Monthly Archives: May 2014

Capitol Hill Biz Notes | A TV commercial for Broadway, new cookie biz, 14th/Pine merchants event

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Something retail underway around the Hill we should know about? Drop us a line.

  • Fresh off its recently approved 10% expansion, the Business Improvement Area serving Capitol Hill — City Council calls it the Capitol Hill BIA, it’s still calling itself the Broadway BIA — has produced its first ever television commercial. Set to air across Comcast offerings like Bravo, CNN, Food Network, and HGTV, here’s how they’re pitching Broadway to households in North and South Seattle:

    Gosh, we look fun! Just curious. What clips would you have included?
  • In November 2013, the owners of Samadhi Yoga told CHS they planned to close the 12th/Pike studio after 15 years at 12th and Pike. But then came word that new partners and a possible new tea shop might just mean a change of plans. The studio’s location is now empty — Samadhi announced its last day of classes in April. You can still find some of the instructors continuing to work in the area. No word, yet, on what comes next for the space in the building owned by developer David Zarett.

    • Continue reading →

Seeking new leaders, Capitol Hill Community Council is small but mighty force in Seattle affairs

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9098697006_fc9aa233bc_bWay back in 2010 the Capitol Hill Community Council gathered at their usual spot in the Cal Anderson Park shelterhouse to start discussing the alignment of the First Hill Streetcar. The meetings may have seemed a bit presumptuous to a newcomer, that this freewheeling, volunteer-led neighborhood group with fluctuating community interest could somehow steer a multi-million dollar transit project.

But out of those meetings came a series of proposals on how the streetcar ought to be positioned on Broadway and how it would interact with the protected bike lane. Three year’s later Capitol Hill saw the fruits of that labor. Current CHCC president and Seattle Gay News publisher George Bakan said the streetcar proved the council’s potential for influence was real.

“You have to understand some history… There’s a tremendous value on neighborhoods in this city and the City Council and people that are part of the city infrastructure really respect that,” he said. Continue reading →

‘Officer Bob’ remembered for nightlife work, ‘It Gets Better’ strength

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Fletcher and Peth (right) (Image: Courtesy Aaron Fletcher)

Fletcher and Peth (right) (Image: Courtesy Aaron Fletcher)

Wednesday afternoon, friends, loved ones, and fellow officers will gather at the Seattle Academy gymnasium to remember Detective Bob Peth. Peth died earlier this month following a three-year battle with colon cancer. He was about to turn 46.

The veteran officer and Capitol Hill resident was well known in the East Precinct’s various nightlife communities:

He took the lessons of his farming childhood – self-reliance, herd management, and the ability to drive (and fix) almost anything – with him when he joined the Seattle Police Department in 1999 as a sworn officer, becoming somewhat legendary for his smile, hard work, laughter, jokes, sarcasm, fairness, and care for his community. He gradually moved upward to a chair with a desk and two computers, although he frequently threatened to go back to his first love, patrol. He won two awards for Excellence in Policing, the latest for developing and heading the Joint Assessment Team, where Detective Peth was the Department’s “go to person” for any and all issues dealing with liquor licenses, nightlife (bars and clubs), all-age dances, and raves.

He also served his city with pride:

Bob’s confidence and certainty in who he was made room for adjustment in the SPDs treatment of all gay officers; he filmed a segment for “It Gets Better;” and he got married on December 9, 2012, when Seattle City Hall first opened the doors for marriage equality. He was resplendent in his full dress uniform. He is survived by his husband Aaron Fletcher of Seattle.


Thanks to Aaron for sharing the picture of himself and Bob, above.

You can learn more about Peth in the obituary posted to his blog. You should also, eventually, get a colonoscopy, the obituary reminds.

bobUPDATE 5/22/14: Seattle Mayor Ed Murray released a statement on Peth’s passing and included a picture of the “Just Married” SPD cruiser:

“I would like to send my heartfelt condolences to the many, many people who knew and loved Seattle Police Department Detective Bob Peth, who we tragically lost to cancer earlier this month. With his undeniable warmth, relatability, and leadership, Bob single-handedly changed the way Seattle Police interacted with the city’s nightlife business community. He lead the development of the pivotal Joint Assessment Team, which sought to establish a more collaborative approach to problem-solving common nightlife concerns. His efforts made him a trusted source within SPD and throughout the community. For all of his dedicated hard work, which he made look effortless, Bob was twice presented the award for Excellence in Policing. As an openly gay officer, he was also a role model for our community. He participated in the ‘It Gets Better’ online video campaign, which sought to give hope to struggling LGBTQ youth. On the first day that Seattle recognized full marriage equality, Bob married his then-partner Aaron Fletcher. The two later rode in the Seattle Pride Parade in a patrol car proudly marked ‘Just Married.’”

Blotter | Man reportedly gave ride then robbed victim at knifepoint at 18/Union

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See something others should know about? Email CHS or call/txt (206) 399-5959. You can view recent CHS Crime coverage here.

  • 18/Union robbery: A female victim told police she was robbed at knife point Monday night by a male suspect who she said had just given her a ride. According to police radio dispatches for the 7 PM incident, the female victim told police she had took out her wallet to offer to pay the male for the ride when he pulled the knife and demanded all of her money. Police were looking for a black sedan involved in the incident but there were no immediate arrests. We do not have a description of the suspect in the case.
  • I-5 jumper: Seattle Fire responded to an incident involving a male victim undergoing CPR by drivers who stopped to help him after he reportedly jumped or fell onto the freeway Monday morning below the Pine overpass. Seattle Fire tells us they continued CPR as the victim was rushed to Harborview. We do not know his condition.
  • Rollover near Volunteer Park: A young driver flipped a SUV in a collision with a parked car on 18th Ave E at E Prospect late Saturday night. There were no injuries and SPD did not deem the driver in need of evaluation for DUI after the driver was found inside a nearby house following the crash. UPDATE: The driver was busted for driving under the influence after showing signs of impairment.
  • Threats to kill arrest on Summit: A man busted before for threatening to kill people was arrested again in an incident earlier this month in the 1700 block of Summit. According to the report on the May 13th incident, the male suspect was reported to have a knife as he made threats and police were called to the area: Screen Shot 2014-05-20 at 3.47.47 PMScreen Shot 2014-05-20 at 3.47.54 PMThe suspect was taken into custody without incident and booked for investigation of making threats to kill.
  • Eastlake panty burglar: A burglar was surprised to find the couple he was robbing asleep inside their Yale Ave E residence in a late night May 16th burglary reported in Eastlake. According to the report on the incident, a male suspect entered the residence after scrambling up to a window and climbing in before rifling through drawers in a roommate’s bedroom. The suspect noticed the sleeping victims and fled the residence leaving behind a “trail of panties” as he ran, according to the report. There were no arrests.
  • Conviction in 2013 Broadway CT case: The Justice Department announced that the suspect in this weird June 13th, 2013 incident that involved a male victim found lying naked in the street behind the Garage has been tried and convicted after being arrested in the case. Jimmy Miller faces up to 10 years in jail for the conviction and an additional two years for violating the conditions of his release in a previous case.

A known Seattle gang member who was sentenced in 2009 for drug dealing and possessing a stolen firearm, was found guilty late yesterday for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  JIMMY GENE MILLER, 29, was arrested on June 13, 2013 after Seattle Police responded to reports of a beating behind a nightclub in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.  MILLER was convicted following a three day jury trial.  Jurors deliberated about five hours before returning the guilty verdict.  Sentencing is scheduled forSeptember 19, 2014 before U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones.

According to records in the case and testimony at trial, MILLER encountered a rival gang member at ‘The Garage,’ a bar/pool hall/bowling alley on Capitol Hill in Seattle.  MILLER flashed a firearm in the waistband of his pants as he took the victim out the alley door of the nightclub.  In the alley MILLER assaulted the victim.  Portions of the assault were captured on surveillance video.  The victim was found stripped naked and beaten.  The surveillance cameras photographed MILLER jumping into the passenger seat of a distinctive black Camaro.  Seattle Police moved quickly after getting reports on the assault, locating the car a few miles from the club.  MILLER and his associates were found nearby.  The victim’s wallet was found in the front passenger seat.  A court authorized search of the car revealed a .40 caliber Glock pistol in the glove compartment in front of where MILLER had been sitting.  Text messages introduced at trial reveal MILLER discussing an extended magazine for the semi-automatic weapon with an associate in the weeks before the assault.

Capitol Hill food+drink | Canterbury Ale House set to return with new flavor of 15th Ave E knightlife

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1375158_10152780173257004_1150249457506920435_napitol Hill nightlife entrepreneur Mike Meckling is bringing his years of experience creating successful nightlife businesses in Pike/Pine to a new neighborhood and he’s not going to get wrapped up in nostalgia for his creation’s former incarnation.

“This isn’t about the old Canterbury,” Meckling said Monday as he stood inside the overhauled Canterbury Ale House as the former dive goes through its final, frenzied burst of work before its planned opening next week.

IMG_1154IMG_1152The Neumos partner showed off his new 15th Ave E creation to CHS with a tour of the old tavern that has been ripped open and reinvented. Gone are the dark warrens of the old bar. The new space is a wide open, ye Old English-styled tavern where the dark shadows have been replaced by dark walnut and chain mail screens.

“We managed to keep like this English feel and use a lot of walnut and steel,” Meckling said, speaking in verse perhaps inspired by the incredible Canterbury Tales mural found beneath layers of drywall and now — again — on display. “With breed and chese, and good ale in a jubbe,” Meckling continued.

Just kidding.

For the breed and chese part of things, Meckling has brought in a new partner to his roster of collaborators as Cormac Mahoney will be in charge of the new-era Canterbury’s kitchen. The menu isn’t finalized yet but you can also expect a nostalgia-free approach to Canterbury’s ale house happy hour, dinner and late night offerings. Weekend brunch will be worked into the mix, eventually. Meckling says he plans to partner with Mahoney, whose Madison Park Conservatory shuttered in February, on other ventures and that the chef is in for the long haul at the Canterbury and not simply consulting on a menu. Continue reading →

CHS Community Post | 911 Captain Reed at 5/22 EastPAC Meeting

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1976894_830033147023233_1574494339_n EastPAC (East Precinct Advisory Council) has invited the 911 Call Center Commander, Captain Dick Reed, to our regularly scheduled Community Meeting THIS THURSDAY, May 22nd, at 6:30 PM.

Several folks have expressed frustration and have questions about when to call 911. Please plan to come and express your concerns to Captain Reed, who can influence inappropriate operator response, answer your questions and possibly improve 911 procedures.

Also present will be the East Precinct Commander, Captain Pierre Davis and the Operations Lieutenant Eric Greening. They will give the regularly scheduled precinct updates and answer your questions and address your concerns.

Please mark your calendars now:

EastPAC Community Meeting
Thursday, May 22nd, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Seattle University’s Chardin Hall, Room 142
1020 East Jefferson
Enter the campus on 11th and East Jefferson-Park free in front of the building

Our mission: The East Precinct Advisory Council (EastPAC) provides a forum to resolve public safety priorities; evaluates, advocates and facilitates strategies that reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the East Precinct Community; and actively partners with law enforcement and other entities to address barriers to these outcomes

Please join us and plan to attend regularly as we strive to make our communities safer!

East Precinct Advisory Council

Odd Fellows: Can art still own a chunk of Capitol Hill?

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The Century Ballroom (Image: Kathryn Jonina via Flickr)

The Century Ballroom (Image: Kathryn Jonina via Flickr)

The under-construction 12th Ave Arts looms (Image: CHS)

The under-construction 12th Ave Arts looms (Image: CHS)

When the Odd Fellows building changed hands for $8.5 million in 2007, it became the perfect vignette for an old story: The artists that helped make an urban neighborhood desirable to developers and building owners were forced out by those very developers and owners who raised rents by 300%.

“Everybody who got dispersed was one of the reasons why Capitol Hill was great,” said Hallie Kuperman, owner of The Tin Table and Century Ballroom, the only arts organization to remain in the 100-year-old space after the exodus of 2008. Continue reading →

Giant apartment developer adds fourth Capitol Hill building in $36.1M deal

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Above, the new Three20 building -- below, the old Marion Apartments (Images: King County, CHS)

Above, the new Three20 building — below, the old Marion Apartments (Images: King County, CHS)

The largest publicly traded owner of apartment buildings in the country has bought another chunk of Capitol Hill — but this project is already set for new tenants.

Equity Residential has paid $36.1 million for the new 130+ unit Three20 apartment building opening on E Pine where the old Marion Apartments once stood. The Puget Sound Business Journal was first to report the transaction on Monday.

In April, Equity paid $10.3 million for the E Madison property Piecora’s called home for decades. Its interests previously acquired The Heights apartment building at Broadway and E Olive Way for $26.5 million in 2006 and 12th Ave’s Rianna Apartments in 2010 for $17.1 million. The Three20 building had already been included in Equity’s Capitol Hill marketing material prior to the media reports on the acquisition. Equity, based in Chicago, describes the neighborhood thusly

Equity Residential offers pet friendly Capitol Hill apartments in Washington which are less then 5 minutes from Downtown Seattle. You are also blocks away from the 545 express bus stop. Capitol Hill is great for singles with sparkling nightlife options for any lifestyle. Residents of our Capitol Hill apartments know that The Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences, St. Joseph School and Seattle University support Capitol Hill’s thriving academic culture. Don’t forget this is the home of Starbucks as well as some of the best local coffee in the nation.

In March, CHS reported that the building would also soon be home to a new Cherry Street Coffee shop.

A one-bedroom apartment in the Three20 building runs $1,940 per month, according to Equity’s site.

Alternative plan to stave off Metro cuts in Seattle includes parking, employee tax

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(Image: CHS)

(Image: CHS)

Two Seattle City Council members have unveiled what they say is a more equitable plan to maintain Metro bus service slated to be slashed due to county budget cuts.

Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant said Monday they have asked city staff to research the Council’s options to implement a commercial parking tax increase and reinstitute an employer head tax in Seattle in an effort to not only restore Metro’s planned cuts but prevent the upcoming service reductions.

“If approved by Council, the Mayor’s proposal will go to the ballot in November, but not in time to prevent the first round of cuts,” Licata said in a statement released to media. “These initial cuts, and the funding that would kick in if ‘Plan C’ were approved, places a burden on poor and working people,” said Licata.

Mayor Ed Murray announced last week that he will put a $60 car tab fee and .1% sales tax hike before Seattle voters in November. Murray’s plan would generate around $45 million a year to partially restore Metro services in the city.

A statement on the Licata and Sawant plan initially said it would “shift the burden of long-term funding off Seattle’s working people, elderly, disabled, students, and people of color who need service to be maintained” and “prevent the first round of devastating cuts to Metro service.” An update later in the day revised the statement to drop the “prevent” language and clarify that the plan would “address the proposed cuts to Seattle Metro bus service.”

The needle and thread story behind Broadway’s new bikeway bollards, streetcar poles

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(Image: SDOT)

(Image: SDOT)

With the Broadway bikeway now fully open, this stretch of Capitol Hill streetscape might just be the most festooned roadway in Seattle. You can thank artist Claudia Fitch and her play with the theme of the opening-soon First Hill streetcar as a connective thread through the city’s neighborhoods.

“The whole public art concept — that single wire that powers the streetcar as a thread connecting the city resulted in a lot of different images related to idea of sewing, and the fabric of the street,” Fitch tells CHS. Continue reading →