White Center Now: The blog about White Center

The flyer says it all, in two languages: South Park invites you to a Christmas party on 14th tonight, 4-10 pm, sponsored by its business community!

Quite the crowd down the hill in South Park this afternoon as a Cinco de Mayo festival was combined with the celebration for the start of South Park Bridge construction. The bridge that for a long time was no sure thing is now exactly that and is scheduled to be open in about two years. Our video captures the entire 40-minute ceremony with political speeches and at the end, the trap-door opening on the giant piñata!

We get questions every so often about the big project between Highway 509, Highway 99/West Marginal Way, and South Kenyon, downhill from the northeastern edge of White Center and environs. Not everybody realizes it’s … the new transfer station, 140,000 square feet, under construction and scheduled to open next year. WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz photographed the model at Second Use. (More project info here.)

From King County Councilmember Joe McDermott‘s office:

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott was listening when North Highline resident Mike Merta expressed concern about increasing amounts of graffiti and litter in West Seattle and South Seattle.

What Merta and others are seeing, McDermott said, is the result of declining county revenues and budget cuts. King County cut back its litter control program in an effort to balance the County budget.

And that’s the impetus behind a community clean up event scheduled from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, March19. McDermott is spearheading the event with support from Merta and Waste Management.

“We have all been impacted by the cuts made to balance state and county coffers. Communities must work together to fill the void that has been left,” Councilmember McDermott, who represents North Highline, said. “Residents of North Highline love their community, and I’m thrilled to help them keep it clean.”

Volunteers are invited to a free kick-off breakfast at 10am. Breakfast will be hosted by Waste Management at the company’s site at 8111 First Avenue South.

“Waste Management is all about helping make communities cleaner and greener,” said Katie Salinas, public sector manager for Waste Management. “We are inspired by the community spirit that’s driving this event and pleased to provide breakfast to fuel this important volunteer effort.”

Volunteers are urged to bring gloves and to wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.

For more information, “like” Keep Seattle Beautiful on Facebook.

Writer Chad Newton makes the proposal on his website: What about a new South Park Bridge that’s aligned along South Cloverdale rather than 14th Avenue South? He made the Google Map above to illustrate his idea. You can read about it here. (Of course, as he notes, this would cost a few hundred million dollars more, but his main point is the west-east disconnect in the south sections of Seattle.)

We’ve been covering it at partner site West Seattle Blog but it’s big news for White Center and environs too: It was announced this afternoon that the South Park Bridge has full replacement funding – since the federal government has given a $34 million TIGER II grant. (The first TIGER was the round of funding in which King County had sought $99 million and been rejected; this time around, funding pledges were sought from a variety of regional sources, and that means the $35 million is only about 1/4 of the tab, instead of 3/4.) Sen. Patty Murray, U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn were among the many dignitaries on hand for the midafternoon announcement by the south end of the old bridge, closed 3 1/2 months ago for safety concerns. The county says that if all goes as expected, construction will start next year and the new bridge is projected to open around May 2013 (we confirmed that date with the county, though the official news release says “late” 2013).

From the South Park Library, via the SP Yahoo! group:

South Park artist Amaranata Sandys shows us how to make sugar skulls, a traditional Day of the Dead craft, using sequins, color paint and paper flowers. A Day of the Dead altar will also be on display. For ages 5 and up.

Saturday, October 23, 12-2 p.m.
@ South Park Library

Amaranta Sandys de South Park enseñará como hacer las calaveras de azúcar, una tradición del Día de los Muertos; ultiizando lentejuelas, pintura de colores y flores de papel. Un altar de los Días de los Muertos estará en exhibición. Para niños de 5 años y más.

Sábado, 23 de octubre de 12-2 de la tarde
@ la biblioteca de South Park

8604 8th Ave. S. & S. Cloverdale St.
206-615-1688

Just reported on partner site West Seattle Blog: The Hooters that opened almost exactly a year ago, claiming to be in South Park but really more in Boulevard Park, has closed – blaming the South Park Bridge closure. Full story here.

Did you make it over to South Park for the big day of sales – and more? We’ve got coverage on partner site West Seattle Blog – check out the photos, video and story here.

South Park was already known as a creative community before the loss of its main bridge access – and now its residents and community organizations are coming up with even more-memorable ways to entice visitors. For one, there was Saturday’s community garage sale and barbecue at Duwamish Waterway Park – thanks to Gill for sharing photos, including kids creating crafts while musicians serenaded the park:

Kayaks beckoned visitors to explore the river:

And now an even-bigger event is on tap for next weekend:

SOUTH PARK ON SALE! AUGUST 28, 1,000 HOME GARAGE, ALLEY, YARD SALE EXTRAVAGANZA KEEPS SOUTH PARK CONNECTED DURING BRIDGE CLOSURE

Since the closure of the South Park Bridge 20,000 cars a day no longer drive through the culturally rich neighborhood South of the Duwamish river alongside Boeing and sandwiched between I-5, 509 & 99. Overall, business is way down for its main street establishments.

In an effort to keep South Park connected to the rest of Seattle and help local residents economically, South Park resident Deborah Semer, owner of Atmosphere Artist Management and Co-founder of the national non-profit Operation Ward 57, is organizing a community wide-garage, yard & alley sale where outside vendors are welcome. “Every other home in South Park has a business, musician or artist creating wonderful things on top of collectors of various treasures.” Resident, Alyssa Stevens, who owns an antique store in Georgetown Collectible Fruit, “has tons of stuff to sell!”

Semer says, “The challenge is to get people into South Park. We hope they stay here all day, exploring the nooks and crannies like our vibrant marina, creative micro-home businesses, brand new skateboard park, authentic Mexican food, fresh produce at our Market on Wheels and then enjoy a salsa dance party from Seattle’s premier dance studio Salsa Con Todo and then, watch a free outdoor movie presented by South Park Outdoor Cinema. It’s going to be a wild day!”

Other potential surprises could include a Zumba flash mob, the Dead Babies Bicycle Club, chair massage by Karina, Pirates, One Man Online band Tukso Okey from NY and well-known mural artist Kenji Fullmer.

Providence Regina House, which feeds & clothes residents will be open after the sale to accept donations. If you would like to purchase a table for only $10 to sell your items as an outside vendor call Juanita Rivera at (206) 235-5864.

The giant sale also includes the weekly Market on Wheels from 10am – 4pm at 14th & Cloverdale and the SP Outdoor Cinema presenting the movie “UP.” Gates open at 8:30pm, movie at 9:30pm.

A map will be available around the neighborhood and at homes to help shoppers find their treasures.

Again, that’s next Saturday.

That’s one angle we had on the final three minutes of the South Park Bridge‘s life – as the gates went down, the warning bells and siren sounded, and then, the drawbridge went up forever, as the crowd howled. Then – an impromptu round of “Amazing Grace,” and a toast – all in that clip. White Center was certainly represented at the wake – we saw WC Food Bank executive director Rick Jump atop the bridge in its final hour, and community activists including Liz Giba. King County Councilmember Jan Drago was there in a pink hat and pink tulle – same kind that decorated the bridge’s leaves as they rose. State House Position 2 candidate and White Center business owner Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy was there too. More coverage to come – this event was really all about the moments captured in video and photos. We had some photos in as-it-happened coverage on partner site West Seattle Blog.

(Photo courtesy King County Department of Transportation)
The bus reroutes kicked in this morning; the bridge closes tonight. Here is a preview from partner site West Seattle Blog. Note that the South Park community is hoping to have a strong show of support from all over the area as they say goodbye to the bridge tonight – and say hello to an interim time, before a new bridge is built, that they know will be challenging, but survivable with support from neighbors. P.S. A traffic alert from Jim, in WSB comments:

Watch your driving through the area. SDOT has already changed lane assignments as of Noon. You are going to be down one right turn lane off of E Marginal Way southbound.

Also the right lane on Cloverdale is no longer a left turn lane, it is right turn only.

This seems a little premature, and is bound to screw up the afternoon commute.

Thanks to Gill for the photo – apparently if you catch that sign at just the right instant, half the illuminated words and numbers disappear. The handwritten sign below, however, speaks more loudly. We’re taking the occasion to point you to a news release the county sent around today - for anyone who didn’t already have this burned into their awareness, 7 pm this Wednesday is the moment that the South Park Bridge is scheduled to close for good – more like “open” permanently, as the leaves will be raised so vessel traffic can make it through. The community is planning a 6-10 pm wake with art, music and more, and inviting you to be part of what they hope truly will be just a temporary end to their link across the Duwamish … the push for a new bridge now has $80 million of the $130 million funding commitment that’s neded. P.S. An important part of the reminder is that the bus routes that are changing because of the bridge shutdown will start their new routes at 5 am Wednesday – so tomorrow is the final full day of those routes (explained here) the way they are.

$10 million more today, according to County Councilmember Jan Drago‘s office. Meantime, counting down to closure of the old one – 7 pm Wednesday, if for some reason you hadn’t heard. The 1st Avenue South Bridge has maintenance closures 5 am -11 am both days this weekend.

(County Councilmember Julia Patterson, one of the many elected officials who spoke at today’s announcement)
Just back from covering the official announcement of $20 million in state money for the South Park Bridge’s replacement, exactly one week before the current one is closed permanently. A dozen political and community leaders were there to share in the announcement, which brings the financial commitment so far to $70 million, more than half the cost of the replacement. More to come.

King County produced a video explainer of the South Park Bridge‘s impending closure. In case you’re still not entirely clear about the impending 7 pm June 30th shutdown – just two weeks from tomorrow – check it out.

(North Highline council members Barbara Dobkin, Rebecca Lopes, Christine Waldman, Jessica Stoneback, Ron Johnson, Patrick Mosley, Richard Miller, Pat Price, Stephen Porter [not pictured: Heidi Johnson])
Story and photos by Jonathan Stumpf
Reporting for White Center Now

First up from last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting at North Highline Fire District HQ: The seven winners of the May 20 election (District 1: Pat Price, District 2: Stephen Porter, District 3: Jessica Stoneback, District 4: Christine Waldman, At Large: Rebecca Lopes, Barbara Dobkin and Richard Miller) were seated for the first time as active council members.

But those who previously served got a moment of recognition too: King County Councilmember Jan Drago‘s executive assistant Holly Krejci recognized, on behalf of Drago, past members for their “timeless work on behalf of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council,” collectively serving 12 years.

Up next, King County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Hancock shared the monthly crime report that included:

* three felony assaults
* 10 misdemeanor assaults
* one stabbing
* two shooting calls
* one homicide
* two robberies
* 25 burglaries, of which two were commercial
* 20 auto thefts

These statistics were alarming to council members and residents, considering just months ago Hancock’s crime report was significantly less. Hancock attributes this to fewer police on patrol, because the Weed and Seed and Byrne grants have finished funding and assisting with a higher police presence. Presently, this unincorporated area of King County has only two officers on patrol, and Hancock agrees that the numbers reflect this.

“We can’t do proactive police work,” said Hancock. “The best thing you can do as residents is be a good neighbor.” However, he did emphasize that should a high priority crime take place, backup is only minutes away from the Seatac or Burien police departments.

Council Member Patrick Mosley did ask about a new drug on the streets called ‘wet’–marijuana cigarettes dipped in embalming fluid — to which Hancock did say they had seen an increase in its abuse.

Also visiting from King County was Paulette Norman from the Roads Division of the Transportation Department, to distribute and discuss the South Park Bridge Final Closure Plan, also found here. Norman emphasized that even if funding was secured tomorrow, the bridge would still close as currently scheduled at 7 pm June 30th, because it would take almost three years to dismantle and rebuild a new one.

She did agree with most in the audience that the area around the bridge won’t look aesthetically pleasing for a while, and she also emphasized they are doing everything possible to help with the traffic diversions, including the installation of new digital message signs to help with communications of any traffic issues to commuters. These are going up along 1st Ave South, Highway 99, 509 and 599, hopefully she said, right around June 30, the day the bridge closes.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets the first Thursday of every month at the North Highline Fire District Office. Visit www.northhighlineuac.org for more info.

Its highlights – including the newest changes planned for Metro Route 60, which serves White Center – were discussed as part of a wide-ranging public meeting last night. Here’s the detailed report published on our partner site West Seattle Blog. Bottom line remains, the bridge closes 7 pm June 30th, and the money to replace it hasn’t been rounded up yet.

Tonight is the second of two meetings for the public to hear about the closure plan for the South Park Bridge – now just a month away (7 pm, June 30th). The meeting’s 6-8 pm at the Machinists’ Union Hall in South Park; full details at the SP Bridge Closure page on the King County website.

From partner site West Seattle Blog: King County says the final consultant review of the South Park Bridge’s condition is in, and it reaffirms the county decision to close the deteriorating bridge on June 30th. Full story here.