Thank you for being willing to answer some questions for my report. I have listed them below.
1. How long have you lived in the neighborhood of South Park?
1. John has lived in South Park – 60 years. Born in Seattle, lived on Capital Hill, Central District until 1948. Robin has lived in South Park 47 years.
2. What are some of the most noticeable changes you have witnessed, in terms of population and interactions within the community?
2. John: The older generation were Japanese and Italian Truck Farmers, Boeing workers, Manufacturing suppliers and small businesses, a ten cent store, pharmacy, Chinese gambling facility, Safeway store, Cherie Days Restaurant, County Line Bar and Grill with live bands and dancing. Night Cap, La Cantina, and Kelly’s tavern, the Zippo Ice Cream Stand, Crows Storage and Parking lot, Boat yard and Marina, Rendering Plant and Basin Oil, Dentist office and barbershop, bakery, Mr. K’s Dime Store Red’s Car repair shop, were some of the businesses that have disappeared to be replaced with other restaurants, Sea Mar Health Care Clinic and Nursing Home, Car repair shops. The Catholic Church relocated to Boulevard Park and the famous grotto disappeared.
Robin: The low Income Housing Development project built during World War 2 was sold and replaced with a Business Park, a gated Marina, The Boeing Science and Research and Development Center, McDonalds, Dominic’s grocery store (first started as a produce stand) has a Casino, Hooter’s Restaurant and other strip mall businesses on the property. The population has grown, new housing has been built. Because of these changes in local support businesses, the residents must leave the neighborhood to partake of shopping, going to church, Dental, barbering, etc. Residents must rely on automobile or transit services for basic necessities.
3. What do you remember about the events of 1965 and the city council’s vote to rezone South Park to full industrial? Do you remember the protest? Did you protest yourself? How did the protest come about?
3. John and Robin: The city of Seattle had tried for several years to annex “The Sliver by The River”. At no time did they offer anything to the residents but a chance to pay higher taxes. No promise or guarantee of roads, streets, sidewalks, lighting, etc., therefore the vote was a resounding “NO” each time. In 1965, the City of Seattle proposed a major rezone of South Park to Industrial use. They did not take into their calculation of the neighborhood cohesiveness and pride of community. We had a viable group “The South Park Improvement Club” at that time which was dedicated to maintaining the spirit and history of South Park, where families could grow and be close to their place of work. Both city and county residents met with city officials at meeting in the community as well as hearings downtown. We filled many hearings and meetings with protestors. We spoke loudly and wrote many letters. We won that fight to preserve our neighborhood. We have had to fight several more times because Seattle wanted to build an Incinerator Plant and then the King Dome Stadium on our main street, which would involve more zoning changes.
4. I have been having trouble locating a newspaper article from the day of the protest. Do you remember what day or even month it occurred?
4. John and Robin: No, we cannot remember because the protest and hearings took many stressful months of yet another battle to preserve our neighborhood.
5. How is South Park affected by its separation from the city center? How does this affect how the neighborhood functions as a community?
5. John and Robin: It means that we have to remain vigilant and proactive. We must be community and politically active as one voice. It has resulted in some alienation from Seattle officials and employees. It has resulted in mistrust and skepticism in South Park because of benign neglect. We have to fight for justice, public safety, basic improvements. It appears to be a classic warfare between those who have and those who do not.
6. How has the diversity changed in your neighborhood in the last few years?
6. John and Robin: Diversity has changed from a population of Italian, Japanese, and Anglo-Saxon to a new mix of Asian, Hispanic and Anglo- Saxon cultures. As our community has aged, new younger people have brought changing cultures and ideas to our community. As the older generation has passed on, these newer generations buying and renting homes in South Park, have taken on community issues. Shared concerns bring neighbors together. We are trying to maintain community as a productive way to move forward. This process does not happen overnight. Economic diversity is a factor. Equal education, social development and public safety are common goals.
7. How do you feel the closing of South Park Bridge will impact the neighborhood?
7. John and Robin: It is like pulling a shroud over a dying person. Getting in and out of South Park will be a struggle for residents and commerce. Every person who lives or works here will be adversely impacted. Our businesses will disappear, our homes devalued, our travel costs will rise, our isolation will increase. Some of neighbors will see the negative affects as devastating and feel forced to leave our community, disappointed and discouraged by our government officials. The computer web site, ie: South Park Listserve, is a major factor in building action, unity, cohesiveness and problem solving.
I appreciate your willingness to take some time to help me gather information. History House has a goal of collecting personal histories, so this is very helpful to my project.
Michael Bradley
meb71@uw.edu
206-310-0672
