Seattle, WA
The rush to reach West Seattle
Last week Sound Transit revealed more details about three grandiose new stations in West Seattle, one hugely upgraded SODO station, and a big cable-stayed (“suspension”) bridge over the Duwamish. On Thursday the System Expansion Committee will discuss early land acquisitions. This seems to indicate that the Board takes approval of the extension for granted though the final EIS is not expected to be released until June. In the meantime, the target opening of the Ballard extension has been pushed out from 2035 to 2039, partially due to lack of funding. What would happen to land already acquired if the line would fail to obtain federal funding or the Board would decide to focus on Ballard instead? Are we making the right tradeoffs?
As a transit advocate, I am excited about expanding transit options and frustrated with the delays in Federal Way and crossing Lake Washington. Shouldn’t I be excited that Sound Transit is bringing light rail to West Seattle?
During the open house Sound Transit revealed more details. For the Alaska Junction station it shows two full-block, multiple-story high entry halls which remind me of the Seattle Symphony. Do we need large entry halls to serve 6400 daily riders, most of which will transfer from bus? I would prefer more modest entries like Sound Transit built at Roosevelt or UW stations with far higher ridership, and add more housing above and retail at street-level. While some West Seattle residents are excited about a light rail option, more and more voices are skeptical. The West Seattle Blog posted more detailed pictures on their report of the event and received many critical comments. Jennifer Dowling and Patrick Robinson reported on the destruction of local businesses. Some locals organized as Rethink the Link. The destruction of the Jefferson Square complex at the Alaska Junction station would eliminate many apartments and 40 businesses by itself, mostly small businesses but also large ones such as Safeway and Bartell Drugs. The Avalon station would close many restaurants, and construction would disrupt the main access to West Seattle for many years. The Delridge station would force the closure of Alki Beach Academy, one of the largest day care providers in Seattle and crucial for many parents in West Seattle. All the impact may be justified by ridership progress, but the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) estimates only 27,000 daily riders. That’s about the same ridership as the main West Seattle bus lines (C, 120, 21…) carried before the pandemic.
The city pointed out that there are many areas of concern along the route and they still need to issue permits to mitigate these impacts.
While the city and state has been issuing grants to increase tree coverage along the Duwamish River, Sound Transit is planning to clear cut the northern portion of the Duwamish Greenbelt on Pigeon Point which will destroy a heron colony, wetlands, and public trails, and impact steep unstable slopes. Sound Transit also has changed the route to go over the Longfellow Creek, whose tributaries the city has been improving upon to expand salmon spawning and beaver habitat. As this change was made after the DEIS was published, the public only had limited ability to provide input.
Other commentators pointed out that the travel time and complexity will increase, as most riders will still need to rely on buses and then have to transfer in West Seattle and SODO. At SODO station Sound Transit plans to build another huge glass structure where riders will be forced to navigate multiple escalators. If Sound Transit would instead run the West Seattle line on the existing tracks and add a center platform, riders could simply step off one train and step on the next train in another direction.
For now, the West Seattle line will terminate at the SODO station. Ultimately Sound Transit plans to extend it downtown, but this will take at least another five years. The DEIS points out that until the line connects downtown there is little incentive to ride light rail, in particular if you arrive on a bus as most riders do. Sound Transit hopes that Metro will continue to run the buses downtown until the line connects downtown.
Why do we spend $4 billion and 614,000 tons of carbon now on the construction of this extension? For their Stride service (along SR-522 and I-405) Sound Transit plans to acquire and operate electric buses. Why not operate Stride buses for West Seattle instead of Link light rail? It would reduce the overall carbon footprint, offer better transit experience, and the cost savings could be used to accelerate the Ballard extension. The Ballard/SLU line promises much higher ridership, more ridership growth and travel time savings. Now that Dan Strauss has joined the System Expansion Committee, we may hear his perspective before land acquisitions start for a light rail extension with questionable value.
The West Seattle Junction space formerly occupied by Willow, preceded by Fleurt, will not be empty for long. A familiar Junction fashion entrepreneur is moving into 4536 California SW – here’s the announcement:
Well-known West Seattle staple Carmilia’s announced today that it will open a new store in the Alaska Junction, offering everything from skincare products to fashion accessories. The new store, located at 4536 California Ave SW, formerly home to Fleurt and Willow, will do a soft opening on Art Walk Night, May 14, 2026. Carmilia’s owner, Linda Walsh, is at the helm of the project.
The store will be filled with all of Walsh’s favorite things: shoes, accessories, and gifts, at a variety of price points. It’s the perfect place to find unique and playful items for your next celebration or shopping spree. The store’s scheduled hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.
Walsh told us she hasn’t yet settled on a name, so if you pass the future shop’s windows you will probably see “Watch This Space” as a placeholder!
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold speaks at Jayhawks’ pro day event
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say recently at the Jayhawks’ 2026 pro day event in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.
Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.
Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.
Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.
KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
The Seattle Mariners have a new pitcher, and it’s one they’re quite familiar with.
Cal Raleigh has soreness in side, out of Mariners’ lineup again
Longtime former Los Angeles Angels left-hander José Suarez was claimed by the Mariners on Sunday off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment.
The Mariners (16-18 entering Sunday) and the MLB-leading Braves (24-10) are set to begin a three-game series at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
The 28-year-old Suarez is in his eighth MLB season, the first six of which were with the Angels. Because of his long tenure playing for a Mariners AL West rival, Suarez has played against the Mariners (14 games, 10 starts, 59 1/3 innings) more than any other MLB team.
Braves star Acuña to 10-day IL, out for series vs. Mariners
Suarez had a 6.61 ERA in eight games (one start) and 16 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. He first joined the Braves last year.
The Braves designated Suarez for assignment on Friday.
The best seasons of Suarez’s career were in 2021 and 2022 with the Angels, both years in which he went 8-8 with an ERA below 4.00 and WHIP under 1.25.
The Mariners had to scramble to fill a spot in the bullpen this week when right-hander Matt Brash went on the injured list with right lat inflammation. They initially called up left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma just before their game against Kansas City on Friday night, then replaced Simpson by calling up Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Thomas, 26, made his MLB debut last season, appearing in three games for the Mariners. This year in Triple-A, he’s has a .260/.313/.328 slash line for a .641 OPS with two home runs in 31 games. Thomas was an 11th-round MLB Draft pick in 2022 out of USC by the New York Mets.
More on the Seattle Mariners
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• A factor that can help Cole Young earn All-Star nod
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