White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We previewed it recently here – tonight, it’s happening. 6-9 pm. Have a blast!

Seven months ago, Puget Sound Park in White Center was reported to be in danger of being sold by King County for a housing project. A citizen outcry resulted in county promises that it would not be put up for sale. Now suddenly, its future appears to be in play again; we got a call this afternoon from Greg Duff of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, who’d worked hard to save the park last spring, saying he’d learned it might suddenly be on the brink of sale after all. We’ve been working since then to see what we could find out. Here’s what we know so far:

King County Parks won’t elaborate on exactly what is in the works. Jessie Israel, who’s returned to her parks division management job fulltime after a run for Seattle City Council, says they might have news next week – but for now, all she can say is: “We’re not selling a park – we’re looking for partners who will work with us to keep parks open to the public.” She said “several parks in North Highline and White Center” are being looked at in this regard; we asked repeatedly why the county would be looking at anything right now involving a park like Puget Sound Park that’s about to be turned over to the City of Burien, and Israel would only say “there are a good number of conversations that have started with the intent of keeping all White Center parks open. We are looking forward to working with Burien … our goal is really to figure out how to keep parks open to the public as public assets.”

“Working with Burien” did not seem to have been going on before we spoke with city manager Mike Martin earlier in the afternoon (after putting in the first call to King County Parks). He told us, “We don’t have a lot of information – what I know is that we have been told that the county intends to sell that property to a buyer, we don’t know who, we don’t know how firm that is.” He stressed that he too was still working to find out more, but what he’s heard so far indicated, “(The county) basically asked for anyone willing to buy the property to step forward … apparently they have a buyer. It would be nice to know (more). I am told they want to use some of the money, some would go to Burien, some of the money … to spread among some of the remaining (county) parks, for what purpose, I don’t know.”

Then he took on an even more grim tone: “I can tell you for certain that selling a five-acre park two and a half months before we’re supposed to annex, flies in the face of anything that might be interpreted as good public policy, or good for the North Highline residents … so what we’re doing is sending a letter to the County Council, and to (County Executive-elect) Dow (Constantine), asking what their intentions are.”

Martin went on to say that if he doesn’t get an assurance that the park is not about to be sold, Burien might push back the date when it actually officially annexes the “North Highline South” area. “At Monday’s Burien City Council meeting, we were to have set the date for annual annexation, March 2nd. Until we get clarity (regarding the park), I will recommend that we delay. It’s not something I recommend lightly, but I can’t make a proposal when I don’t know what the game is. I hope the county understands that if we have to delay annexation, it will cost them money” — in urban services they will have to provide longer than they planned.

Martin went on to reiterate that this turn of events is “a big deal.”

We also sent messages to Constantine and key staffers, but did not hear back from anyone; he had made the announcement last time that Puget Sound Park was off the table. He’s to be sworn in to his new job on Tuesday.

We’ll keep working to find out what’s happening and will report when there’s an update.

ADDED 2:50 PM: A reward’s now being offered to solve this crime. Here’s a flyer with information about that and about the victim:

FROM 9:27 AM: Another followup to Tuesday night’s crash – this just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

The help of the public is needed to find the vehicle that struck and critically injured a pedestrian in a crosswalk two days ago.

The incident occurred about 5:20 PM on Tuesday, November 17th.

A 36 year-old White Center man was crossing 16th Ave SW in the crosswalk at SW 106th. The suspect vehicle was southbound on 16th Ave SW and struck the man. The vehicle slowed but did not stop and was last seen driving off southbound on 16th.

The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

A driver’s side exterior mirror was found at the scene. There will also be damage to the left front fender.

The vehicle is probably maroon in color, a Chevrolet or GMC product. It is one of the following models:

GM or Chevrolet full size pick-up 1988-1989
Blazer or Jimmy 1992-1994
Suburban 1992-1999
GMC Yukon 1992-1999
Chevrolet Tahoe 1995-1999

If anyone recognizes the suspect vehicle they are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours) or 911.

We checked with King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart this morning for more official information on last night’s crash – here’s what he tells us:

This was a Hit & Run at about 5:33 PM. A 36 year-old Seattle man was crossing 16 Ave SW in a marked crosswalk. Suspect vehicle was driving southbound on 16 Ave SW. The vehicle struck the victim while he was in the crosswalk. The vehicle slowed down and then drove off southbound on 16 Ave SW. The suspect vehicle is described both as an SUV, and a truck. Victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.

Sgt. Urquhart says that’s the only description they have. If you have any information, call 911.

Thanks to tipster Mona for sending word that somebody had been hit while crossing 16th SW near the Albertson’s store; traffic is a mess there while King County Sheriff’s Deputies investigate what they tell us is an apparent hit-and-run crash. One man was hurt and is being taken to the hospital. No description so far of the suspected hit-and-run vehicle – investigators are trying to sort out what happened – but traffic is likely to be troublesome in that area for a while.

Since we’re into the holiday season, the schedule changes a bit for the White Center/South Delridge safety and crimefighting meeting – they’ve just announced it’ll be December 10, 6 pm, location = St. James Place as usual.

Some White Center homes/businesses were out of power earlier today – Seattle City Light says all but a few hundred have it back now:

Seattle City Light lineworkers restored power about 2 p.m. to most of the 4,000 homes and businesses affected by an outage in Burien and unincorporated King County today.

The outage started about 12:40 p.m. as the result of an equipment failure that started a utility pole fire on SW 104th Street. The repair crew expected to restore service for the remaining 360 customers without power by 5 p.m.

The general boundaries of the remaining outage were SW 100th Street on the north, SW 108th Street on the south, Occidental Way SW on the east, and 10th Avenue SW on the west.

Next Saturday night, it’s the Third Saturday Art Walk for White Center for the Arts – the official poster’s just out with the lineup.

We stopped by on Saturday morning and this java joint was jumpin’. Beautiful space, as you can see from our photo showing just part of its interior. Today’s the second day of Grand Opening weekend – Dubsea Coffee is on 8th SW in Greenbridge, about a block south of Roxbury. ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Someone sent this cell-phone photo of amazing latte art from Dubsea today – wow!

From the WC Food Bank website, Grace Church has a food drive today at Roxbury Safeway – give generously!

From Aviva at Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle:

As gardening season slows down, Community Harvest is thinking about plans for next year. This group, who sponsored the Edible Garden Fair and Tour, is considering partnering with Seattle Tilth to bring some of Tilth’s popular classes to our neighborhood in 2010. The location would be St. James Place. The Community and Food Bank Garden which is forming at this location would provide the space for hands-on learning. In addition to Tilth classes, there is a possibility for classes in food preservation, cooking, and fruit tree care.

If you live in or close to White Center, help them decide which classes to offer! Please take a moment to complete this brief survey – click here.

From Marlene:

… last night my son and I went to Thai Thai’s in White Center on Ambaum. The owner told me that she has to close the restaurant in a few days because her husband is having cancer surgery in Bangkok. She stated that the restaurant will be closed for two months, but will re-open. She was quite upset about her husband.

Thai Thai’s has fabulous food, and has been in business for twenty years. I’m just happy that they aren’t closing for good.

Got a reader report or a tip? whitecenternow@gmail.com any time.

A couple of notes for Veterans Day and its local effects – school’s closed; Metro Transit runs a “reduced weekday schedule.”

Services will be held at the Salvation ARmy Senior Center 9020 16th Ave sw.  November 12, 2009 from 4pm to 6:30pm

You’ve probably noticed the signs in the window in recent months – now it’s time to open the doors. It’s grand opening weekend this Saturday and Sunday for Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge. We had the pleasure of meeting its proprietor Sibelle earlier this year; she plans for her coffee shop to be not just a place to get espresso, but also a place to enjoy local art — with a local artist serving as Dubsea’s curator — and a place for youth to gather in a safe space. Dubsea is just a few doors down from the Greenbridge Y/Library complex, at 9910 8th SW. According to the Dubsea website and invitations that have been sent out, the shop will be open 7 am to 7 pm as it swings open its doors on Saturday. ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Commenters wondered, and Dubsea responded – Stumptown is the coffee they’ll be using. See you there!

This from the White Center Community Development Association site – with incentives for attendees. Read all about it here.

The county says a limited amount of H1N1 flu vaccine is arriving and getting distributed – and the only location in White Center that’s part of the program is Walgreens at 16th/Roxbury. For high-risk people 9 and up, there will be a walk-in vaccination clinic Tuesday, Nov. 10th, 11 am-1 pm. More info here.

He’s currently the County Councilmember representing District 8 – White Center, West Seattle, Vashon and other areas – so when Dow Constantine is sworn in as King County Executive in 2 1/2 weeks, how will his successor be chosen? A proposed process was unveiled this afternoon – here’s the county announcement:

With Tuesday’s election of Council Chair Dow Constantine as King County Executive, the Metropolitan King County Council may consider legislation Monday establishing a process for evaluating candidates for appointment to succeed him in representing Council District 8.

“It is important that the Council act quickly to ensure representation for constituents in District 8,” said Council Vice Chair Bob Ferguson. “Timely appointment will also allow the new councilmember to transition into the position, hire staff, and hit the ground running in the new year.”

A proposed motion introduced today would create a 10-member panel of community leaders and elected officials who live or work in Council District 8, and who represent the geographic, economic and ethnic diversity of the district that encompasses West Seattle, North Highline, Vashon/Maury Islands, Burien, Normandy Park, SoDo, the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square, East Beacon Hill, and portions of the cities of SeaTac and Tukwila.

As currently drafted, the proposed legislation calls for applicants for the position to submit application material to the Clerk of the Council by Monday, November 16.

The selection committee is proposed to meet no later than November 25 to interview qualified applicants and recommend two to five candidates for consideration by the Council, but not state any preferences among the recommended candidates.

The King County Council has final authority for making the appointment. Under the proposal, the Council’s Committee of the Whole would interview recommended candidates on Monday, November 30, with final Council action on an appointment no later than December 14. The appointee would serve in office until certification of the next general election in November 2010.

The proposed process is similar to that adopted earlier this year to fill vacancies in the offices of County Executive and County Assessor. Under the old partisan form of government, the political party of the official vacating office would submit nominees for an appointed successor, but voters last year amended the King County Charter to make most countywide offices non-partisan.

The proposed legislation establishes criteria to be used by the selection committee in evaluating the qualifications of eligible candidates, including:

· Knowledge of the functions of King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues and challenges facing King County government;
· Knowledge of the issues affecting the constituents of Council District 8;
· A demonstrated ability to develop a responsible budget;
· A demonstrated ability to respond to public concerns;
· Demonstrated leadership skills; and
· A commitment to the immediate business of King County that would make it unlikely that the individual would run for any elective office while serving as appointed councilmember.

Council Chair Constantine is scheduled to be sworn into office as King County Executive as soon as the results of the general election are certified on November 24.

I got news yesterday that Bob Houk has lost his battle with cancer at the age of 71. Bob  lived in White Center for 42 years. He opened his shop in 1986. He built most of the signs you see in the area, including the one that hangs over Full Tilt. He was very involved with the community, often donating signs to just about any local group that asked including Jubilee Days Festival and the No Annexation. I think everyone in our little hood knew Bob, and he will be missed. His wife Joan is going to keep us updated on memorial service announcements.

We covered it on partner site West Seattle Blog because we first heard about it as an Arbor Heights chopper sighting – started with stolen car at 17th/Roxbury, suspect ran, helicopter got involved, King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart says the suspect is in custody.