Alki residents unite
The Stranger has written about an issue close to my heart: the growing feud between the Alki Community Council (ACC) and local businesses [stranger]. Further proof that if you sit on a blog idea long enough, someone else will beat you to it. Oh well, better late than never, I suppose.
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A few weeks ago, I overcame my sadness that my favorite bartender had left, and returned to the Celtic Swell for a much-needed Bloody Mary. The Swell is a staggering half block from my apartment, so I was really punishing no one but myself by avoiding it. And, quite frankly, I didn’t feel right not supporting it against the ACC, who by the way are a very small number of people who claim to represent the entire Alki community. I’m sorry, did I vote for you to be my voice? Yeah, not so much, especially since you’re clearly not representing me or my opinions.
But I digress. As I have written before [mb] the ACC seems to think that the businesses along the beach are what draw people to Alki and these same businesses somehow create unruly crowds that disturb and terrify us poor Alki residents. Now, I can see how someone might think that’s true, supply creates demand after all. Yet, by simple observation of these crowds, several things are clear:
- The behavior that the council sees and wishes would go away is most often associated with underage drunk persons that congregate on the beach itself not in the restaurants that serve alcohol.
- Very few, if any, drunk under-aged people get that way at the beach establishments (Swell, Bamboo, whatever). I personally have been carded at each place and I’m well over 21. Instead, under-age people do what I did when I was that age: Bring the booze in a cooler or other portable device and drink it on the beach. Sure it’s not legal, but it’s a helluva lot easier and less expensive that way. In fact, it’s so much more convenient that I still do that at times.
- There are certain blocks on the beach where pot is smoked in plain sight. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but don’t say this is due to the presence of a bar. Can’t get that there, not on the menu. Again, brought from outside.
- The only thing that will eliminate the above two factors is increased police presence. The council wants the businesses to pay for that on top of what they’re already paying in rent and taxes and fees to be there. I’m not sure what the economics is of that situation, but I do know that being a bully isn’t the best negotiating tactic. And a bully is exactly what the council is being with their do-as-I-say-or-get-shut-down mentality.
- The businesses on the beach, even before being strong-armed into signing GNAs, were good neighbors. For example, a few weeks ago, they all sponsored, on their own initiative, a “clean the beach” event to clear up the remains from the SeaFair pirates. And I know the Swell has donated money to several worthy causes, including a local school. More importantly, these business owners are literally our neighbors. They themselves live in the neighborhood and are residents. They are aware and effected by any action they take just like the rest of us.
- The loudest, most annoying and personally disturbing activity that happens every single Saturday and Sunday occurs at four distinct places. Tully’s (60th and Alki), the Alki Cafe (61st and Alki) the Alki Bakery (61st and Alki) and Starbucks (between 61/62 and Alki). Please note: only one of those places serve alcohol, but totally old lady mimosas, nothing to get tipsy over. No, the problem is, completely sober people and people that - due to the unGODly hour that this occurs - most likely are residents, think it’s perfectly fine to tie their poor dogs up outside while they lounge over coffee or whatever and basically ignore the loud, sad barking that their pets perpetuate on my head while I’m sleeping. Don’t get me wrong. I love dogs, I had my own dog, but I do not leave my dog outside to disturb the entire neighborhood. Nor do I bitch and moan that these coffee places should be shut down. No. I see the real problem is the inconsiderate PEOPLE not the dogs and not the businesses. It is not Tully’s fault that the same person with the small and prone to loneliness dog chooses to disturb my precious weekend sleep every freaking weekend. It’s that person’s and one day soon I will walk out in my ratty pajamas and tell them so.
The ACC president says in the aforementioned Stranger article, “People moving into Alki, unlike those moving into denser neighborhoods, ‘did not think they were moving into an entertainment area. The community council feels like their neighborhood is changing very quickly, and these weren’t necessarily planned changes.’” I contend that this is not true. First, having a few restaurants and coffee shops does not entail an “entertainment area.” Secondly, I moved to Alki precisely because of the so-called “entertainment area.” If I wanted to move to a suburb, with only other houses to look at, I would have moved to a suburb. But I didn’t. I moved to a place where I could walk to restaurants and enjoy my neighborhood instead of having to drive or bus somewhere else for these same amenities.
Plus, it stands to reason that if the residents of Alki were so against these businesses, they would not frequent these places. And yet, we do, in large quantities. Which goes back to my original rambling. Exactly who is the ACC representing? If you’re a regular at one of these places, please speak up. I don’t think I’m the only one who will be pissed right off if the Swell closes.
C RO. I’m also an Alki local and I am fed up with this. People bring their own trouble to Alki, none of these establishments really draw in the crowds. Serving alchohol and being open late is not the problem. I can’t stand the quote about people moving to Alki and not moving to an entertainment area. This is true if you live down Beach, or above Alki, or away from the water, but if you’re down by the restaurants like we are, you know what you’re moving there for. Without the restaurants it would be just as loud and just as crazy. I love being able to walk to dinner whenever I want and would not have moved to Alki if it were not for the restaurants. I never walk by a restaurant and say that really is obnoxious, it always comes from being on the beach, or trying to run on the bike path and not being able to move. I am with you and if there’s anything we can do to help those places stay open,and not have to deal with the complainers, let me know.
Actually ready your account of Tully’s and the Swell, we’re probably neighbors.
Thanks, neighbor!
Next time you hear a dog barking at the crack of dawn, if you look out the window and see someone with huge bed head and pajamas marching down the street, that’s me!
Opinions are like assholes - everybody has one. Some, like yours, are just more full of shit.
Being a barfly, you wouldn’t notice your drunken impact on your neighbors as you “stagger” the half block back to your home.
I certainly don’t want to discourage dissent, but it would be nice if those that did disagree would try to rebut my points.
Which is it drunken residents or drunken visitors who are disturbing? I always thought it was the visitors that were the negative impact that the ACC was against. Please set me straight if I am wrong.
Alki Lover –
As another resident of Alki, I have say I’m not thrilled to imagine you as my neighbor. You’re doing a great job of proving CRo’s point that some members of the Alki community have apparently baseless opinions and the desire to shove them in other people’s faces.
I’m not in love with the loud jerks out on the beach, either — but I can also tell you that they’re not all coming out of the Celtic Swell. In fact, most of them are clearly not old enough to be allowed to drink in the Swell.
How about you (and the ACC) step up and tell us exactly what it is you’re talking about so we can have an informed conversation, instead of calling names and pointing fingers. What do you say, fellow asshole owner?
I can’t make comments about your points involving the ACC, but as a former DCLU employee (now it’s the DPD) and resident of West Seattle that’s followed this story in the Herald, I can make a few comments.
The Celtic has been hit with a land use violation from the DPD. Bars have never been allowed in NC1 or NC2 zoning without conditional uses. From what I’ve heard in the press, they are a restaurant until 10pm or so and then minors are not allowed inside. This is where they’ve gotten attention from the DPD. They wouldn’t be shut down, but they would have to address noise and traffic issues with a plan and probably soundproofing and they would have to agree to abide by those conditions.
The article you site from the Stranger quotes the owner as being upset about the “concerned about the city’s complaint-based enforcement, which frequently gives a single angry neighbor tremendous power”. We used to get countless complaints and letters, but only those with merit are ever given any weight. If a neighbor complains and there are no code violations, the complaint is disregarded. On the other hand, if the DPD determines there is a violation, then further action is required.
It seems to me that the Celtic owners are trying to deflect attention from themselves and their refusal to comply with city ordinances and place the blame on the neighborhood council. Community councils do not have the power to shut down any business, and from what I read in the Herald, that isn’t this council’s goal. As renters, home owners, business owners and citizens of Seattle, we all have to abide by the Seattle Municipal Code. That includes the Celtic Swell.
One more thing. The mention of the small pizza joint in this article is another example of complaints that must have had merit. The city RARELY objects to a liquor license. I’ve taken my grandson there and it’s apparent why. The place has about 3 indoor tables and feels like a take out or fast food joint. Outdoor cafe seating, like at Pegasus, is an extension of the indoor dining, not the majority of seating. Again, it’s simple code compliance. And GNA’s have been around since the late 1990’s. Personally, I think that the DPD should just make sure codes are enforced and there would be no need for GNA’s. But in this case, if I wanted the license, I’d just sign the damn agreement. It probably just asks the owners to pick up trash and served food when serving alcohol.
Hope this information is helpful and keep up the great work with your blog!
Alejo- points well taken, but think you have the facts incorrect. I’ve read up on this because of the article in the WS herald and found out that a few restaurants on Alki such as the Swell, Dukes and Cactus (which isn’t evenopen) are getting hit with the same thing - any restaurant that stays open for late night dining is being asked to prove they are not a drinking establishment by DPD. But this isn’t just on Alki it is throughout the city, mandated by other offices in the city. Check the stranger for a bigger and more complete picture.
The only reason they are targeting Alki beach is because of the alki community counci request. This sucks because what I’ve heard the police and liquor control board have been to more than one community meeting and have said time and time again that restaurants like the Swell and others are NOT the problem and that there are no noise or liquor problems related to any of the restaurants on the beach.
The members of the council do not speak on behalf of the community - they are petty - contacting city officials on “behalf” of the community without even putting it to a vote at meetings! The beacon is full of really petty comments about all the “drinking establishments” and I don’t think they even know what they are talking about. They have their own agenda and will stop at nothing to achieve it. Its pathetic.
Also liquor control board puts regulations on restaurants not to allow minors in after a certain time - not sure when. I think the owners do have a right to question why they are being targeted if they feel that they are in compliance with codes. I don’t know what the difference between a bar and a restaurant is, but I do know that the Swell is one of the only places I can go get dinner after midnight - doesn’t that make them a restaurant? I guess time will tell.