The Seattle Housing Authority has approved the large-scale redevelopment of Yesler Terrace (see our story from March). The SHA says they do not have enough money to renovate Yesler Terrace, a unique and historical housing project renown as the childhood home of Jimi Hendrix and Gary Locke. It was also the first racially integrated subsidized housing project in the country. In order to fund the creation of new subsidized housing units, the SHA intends to sell some of the land in the neighborhood to private developers. The full redevelopment is anticipated to take 10-20 years.

The plan includes 661 “extremely” low-income units to replace the 561 currently in the neighborhood as well as 290 “very” low-income units and 850 “workforce” units. In addition, the plan calls for 3,199 market-rate units, mostly in high-rise condo and apartment buildings.

The changes will likely mean that Yesler Terrace will shift from being one of the lowest-income neighborhoods in the city to having an affluent majority. Residents will also lose the front yards that adorn the current homes. For those who see personal yard space as positive for raising children, this is an issue. The current population of Yesler Terrace is 39 percent children, which is far greater than the city average of 16 percent, according to the Seattle Times:

The new Yesler Terrace would offer large families ground-floor apartments with easy access to courtyards. It also would feature a six-acre park, and apartment buildings would have common areas for children to play in.

Many residents at Tuesday’s board meeting testified about their love for Yesler Terrace and their fear of being unable to return after being relocated during phased construction.

SHA has committed to replacing all 561 apartments on the original site, or within the “immediate neighborhood.” The authority promises that current residents will get 18 months’ notice before they’ll have to vacate their homes. All will have the right to return to the new Yesler if they are in compliance with their lease.

Plans also include reworking the streets to reconnect the neighborhood to Main St, Jackson and the International District. 10th Ave, Fir St, 8th Ave and Washington St would create a “neighborhood circulation loop,” while the intersection of Broadway and Yesler, which is a stop on the planned First Hill Streetcar, would become a retail center for the neighborhood.

A larger neighborhood park would be created west of the Yesler Community Center, and three small “pocket parks” would be created along the neighborhood loop route.

Several changes approved by SHA still have to go through the City Council. Here is the plan document as approved by SHA:

Dev Plan Final Web

I think the lesson here is: Don’t try to silence a youth media non-profit. It’s just bad PR. But Comcast went ahead and tried it anyway this week, threatening to pull funding for the Central District’s own Reel Grrls, located next door to Central Cinema (see our previous profile of the organization).

The reason? A tweet:

After posting this tweet, which is clearly relevant to an organization fighting for an equal and fair media, they received this poorly thought-out email from a Comcast communications employee (Malory Graham is the Executive Director of Reel Grrls):

http://twitter.com/reelgrrls/status/68813752337825794

Malory: Please read the Tweet above. Given the fact that Comcast has been a major supporter of Reel Grrls for several years now, I am frankly shocked that your organization is slamming us on Twitter. This is not the first time either. I’ve seen at least one other negative Tweet about Comcast. I cannot in good conscience continue to provide you with funding—especially when there are so many other deserving nonprofits in town.

I respect your position on freedom of the press. However, I hope you can respect that this Tweet has put me in an indefensible position with my bosses. I cannot continue to ask them to approve funding for Reel Grrls, knowing that the digital footprint your organization has created about Comcast is a negative one.

I wish you and your organization the best. I believe strongly in the mission of Reel Grrls and the work that you do. I am truly sorry that Comcast’s partnership with Reel Grrls had to end on such a sour note.

Sincerely,

Steve Kipp│VP of Communications

Comcast Cable │Washington Region

News of Mr. Kipp’s email made its way to Cecelia Kang at the Washington Post, and Comcast backpedaled and restored the funding:

After media inquiries, Comcast spokeswoman Sena Fitzmaurice said Thursday afternoon in a statement that Comcast had made a mistake.

“We are in the process of reaching out to ReelGrrls in Seattle and let them know the funding the organization has received from Comcast is not in jeopardy and we sincerely apologize for the unauthorized action of our employee,” Fitzmaurice said. “This is not the way Comcast behaves toward its nonprofit partners.”

In a statement, Reel Grrls says it is happy it is not company policy to treat nonprofits this way, and hopes this can be a lesson:

Reel Grrls was thrilled to receive an apology from Comcast for their decision to pull funding from our girls summer camp program in response to a tweet we sent out criticizing a recent hiring decision. We are extremely heartened by their assurance that punitive measures in response to the exchange of ideas are not in line with their corporate policy. We hope to continue discussions with them to determine ways to work together again following the breach of trust their initial actions caused. We are open to the possibility of continued partnership that encourages the free exchange of ideas and look forward to talking to them about our shared interest and commitment to supporting Seattle’s youth. 

Regardless of the source of our funding, we will continue our commitment and our efforts to speak out in support for media reform and media justice issues. We are pleased that the public debate on this issue has caused Comcast to reconsider this decision and hope to continue the discussion about how we can best ensure that corporations do not play a role in stifling free expression or limiting American’s access to information.

With funding back in place, the organization’s lineup of summer camps will go on. Visit the organization’s website to register online or learn more about the programs.

Oh, by the way. A whole group of girls just learned how to make documentaries this spring at a Reel Grrls camp. If only there were some story for them to tell, like maybe one of David vs Goliath scale where a group of girls armed only with video cameras takes on a media giant…

Seattle Crime reported earlier this week that a carjacker posing as a police officer near 13th and Marion stole a car at gunpoint May 16. However, Seattle Crime now reports that the robber may have tried the same trick unsuccessfully near E Barclay St and 12th Ave an hour and a half earlier.

SPD posted about the incident on the Blotter:

The Seattle Police Department is investigating two reported cases of a suspect who is representing himself as a plain-clothes police officer. In one of the cases, he actually stole the victim’s car.

On May 16th, at approximately 5:30 PM, a woman had just parked her car on East Barclay Street near 12th Avenue. As she was getting out of her car, she was approached by a white male, approximately 25-30 years old, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He was described as being about 5′ 8″ tall, and about 170 pounds. He was wearing blue jeans and a blue and white checked shirt. The man demanded to know what she was doing. The woman acknowleged that she had parked her car on the wrong side of the street, but didn’t think too much else of his demand. The suspect then asked the woman for her identification. The woman refused, and asked the suspect if he was a police officer. The suspect stated that he was an officer, and displayed a handgun in his waist band. He further stated that he was an undercover cop and he was there to make a narcotics raid on a nearby apartment, and that her car was in the way of the operation.

The man demanded her car keys so he could move her car. The woman refused to hand over her keys, stating that she would move it herself. The suspect said something to the effect of “Do I look like someone who would steal your car? My car is much better than yours.” The woman moved her car and the suspect continued to speak with her. Just then her friend who had been watching the entire incident, came out of the building. The suspect then walked away and around the corner. The woman came into the East Precinct to report the suspicious circumstances the following day.

At about 7:00 PM on the 16th a man was getting into his light blue, 1992 Mercedes 190 4 door in the 1300 Block of East Marion Street. The victim was approached by the same suspect, who stated that they were “getting ready to do a raid” and pointed to a nearby house. The suspect stated that he would move the victim’s car. The suspect told the victim that there was a “van full of guys just up the block.” The victim believed the suspect was representing himself as a police officer. The suspect lifted his shirt and displayed a handgun in his waistband. The suspect demanded that the victim get out of his car. The suspect then got into the victim’s car and drove away southbound on 14th Avenue. The victim was able to flag down a passing vehicle and call 911. Officers arrived and conducted an area check, but could not locate the suspect or the victim’s car.

Real police officers will always identify themselves with proper identification and a badge. If in doubt, always call 911 if you have concerns about the officer.

The Seattle Police Department is investigating both of these incidents. If anyone has any information about these incidents, or believe that they may have encountered this suspect, they are asked to contact Detective Rodgers at (206) 684-0821.

The people of the Central District have spoken: We refuse to have dry ankles this summer.

It was down to the wire yesterday. At noon, only five hours before the fundraising deadline, organizers of an effort to keep Powell Barnett Wading Pool open Saturdays this summer still needed $1,800. Then, someone who wishes to remain anonymous offered organizers a $1,200 loan to help meet the immediate goal. After the loan put the pool’s goal within striking range, the donations started to pour in.

Central District News and our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle donated $300 to cut the balance in half. But it was not large donations that kept the pool open, it was 60 people, most donating under $50 each.

After the dust settled, the count shows about $3,500 raised total, about $1,200 of that raised in the last week. That means they not only met the fundraising goal, but the group only needs to take $900 of the offered $1,200 loan.

The effort to raise the funds for the pool came after city budget cuts forced the pool and many other Seattle wading pools to be closed. The group worked out a deal with the Parks Department to allow them to raise money for a limited schedule of eight Saturdays from July 2 to August 20 instead of the $13,200 required to keep the pool open on a full 24-day schedule. Under the reworked deal, the group only needed to raise $4,400.

There will likely be some more fundraisers this summer. There are talks about something happening at All-Purpose Pizza at Jackson and 29th Ave S. Stay tuned for more.

Michael van Baker at the SunBreak had quite a lot to say about Titan Arum, a site-specific dance performance at Washington Hall we wrote about last week. This weekend’s run (May 19-21) is the second and last for the show, by Seattle-based Salt Horse.

From the SunBreak:

Salt Horse choreographers Beth Graczyk and Corrie Befort use that space, I’m tempted to say, and will, to uncanny effect. When the lights go down, Washington Hall joins the dance troupe (Alia Swersky, Allie Hankins, Jessica Jobaris and Shannon Stewart) and musicians (Stuart Dempster, Greg Campbell, Lori Goldston, Tari Nelson-Zagar and Jaison Scott) as an artistic collaborator.

Its decaying lath-and-plaster ceiling intrudes into your consciousness, while at the far left a paper construction falls over the horseshoe balcony that rims the room–double doors at the back swing mysteriously open, creaking with authentic age. Salt Horse composer Angelina Baldoz’s inventive, eclectic, atmospheric score arrives in stereo, with musicians stationed on the floor either side of the stage.

more…

UPDATE: Bad news for anyone who didn’t score tickets yet: The show is sold out through the end of the run. However, they may stage a remount “sometime in the near future,” said Graczyk.

An armed carjacker who implied he was a police officer stole a car near 13th and Marion May 16, reports Seattle Crime:

Around 7:00 p.m. last night, the victim was sitting in 1992 Mercedes, parked on the street at 13th and Marion when the suspect walked up to him and asked him for directions to 21st and Yesler. The suspect then asked the victim if he had been drinking or doing drugs.

The suspect apparently strongly implied he was a cop, and told the man he was “getting ready to do a raid” on a house behind the victim’s car, and that he needed to move the victim’s car out of the way. He also told the victim he was working with several men parked in a van up the street, and threatened to book him into jail if he didn’t cooperate.

When the victim asked to see the robber’s badge, the robber allegedly flashed a gun in his belt. The victim exited the vehicle, and the robber got in and took off. The vehicle and suspect have not been located.

There is an early design meeting tomorrow (May 18) to discuss eight proposed live/work units planned for the corner of 15th and Jefferson near Seattle U and Swedish Medical Center’s Cherry Hill campus. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Seattle University Alumni Relations and Admissions Building (824 12th Avenue).

The proposed 30-foot midrise project is intended to mediate between the very tall buildings to the north of Jefferson and the single family residences to the south, according to the design documents (see the full document below):

The structure height will be 30’ (plus 1’-0” for sloped site bonus where applicable). Each unit will include a ground floor work space, approximately 480 SF, with a 13’-0” floor to floor height. Each unit will have recessed store front with individual stoops and entry doors. There will be surface parking for up to 8 vehicles in a pervious parking court at the center of the site.

The preferred design scheme:

The eight units would be aligned as such:

The early design documents: DRProposal3012121AgendaID3217

Police believe the robber who robbed Union Market at knifepoint May 14 has robbed several other establishments in the city in recent weeks, including a business in Madison Valley near 28th and E Madison. Dubbed the “Menthol Bandit,” his M.O. is to order a pack of cigarettes, apparently menthols, before brandishing a knife and demanding cash. If you have any information or recognize the man in the attached images, contact the police.

From the SPD Blotter:

Seattle Police Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the “Menthol Bandit” (pictured above), who has committed four armed robberies since April 22, 2011.

The suspect is described as a black male, 18 to 20 years old, 5’10″, medium build, black hair with sideburns, slight mustache and goatee, dark complexion, and wears a dark wool cap with a brim.

The suspect’s method of operation is to enter the targeted business, ask the clerk for a pack of cigarettes, brandish a knife and demand cash from the register.  The suspect grabs the cash and flees the scene on foot.

Below is a listing of the “Menthol Bandit’s” pattern of convenience store armed robberies:

• April 22, 2011 at 1:05 p.m., 2500 block of North 50th Street
• May 8, 2011 at 7:43 p.m., 8200 block of Lake City Way NE
• May 12, 2011 at 12:28 p.m., 2800 block East Madison Street
• May 14, 2011 at 10:11 p.m., 900 block of 21st Avenue

Anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is asked to call 911 or the Seattle Police Robbery Unit at (206) 684-5535 and refer to the “Menthol Bandit”.

Organizers of a citizen-led effort to keep Powell Barnett Wading Pool open as much as possible this summer say they are within $1,900 of the $4,400 they need to keep the pool open every Saturday this summer. Donations must be made by the end of the work day tomorrow (May 17). You can donate online via Paypal.

The wading pool was one of many in the city closed or with reduced hours due to city budget cuts. The wading pool at Peppi’s Playground near Leschi Elementary was also closed, but the spray toys will remain operational.

There is a special opportunity for any business that wants to provide a match that could be repaid through sales during open wading pool days. From organizer Melissa Cate Christ:

We currently have $2500 and are actively looking for matches from businesses, vendors who would like to sell in the park, or other groups who are willing to front the money (so we can get on the Parks and Rec summer schedule and we can then fundraise by selling water etc on each Wading pool open day – we would need to make around $240 each open Saturday to break even/pay back the organization who would front the money).

The Parks Department even has a special offer for any business that wants to vend or advertise at the events, from the group’s Facebook page:

For businesses/vendors who would like to sponsor the pool, Parks and Rec has put together a special opportunity which would simplify permitting to sell/promote in the park and waive their % of your profit fee – to find out more, please send an email to [email protected].

So who is going to save summer for these kids?:

Image from the group’s “wade-in” event, via Facebook

UPDATE: Looks like someone stepped up with a $1,200 loan so they group can continue fundraising. Only $600 to go, and little time to do it. From the group’s Facebook page:

Looks like we may have up to a $1200 loan (so we can keep fundraising after the parks deadline) which means we only need $600! Soooo close!

UPDATE 3:22 pm: Since we are secret shin-high water enthusiasts, we are donating $300 on behalf of Central District News and our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle. So by our count, that means only $300 left.

UPDATE 5:21 pm: Victory! The fundraising goal has been met, and the Powell Barnett Wading Pool will be open Saturdays all summer, according to organizers. You can still donate to help pay back the $1,200 loan, which they have all summer to raise.

Construction on a six-story mixed-use residential and retail building at Broadway and Jefferson is scheduled to start in August. Portland-based Gerding Edlen purchased the property from Valencia Capital Management of Dallas for $5.6 million earlier this month, according to the Seattle Times. Valencia paid $3.14 million for the property in 2007.

Central District News reported in December that owners of the property at 412 Broadway had put the land up for sale months after the City Council authorized a rezone for up to 70 feet in height. 

The building, designed by Ankron Moisan Associated Architects, will have 118 residential units and 6,500 ft of retail space. Twenty percent of the residential units will be “designated affordable,” according to Gerding Edlen’s press release. They anticipate a LEED Gold certification on the project.

Read more on what’s next for the project at CapitolHillSeattle.com

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