Thursday, June 11, 2009

Welcome to Our Neighborhood

Our neighborhood (the Central District of Seattle) is a very diverse place - a huge part of the reason that we live here. A little over a block away is the main intersection in this area, 23rd Avenue and East Union Street. It has struggled for a long time ... the Nisqually Earthquake in 2001 damaged the Coleman Building, an old run-down brick retail and residential building on the corner, and eventually it had to be torn down, including the reknowned Ms. Helen's Soul Food. A fast-food restaurant on the opposite corner was the site of a deadly shooting spree early in 2008, and it's been boarded up ever since. Drug dealing, prostitution, and gunfire are not uncommon around here.

But starting this month, the vacant lot where the Coleman Building stood is going to be part of an art project. This is a hugely positive thing, in my opinion. Here's a little video that gives a short peek at our little corner of the world.



The Corner: 23rd and Union preview from The Corner on Vimeo.

2 comments:

A Lewis said...

How very cool. I love these kinds of areas that pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and keep on going. Portland is full of them. Isn't it great to live in such energy and drive!

Scott in Iowa said...

Next time we're in Seattle we'll plan on having more time to hang with you guys and see your neighborhood.