White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We’ve gotten a bit behind in sharing links here from partner site West Seattle Blog. Here’s the latest coverage on the South Park Bridge situation, as the June 30th scheduled permanent shutdown edges ever closure:

RALLY TOMORROW: South Park community members are organizing a rally as high-ranking political leaders come to SP to celebrate health-care reform. Here’s the latest on that – you’re welcome to join and help show support for the fight against leaving SP bridgeless.

SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL PROMISES SUPPORT: Toward week’s end, city councilmembers said they pledge support in helping find money for a new South Park Bridge, and weren’t ruling out a possible city contribution.

We first reported these last night on partner site West Seattle Blog – but in case you didn’t see them there, we’re linking here too. Multiple agencies sent reps to the first “bridge closure planning meeting” yesterday in SP; after that, we were off to a media opportunity with Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, whom we asked whether the city might chip in money for a new bridge, as a county rep had suggested to us might be necessary. Here’s the full story with details on both angles (including video of the mayor’s answer). Meantime, nothing has changed as the county moves toward its plan to close the South Park Bridge permanently at 7 pm June 30th.

Thanks to the caller on our breaking-news line (206-293-6302, round the clock) – we just got word a crash has closed the South Park Bridge. The KIRO TV traffic chopper showed a vehicle on its side. No word how much longer (it’s 6:28 am as we post this) it’ll be closed.

Two notes about the South Park Bridge situation – First, we covered another emotional community meeting last night; here’s the link to the article on partner site West Seattle Blog. Second, during a briefing with Metro today on a wide range of topics, we asked about bus-rerouting plans if the South Park Bridge indeed does close at the end of June. They said one of the bus routes that would be affected is the 60 from White Center; currently, their reroute plan would take buses down Cloverdale to 8th, with a left turn there. More to come.

So asked one attendee in an overflow crowd at the South Park Neighborhood Center last night, as county reps – and others – talked about what is now looming as the June 30 scheduled closure of the South Park Bridge. We have a full article up at partner site West Seattle Blog – read it here. Also note that there is another meeting scheduled in South Park tonight, this one at 6 pm at South Park Community Center – more at Blogging Georgetown.

Speaking to the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council last Thursday, our area’s County Councilmember Jan Drago warned that the county is absolutely serious about shutting down the South Park Bridge this June – and said that demolition would start shortly afterward. No mention of the possible reprieve reported recently in the Seattle Times, if new test results showed it might be safe enough to stay open for a while, as the county continued searching for funding to build a replacement. Whatever the case, there’s no question that bridge is a lifeline for many people in this area, so tonight’s South Park Neighborhood Association meeting is of major interesting – it will include an official King County update on the status of the bridge. The meeting starts at 7 pm, South Park Neighborhood Center, 8201 10th Avenue S. (map).

From King County Department of Transportation:

The King County Road Service Division is advising motorists that the previously scheduled closure of the South Park Bridge has been postponed due to a delay in obtaining a permit for the work. The bridge had originally been scheduled to close for a four-day period for testing beginning Sat. Jan 30. The testing will be rescheduled for a later date.

From the King County Department of Transportation:

The King County Road Service Division will close the South Park Bridge spanning the Duwamish River to both vehicle and marine traffic from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily Saturday Jan. 30 through Tuesday, Feb. 2. The four-day closure will allow engineers to perform noise and water quality testing and simulate vibration that might occur during bridge construction. During the closure, engineers will conduct pile driving to measure noise, vibration and take water quality samples. Data collected during the tests will assist the county in planning for construction of a new bridge when financing becomes available. During the closure, motorists can detour via the First Avenue South Bridge.

Music! Bicycles! Facepainting! And White Center’s own Full Tilt Ice Cream. “Crank It Up” is happening at Cesar Chavez Park (7th and Cloverdale) till 6 pm – here’s an update from our partner site West Seattle Blog.

*South Park Bridge is scheduled to be closed 7 am-7 pm.

*Holy Family School‘s “El Carnaval” Street Fair is scheduled for today and tomorrow, 10 am start both days.

7 am-7 pm Saturday, the South Park Bridge is closing for repairs, so if you use that route to get between northern White Center and South Park/other areas, you’ll need to plan an alternative. Here are full details on the county’s website.

We received this bulletin for our sister site West Seattle Blog. It’s important information for White Center too and we’re publishing it in both English and Spanish, which is how Seattle Police are distributing it:

At about 0300 hours, an unknown suspect entered a residence in the 700 block of S. Rose Street. The two occupants were attacked, and one has since died from injuries sustained in the attack. The second victim is undergoing medical treatment at an area hospital for her injuries.

The suspect is described as:
• black male,
• late 20’s to early 30’s in age
• He is approximately 5’-9” to 6’-0” tall,
• with a thin muscular build.
• The suspect has a thin moustache,
• “nappy” hair.

The suspect is still at large. The Seattle Police Homicide Unit is investigating this incident, and asks that citizens call the homicide unit at (206) 684-5550 with any information, or King County Crime Stoppers at (206) 343-2020 or send a text to “crimes” (274637).

Citizens are asked to call 911 to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, and to contact the Seattle Police Department Crime Prevention Unit at (206) 684-7724 for additional information on personal safety. During warm weather, citizens are reminded of the necessity to secure all doors and windows in their homes.

The public is invited to a community meeting at the South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Avenue South, on Monday, July 20, at 7:00 pm.

Interim Chief John Diaz

(in Spanish – en Espanol)

Aproximadamente a las 0300 horas, un desconocido entró en una sospecha de residencia en el bloque 700 de South Rose Street.

Los dos ocupantes fueron attacted, y uno ha fallecido a causa de las heridas sufridas en el ataque, la segunda víctima se encuentra en tratamiento médico en un hospital de la zona para sus heridas.

El sospechoso es descrito como un hombre negro, a finales de años veinte años treinta en la edad. Él es de aproximadamente cinco a nueve a seis pies de altura, con una construcción muscular. El sospechoso tiene un bigote fino, y “pañal pelo” El sospechoso sigue en libertad. La Unidad de Homicidios de Policía de Seattle está investigando el incidente, y pide que los ciudadanos llamar a la Unidad de Homicidios 206-684-5550 o King County Crimestoppers 206-343-2020 o al texto consejos a los “CRIMES” (274637) con toda la información.
Los ciudadanos se les pide que llame al 911 para reportar cualquier actividad sospechosa en sus vecindarios, y ponerse en contacto con el Departamento de Policía de Seattle, Unidad de Prevención de Delitos en 206-684-7724 para obtener información adicional sobre la seguridad personal. Durante el buen tiempo, se recuerda a los ciudadanos de la necesidad de asegurar todas las puertas y ventanas de sus casas.

El público está invitado a una reunión de la comunidad en el Centro Comunitario de South Park 8319 8th Avenue South, Seattle, el Lunes 20 de Julio a las 7:00 pm.

The South Park Bridge (seen in our February 2009 video from a Duwamish boat tour) made a cameo appearance during a CBS network news story last night; see it here. Accompanying news release from the county today:

Constantine: National news report spotlights need for South Park Bridge replacement

“Last night the CBS Evening News made a national example of the crumbling South Park Bridge, which, as their story correctly pointed out, is so dilapidated that it may have to be shut down next year. When that happens, we will lose a busy crossing point over the Duwamish River that carries 20,000 vehicles a day, and the too often neglected South Park neighborhood near Boeing Field will suffer further as a result.

“It should never have gotten to this point. Over the past few years, I have worked to identify a funding source for the replacement of this crumbling, unsafe public structure. I successfully lobbied to get this project included in the 2007 Roads and Transit ballot issue, and like the reporter who covered this story, I felt that the South Park Bridge was an excellent candidate for federal stimulus funds. I made sure to get this bridge at the top of King County’s stimulus funding list, and I traveled to Washington, D.C. in December and January to meet with our state’s delegation to spotlight the bridge’s replacement as a worthy stimulus project.

“I will continue to fight for funding to replace this key piece of King County infrastructure. This project would create many new construction jobs and would ensure a brighter future for working-class neighborhoods. Given the possibility of further stimulus spending in the future, I will continue reaching out to our delegation in Washington, D.C. to get this project completed.”

From the Seattle Department of Transportation:

SDOT’s contractor plans to lay a new asphalt surface on the southbound lanes of 14th Avenue South in the South Park neighborhood from Monday, March 9 to Friday, March 27, depending on weather conditions. During this work, the southbound lanes of 14th Avenue South between South Cloverdale Street and South Director Street will be closed with traffic detoured 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Detour signs will be posted prior to the start of construction. One lane will remain open for northbound traffic. The project is scheduled for completion this spring.