We’ve learned additional details about the city’s decision to not grant a permit for the BadWill Market that forced organizers to cancel this Sunday’s third edition of the monthly outdoor sale. Anybody else already putting together a Capitol Hill flea market — or thinking about it — might want to pay attention. It turns out, there’s a reason you don’t see more markets like BadWill.
The new, weekly Century Ballroom flea market
According to Seattle Department of Planning and Development spokesperson Bryan Stevens, the city rejected the BadWill application for use of the sidewalk near the HG Lodge because the club’s permit is currently OK’d only for restaurant use, not retail. “The permitted use in the space was for a restaurant, not a drinking establishment (nightclub) or retail sales use,” Stevens tells CHS. “If they obtain a permit from DPD for a retail sales use within the building, then SDOT will reconsider the request for a retail market adjacent to the building along the sidewalk.”
Until HG gets that cleared up — either sticking with only a restaurant use, applying to be a nightclub or adding a retail permit — BadWill is in limbo.
The situation may not be unique to the HG Lodge. To hold similar events in venues permitted only for non-retail uses, Stevens said businesses will need to obtain temporary event permits. As the BadWill situation illustrates, obtaining such a permit is far from an automatic process.
We have a note out to HG Lodge to learn more about their permit situation and what their plans are. In the meantime, the best advice to flea marketers might be to either make sure you have your permits ahead of time or keep things on the very, very down low.
Am I the only one who thinks this makes total sense? I mean, I’m all for BadWill and any other community markets. But it seems like the city is being villainized needlessly.
If you want to have alcohol at your wedding, you need a banquet permit.
If you want to operate a boat, you need a maritime permit/license.
If you want to drive down Broadway in a bunch of floats in support of your group or its beliefs, you need a parade permit.
If you want to create a venue for people to come capitalize on their second hand wares or crafts, they need a retail permit.
This isn’t aunt Sally trying to have a garage sale. Its an organized event.
BadWill and others will get their roadblock cleared and I’ll be super stoked to see it back in action. But quit fueling this us vs them mentality against Seattle.
Okay Nancy Drew… way to work the common sense and magnifying glass! Yay you!
Kevuardo, just because it’s a law doesn’t make it common sense. You need to ask yourself why we’re required to have all these permits in the first place. Seriously, what do these permits do besides making us grovel before the city? Enlighten me.
Typical responses from cap hill bloggers. There is no controversy here, so you’ll turn your angst to someone who calls it like it is.
“You need to ask yourself why we’re required to have all these permits in the first place. Seriously, what do these permits do besides making us grovel before the city?”
Perhaps making sure that the event is being run safely and in conformance to zoning regulations? And to make sure that the people responsible for the event are known.
HG is a restaurant? news to me…
Retail use is permitted because permits are a major income stream for the city. Public safety is also on the list, but the money part is in the big font.
1. Safety: Permits do nothing to prevent unsafe events. People exercising *actual* common sense do, however.
2. Zoning: This story is itself an example of the stupidity of many zoning regulations, so I’m surprised you bring it up. If people residing in an event area have problems with noise or other issues, there are laws in place to address them.
3. Responsibility: Similar to #2. If actual crimes (i.e. with victims) are committed, then the individuals responsible would be prosecuted regardless of the existence of any permit.
But even if the reasons you cite in your post still justify the permit system in your mind, there’s absolutely no reason why Badwill should be having the problems like this with the city. In closing, consider that this is far from the worst example of City Permits Gone Wild. Just Google “lemonade stand shutdown” or “Girl Scout cookie stand shutdown” and ask yourself if the permit system is a net benefit or harm for our society. Sometimes it’s useful to distinguish what government is supposed to do and what it actually does.
I was looking forward to this, I thought it was a great idea. Why all the red tape for this place? Seems like everytime I hear something about this venue, they are getting it from the city. I am bummed I didnt hear about this event sooner, wish I could have made the other, earlier dates. Sorry to hear about all the trouble.
Wow, I am just now reading these comments. Feedback is always helpful. After The City of Seattle pulled the plug on the last market I have been doing things the right way, even becoming friends with some of the city officials and doing some research. I’m applying for a business license for “BadWill Market” and currently scouting venues and spaces. Also looking for sponsors to help with expenses such as rental fees, advertising, etc. so the event can still be free to everyone. Ideally, I would still like to keep it on the hill. So if anyone has any leads let me know [email protected]