The NW Facts Newspaper - NWFacts.com

When Diversity Matters Most. The Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Community
  • Sports
    • Professional
    • College
    • High School
    • Little League
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Music
    • Arts
    • Nightlife
  • LifeStyle
    • Business
    • Health
    • Beauty
      • Salons
      • Barbershops
  • Food
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Recipes
  • Obituaries
  • Faith
    • Announcements
    • Church Directory
    • Events
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
You are here: Home / Archives for Real Estate

The Strong America Tour Is Coming to Seattle. Here’s Why It Matters.

September 10, 2019 by Admin NW FACTS Leave a Comment

The way we build our cities is fundamentally flawed, says Chuck Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns. Come hear him speak on why we need a bottom-up revolution…and what you can do to make a difference.

Charles L. “Chuck” Marohn, Jr., founder of Strong Towns, will be coming to Seattle, Washington, as part of his coast-to-coast Strong America Tour. He will be speaking at 12th Avenue Arts from 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. PDT. (To register for the event, which is free and open to the public, visit www.strongtowns.org/eventspage/2019/9/12/seattle-wa.)

Marohn’s tour kicks off the release of his new book, Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity (Wiley, October 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-56481-2, $25.00). But the bigger reason for the event is to set in motion what he calls a Strong Town Revolution—and we need citizen and government leaders if we want to get it done.

“All across North America, cities and towns are realizing they need a new approach to growth,” he says. “It’s more than a trend; it’s an international movement.”

Marohn is traveling to dozens of communities across North America—big cities and small towns alike—to share the ideas in his book and give audiences a new way to think about how they approach revitalization and growth.

Since World War II, our cities and towns have been built in a way that is fundamentally flawed. We’ve paved endless roads, raised countless buildings, and put more and more infrastructure in the ground, while giving almost no thought to whether future generations will be able to afford to maintain the world we’ll leave them with—or how what we are building makes our communities worse places to live today.

Strong Towns aims to help communities break this cycle by shifting to a radically new way of thinking about the way we build our world—or, more accurately, a way of thinking that seems radically new but is actually rooted in ancient wisdom.

“Only when we embrace the lessons our ancestors learned over thousands of years of trial and error can we restore strength and stability to our communities and stop the long, slow decline we’re experiencing,” says Marohn.

He says that in order to truly thrive, cities and towns must turn back the clock and:

  • Stop valuing efficiency and start valuing resilience;
  • Stop betting our futures on huge, irreversible projects, and start taking small, incremental steps and iterating based on what we learn;
  • Stop fearing change and start embracing a process of continuous adaptation;
  • Stop building our world based on abstract theories, and start building it based on how our places actually work and what our neighbors actually need today;
  • Stop obsessing about future growth and start obsessing about our current finances.

“We believe that Strong Citizens from all walks of life can and must participate in a Strong Towns approach—from citizens to leaders, professionals to neighbors, and everyone in between,” says Marohn. “And if you are reading this, that means we need you.”

Thursday’s presentation will begin by showcasing why so many towns in North America are struggling financially despite decades of robust growth. Marohn will then invite the audience to “choose their own adventure” from a range of presentation tracks and go deeper into just one area where their unique community can make a change today. Designed to be dynamic and bespoke to each town, the Strong America presentation is part community conversation, part lecture from an expert, and the catalyst you need for your place to become financially stronger.

In every stop on the tour, a Strong Towns staff member will write an essay about the stories they find there. Then, Marohn will put all of the essays together in a new e-book that paints a portrait of what a Strong America looks like today. It will include photos, profiles of local advocates doing what they can to make their own towns stronger, tour diary updates from the road, and great writing from Strong Towns advocates from across the country.

Seattle also will be featured in other Strong Towns content and on Strong Towns social media feeds, which reach an international audience of millions of readers annually.

Marohn says he was thrilled by the hundreds of requests for proposals to host Strong America Tour stops.

“It’s clear that cities and towns of every size are hungry for a new approach that can help them grow financially strong and resilient,” he says. “Every time I visit a different town, I am gratified to see how passionate and smart and creative people can be. Meeting people, hearing their stories, and exchanging ideas is my favorite part of the job.”

To see some of the other towns that are on the Strong America Tour, visit www.strongtowns.org/events.

# # #

About the Author:
Charles L. “Chuck” Marohn, Jr., is the founder and president of Strong Towns and the author of Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity. He is a professional engineer (PE) licensed in the state of Minnesota and a land use planner with two decades of experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s of urban and regional planning, both from the University of Minnesota. Marohn hosts the Strong Towns Podcast and has presented Strong Towns concepts in hundreds of cities and towns across North America. He is featured in the documentary film Owned: A Tale of Two Americas, and was named one of the Ten Most Influential Urbanists of all time byPlanetizen.

About Strong Towns:
Strong Towns is a national media organization whose mission is to advocate for a model of development that allows America’s cities, towns, and neighborhoods to grow financially strong and resilient. Strong Towns began in 2008 as a blog written by Charles Marohn. Today, it is a nonprofit publishing daily content by dozens of contributors, sharing weekly podcasts, and giving presentations around the U.S. and Canada. Strong Towns reaches an audience of more than 1.5 million readers per year and has over 2,900 members. Learn more at www.strongtowns.org.

About the Book:
Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity (Wiley, October 2019, ISBN: 978-1-119-56481-2, $25.00) will be available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and direct from the publisher by calling 800-225-5945. In Canada, call 800-567-4797. For more information, please visit the book’s page on www.wiley.com.

Filed Under: Business, Real Estate

Seattle Renters’ Commission urges City of Seattle to build affordable housing at Fort Lawton as quickly as possible

March 19, 2019 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Members of the Seattle Renters’ Commission have issued a statement urging the City of Seattle to move forward with the plan to build 238 units of affordable housing at Fort Lawton as quickly as possible.

“Affordability is the single largest issue that renters in Seattle face today. As the city gets more expensive, renters are forced to either give a greater share of each paycheck to rent or leave the city. Entire communities are wiped out by displacement. Working people struggle to pay rent every month.

Thousands of our neighbors sleep on the streets. We need to build as much affordable housing as possible so that all renters can live in the city we love. The Fort Lawton development is an excellent opportunity for the City to build 238 affordable units, including 86 units for homeless seniors, 100 affordable units for those making 60% of area median income (AMI), and 52 affordable homeownership opportunities. The housing will also be next to Discovery Park, which provides much-needed proximity to green space usually reserved for wealthy homeowners.”

Read the full statement from the Seattle Renters’ Commission.


The Seattle Renters’ Commission provides information, advice, and counsel to the Mayor, Seattle City Council, and departments concerning issues and policies affecting renters. Learn more at seattle.gov/neighborhoods/seattle-renters-commission.

Filed Under: Find an Agent, Real Estate, Real Estate For Sale, Sell Your House

Learn More and Share Input

March 1, 2019 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Kamiak is a real estate investment firm that acquires, develops, and operates niche multifamily and commercial assets in the greater Seattle region.

Filed Under: Business, Community News, Front Page Slider, Real Estate, Real Estate For Sale

Don’t Miss SDCI’s North and South Seattle Home Fairs

January 9, 2019 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Start 2019 off right by getting a jump-start on your home improvement project! Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, renter or potential homeowner, one of the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections Home Fairs will have something for you!

We will be joined by a variety of organizations to answer all of your questions, from Seattle Public Utilities, RainWise, and Rebuilding Together Seattle to Habitat for Humanity, City Light, Department of Neighborhoods, and many more.

Learn about Earthquake Home Retrofits, Landslide Preparedness and Awareness, and Backyard Cottages with three focused presentations covering each of these important topics.

Ask us about our permitting process, inspections, and codes requirements. Do you rent, or are you a landlord? Come learn about rental housing rules. We’ll also have information tables about affordable housing, landslide awareness, emergency preparedness, energy rebates, home ownership assistance, weatherization of homes, and so much more!

We’ve had such a great turn out for our South Seattle Home Fair for the past two years, we’ve added another event to bring these important resources to the rest of our great city: the new North Seattle Home Fair! This new extension of our popular event will take place on Saturday, January 26 at the Sunset Hill Community Club from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our South Seattle Home Fair will once again be at the Filipino Community Center on Saturday, February 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Who:

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, renter, or potential homeowner, this event has something for you.

Home Fair Details:

North Seattle Home Fair

Saturday, January 26, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sunset Hill Community Club
3003 NW 66th St, Seattle, WA 98117

RSVPs are appreciated.

South Seattle Home Fair

Saturday, February 23, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Filipino Community Center
5740 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA 98118

RSVPs are appreciated.

(Both the Sunset Hill Community Club and the Filipino Community Center are ADA accessible.)

Presentation Schedule (for both events):

  • 10:15 – 11:15 a.m. – Earthquake Retrofit (protect your home in case of an earthquake)
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Landslide Awareness (learn how to prevent landslides on your property)
  • 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – Backyard Cottages/ADUs (what you need to know about planning your project and getting a permit)

Cost:

Free!

What:

We’ll have information tables where you can ask an expert your questions and get advice about your project or about available services. You’ll have an opportunity to learn about:

  • Affordable Housing
  • Building and residential codes
  • Building, electrical, boiler, and mechanical inspections
  • Building permits
  • Community tool library
  • Emergency information
  • Home repair assistance
  • Land use rules
  • Landslide awareness
  • RainWise information
  • Rental housing rules
  • … and more!

 

Other City departments and local organizations available to answer questions include:

  • Seattle Public Utilities
  • RainWise
  • Rebuilding Together Seattle
  • Office of Housing
  • City Light
  • Seattle Emergency Communications Hubs
  • Department of Neighborhoods
  • HomeSight (South Seattle Home Fair)
  • Habitat for Humanity (South Seattle Home Fair)
  • Southeast Tool Library (South Seattle Home Fair)

 

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Featured Stories, LifeStyle, Northwest, Real Estate

Invitation Homes Helps Seattle Community Food Bank

December 19, 2018 by Dennis Beaver Leave a Comment

Volunteers Give Back to Local Community by Serving Up Food To Those In Need

Invitation Homes (NYSE: INVH) recently gave back to the greater Seattle community through a day of service to help Northwest Harvest Food Bank fight hunger.  Invitation Homes team members assisted with assembling 4,400 pounds of pasta, which provided 3,385 meals to those in need.

“Giving back to the communities where we work and live is not only an important part of our company’s philosophy but also something our associates appreciate and want to do,” said Alicia Saul, vice president of operations, Invitation Homes, for Seattle.  “It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to directly assist those who are struggling in our community, particularly during the holidays when it’s often a difficult time for many.”

Northwest Harvest is leading the fight for hungry people statewide to have access to nutritious food while respecting their dignity and promoting good health. It is the only nonprofit food bank distributor operating statewide with a network of 375 food banks, meal programs and high-need schools. Through this network, 2 million meals are provided every month.

“Partnerships with local charitable organizations underscore our company value to be a standout citizen and a good neighbor by contributing to the well-being of the communities where we live and operate,” said Dallas Tanner, founder and interim president of Invitation Homes.  “We acknowledge and honor the differing priorities and needs of each of our communities and work to ensure our contributions and volunteerism are meaningful and impactful.”

As the nation’s premier home leasing company, Invitation Homes is committed to creating strong neighborhoods and communities in each of the 17 markets where it owns homes.  In Seattle, the company owns approximately 3,300 homes.

 

About Invitation Homes

Invitation Homes is a leading owner and operator of single-family homes for lease, offering residents high-quality homes across America. With over 80,000 homes for lease in 17 markets across the country, Invitation Homes is meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing residents access to updated homes with features they value, such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools.  The company’s mission statement, “Together with you, we make a house a home,” reflects its commitment to high-touch service that continuously enhances residents’ living experiences and provides homes where individuals and families can thrive.

Filed Under: Community, Community News, Real Estate

City Launching Online Registration System for Short-Term Rentals

December 19, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The Department of Finance and Administrative Services recently announced the city’s new registration system for short-term rentals will launch on January 2, 2019. The City of Seattle adopted new regulations for short-term rentals, a type of lodging sometimes called vacation rentals, in December 2017.

Beginning on January 1, 2019, anyone operating a short-term rental in Seattle must have a short-term rental operator’s license. There are also some limits on the number of units that one person can operate. Learn more on FAS’s Short-Term Rentals webpage or by contacting FAS at 206-386-1267 or str@seattle.gov.

Anyone operating a short-term rental that is not their primary residence will also need to register with our Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance program.

There are also some location and other restrictions for short-term rentals. Learn more about the land use rules on SDCI’s Short-Term Rentals webpage.

Filed Under: Business, Real Estate

Seattle City Council approves ordinances of three Seattle landmarks

December 19, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle City Council has approved the landmark designation ordinances for three Seattle landmarks: Francis Skinner Edris Nurses Home (2120 1st Avenue N) in Queen Anne, Japanese Language School (1414 South Weller Street) in Jackson Place, and the University of Washington Canoe House / ASUW Shell House (3655 Walla Walla Road NE) in University District. These buildings join the more than 450 landmarks in the city that contribute to the cultural and architectural heritage of Seattle’s neighborhoods.

The City’s Landmarks Preservation Board approved the nominations, designations, and controls and incentives for these landmarks, and Department of Neighborhoods staff provided the draft ordinances to the Seattle City Council. The final step in the process was approval by Seattle City Council.

As designated City landmarks, all three buildings are not only recognized for their historic and cultural significance, but they are also eligible for economic incentives and technical assistance that can help contribute to the continued preservation of the landmarks.

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Historic Preservation Program is responsible for the designation and protection of more than 400 historic structures, sites, objects, and vessels, along with eight historic districts located throughout the city. For information on the landmark designation process and to view other city landmarks, visit seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation.

 

University of Washington Canoe House / ASUW Shell House 

  • Date of Designation:  April 18, 2018
  • Designation Standards: A, B, C, D & F
  • Controlled Features: a portion of the site, building exterior, interior building volume,
    and roof trusswork
  • Date Built: 1918
  • Engineer: L.E. Gregory, U.S. Navy

The 100-year-old Washington Canoe House was first constructed by the US Navy as a seaplane hangar as this portion of the campus was donated to the armed services as a training camp during WWI. The University purchased it from the Navy and converted it to a facility for the Men’s Rowing Team who occupied it from 1919 to 1949. The Husky crew team that won Olympic Gold in 1936 trained here, as vividly recounted in Dan Brown’s Boys in the Boat.

The building also housed the workshop of master boatbuilder George Pocock who built racing shells for the UW and for others. His Husky Clipper was custom built here for the Men’s 8 that rowed to victory Berlin. Mr. Pocock and his craftsman also manufactured parts of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress in this same shop during WWII.

Following WWII, the University built Conibear and relocated their program. The subject building was then converted to boat storage for recreational and intramural programs and was referred to as the Canoe House.

Japanese Language School

photo: Joe Mabel
  • Date of Designation:  October 4, 2006
  • Designation Standards: A & C
  • Controlled Features: a portion of the site and the exteriors of buildings 1, 2 & 3
  • Date Built: phases 1912-1929
  • Architects: Suekichi Shimizu (1912), Robert Brown (1917 addition), Sievert Bergesen / Kichio Allen Arai (1925), unknown (1929)

The Japanese Language School property is the oldest operating Japanese language school in the continental United States. The original facility was expanded in three phases due to a steady increase in pupils.

In February 1942, the Federal government forcibly removed US citizens of Japanese ancestry and residents of Japan living in the West Coast states from their home and they were incarcerated until 1945. During this period, the US military seized the property and used it for Air Force training. Following the end of the war, many from the local community who had lost their homes resided in the school buildings, up until 1957.

Starting in the late 1940’s, community members created a social service organization with the goal of supporting Japanese and Japanese Americans in Seattle. Their work evolved into the eventual repair of the buildings and reinstatement of the Japanese Language School. Over decades this work has continued to grow alongside the Seattle Japanese Community Service.  Overcoming many obstacles, the campus of buildings has continued to be renovated and improved to include a museum and many educational programs to support the mission of the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington.

Francis Skinner Edris Nurses Home

  • Date of Designation:  May 16, 2018
  • Designation Standards: C & D
  • Controlled features:  The building exterior and a portion of the site
  • Date Built: 1923

The Francis Skinner Edris Nurses Home was designed by notable Seattle architect Abraham Horace Albertson. Completed in 1921, the building exterior remains highly intact exhibiting an eclectic style with a mix of Colonial and Mission Revival features.

This building was originally the Orthopedic Children’s Hospital founded in 1907 by Anna Herr Clise; the institution we know today as Seattle Children’s Hospital. In the years after the death of Mrs. Clise’s young son in 1898, she visited facilities around the nation to see the type of health care provided for children and worked to establish the first facility of its kind in Seattle. It began under the premise that all children were welcome regardless of an ability to pay.

The hospital’s first building was the 1908 “Fresh Air House” on the south end of this same city block in Queen Anne. In 1911 they constructed a larger three-story facility on the east half of the block and was expanded a decade later; the building known today as Queen Anne Manor.  During this expansion, the Edris Nurses Home was completed on the west side of the property and served as a residence for the children’s hospital nursing staff.  It is dedicated to one of the hospital trustees Francis Skinner Edris, who died shortly after giving birth to her daughter.

Filed Under: Community, Community News, News, Northwest, Politics, Real Estate

The struggle for land

February 14, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Africatown continues to maintain a primary focus on holding ground, gaining ground and breaking ground. To that end, on Juneteenth 2017 we celebrated the Liberty Bank Building groundbreaking with an amazing community ceremony. The unique partnership between Capitol Hill Housing, Byrd Barr Place (Formerly Centerstone/CAMP) & Black Community Impact Alliance the project brings 115 affordable housing units and commercial space and other opportunities to mitigate the displacement of Black community and identity honoring the legacy of Liberty Bank established in 1968.

Community benefits on the Liberty Bank Building include:

  • Commissioning 8 African American artists to tell the story of Liberty Bank and the community that used the bank.
  • Nearly four million dollars in subcontracts to African American owned businesses,
  • Commercial space to continue the legacy of Black entrepreneurship that flourished in the Central District.
  • Prioritizing our community that has been displaced or at risk of displacement

Lastly we will need your help to make sure every corner of our community that is now spread out over King & Pierce county get the message about affordable housing opportunities.

The next big news is that Africatown Community Land Trust was able to successfully gain ground, securing 20% of the Midtown Center block to develop Africatown Plaza, partnering with Capitol Hill Housing to bring their development expertise to the project and build on the collaboration started across the street at the Liberty Bank Building. In addition to affordable rental housing, we are working hard to have affordable homeownership town home units on the site as well. We are working with Homestead Community Land Trust on this and other sites in the community to bring much needed affordable ownership to moderate and lower income working individuals and families who are being priced out of Seattle.

Africatown Community Land Trust is also working with the private developer Lake Union Partners who purchased the property and owns the northern parcel of to ensure that the entire block brings the legacy of the Black community into the future through ownership, contracting opportunities to build and commercial space for small locally owned businesses in the new development.

Building on the Imagine Africatown initiative to gather community aspirations, desires and visions for the future, we continue to engage our community through Africatown Design Ciphers to help design a building that reflects our culture and influence.

Filed Under: African American, Business, Community, Community News, Featured Stories, Front Page Slider, History, News, Northwest, Real Estate

Free Homebuyer Workshop – Sponsored By WSHFC

November 8, 2017 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Join us November 11,2017 at 1851 Central Pl S,
Kent, WA 98030

FREE Home Buyers Workshop!

WA STATE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANT PROGRAM!

Requirements:
Attend Manadatory Home Buyer’s Class

Minimum Credit Score 620
(not quite there?)
We have a Credit Repair Specialist available to assist
Annual income cap $98,000

Registration is required- RSVP Shorton@wastatehomebuyer.com

*SEATS ARE LIMITED *LUNCH PROVIDED *FREE PARKING!!! Register Today!

 

Filed Under: Business, Find an Agent, Real Estate, Real Estate For Sale, Sell Your House

Community Forum: Housing and Growth in South King County

October 25, 2017 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Local educators and the Firs Home Owners Association are partnering to host a community forum where we make space to come together and discuss issues of affordable housing, growth, and displacement. As rents rise rapidly and affordable housing grows more scarce, families and children fear becoming homeless and being forced from our community; while teachers and other educators struggle to support them through these traumas.

Madrona Elementary will be open for a community forum that brings together community members, educators, tenant leaders, housing groups, area business owners, and elected officials to discuss how the lack of affordable housing and growing home displacements are changing our cities Please join us to listen, learn, and work together towards solutions that are based on the wisdom of our resilient communities.

The Highline Education Association (HEA), your local educator union, is pleased to support this event.

This Community Forum will be held on October 30 from 6:00-7:45 in the Madrona School cafeteria located at 20301 32nd Ave S SeaTac.

Doors will open at 5:30. Childcare and snacks will be provided.

 

Filed Under: Community, Community News, Front Page Slider, News, Northwest, Real Estate

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

HEADLINE VIEWS

Tribute to” Black Wall Street”

Tribute to” Black Wall Street”

Home For The Holidays

NW FACTS – Business Directory

NW FACTS CHURCH DIRECTORY

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • July 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015

Copyright © 2021 · - Powered By NW Distribution