Spreading the Word

The High Point Blog will give everyone some time to comment on yesterday’s divisive post before resuming the dialogue, but one thing that has become immediately apparent and easily resolved is the need for an instantaneous communication network for High Point residents. As a result, HPB has launched the Contact the High Point Blog tab, by which you can now email HPB 24/7 to tip off fellow residents of any news, happenings, alerts, or warnings. If you mark the subject line as URGENT, HPB will try to get the information up immediately.

One High Point; Two Communities

The High Point Blog has been holding off on this one for a loooong time now. But a recent comment on the High Point Center post made it painfully obvious that somebody has to break the silence and be politically incorrect. To frame what HPB is about to say: we’ve all been quietly sitting drinking the West Seattle real estate punch and ignoring the rampaging, neighborhood-wrecking elephants in the room. So I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking anyway.

High Point Center Part IV

Maybe this should be a revolving installment until we can get some answers on this issue. Several of you have written in that the site located approximately at 34th & SW Graham streets is actually just a staging ground for construction at High Point Phase II. I would agree that this is the likeliest of cases since HPB had previously suggested that the fenced-off footprint seemed too small fit a retail/mixed use center. In the midst of all the fog this morning though, High Point Blog caught construction-like activities taking place on the actual site.Also, there is an increasing abundance of construction equipment on the site and it just seems like with the abundance of space available much closer to the immediate area near Phase II that it’s a little strange that the “headquarters” would be so far away from the actual construction site.High Point Blog will be closely monitoring the site in the next few days and will try to get some images up of the reported construction activities. I am truly starting to suspect that something is being built on that spot and that it’s our neighborly right to know what it is. 

High Point Commons Park

This is more of a visual post for those of you eye candy gluttons out there. A reader had asked, and HPB had planned to post an update on the construction of the High Point central park. As you can see from the pictures posted below: construction is expected to (dare I guess.. has already begun?) on the central community park as of this fall. For more information, or to volunteer as it were, call (206) 615-3415 or email parks@thehighpoint.com. More pictures after the break…

High Point Center Part III

HPB has searched up and down for more information on the upcoming High Point Center and well–I haven’t found much more out than we already knew. Land use and construction permits come up empty for the land in question, and yet as can clearly be seen from the pictures I’ve taken, t-shacks and construction equipment are clearly on the premises.

Another curiosity about the project is the fact that the rent-a-fence which borders the site does not occupy the whole parcel of land from High Point Medical Center south to Graham St, but only about half of the land. Just from having walked around the whole area, it seems to me like the part which is fenced off is too small to hold a small retail strip, a parking lot, and residential units.

Actually, if you were to look at the footprint of the space from the air, it would seem to be better suited for a small to medium sized grocery store and a parking lot. Additionally, the way the land is fenced off now gives the idea that the site will have a small entrance to parking from roughly Graham St. and 34th Ave SW, with the building set back from both streets. As a probably irrelevant aside, and having no real architectural expertise, the space roughly approximates the footprint (at least square-footage-wise) of Trader Joe’s in Queen Anne.

High Pointers: y’all have a homeowners association; maybe someone from the homeowner’s association has access to information on the general planning of High Point, or has a contact within the Seattle Housing Authority?

The story in pictures:

More Construction in High Point

As if the sounds of construction throughout High Point weren’t bad enough, it looks like High Point Center is finally getting off the ground. HPB hasn’t heard any rumblings as to what the new High Point Center will be, though from a sign posted on the property’s fence, it still appears that some form of retail/mixed use is planned for the site. This marks a change from earlier information that misled people into believing that an anchor store (possibly grocery store) would occuply the retail-only parcel. Adding to High Point Blog’s suspicions that plans may have completely changed is the fact that Cushman & Wakefield no longer has a public listing for the retail space at High Point Center, whereas previously the real estate management firm had posted a listing featuring 40,000+ sq. ft. for an anchor store. This either means that they did find someone willing to risk a specialty grocery store in an untested neighborhood (read: unlikely), or that they could not find a lead tenant after months of searching and have decided to develop the land differently (much more likely).I say that the latter possibility is much more likely because construction on High Point Center was to have begun far sooner than August 2007, but it obviously did not. No coming soon signs yet, as in the Junction. The High Point Blog will try and get to the bottom of this, so stay tuned. 

High Point Tutoring Center

From a High Point Blog viewer:

Do you love working with youth?

We are seeking applicants for an AmeriCorps position available at our High Point Tutoring Center in West Seattle. AmeriCorps members work 40 hours a week, receive a living allowance ($1000/month), receive health insurance, child care, and an education award of $4,725 upon completion of their year of service. To apply, send resume and cover letter stating your interest to: soundyouth_nda@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.soundyouth.org or www.ytpseattle.org. Thanks!

Tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Tutor elementary, middle and high school students one-on-one or in a small group• Assist youth with homework assignments; play educational games with students• Ensure the smooth, effective functioning of the center• Provide support and problem-solving to tutors• Coordinate educational incentive projects designed to motivate students toward high achievement in different content areas• Maintain records of all tutoring activities, family and school contacts and activities• During school breaks, assist in the preparation and delivery of supervised learning activities or clubs on subjects such as astronomy, women’s literature, technology, chess, creative writing or gardening• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills Required• Bachelor’s Degree• Desire and ability to tutor elementary and middle school students and assist with math, reading, writing and social studies homework• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experience• Experience working effectively with young people, preferably at-risk youth• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and balance multiple responsibilities. Strong organization and documentation skills required. Detail oriented• Strong oral and written communication skills; clear, friendly phone voice and manner; good proofreading skills• Ability to represent self and program in professional manner to potential tutors, school personnel and community groups• Computer competency and willingness to learn and tutor with educational software

TO APPLY:Send resume and cover letter stating your interest to: soundyouth_nda@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.soundyouth.org or www.typseattle.org. Thanks!

Seafair Pirates Landing at Alki

Ahoy High Pointers! Today at 11 a.m. the Seafair pirates are supposed to be landing at Alki as part of the annual Seafair celebration. Sorry for the late notice.

A New Theme

Over the last several months, HPB has seen some ups and downs. The downs mainly being those periods of time when I went on vacation, and when I was simply too lazy to find something to post. At any rate, one thing I’ve noticed as time has worn on, is that the High Point Blog–while retaining a focus on delivering stories of immediate concern to High Point residents, neighbors, friends, and foes–has actually grown into a West Seattle and increasingly just Seattle blog. For that reason, I thought a mild redesign was in order and a new header appropriate. The image of the West Seattle peninsula (brownie points if you can guess from where it was taken) better connotes the increasingly broader scope of the High Point Blog. Let me know what you think! (Someone comment please!) Update:(07/04/07) The layout I tried using had some code problems I think, so I decided to give this one a try.

Kwik-E-Mart in Seattle

When I first heard about this happening in Seattle, I had the slightest of hopes that the West Seattle 7-11 at the Avalon Way and 35th Ave intersection might get the Simpsons makeover. Alas, my hopes were dashed as the only Kwik-E-Mart in Seattle can be found at 362 Denny Way, Seattle, WA 98109. Still, you should check it out if not for the Squishees, for the Duff beer, err Buzz Cola.

The picture is a little small (thank you 7-11), but you can make out the lettering of, “Kwik-E-Mart,” above the Denny triangle convenience store. Seattle is one of only 11 locations in the country to get a Kwik-E-Mart.