KIRO 7 reports that The City Council extended the Pike Place Market historical district to include the Showbox and protect it from demolition, a victory for artists like Pearl Jam and Dave Grohl who protested the potential destruction of the legendary Seattle venue.
“I consider all these people my friends and family,” Shelley Murphy told the council. “As far as I’m concerned, they want the same thing I want. And that’s just for this building to stand.”
“We don’t need 442 luxury apartments,” said Jordan Quinn, “adding millions to corporate profits which will not benefit me or the community.”
The movement to save the Showbox has gained momentum as word filtered out that it might come down, replaced by a 44-story luxury high-rise.
It seemed to bring into sharp relief the fears of many longtime residents that the city they know and love is slipping away.
“Yes, it’s about saving our city,” said council member Kshama Sawant.
It turns out all of the City Council members agreed. They ignored a last-minute attempt by the developers to delay the vote.
Instead, they voted unanimously to temporarily extend the Pike Place Market historical district to include the Showbox.
It was greeted with applause and hugs from the venue’s fervent supporters.
This reprieve is to expire in June of next year.
But the City Council is promising to find whatever tools it needs to save the Showbox and to make this new historical designation, permanent.
“The Showbox isn’t going anywhere,” predicted council member Lorena Gonzalez.
Pearl Jam, Dave Grohl, and a list of other artists including Stone Temple Pilots, Dave Matthews, Melvins, Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys, Death Cab For Cutie, Duff McKagan, and a stunning list of other bands have signed a letter in an attempt to save Seattle’s iconic Showbox venue.
