news
June 13, 2008: Good Neighbor Garden Project is Launched
Last winter, QANRG members Nancie Kosnoff and Julie Whitehorn envisioned a local "commonwealth" garden that would demonstrate and inspire local organic food production. After gaining Parks & Recreation approval and a volunteer base, ground was broken this May on the east lawn of the QA Community Center, where seven raised beds were built, filled with soil and seeded with a wide variety of edible plants. In spite of the cool weather, the plants are growing, as is interest in the broader goals project. More info at www.goodneighborgarden.org
June 05, 2008: Queen Anne Farmers Market Opens Thursday, June 19!
Opening Day of the second year of the wildly popular Queen Anne Farmers Market will begin next Thursday at 3 pm in the McClure Middle School parking lot. Music and fun and lots of local organic produce! Don't miss it.
November 29, 2007: Met Market/Cox Property Sold to Responsible Developer
Developer Joe Geivett of Emerald Bay Equity has acquired the properties owned by the Cox family; including the Met Market, Elfrieda Apartments; and the two homes behind the Elfrieda. Geivett has an excellent track record thus far of working closely with the community to develop mutually beneficial projects, and his goal for this project is to keep the Met Market in place...if they want to stay.
After a two year battle to save our favorite local grocer and affordable housing from being displaced by a block-long mixed-use development, this is an extremely positive outcome.
Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.
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October 4, 2007: Queen Anne Farmers Market Closes To Thousands..But Just For The Winter
The Queen Anne Farmers Market has enjoyed a spectacular summer season; exceeding expectations in every way. A huge THANK-YOU to all of the donors, volunteers and shoppers that helped make the first season so successful. We'll be back next year!!
Bon Appetit, Queen Anne!
Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.
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June 29, 2007: Queen Anne Farmers Market Opens To Thousands!
Thousands of local and organic-hungry neighbors gathered and shopped, ate and visited yesterday at the opening day of the neighbor-created Farmer's Market on Queen Anne!
Neighbors strolled in the sun, in the rain, they shopped and basked in the bounty delivered by local farmers and artisans to the very heart of Queen Anne. Thousands of people gathered yesterday to celebrate opening day of the new Queen Anne Farmer's Market in the McClure Middle School parking lot at 1st Ave West and Crockett. This wonder will be repeated every Thursday from 3-7pm until October.
Created by a hard-working group of neighbors who participated in a visioning session for their neighborhood hosted by Queen Anne Neighbors for Responsible Growth in June 2006, yesterday's bounty and feeling of community was the result of hundreds of volunteer hours and over $20,000 in neighbor donations and Department of Neighborhoods matching grant.
From june peas and sweet peas to artisanal goat cheese and goat milk soap, both hungry neighbors, local growers and fine craftspeople appreciated the vision, hard work and generosity of those who made this new weekly gourmet community gathering place a reality.
The neighbor group that was created from QANRG's efforts, the Queen Anne Farmer's Market Association (www.qanrg.org/market.html), continues to raise money to keep the market going (there are ongoing rents, permits, entertainment and infrastructure needs to keep the effort alive). On opening day, the group unveiled beautiful cloth market bags (free with a $25 minimum donation) and in the near future they will offer t-shirts and launch other fundraising initiatives. Donations to the effort are tax deductible and the Association hopes all neighbors will feel ownership in the market and want to help in whatever way possible. There are still many opportunities for volunteers as well.
In the past year, efforts by Queen Anne Neighbors for Responsible Growth have spun off not only the great new Farmer's Market, but also the Queen Anne Movie Guild (www.queenannemovieguild.org), which shows films focused on issues of sustainability on the second Saturday of each month at the Queen Anne Manor retirement home (1st Ave North and Crockett), 7pm. In July, the film ties in with the new Farmer's Market. Titled "Eat at Bill's", the Guild plans on serving strawberry shortcake along with lively discussion on sustainability and locally grown food topics. All welcome, donations gladly accepted.
Bon Appetit, Queen Anne!
Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.
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Stone Way QFC "Pit" Draws A Lot Of Criticism From Wallingford Neighbors
The Stone Way QFC project has been idle for months, leaving neighbors with a very unsightly pit. QFC Spokesperson Kristin Maas blames soaring construction costs for the suspension of the project, but Wallingford residents attending the June 6th community council meeting wondered how that can be with so many construction projects going strong in the city. Maas also revealed that a large natural spring is the major source of the water filling up the pit; and with the failure of the water pump going unnoticed by QFC for two weeks, adjoining neighbors are concerned about the stability of the retaining wall.
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The 7th Church of Christ Scientist sanctuary at 2555 8th Ave. W has been named to Washington Trust for Historic Preservation's Most Endangered Properties List for 2007. The church is not out of danger yet - this is not historical status designation - but it does shine a spotlight on the issue. QANRG recently learned that another church congregation has expressed interest in purchasing the church.
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"Mes Amis" Open For Business at 321 W Galer St
Owner and Queen Anne resident Nicole Ryan just opened a new retail boutique for dogs and cats, right next to Via Tribunali. Stop by and say hello...maybe pick out something for your best friend.
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"Lucky's" Moving Into Sapphire/Q Space
Please note that this is NOT the same ownership as the former "Mr. Lucky's" across from Key Arena. New owners Sean McShane and Tommy Tellefson plan to convert the space into a 21-and-over lounge with tapas, although plans are not set in stone yet. The owners may present their plans at the June Queen Anne Community Council meeting. Community feedback may be sent to feeback@qanrg.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We Have Moved Some Files
The current status of the QFC/Met Market Project is still on our QFC Project Status page, but we have now moved all development related files to a new All Project Files page. Here you will find most DPD-related files, organized by project. Our Files page now contains interesting general information not related to a specific development. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Urban Kids Play" sets up shop on Queen Anne Ave
QA residents Mikki and Curtis Kingrey opened the store at 1805 Queen Anne Ave about two weeks ago, offering "toys, shoes and gifts made to nurture and inspire young children - natural materials, child-operated toys and learning tools..." A fun and playful environment where parents and children can shop, play and chat with friends. QANRG loves to see small, locally operated businesses like this on the hill; especially in an older retail space. Visit them at the store, call 285-7529, or online at www.urbankidsplay.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Via Tribunali serrves authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, and plans to open their new site at 317 W Galer St. General Manager Trevor Greenwood discussed the project at the March 7th Community Council meeting.
They have applied for a liquor license, which has some neighbors concerned. Contact Leann Nester if you have concerns about the possible impacts the project could have, or contact Trevor Greenwood to get information on Via Tribunali's plans. An agreement betweeen the neighbors and the restaurant is probably the best way to minimize the impacts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Eat Local" Opens at QA Ave & McGraw
Owner Gregory Connor just opened Eat Local at 2400 Queen Anne Ave N. The store offers "chef-prepared organic and wholesome meals, gourmet in preparation and frozen for convenience...using the freshest ingredients sourced from local, organic producers whenever possible."
Be sure to check out this great new store. Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.
206-EAT-FOOD
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Queen Anne Metropolitan Market Voted 2nd Best in Seattle by Citysearch!
This validates what QANRG petition gatherers learned months ago: Many people come from nearby neighborhoods to shop at Metropolitan Market due to its unique offerings, and many of the local businesses on the hill benefit from that traffic. Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community!
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December 7th, 2006: Design Review Board sends QFC developers back to drawing board for the 4th time
The Dec. 6 Early Design Guidance meeting was another well-attended affair, and many people from the community spoke out against the project. The Design Review Board's scope is limited to design issues, including safety for pedestrians, truck access, project size, and how the project would fit in a residential neighborhood. The Board seemed to acknowledge size and scale considerations more last night than they have in previous meetings. One especially eloquent speaker was the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church, who spoke about what is legally permissible under the zoning code as opposed to what is right for the community.
Some of the Design Review Board's requests from the August meeting--such as designs showing all parking underground, all truck maneuvering on site, all truck maneuvering underground and different scaling and massing options--have yet to be addressed by the developers in a meaningful and practical way. So far, they have tried to accommodate these requests while still maintaining the original square footage of the primary retail space. For example, they have refused to consider a second level of underground parking for the development. They have also failed to show or explain an underground truck loading design, and continue to put forth designs that have trucks encroaching on sidewalks. QANRG strongly encourages the Design Review Board to uphold their own recommendations by demanding to see such options fully explored before the project is allowed to continue.
Thanks to all who attended--your presence is important, regardless of whether you speak or not. Four Early Design Guidance meetings is practically unheard of---let's keep it up!
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December 6, 2006: Pete's Pizza site to be redeveloped...
Pete's Pizza was planning to close when their lease expired, and the property has been purchased by PacLand, the developers of the Union 76/Eden Hill project next door. A PacLand representative recently met with members of the Queen Anne Community Council Land Use Review Committee and QANRG to seek input on their plans to develop a mixed-use building on the site with ground floor retail and professional office space above.
As with any project, many details remain to be worked out. QANRG appreciates the opportunity to help ensure that new development projects benefit the property owners and developers as well as the community. We applaud the developer's initiative in seeking community input on the project.
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November 30th, 2006: Central Seattle Residents Want Delay of Target/Lowe's Proposal, Citing Concerns for Small Businesses and Traffic.
Today's Seattle PI has a fascinating article about the battle Central Area residents are waging to have a say in how their community is developed. Many of their concerns are identical to ours. They are attempting to hammer out a Community Benefits Agreement between the community and the developer, which is an excellent idea that has rarely been tried. The developer insists that "We want this project to fit into the community, if that takes 60 more meetings, then we will hold them," said Vange, adding that "without the change, there will be no affordable housing, open space or other amenities." But the Dearborn Street Coalition says that they are having a difficult time getting the developer to formalize the agreement.
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November 13, 2006: Cox Family submits revised plans for Queen Anne Place/QFC
A revised set of plans has been submitted by Cox family architects Page & Beard in preparation for the 2nd Early Design Guidance meeting on November 15, 2006. It should be noted that these plans were received by DPD on November 13th; only two days prior to the meeting, which leaves little time to review and analyze the submitted plans. DPD has since clarified that no rule exists for plans to be made available to the public prior to an EDG meeting.
The new plans are supposed to address the Design Review Boards comments and concerns about the plans submitted at the first EDG meeting of August 16, 2006. QANRG has obtained copies of the new plans, as well as the Applicants Response Letter which is intended to explain how the new plan addresses the Design Review Boards concerns. All of these documents are available on our Files page, and are highlighted in red. Please take a good look at the new plans; noting how the new plans addressed the Design Review Boards concerns; and be prepared to comment at the EDG meeting on November 15th!
NOTE: When picking up the plans at DPD, we found that the project file contains a nearly 2" thick stack of letters in opposition to this project, as well as the responses sent out from DPD and the mayors office. Many of these letters are cc'd to City Council members. Refer to our Write To page and keep it up! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 28, 2006: As you have probably read by now, a lot has been happening lately. Here are the "cliff notes":
- The current Met Market lease has been extended until January, 2008. Shop 'til you drop!
- The owner of Metropolitan Markets has purchased 40 years worth of lease options for the Larry's Market site in Lower Queen Anne.
- Met Market is NOT moving to the Larry's location. They will operate the store as Larry's Market for a year or so; then remodel it as another Metropolitan Market. Their intention is to operate both stores; since both have happily co-existed for 15 years.
- Met Market intends to stay in the Upper Queen Anne location until they are given notice to vacate.
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Yard Signs Are Available Now! The signs read " Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.", and have the QANRG logo and web site URL. The signs are free for folks who have already made donations; otherwise we suggest a donation of $3 for a staked yard sign, or $2 for a window sign with no stakes., to help defray the costs. We have nearly 1500 petition signers, and would love to see a sign at each house!
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3/24/06: The Queen Anne Community Council recently asked the Seattle City Council to temporarily ban any development with second-floor retail and a net loss of housing until the city could determine whether more specific design review guidelines were needed. The letter also specifically stated "the concept may be appropriately applied to all Residential Urban Villages struggling to absorb growth without destroying their neighborhood." You can read the letter in its entirety here.
Apparently, the Seattle City Attorney either didn't read or couldn't understand the letter. They said it would not be appropriate for the city to draft legislation in opposition to a specific Queen Anne project. Clearly, the Seattle City Attorney was mistaken. QACC was saying that this issue is increasingly important for neighborhoods.
Does the Nickels administration really intend to ignore such pleas from community councils AND citizens?
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March 5, 2006: The Metropolitan Market has done a lot to support the Queen Anne community in past years, so let's not forget to support the Met as this issue unfolds in the critical next few months.
Spread the word to your friends and neighbors: This is not a done deal. The Met and every other locally owned business on the hill need the community's support in order to survive and thrive, especially when threatened by a much larger national chain.
Buy Locally. Build Responsibly. Build Community.
