There is an attempt by outside developers in contract with a local landowner to radically change the landscape of the Roosevelt-Ravenna Neighborhood. I know that many of the residents of the area would like to see the Sisley properties cleaned up and developed into something that would both satisfy the needs of supporting a light rail station, destined to be here in about 2020, but also to retain the flavor, the character, the ambience of this beautiful part of the city that we love and love to live in.
So I congratulate the citizens of this area who have managed to derail the proposal by the Roosevelt Development Group (read outside interests) with Hugh Sisley, to amend the Seattle Comprehensive Plan for the immediate financial benefit of a few as opposed to the enhancement and improvement of the neighborhood for the many. Over 60 signatures were obtained and submitted opposing the changes and the amendment was withdrawn.
If RDG has so much money to throw into development, why don't they just go and buy one of the many stalled projects in the greater Seattle area? There are a lot to choose from. No need to ruin this part of town.
The neighborhood needs to be on continued alert. There's a pandemic going 'round and we call it the skinnys. Oaktree has 'em. Ballard is inflicted. Look around. They're everywhere.
Why not continue on with the fruit stand theme and make it an open market?
Knock the houses down, build a pavilion, and let the city rent out the individual stalls to small merchants. The key here is small. Give some little guys a chance to set up shop directly across the street from the Whole Foods/Bartells behemoth. (Is monstrosity too strong a word?)
The locals could murder Whole Foods on freshness and price simply by being small and focused. (With lower overhead.)
It's possible we could create 10-20 real jobs right here in the neighborhood. Jobs that pay enough so you can buy a house and keep it.
That's good for every local business, and I'm sure the residents won't mind having access to fresher, cheaper groceries.
Through rents and taxes the city could recoup it's money fairly easily- it's a prime spot. The building would pay for itself over time. That's why the skinny house people want it in the first place: that spot is a money maker. Let's let it make some money for the good guys.
It would let the neighborhood maintain it's walkable, quaint, and individual feel. Local businesses should make more money, except Whole Foods, and it would produce a return for the city.
Sounds like a win, win, win.
Thanks, Buddy. That's a great idea and I'm sure with more input from the neighbors we could get the kind of small scale stores that would work in the area. Eminent domain would be a nice way to take the property away from the neglectful owner and the opportunistic (they think) developers who hope to have their way with it.
I hope the community stays interested and active and getting this location improved in a sensible manner.
Olympia, for one, has a delightful pavilion-market-entertainment- park that seems to be city owned and from our few visits there appears to be doing well. http://www.farmers-market.org/
I appreciate your comment.