Archives for March 12, 2015

Press conference regarding Sisley property fines (LIVE COVERAGE, UPDATES)

The Roosevelt Neighborhood Association shared some intriguing news this morning, regarding the approximately $3 million in fines owed to the city by a certain well-known local landlord.

The city attorney’s office is holding a press conference on Friday, March 13, on the northwest corner of NE 65th Street and 14th Avenue NE to provide details on how “the City is moving forward decisively in dealing with the $3 million-plus legal judgment owed by the Sisleys.”

You can read the whole press release here.

Once we secure arrangements for our youngest intern, we plan on attending the event and providing live coverage below.

UPDATE (Friday, March 13): This is the ordinance the mayor will transmit to the city council next week regarding the seizure of some of the Sisleys’ properties to create a park.  Click on any image to see the full size version.


 

UPDATE (Friday, March 13, 1:40 PM): In addition to the above ordinance being presented to the City Council next week, the mayor’s office put out a press release regarding the plans to seize two properties belonging to Hugh Sisley. Here are the main points of the plan (from the press release):

Should the judgments, interest and penalties related to the violations remain unpaid, the city will seek to have the properties seized by the King County Sheriff and sold at auction. Murray intends to transmit an ordinance to the City Council next week that allows the city to purchase the two properties at 1322 and 1318 NE 65th St.

The city intends to bid on the properties at auction, using a credit bid based on the $3.3 million owed the city by the Sisleys, in order to build a new city park for the neighborhood.

If the supplemental proceedings that allows the city to collect more than $2 million in penalties have not concluded prior to the auction, the city will use a $1 King County Conservation Futures grant, in addition to credit based on the judgments and interest owed the city.

Roosevelt's Jim O'Halloran (center) speaks with Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes (left) and City Councilmember Jean Godden (right) before the press conference.

Roosevelt’s Jim O’Halloran (center) speaks with Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes (left) and City Councilmember Jean Godden (right) before the press conference.

While those residents gathered at the press conference were pleased with the actions the city plans to take, many were dismayed that none of them (as of yet) involved tearing down any dilapidated buildings. The parcels the city is zeroing in on for this first seizure have both been vacant for years.

Holmes Sisley press conference1

View from 14th Avenue NE/NE 66th Street south to NE 65th Street.

Once the date of the City Council meeting is known, we will post that information here.

Your Busy Weekend in Northeast Seattle, March 13-18

The rain returns this weekend with highs in the mid 50s. But that’s good news for the allergy sufferers among us, right?!

THURSDAY, March 12

  • Celebrate St. Patty’s day early with some magic.
  • Learn how to knit with your arms!
    • Arm knitting demonstration at Acorn Street Shop, 2818 NE 55th Street. Bring or purchase enough yard to make a cowl, blanket, or other project of your choosing. 6-8 PM. FREE.

FRIDAY, March 13

  • Attend a press conference update on the Sisleys. 
    • The mayor, council members, and representatives from city departments will gather for a press conference update on $3 million+ legal judgement owed by the Sisleys. Meet at the northwest corner of NE 65th ST and 14th Ave NE. 10 AM.
  • Watch a movie with your friends under ten. 
    • Movie Night at Ravenna Eckstein Community Center at 6535 Ravenna Ave NE. Popcorn and a coloring sheet included. Donations accepted. 6:30-8 PM. FREE.
  • Play board and card games with coffee and treats.
    • Games will be available or bring your own to Game Night with GeekGirlCon at Wayward Coffee House, 6417 Roosevelt Way NE. Second and Fourth Friday, 7-11 PM. No cover.

MONDAY, March 16

  • Take back story time with a grown-ups only version. 

TUESDAY, March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

WEDNESDAY, March 18

  • Meet your Seattle Council District 4 Candidates.
    • Meet your District Candidates Event at Sand Point Community Church’s Perry Hall, 4710 NE 70th Street. Members of District 4 (included Ravenna and Bryant neighborhoods) will be registered to vote only for their preferred D4 candidate and the two at-large positions instead of voting for 9 Councilmembers as in the past. Incumbent Jean Godden has four official challengers. 7:30-8:30 PM.

Anything else to add? Garage sale? Fundraiser? Lemonade stand? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll add it to the post!

Want to promote an upcoming NE Seattle weekend happeningEmail us ahead of time, or use our online comment form to tell us about it.

We publish these Busy Weekend posts at noon on Thursdays.