4 benches, 1 neighborhood success story: Ceremony tomorrow

| Development | West Seattle news

That’s one of four benches that are being installed this afternoon in front of the new loft-townhouse development at 1716 California SW (map). The benches, and the open-space easement they represent, will be at the heart of a celebration tomorrow morning, because of the neighborhood success story they represent, something we’ve told you a bit about before: In March of last year, we wrote about nearby residents’ concerns about whether the development would honor open-space easement requirements linked to a onetime Seattle City Light substation site on the property. Over the ensuing months, a plan was worked out, and we got final word recently from author/historian Clay Eals, who lives nearby; we didn’t shoot a closeup of the inscription on the benches, but he shared the text:

OPEN SPACE FOR ALL

Enjoy these benches for a brief respite. Thanks to the City of Seattle and to the owner of the project that replaced the City Light substation on this site, this 100-foot frontage strip is an easement for public use from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through May 2026.

This open space is privately owned and maintained. Please pick up any stray items when you leave. Palm Avenue neighbors thank you!

As our 3/08 report noted, City Councilmembers got involved too, and one of them – Councilmember Jean Godden (described by Eals as “our champion to insure that a public easement was included in the sale documents”) – is expected to speak at tomorrow morning’s official unveiling of the benches. You’re welcome too – 10 am, out front at 1716 California SW, across from Park West.

cjboffoli June 26, 2009 (2:46 pm)

It is probably just a distortion from the perspective of the camera. But that bench looks a bit like Salvador Dalí designed it.

AP June 26, 2009 (3:11 pm)

So what happens in 17 years? No more public access? At my age, 17 years goes by pretty darned quickly!

Clay Eals June 26, 2009 (3:35 pm)

To answer the question indirectly offered by the commenter above, I just want to note that the bench design is the same as that of the other green benches that adorn the Admiral business district!

Mark Wainwright June 26, 2009 (3:54 pm)

Way to go Clay and Dennis and others. Great stuff!

thejunctionhobo June 26, 2009 (4:00 pm)

My bed at night. Now everyone knows it.

Alvis June 26, 2009 (4:30 pm)

I assume that’s a permanent dedication plaque on the backrest. What does it say?

WSB June 26, 2009 (4:33 pm)

Says what’s in the story above (blue box).

cjboffoli June 26, 2009 (4:43 pm)

Clay: My comment was meant simply as a quip about how the bench seems to be lower on the left side.

wseye June 26, 2009 (4:47 pm)

Dennis and all, way to stick with it, folks! A deal is a deal, and the city is very poor at enforcing any agreement it makes.

WSB June 26, 2009 (4:50 pm)

That turned out to be four shots from the end of the batteries on the point n shoot camera that by all rights shouldn’t still be working (we are likely buying a brand-new and vastly better camera this weekend) because it’s been dropped a hundred times etc. (still works better than the newer one that broke when we dropped it ONCE a month or so ago). Plus thanks to the nice guys who were hosing down the sidewalk around the benches and awaiting the installers – they moved this one into its permanent position so we could get a pic. And thanks to Clay for the heads-up about this, and to Dennis for the story last year. It fell off my followup list somewhere in the interim 15 months but clearly the neighbors were on the case … see you at the event tomorrow! TR

Alvis June 26, 2009 (5:04 pm)

WSB@ 4:33 pm

Thanks and my apologies. I actually did read (okay, I merely skimmed) the full inscription text you provided, but it didn’t seem to me that so many words could fit onto a plaque of the size shown in the photo.

NIMBY Nulu June 26, 2009 (7:03 pm)

Please.
I was never informed that this was being done.
I prefer the way it used to be.
It should be “GREEN”, not just that color.
It looks dangerous. What if a child ran into it?
There’s no Handicap Access.
Vagrants are already blogging about sleeping on it.
Who is going to maintain it?
There is no place to put the trash dog & doo bags.
In these hard times…
we shouldn’t be spending a dime.
No Change.
Please?

Clay Eals June 26, 2009 (7:44 pm)

There’s probably no huge need for such detail here, but just to be clear: The position of the bench shown in the photo isn’t its permanent position. I just got home from work and saw the benches (wrapped in plastic for the unveiling) installed in their permanent positions, which are just as was worked out in our neighborhood meetings with the city. Two benches will face each other perpendicular to California Avenue on either side of the central entryway to the townhouse project (the left/north side of that entryway is shown in the photo). The two other benches will sit parallel to California, one to the north of the entryway and one to the south. In other words, the placement isn’t diagonal.

Thanks again for the coverage, Tracy!

Vanessa June 26, 2009 (8:10 pm)

I just woke up from a nap and find 13 messages about a bench. I think we should all go outside and take a walk..Let’s get a life and go smell the roses. You all are cracking me up…….

WSB June 26, 2009 (9:08 pm)

Hey, you never know what will spark discussion. We publish about a dozen items a day, and often the ones we expect to get comments don’t, while other ones do. We appreciate everybody who takes the time to discuss! Meantime, just been outside, but couldn’t smell the roses … they’re done with their first bloom of the year and just need to be deadheaded so the second can come on!