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Green incentive -- Capitol Hill's future as an EcoDistrict

Kelton Sears<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Thu, 31 May 2012 14:21:15 GMT

Broadway Performance Hall was packed full of the greenest folk on Capitol Hill Tuesday night to discuss the neighborhood's future as an EcoDistrict. Capitol Hill Housing’s 7th Annual Community Forum brought together a panel that included Mayor Mike McGinn, president of the Bullitt Foundation -- and founder of Earth Day -- Denis Hayes, and King County Executive Ron Sims, who moderated the event.

An "EcoDistrict" refers to a neighborhood committed to sustainability through reinvigorated infrastructure and a focus on various environmental areas like energy, water and transportation. The result could be a zone around Capitol Hill's light rail station created with incentives for developers to build green, sustainable buildings -- similar in ways to the Pike/Pine Conservation District's incentives for encouraging preservation. What that would actually mean, how it work, and, to some extent, how it would be paid for, were all on the table Tuesday night.

Alex Brennan of Capitol Hill Housing and Alicia Daniels Uhlig of GGLO presented an abbreviated version of an extensive analytical report on the project, which is being funded by the Bullitt Foundation as it constructs its new headquarters at 15th and Madison.

The findings are comprised of a thorough set of metrics and data to support the project, as well as a list of possible goals and benchmarks to shoot for. A brief version of the presentation can be found here. The reports call for carbon-neutrality in the city by 2050, as well as reduced water usage and increased canopy coverage. A simulated image of Dick's on Broadway within the projected EcoDistrict shown at the conference made the fast food joint look like a majestic oasis in the middle of a beautiful urban rainforest.

As panel member Llewellyn Wells, President of Living City Block said, "It's all pie in the sky unless people in this room and this community take up the work." The "work" that needs to be done ranged across a variety of issues:

The packed audience was repeatedly begged to fill out participation cards.
"One of the challenges of building a sustainable building is that it's mostly illegal in Seattle," Hayes said. The comment drew laughs as Hayes explained how difficult city codes made it to construct the nearly finished Bullitt Center on 15th Ave and E Madison, what is being billed as "The greenest building in the world," and the world's first completed Living Building. Hayes broke down the policy shifts needed from the city as well as bank investors and called for a shift in the standards of appraisal used to value buildings. Hayes called for exemptions to restrictive codes and policies to be set in place for special green projects like the Bullitt Center.
McGinn echoed Hayes' concerns. "Making sustainability legal is hard," he said, calling for more of a prescriptive approach to policy making rather than a simple outcome based method that emphasizes quick fiscal turnaround. In addition, McGinn suggested that "Seattle could revitalize its industry sectors by becoming a leader for sustainable manufacturing," to a round of applause from the audience.
Panel member Naomi Cole brought her experience from directing the EcoDistrict program in Portland, advising Seattleites to come up with a definitive coordinated strategy that is led by the city, as well the importance of choosing an appointed community leader to spearhead the project.
Rebecca Saldaña, Program director of Equitable Transit Oriented Development at Puget Sound Page made it clear that EcoDistricts should reflect the needs and wants of the communities their built in. "What we want and need in Capitol Hill might not be what is wanted or needed in Rainier Beach," Saldaña said. "But if we communicate across neighborhoods, you'll see that we have a lot of things in common."
Wells emphasized the value of retrofitting existing buildings. "When it comes down to it, the most sustainable thing we can do is work with what's already there."
The panel of local community leaders and policy makers.
During audience Q&A, issues were brought up around engaging youth in the EcoDistrict project, as well as how to engage low-income communities and communities of color.

Cole challenged the assumption that those communities wouldn't be engaged by the program. "Out of the five pilot neighborhoods where we started these EcoDistrict projects, by far the two most enthusiastic neighborhoods were the most culturally diverse, low-income neighborhoods. Many of these neighborhoods are used to dealing with issues on a reactive level, so when the opportunity comes to work together on a common goal on a more proactive level, the result is energizing."

For more on this week's forum, check out this post from CHS contributor John Feit of Schemata Workshop:

The Report and CHH’s roll-out are well timed, coming as they (supposedly) came out less than six month’s from the date that Sound Transit says they will release the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Capitol Hill station’s TOD development sites. The sites, which figure prominently and are in fact the literal center of the Report’s maps, present the best early opportunity for furthering the Report’s goals as they will be the largest single assembly of adjacent private development parcels likely to hit the market for the foreseeable future, and are in fact large enough to realize many of the economies of scale required for implementing the Report’s strategies. How the Eco-District Report figures into the development TOD parcels are yet to be seen, but there is no doubt that the vision of the Report and the best interests of the community will be served by developers who are responding to the RFP that have both a proposal and track record that testifies to an ability to make the TOD Capitol Hill’s first significant contribution to our Eco-district goals.

Here is the full Capitol Hill EcoDistrict report:

Capitol-Hill Eco District Report 2012

Woman shot to death in First Hill parking lot -- UPDATE: Suspect shoots self

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Wed, 30 May 2012 18:36:40 GMT

The suspect in Wednesday morning's shooting at the University District's Cafe Racer was confronted by officers and shot himself just before 4p, SPD said in updates this afternoon. Police are now "confident" the Cafe Racer shootings and the First Hill shooting death are connected.

According to SPD, the suspect has died while the Seattle PI reports that the suspect was alive as of 5:15p at Harborview. UPDATE: SPD confirms that the suspect is alive and receiving treatment as of early Wednesday evening. UPDATE x2: -- 9:05PM: A Harborview spokesperson says the suspect has died.

"Officers spotted man matching descrip of n. sea shooting susp @ 37/Raymond and tried to contact him. He knelt down and shot himself," reported the department's Twitter account.

The Seattle Times is identifying the suspect as Ian Lee Stawicki. His family says the 40-year-old is mentally ill. Washington records show no significant criminal convictions on his record despite a few brushes with the law and two domestic violence incidents.

SPD says detectives are still investigating the connection between the University District shootings and the 8th and Seneca shooting that left a woman dead in a First Hill parking lot. The First Hill shooting was originally reported as a carjacking less than an hour after the Cafe Racer shootings. UPDATE: SPD's report on the day's events is here.

Leonidas (Image from her Twitter account)

The victim in the First Hill shooting has been identified in a notice sent home to parents of a Capitol Hill-area school her daughters attend as 52-year-old Gloria Koch Leonidas. Her listed address is a Bellevue location.

SPD is calling Stawicki the "lone suspect in 4 murders in 2 locations." A fifth and sixth victim have since died. Detectives are piecing together what lead to the start of the violence in Cafe Racer, how the suspect traveled from the University District to 8th and Seneca, what transpired in the Town Hall Seattle parking lot and where the suspect hid out and evaded police for hours in West Seattle.

In the meantime, SPD says expect "a heightened police presence for the time being" on the streets of Seattle.

The Seattle Times reports that the survivor from the cafe shooting, Leonard Meuse, attended Seattle Central's pastry program before becoming chef at Cafe Racer. The Times also has more about Meuse, the victims at Cafe Racer and Leonidas here.

Details on the incidents and live coverage from the day are below.

Earlier: Seattle Police say it is too early to rule out that this morning's murder of a woman in a First Hill parking lot could be related to the shooting earlier today at Cafe Racer in the University District.

Police at the scene confirmed that the female victim in the First Hill shooting in the parking lot behind Town Hall has died. Police say witnesses told them the "man and woman were in an argument" before he pulled out his handgun and shot her in the head.

A witness at the parking lot told CHS she saw a man standing over a woman in the parking lot, punching and kicking the victim before shooting her at close range with a pistol. A witness at the scene told CHS the man had a blond crew cut. Police say he appeared to be in his 30s.

The Cafe Racer shooter has been described as a white male, 6’1, very thin, with curly light brown hair, wearing a light blue jacket, a purple shirt and grey pants. We've added a picture of the suspect, below.

The suspect fled the scene in the victim's black SUV which has been recovered along with one handgun in West Seattle where a manhunt is underway.

UPDATE: A suspect in the ~~8th and Seneca~~ Cafe Racer murder has been shot by police or suffered a self-inflicted gun wound near the High Point area of West Seattle. "Suspect in n. sea shootings shot himself near 37th and Sw Raymond this afternoon," SPD announced via Twitter.

In the wake of the West Seattle incident, police are not yet willing to say there is a connection between the Cafe Racer and First Hill shootings despite the SUV from the 8th/Seneca murder being abandoned about two miles away.

The Seattle Times reports that three people died and two were injured in the shootings at the U District cafe this morning.

Original report: Seattle Police are searching for the suspect in a shooting reported on First Hill Wednesday morning just after 11:30

Police are looking for a black SUV seen leaving the area.

The city's police services are also busy in the University District where a multiple shooting has left at least two people dead. The incidents do not appear to be related at this time.

11:41AM - Shooting reported on First Hill near 8th and Seneca - Police are looking for a suspect described as a white male with a crew cut.

11:44AM - Shooting reported on First Hill near 8th and Seneca - The make of the car is apparently a black Mercedes. Police believe this may be a carjacking.

11:54AM - Shooting reported on First Hill near 8th and Seneca - Scene of the shooting is a parking lot at Hubbel and Seneca. A witness said she saw a man standing over a woman in the parking lot, punching and kicking the woman before shooting her at close range with a pistol.

12:07PM - A vehicle matching the description of the SUV has been found abandoned in the 4100 block of Delridge.

1:27PM - UPDATE - Seattle Police have not provided a physical description of the man they are looking for in the 8th/Seneca shooting. A witness at the scene said the man had a blond crew cut. The Cafe Racer shooter description provided by SPD is below:

The suspect in the shooting is a white male, 6’1, very thin, with curly light brown hair, wearing a white and brown plaid shirt and dark pants. Police believe he is armed and dangerous.

An updated description said the Cafe Racer shooter had a full beard and was wearing a light blue jacket, a purple shirt and grey pants at the time of the shooting. He was reportedly armed with two handguns.

The search for the suspect in the 8th/Seneca shooting continues in West Seattle where the SUV was found abandoned. K-9 units also searched around the area of the First Hill parking lot including a city park across the street.

1:40PM - UPDATE - Here is the SPD bulletin on the incident:

On May 29th, at approximately 11:30 am, Seattle Police responded to a report of a female who had been shot and was down in the parking lot at 8th Avenue and Seneca Street. This is in the parking lot just west of Town Hall. Initial witness reports stated that a man and woman were in an argument and that the male then pulled out a handgun and shot the woman in the head. The male suspect then jumped into a black Mercedes SUV and drove away eastbound on Seneca. Officers arrived quickly and began CPR on the victim until relieved by Seattle Fire Department medics. The victim was transported to Harborview Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead. Detectives from Homicide and CSI responded to the scene and have begun their investigation.

At approximately 12:00 pm, the black Mercedes SUV was located unoccupied in the 4100 Block of Delridge Way SW. A handgun was visible inside that vehicle. Detectives are applying for a search warrant for that vehicle now. Officers are currently searching for the suspect. Unfortunately at this time we do not have a better description of the suspect other than white male. Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to immediately call 911.

There was been speculation that this shooting may have been linked to the earlier shootingon Roosevelt Way NE. At this point, we just don’t know. Detectives are exploring every possibilty. Again, anyone with any information on either of these incidents is urged to contact Seattle Police. These are active and ongoing investigations, and we will update new information as it becomes available.

1:47PM - UPDATE - West Seattle Blog is reporting on the manhunt here:

A containment area is being set up in a wide area around the reported vehicle discovery in the 4100 block – traffic is being blocked across a wide area. Scanner traffic says the vehicle was unoccupied but a major search is under way.

1:58PM - UPDATE - SPD search for the Roosevelt shooter includes units in every part of the city. On-board monitoring devices already installed in every SPD cruiser are being used to search for vehicles possibly associated with the suspect on streets and in parking garages in each precinct. Video from the north incident is also being distributed. Meanwhile, West Seattle Blog reports that police are beginning to open the scene around where the vehicle used by the First Hill shooter was abandoned. We have no information at this time about any arrests related to the shooting.

2:24PM - Mayor Mike McGinn, City Council member Bruce Harrell, Deputy Chief Nick Metz and Assistant Chief James Pugel are holding a media conference at 3:30p at City Hall to discuss today's shootings.

2:50PM - UPDATE - Town Hall has posted a statement regarding today's violence and said the First Hill shooting is not connected to their facility:

We here at Town Hall Seattle are deeply shaken and disturbed by the chilling events that transpired in our neighborhood and at Café Racer earlier today. We want to assure our friends and neighbors that all of the Town Hall staff are safe, although deeply traumatized by the violence that occurred in the parking lot adjacent to our building. Contrary to many reports the incident did not occur at Town Hall but understandably close enough for our building to be used as a point of reference. Seattle’s recent rash of violence touches us all, but none so deeply as those whose lives are tragically cut short. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of today’s violence.

In light of the situation, we feel it would be inappropriate to continue with today’s event with Terry McDermott, scheduled for 7:30pm Downstairs at Town Hall. All ticket holders will be issued a full refund on their purchase through our ticketing partners at Brown Paper Tickets. We hope to reschedule this important discussion in the near future. Details will be available at townhallseattle.org when available. Additionally, our staff is working on a program to provide an outlet for community discourse around violence, guns, and the string of incidents of which this is only the most recent. More information on developing programs will be available when finalized.

Like all of Seattle, we are trying to process the disturbing scenario that played out so close to our offices. Town Hall is a safe place for the expression of ideas. The physical safety and security of our community is important to Town Hall as a community gathering place vital to this neighborhood, Seattle, and the region. We are cooperating fully in the continuing police investigation and will be providing whatever resources we can to the Seattle Police Department. Any questions relating to the investigation should be directed to SPD.

3:16PM - UPDATE - The First Hill murder is the second shooting homicide in Capitol Hill's adjacent neighborhoods in the past week. Last Thursday, Justin Ferrari died at MLK and E Cherry after he was accidentally shot during a street dispute. The search for his killer continues.

3:21PM - UPDATE - SPD says this is the man wanted in the Cafe Racer shootings.
http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/05/30/roosevelt-homicide-suspect-identified/

Seattle police have obtained photos of the suspect in today’s shooting in north Seattle.

The suspect is a white male, approximately 30 years old, wearing a dark short cap, with well-groomed dark hair, a neat full beard, wearing a light blue jacket.

He is considered armed and dangerous.

If you recognize this man, please immediately contact the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000 or call 911

Meanwhile, multiple outlets are reporting that SWAT teams are moving into position around a home in the Roosevelt area.

3:51PM - UPDATE - In an afternoon media conference at City Hall, Deputy Chief Nick Metz said Seattle Police have not identified the "persons" responsible for today's shootings. He called the scene at 8th and Seneca "sketchy" and details of the attack unclear.

Mayor McGinn said the city needs to focus on laws that make it too easy for people to acquire guns while creating better social programs to help youth.

3:58PM - UPDATE - Seattle Police are on the scene of another reported shooting at 6012 37TH AV SW in the High Point area of West Seattle. We are trying to confirm that this is an SPD-related shooting and could involve the suspect from the First Hill murder.

UPDATE: Police say the incident is a self-inflicted shooting involving the Cafe Racer suspect.

9:58PM - 5828 Roosevelt Way Ne - Cafe Racer

9:59PM - 6012 37TH AV SW - West Seattle

State nixes Seattle's Capitol Hill-powered plan for extended liquor hours

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:55:26 GMT

cometdogsP_Crop, originally uploaded by duckylick.

Despite arguments from city officials that the change would make Seattle a safer place and pleas from Capitol Hill nightlife entrepreneurs to have more freedom to set their own course, the Washington Liquor Control board voted 2 to 1 Wednesday morning to deny the City of Seattle petition to grant local municipalities the power to set their own liquor service hours.

In March, the board members came to Seattle for a hearing on the petition that included a heavily Capitol Hill-flavored period of public comment on the proposed changes. Proponents argued that allowing bars that met certain standards to serve later into the wee hours would eliminate last call binging and the rush of bar patrons into and onto the streets at 2a. Opponents said the initiative was driven by business interests and would spread the maladies of closing time into all hours of the day. The Seattle Times reports that police chiefs in Spokane and Vancouver spoke against the proposal and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs voted last week to oppose it.

The denial is a blow to Mayor Mike McGinn's Seattle Nightlife Initiative, an effort to embrace the city's food and drink economy.

Person jumps to death from Lakeview overpass

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:39:15 GMT

Police were diverting traffic around Eastlake Ave near the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Wednesday morning after a person leapt to their death from the Lakeview Blvd E overpass, a busy connection between Capitol Hill and the Eastlake, Cascade and South Lake Union neighborhoods, below.

The person believed to have jumped in the incident just after 9a was dead by the time crews arrived, according to Seattle Fire. We do not have additional information about the person at this time. A witness CHS spoke with said he found an abandoned backpack on the overpass that was retrieved by police.

CHS has reported on recent suicide attempts involving leaps from overpasses of I-5 around Capitol Hill. The leap from the Lakeview overpass of I-5 above Eastlake Ave is the first we are aware of in the area since April.

Resources to help those in need: National suicide-prevention hotline: 800-SUICIDE. Local Crisis Clinic: (206) 461-3222

Capitol Hill food+drink | The Local Vine gets clipped, Q opening date, new chef on 15th

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:46:36 GMT

Opening day at 12th Ave's The Local Vine back in 2010 (Image: CHS)

Memorial Day bumped our regularly scheduled programming but our food+drink notes bucket is overflowing. Enjoy this special Wednesday edition. Got a tip? Lay it on us here.

12th Ave "neighborhood wine bar" The Local Vine has shut down a year and a half after moving to Capitol Hill as its original Belltown home started crumbling away.

Neighbor @mattgoyer posted the first sign that things might be amiss Tuesday night via Twitter.

CHS has learned that the 2,500 square-foot space in the Trace Lofts North development is indeed "available immediately" and being actively marketed.

It is adjacent to Barrio Restaurant, across from Plum and Manhattan and just down the street from CHS advertiser High 5 Pie.

The Local VIne's predecessor in the location was an outlet of the Pizza Fusion franchise which folded in under six months.

The shuttering of The Local Vine represents the second recent food and drink player to make recent big changes on that block of 12th. Across the street, we reported on the shift underway as Manhattan carries forward to re-invent itself as a legitimate steakhouse.

As of Wednesday morning, your neighborhood wine bar is down

At one point, it appeared PIke/Pine was undergoing a purple revolution with the neighborhood awash in plans for wine-related businesses. That has clearly not come to pass -- only CHS advertiser Poco remains from that roster.

The Local Vine concept was created by two women who made their names in corporations and dot coms before jumping into the wine bar and retail business. Allison Nelson and Sarah Munson uncorked their concept in Belltown about four years before moving to the Hill and said they were planning to expand to Capitol Hill, not move there when the building problems in their former home surfaced. The Local Vine also opened a location in the University Village.

We're trying to check in with The Local Vine to learn more about their decision to pack it in on 12th Ave and find out if the company as a whole is shutting down or if the University Village location will continue to operate. The small chain hasn't put out any public word on the closure beyond the hand-written sign posted by Goyer. The Local Vine isn't active on social media, has no Facebook pages and its web site is currently "down for maintenance."

The Seattle Times reports that the State Liquor Board is voting today on Seattle's "petition to allow local jurisdictions to set service hours. Current state law prohibits alcohol sales between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m." Predictions?
An artist's rendering of Q's Broadway entrance (Image: Q)
With the Social open and doing its thing on E Olive Way, attention turns to the next "ultra lounge" slated to open on Capitol Hill. Q says they'll be ready in September:

Q opens to the public on Saturday, September 8th at 8PM.

You can follow along with the construction progress on on the club's FB page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Q-Capitol-Hill/281614878524357

June 1st will bring the start of private liquor sales in Washington state. We'll have more on the Capitol Hill end of things as 6/1 arrives. Last week, a re-auction of rights to certain state store locations included the Broadway store re-selling for $365,000 -- up from the $255,000 and change it went for online before that buyer backed out. We're talking to the winning bidder about his plans. Along with the new wave of supermarket booze, the store at 12th and Pine will continue into the post-1183 future as will the store at 23rd and Union.
Ethan Stowell Restaurants still won't say what the real name of 15th Ave E's Fifth Quarter is going to be but they are bumping giant chef Brandon Kirksey up the Hill from Tavolata to run the kitchen.
Broadway's Poppy is a finalist in the People's Choice for an American Institute of Architects Los Angeles restaurant design award. As Poppy's Jerry Traunfeld says, "Take that yelpers who see danish modern infuenced design and can only think of Ikea." You can vote here through June 18th.
Speaking of Traunfeld, he'll join fellow Capitol Hill cook Matt Dillon as well as Renee Erickson and Holly Smith at Wednesday night's taping of a Seattle edition of "The Great American Chefs Tour." The $25 tickets are still available here for the Tom Douglas-hosted show.
Elysian vs. Elliott Bay. Death match.
Food truck Scratch Deli is "temporarily" parking itself on 12th Ave at the People's Republic of Koffee. Sounds worthy of a visit before it moves back to Wallingford "later this summer."
The Marination folks have hit another wall in their West Seattle venture.
Stranger talks to the boys from Saint John's.
Seattle Weekly visits Meza for happy hour, commits the "Capital Hill" sin.
Artusi is adding sidewalk seating on E Pine.
Arabica Lounge: home of gluten free cake and mostly gluten free pastries.
"At first I was surprised that people would want to give a thousand bucks, then come scrub my walls..."
More on 20 years at Cafe Flora.
Smith gets a facelift just in time for its fifth birthday:
(Image: Smith via Facebook)
EVO Tapas happy hour details: "3-5pm featuring $1 off wells, red/white house wines and bottled beer, $2 domestic/$3 imported drafts, $2 off Sangria and draft beer pitchers, and a $5 tapas menu."
"Altura is not a place to drop by for a casual night out. Best to dine here when the purse strings are loose or the occasion calls for a splurge; the restaurant’s three-course tasting menu is $49. But the food? Mostly marvelous."
"I'll be doing more things in the neighborhood." What do you suppose Big Mario's owner Dave Meinert might be up to?
Next Monday, 12th Ave's Plum is throwing its support behind a more sustainable food system:

The Northwest Farm Bill Action Group is a group of community members who are concerned about the current state of our food system. Our goal is to connect with a diverse alliance of people and organizations in the Pacific Northwest and advocate for a more healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system. Through collaboration, the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group provides a space for Pacific Northwest communities to educate themselves about the upcoming Farm Bill and to cultivate the tools to take action and effect policy change to work for a better food system. We do this by offering educational workshops, relevant online resources, and hosting events focused around our food system. Your donations to the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group through Plum Bistro will go directly to our organizational programming, educational materials, and staff time, so that we can continue our work for a more just and sustainable food system. Thank you!!

Where: Plum Bistro
When: Monday June 4th 5-10 PM
What: Plum is donating 30% of our revenue to the Northwest Farm Bill Action Group

Coming soon, Terra Plata promises:
(Image: Terra Plata via Facebook)

This week's CHS food+drink advertiser directory

Bimbos -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Coastal Kitchen -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Fuel Coffee -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
High 5 Pie -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Honeyhole -- Web/Facebook
Marination Station -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Monsoon -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Poppy -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Poquitos -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Little Water Cantina -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Soul Wine -- Web/Twitter/Facebook

Auto Battery - Web/Twitter/Facebook
Poco Wine Room -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Big Mario's -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Lobby -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Tommy Gun -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Ba Bar -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Manhattan -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Other Coast -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Roanoke Tavern -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Thomas St. Creperie -- Web/Twitter/Facebook
Sugar Bakery -- Web/Twitter/Facebook

CHS Pics | 'Cupcakes are sweet and so is equality'

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:37:46 GMT

Inslee enjoying an Inslee-decorated cupcake (Images: CHS)

Candidate Jay Inslee was on Capitol Hill this morning to accept an endorsement of his run for governor from the Human Rights Campaign.

"Cupcakes are sweet and so is equality and we intend to have both in the state of Washington," Inslee said in a short speech inside the E Pike Cupcake Royale store.

The Royale chain's Jody Hall has forged many Olympia and D.C. connections and as a supporter of gay rights, health care and small business efforts, has made Cupcake Royale the scene for the occasional political announcement or press conference.

The Seattle PI calls HRC the nation's "biggest gay rights lobby" and notes that Inslee's endorsement follows a recent string of "pro-Inslee" happenings by "Democratic-aligned interest groups."

Inslee will face his Republican challenger Attorney General Rob McKenna in November.

Inslee and Hall (Image: CHS)

Century Ballroom's Kuperman injured in scooter crash

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:10:24 GMT

It's kind of hard to be light on your feet when you're wearing a full leg cast. Via Facebook, Century Ballroom owner Hallie Kuperman reports that she won't be doing the jitterbug for a little while thanks to a Saturday night scooter crash.

We've asked for more details on the crash and will update when we hear more. In the meantime, you might consider dropping by the Ballroom in coming weeks to cheer Kuperman on in her recovery.

New kid on the Block Party as Capitol Hill business owner takes over music festival -- UPDATE

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:59:54 GMT

Block Party Panoramic, uploaded by roofsupdotcom.

As Capitol Hill Block Party has grown from a street festival into a three-day musical extravaganza that will draw more than 30,000 to Pike/Pine this July, the two main men behind the annual production are stepping aside. In a statement released by CHBP organizers, Marcus Charles and David Meinert said the end has arrived for their rule of the Block Party and that a new, local business owner is taking over production of the festival -- and bringing along some new fun including a family-friendly morning of rock, a new arts program and a slew of social media-friendly additions.

"For 11 years Marcus and I worked to make Capitol Hill Block Party one of the most credible small festivals in the US, with Jason booking the talent that helped elevate it to a nationally recognized event," Meinert said in the statement.

Lajeunesse, center with his dog, helps at a recent chamber of commerce street sweep (Image: CHS)

"With both of us having started new families and opened new businesses, it felt like the right time to pass the reins. There is no better person in this community to continue producing the festival with the original vision with an eye toward expanding and evolving the tradition."

The announcement puts to end months of rumors about coming changes for CHBP. Stepping forward as the new Block Party owner is Jason Lajeunesse who served as co-producer in 2011.

Terms of the deal were not announced.

Block Party has grown into one of the big Pacific Northwest music events of the summer with attendance on pace to surpass 30,000 attendees again this July. We looked at the logistics around the unique production on the streets of an active, open for business city neighborhood in 2011. Check out our Day One | Day Two | Day Three open threads for coverage and images from the neighborhood perspective at the 2011 Block Party.

The 2012 festival -- marketed with wink toward the announcement of new ownership and the Mayan calendar -- has been billed as "the final" CHBP and will include Neko Case and Major Lazer on the bill. As part of the change in ownership announcement, organizers also released the remaining acts for the 2012 planned line-up:

Lajeunesse increases his role in Pike/Pine's nightlife cutlure and in the Capitol Hill business community with the deal. Lajeunesse is also part owner of Neumos, Moe Bar, Big Mario’s Pizza, Barboza, Pike Street Fish Fry, and Sealed With a Kiss Presents. He serves on the board of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and is on the Advisory Board for the Music for Marriage Equality campaign, according to the CHBP statement. Earlier this year, CHS reported on a new 10-year lease for Neumos to remain at 10th and Pike. Meanwhile, Barboza debuted beneath the music club earlier this month.

Meinert, right, gets ready to rock the 2011 festival with fellow punk fan Dow Constantine (Image: CHS)

The shift for Meinert is also significant for the neighborhood and the Pike/Pine business community. The move reduces Meinert's role in Pike/Pine though he retains part ownership of Big Mario's and will likely continue to be an outspoken supporter of Seattle nightlife. Meinert was the face of the festival as it grappled with the challenges of working with area business owners who are negatively affected during the annual festival as fences dominated the streets and sidewalks, trash can occasionally pile up and walk-in business can trickle to nothing. In the past year, Lajeunesse has taken on more of the community work around the festival including his work with the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Some of this work will manifest itself during the 2012 Block Party as new elements expanding the scope of CHBP are rolled out.

Earlier this month, CHS reported on a new arts program being added to the Party headed by Capitol Hill's Ghost Gallery owner Laurie Kearney. Today's statement includes more information on that and a new family-friendly addition to the 2012 festival -- a Cupcake Royale-headed Sunday "COMMUNITYFAMILYFUNFEST" rocked by headliner Caspar Babypants:

ALL-BROW VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM: Ghost Gallery’s Laurie Kearney is curating a collection of multimedia art to be viewed at this year's CHBP. Installations by local and regional artists will be at specific locations throughout the festival grounds. Ghost Gallery's mission for this project is to create a dynamic, visually striking art program for the CHBP, engaging festival-goers with an exciting variety of site-specific, locally made art. Laurie Kearney founded the Ghost Gallery project in 2006, with the goal of making original art more accessible by exhibiting artists in both traditional and non-traditional spaces. With 30,000 expected festival-goers, CHBP is the perfect non-traditional space for engaging our local artistic community and providing a dynamic, interactive environment for visitors of all ages.

COMMUNITYFAMILYFUNFEST
CHBP and CupCake Royal will present a free family fun event on Sunday July 22 before the start of the festival from 10am-12pm. There will be free ice cream, lemonade and doubt dutch from 10-11am, followed by a free show at Neumos with Caspar Baby Pants from 11am-12pm. Local Capitol Hill business The Sweat Box will also host a free yoga class on Saturday morning from the CHBP main stage. The event is free and promises to be the perfect cure for your hangover and while keeping the kids entertained.

The festival this year will also include a live simulcast on the Internet so the world can enjoy the spirit of Pike/Pine from the comfort of its Internet connection as well as a bloggers' lounge tricked out for social media mavens to document the Block Party.

“We are very excited to be introducing new creative endeavors to the festival," Lajeunesse says in the statement. "I'm proud of the team we have in place, and honored to be able to continue the CHBP legacy, in my favorite neighborhood in the nation."

The 2012 Capitol Hill Block Party takes place July 20-22nd. You can purchase tickets and learn more at capitolhillblockparty.com.

Big Mario's is a CHS advertiser.

12:03PM - UPDATE -- More from Meinert -

CHS spoke with David Meinert about the change and his role in the neighborhood. He says you shouldn't expect him to disappear from Pike/Pine.

"I'll be doing more things in the neighborhood," Meinert promised.

Those words sparkle with promise for some, threat for others -- details to come, says Meinert.

"For me personally, it started as a totally fun, creative thing. Especially the last couple years, it became more of a burden than a fun thing," Meinert said of the growth of Block Party entailing a larger and larger civic effort.

He said he's happy to have finished the Block Party's era of growing pains and leave the festival at a new place ready for Lajeunesse to add new creative energy. The new elements planned for 2012 are "what an event becomes when the neighborhood comes together," Meinert said.

Meinert said he and partner Marcus Charles looked at several options for transitioning ownership of Block Party and re-shaping their roles. Large producers were crossed off the list. "The significance of the event is that it's a neighborhood event," he said.

Charles's role in the growth of the festival also shouldn't be forgotten, Meinert said. Early in the lifespan of the Block Party, Charles was running the beer garden at the struggling event that seemed about to fade and disappear from the summer schedule at the time. Meinert said Charles worked with him to book bands and help re-energize the festival after that early year when things were "falling apart" and "you couldn't see the stage from the beer garden." The partnership grew Block Party into a 30,000-attendee spectacle.

We're still not sure what a Capitol Hill Block Party sells for but Meinert would describe the elements of the deal as both intellectual property and a kind of historical momentum in the city's permitting process. Most of the Capitol Hill Block Party family will remain intact including the return of Grady Chapman as production manager. Caffe Vita and Via Tribunali's Mike McConnell also remains a partner in the festival.

Meinert is looking forward to attending the 2012 festival as a fan and promoter -- he represents both the Lumineers and Hey Marseilles on this year's bill.

He's also looking forward to being part of the process to change how the City of Seattle manages large events like Block Party. Meinert tells CHS he is on a "special event reform" committee charged with re-shaping the permitting process for events like CHBP. Meinert says people might not realize just how close organizers came to pulling the plug on Block Party in 2011. "Last year was really stressful," he said "It almost didn't happen just because of city process."

Now, Meinert said, it's onward and upward for the festival -- and getting home by 6p to spend more time with his 2 1/2 year old daughter at his new home outside the city "but still in the county."

"It's sad in a way but it's also just great," he said. "Jason is in such a great place. He lives, works, eats, drinks that neighborhood."

If you're part of that neighborhood and want to talk more about the 2012 (and beyond) Block Party, stop by the community meeting planned for 5:30p on June 5th upstairs at Caffe Vita.

Bicyclist seriously injured in collision with van at Pike/Boren -- UPDATE

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:55:30 GMT

Seattle Police remain on the scene as investigators complete their investigation into what lead to a van striking a bicyclist at the intersection of Pike and Boren Tuesday morning.

The 6:20a crash sent the 20-year-old rider to the hospital with serious injuries according to Seattle Fire. SFD said the rider was losing consciousness at the scene. We do not have information about the rider's current condition but we're told the injuries are life threatening.

According to police, the driver of the van was evaluated at the scene, a standard procedure in this type of incident. More details on the investigation should be available later today, SPD says.

The intersection has remained blocked to traffic heading up and down Pike for more than two hours. Metro says routes 10, 11, 14, 43 and 49 are temporarily re-routed in the area of the collision.

The area around Pike and Boren can be a dangerous one for both riders and drivers. CHS reported on the previous car vs. bike crash at the intersection of Pine and Boren in February. Earlier this month, a SPD patrol car collided with a taxi cab at the Pike/Boren crossing.

150/365 - Cops and Crime Scene Tape, originally uploaded by Meghan A.

2:00PM - UPDATE - Here is SPD's preliminary report on the incident:

On May 29th, at approximately 6:20 am, Seattle Police and Seattle Fire responded to a report of a bicycle/van collision in the intersection of Pike Street and Boren Avenue. According to witnesses, the male cyclist was riding his 10-speed bicycle ~~eastbound~~ westbound on Pike Street. The cyclist ran into the side of a van that was travelling south on Boren Avenue. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet. SFD Medics transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) responded and began their investigation. The driver of the van was evaluated at the scene by officers for any sign of impairment, which is standard protocol. This remains an active and on-going investigation.

3:50PM - UPDATE - The bulletin provided to SPD's public info unit does, indeed, record that the bike rider was traveling eastbound at the time of the crash. We've asked for clarification and will update if we hear back.

A Harborview spokesperson reports that the victim in this morning's crash is in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit. UPDATE x2:: SPD has corrected their report -- the bicyclist was traveling westbound.

Your Post-Memorial Day Weekend 2012 Capitol Hill Briefing

CHS Staff<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Tue, 29 May 2012 13:44:56 GMT

Welcome back. It's nearly June. Here are the things you may have missed over the weekend and a few items of note to look forward to this week.

UPDATE -- Car vs. bike at Pike/Boren: Tuesday morning brings a report of a car vs. bicyclist incident and its subsequent investigation shutting down the intersection at Pike and Boren. We don't have details of the incident yet but Metro says routes 10, 11, 14, 43 and 49 are temporarily re-routed in the area of the 6:21a collision. UPDATE x2: SFD has limited details but said the 20-year-old rider was "losing consciousness" and was taken to Harborview with serious injuries.

Seattle gun violence: It was a violent weekend around Seattle. The investigation into the shooting that left 42-year-old Justin Ferrari dead at MLK and Cherry continues. The Seattle PI calls the weekend the "most violent" 4-day span since 2008. SPD tells the Seattle Times it has put SWAT and Anti-Crime teams on the ground in Seattle's "high-crime" areas.
Quiet Hill: Capitol Hill proper registered only a single report of violent crime over the weekend, according to police records. We have no details yet on the weapons threat incident that went down in the 1700 block of Summit on Friday afternoon.

Safe BBQ practices: CHS also didn't cover a single major Seattle Fire incident -- hopefully you all still got some grilling time in over the weekend.
Sinkholes and downed wires: The Hill's biggest issue this Memorial Day? Our streets. Sunday night, a sinkhole opened in the middle of E Olive Way and tried to eat the City Market. Meanwhile, @zgoodwin hooks us up with information about downed wires that blocked another street in the area overnight.
Change on 15th Ave E: CHS reported that a hole of another kind will be patched on 15th Ave E starting this summer as the old Horizon Books house has been purchased by a "mystery" Capitol Hill business planning to move in. And the $3 ticket plan to save the Volunteer Park Conservatory is coming.

Looking ahead

Today, celebrate 25 years of supporting Washington arts with wine and cupcakes at Capitol Hill's Artist Trust.
New subterranean bar, arcade and performance space the Narwhal is set to emerge from beneath the Unicorn this week.
Privatized liquor sales in Washington begin Friday and the Times says prices *could* jump. Or not. Capitol Hill will have plenty of places to buy booze in the new privatized world. Meanwhile, there's a new winning bidder for the old Broadway location. We'll see what more we can learn about the Canadian who won the bid. The state business around liquor winds down this week with phased closures so you'll want to check out that schedule if you're planning some hoarding.
Sunday, plan your gay wedding with the BeGLiTched vendor fair and fundraiser for Washington United for Marriage.
The annual Capitol Hill Garage Sale Day is June 9th. Add your sale from anywhere around the Hill to our roster -- or sign up for one of the few remaining slots in the Broadway Hill community lot at http://capitolhillgaragesale.com

CHS Pics | Remembrance at Lake View

lavid<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Mon, 28 May 2012 21:03:13 GMT

(Images: David Lichterman for CHS)

The annual Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Day Service filled Capitol HIll's Lake View Cemetery Monday morning with honor and respect for those who died serving their country.

Lake View is home to the Nisei War Memorial, an obelisk honoring American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who died while serving in the armed services.

Congressman Jim McDermott was among dignitaries in attendance.

The annual event includes prayers and remembrances of the fallen soldiers as well as a local ROTC honor guard.

Celebrate 25 years supporting art in Washington with Capitol Hill's Artist Trust

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Mon, 28 May 2012 13:00:25 GMT

Artist Trust has been resident in the nifty condo building at 12th and Denny since it was completed in 2004. On Tuesday, the organization that provides programs and grants for Washington artists in literary, visual, craft and performance disciplines will celebrate its 25th year of empowering artists in Seattle. You should stop by and join in the cheer, the wine, and the cupcakes.

The South Seattle Sentinel marked the big news (Image: Google News Archives)

As part of our year-long 25th anniversary celebration, we’ll be marking our official date of incorporation—May 29, 1987— with a little cheer! Stop by for cupcakes and/or at day’s end for a sparkling toast with Executive Director Margit Rankin and staff.

The 25th visitor will receive a handmade “One Good Idea” notebook from Paper Hammer Studio in Tieton!

Noon-5pm: Open House
5pm: Sparkling Toast

Sparkling Wine courtesy of Chateau Ste. Michelle. Babycakes sponsored by Cupcake Royale.

Capitol Hill Memorial Day 2012 -- Lake View ceremony, free burgers

CHS Staff<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Mon, 28 May 2012 12:45:25 GMT

Happy Memorial Day. Hope your holiday is a good one -- even if you have to work. If you'd like to be part of remembering on this day, the annual Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Day Service takes place at 15th Ave E's Lake View Cemetery starting at 10a.

And, if you'd like to have a free hamburger, stop by 1211 Pine's Li'l Woody's between 2 and 5p. Earn it.

Sinkhole opens up on E Olive Way -- far from light rail but look out City Market

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Mon, 28 May 2012 02:01:07 GMT

Thanks for all the pictures and notes about the gaping hole in the earth that has developed in the middle of E Olive Way at Bellevue Sunday night.

For those wondering, the hole in the pavement is far from the light rail tunneling route but in an area that could probably use a re-paving. We have no confirmed details yet on the cause.

Seattle Police are on scene to direct traffic around the shopping-cart-sized divot until a longer term solution comes to play. In the meantime, nearby City Market still stands.

(Image: @typewriteralley)

CHS Schemata | Harrison Modern -- Mid-century modern brings Malibu funk to Capitol Hill

John Feit/Schemata Workshop<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Sun, 27 May 2012 13:00:44 GMT

(Images: John Feit)

I have been riding my bicycle past the Harrison Modern for almost a decade now, always appreciative of its design and one that I have been yearning to share for some time. Unfortunately, its predominant exposure faces north, making its photography less than ideal for a majority of the year and thus potentially depriving the building the adoration it so deserves. Imagine my great joy when, a couple of weeks back, I was walking past in the late afternoon — camera in hand — with the lighting just perfect for portraying the Harrison’s many charms.

Located at the intersection of 12th and Harrison, the Harrison Modern is clearly a building whose designers were firmly rooted in mid-century modernism. Built in 1951 and designed by Victor Martin, the Harrison is not only exemplary of that era, but it also foreshadows current trends in architectural design in its use of layered cubic forms as exemplified by the work of such contemporary Dutch architects as MVRDV in the Edificio Celosía, pictured below. This stacking design approach, though all the rage now, was most certainly pretty avant-garde over 60 years ago, and continues to mark the Harrison unique among Capitol Hill’s vintage buildings.

What I am calling a stacked or layered design is one where each floor (or grouped floors) is expressed individually and in a very like manner, without the more traditional base, middle, and top. In both the Harrison and MVRDV example, this stacking is expressed not only by revealing the floor lines, but also by carving out voids for balconies that emphasize the volume of the floors above or below. The Harrison’s design captures this layered design approach to create cleverly framed outdoor spaces that exhibit the modernist desire forblending indoor and outdoor space, including a generous upper floor balcony that must provide a great view of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. On a more intimate scale, the north facing veranda of the Harrison is crisply framed, forming a powerfully simple, elegant, and dignified facade along Harrison Street.

Along 12th Avenue, the busier of the two streets upon which the Harrison is sited, a more formal facade was in order and is fittingly more massive in temperament. The contrast, and utility between, these three elevations is achieved by the simple rotating of the lower and upper floors to best suite their orientation, an ease of effort to effect that has long captivated me. A powerful difference is accorded between the two floors; on the longer, northern elevation is the lower form which represents the void, and on shorter, eastern elevation, it is the upper form. A lower floor ying to the upper floor yang, as it were.

Contrasting the bold cubic forms above are the cascading stones and plantings that mark the entry ramp into the building. While on one level apparently quite different form the building’s aesthetic, this little bit of landscape is actually within the spirit of its mid-century heritage, and provides a finishing touch to one of Capitol Hill’s finest small buildings. If I squint a bit, I can imagine the Harrison at home in say, Palm Springs or Malibu, but am quite content knowing it is our neighborhood.

Recent CHS Schemata Posts

John Feit is an architect on Capitol Hill, and works at Schemata Workshop. He blogs frequently on design and urbanism, with a focus on how they relate to and affect the Capitol Hill community.

Photo Center NW's 24-hour Long Shot challenges shutterbugs, raises funds

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:45:49 GMT

12th Ave's Photo Center NW has turned its annual Long Shot 24-hour photo event into a worldwide celebration of the camera. We love it for producing shots like this from right here on Capitol Hill and for the event's support of the center and its mission to educate and celebrate photographers. Details on the 2012 Long Shot taking place starting on June 1st are below. Make sure to mark your calendar for the July 28th exhibition, too.

A Capitol Hill image from the 2010 marathon (Image: Jon Polka)

Every click with the camera can make a difference. Long Shot, a 24-hour photo fundraiser organized by Photo Center NW invites anyone around the world to snap photos of any theme or subject, and be a part of their one-day community event. Participants can photograph using any camera, including a cell phone, on June 1-2, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. They may submit up to ten images, and one will be included in an exhibition on July 28, 2012 at Photo Center NW, with a requested minimum donation of $24. Proceeds of the event will help fund education and outreach programs. One particular outreach program helps immigrants and refugee children adapt to their new environment through the art of photography.
The event is free and open to everyone. Additionally, an expert will offer intensive workshops to all participants for a small donation. In 2011, photographers came from the U.K., Tanzania, Japan, Iceland and all over the U.S. collectively raising $32,000.
“Long Shot IS community and it relies exclusively on the participation of hundreds of passionate individuals around the world, activating one day into a creative fundraiser where both parties win,” said Rafael Soldi, Marketing Director, Photo Center NW.
Photographers are encouraged to seek donations and pledges to benefit the Photo Center. To register, please visit www.pcnw.org/longshot.

1 Year Ago This Week on Capitol Hill

CHS Staff<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Sun, 27 May 2012 12:31:01 GMT

Here are the top CHS posts from this week in 2011:

Capitol Hill bar holding gay wedding show

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Sat, 26 May 2012 13:00:50 GMT

The venue is lined up. And the whole thing is good for the economy. Now you just need all the stuff -- and a victory at the polls, of course. The BeGLiTched event next weekend at E Pike's Lobby Bar might be a good way to start planning:

• Come meet a selection of the Northwest's best wedding vendors and enjoy fabulous food, delicious drinks & fierce fashions! In addition, Mr. Gay Seattle, DonnaTella, and other gorgeous guys and gals will be decked out in their finest finerie in support of Washington United for Marriage. Join us for this badass brunch for LGBT brides & grooms and those who are wed-curious!

• 12pm - 2pm

Around 20 vendors are participating.

Lobby Bar, by the way, is a CHS advertiser. And CHS Notices, we should note, are free.

Capitol Hill Aviary | Another visit to the owls on the Hill

birdwordgirl<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Sat, 26 May 2012 12:45:00 GMT

Yup, within a five-minute bike ride of my Capitol Hill apartment, barred owls are in residence.

Territorial, vocal crows helped me locate both mother and father in Interlaken Park recently. Barred owls are of a mammal-like bulk (21" tall) and relatively unfazed by human presence--they will stretch, emit wisdom, yawn, gambol, sleep, be serene, faire la toilette, hunt, etc. within 10-15 feet of a person (in this case, me.)

There is consternation and controversy regarding this species. According to the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society:

The Barred Owl is non-native species to the West, including Western Washington. It has migrated across the continent into western U.S. forests from eastern states. Where the ranges of Barred Owls and Spotted Owls overlap, the Barred Owl has proven to be a more successful competitor that adversely impacts the Spotted Owl. Spotted Owl populations in Washington have been declining at a rate of 7.3% per year. On the Olympic Peninsula, the Barred Owl has increased five-fold in the past 10 years. Biologists observe that the Spotted Owl is being pushed to higher elevations on the Peninsula because of competition from the Barred Owl, which prefers lower forested areas.

I have mixed feelings about their presence. As an urban birder, it's a treat to be able to hang out with owls, but this gratitude is tinged with an uneasy awareness of their effect on other species.

Clare McLean is a birder, writer and photographer. She combines these passions in her blog http://birdwordgirl.blogspot.com

'Walkable, convenient' Capitol Hill leaves Redmond real estate in the dust

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Fri, 25 May 2012 21:20:29 GMT

Melrose Market, originally uploaded by Rob Ketcherside.

It's in the New York Times (or, it's going to be this Sunday) so it must be true. A senior fellow at the Brookings Institution includes a Capitol Hill vs. Redmond data point in his opinion piece on the value of a "walkable, convenient place." Now we know why all those "Eastside developers" want to build on Capitol Hill.

Although we have not studied all urban areas to the same degree, these findings appear to apply to much of the rest of the country. In metropolitan Seattle in 1996, the suburban Redmond area, home to Microsoft, had the same price per square foot as Capitol Hill, a walkable area adjacent to downtown, based on data from Zillow. Today, Capitol Hill is valued nearly 50 percent above Redmond.

Hopefully, the Hill didn't lose too much socioeconomic value this week.

CHS Pics | The start of Capitol Hill summer

lavid<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:09:24 GMT

Musical chairs gets hard (Images: Dave Lichterman for CHS)

The New City Collegian calls it the kick-off to "Capitol Hill summer" -- we'll take it. Here's the scene from Thursday's 2012 Unity Fair at Seattle Central Community College where THEESatsifaction rocked the mic and comedian Hari Kondabolu busted a few guts. If you missed it, relax. There's an entire Capitol Hill summer ahead to enjoy. For more weekend activities across the Hill, check out our latest On the List.

(Image: David Lichterman)

(Image: CHS)

New chapter for old Horizon Books house on 15th Ave E

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:36:57 GMT

(Image: CHS)

Give this one a read. You'll like it. It's a mystery. CHS has learned that the old 1922-built house that has stood fenced and empty in the middle of 15th Ave E since 2009 is about to get an overhaul and a new business to call it home. It's a bit of a whodunit.

"I represent a client who's got a small business already on Capitol Hill," Matt Herron of Cannon Commercial told CHS. "They wanted to let everyone know the property has been purchased."

Herron says he can't name his clients at this point but that they were eager to let people know that the building wasn't slated for demolition.

"It's important for them to let people know it's a local business that is buying it," Herron said.

Due to the loose ends of moving an existing business and making sure everybody affected has been fully informed, the new buyers aren't revealing their identities, yet.

Herron said the former home of Horizon Books will undergo a full renovation starting this summer. The house has been empty and fenced off since Horizon moved its inventory to 10th Ave in spring 2009. The man who sold the building is what you might call a colorful character.

We tracked down Beverly Hills resident Arno Prinz in 2009 to learn more about his plans to sell the old house that somehow remained as the 15th Ave E business district grew up around it. His asking price three years ago was $1.25 million. We told Prinz that was pretty high. "It's not expensive," Prinz told us. "The lots behind it sold for almost $1 million. There has been good interest in the property. People are looking for loans and they are not easy to get."

We don't know what price Herron's clients settled on with Prinz. UPDATE: Yes we do. The property was purchased by a company registered to Herron for $908,010. We'll have to ask about that ten buck part.

As for the identity of the new business destined for 15th Ave E, your guess is as good as ours. Herron called the business a "store" and didn't offer much more than to say the clients are excited to be coming to 15th Ave and that he thinks it will be a good fit when they move in by early next year after the work on the new shop location is complete.

The street will also soon have another new set of residents a block away as The Wandering Goose and (we think it's going to be called) Fifth Quarter finish their build-outs in June. The energy from the newbies should be a boost to the efforts of the grassroots 15th Ave Merchants Association to raise the profile of the business district.

The new owners will also mean a 15th Ave E "old timer" will have the opportunity to settle in for a long stay on the street. The purchase includes the neighboring shop that is home to Casita. The previous landlords weren't interested in a multi-year lease for the tiny shop but the buyers have already begun discussions on signing Paula Moreschi's business for the long term. That all sounds like a happy ending. We're looking forward to the next in the series.

Blotter | CD shooting, E Union purse snatch, laptop+iPad+iPhone heist, E Olive Way tavern assault

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:20:56 GMT

Central District shooting: Police are looking for suspects in a Central District shooting homicide tonight. Police say a man in his 40s was killed Thursday night at MLK and Cherry when he was caught in the crossfire of a street shootout.
Assault at Cal Anderson: Police and medics responded to an incident in Cal Anderson Park Thursday night involving a man who received a serious laceration to his wrist. No details on the apparent altercation yet but Seattle Fire radio dispatches indicate the injury was not considered life-threatening. One person was reportedly taken into custody. UPDATE: More details below.
Team purse snatch on E Union? Police are looking for a suspect who apparently worked with his girlfriend to snatch a purse from a woman on E Union last Saturday afternoon in front of enough witnesses that police have pictures of the suspect as he attempted to flee the scene. According to the report on the incident, the victim told police she was getting out of her car near the intersection of E Union and Belmont when she was approached by a woman claiming she had been robbed and needing a ride somewhere.

As the victim refused and walked away, she was jumped from behind by a man who tried to rip her bag from her shoulder. The victim said she grabbed her purse and struggled with the suspect who began striking her in the back of the head with his closed fist. She said she finally let go of the bag and the suspect ran from the scene. A man who saw the attack gave chase and was able to keep up with the suspect and take pictures as he fled.

Police were able to track down the woman who had claimed to be robbed but she told officers she did not see what had occurred and provided police with the suspect's name.

According to the report, the pictures show a white male in his 20s "with short hair wearing a grey and white plaid zip-up jacket, a white t-shirt underneath with saggy blue jeans and grey and black shoes with a bit of yellow." The suspect was also wearing a backpack at the time of the purse snatch.

iRobbery at Summit and Olive: A man lost his laptop, iPad and iPhone to a street robber who threatened he was carrying a gun in an early morning robbery last Friday. The victim told police he was walking on Summit Ave near E Olive St around 4a when he was confronted by two males who blocked his path. "We'll fuck you up. I have a piece. Give me the backpack," one of the suspects reportedly said. The victim handed over his backpack and the phone the suspect also demanded before walking away and leaving the victim to continue home.

The victim did not contact police until the next day when the stolen iPad was turned on and a tracking service signaled a location in the 5500 block of Renton Ave S. When police arrived at the victim's location after he called 911, the iPad had already been powered down and was no longer transmitting a location. The victim was able to remotely lock the devices so they can no longer be used but will still transmit a location if somebody tries to turn them on.

The victim described the male who did the talking and took the items as black, around 30 years old, with a goatee and shoulder-length dreadlocks.

The victim was not injured in the robbery.

E Olive Way tavern assault: This early Tuesday morning incident from just before last call at the Crescent Tavern is such a mess of redacted names that, well, we'll just let SPD tell you what led to this man being arrested for assault:

4:51PM - e union at belmont - Team purse snatch on E Union?

5:15PM - mlk at e cherry - Central District shooting

5:17PM - summit at e olive st - iRobbery st Summit and Olive:

5:17PM - 1410 e olive way - E Olive Way tavern assault:

9:14PM - UPDATE - Here are details from SPD on Thursday night's incident in Cal Anderson:

On May 24th at approximately 6:06 p.m. officers responded to 911 calls of a stabbing in Cal Anderson Park located in the 1600 block of 11th Avenue. Officers arrived on scene and faced a hostile crowd, which delayed the fire department medics from being able to enter the park and treat the 30-year-old male victim. Additional officers responded to help secure the scene and allow for the entrance of medics.

The victim was treated at the scene and transported to Harborview Medical Center by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, a female in her late 20′s, was located in the park and taken into custody.

She was subsequently booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Assault.

Pike/Pine dives deep as Narwhal ready for debut 'neath the Unicorn

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:53:53 GMT

Under construction (Image: Unicorn)

The density of Pike/Pine's core nightlife economy will reach new depths next week as sub-surface venue Narwhal is ready to debut below its upstairs twin, the Unicorn.

CHS first told you about owners Paul Blake and Adam Heimstadt's $290,000 plans to create a 5,000 square-foot second level to the kaleidoscope circus bar last spring including a second bar, a game room, a stage for live performances and a new staircase connecting the two levels.

Our pals at Seattle U's Spectator break the news this week that the Narwhal is ready:

“Narwhal is the Unicorn on drugs,” said owner Adam Heimstadt. “It’s so much more intense down there.”

The 5,000 square foot venue doubles as a pinball venue equipped for boozers to partake in activities beyond just enjoying the spread of the second bar.

The back room on the east side, painted pink and black, will house 10 pinball games and 12 1980s arcade games.

To the left side of the bar, a claw arcade game called the Uni-claw sits, waiting to be filled with the crazy prizes that Heimstadt will conjure up.

The Spectator says you should save your quarters up for a June 1 debut.

Stairs to the Narwhal (Image: Unicorn)

The opening of the Narwhal comes weeks after another subterranean venue's debut just down E Pike. Barboza, the new performance space and bar beneath Neumos, debuted earlier this month and provides the Neumos business family with a space to host smaller, more intimate -- potentially more local -- performances.

The emergence of these new, built-out underground spaces is another sign that this central portion of Pike/Pine is so chock full of activity and revenue potential that business owners are looking for ways to squeeze every last bit of action into the area. "Underground" music and dance activity has already been going on underground in the area. Now businesses are investing in the spaces. It's not just bars and clubs -- developer Liz Dunn has put her underground square footage to work as a co-working space at 12th and Pike. But there is also an element of opportunity presented by the old buildings remaining on the street. Blake told CHS part of the reason he and Heimstadt could afford to build Narwhal in the first place was the old basement space from the original 1916 building was rock solid and wouldn't require a seismic upgrade. With much of the street level space filled on E Pike between Broadway and 12th, we'll have our eye out for more activity below and above the surface.

The space as it looked last spring (Image: CHS)

Some of the finishings for the Narwhal (Image: Unicorn)

11:58AM - UPDATE - I am reminded to give credit to the grandaddy of subterranean E Pike watering holes -- all hail the Cha Cha.

SPD seeks help in identifying May Day vandalism and violence suspects

jseattle<noreply@www.capitolhillseattle.com> — Thu, 24 May 2012 17:15:16 GMT

Seattle Police have posted pictures and information about five people they say were responsible for acts of vandalism and violence during the May Day protests in downtown Seattle. Details on the suspects police are seeking to identify are below.

Four Seattleites already faced felony charges after being arrested during the May Day protests. One of those cases was dropped last week as prosecutors said they "no longer believe they could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt" after video evidence surfaced in the case of an alleged assault against a Seattle Police officer.

Here are the images of the suspects SPD is looking for and details of the alleged crimes:

View larger images

After combing through hours of video taken during the May 1 demonstrations in downtown Seattle, detectives have identified several men and women who disrupted peaceful protests through acts of vandalism and violence.
While detectives have put faces to some of the crimes committed on May 1, they now need the public’s help in putting a name to those faces.
The first suspect pictured is wanted for smashing windows at Niketown in downtown Seattle.
The second suspect is also wanted for using his skateboard to smash windows at Niketown.
The third suspect is wanted for assault, after he threw an unidentified item at officers.
The fourth suspect threw a bottle or book at officers, striking one in the head.
The fifth suspect is wanted for a hit-and-run attack on an officer. The man rushed out of the crowd and stomped on the officer’s knee.
Police are still analyzing video and photographs taken during May Day to identify other suspects, who detectives believe caused more than $100,000 in damage during the demonstrations.
If you recognize any of the suspects, or have photos or video of crimes committed during the demonstrations, please contact SPD’s May Day tip line at (206) 233-2666 or MayDay2012@Seattle.gov.