Slog - Comments on The Old QFC Building on Broadway

Comment by Hannah Levin

Hannah Levin — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:38:57 -0800

There better be some independent businesses in there. The death of places like Orpheum Records, the Body Scent, Rocket Pizza, Ernie Steels, the Bagel Stop and all the other locally-owned and operated treasures that used to occupy Broadway is on of the prime reasons Capitol Hill bores me to tears now. It's just depressing up there--reminds me of the U-District (nowdays a much more enjoyable hood) in the mid-'90s.

Comment by Jim Demetre

Jim Demetre — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:01:17 -0800

Don't diss the old Broadway QFC. Do you have any idea how many people hooked up in that place! Have some respect.

Comment by David

David — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:52:47 -0800

My only concern is that these two new buildings simply won't match the neighborhood. Perhaps it's a poor criticism, but I really dislike the designs of most of the new buildings (apartments, mainly) that are going up on the hill. Sure, they might be great for people who want places to live, but it also seems that they might be changing the neighborhood itself--perhaps not such a bad thing. I shudder to mention the word "gentrification," but it seems that there will be a bunch of stuff like this in the future.

Comment by Chris Van Dyk

Chris Van Dyk — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 21:04:40 -0800

Perhaps Howard Schultz would like to rebuild KeyArena there? To make sure the City does not subsidize the project, if he does, sign Inititative 91 and get it in today! Go to www.citizensformoreimportantthings.org for a copy.

Comment by Steven Vroom

Steven Vroom — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 21:09:47 -0800

The Bartell's Drug store between QFC and the Taco Bell was there from the late 30's. The shelving that was in the QFC went to an organic supermarket in Bellingham. All that remains to to smack that puppy down.

Comment by Napoleon XIII

Napoleon XIII — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 15:11:44 -0800

The new building slated for the Safeway slot is no less a monstrosity. It looks like they're droping a Borg cube on the block.

Comment by density

density — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 15:17:15 -0800

Taller buildings will bring needed density and great restaurants and nightlife. Get rid of all height restrictions on Broadway so we can make it more like Vancouver.

High rises packed with people could make our neighborhood alive.

Comment by anonymous

anonymous — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 16:29:25 -0800

"And to see it as a bird sees it"

Birds can see street names superimposed over the streets? That's really cool. I had no idea. No wonder they never get lost.

Comment by genevieve

genevieve — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 17:31:44 -0800

I especially like this part of this entry: "Look for an article by Erica C. Barnett in next week's issue about [b]how the lifting of building height restrictions was supposed to be salvation, then wasn't.[/b]"

Yep, that ol' raising of the height restriction hasn't exactly brought forth the Broadway revival its proponents expected, has it? Didn't see that one coming...

The QFC building isn't much to look at, but it was fine when it was a QFC. There was no need to move QFC into the Broadway Market (losing the valuable Fred Meyer, many unique kiosks and the irreplaceable Gravity Bar in the process).

Oh, and name a block of Broadway between Pike and Roy that [i]doesn't [/i]have transients shuffling around 24/7.

Comment by genevieve

genevieve — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 17:35:38 -0800

Sorry about the incorrect html tags

Comment by CapHillRez

CapHillRez — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:03:47 -0800

I'm surprised that Erica Barnett (or anyone else, for that matter) is able to form an opinion concerning the efficacy of raising height limits on Broadway barely one year after the new zoning was put into effect by the city council. Designing a project and getting the financing for a new 6-story building doesn't happen overnight, unless your Paul Allen or Donald Trump. Especially on a street that has the problems that Broadway has. As a planner from the City's DPD office told me at a community meeting discussing the new height limits, the development community will need 15-20 years to fill in all the blank spots on Broadway in response to the new height limits (including the 4-5 years of disruption caused by the light rail construction), so it seems insane to already pronounce it a failure at this very early juncture.

Comment by Mr. X

Mr. X — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 18:32:22 -0800

"High rises packed with people could make our neighborhood alive."

Right - like the condo canyon portions of Belltown (say Western between AI and Broad)?

Comment by Ken

Ken — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 22:08:27 -0800

Am I the only one who while excited about this news, thinks Sound Transit is making an absolutely terrible mistake having no subway stop in the plans for the north end of Broadway, given projects like this?

Comment by Mr. X

Mr. X — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:37:33 -0800

The north end of Broadway is probably too close to the proposed station to generate the kind of ridership that would justify the cost, but it certainly is stupid that there will be NO stop between the middle of Broadway and Husky Stadium.

Basically, a much of what is now a fairly transit-intense neighborhood will actually have worse transit than the existing bus system because Metro will redirect buses that now duplicate Link light rail service. So people who live at the north end of the hill will basically have to wait longer for a bus or walk close to a mile to get to the light rail station.

Think a lot of em will actually do that, particularly since much of the walk is uphill?

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 09:18:50 -0800

I can't say I was a fan of the old Broadway QFC, although I sometimes shopped there, but at least something will go there, unlike the old Safeway at N 39th and Stone Way N that is still totally empty after many years.

Comment by Taz

Taz — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 09:47:28 -0800

I cannot WAIT for these buildings to go. The QFC was particularly offensive - that long blank wall (except for a few windows for event posters) was never inviting, even when the store was there. I'm not too crazy about some of the building designs going on in Seattle (that corrugated siding on a lot of the new buildings is completely hideous), but hopefully these projects will bring some sort of vitality back to Broadway. I agree with the poster above - walking down the street this past Saturday I felt like I was on the Ave in the 90's - used clothing, second-hand CD's and smoke shops, along with stepping over or around all the junkies on the sidewalk. I guess the junkies have to go somewhere, but for all the reasons above I generally avoid going to Broadway unless absolutely necessary.

Comment by DOUG.

DOUG. — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 10:13:59 -0800

I hope Bob Burkheimer hires a better architect than his dad did. That ugly ass building is Burkheimer's father's legacy.

Comment by Phil

Phil — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 14:20:22 -0800

Go to the Design Review Board meeting, neighbors. It's your chance to express your opinions on this subject to people who can act on them. Public comment is encouraged at these meetings.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at the Miller Community Center (19th Ave NE between E Thomas St and E Republican St)

Comment by teena

teena — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 20:07:42 -0800

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