For residents of West Seattle looking for Car Parts West Seattle, Roxbury Auto Parts has been a reliable local source for almost three decades. However, Bill and Kathy Crawford, the owners of Roxbury Auto Parts, have had to temporarily close their store due to unexpected building safety issues. The closure, located at 2839 SW Roxbury, just outside city limits, was mandated after a “red-tag” notice from the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER).
Roxbury Auto Parts Shuts Down Due to “Dangerous Building” Notice
The urgency of the situation became clear when King County DPER officially flagged the building as hazardous. According to county records, the “entire back wall of the building has failed and is in danger of collapse.” The assessment further detailed that the CMU block wall appeared to be unreinforced and non-grouted, actively breaking apart, which critically compromised the support for the flat roof joists. This serious structural failure led to the immediate “red-tagging” of the Roxbury Auto Parts building, deeming it unsafe for occupancy and forcing the store’s closure.
Owners Unaware of Severe Structural Issues
Bill Crawford expressed his surprise at the severity of the damage, stating they were aware of some damage to a corner of the building but were not privy to the extent of the structural failure at the back. “Nobody goes back there,” Crawford mentioned, highlighting why the critical damage went unnoticed until the official inspection. This lack of awareness underscores the sudden nature of the closure and the unexpected challenge faced by this long-time car parts west seattle provider.
King County’s Safety Inspection Leads to Closure
Chris Ricketts, building official and fire marshal with DPER, explained that the department was alerted to the dangerous condition by Ray Pettigrew of King County Fire District #2. Following this alert on Friday, September 28th, King County building inspector Joan Hermle was dispatched to investigate. Her findings confirmed the severe structural issues, leading to the immediate decision to “red-tag” the building. DPER promptly notified the building owners, emphasizing the need for a structural engineer to assess the damage and propose repair solutions to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Potential Link to County Sidewalk Project
Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Crawford suggests that the damage might be linked to King County itself. He recounts that during last year’s sidewalk project, construction crews stored materials on the back lot of the property. When questioned about this potential cause, DPER’s Ricketts clarified that determining the cause of the damage is beyond the scope of their immediate building safety assessment. However, he indicated that a private engineer’s report might offer insights into the origin of the structural issues.
Continuing to Serve West Seattle for Car Parts Needs
Despite the store’s physical location being temporarily closed, Roxbury Auto Parts is keen to continue serving its car parts west seattle customers. Crawford reassured customers that Roxbury Auto Parts is an independent member of the nationwide Auto Value group. For any immediate needs, warranty concerns, or assistance, customers are encouraged to visit other Auto Value stores in Washington. This affiliation ensures that even with the current setback, customers can still access the car parts west seattle community trusts through the broader Auto Value network.
Mocha Mojo Impacted but Quickly Relocates
The impact of the Roxbury Auto Parts closure extended to Mocha Mojo, a drive-up coffee hut situated on the same lot and sharing utilities. Showing community spirit, Kathy Crawford proactively suggested Mocha Mojo approach the neighboring 76 gas station. Mocha Mojo successfully relocated over the weekend to the 76 station, minimizing disruption to their coffee service for West Seattle residents.
Looking Ahead for Roxbury Auto Parts
While the future operations at the current Roxbury Auto Parts location are uncertain pending structural evaluations and repairs, the commitment of Bill and Kathy Crawford to the West Seattle community remains strong. Structural engineers are currently assessing the building, and the Crawfords are working diligently with their insurance company to navigate this challenging situation. They have promised to provide updates as the situation progresses, hoping to reopen and continue serving West Seattle’s car parts needs as soon as it is safe to do so.
