Ballard Bridge to close over several weekends this spring 4 Apr 8:07 AM (2 days ago)
The Ballard Bridge is scheduled to close during some weekends this spring so crews can complete work on the ongoing paving and safety project for 15th Ave W/NW and the Ballard Bridge.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) says the closures will allow crews to finish work that was delayed because of rain last fall.
Here’s the list of scheduled closures:
- April 25-28: On Friday, April 25, lane closures may begin as early as 7 p.m., and the bridge will fully close at 10 p.m. Additionally, 15th Ave NW will be fully closed in both directions between NW 51st St and NW 50th St during the weekend closure to grind and overlay the asphalt roadway pavement. On Monday, April 28 the bridge will reopen by 5 a.m.
- May 9-12: SDOT will close 15th Ave NW between NW 51st St and NW 50th St during the weekend closure to continue concrete roadway pavement restoration.
- May 30-June 2: SDOT will close 15th Ave NW between NW 51st St and NW 50th St during the weekend closure to continue concrete roadway pavement restoration.
- June 6-9
SDOT says they also have backup dates of June 13-16 and July 18-21 if they have to delay due to inclement weather. The timing of each closure will be the same, from Friday evening through Monday morning.
SDOT says the closure dates and times may change due to weather conditions or other unexpected circumstances. Bridge closures may be rescheduled to new dates in addition to those listed above if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
You can stay updated by signing up here for email notifications from SDOT about the closures.
Photo: SDOT
Crown Hill residents asked to boil water after water main break 3 Apr 8:09 AM (3 days ago)
Update 4/4 9 a.m.: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) says that while the water main break has been repaired and water is slowly being restored to residents and businesses, they still recommend boiling tap water or buying bottled water through Saturday.
SPU crews will start flushing the water main around 4 p.m. today, which they say may cause temporary discoloration and sediment. They’re planning to test the water quality over the next 48 hours to ensure the water is safe to drink.
SPU will provide an update online when the precautionary boil water advisory is no longer in place.
Update 4/3 10:30 a.m.: Whitman Middle School is closing early due to the water main break. In a letter to parents, the school administration said they’ll be dismissing students early at 10:35 a.m. on Thursday morning (April 3).
Whitman says school buses will be available for students who receive transportation services, and parents are asked to pick up students who do not receive transportation services. Any students who are not able to be safely received at home or cannot be picked up at school will be transported to Ballard High School.
Original 4/3 9 a.m. : The City is asking Crown Hill residents to boil their water due to a water main break on April 2 in the area.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) says the water main break happened at 10:30 p.m. on April 2 at 8th Ave NW and NW 100th St. They say about 3,000 households and businesses are affected. SPU is still working to determine the cause of the break.
The areas affected are:
- South border: NW 83rd St
- North border: NW Woodbine Way
- East border: 9th Ave NW
- West border: Valmay Ave NW – 23rd Ave NW
Crews are working to repair the 16-inch water main, determine the cause of the break, and restore water service as quickly and safely as possible. As a precaution, SPU is asking customers in the area to boil their water before drinking or use purchased bottled water.
While they aren’t currently seeing signs of contaminants, SPU says the notice to boil tap water is a precaution. They say the loss of water pressure can create a risk of contaminants entering the pipes, either through leaks or as a result of water flowing backward from homes and businesses into the water system.
SPU estimates it will take up to 48 hours before tests have been completed to confirm the water is safe to drink. They recommend people either boil water or use bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. If you’re boiling water, SPU says to bring tap water to a rolling boil for one minute, let it cool, then pour it into a clean container.
Updates will be available throughout the repairs at AtYourService.Seattle.gov. Customers with questions can call SPU Customer Service at: 206-684-3000. Read this website for more boiled water information.
Map: SPU
Eldr restaurant closed temporarily due to a fire 3 Apr 7:55 AM (3 days ago)
The wood-fired kitchen Eldr (6414 32nd Ave NW) has closed temporarily due to a fire in the restaurant.
The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to the fire at 2 a.m. on April 1. SFD says there were no injuries and that the fire started on the ground floor of the two-story building.
Crews are responding to a fire in a structure in the 6400 block of 32nd Ave NW. Please avoid the area.
— Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) April 1, 2025
Eldr, which opened in December, posted about the fire on Instagram, saying they’re still determining the severity of the fire damage and the timeline for reopening.
Eldr is reaching out to everyone who made reservations and said they can move bookings to one of their sister restaurants—they also own Haerfest at 4106 Stone Way N and Autumn at 6726 Greenwood Ave N.
We’ll update you with any new information.
Photo: Eldr
Great blue heron colony’s nesting season underway at Commodore Park 2 Apr 7:58 AM (4 days ago)
The local great blue heron colony’s spring nesting season is underway at Commodore Park just west of the Ballard Locks on the Magnolia side.
Volunteers with the Heron Habitat Helpers (HHH), a nonprofit that monitors the colony each year, say the park is bustling with activity right now.
“If you visit now, you’ll witness courtship displays such as bill duels, neck stretching, feather fluffing and on-going nest building and remodeling,” HHH wrote in its latest newsletter.
“The male gathers branches and sticks from nearby trees—sometimes stealing sticks from other nests, and the female decides if the stick is worthy. If so, she’ll carefully create or bolster the nest. Most herons have chosen their mate for the season, and a few couples are already incubating eggs!”
HHH has a robust monitoring program of volunteers who track mating couples, nests, and hatching eggs. Commodore Park is home to Seattle’s largest great blue heron colony—last year, the colony produced 65 nests.
The lead heron monitors this year, Emily and Shawn Pitcher, said they’re expecting the first chicks to hatch this week.
The Ballard Locks U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will host a “Bird Lover’s Day” at the Ballard Locks on Friday, April 11, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., where the public can meet HHH volunteers and learn about the colony. They’ll have birding scopes available for the public to get a closer look at the nests from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Photos: Nancy Reithaar
Nutty Squirrel Gelato shop coming to Ballard Ave 1 Apr 10:42 AM (5 days ago)
There’s a new ice cream shop making moves to open in Ballard: Nutty Squirrel Gelato is expanding to Ballard Ave.
Nutty Squirrel will take over the former D’Ambrosio Gelato (5339 Ballard Ave NW) which closed a few months ago.
Nutty Squirrel is a family-owned and local gelato brand. They have two other shops—one in Phinney (7212 Greenwood Ave N) and the other in Magnolia (2425 33rd Ave W)
The owners tell My Ballard that they expect to open May 1.
Photo: Google Image Capture Oct 2024
The Greater Good restaurant and bar is now closed 31 Mar 8:14 AM (6 days ago)
The Greater Good (5316 Ballard Ave NW) closed over the weekend after almost two years in Ballard.
The Greater Good owner Rachel Wilcox posted on social media that she’s closing the Ballard bar to focus on her other bar Underbelly in Pioneer Square. The Greater Good’s last day open was yesterday, March 30.
Here’s the message Wilcox wrote on Instagram:
“It’s always a difficult decision to close the doors, especially after making so many new friends, but alas, the time has come. We’ve truly enjoyed our time in this space, we’ve appreciated the support from the industry folks in the neighborhood and, most of all, our new customers who supported us over the last 18 months. Of course, rising costs of basically everything and the continual obstacles that come with juggling small businesses in Seattle has helped us with our decision to close The Greater Good in order to focus on Underbelly.”
In their message, they said that some of The Greater Good bartenders will be moving to Underbelly.
The Greater Good opened in the fall of 2023 in the former Noble Fir location. No word yet on what will take its place, but we’ll let you know when we learn more.
Featured photo: The Greater Good
Rooftop Brewing Company to merge with Maritime Pacific Brewing 28 Mar 8:11 AM (9 days ago)
It’s the end of an era for Maritime Pacific Brewing (1111 NW Ballard Way)—after 35 years, the owners are retiring and Rooftop Brewing Company will take over its location in Ballard.
George and Jane Hancock opened Maritime Pacific in 1990—long before the Ballard Brewery District took shape. Its original location was off Leary, and they moved to 1111 NW Ballard Way in 2010.
The Hancocks, who have been planning their retirement, connected with Rooftop Brewing Company co-owner and general manager Craig Christian, who was looking for a new location after a fire forced him to close the Interbay brewery last year.
“What could have marked the end for two beloved Seattle institutions instead became an opportunity for something new,” Christian wrote in a statement. “Rooftop will carry on Maritime’s legacy while bringing its own spirit to Ballard—ensuring both breweries’ communities have a home for years to come.”
Rooftop is taking over operations at Maritime Pacific, and the new iteration will be a combination of both Rooftop and Maritime. The Jolly Roger Taproom—aka “The Jolly”—will remain open and will serve both Maritime and Rooftop beers and favorites from the menu, such as Jolly Sliders and Smokers.
“Last year’s fire was a devastating blow to Rooftop. The prospect of rebuilding and reopening was daunting, to say the least. But when the opportunity to both reopen in an established brewery location and help carry Maritime’s legacy into the future—it just felt right,” Christian said.
Rooftop Brewing, founded in 2012, has been closed for eight months since the fire. Christian said it will take some time to ramp back up Rooftop’s brewing operations, but in the meantime, they’ll continue to serve Maritime beer. They also plan to expand the community spaces at the brewery, such as the outdoor patio space in front.
“After 35 years, stepping away isn’t easy—but knowing it’s in good hands is a real comfort. It’s always been about community, and our best memories are filled with the people who made it all possible,” George Hancock said. “Jane and I raise a pint to this next chapter.”
“It is an honor to continue George and Jane’s legacy,” Christian said. “That day when regulars of Rooftop are sitting next to the regulars at the Jolly, choosing from a tap list of the best of Rooftop and Maritime’s beers… that will be a special day.”
They expect to be open in early April.
Photo: Google Image Capture June 2021
Assembly Coffee Co. reopens under new ownership 27 Mar 10:40 AM (10 days ago)
Assembly Coffee Co. (5507 17th Ave NW) has reopened its doors after a change in ownership last year.
Molly Hawkins first opened Assembly in October 2021 as an events space featuring local artists. In 2022, she transformed it into a coffee shop. Hawkins ran it for two years until closing it in 2024.
Hawkins wanted to find someone to take over the business, and in October 2024, she sold it to two former customers: Caroline Devine and Daniel Perez.
Devine and Perez have been readying the space to reopen since last fall. They just opened the doors for business yesterday with some changes.
Perez tells My Ballard that they now serve pastries from Finales Bakery and prepackaged stroop waffles from the Stroop Club. They’re keeping Olympia as their house espresso roaster but will have a rotating selection for pour-overs and retail coffee beans: Kuma from Seattle and Black & White roasters from North Carolina.
Perez says they’re excited about the addition of Black & White because the roaster is doing “some of the most interesting natural process coffees in the industry, and we believe Seattle could use more third wave coffee.”
They have organic syrups from Holy Kakow and matcha, chai, and loose-leaf teas Smith Tea, an Oregon tea provider.
Importantly, Perez said they’re keeping the cafe’s focus on community. They plan on having workshops and participating in the Ballard Art Walk, and they may extend their opening hours in the future (they currently close at 7 p.m.).
Thanks Michael for the tip!
Photo: Daniel Perez
New Ballard Sunset Market to pop up at Old Stove Brewing – Gardens on Thursdays 26 Mar 7:16 AM (11 days ago)
A new Thursday night market is coming to Ballard: it’s called the Ballard Sunset Market, hosted by Old Stove Brewing – Gardens (1550 NW 49th St).
The monthly Ballard Sunset Market—featuring artists, makers, and vintage finds—debuts on Thursday, March 27, from 5 to 10 p.m. The first event will showcase 25 female-owned businesses in honor of International Women’s Day and International Women’s Month.
Seattle Night Markets is presenting the Ballard Sunset Market. Seattle Night Markets organizes several craft markets around Seattle, including the monthly Fremont Bridge Market and large-scale night markets at the Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park.
“Breweries are all about community and bringing people together, and that’s no different for Old Stove Gardens,” said Troy Kilburn, general manager of Old Stove Brewing – Gardens.
“We love being a part of the Ballard Brewing District. We’re hoping to help bring more people to the wonderful establishments on this side of 15th (Channel Marker Cider, Bickerson’s Brewhouse, Pine Tavern).”
Since opening its 16,500 square-foot brewery and garden space in the former Lagunitas Brewery space in September 2023, Old Stove Brewing Co. has become a frequent destination for community-centric events, including charity fundraisers, dance classes, and cold plunges. Every Tuesday, they host “Giving in the Gardens,” benefitting different non-profits who interact with the community and receive a donation for each beer sold.
The market will happen once per month on Thursdays, with the next event planned for April 24.
Photo: Old Stove Brewing – Gardens
Walk-up microbakery the Cake Coop opens in Ballard 25 Mar 10:07 AM (12 days ago)
A local baker has started selling cakes from a small self-serve bakery called The Microbakery @ The Cake Coop.
Baker and owner of Butter Half Cakes Nicole Conley is at the helm of the walk-up microbakery at 8039 30th Ave NW. Think of it like a cake vending machine: You walk up, scan a code, select your treat, and the fridge will open up for you to take your goodies.
Conley tells My Ballard, “It’s a fun, on-demand treat spot for locals—with rotating flavors and no need to pre-order.” Conley sells individually packaged slices of cakes and small “vintage-style” cakes from the smart fridge.
“Butter Half Cakes has been a custom cake studio creating cakes of all styles for weddings, birthdays, and celebrations across the Seattle area. I’ve loved being part of people’s most special moments, but I wanted to share my cakes more often, in a way that feels fun, flexible, and accessible,” Conley told My Ballard.
“That’s where the idea for the Microbakery came in: A self-serve cake stand offering decadent slices and tiny, beautifully made celebration cakes you can pick up on a whim—no planning or pre-orders required. My goal is simply to bring a little joy to folks in my neighborhood and across the city.”
Conley said the cake stand is open Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Photos: Nicole Conley
Family of hit-and-run victim offers $5,000 reward for information 24 Mar 8:00 AM (13 days ago)
The family of Richard John “Ole” Ward, who was killed in a hit-and-run in Ballard last month, is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the driver responsible.
Ward, 39, was crossing the street at NW Market St and 15th Ave NW around 1:20 a.m. on February 1 when he was struck by someone driving a black pickup truck. According to his family, the driver ran a red light while Ward had the right of way in the crosswalk, throwing him 75 feet upon impact.
Seattle Police have released video footage of the suspected vehicle, which Ward’s family, working with a private investigator, believes to be a black GMC pickup truck from model years 2018–2024.
In a statement, Ward’s mother Sue said the driver ran a red light when they hit her son. He had a green pedestrian light in the crosswalk and was thrown 75 feet.
Ward’s family has partnered with Crime Stoppers to offer the $5,000 reward. If you have information about the vehicle or driver you can anonymously contact 1-800-222-TIPS. The reward is contingent on an arrest and charges being filed.
State Senate to consider bill to exempt Ballard Missing Link from environmental reviews 21 Mar 10:07 AM (16 days ago)
The Washington State Senate will hold a hearing today on HB 1814, a bill that would exempt the Burke-Gilman Missing Link project from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), removing a major legal barrier to construction.
For three decades, the city has faced legal challenges from some Ballard business owners over the Missing Link’s completion, which includes a 1.4-mile section of missing trail. The city’s preferred route along Shilshole Ave NW has been stalled by legal appeals, but HB 1814 aims to bypass further delays by granting a SEPA exemption.
Two alignments for the Missing Link have been under discussion: either along Shilshole Ave NW or on Leary Ave NW, which many in the Ballard business community want.
The bill has precise language limiting its impact to specific projects: it applies only to trails covering 10 acres or less, on railroad right-of-way designated for interim trail use, and within a city of at least 500,000 people (i.e., Seattle). This means the Missing Link is the only project currently affected.
While the Cascade Bicycle Club strongly supports the bill, arguing that SEPA has been misused to stall the project through legal technicalities, some tribal groups have raised concerns about potential SEPA exemptions. The bill requires “meaningful consultation” with any federally recognized tribe that may be affected, and if an agreement is not reached, mediation is required. If no consultation is initiated within 90 days, the exemption takes effect.
Meanwhile, the city and local leaders including District 6 Councilmember Dan Strauss have been working on a feasibility study for the Leary Ave NW alignment. As of December, it was at 30% design.
If the bill passes through the Senate and becomes law, it would remove the most significant legal obstacle to completing the trail along Shilshole Ave NW. It would take effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns.
We’ll keep you updated on the outcome of today’s hearing.
Photo: Google Image Capture June 2021
Shark Bite Ceviches now open in Ballard 20 Mar 10:55 AM (17 days ago)
There’s a new ceviche bar—Shark Bite Ceviche—in Ballard at 6256 3rd Ave NW.
Marcos Arellano is the owner and chef. He’s been running Shark Bite as a food cart in Beacon Hill in 2016 and just opened his first Ballard brick-and-mortar.
Arellano told My Ballard that he’d been looking for a smaller space when he came across the space at 65th and 3rd in Ballard. After running a fairly small operation in Beacon Hill for almost a decade, moving into a new space is a big change.
“We’ll see,” Arellano told My Ballard. “It’s a new challenge for me!”
Arellano discovered ceviche after working in restaurants as a food prep. According to the story on his website, his roommate asked him to make shrimp ceviche. Arellano wasn’t yet familiar with ceviche, but decided to give it a shot. Not realizing ceviche was meant to be raw, he fried the shrimp. His roommate teased him for his first attempt and then taught him how to make it.
Arellano said he was hooked. He started making ceviche for his friends and coworkers, who loved it. He then experimented with different flavors and seafood such as octopus and halibut, and Shark Bite Ceviche was born. Arellano now makes five types of ceviche: shrimp, octopus, halibut, salmon, and mushroom.
Arellano will keep the Beacon Hill food cart open, but it will be seasonal—most likely from April to October, he said.
Shark Bite in Ballard is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s limited seating inside, but there’s a large patio for outdoor seating. Many items are perfect for grab-and-go, Arellano said, and he’s waiting on a liquor license to add beer to the menu.
Photo: Shark Bite Ceviche
Leif to Leif 5k and Norwegian Heritage Day is this weekend 19 Mar 8:01 AM (18 days ago)
The annual 5k fun run and Norwegian Heritage Day celebration will be held this weekend, March 22, at the Leif Erikson Lodge in Ballard.
The Leif to Leif 5k runs from the Leif Erikson Lodge at 2245 NW 57th St to the Leif Erikson statue at Shilshole Bay Marina. The race starts at 9 a.m. and all runners will receive a Norwegian flag, a “tasty treat” at the finish line and Nordic-themed temporary tattoos. There are ribbons and prizes for top finishers and prizes for “fun and creative participants.”
After the run, Norwegian Heritage Day will be in full swing at the Leif Erikson Lodge. They’ll have live music, hot food, and of course, Scandinavian baked goods such as cookies, lefse, bløtkake, and krumkake.
Entertainment will include Solje Sisters, Leikarringen, Barneleikarringen, Skandia Kapell, and the traditional Bunad Parade. There will be Nordic demonstrations of rosemaling, woodcarving, weaving, Viking jewelry, vaffler, goro, and Kransekake, plus a genealogist, aquavit tasting, and a pickled herring contest.
The race costs $20 to enter for adults over 18, $10 for teens under 18, and is free for kids 12 and under. You can register online here, or sign up on race day at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit the lodge and Ballard Senior Center.
Photo: Leif Erikson Lodge
Maíz Taquería to close Ballard location after six years 18 Mar 12:04 PM (19 days ago)
The Ballard location of Maíz Taquería (7301 15th Ave NW) will close at the end of the month.
Maíz Taquería, which opened in May 2019, will serve its last meal in Ballard on Sunday, March 30. Owner Aldo Gongora told My Ballard that they’re closing to consolidate their operations in their downtown location.
“This corner—as much as we (and our dog Miklo, who loves his backyard) enjoyed it and as much as it gave us our first shot in the industry—became increasingly expensive over the years, with rising property taxes and rent,” Gongora said. “We kept trying to offset those costs with higher sales, expansion, and diversification year after year, but for a neighborhood eatery and mainly our concept, it was always a good set of ambitious tasks we were ready to take on.”
Gongora said their goal has been to keep rent within 10-12% of revenue, but to achieve that, they’d need to hit $900,000 in sales by 2025, and nearly $1 million in 2028. “We’d rather pass on that challenge,” he said.
A few other factors that influenced the decisions are the minimum wage increases, the elimination of the tip credit, and property taxes, which Gongora said exceed $20,000 per year. Gongora said that given those factors, they decided not to renew their lease.
“We will always be grateful to the community that supported us over the years, from the very beginning with our signature machaca and chilaquiles,” he said.
The company will now focus on the flagship Pike Place Market location, where Gongora said the rent is more sustainable, and on its Belltown location (Maíz Molino), which Gongora said they built from scratch to fit their needs.
“This is a well-deserved break for our family, and even though we still have plenty of work ahead with our small coffee roastery in Crown Hill (OG Coffee) and our boutique winery in Baja (which is about to release its first labels under @trinidadcorrado), this shift allows us to concentrate on what matters most.”
Photo: Maíz Taquería on Facebook
Happy Crab restaurant to take over former Anthony’s Homeport at Shilshole Bay 17 Mar 7:36 AM (20 days ago)
There’s new life coming to the former Anthony’s at 6135 Seaview Ave NW: A restaurant called Happy Crab is making moves to take over the waterfront space.
Happy Crab Boiling Seafood, which also has a location in Auburn, announced on social media that it’s opening a new location at the former Anthony’s this summer. The building hasn’t had a restaurant tenant since Anthony’s closed in 2016.
Happy Crab serves Cajun-inspired seafood—think Southern seafood classics like jambalaya and gumbo. The menu also has some Chinese options, with “Happy’s Signature Noodles” that’s served with a choice of protein and a house broth either with Cajun or Mala flavors. Mala is a Sichuan-style flavor that’s characterized by a spicy, numbing sensation.
No word yet on the opening date for Happy Crab, but we’ll keep you posted.
Photo: Google Image Capture June 2021
Flower pots to return to downtown Ballard this spring 13 Mar 7:37 AM (24 days ago)
Flower pots are returning to downtown Ballard this spring.
The 2nd annual Ballard Alliance Flower Planter Program is kicking off in early May, and the Alliance is opening up sponsorship opportunities to help maintain the flower pots.
The program started last year with just nine pots scattered around Ballard. This year, they have 26 flower pots in the works. Here’s a map of where they’ll be installing the flower pots.
Businesses or individuals can sponsor a 2025 planter for $250. The Alliance says the sponsorships will help to keep the flowers watered and maintained. Business owners will receive a plaque in the planter, and individuals may dedicate their planter to a cause or in honor of a person and have it displayed on a planter plaque.
The Alliance is accepting sponsorship applications until March 21.
Photo: Last year’s flower pot on 22nd Ave NW. Courtesy Ballard Alliance
National Nordic Museum film festival to spotlight West Nordic regional cinema in Seattle 12 Mar 7:57 AM (25 days ago)
By Preethika Makineni, University of Washington News Lab
As Ballard-based National Nordic Museum’s chief curator Leslie Ann Anderson and Kyle Reinhart from Scandinavia House in New York began working together to bring the idea of the West Nordic Film Festival to life, they started with collaboration.
With a previous partnership between the two establishments on the Sámi Film Festival, Anderson said she saw an opportunity to represent Greenland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands through film.
One name came up over and over: Icelandic curator and film connoisseur Birgir Thor Møller.
“Everyone from the Faroe Islands and Greenland has said, ‘You need to meet with Birgir, you need to talk to Birgir,’” said Reinhart. “He seems to know all the films, all the producers, so he just seemed like the obvious choice.”
The result is the West Nordic Film Festival, which starts March 14 at Majestic Bay Theatres (2044 NW Market St). The collaboration was borne of Reinhart and Anderson’s idea to continue their collaboration after successfully hosting the annual Sámi Film Festival, which focuses on Indigenous people in Finland, Sweden, and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.
The West Nordic Film Festival opens March 14 and plays through March 15, and it wouldn’t be possible without Møller.
On the other side of the Atlantic, years ago, Møller first sparked an interest in film in his childhood, going to the cinema with his grandmother, he said. As he grew into adolescence, he watched as the Icelandic film industry transformed.
“Birgir has great familiarity with film from this particular region… so really, his regional expertise is being brought to bear here, and it’s also that he has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening in Nordic film,” said Anderson.
Having grown up in a time where the West Nordic film scene was still finding its footing, Møller witnessed the growth of the industry firsthand. From the establishment of the Icelandic Film Fund in 1979 to the country’s first Oscar-nominated film, Children of Nature, in 1992, his experience proves that showcasing unique perspectives from smaller regions can make waves on a global scale.
Before these historic moments, foreigners were the ones making films about Iceland, he said.
“When foreign people came to make [films], the local audiences didn’t feel as they were represented in the film,” said Møller. “In every society, every country, you have to have your own voice, your own audiovisual culture.”
Møller’s approach to curation for the West Nordic Film Festival reflects this philosophy, as his process sought to blend established names in West Nordic film with younger perspectives and experiences.
“I also wanted to screen some films that are of local interest [to people] in Seattle or New York, [so they] can come to the cinema and see the kind of films that they find entertaining,” said Møller.
This creative vision worked hand in hand with the logistical organization that Anderson and Reinhart had to take on behind the scenes, Anderson said.
“We are ensuring that we are adhering to deadlines, ensuring that we’re getting the lineup, releasing it, selling tickets, creating promotional materials, and doing everything that we can to increase awareness of this brand new film festival,” said Anderson.
The festival provides a rare opportunity to view films from a lesser-known regional perspective, as curators and organizers alike have made the effort to show a nuanced understanding of the region, Anderson said.
“I do think [the filmmakers] have some very unique stories,” said Møller. “They have a very unique cinematic language, which I hope that people will experience.”
Photo: Still shot from Entropy by Inuk Jørgensen
Mr. Gyros reopens in Greenwood 9 years after losing restaurant in gas explosion 11 Mar 8:15 AM (26 days ago)
Mr. Gyros is reopening in Greenwood this month, nine years after a gas explosion destroyed their restaurant in 2016.
At 2 a.m. on March 9, 2016, a large natural gas explosion injured nine firefighters and destroyed several buildings on Greenwood Ave N. between N 84th and N 85th Streets. Mr. Gyros, Neptune Cafe, and Greenwood Quick Stop were total losses, and several other businesses sustained damage in the blast.
Brothers Sammy and Joni Arsheed own Mr. Gyros, and have other locations in Ballard (5522 20th Ave NW), Wallingford, and Lynnwood.
A friend of the Arsheeds and Phinney Neighborhood Association small business advocate Christopher Maykut launched a fundraiser last year to help the brothers reopen a Greenwood location via a GoFundMe campaign. The campaign raised nearly $10,000, which Maykut said was instrumental in helping the Arsheeds reopen.
“They could NOT have done it without you, as every last penny was needed to get Sammy and the family this far,” Maykut wrote on the campaign website.
“Nine years ago, we never could have imagined this moment would come,” Sammy Arsheed said in a statement about the reopening. “The Greenwood community, our friends, and our customers have been incredibly patient and supportive through this journey. We’re thrilled to once again serve the delicious, authentic Greek food that people have missed so much.”
The new restaurant is at 8535 Phinney Ave N. Mr. Gyros is hosting a grand reopening event on Sunday, March 16 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free food for everyone who attends.
“We’re not just reopening a restaurant; we’re reuniting with the neighborhood that helped make Mr. Gyros what it is today. This re-opening represents the resilience and determination of this community. We can’t wait to see all of our Greenwood friends and families for decades to come,” Sammy said.
Featured photo: Mr. Gyros’ new location at 8535 Phinney Ave N. (Courtesy the GoFundMe campaign)
Small business incubator Smål Market to open on NW Market St 10 Mar 9:17 AM (27 days ago)
A small business incubator project called Smål Market is getting ready to open at 2206 NW Market St.
Smål Market—funded with congressional spending and managed by the Ballard Alliance—will host up to seven new retail businesses at a time. The Alliance is currently taking applications for spots, which they say will be for businesses selling everything from handmade or small-production items to curated boutique finds.
“If you know of anyone that has been in business for around two years, carries an active City of Seattle business permit, looking for a way to transition from online sales, markets or pop-ups, or ecommerce sites to a brick-and-mortar location in Ballard, please encourage them to apply,” the Alliance shared in its newsletter about the project.
Along with retail space, the program also provides retailers with mentorship, business support, and access to the Ballard Alliance’s programs and events.
“This incubation hub will be more than a collection of merchants. It will be a community of business owners working in unison with the goals of finding a permanent location within Ballard and becoming a member of our close-knit business community,” the Alliance said.
The Alliance gave some examples of eligible businesses that could be a good fit: Home decor, plants, clothing, soaps/personal care products, candles, shelf-stable groceries, wine, books, ceramics, gifts, art, shoes, cosmetics, and accessories.
While they can’t offer restaurants or businesses that need a commercial kitchen, they can host businesses that sell groceries or pre-packaged grab-and-go food items prepared off-site. Refrigerators, food display cases, and warmers will be allowed in the space.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, go to smalmarket.com or contact the Alliance at hello@smalmarket.com.
Photo: Smål Market
A SEA CHANGE is in our future 7 Mar 9:39 AM (last month)
This is a sponsored post from the Port of Seattle
Every year, I reflect on the progress the Port of Seattle makes towards our ambitious environmental and sustainability goals. We are looking for a SEA CHANGE — a fundamental transformation of our aviation and maritime operations, infrastructure, and technology. This journey is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Becoming the greenest port in North America demands innovation, unwavering commitment, strong partnerships, and an understanding that significant change takes time.
The path towards a greener future is not linear. Unexpected obstacles are inevitable when pushing the boundaries of innovation and seeking solutions that don’t yet exist. Despite hurdles, the Port continues to make significant strides.
Our goal of decarbonizing our own operations by 2040 is within reach. We’re also working with tenants, including cruise lines and airlines, to invest in decarbonization efforts. We are supporting partnerships, studies, policies and pilot projects to develop and transition to clean fuels. This year we met significant milestones in our long-term effort to clean-up contaminated sites. And we continued our Elliott Bay kelp research as well as restoring and monitoring vital shoreline habitats.
As we modernize and expand our port infrastructure, we prioritize green building practices and have developed green leasing terms. At our core, we ensure our port operations and infrastructure comply with (or exceed) stringent environmental regulations. I’m proud to share some of our key accomplishments for 2024 recognizing this list represents only a fraction of the Port’s overall environmental programs and investments.
Modeling the way
1. Became the first airport in the nation to use a special cleaning technology that more fully removes foam containing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” from airport fire trucks and replaced it with new fluorine-free foam
2. Installed shore power at Pier 66, bringing clean electricity to all three cruise berths and, became the first port in the nation to require shore power usage for cruise ships independent of state regulations, starting with the 2027 season
3. Required SEA Airport (SEA) dining and retail tenants to transition to compostable and reusable service ware, reducing thousands of pounds of single-use plastics and food waste
Advancing decarbonization
4. Reduced Port-wide Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% through the purchase of renewable natural gas, while delivering a comprehensive approach to decarbonizing our buildings and facilities
5. Achieved significant milestones in carbon management: Received Level 3 Airport Carbon Accreditation and successfully verified the maritime scope 1 and 2 greenhouse (GHG) inventory through the Climate Registry
6. Secured $3M in federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) dollars to support maritime decarbonization planning work between 2025 and 2027, including efforts to advance use of sustainable maritime fuels in ships and harbor craft electrification
7. Completed the Seattle Waterfront Clean Energy Strategy, which is a first-of-its-kind analysis for the Port and provides a roadmap to upgrade Port and Seattle City Light energy infrastructure to accommodate future waterfront energy loads and maritime decarbonization
Stewarding our land and water
8. Adopted the SEA Land Stewardship Plan and Tree Replacement Standards — formalizing our sustainable planning operations and development at the airport
9. Removed over 40 tons of marine debris from subtidal areas adjacent to Terminal 18 and Terminal 46
10. Installed passive integrated transponder tag array to assist with fish monitoring at the Duwamish River People’s Park and Shoreline Habitat
11. The East Waterway Record of Decision was released by the EPA, culminating decades of planning and work collecting hundreds of sediment, tissue, and water samples; performing health and ecological risk assessments and sediment transport modeling; and developing cleanup actions
12. Completed a successful bench-scale treatability study for soil contaminated with PCBs at the Terminal 25 South site. The study evaluated the effectiveness of soil washing technology as a potential alternative to traditional disposal methods for contaminated soil
13. Port parks and public access areas were recertified as Salmon-Safe through 2029. Conditions included accomplishments for habitat, landscape practices, water use, and stormwater
Supporting sustainable infrastructure and operations
14. Completed the Sustainable Airport Master Plan draft NEPA Environmental Assessment and released for public comment, a major milestone to help airport address forecasted demand
15. Began a new multi-year Part 150 Noise and Land Use Compatibility Study update for SEA Airport, a voluntary Federal Aviation Administration FAA program to document aircraft noise exposure and establish noise abatement and compatible land use programs.
16. Formalized AdaptSea, a port and city effort to address resiliency and future-proofing the waterfront in a unified and smart way
17. Conducted environmental permitting and sustainable design reviews for many large and small SEA and waterfront projects
Engaging our community
18. Launched a Sound Insulation Repair and Replacement Pilot Program to identify the issues involved in the repair and re-insulation for a select set of prioritized homes surrounding SEA
19. Engaged the public through over 50 habitat tours and volunteer events, fostering learning opportunities and environmental stewardship in our communities
20. Released the first comprehensive Port of Seattle Environment and Sustainability Report, increasing transparency and accountability
21. Awarded over $226,000 to community-led organizations with projects that improve the environment in communities around the airport
Through strong partnerships with our tenants, the community, and external organizations, the Port is making significant strides towards a more sustainable future. In 2025 we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to improve our operations and create the SEA CHANGE we need for a sustainable and healthy future
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Ballard High gymnastics wins school’s first-ever team WIAA state championship 7 Mar 8:35 AM (last month)
By Bella Munson, UW News Lab
The Ballard High School gymnastics team became the first Beavers team to win a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) state championship last month, and is the first Seattle public school to win a state gymnastics title. The achievement was the culmination of a healthy team environment and years of hard work from the 11 students on the team, head coach Stephanie Gundel said.
Eight girls competed in the state meet but all 11 contributed to the success, Gundel said.
One of the primary things that makes high school gymnastics, especially at Ballard High School, different from the club gymnastics experience is the focus on team over individual success, Gundel said.
“I would say we’re very team-forward, we’re very team focused. Everybody is trying to better themselves for the good of the team. And it’s not necessarily intentional on my part, it’s just very natural … it’s a lot more how the individual goals factor into the team goal,” Gundel said.
The team focuses on goal setting and how individuals contribute to build a strong team, Gundel said.
”We’re not just telling them that they can contribute because we want to make them feel good,” Gundel said. “Everybody has a role on the team, and everybody can contribute to the success… and I think making sure that everybody feels empowered to contribute is important.”
Assistant coach Hannah Hudson-Walks praised the contributions of every student athlete on the team.
“I think each and every gymnast on the team is such an incredible person. And I think without the specific combination of each of these amazing girls we couldn’t have made it,” Hudson-Walks said. “We can coach all we want but really it’s up to the girls and how much hard work they put in and what they’re trying to achieve.”
As a senior captain, gymnast Dylan Kelly set goals for herself built off that team dynamic. Kelly joined the team as a sophomore through out-of-district eligibility because the small private school she attends doesn’t have gymnastics.
Kelly said she had admired the previous captains and her coaches for their ability to use positivity to lift the entire team up together.
“My goal was to make sure to continuously be positive, even on hard days. And I’m not going to say that I did that 100% of the time. Like everyone has hard days … I also think that’s an important part of being a leader, showing that you make mistakes too, you have hard days too,” Kelly said. “But I really worked to be a positive role model and try to embody what the girls before me embodied.”
Kelly is known for her pep talks ahead of routines, said multiple teammates, always cheering, giving hugs after a routine, and helping people with their face tattoos and glitter.
“Dylan is an amazing teammate… She is such a team player. She wants everyone to succeed… she just makes everybody feel better about themselves and …. has been really important to the team over the last three years,” Gundel said.
The supportive team mindset extends throughout the coaching staff, said Mari Puckett, a sophomore in her first year with the team. Assistant Coach Pamela Styborski wouldn’t let the students say anything negative about themselves at practice. Puckett found it annoying at first, she said, because it can be easy to be frustrated with yourself in gymnastics, but now recognizes how important it is.
“Even when you want to say negative things, a negative mindset will never lead to something positive. So you have to make sure that you’re positive and that you have that confidence, because if you don’t think you can do it you probably can’t,” Puckett said.
On the road to the WIAA 1A/2A/3A State Gymnastics Championship, Ballard was undefeated through the regular season. To start the postseason they won the Metro League Championship. Then they won the district championship for the first time ever.
This gave the team a lot of confidence going into their final meet of the season, Kelly said. But as a senior captain, Kelly said she knew it was important to temper expectations and not put so much pressure on themselves that nerves got the best of them.
“There was this idea that this year it’s more likely that we’ll succeed so we really need to be confident in ourselves and we need to trust that we’re going to do as well as we can do, … but it’s also this idea that it’s okay if we don’t win… because gymnastics really is a mental sport,” Kelly said.
Through the season, beam was the team’s strongest event. But on the first event, in the first session, the day didn’t start off that way.
Senior captain Viviana Corsini is one of the team’s strongest beam competitors, Gundel said, but she fell on the first skill of her routine. She did well after that first fall, she said, but it wasn’t enough to qualify for the event finals.
“It was really disappointing… really sad, but it was still nice to watch the rest of the team bounce back,” Corsini said. “Especially because our whole team kind of was a little shaky on that first event, but we came back throughout the rest of the meet.”
Gundel and her team knew that one mediocre event was not going to determine the outcome, but also that it’s easy to spiral after a bad event. The team went to floor next and performed well, Gundel said. The resiliency followed the team to vault and then bars where Gundel said “they just hit everything.”
After completing their session, Gundel asked for the team scores and she said she knew her team had beaten Bainbridge High School, their closest competition in the first session. It wasn’t until Bainbridge was announced as the second-place team and Ballard was the only school yet to be called that the team knew they had won.
The moment was surreal, Puckett said, leaving coaches and players speechless with smiles plastered across their faces. Corsini forgot all about the earlier struggles.
“I was really sad I couldn’t make it to [beam] finals, but the moment we won I wasn’t even thinking of that. I was just so proud and happy for the team,” Corsini said.
Through their scores on the first day of state team championship competition, five Beavers qualified for individual event finals the next day.
Brooke Adkins qualified for bars and took second place in the state. Caitlyn Adkins and Claire Spinosa tied for fourth in the same event. Adkins went on to place seventh on beam while Spinosa finished 13th on vault. Kelly tied for sixth on vault. Puckett finished 10th on beam but it was her top placement on the floor routine that won her an individual state championship.
Puckett said she wasn’t expecting to become Ballard’s first-ever state floor champion, and it was even less expected because ahead of her routine Puckett was distracted by her improperly fitting leotard and the nerves were getting to her.
“I really wanted to do well, I have a very high standard for myself when it comes to floor,” Puckett said.
Once it was time to perform her routine she let go of the nerves.
“I was just like I’m going to have fun, I’m going to do my best,” Puckett said. “And then I just had to leave it in the hands of the universe.”
What made the win even better were the people she got to celebrate with, she said.
“I could have never asked for such an amazing support system and people this season,” Puckett said. “They were so excited for me which made me even more excited. And just knowing that they were there for me from the start and that they were there for me when I won was just so amazing.”
For both Hudson-Walks and Gundel, winning state was a remarkably full-circle moment in their gymnastics careers.
Gundel did high school gymnastics all four years growing up in Bellingham and won multiple state championships. She took the job at Ballard in 2003 at just 23 years old. Since taking over a struggling program she has slowly built up the team’s success but it didn’t match up to the success she was used to in high school, Gundel said.
“I keep coming back because I love it no matter what the results, but it did feel very satisfying,” Gundel said. “Just having come from that background, it’s kind of full circle to now have a team that I coach be state champs.”
Hudson-Walks has served as Gundel’s assistant coach at Ballard for nine years and grown the program alongside her.
“It felt like this big build up of all this effort and working to hone our coaching, to help our gymnasts do their best … So making it there and having the girls put in all this work, I was just so excited for them and proud of them,” Hudson-Walks said.
Before joining the coaching staff, Hudson-Walks began her own gymnastics journey as a freshman at Ballard with no prior gymnastics experience. She competed for the Beavers all four years. It was in Hudson-Walks’ 2016 senior season that the team made it to state for the first time.
“I remember how excited we were just to make it to state as a team,” Hudson-Walks said. “So then to keep raising our goals and raising the bar for ourselves, it’s been really exciting to be on that journey.”
The win was exciting, Kelly said, but bittersweet. She knew it was the end of her season and gymnastics career – one that began as soon as she could walk.
“Winning state is an amazing thing and it’s something that I’m so proud that we were able to accomplish. But it’s also that this was our goodbye to gymnastics, … so that is what was kind of surreal for me, and I still feel like it hasn’t clicked yet,” Kelly said.
Leaving behind some of her closest friends will be difficult, she said, but is also part of why gymnastics has been so rewarding.
“Years from now, I’m not going to remember where I placed,” Kelly said. “I’m just going to remember how I felt in gymnastics and all of my teammates.”
Featured photo: The 2024-2025 Ballard High School gymnastics team poses for a team photo. In the front row, from left to right, sits senior captains Caitlyn Adkins, Dylan Kelly, Viviana Corsini and Brooke Adkins. In the back stands Aspen Pfeiffer, Heloise Priolet, Mari Puckett, Claire Spinosa, Carli Pecoraro, Ella Carter and Ruby Stan. Photo provided by Stephanie Gundel, photographed by Adam Lu.
97th annual Blessing of the Fleet happening this weekend at Fishermen’s Terminal 6 Mar 7:35 AM (last month)
The annual send-off for the Pacific and Alaska commercial fishing fleet is happening this weekend at Fishermen’s Terminal.
This year marks the 97th annual Blessing of the Fleet. The late Pastor O.L. Haavik of Ballard First Lutheran Church started the tradition—this year, the church’s Pastor Erik R. Wilson Weiberg and Pastor Elise Scott will co-lead the service.
“We will offer thanks to God for the fishing community, remembering the risks they take each day to provide seafood for our tables. We will also pray that their families will be healthy and protected during their time of separation. We will remember those who went out to sea and never returned,” according to the event information.
This year’s Blessing of the Fleet is happening on March 9 at 2 p.m. The event is open to the public, and they’ll have coffee and cookies following the service.
“The public is invited to attend this celebration, asking God’s blessing for a bountiful season, peace upon the unpredictable sea, and a safe journey home.”
Photo: Port of Seattle
Stolen Liberty Bell replica worth $100k turns up in Ballard 5 Mar 7:34 AM (last month)
A Seattle parking enforcement officer helped recover the stolen Princess Liberty Bell replica from Evergreen Washelli Cemetery (11111 Aurora Ave N).
Seattle Police say that parking enforcement officer Michael Eaton was working on the 1300 block of NW 83rd St on Monday morning when he found a detached flatbed trailer with a large item covered in a rain tarp. After checking it out more closely, he realized it contained the Liberty Bell, which he’d just heard had gone missing from the cemetery on Aurora on Saturday, March 1.
There are only 20 of the Princess Liberty Bell replicas in the world. It’s made of copper and is worth over $100,000.
Police are still investigating the theft. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call 206-333-5000.
Photo: SPD
Truffles & More bakery to close Ballard shop permanently 5 Mar 7:12 AM (last month)
After four years in Ballard, Truffles & More (5510 22nd Ave NW) is closing its doors.
Owner Kyma Czark announced that she’s closing due to a family illness. “I have decided it is more important to be available for my loved one than to run my shop,” Czark said in a social media post and a note to My Ballard.
Czark started Truffles & More as a bakery pop-up in 2015. In 2021, she had a space at Ballard Blossom. A year later, she opened her brick-and-mortar in the former Johnny’s Ballard Shoe Service shop in June 2022.
“When I started, I had no idea how it would go,” Czark said. “The growth, experience, and all my wonderful customers were more than I could have hoped for.”
Truffles & More’s last day open will be March 23.
“Thank you to the neighborhood, business community, and most importantly, my wonderful customers. I truly appreciate all the support you gave me and my shop,” Czark said.
There’s some good news: Czark will keep on baking. She says she’ll take orders by phone (206-323-1460) or via her website.
Photo: Kyma Czark
Google announces plans to move out of Fremont 4 Mar 7:43 AM (last month)
Google has announced it will shutter its Fremont office, with plans to consolidate in its South Lake Union (SLU) campus.
The Fremont Google offices have been open for almost two decades—they opened their 601 N 34th St location in 2006. GeekWire reported that Google was one of the first major Silicon Valley tech companies to establish a presence in Seattle.
The tech giant first moved to the area in 2004 when it opened its Kirkland campus. Google opened its South Lake Union campus in 2019.
In 2016, when Google first announced its plans to open the SLU campus, the tech giant said it would close its Fremont office. But by 2018, Google changed its mind and opted to keep the Fremont campus open despite its new SLU office opening less than three miles away.
According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, as of 2023, Google had roughly 3,540 employees in Seattle between the two campuses, with about 1,350 employees at the Fremont office.
GeekWire reported that Google is consolidating their offices to improve collaboration and community. The Kirkland campus will remain open.
Google hasn’t yet announced when they’ll make the move to consolidate.
Photo: Google Image Capture July 2023
Ballard Health Club sells to a Ballard resident 3 Mar 8:54 AM (last month)
The Ballard Health Club (BHC) has a new owner—local Ballardite Kyle Hyde has purchased the central Ballard gym at 2208 NW Market St.
Kyle Hyde—a longtime Ballard resident—purchased the club from current owner and manager Pat Gilbrough. Gilbrough took over the club from Lowen Clausen and his daughter Sonya Senstra.
Clausen and Senstra opened BHC in 1998—the club used to be home to the Ballard Backstage nightclub through the 80s and 90s.
Gilbrough has been at the helm since 2014, and will serve as general manager for the next year to help with the transition of ownership.
Hyde started working at BHC in December 2023 as the fitness director.
Gilbrough said: “I am looking forward to working with Kyle and the rest of our staff to continue the success of Ballard Health Club. Being the owner and general manager of BHC these past 11 years has been a very rewarding time of my life and I look forward to starting Kyle on that same wonderful experience.”
Photo: Ballard Health Club
Ginger & Scallion debuts Khao Soi-focused menu, prepares for name change 28 Feb 10:12 AM (last month)
Ballard’s Ginger & Scallion will soon be named Khao Soi Na Chiang Rai.
Ginger & Scallion, which opened last year on NW 65th Street, is debuting a new Khao Soi menu alongside its rebrand.
The restaurant originally focused on Thai-style chicken and rice, but operational challenges inspired the co-owners and chefs, brothers JP and Boss Siris, to shift their vision. The restaurant debuted their new menu in January with a focus on Khao Soi, a Northern Thai-style noodle specialty that the team hopes to introduce to a wider audience in Seattle.
While the name and menu are changing, much of the restaurant will remain the same. “It’s still the same team, same management—just with a more defined concept,” JP said.
JP and Boss also run Secret Congee, another popular local restaurant that opened in 2022. A Ballard local of more than 10 years, JP sees Ballard as an ideal neighborhood for independent restaurants and aspires to contribute to the neighborhood’s growing reputation as a hub for foodies.
“People here are really welcoming,” he said. “It has everything all in one place, and I think that’s very special and I want it to continue.”
Even with a supportive community, JP reflected on the difficult restaurant industry landscape. “It’s pretty cutthroat in terms of labor,” he says, though he remains passionate about bringing more food options and variety to Seattle’s restaurant scene.
“When I came here 10 years ago, I was like ‘let’s grab chicken and rice, or get some congee that isn’t Cantonese style—but I couldn’t find that. So that became the principle: whatever we do, it has to push the agenda forward. And that agenda is to make Seattle a better food town—more varieties, more specialty stores.”
Ginger & Scallion, soon to be named Khao Soi Na Chiang Rai, is open from 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. and 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. from Tuesday to Sunday at 500 NW 65th St, Seattle, WA 98117.
Photo: Ginger & Scallion on Facebook
Construction on new 15th Ave NW median starting soon 27 Feb 7:36 AM (last month)
There’s a new landscaped median coming to 15th Ave NW, and crews will begin construction in March.
The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) says the new median will be on 15th between NW 50th St and NW 54th St. They say it will help slow down traffic and “make it easier to walk, roll, or bike around the neighborhood.”
Here’s the design for the pedestrian crossing at 15th Ave NW and NW 51st St:
SDOT says the new median will replace the eastern southbound lane on 15th Ave NW between NW 50th St and NW 54th St. They’ll plant shrubs and trees to “add to the urban tree canopy along this busy arterial.”
SDOT will maintain two northbound lanes for general purpose with one bus lane, and will reduce the southbound lanes from three to two between NW 54th and 51st Streets. The transportation department says the southbound lanes will align with the lane configuration north of 57th to Crown Hill and on the Ballard Bridge.
Work continues north of the Ballard Bridge on 15th Ave NW between NW 51st St and NW Ballard Way, and crews are continuing seismic retrofit work on the Leary Way Bridge.
Crews are also continuing with work along 15th Ave NW between NW 51st St and NW Ballard Way. The construction will upgrade ADA accessible ramps, rebuild sidewalk corners, install upgraded traffic signals and cameras, improve storm drainage, and repair the sidewalk and roadway in select areas. At NW 51st St, crews continue electrical and signal lighting work for the new pedestrian and bicycle crossing.
Crews are also continuing work to strengthen and improve earthquake safety on the Leary Way Bridge. SDOT says there will be partial sidewalk and lane closures related to this work. Driving lanes between NW 50th St and Ballard Way NW will continue to be restricted to demolish and build new concrete roadway panels.
What to expect (from SDOT):
- Construction is typically scheduled Mondays – Fridays from 7 AM – 5 PM.
- We will close driving lanes on 15th Ave NW near work areas and on NW Leary Way beneath and near the bridge. There will always be at least one lane open in each direction.
- We will close the sidewalk in work areas. There will be detour signs in place to direct you around construction.
- We will close streets to thru traffic as needed between 17th Ave NW and 14th Ave NW. You will still be able to walk, roll, bike, or drive to businesses and homes on these streets.
- Bus stops for the D line at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St are now open and will operate as normal. Bus stops for the D Line, Route 17, and Route 40 at 15th Ave NW and NW Leary Way may be temporarily moved. Please see signs at bus stops for new locations and/or sign up for transit alerts.
- We will temporarily change parking in some areas for construction staging and traffic control near work sites.
The ongoing work is part of the 15th Ave W/NW and Ballard Bridge Paving and Safety Project.
Radiator Whiskey to move into former Ballard Cut space on Ballard Ave 26 Feb 8:04 AM (last month)
Radiator Whiskey is getting ready to open a new location on Ballard Ave.
Radiator Whiskey also has a location in Pike Place Market, is moving into the former Ballard Cut space at 5311 Ballard Ave NW. The Ballard Cut moved to 2221 NW Market St in 2024.
Owner Dan Bugge—who also owns Matt’s in the Market—says he’s always wanted to be part of Ballard.
“We are excited to be a part of Ballard’s amazing community,” Bugge said in an email to My Ballard. He said he’s also looking forward to being next door to Gracia, whose owner Chester Gerl opened Matt’s in the Market with him.
Bugge said the new space will be all-ages and will be very similar in style and feel to the Pike Place Market location. “The big barrel will be hung behind the bar to enjoy some nice whiskeys on tap, along with some of our favorite taxidermy hung on the walls,” Bugge said.
The menu will be different from the Pike Place Market location, but Bugge said they’ll still have classic dishes like their burnt ends, brisket, loaded tots, and fried pork shank. He added that they’ll also have plenty of seafood and veggie options.
“We want to bring super approachable, and fun, food, and drinks to the neighborhood,” Bugge said. “We will have a great cocktail program and be very food driven.” They’ll have their signature cocktails such as bourbon margaritas, smoke maple old fashioned, and market mules.
Radiator Whiskey Ballard will also have a late-night menu from 10 p.m. to midnight “for our neighborhood and industry friends to enjoy food and drinks after work at a great price point.”
Bugge said they expect to open in April or May—we’ll keep you posted.
Photo: Radiator Whiskey on Facebook