Av. S., scenically situated overlooking Lake Washington eastward, with dramatic views of Mercer Island, Bellevue and beyond, places where he will need to win votes in this statewide election.

Nickels' opponents include- Kim Wyman (R), the Thurston County Auditor, Kathleen Drew (D), the Former State Senator & Former Gubernatorial Aide, (Her husband Steven is Thurston County Assessor), and Jim Kastama (D), State Senator & former State Representative. Current three-term Secretary of State Sam Reed (R) retires. Primaries are Aug. 7.

Nickels' speech took on a sentimental tone as he honored his wife, Sharon, and thanked her for excusing him for holding his kickoff on her birthday.

Former Seattle Mayor, and West Seattle resident, Greg Nickels held his official campaign kickoff and fundraiser last night for his Secretary of State campaign. Sporting his now trademark beard, he appeared low-key but determined at last night's event. It was held at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Av. S., scenically situated overlooking Lake Washington eastward, with dramatic views of Mercer Island, Bellevue and beyond, places where he will need to win votes in this statewide election.

Nickels' opponents include- Kim Wyman (R), the Thurston County Auditor, Kathleen Drew (D), the Former State Senator & Former Gubernatorial Aide, (Her husband Steven is Thurston County Assessor), and Jim Kastama (D), State Senator & former State Representative. Current three-term Secretary of State Sam Reed (R) retires. Primaries are Aug. 7.

Nickels' speech took on a sentimental tone as he honored his wife, Sharon, and thanked her for excusing him for holding his kickoff on her birthday.

Baseball:

Following Monday's momentum, the Ballard baseball team beat Newport last night in the second loser-out round of the playoffs.

The Beavers came out swinging and gained a two-run lead over Newport in the first inning. Newport scored their first run in the third inning but the Beavers were quick to extend their lead 5 to 1 after the fourth.
Ballard scored another run in the fifth and Kahn came in to replace Jacobson on the mount. The sixth got a little messy for the Beavers, allowing Newport to score three runs. Damani came in to replace Kahn and struck out two in a row to get the Beavers out of the rocky sixth inning.
Jaeger came in as the closer in the seventh with one down and one runner on the bases. A groundout to second base followed by a strike out had Beaver Nation sighing in relief as Ballard took the win and moves on to the next round.
The final score was Ballard 6, Newport 4.

The Beavers will play against Inglemoor on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at Woodinville.

Softball:

After a tough loss against Inglemoor on Monday night, the Lady Beavers suffered another loss against Woodinville on Tuesday.