Stories for August 2018

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Friday, August 31

KeyArena FEIS out now

Oak View Group could start $700M renovation project by October

The Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections has published the final environmental impact statement for the $700 million KeyArena renovation project that could start construction this fall.

Wednesday, August 29

Police reform I-940 goes to voters

Supreme Court strikes amendments passed by Legislature

While the placement of Initiative 940 on November ballots was a disappointment to De-Escalate Washington, the campaign reports it’s ready to continue advocating for the reforms statewide.

Tuesday, August 28

McGilvra Elementary cafeteria ready to serve

New building to also function as multipurpose room

McGilvra Elementary students spent the last school year eating lunch in their classrooms due to ongoing construction. This year they’re dining inside a new cafeteria that will double as a multipurpose room.  

SPU investigating cement slurry in Madison Park sewer

Seattle Public Utilities is working to hold accountable the party responsible for a cement slurry ending up in the city’s sewer system near 39th Avenue East and East Howe Street.

Monday, August 27

Sawant to address Leschi Community Council on Sept. 5

District 3 Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant will be the guest of honor during the Sept. 5 meeting of the Leschi Community Council.

Friday, August 24

Central Area Senior Center receives $92.5K in one-time county funding

The Central Area Senior Center was one of 38 senior centers to receive funding through a first round of new investments through King County’s Veterans, Seniors and Human Services levy.  

Wednesday, August 22

Madison Books eyes November opening

Phinney Books owner plans new Madison Park bookstore

Tom Nissley is hopeful he can open Madison Books in Madison Park by November, filling a void felt in the neighborhood for more than a decade. “We just get that there’s this hunger for having this store right in the middle of everything,” said Nissley, who has owned Phinney Books in Phinney Ridge since 2014.

Friday, August 17

Section of 29th Avenue in Leschi to receive traffic calming improvements

SDOT to install traffic humps, signage in 2019 with Your Voice, Your Choice funds

A portion of 29th Avenue in Leschi will receive traffic calming improvements as identified and voted on by Seattle District 3 residents through a participatory budgeting program.

Man dies after jumping into Lake Washington in handcuffs

WSP reports man was being arrested for DUI on SR 520 bridge

The Washington State Patrol reports a 31-year-old Kirkland man died early Friday after jumping into Lake Washington from the State Route 520 bridge as a trooper was attempting to arrest him for driving under the influence.

Inslee makes case for carbon tax

Governor goes to school to promote I-1631

Though the wildfire-induced haze shrouding much of Western Washington this week began to fade by Thursday morning — if only temporarily — Gov. Jay Inslee expressed his concern over what the future may hold.

Thursday, August 16

Korean-fusion restaurant replacing Bella Viet Café in Madison Park

Couple fulfilling dream of owning a restaurant

Madison Park has a way of backfilling its losses. A Thai restaurant is going away, and another will take its place. Long after losing its bookstore, a new one will soon open on East Madison Street.  

JazzED, Capitol Hill Housing partner to create art, affordable housing in Rainier Valley

Music nonprofit outgrowing Madison Valley space

Music education nonprofit Seattle JazzED is partnering with Capitol Hill Housing to develop an affordable apartment building in Rainier Valley with a youth performing arts and music school on the ground floor.  

Leschi, Lakewood moorage replacement could start next spring

Friends of Lakewood Moorage continue to challenge changes

Marina Management partner Peter Joers expects permitting for replacing Leschi and Lakewood’s public moorage to come through in time for a spring 2019 start date. Meanwhile, residents continue to appeal decisions by the City of Seattle to turn over management of the marinas to a private operator while also pushing for more environmental scrutiny.

Wednesday, August 15

Central District drive-by suspect facing felony charges

Aug. 6 shooting outside Grocery Outlet allegedly gang-related

A convicted felon accused of shooting at rival gang members outside the Central District Grocery Outlet earlier this month will be arraigned on Aug. 23 in King County Superior Court on several charges connected to the drive-by.

Monday, August 13

Council confirms Carmen Best as new Seattle Police chief

Top job comes with community expectations around resolving bad policing practices

The Seattle City Council unanimously confirmed Carmen Best as the next police chief on Monday, Aug. 13, ending a lengthy search process that previously removed the 26-year SPD veteran from the running.

Sunday, August 12

Police conclude investigation of alleged high-profile pimp

Prosecutor's office reviewing case for charging decision

Seattle Police have completed a long investigation into allegations a Central District man raped him while he was being groomed for escort work, but the county prosecutor’s office reports it could take several more weeks before a charging decision is reached.

Friday, August 10

New tree protection ordinance could reduce canopy coverage citywide

Opponents urging city to keep existing protections

A public hearing to address proposed revisions to tree protections in Seattle is set for Sept. 5, and the city council can expect pushback by local conservationists.

Thursday, August 9

Cheese Platters comes back with more

Specialty food shop, tapas bar opens on East Union

Joyce Hosea is having a blast in her kitchen, thinking of what scratch-made offerings will show up next at Cheese Platters and More.

Arboretum has pull with Student Conservation Association

Teens spend part of summer removing blackberries along Lake Washington Boulevard

The students made the first dent in what will be an 18-month effort to clear invasive vegetation and enhance collections belonging to the University of Washington along the Lake Washington Boulevard and new Arboretum Loop Trail corridors, which is being funded by a gift to the Arboretum Foundation.

Wednesday, August 8

Central District couple delivers The Postman

New business opens to meet neighborhood's mailing, business needs

After two years of planning, KeAnna and D’Vonne Pickett have opened The Postman in the Central District. D’Vonne Pickett's great-grandfather, Jacques Chappell, worked as a United States Postal Service mail carrier in the Central District for 37 years. He passed away in February, and a silhouette of his smiling face is the business logo for The Postman.

Save Madison Valley appeals approval of The Madison

Neighborhood group argues city erred in assessing mixed-use development's impacts to environment, neighborhood

Neighborhood group Save Madison Valley has submitted its 105-page appeal to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection director’s approval of plans for the 82-unit mixed-use The Madison development.

Madison BRT still lacks federal funding

SDOT planning levy-only contingency

SDOT is still banking on federal funding for its Madison Bus Rapid Transit corridor project, but expects completion to be pushed back to at least 2021.

Tuesday, August 7

Arrest made in Central District drive-by

Seattle Police report a 28-year-old man has been arrested following a drive-by shooting outside the Grocery Outlet in the Central District on Monday afternoon.  

Sunday, August 5

Community restoring Madrona Ravine

Resident gathering support to remove invasive species in natural area

Located off Madrona Drive and East Pike Street, the Madrona Ravine is filled with invasive greenery that has taken over the local flora and fauna, concerning local residents about the long-term ecological wellbeing of their neighborhood.

Saturday, August 4

UPDATED: Thai Ginger closing in Madison Park

Owners line up new Thai restaurant to replace them

Thai Ginger is working out a transition in Madison Park, bringing in another Thai restaurant to take its place.

Friday, August 3

Dr. Waterman is in

ENT, rhinoplasty surgeon takes over Madison Park dental office

Dr. Eric Waterman had wanted to establish a practice in Seattle for years. After several months of renovations, he's opened his Waterman Rhinoplasty and Nasal & Sinus Center of Seattle in Madison Park.

Thursday, August 2

East Madison storefront could get apartments on top

Losh family exploring residential use above old Gillespie building

Once the Losh family finishes repairing the old Gillespie building on East Madison Street, city records show the next step could be constructing apartments on top.

City People's lease extended through end of 2018

Owners still searching for new location for Madison Valley garden store

City People’s Garden Store will stay standing for another Christmas, the owners having negotiated a lease extension through the end of 2018.

Wednesday, August 1

HomeStreet Bank organizing Madison Park Art Walk again

Artist, business participation keeps growing for annual event

HomeStreet Bank took over organizing the Madison Park Art Walk in 2015, and has a large list of artists and businesses that will be participating again this September. The grand opening is Sept. 

ARCH celebrating 50th anniversary of Seattle's Freeway Revolt

Events planned at Central Area Senior Center on Sept. 23

Seattle could have ended up looking a lot different, and transit advocates would have a lot more to worry about, if a coalition of concerned residents hadn’t stepped up 50 years ago.