A big affordable housing project on the east side of Boren north of Yesler is the first step in Seattle Housing Authority’s ambitious (and some say risky) Yesler Terrace redevelopment plan.

The plans will go in front of the Design Review Board at 8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday) at the Seattle University Student Center.

The plans would level the existing 40 units of housing to build one large building and three smaller buildings for a total of 100 new units. From the design review documents:

1105 E Fir is located within the 12th Avenue Urban Center Village, which is a subset of the First Hill / Capitol Hill Urban Centers and the Central Area Neighborhood planning area. These plans encourage development that increase housing density and affordability, and create a sense of identity and “pride of place.”

To the southwest of the site, the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) and the City of Seattle are pursuing a Planned Action Ordinance and Master Plan for the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace, which will add up to 5,000 units of housing, one million square feet of commercial office space and neighborhood services, and over six acres of open space on 34 acres west of Boren Avenue. The 1105 E Fir St project will be the first step in implementing the redevelopment Master Plan.

Below is the full design review document planners will present at Wednesday’s meeting:

Dr Proposal 3012897 Agenda Id 3653

The mayor will be at the Northwest African American Museum June 19 to meet with residents as part of his ongoing city-wide town hall series.

The meeting gets under way at 5 p.m.

The meeting flier:

This story was originally published in the weekly food & drink feature at our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle. Less than a year after remodeling and changing the name of the 20th and Yesler coffee shop from Soho Coffee to Broadcast Coffee, the CD-grown company is looking to expand.

Truth is, survival of a Capitol Hill coffee joint is one part quality, one part experience and a big fat chunk of real estate. With a few years of experience under his belt growing his first shop into a popular caffeine dealership at Yesler and 20th in the Central District, Barry Faught is ready to tune his Broadcast Coffee into Capitol Hill.

The second Broadcast outlet is slated to be open in the new mixed-use building on Bellevue Ave — no, not that one — this one — by the beginning of August.

“My focus has been coffee preparation and I feel it has really paid off,” Faught said of his three years in business in the CD.

Faught said he made the decision from the start to focus on serving the best possible coffee and working with the best local providers he could find to do the rest. The plan on Capitol Hill, he says, will be the same.

“I’ve developed a lot with my coffee preparation skills and I feel I’m ready for Capitol Hill,” he said.

Faught is also ready for the education that comes with a first-time buildout. The Bellevue Terrace project is a small building — only 23 residential apartments and a single retail berth at street level. CHS reported that the project was set up to feature a full kitchen hood but it appears that the cafe tenant presented the best option for the developer. That space now is Faught’s to shape as he will and get ready for what he hopes is an area of more growth on the Hill as neighbors move in upstairs and the new building at the corner of Bellevue and Pine takes shape. The shop is also not far from Bauhaus — with a deal in place to be part of the development slated for its block, there still might be some Bauhaus downtime during construction.

While the plan is mostly the same and they’ll continue to offer Stumptown beans, Faught said the new Broadcast look will differ. Paperwork filed with the city lists a modest $20,000 construction budget for the 1,000 square-foot space.

The Islamic School of Seattle is closing after 32 years of teaching and learning at 25th and Cherry.

They are holding a farewell celebration, and anyone who has been involved with the school during it’s years in the neighborhood are invited to return June 26 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Islamic School of Seattle warmly invites all community members, friends, students, parents, and volunteers who have been connected, with ISS in one way or another, over the last 32 years.

Over the course of the evening, we will remember the faces of the ISS, share memories, and of course enjoy delicious food.

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Come ready to share 1 dish (appetizer, entree, side, or dessert), and perhaps a story about the ISS (creativity encouraged).

As we prepare for this occasion, we are asking all of you who have been involved with the Islamic School of Seattle, to share a quick quote responding to the following, “What the ISS has meant to me”. Please click on this link to share your quick response: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/merch786/170673. This should only take you a couple of minutes and it is not necessary to include your name. These quotes will be incorporated in to our program. 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sr. Natasha Merchant at [email protected].

Founded in 1980 by a group of Muslim American women, the ISS taught children from preschool through sixth grade. The current school building, at one time a Jewish day care, was purchased in 1980 mostly with funding from individuals in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, according to the school’s web site. Here is their teaching philosophy:

We emphasize the mercy, compassion and limitless love of Allah (SWT). Students are encouraged to always wonder at Allah’s creation; looking through Muslim eyes at history, math, science and all of human knowledge and to think, as Allah (SWT) has commanded, inquisitively and creatively. The human intellect is at the pinnacle of Allah’s creation. Insha’Allah, we will raise thinking Muslims who truly understand their religion and its practices. Children succeed when they are intimately involved in their own learning. The teacher provides guidance and support within an environment of choice and active participation by the children. We emphasize compassion, respect and justice for all humanity regardless or ethnicity, social status or religion.

UPDATE: More on the closing, from a letter by Board President Glenn Block:

For thirty years, ISS has offered a unique education, one that focuses on the whole child. Islamic teachings nourish our students spiritually and intellectually, while the Montessori-based instructional philosophy has grounded them academically.  The Islamic School has prepared Muslim-American youth who have a thirst for knowledge and deep commitment to serving the community.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that due to very low enrollment and our unsustainable financial situation, the Islamic School of Seattle and Cherry Hill Montessori will be closing in June, at the end of the 2012 school year.

ISS has faced great financial struggles for several years. In the past year our situation has continued to decline to the point that we can just barely make our ends meet. The mounting expenses for upkeep of the school property, combined with a very low response for our enrollment has led us to this very difficult decision. 

It has been an absolute pleasure and blessing to provide a quality Islamic education for the children of the Puget Sound. We are thankful to our students and parents and our wonderful staff and teachers who have devoted their lives to the mission of the school. And of course we thank Allah SWT for having given us this important responsibility and opportunity.

Two people were injured in a shooting at Rainier and Dearborn Friday afternoon. The victims were driven to Harborview Medical Center.

According to police, suspects in a truck opened fire on another truck around 1:30 p.m. Two of the passengers in the victim truck were hit.

Police stopped the suspect vehicle at 4th and Yesler and placed four people under arrest.

UPDATE: Police now say the suspects and the vehicle are still at large.

From SPD (updated 6/9 8pm):

On June 8th at approximately 1:31 p.m. officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 800 block of Rainier Avenue South.  Preliminary investigation indicates that the victims were in a black pickup truck stopped at a red light facing westbound on South Dearborn Street on the east side of the intersection with Rainier Avenue South.  The suspect vehicle, a Chevy SUV, approached from the east and pulled up alongside the victim vehicle in the on-coming lane.  A male suspect leaned out the front passenger side window of the Chevy and fired one shot into the victim vehicle.

The shot struck the adult male victim in the left arm, passing clean through and striking the adult female victim in the left side of her torso.  The suspect vehicle then fled northbound on Rainier Avenue South. 

The victims, an 18-year-old male and a 22-year-old female, drove to Harborview Medical Center from the scene for treatment of their non-life-threatening injuries.  A third occupant of the pickup truck, a juvenile male, was not injured.  

Officers located what they believe to be the suspect vehicle unoccupied in a parking lot southwest of the intersection of 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street.  The SUV was impounded and taken to the evidence garage for processing.

Gang Unit detectives continue to actively investigate.

A 79-year-old woman has life-threatening injuries after she was struck by an SUV at 23rd and Rainier around 9 a.m. Police say the driver of the Chevy Tahoe does not seem to be impaired.

Witnesses tell police she was walking eastbound in the crosswalk when she was struck by the northbound Tahoe. The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center.

From SPD:

On 06-08-12, at approximately 8:56 a.m., officers responded to a pedestrian/ vehicle collision at 23 Av S and Rainier Av S. Witnesses reported that the victim was walking eastbound in the crosswalk at the intersection of 23rd Av S and Rainier Ave S., when she was struck by a vehicle that was north bound on Rainier Ave in the right lane of travel.

The 79-year-old woman sustained significant head injuries as a result of the collision. Seattle Fire responded and treated the victim on scene. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center by medics shortly after officers arrived on scene.

The Central Area Chamber of Commerce (CACC) is holding the 29th Annual Seattle Juneteenth Celebration at Pratt Park Friday through Sunday. Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. Friday with an ice cream social sponsored by Dick’s Drive-In followed by a candlelight vigil for Desmond Jackson and other recent victims of violence at 6 p.m.

“We’re trying to bring us all together and stop fight each other,” said CACC’s DeCharlene Williams.

Unfortunately, there will not be a parade this year as in previous years due to budget constraints, said Williams. But there will be music all weekend—blues and jazz Saturday, choirs Sunday—and lots of booths. Puget Sound Blood Center will also hold a blood drive Friday from noon – 6.

The celebration will go from noon until dusk Saturday and Sunday.

Juneteenth is the celebration of June 19, 1865, the day slaves in Galveston, Texas learned they were free. The Chamber puts it this way:

For many African-Americans, it has come to represent the same freedom as the Fourth of July does for all Americans. It serves as an historical milestone reminding Americans of the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery. It honors those African American ancestors who survived the inhumane institution of bondage; it demonstrates pride in the marvelous legacy of resistance and perseverance they left us.

Here’s a rough schedule of events, from the CACC:

12:00 pm till Dusk

Pratt Park – 20th and Yesler, Seattle

FREE TO EVERYONE

Live Music – Good Food

Business Casual Networking

Face Painting – Poetry

come to see our vendors all three days

Juneteenth Celebration

Sending a Shout Out for the Youth in Education

Friday June 9th (Flag Day)

Talent Search open mic.

Ice Cream Social @ 4pm sponsored by DICK’S DRIVE-IN

Central Area Pride Program Event

Saturday June 9th

Youth Unity Forum sponsored by Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Small Sparks Program

Sunday June 10th

Church in the Park

Preaching, Gospel Exposure and Praise Dancing

Sponsored by:

Central Area Chamber of Commerce

2108 E. Madison Seattle, WA 98122

For More Information

DeCharlene Williams

Call (206 325-2864) http://scacc2108.org

206.322.8296: [email protected]

(206) 325-2864

All Are Welcome!! Thanks!

Compassionate Seattle is holding three minutes of silence at noon Sunday at the scenes of recent violence around the city, including MLK and Cherry. They invite people to join them in silent reflection, prayer or meditation on behalf of people impacted by violence.

They are also organizing two discussions at Seattle Center about recent violence, one Sunday and one June 24.

Details from Compassionate Seattle:

Compassionate Action Community Response to Gun Violence

Sunday, June 10, Noon: City-wide moment of silence

Compassionate Seattle invites all citizens to pause for three minutes of silent reflection, prayer, or meditation on Sunday, June 10 at 12:00 noon. At 11:45 AM, we invite each of us to step into the streets to ring bells as a “call to silence”. A call has been put out to all the Church/community bells to also start ringing at 11:45 AM.

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No matter where we each may be on Sunday; whether at home, in our cars, at a park, or attending a church, mosque or synagogue – we are invited to observe this city-wide moment of silence on behalf of those impacted by violence of any kind, but especially those whose lives have been forever changed by the most recent, tragic shootings. A number of us will gather at the actual sites where the shootings took place in South Seattle, Pioneer Square, MLK/Cherry, Town Hall parking lot, Seattle Center and Café Racer.

Sunday, June 10 and June 24, from 4 to 7 pm: Community gatherings to generate compassionate action and build a living peace through collective impact

Compassionate Seattle invites the community to an open and honest dialogue about the violence at two facilitated community gatherings; Sunday, June 10, 4pm to 7 pm, and Sunday, June 24, 4pm to 7pm, at Seattle Center. In these gatherings, participants will be able to express how they have been impacted by violence in the community and share their vision for a just, compassionate, and safe Seattle. We will conclude by identifying compassionate actions we can take to generate positive peace and strengthen the health and vitality of our city.

To the uninitiated, the CD Garden Tour might sound boring. You could not be more wrong.

It turns out, many of your neighbors keep some of the most breathtaking gardens you have ever seen. Some have beautiful mosaic walkways handmade over years or even decades. Others are bursting with colors and smells, sometimes carefully manicured, sometimes terrifically wild. And you have an opportunity to tour many of these awe-inspiring back yards Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bolstered in part by a big Seattle Times feature, last year’s tour drew well over a thousand people to wander through back yards around the Central District (see our photos from the day). This year’s tour (co-sponsored by CDNews) will feature some more activities at the tour’s 23rd and Union starting point, including performances by students from Meter Music School on Union, Mt Calvary church and UmojaFest. Also featured at the starting point:

Cascade Edible Landscapes will be selling pesticide-free veggie and fruit starts. Union Biscuit will sell wholesome dog treats. There will also be pottery by Sandi Berlin and garden themed greeting cards and calendars by artist Mary Magenta. Alleycat Acres’ two community gardens are Check it Out features. They are also organizing a group bicycle Garden Tour that leaves GT12 HQ at 11:45am.

This year’s theme is edibles, urban and kids’ gardens, and public art. And it can all be found “On The Street Where You Live,” their motto for the year. Residential gardens, community and teaching gardens, and local art will be highlighted.

In this bike-loving editor’s opinion, biking is by far the best way to get around during the tour. Featured gardens last year stretched from Madison Valley to Jackson, so a bike is useful if you want to see it all. If you want to ride with others, Alleycat Acres and Central Cinema are leading a community bike ride from garden-to-garden. Meet at 23rd and Union at 11:45 a.m. (leaves at noon).

If you buy your tickets now, they are only $7. They go up to $10 at the 23rd and Union GT12 HQ, so get them early. Tickets are available online or at City Peoples (29th and Madison), Central Cinema (21st and Union) and Leschi Market (103 Lakeside Ave).

A man was robbed at knife point by an acquaintance at his Madrona home May 30, he told police. A neighbor called police after he heard the victim yell, “You’re going to stab me and kill me in my own apartment,” according to the police report. The caller told dispatch his neighbor was on his back porch with his hands tied behind his back.

When police arrived and freed his hands, the victim told police a man he met a few days earlier at BluWater Bistro came to his home near 33rd and Spring sometime after 2 a.m. A friend had told him earlier that the suspect was “sketchy,” but he hung out with the suspect anyway. He doesn’t know how the suspect knew his address.

When he told the suspect he was tired and asked him to leave, the suspect became angry and started yelling, “What do you have that I want?”

The suspect pushed him to the ground and tied his hands with what the victim believes was the electrical cord to the TV. The suspect then dragged him to the bathroom and told him to kneel in the bathtub. He then hit the victim with a hair brush and told him not to move. After a few minutes, the suspect left the home.

The victim sustained injuries to his face from being thrown to the ground and against walls in the house. Medics said he might have had a mild concussion, as well.

The suspect stole a 42 inch TV and the victim’s 2000 light blue Ford Expedition.