November 2024

Master's level landscape architecture students from the University of Washington under the guidance of instructor Paul Peters presented their 60% design phase concepts for the future of Schmitz Preserve Park and its connection to Alki Beach on Nov. 15 at Gould Hall in the University District. This eight week design exercise is meant to teach the students analysis, evaluation, design and presentation skills involving the use of software design tools and 3-D models meant for visualization and presentation.

It should be noted that these designs are all high level conceptual ideas that would face enormous hurdles before they could become a reality including, funding, permitting, potential property acquisition and community support. The product of their efforts could serve as an advisory and conceptual guide to any real work that might be done in the future. 

Civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges was honored by students and public officials on Nov. 14 during the Walk to School Day. Seattle Public Schools Director Chris Carter was in attendance and  Denny International Middle School Principal Mary Ingraham and City Councilmember Rob Saka spoke to students at a gathering at 26th and Trenton SW prior to walking to Denny International Middle School, where they were greeted by "Lunch Lady" Doree Fazio-Young and given hot chocolate.

Dow Constantine who has served as King County Executive since 2009 announced Tuesday that he will not seek reelection in 2025.

He previously served on and chaired the King County Council from 2002 to 2009. His political career began as a legislative aide in 1990  and he ran for and won the election for 34th District State House of Representatives serving from 1997 to 2000. He later served as  State Senator from this area from 2000 to 2002.

He’s a graduate of West Seattle High School and The University of Washington Law School.

Constantine made no announcement on his future plans. 

His current term ends Jan. 1, 2026.

In a press release he said:

Information from West Seattle Junction Association

The Junction has officially expanded. Please join us in a warm welcome to the new businesses who are now part of the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA). Our footprint now reaches 1 block north on California Ave SW to SW Dakota St and also includes the east side of Fauntleroy, across from Whole Foods.

See the image above for boundary reference.

Why should you care? Because being a part of WSJA or Business Improvement Area (BIA) means that all of the businesses within our boundaries now have a team, a network, a community, to help keep our neighborhood clean and safe, to organize events and marketing, implement beautification projects, organize community service projects and engage in advocacy in support of our neighborhood with the City of Seattle. 

The new businesses now part of the Junction include the following (between SW Oregon and SW Dakota):

A huge response went out around 8 pm on Monday night for a fire in the historic Camp Long lodge in the 5200 block of 35th Ave SW.

The department said the fire was initially reported on the first floor of the lodge but spread to the roof.

Around 8:20 p.m., SFD crews had to move to a defensive attack due to a hole that had developed in the first story floor to mitigate the risk of collapse.

Another 40 minutes passed before they got control of the flames and crews remained on scene to deal with any remaining hot spots.