Slog - Comments on Another Knock-Down, Drag-Out Fight on Capitol Hill? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight It's easy to support infill density—like when a developer steps up with plans for a great building on an empty lot. But what if the developer wants to demolish a well-utilized building for an uncertain project? Last week, Tara Hoch stepped outside her office in the Mercer Professional Building on 19th Avenue East to discover a small yellow land-use-action sign. A proposal filed with the city outlines plans to demolish the building—which currently contains 15 businesses—and replace it with a four-story, mixed-use development that would contain 52 condominiums and ground-level retail. “They're destroying a beautiful building in excellent repair with... Copyright 2008 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:50:08 -0800 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:56:23 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Bellevue Ave eric banh gets it.

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048239 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048239 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:53:53 -0800 Comment by laterite It does seem kind of wasteful, though. How old is this building? It looks relatively new. Would the property/building owners have even finished paying off the original construction loan? Also, how common is it to apply for a permit to develop property one doesn't even own?

]]> laterite http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048279 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048279 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:18:48 -0800 Comment by P-squared Dominic: Why do you insist on giving a voice to goofballs like Hoch? If she wants to determine what happens to the building, she should buy it. Does she allow her landlord to inspect her massage tables and office equipment in order to pass judgment as to whether or not they can be replaced?

Last month I got rid of my 1997 Volvo with 80,000 miles and bought a new car. Should I have been forced to keep the old car simply because it still runs? In Hoch's world I wouldn't be allowed to get rid of the Volvo because doing so takes away hundreds of dollars per month from the local mechanic.

People like Hoch should be called out for their disgusting displays of selfish entitlement - not encouraged.

]]> P-squared http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048296 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048296 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:28:42 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Petitions always work.

Just look at all the buildings they've saved.

Like ... um ...

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048300 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048300 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:29:40 -0800 Comment by keshmeshi @3,

When you say "get rid of," do you mean you sold it or you had it destroyed? If it's the latter, then, yes, you shouldn't have been allowed to junk a car that can still be used.

The same developer recently tore down several neighborhood hang-outs on a beloved block of East Pine Street

Yeah, one-story, hideous buildings that appeared to be in lousy shape.

]]> keshmeshi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048306 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048306 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:34:09 -0800 Comment by Jessica I signed the petition at Fuel. Putting this building in seems ridiculous in this climate-- do they even know if they can get buyers on those condos? And if you put in a new building with retail space in the bottom, the rent on that retail space is going to reflect the cost of building that building, and that seems like it would be pretty high.

So in conclusion, I'm betting we end up with a parking lot in that space after they tear out all the trees.

]]> Jessica http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048357 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:04:06 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways hey, you fuckin' building huggin' urban hippies, BACK OFF!!!

19th Ave desperately needs a Desert Tan Tanning Salon and a Quiznos.

The people in that hood are pale and hungry!

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048380 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048380 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:16:13 -0800 Comment by Bellevue Ave i think it's funny how tanning salons and quiznos are the whipping boys of new retail development.

]]> Bellevue Ave http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048385 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048385 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:23:42 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle Now if they could just combine the two, we could use the extra retail space to sell Quiznos-label swim suits to wear after you go to the Quiznos Desert Tan Salon And Eatery.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048532 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048532 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:55:40 -0800 Comment by laterite The retail development matrix is as follows:


FedEx Kinkos


Quiznos


Starbucks


Desert Tan


A tile store


Teriyaki joint


Pick any 3.

]]> laterite http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048700 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1048700 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:20:39 -0800 Comment by Garth Teriyaki/Kinkos/Tile store.

]]> Garth http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1049200 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1049200 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:51:57 -0800 Comment by Diana I'm kind of sad about the jewish place across the street from Madison Market. It's an awesome kosher food bank and (I think) community center.

]]> Diana http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1050011 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/knockdown_dragout_fight#c1050011 Boom Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:56:23 -0800