White Center Now: The blog about White Center

This Saturday night, White Center Heights Park will be transformed into an outdoor shopping event, with more than 40 vendors signed up for the Queer & Trans Night Market. VietQ is presenting the market, 6-9 pm Saturday (August 28th). VietQ presented a daytime market back in June in Greenbridge. Saturday’s vendors are spotlighted on VietQ’s Instagram page. The park is at 7th/102nd.

2:23 PM: Ready to get vaccinated? Until 6 tonight, you can do it at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th). Single-dose and two-dose vaccines available, KCLS says, so people 12+ are welcome.

ADDED WEDNESDAY EVENING: Miss this one? They’re doing it again September 22nd.

If you’re planning to travel on 509 and/or 99 early Friday, be aware of this alert from Seattle City Light:

Seattle City Light crews will be replacing overhead fiberoptic cables over State Route (SR) 99 and 509. The reliability work will result in traffic impacts on Aug. 27.

To complete this work safely, Washington State Patrol troopers and construction crews must intermittently conduct rolling slowdowns of traffic in both directions of SR 99 and 509 to ensure safe work operations and passage for motorists. Traffic will be intercepted and escorted at slow speeds up to 15 minutes as crews pull overhead cables across the freeways. Traffic will return to normal speeds once vehicles pass the work area.

Rolling slowdowns will occur from 12:01 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday, August 27. Construction will impact vehicle traffic on SR 99 and 509 in the following areas:

State Route 99

Northbound: South 116th Way/Tukwila International Boulevard to South 96th Street
Southbound: South Kenyon Street to South 100th Street

State Route 509

Northbound: South 96th Street to South 128th Street
Southbound: South Kenyon Street to South 106th Street

Side note: This is the kind of work that went awry in the early morning hours of August 18th, leading to a major power outage and highway closure.

2:25 PM: Just got word from Metro spokesperson Al Sanders that the signal at 15th/Roxbury is out because “the crew on the RapidRide H line construction hit a conduit near 15th and Roxbury, taking out power to the signal.” He says SDOT and Seattle City Light are “working to repair the break” and in the meantime they will get an officer to direct traffic (if one’s not there already).

5:17 PM: Just went by to check – still out. Sanders says it might be a few more hours.

8:01 PM: Fixed.

(Memorial gathering July 17th – photo courtesy Gill Loring)

More than a month after the death of Taradise Café proprietor Tara Eckman Scott at just 51, her family has announced the restaurant/bar won’t reopen. Here’s what they posted on social media:

On behalf of Tara’s entire family, we would like to sincerely thank you for the outpour of love, words of healing, and support you have sent us during these painful times. As we reflect on Tara’s memorial and the 500+ people who were present, the countless individuals who have sent kind messages, dropped off flowers, meals, and donated time and money, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for each and every one of you.

After time to process and determine what is in the best interest of Tara’s sons, we have decided as a family not to reopen Taradise. This was a very difficult decision, as Taradise has been a community Tara worked so hard to build and a place where many loved ones found a safe space to share a warm meal and a drink. However, with so many factors at play and such uncertainty during this pandemic, it is the best decision to keep Taradise closed. Our hearts cannot bear the stress at this time. We have no doubt that the community and legacy Tara built will continue to live on through her boys and all of those she loved. We thank you for your care and understanding as we navigate these dark times, where tough decisions must be made.

For those of you who donated to the Taradise fund, please rest assured that all proceeds will be split equally amongst Tara’s three sons—DeAndre’, Baby Gee, and Zion—who are in different stages of their youth and early adulthood and are doing everything they can to move through life without their mom’s earthly guidance. Whether you donated money, time, food, flowers, or your heartfelt words, we will never forget how you have been there for us during this time.

We love you all and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for walking alongside us during this grief journey with so much grace. We appreciate you beyond words.

They’ve also announced a “closing sale” at the site (9808 16th SW) this Sunday (August 29th) – same day as the big White Center block party – 1-5 pm.

Just in from Metro, “Tonight’s and this week’s planned night work at the two locations (Roxbury/15th; 102nd/15th&16th) will be rescheduled to a later date.” (That’s a reference to the work we previewed last week.) No new date set yet.

Summer’s ending, school starts soon, and a traditional celebration of both is coming up this week: White Center Community Development Association presents the annual White Center Promise celebration at Greenbridge Plaza, 10 am-2 pm Friday (August 27th). The plan is for “music, dancing, food, raffles, and many more activities.” As is the recommendation from health authorities regarding crowded outdoor activities, you’re asked to wear a face covering.

(Metro photo, 15th/Roxbury)

From Metro, some specifics about upcoming work as part of the RapidRide H Line preparations:

One-block closure: Starting as soon as Aug. 23, work crews will close 15th Avenue SW between 106th and 107th streets to all general traffic. Access to businesses along this corridor will be maintained. The closure is expected to last until October 2021. During the closure, crews will construct:
-infrastructure for the future RapidRide H Line stations.
-new sidewalks, curbs, and ADA compliant ramps
-a new pedestrian signal crossing at SW 107th Street.

The southbound bus stop at 15th and 106th Street and northbound stop at 15th and 107th Street will be closed during construction. Please use stops north of 106th or south of 107th streets

Nighttime utility installations: Starting as soon as Aug. 23, crews will be working at night to install new underground utilities across the width of 15th Avenue SW from the southeast to southwest corners of the 15th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street intersection. Nighttime work in this location is expected to be ongoing through the end of August. During this work:
-The sidewalk and both lanes of traffic on 15th Avenue SW will be closed from the intersection south to mid-block between SW Roxbury Street and SW 98th Street
-Crews will be working weekday nights between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
-Detours will be in place for people driving, walking, and rolling
-Access to driveways and businesses will be maintained.

Daytime sidewalk and curb construction: Crews will be installing new sidewalks and curbs along 15th Avenue SW near the SW Roxbury Street intersection starting as soon as Aug. 23. This work is expected to be ongoing through early September. During this work:
-Crews will be working weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
-Sidewalk and traffic lane closures will be in place
-Detours will be in place for people driving, walking, and rolling
-Access to driveways and businesses will be maintained.

Nighttime drainage work: On Aug. 25 and 26, work crews will perform nighttime drainage work at SW 102nd Street between 15th Avenue SW and 16th Avenue SW. During this work:
-Crews will be working between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
-Traffic will be reduced to one lane and be guided by flaggers.

Metro Route 120 is scheduled to convert to the H Line in fall 2022.

That’s the map for a big Seattle City Light outage that started around 3 am for more than 8,000 homes/businesses in White Center and elsewhere in North Highline as well as parts of West Seattle and Burien. No word from SCL on the cause, yet.

From Public Health-Seattle/King County we get word of a COVID-19 vaccination pop-up tomorrow (Wednesday, August 18th), noon-6 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) in White Center. All three authorized vaccines will be available. so this is open to everyone 12+ – no appointment necessary.

Just in:

King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County, which prohibits all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.

The Stage 2 burn ban goes into effect immediately for King County, which was already in a Stage 1 burn ban. King County’s ban is in coordination with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Marshals, which extends the ban into cities.

During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited. Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor.

Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices – including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas or propane gas – are also allowed. Ricketts asks residents to please use caution when disposing of charcoal remains.

Extended periods of abnormally high temperatures have increased the fuel load in the vegetation in our community. The large fire in Oregon and other fires in Washington have stretched wildfire fighting resources throughout the region.

Ricketts says if residents must smoke, they should exercise extreme caution with their ashes or when they’re extinguishing cigarettes. The county asks residents to be diligent and respectful of their neighbors, and to remember this is a demanding time for first responders.

The Community School of West Seattle at 22nd/Roxbury invites your support at a fundraising concert in White Center Heights Park:

Go here for tickets.

(WCN photo)

Between Taboo Video and Southside Pizza, new restaurant Tomo is on the way, and it’s a hot ticket – or should we say, hot plate – weeks before opening. First day will be September 9th, and it’s already fully booked for the month, with October reservations to be offered starting at 10 am September 1st. James Beard Award-winning former Canlis Chef Brady Ishiwata Williams‘ restaurant promises food “created with micro–seasonal, ethically–sourced ingredients and inspired by the heritages of our culinary team.” Tomo is named for the proprietor’s grandmother, Tomoko Ishiwata Bristol, and the restaurant’s website also notes that “tomo” is from the Japanese word for “friend” (tomodachi). The space at 9811 16th SW, which will seat 28 diners, has some food history – Meander’s Kitchen and San Fernando Roasted Chicken in the early 2010s. See sample menus for Tomo here. Tomo will offer two 5-course set dinner menus, and a la carte lunch on weekends; the restaurant also will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

Per Seattle Police policy, SPD has gone public with their video from last night’s deadly shootout in White Center. See it here – if you choose to; please note the warning, as you see and hear gunfire in the video, and you see the man who was shot by SWAT officers, before, during, and after the gunfire. We don’t know anything more yet about the man who was killed; he was described only as a 22-year-old man suspected of a Seattle murder that happened “earlier this year.” Officers had gone to the house near 21st/100th to arrest him, and after they announced themselves, police say, he came out of the house holding a gun, and fired at them; they shot back, as seen and heard in the video, and he was declared dead at the scene. Police have also released this photo of the gun with which they say the man was armed, adding that “The gun was reported stolen in King County in June 2021.”

SPD says three officers were involved in the shooting and that they are on paid administrative leave.

ADDED MONDAY: The Seattle Times says the man who was killed was Isaiah Hinds, identified in June as the suspect in a murder at a South Seattle church in March.

6 PM: Seattle Police SWAT was serving an arrest warrant in White Center near 20th and 100th when shots were fired. We don’t know yet who fired but the person who was shot was described as a suspect. We are at the scene and will update.

6:06 PM: If you’re in the area, police have set off a ‘flashbang’ before entering the house to see if anyone else is inside. The shooting happened outside.

6:17 PM: The person who was shot has been taken to the hospital. (Correction: Police later said he was declared dead at the scene.) Officers are now searching the residence. The area’s been taped off, including SW 100th.

6:42 PM: SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is here. Officers are still trying to ensure the house is clear.

6:47 PM: They’ve just set off another flashbang and are using other audible tactics in case there’s anyone inside

6:56 PM: The helicopter is TV.

7:24 PM: We and other media are awaiting a briefing from an SPD public-information officer.

7:55 PM: SPD says the person shot by officers has died. They confirm they had gone to the house to arrest a suspect in a Seattle murder case from earlier this year – but they are not yet confirming that the dead man is the person for whom they had a warrant. We recorded the briefing on video and will add soon. (Added: Here’s the clip.)

The distinction that the warrant was for a Seattle case is important because it rules out the recent unsolved White Center/North Highline murders – those were outside the city limits.

MIDNIGHT: SPD Blotter says the man who was shot was 22 years old and was the suspect officers had gone there to arrest.

A chance for you to have a say:

The White Center Community Development Association is working with the North Highline community to review and prioritize the community’s input on needs and interests in the North Highline subarea. Please consider taking this survey developed by the WCCDA.

The information gathered will help King County Local Services complete a subarea plan and community needs list for North Highline. Learn more about these two initiatives

Big Night Out party on 20th SW – thanks to Gill Loring for the photos! King County Sheriff’s Deputies showed up, as did North Highline firefighters:

Here’s host Ron getting ready to feed attendees:

And here’s how the night ended:

11:07 PM: A man reported to have stab wounds to his face is being treated near 15th and 100th, and deputies are there investigating. They’re still clarifying the circumstances; they’re telling dispatch that the attack might have happened in an apartment complex a few blocks away.

11:14 PM: Deputies have gone to an apartment in that complex, in the 1300 block of SW 100th, and found blood inside. Meantime, the victim will be taken to Harborview Medical Center.

11:59 PM: No further updates so far.

Set your calendar:

Almost a month have passed since the arson that tore through part of the heart of downtown White Center. Businesses are still working to get back open, some in new locations. Today (graphic via @WhiteCenterPride) there’s word of a big party in four weeks to help – be there!

Next Tuesday (August 3rd) is Night Out, coast to coast, and here in White Center, King County Parks is hosting two events for the whole family that night, both 5-7 pm – one at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) and one at Dick Thurnau Memorial Park (11050 10th SW).