Links a go go

Tim Harris of Real Change, on the Jail Proposal: the City's new jail dog and pony show.

From the neglected blogs department: yes, Friends of Georgetown History have been doing it for a while, and we neglected to add them to the blogroll until now.

A possible candidate for Seattle Mayor, and his website on pedestrian safety. Send photos.

14th Ave improvements in South Park: final open house, July 22nd.

A review of the new Pizza Joint.

And, 99 out of 100 Boeing Machinists recommend going on strike.

Yuh Gotta Love it.

I almost titled the post, "Potential Historic Landmark Demolished" but since I suspect people didn't even get a chance to fill out the landmarks nomination paperwork, the ultra green post-modernist condo loft thingie between the corners of Carleton Ave South and Warsaw St saw the wrecking ball:
















But then again, without a sympathetic column in the PI or Times, this didn't really happen. And according to the Notice of Land Use Action facsimile, the comment period ended yesterday; but you should stop by and read it, as I'm sure that the ONE DOWN FOUR UP DEVELOPMENT CORP. LLC will appreciate that their obligation to the community will have been fulfilled.

Oh, and the permit number is real.

Is this loft a landmark?

Given that the local papers only seem to want to give special attention to stories where a claim can subsequently be made that the landmarks process is being abused (see here and here), to serve those who might benefit from the weakening of such a designation, we here at Blogging Georgetown have decided to take this trend to its most logical conclusion.

Clearly, the leaflet pictured above (sponsored by these folks) represents what will eventually become the true character of Seattle's neighborhoods. So why wait until the wrecking ball comes? In just days, if not hours, city workers, or perhaps, disgruntled speculators will soon tear down this monumental representation of classic early 21st century design. Yes, like all structures in Seattle, what we see here is merely transitional and temporary, but so was the Seattle Center. Or Denny Hill and the Duwamish, for that matter.

You'll be thanking me in twenty years. Really. To hell with brick and mortar. People who want to leave old brick stacked more then three high in applications other then flower gardens and walks are clearly just fascists. Cardboard is the new stucco. And you'd better get used to it.

Duwamish Habitat Restoration workshop tonight

...and next week, and the week after that. This just in:

The Port of Seattle is developing a Duwamish Habitat Restoration Plan, and is hosting a series of workshops to allow the public to learn more about the science of habitat restoration and to examine planning opportunities throughout the study area. The public is invited to any or all of the workshops, though it is expected that some of the planning ideas will be refined between the meetings. A light meal will be served at each of the workshops.

Thursday, July 10, 4:00 - 5:30 pm - South Park Neighborhood Center, 8525B 14th Ave S, Seattle

Wednesday, July 16, 6:00 - 7:30 pm - Georgetown Ballroom, 5623 Airport Way South, Seattle

Thursday, July 24, 12:00 - 1:30 pm - South Park Neighborhood Center, 8525B 14th Ave S, Seattle

More info, looky here.

Pb Elemental moves in on South Park

Yup; it's true.

The proposal is for a three-story 20,000 sq. f t. addition to an existing structure containing 19 residential units above 4,500 sq. ft. of retail located at grade. Surface parking for 21 vehicles to be provided on site.

What's more is that South Park residents who wish to participate in an early design review guidelines meeting, will have to drive (or take the bus--er, two buses) all the Way to Westwood Village/Gatewood in West Seattle, and be there by 6:30pm (Thursday, July 24, 2008, SW Branch Seattle Public Library, 9010 35th Avenue SW).

The photo above, taken from this web advert, is of a completed project in Georgetown over on Corson Ave, and an example of their design elements. A year ago, that was 329K-379K for a one bedroom.

The proposed project in South Park is on 8th and Cloverdale, but it isn't a typical townhouse-only development like in the photo. They are proposing something that looks like "Mixed Use", which in Seattle means high rent retail in the bottom and condos above. One South Park resident writes in an e-mail:

I find it interesting that they plan to build on 20,000 square feet, when the EXISTING building, which could be a neighborhood gem, is still in extreme dis-repair. Several folks have approached the owners of the building to rent the bottom retail space to put in everything from a pinball restaurant to a cafe to a resale clothing store. And, the answer is always NO. Why? Help me understand how adding on would improve the situation of a neglected beautiful historic brick building across from a gem of a library (and soon to be across from a skate park).

Historical? The Department of Neighborhoods seems to think so:

It is substantially unaltered and is South park's only surviving (integrity intact) example of the ambitious commercial development that took place after South Park became likned to Seattle by streetcar and incorporated. The streetcar line crossed the Duwamish River at 8th Avenue South and terminated at this corner between about 1900 and 1910. This building was purchased by Charles O. Boggs in 1936.

According to that same Department of Neighborhoods webpage, the property appears to meet the criteria for both the National Register of Historical Sites as well as the local Landmarks Preservation Ordinance.

UPDATE: While we are on the subject of Townhouses in South Park, here's is an application to subdivide a lot on 5th and Cloverdale for, you guessed it, five unit lots.

Juxtapose

Mayor Nickels Announces New Townhome Regulations, New rules support affordable housing and sustainable building

SEATTLE – Mayor Greg Nickels today announced the first major update to multifamily zoning in Seattle in 20 years. New regulations would improve the character and design of townhouses, and require environmentally sensitive building and landscaping.

“We can grow in ways that enhance and enrich our lives,” said Nickels. “These regulations will help us make sure that new multifamily housing is attractive, sensible, and fits in with their neighborhoods, while also supporting affordable housing.”

Vs.:

Big Greg's war chest hit $200,000 on the 4th of July - with just a mere 17 months left till the Nov. 3, 2009 general election. Based on his history of arm twisting, he could top out close to three-quarters of a million by next fall.

His campaign has been 24/7 since his 2001 election. He raised $600,000 that run and $500,000 for the 2005 campaign, considerably more than needed to defeat no-name opponents. This time out he could face council member Richard Conlin, among others, a more formidable foe. Thus the money drive is already in second gear.

Who's giving early and often? Developers and corporations, in particular. Among recent sizeable donations were those from Martin Selig of Selig Real Estate, Doug Howe of Touchstone Corp., Matt Griffin of the Pine Street Group, Matt Howland of Howland Homes, The Vance Corp., Safeco, GGLO architects, and Puget Sound Pipe & Supply; each gave the maximum $700 allowable. Tom Hennessy of Nuprecon construction/demolition, his wife, and his company, each gave $700, for a $2,100 total...

This weekend

I'm not one to consider the overt display of invasive weeds out of the question when it comes to this year's Georgetown Art and Garden Walk on Sunday the 13th. Such is not an affront to the hard working gardeners in the neighborhood, but rather tribute, to those of us who still hopelessly cling to the notion that the place can keep its rough edges, soon to be incorporated into a marketing angle, much like "grittiness". Letting timothy and thistle grow is simply an affirmation of what cannot be controlled, no matter how much edging, weed killer, and that-cloth-stuff-under-gravel one can muster; turning one's back on the weeding even for a few weeks reminds us that notions of civilization merely require a seven day-a-week work gig or an extended and impromptu trip to the woods, to become unraveled--whichever you prefer. Given that, even I have decided to stain my front fence ("Tahoma Brown") a full two years after building it, to show that the unmowed corners amongst the mint, rosemary, and roses are meant to be there. And yes, I am the guy that lets his dandelions bloom to seed, a bumper crop this year. But the scene that I describe will simply be the cracks in between that which most folks will have come to see. And there is even BBQ over at Oxbow at five when it's all over. Well, okay, not BBQ; Field Roast and other goodies, but as we all know, BBQ in Seattle doesn't always mean smoked chicken, ribs, and wieners.

The folks in South Park have been planning their own gigs for that weekend for a while, but theirs fall on Saturday the 12th, and is known as "Crank It Up". CIU "starts with bike decorating followed by a bike ride that begins and ends at South Park's new Caesar Chavez Park. Food, live music, and art stands...Bike decorating 1pm to 3:30 pm, Bike ride 3:30 to 4 pm, Art and music 4:00 to 8pm..." But don't just take my word for it. See you on the Bus #60.

Links a go go

"...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security..." 7/4/1776

Little Pink (Town) Houses For You and Me

Here's the update on the saga of the mysterious craigslist ad soliciting business partners to build another one of those 5-plexes in Georgetown's historical district*. As pointed out in the comments of the last post, Flora Ave isn't zoned for anything other then single family homes. And I've gotten two verifications that the actual address is 6653 Carleton Ave S. The house (house photo from 1997 above, via the Seattle Neighborhoods website) was built in 1906.

Usually we don't hear about townhouse developments until it's too late, and the comment period has passed, so this story is an anomaly brought about by a bit of luck. The DPD's website lists zero activity at this address, though the original ad claims that DPD has issued some kind of opinion on the viability of development.

So there you have it.

*Georgetown does not have a "legal" historical district

Townhouses on Flora?

Is a 5442 square foot lot, with one house, actually worth $415,000? If you were to pitch the idea of building 5 townhouses and tossing the tenants out, it might. If you were to do the pitching on Craigslist, it's a sure bet that no one is going to notice:

I have a property in Georgetown that is L2, 5442 sqft and can support 5 townhouse units according to a Legal Building Site Letter from DPD. I have a topo survey already but have not done a geotech analysis. I’m interested in doing a joint venture build or selling the property. If I sell outright I’d like to get 415,000 but will consider any reasonable offer. Please contact me if you’d like more information or to set up a meeting. The property is occupied so I'd like to talk with any iterested [sic] parties before disclosing the address.

Carleton Ave S at S Flora St

No one should consider letting anyone know that their landlord is about to sell. I'm just sayin'.

Opposition to jail grows

The West Seattle Herald published a story on line today about the meeting in South Park, dealing with the proposed Jail sites near the Duwamish neck of the woods:

Fireworks arrived a week early as residents from Highland Park, South Park - and other communities - clashed with city representatives over two city jail sites being considered nearby.

The city sponsored a forum at the Aerospace Machinists Union Hall in South Park last Thursday night to give concerned residents the chance to speak - but some shouted...

Vocal critics said a jail in their backyard would lower property values, endanger their children with newly released prisoners drifting around their homes, and further stigmatize their communities which they consider more vulnerable to crime than other areas.

So far, the fact that Seattle and King County can't seem to manage the jail space they have, as far as human rights are concerned, and that neither government has taken seriously the kinds of programs necessary to reduce crime over the long term, thus making more jail space unnecessary--hasn't really hit the papers. Our city's media is obsessed with prostitution and homelessness as a "danger" to the general public while at the same time, advocating vigilantism. No surprise, that some kind of rational discourse isn't taking place in Seattle's dailies--but does seems to be shaping up and growing on the grassroots level, in neighborhood papers like the above, on other blogs news sites like WSB , blogs like Injustice in Seattle, and in newsletters like PLN.

Artopia Links

I've been working Overtime For The Man, hence the light posting. But here's some links about the Artopia this weekend:

The website.

Yelp's little blurb.

Dope Emporium.

Or grab a copy of the Seattle Weekly, given that Georgetown merchants and galleries practically underwrote the whole issue, and check out the insert.

Not a good weekend re: crime

If you heard gunshots at 2:30 am Sunday morning, this might explain it. Via PI:

An 18-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday morning on Interstate 5 near the Boeing Access Road, Tukwila police reported. The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. when the man was driving northbound with friends, who were not injured...

Then, this business in SODO:

Seattle police arrested a 42-year-old man Friday who investigators believe may be involved in a series of sexual assaults in the city's Sodo neighborhood.

Police say the man could be linked to another sexual assault that occurred earlier Friday at a homeless encampment in the area and possibly to two other assaults that occurred earlier in June.

UPDATE: Someone tried to rob the Bank of America on Bailey St...

Just to be fair--we can't leave these folks off the list.

Links a go-go: Artopia, Garden Walk, Shrammies, and other stuff

Yet another swell collection of links.

COCA's painting marathon is happening in Georgetown this year, and they are looking for artists to participate. Following 24 hours of painting is an auction, and then a party.

Imagine Ken Schram, perhaps the one big media personality that can get paid for being more cranky then I, trying to dis Tim Croll of Seattle Public Utilities--inadvertently disses South Park instead, and then gets set straight by the chair of South Park Arts.

Oxbow P-Patch Tile installation: June 22nd. Right here.

Artopia. AWS will get a one weekend hiatus from throngs of people, and then, onward. Dope Emporium will be back this year too; you know, hip hop.

Crank it up in South Park at Cesar Chavez park. July 12th.

Georgetown Garden Walk: you have until July 13th to pull up all of the weeds.

In other happenings:

Hooverville: meet Greg Nickelsville.

Viaduct: the usual biz, and it will be closed Saturday morning.

Mortgage fraud: shit hits the fan.

And: another platform for Georgetown Pranksters.

Commodify Your Bohemian Vibe

There is only a limited supply of bohemian vibes, and are the subject of a "grassroots marketing campaign":

Anyone who steps foot into the artsy community of Georgetown knows that it walks to the beat of its own bohemian marching band. The new Georgetown Lofts, developed by Murray Kahn of Gordian Development, at 6708 Corson Ave. South, is no different. Comprising five, two-bedroom lofts -- priced from the 300,000s -- these offer loft-like living with an edgy, "distinctly Georgetown" vibe...

Kahn is working with ek Real Estate Group to create a marketing campaign that will engage the community and draw others to it. ek Real Estate's Larry Wilcynski, listing agent for Georgetown Lofts, says, "Our grassroots marketing campaign incorporates and supports local merchants every step of the way... Georgetown Lofts will continue to engage residents and community leaders such as the Georgetown Merchants Associations.

Just think: for $365,000 or more, one can purchase their very own piece of neighborhood soul. Who ever thought that being a part of culture could be so easy? Quartz slab counter tops will never go out of style.