White Center

White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale coming up July 14-15

patr — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 17:45:32 +0000

patr Sun, 07/09/2023 - 10:45am

The WC Library Guild Summer Sidewalk sale is set for Friday, the 14th, & Saturday, the 15th of July at 1409 SW 107th St,

A great selection of books and gently used household items will be on hand.

Hours are 11am to 3pm.

White Center

Robinson Papers

West Seattle Herald

White Center on the cusp of change faces an uncertain future

patr — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 23:37:46 +0000

patr Tue, 08/17/2021 - 4:37pm

King County Local Services will soon deliver a draft Subarea plan for North Highline

White Center is approaching a decision point, comprised largely of its own making, as King County Local Services prepares to, with the help of an outside urban planning agency, deliver a new set of zoning, design, and needs for the area to the King County Council.

Photo by Kevin Henry - Atomic Aerials

By Patrick Robinson

White Center and the area designated as North Highline may be approaching a significant tipping point regarding its future.

How does the future look for the community? Since past is prologue it's useful to look at where things stand today and at programs and plans already in progress that will shape not only the community but the lives of those who live there.

One of five Welcome to White Center signs that were sponsored by the White Center Chamber of Commerce in past years. In the last few years, that organization has found it difficult to maintain a steady membership. Photo by Patrick Robinson

The subject of an annexation plan by both the City of Burien (defeated in a vote), White Center has also been considered for that status by the City of Seattle. The area is wedged between the Seattle City limits on north by Roxbury Street SW, the Tukwila City limits on the east and by the Duwamish River, on the south by Burien City limits at 116th SW and on the west by 30th SW.

White Center looking north on 16th SW from 98th Street SW. Photo by Patrick Robinson

King County set up a new division called Local Services in 2018 to better deliver county services to unincorporated areas of the county. Led by John Taylor the division was in the preparation stages of creating a new “sub area” plan for North Highline, including White Center when the pandemic hit. As the pandemic eased that process got back in motion. The North Highline Subarea Plan will guide development in North Highline over the next 20 years. It will focus on zoning, long-term land use, and issues like housing, commercial and industrial areas, and community character. It's part of the larger King County Comprehensive plan that will guide future development.

That plan is due to be released in draft form this September. Then it goes to the County Council and out to community meetings for public review, then back to Council who will prioritize and work on establishing the most requested changes.

While the area around White Center has changed dramatically in the last 17 years, the core “downtown” business district has remained stubborn to change and has been plagued by a reputation for drugs, violence, and graffiti and the fact that some buildings have not seen improvements in years. Some of this is due to absentee landlords, some due to gang violence, some due to zoning, and some due to an organic resistance to gentrification.

A national study published in 2019 pointed to Seattle in general as the third most “gentrifying” city in the nation. That generally means as new development occurs, housing costs go up, business lease rates go up and affordable housing gets harder to find. In the process existing residents get squeezed out by escalating taxes and rents. Only national chain style businesses can amortize the higher rates and the local character and local business owners are gone. The influence of money and greed has a homogenizing effect on the community.

White Center however is remarkably diverse and the homegrown business community has meant the character of the neighborhood retains a kind of gritty reality that places like Ballard and West Seattle don’t.

That business community, while not organized through a traditional type organization like the Chamber of Commerce which over the last few years has functioned in fits and starts, remains resilient. The merchants are typically supportive of one another and can and have come together for events and causes such as a planned block party to help businesses who suffered from the arson fire on July 5.

Jubilee Days in White Center usually features a parade with drill teams, custom cars, fire engines and much more. Photo from 2017 by Patrick Robinson

In years past, Jubilee Days, an officially sanctioned Seafair event has closed the street and brought thousands of people in for a parade, car show, live music, vendors and more.

The Salvadorean Bakery is a local favorite with a large following. Not just a bakery but a restaurant too, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Photo by Patrick Robinson

At this point the penetration of large corporations into White Center is not deep. Most of the businesses are local. But Starbucks, Popeyes, KFC/A&W, Dominos,Taco Bell and Taco Time, Subway, Pizza Hut, O'Reilly's Auto Parts and Auto Zone are all there. McLendon's Hardware, Walgreens, Bartell Drugs, T-Mobile and Chase and Key Bank are there too.

But the backbone of the community is largely small business. Places like Mac's Triangle Pub, the Live Butcher, Center Tool Rental, White Center Glass, Proletariat Pizza, Moonshot Coffee, Crawfish House, Taradise Cafe and Southgate Roller Rink are not only vital thriving businesses, but are involved in the community at multiple levels.

On the corner of 16th SW and Roxbury is a building that has been many things since it was built in 1916 but now it's home to a beer and wine seller and three other businesses with parts of it unoccupied, leading to the corner being tagged. Photo by Patrick Robinson

There are lots of ideas

The changes being considered are being driven primarily by a Community Needs list that was compiled through meetings and public surveys in November 2019. Among those most requested with high interest are:

Improve the availability and affordability of childcare and early childhood education
Bike lanes
Install more street trees
More traffic calming measures
More sidewalks
Road improvements
Add Pocket Parks
Department of Community and Human Services should work closely with KC Sheriff to respond to persons in crisis where compassion & assistance is required, in lieu of force
Increase Community Service Officers
More police of color
Prioritize providing culturally appropriate services and assistance to this diverse community.
Prioritize working on gang, drug issues and long standing nuisance houses/repeat offenders
Clean up abandoned or vacant buildings
A dedicated police force
Improve transit service
Early intervention, prevention for kids and youth

In areas west of the business district, there are no sidewalks or other street improvements. This is one of the high interest items on the community needs list. Photo by Patrick Robinson

See the full Community Needs list thus far here.

But local business owners and others have ideas as well.

Miles David Michael owner of The Plant Store in White Center said:

“Turn 16th Ave SW (biz core) into a southbound only street with the other side being converted into a boulevard park with space for extended cafe-style seating for bars and restaurants and small retail kiosk pavilions. this will limit traffic to only going south and force ppl to take the bypass created on 17th ave while still allowing traffic and back-in parking in the area. Cafe style seating creates more space for restaurants, cafes, and bars for more of a neighborhood feel. The small retail kiosk pavilions, such as those in outdoor shopping centers, provide low cost spaces for retail and/or food vendors to start or maintain a small business. This would allow the neighborhood to continue to be a small business incubator even if/when larger store fronts rents rise. More people sharing the space on foot with active businesses seems to me like a good way to engage the community and create safer spaces without rampant gentrification.”

Donna Chan, owner of Macadon’s on 16th SW said:

“I've been a resident here for over 10 years, I love this community so much I decided to open up a business here 7 years ago (storefront opened for 2 years but been in the space for 7). Zoning rule changes can definitely help with the housing issues and grow White Center as a whole but it must be done right. We must make sure new developments is used for affordable housing and also make sure it won't drive existing small mom and pop shops out."

The White Center Community Development Association’s Aaron Garcia said of White Center’s future:

“In the face of growing displacement pressure the White Center Community Development Association envisions a community of diverse, empowered, and connected residents coming together as stewards of the land, the people, and the built and natural assets of White Center. A community that is accountable to sovereign tribal nations and the citizens/descendants of those sovereign tribal nations living in White Center and throughout King County. The White Center community can lead our region in equitable development. Development that centers racial and social equity that create healthy vibrant communities. Development that creates economic mobility and builds generational wealth for White Center families. Our vision for equitable development is grounded in the principles of community stewardship of land which transforms land into a shared resource that generates community prosperity. Land is a resource to be shared and cared for, used to heal and transform the legacies and ongoing impacts of colonization, genocide, and racism."

Yet White Center and surrounding neighborhoods remain a target for developers due to lower cost of acquisition, and the proximity to transit to downtown Seattle. Some of the properties in the

A recent fire (being investigated as a hate crime) took out seven businesses, put a massive hole in one of the blocks of White Center. The plans for the now destroyed building await insurance settlements and decisions by the owner Chung and Do Investments LLC. The County has been in contact with the owners who say they are committed to White Center and the area.

Restaurants leading change

The community is seeing new restaurants open with what you might call a more “upscale” sensibility. Bizarro Italian Cafe is now there with price points for entrees hovering around the $20 mark and opening in September is TOMO which will offer a $68 five-course menu, led by Brady Williams, the former head chef of the well known Canlis in Seattle.

The new TOMO restaurant in White Center. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Not as expensive but still worth noting are the soon to open Roll Pod (Indian fast food), Boombox Bar (sandwiches and more with an 80’s vibe), and long time area business Zippy’s Giant Burgers often cited as among the best in the region. Bok a Bok offers Korean Fried Chicken and Drunky Two Shoes has a White Center location for BBQ and it often offers live music. Phorale Way on Delridge Way has been delayed by the pandemic but should open this fall offering a TexMex/Korean BBQ fusion.

Not directly in the primary business district but also noteworthy are The Greenbridge Cafe on 8th Ave SW, Future Primitive Brewing on 13th SW who in the last two years added outdoor seating, and The Blu Grouse on 17th SW offering pub fare and cocktails. Still in the wings and likely so for another 18 months at least is the Unicorn White Center, a sprawling 24,000 square foot carnival themed restaurant, bar, entertainment and event space, also 17th SW.

The Unicorn White Center, which had been scheduled to open in 2021, had to be put on hold due to the pandemic. The 24,000 square foot restaurant/bar/event space, all carnvial-circus themed has likely been delayed until 2023. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Considered together with El Tiburon, Chemos, Patrick's Cafe, Viva Mexico, Tacqueria La Fondita, Carniceria El Paisano, Juan Colorado, Muy Macho, Jalisco, Mi Fondita Del Itsmo, Castillo's Supermarket, La Carreta, several food trucks,Tung Kee Mi Gia, Da Lat Quan, Gõ Seattle Grab & Go, Huong Xua, Pho 99, Pho White Center, Seattle Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant, Pho Thai, Pho Thu Thuy, Hung Long Market, and more the dining scene in White Center is vibrant and echoes the multi cultural influences of the area.

Housing

One of the biggest issues facing White Center and the entire greater Seattle area is housing. Not just affordability but availability.

The Park Terrace Apartments on 16th SW were built in 1969 and while there are no vacancies, the rent for similar apartments in the area is around $1300 for a 640 Sq.foot space. Photo by Patrick Robinson

According to RentCafe.com the current cost for an 846 Sq Ft. apartment in White Center is $1597. 2,055 or 35% of the households in White Center, WA are renter-occupied while 3,799 or 64% are owner-occupied. Seattle as a whole has an average rental rate of just over $2000 per month.

Materra at Greenbridge has 80 homes and prices start at $541,000. Photo by Patrick Robinson

While home ownership remains a distant dream for many White Center does have homes in a new development named Materra at Greenbridge, a few blocks east of White Center proper. There are 80 units each having up to 4 bedrooms with square footage ranging from 1,757 to 2,267 sq. ft. Prices start from $541,554 and reach up to $664,900 for a 4-bedroom unit. 120 more are due to be open in 2022.

Altamura, now under construction will bring 107 new homes to the larger Greenbridge development in 2022. Photo by Patrick Robinson

In 1994 plans were developed for White Center (see the 185 page document here) which led to variety of improvements from transit to zoning that led to further changes taking place even now.

Mara Haveson of Compass Realty in West Seattle (and half of the ownership of STS Construction who are building apartments in the area) shared that White Center homes for sale are as of August 2021 selling for an average of $588,000 with the low at $280,000 and the high, over $1,000,000.

SEE THE WHITE CENTER AREA MARKET SURVEY HERE

SEE RECENT WHITE CENTER HOME LISTINGS HERE

The biggest new thing

The most recent wrinkle that may have the most significant impact is the recent hiring of a company called Framework whose work includes the “lid” over I-5, the Langley Second Street project , an arts and culture plan for SeaTac, The 3rd Avenue Street Concept Design.

Clearly reflecting the early status of their involvement, Senior project manager Lesley Bain said, “Framework is a Seattle-based planning and design firm that has written design standards for communities including Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Sammamish and Sequim. They work with communities on both physical planning and cultural planning, with recent arts & culture plans for SeaTac,Tukwila and Olympia. They have built well-received pedestrian plazas in Lakewood and Langley.

We are just starting in on the project, but we see the North Highline Design Standards as an opportunity to have the community help guide the neighborhood's future. We will be studying the urban form and how people use their neighborhood, and how design standards can best align with community values. We are looking forward to a wide range of input and making the most of the project to support the community's vision for their future.”

Zoning and land use are central issues

White Center has what you might regard as an older, lower height style of architecture. The reasons for this are that in fact many of the buildings in the central business core were built well over 75 to 100 years ago. The were zoned for what was then a 30 foot height limit. That limit is still in force (see below) but may see some changes as new plans are being developed in the Subarea plan

The North Highline Subarea zoning map reveals some interesting aspects and the code that accompanies this zoning may be changed depending on the changes eventually adopted by the King County Council.

This link will take you to King County Code 21A.38 which is a section where alternative development standards are identified. Within this, there are alternative standards covering parts of 16th Ave SW (identified at the link above as Special District Overlay – economic development). Among a number of provisions, it says for height:

3. The building height limits of this title shall be waived, provided that the height limit within 50 feet of the perimeter of the overlay district shall be 30 feet.

In other words, notwithstanding other development regulations that may apply to development of a specific property, the buildings in the area identified below do not have a height limit unless they are within 50 feet of the edge of the area included in the overlay.

What that means in effect is that the edges of the business district must remain (under current code, now being reconsidered) at a 30 foot height. In effect it gives the district a more approachable feel by keeping building heights lower at the edges.

If you visit https://gismaps.kingcounty.gov/iMap/ and click on parcels around 16^th Ave SW and SW 98^th, you can begin to see which are the affected parcels.

For example, in this “snip” for a parcel on the corner of 16^th Ave SW and SW 98^th, the ‘pop-up’ shows ‘Districts and Development Report’. Clicking on that takes you to the second ‘snip’. Which identifies, (with a link), that the parcel is covered by the “SO-090” development conditions – which is the economic redevelopment development conditions.

This economic development special district overlay also includes design requirements.

The subarea plan public review draft, due out within the next couple of months, is reviewing development regulations in North Highline and so, depending on what action gets taken by Council next year, the building requirements could change. But these are in place unless or until amended.

King County has published an overview of the Subarea plan, online.

North Highline (White Center) Subarea Plan Initial Proposal Overview

A subarea plan is a detailed land use plan for a small, defined area. Subarea plans focus on land use issues such as zoning, longterm land use, and other topics related to how land is used in the area such as housing, commercial and industrial areas, and community character.

Community outreach County planners attended more than 20 public meetings between July and October 2019 to share knowledge about land use and zoning and learn about the community’s values and priorities.

Planners also received over 100 responses to a survey about land use (see below). Planners have developed draft concepts based on this engagement.

Key community values

• Diversity and inclusivity

• Parks and green spaces

• “Small-town” feel

• Housing affordability

• Supporting local small business community

• Self-reliance and creativity Key community priorities

• Housing affordability

• More housing options

• Sidewalks / pedestrian infrastructure

• Preventing displacement

• Protecting neighborhood character Housing – draft concepts

• Increase housing options in primarily single-family neighborhoods near transit lines and commercial areas

• Encourage new development to match the scale of the surrounding neighborhood

• Encourage the construction of affordable housing units in the downtown core (16th Avenue SW) Commercial and industrial – draft concepts

• Encourage walkable mixed-use (business and housing) buildings in commercial areas near 16th Avenue SW

• Phase out industrial uses in White Center downtown core; encourage mixed-use development

Additional considerations

Changes in land use rules can result in a range of outcomes that can benefit some groups and place a burden on others.

County planners are studying the potential effects of these changes and encourage the community to help identify additional topics to consider. Community’s role

Planners will continue to work with the community to improve these initial proposals before releasing a full draft of the Plan in March.

Public engagement will include public meetings and a survey at https://bit.ly/2Za2cZV.

To sign up for e-mail updates and view other planning documents, visit http://kingcounty.gov/northhighlineplan

But what does a plan mean other than a guide to the way forward? Is it more than just cosmetics with planter boxes, light poles, painted curbs and design standards that any new construction must meet?

The head of the team leading the development of the Subarea plan is John Taylor.

"The plan in and of itself is going to serve the purpose that all plans do, which is it's going to give you a, I believe, because the way we've approached it, a really clear articulation. of what it is, the community wants White Center to be. How they see white center. How they see it changing and what they want to see it change into from a landform perspective, from a land use perspective,' Taylor said.

The planners won't be dictating to the community what they get. The plan is the product of an extended dialog with the community and then with the King County Council who will deal with directing resources to implement it.

"Bring the technocrats to the community and have the community have a dialogue with the technocrats and create better public policy. That's the goal of the Department of Public Community Services, and it isn't about banners. And it's not about benches, and it's not about painting things, it's actually about How do we bring more service with the limited resources that we have to a place in the right way at the right time for the people who really need it."

Taylor explained, "In the end, what we want to see happen in White Center is for White Center to have a plan that enables White Center to have prosperity without completely annihilating all the things that make White Center unique and special.

The communities that live there, the traditional businesses that are there. The kind of the polyglot of people and cultures that are there. We've seen in Seattle. What happens when you upzone and pursue redevelopment without thinking about the unanticipated consequences of gentrification on communities."

How do you guide changes going forward?

"If you're going to build something new, you can access more density, but you do that by having more and more affordable housing embedded into the structure. So there's a mix of market rate and affordable you do it. By having displacement provisions in code.

You do it by having programmatic things that enable Department of Community, Human Services, and other entities to give support to people and businesses that are already there.

All of this is going to be forthcoming in the next couple of months, but we've been hard at it for the last year and there's a lot of really good thinking that's going into it."

What about buildings that have stood vacant for years?

"We have pretty limited code enforcement tools that we use ... if they are creating a public nuisance. If there are rodents or things like that, we can take code enforcement action against them. But we don't have the authority, and I don't think any jurisdiction has the authority to compel someone to undertake redevelopment."

Taylor explained that since we are capitalistic, it's up to the property owners to sell, or develop the land or buildings. Changes made around them sometimes create an atmosphere of motivation and that's where a plan, guided by the wishes of the community can have the most effect.

Demographics by the numbers provide a portrait

According to DataUSA, “In 2019, White Center, WA had a population of 15.8k people with a median age of 35.2 and a median household income of $58,704. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of White Center, WA declined from 15,852 to 15,834, a −0.114% decrease and its median household income grew from $51,898 to $58,704, a 13.1% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in White Center, WA are White (Non-Hispanic) (39.1%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (15.5%), Other (Hispanic) (13.4%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (10.6%), and White (Hispanic) (6.57%). 83.1% of the residents in White Center, WA are U.S. citizens.

In 2019, the median property value in White Center, WA was $383,900, and the homeownership rate was 51%. Most people in White Center, WA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.6 minutes. The average car ownership in White Center, WA was 2 cars per household.”

Across the nation new census data shows that we are becoming more diverse at a faster rate than predicted. Four in 10 Americans identify as a race other than white and this is happening largely among the youth, according to the the Brookings Institution. In many ways White Center is a leader in that sense.

Public Safety is a story unto itself

White Center has gone through many episodes of bust and boom. In the mid 1960’s the area was home to an array of family friendly businesses and showed community pride with very few empty storefronts, and a look and feel in the community of self awareness. Crime was at a level that was manageable.

The County has been transitioning to a new crime statistics system and as such the latest stats published online are from July of 2020.

But according to the King County Sheriff’s office some more recent are available and say that, Aggravated Assaults on a pace to surpass the last two years with 44 already recorded in 2021.Yes homicides have doubled but from two to four. Intimidation crimes look to be on the rise and Simple Assaults are around the same. Vandalism is happening at a steady rate In better news the rate of commercial burglaries is down as is residential burglary. Shoplifting is way down and auto theft is declining.

Business owners however report that property crime remains high with vandalism, attempted break ins and other damage.

Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime)

According to Bestplaces.com

King County violent crime is 13.0. (The US average is 22.7)

King County property crime is 43.3. (The US average is 35.4)

White Center violent crime is 18.5. (The US average is 22.7)

White Center property crime is 53.7. (The US average is 35.4)

The Lumberyard Bar, a mecca for LGBTQ patrons was burned in an arson fire on July 5. The fire also destroyed 7 other businesess who shared space in the building. Photo by Patrick Robinson

White Center Crime Stats

Crimes Against Persons	2019	2020	2021 Through 7/31
Aggravated Assault Offenses	70	50	44
Simple Assault	143	135	72
Intimidation Offenses	47	39	30
Homicide Offenses	2	2	4*
Human Trafficking Offenses	0	0	0
Kidnapping	2	0	2
Sex Offenses	19	16	5
Violation of NC/Protection Order	51	51	34
**Homicide offenses are only reported through June 2021 and do not include July 2021.*

Crimes Against Property	2019	2020	2021 Through 7/31
Commercial Burglary	63	100	38
Residential Burglary	99	57	20
Fraud Offenses	46	132*	33
Vandalism	111	227	96
Shoplifting	55	41	7
Other Larceny	403	458	154
Auto Theft	294	259	103
Robbery	53	50	14
Other Crime Against Property	40	38	8

*Fraud offenses in 2020 are high due to the amount of unemployment fraud reporting. This was high stat was seen consistently throughout the entire county.

While no crimes or gun fire took place in or on the grounds of the Taradise Cafe, several shootings in White Center took place near there. The Cafe itself and owner Tara Scott deplored violence and did everything they could to prevent it, Scott said. Her untimely passing in July marked a change for White Center that no one expected. A huge turnout for her celebration of life proved the positive impact she had on the community. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Transit is a major factor

Transit into and out of White Center is a major factor in the area’s economic health of course and over time it has evolved. Public transportation provides people with mobility and access to employment, community resources, medical care, and recreational opportunities. Better bus service literally affects the quality of life in an area and White Center is no exception. Since it has existed across two major transportation routes from the beginning in Roxbury Street SW and 16th SW the mobility of residents and visitors has figured prominently in housing development, business investment and other areas such as public safety, cultural richness, and the diversity of the population.

The new sidewalks at Steve Cox Park are part of the new H Line Rapid Ride transit stop being built there. Photo by Patrick Robinson

The Rapid Ride H Line, launching in the fall of 2022 is replacing the current route 120. Route 120 was implemented in September 2004. it will come more often and be more reliable than Route 120 is today. It will provide connections from neighborhoods in Burien, White Center, and West Seattle to downtown Seattle along Third Avenue and South Lake Union. RapidRide H Line will also provide needed connections to other bus service and Link light rail.

The Rapid Ride H Line which broke ground in White Center this summer will add more stops and increased frequency meaning getting to and from the area will be greatly improved. King County Metro graphic

SEE A VIDEO ABOUT THE H LINE HERE.

Service along the Ambaum-Delridge corridor has historically been provided by portions of four different routes, the 20, 135, 136 Local, and 136 Express. Ridership increased along Delridge Way Southwest and Ambaum Boulevard Southwest over the last five years according to Metro and they say that mprovements to service frequencies, hours of operation, and coach capacity have been persistent requests from riders.

Route 120 consolidated portions of the four routes listed above. Combined with other efficiencies, Route 120 has provided frequent service operating at least every 15 minutes in both directions along the Ambaum-Delridge corridor on weekdays until about 7:00 p.m. The proposal to create Route 120 received a high level of public support during the Winter 2004 public outreach, and was one of the service recommendations of the Ambaum-Delridge project sounding board.

The Westwood Village routing revision was implemented as part of the RapidRide C Line restructure in Fall 2012.

The C Line RapidRide terminated at Westwood Village, along with routes 21 Local, 60, and 125. Revising Route 120 to serve Westwood Village provided access to a major shopping destination and two grocery stores for residents of the Delridge-Ambaum corridor, and allowed connections to be made with RapidRide and three other routes.

Other transit speed and reliability projects for the Route 120 corridor consolidated bus stops in Spring 2012 and through 2013 including a number of facility improvements.

The new Rapid Ride H Line stops will add lighting and be roughly every 1/3 mile with shelters and curb improvements. King County Metro graphic

The shape of the future

White Center, as it has in the past, is evolving in the way an edge community does, benefiting from the proximity to a large city in terms of customers, access to employment, and cultural richness, but struggling to deal with crime, urban blight, and a growing fear of a loss of identity.

The Subarea plan is the latest and to date the most ambitious effort to be inclusive of community voices, while coupling those ideas to the work of an independent design agency. The path forward looks organic, likely fitful but for the first time in a long time, promising.

What will White Center look like in a decade or two? The residents who have provided input to the process will be the first to know. Photo by Kevin Henry - Atomic Aerials

Comments

Extremely detailed article,…

Extremely detailed article, thank you.

You listed Taco Time when…

You listed Taco Time when discussing national chains in White Center. Taco Time is a local business and that White Center location is the original location. Put some respek on their name!

Very detailed summary of the…

Very detailed summary of the history and development of White Center! Thank you for putting this together.

For what it’s worth… Someone…

For what it’s worth… Someone very close to me opened a small independent business in the heart of white center in February of 2020.. A month before covid...
It would be an understatement to say that it has been a challenging year for him and his team and his family. Time and time again white center is mentioned in articles and businesses names are flaunted in an effort to gain support. Time and time again his business is not mentioned. His restaurant/bar has continuously been affected by the tragic events that have happened over the last few months. As a brand new business making it through Covid…. Buho deserves more acknowledgment.

Born and raised between West Seattle and burien via white center, a true local business.

If you have not yet experienced Buho please put it on your list.

Very detailed, concise and…

Very detailed, concise and impartial article. Thank you very much. Because of the impartiality it overlooks what always happens. There is the perception that community desires will be relevant. Fact is that the developers are the ones with all the lawyers and the money and as such have the greatest influence on the politicians who's greatest interest is to maximize tax revenue. Hence the gentrification of the area will commence just as it did in Ballard and West Seattle.

Regarding Taco Time The…

Regarding Taco Time

The Taco Time Northwest corporation owns and operates that outlet (it was actually the very first one in 1964) and is a regional chain, not a mom and pop or area owned independent business. They have 68! Hence they are part of the chains element of the story.

Regarding Gentrification As…

Regarding Gentrification

As pointed out in the article, the definition of gentrification is in part the displacement of people. But the goal is to in fact oppose that action by putting directly into land use code, the requirement to build some percentage of affordable housing. The height limitations that have been in place for many decades in the business core of the community may see some revisions but the idea that White Center is headed for steel and glass micro-apartment with a chain store on the first floor future is misguided. That's not what the people there want and not what the people at King County Local Services want and not what they are planning to allow. Read it again. In detail. The idea is to make it what those living there see as the best way forward. You can't possibly be celebrating abandoned buildings and empty storefronts or graffiti covered walls, with property crime rampant. Those things need to be corrected so the quality of life for those who live there and those who visit is improved. NOBODY thinks gentrification is the way forward.

Excellent article. Very…

Excellent article. Very good work Mr. Patrick Robinson.

Thank you for taking the…

Thank you for taking the time to write this Patrick. I hope it reaches a wide readership. As a WC resident/homeowner for 12 years I've seen many changes. We love the abundance of small, diverse restaurants and stores but have recently been feeling despondent at the level of crime and feeling less safe and have started looking at moving to other neighborhoods. This article gives me some hope and re-ignites some of the pride in our little hood.

Curious why you don’t…

Curious why you don’t mention of the family friendly taproom, Beer Star, on the corner of 16th Ave SW and SW 98th ST. It’s one of the community’s largest businesses, open since 2018.

Arrest made in White Center vandalism; 11 arrests since 2017, suspect released

patr — Fri, 21 May 2021 23:51:02 +0000

patr Fri, 05/21/2021 - 4:51pm

The suspect in the string of costly window smash vandalism incidents has been arrested as a person of interest suspected of burglary and was then subsequently conditionally released. This is according to one of the victims Donna Chan, owner of Macadon's on 16th SW and the King County Jail Inmate Lookup Service.

The King County Prosecutor's office said:

The first appearance document was sent from the King County Sheriff’s Office to us the morning of May 19 for a first appearance hearing later that afternoon. He did not appear that day, but probable cause was found by a judge.
We argued in court the following day that he would likely fail to appear if released because he had seven warrants since 2018. We asked that he be held on $5,000 bail.
He was released by a judge May 20 on his personal recognizance.

From the charging documents:

"On 04/30/2021 at about 0430 hrs a suspect who "was later identified as S/Robert L Domenden 0310811991 AKA "Robin."(ldentifies as female) was caught on video breaking out a window to Macadon's Bakery located at 982816 AV SW. After Domenden had broken the window she proceeded to reach inside and stole a stuffed animal referred to as a "smushmillow."(C21013364) On 05/02/2021 at about 0256 hrs Domenden returns to the Bakery, this time throwing what appears to be a large rock at the lower panel of the glass door at Macadon's Bakery, causing the glass to crack. (C21013548) later on that same morning at about 0400 hrs, Domenden is again seen on camera breaking another window out at White Center Clothing. This time she reaches in and take a women's beanie hat, and attempts to grab a jacket.(Master Case # C21013565) Deputy Hancock has dealt with Domenden numerous times over several years and was able to identify her by watching the video and from recent news stories. Both store owner and representative will assist in prosecution."

The Sheriff's office said in a Facebook post that "Detectives in our Southwest Precinct, along with help from storefront and other deputies who know the White Center community best, identified the suspect. With the suspect's name known it took several days before they were located then arrested.

Tuesday afternoon 05/18/2021, the suspect was booked in to the King County jail for the 11th time since 2017. The suspect remains held without bail on a felony burglary charge. This development would not be possible without community support and outstanding police work."

"LEAD program contacted me and said she is receptive to help. We will see but she is out already," Chan said.

The incidents which have cost business owners thousands of dollars have generally taken place in the early morning hours at random times, making it difficult to catch or prevent the crimes. Some businesses have suffered losses and had to simply board up windows since their insurance would not cover it. Some, like Chan have been hit multiple times.

Phorale Way brings Southeast Asian and TexMex fusion to White Center

patr — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 18:47:10 +0000

patr Thu, 02/25/2021 - 10:47am

A look inside the dining area (not quite open yet) of Phorale Way in White Center. Owner Young Cho said they are only open for pre-order pickups (order through their website), for now.

photo by Patrick Robinson

Fusion food can mean the melding of many different kind of flavors but often, intensity is what defines the best of them. Phorale Way, which has opened it's own White Center location at 9418 Delridge Way SW brings fusion with a flair. They are only open for pre-order pickups for dinner for the time being as the restaurant gets going.

Led by chef Young Cho, Phorale blends Tex-Mex influences with Southeast Asian food in surprising and satisfying ways. Even though it's been a no frills operation thus far with the food being made in the back of a South Park convenience store to start, then to a food truck, Phorale has gotten a lot of attention from local media. Eater Seattle included Phorale among its Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings.

To get his foundation set for the new space Young Cho established a GoFundMe page last August which raised more than $18,277 of a $31,500 goal.

That page spells out the goals for Phorale Way:

Phorale started off in a small corner of a convenience store, that bloomed to a food truck, and now a brick and mortar we can call our own. Phorale Way will be a single source farm to table restaurant in a casual setting, specializing in Asian and Tex-Mex cuisine.

After acquiring the lease, we had unexpected repair expenses with the infrastructure. Unfortunately, Covid-19 started to spread and with no breaks from the landlord for rent, no government assistance, and being ineligible for grants because we are not operating yet, it has been incredibly hard to come up with the funds to finish the build-out.

With your help we are hoping to be able to finish out the build and open our doors to something new and exciting for the neighborhood of White Center to enjoy. I have invested everything I have into this, and I’m asking you for a contribution to help me create a neighborhood safe space for all to be welcome. Hope to see you soon Phorale fam!

Making the adjustment to a new location during a pandemic is a challenge so on their site they note they are only open for "pre-order" pick ups Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until 9pm

Among their most popular offerings are the following:

Jefe

$15.00

Pasture raised beef Birria, mozzarella, consomme, on a locally baked bolillo with house aioli

Jefe at Phorale Way

Queso Street Corn

$5.00

House aioli, smoked crema, queso, crushed chicharron, house spice blend

Queso Street Corn

Sucio

$12.00

Spicy Korean Glaze, crushed nuts, sesame seed

Sucio

You can order for pick up only through their website https://phoraleway.square.site/s/order

El Catrin continues a tradition of flavor; Velazquez family create authentic Mexican food in White Center

patr — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 01:44:08 +0000

patr Tue, 02/04/2020 - 5:44pm

Jared, Noe, and Abi Valezquez are the people behind the new El Catrin in White Center. That's Jared's father on the wall.

Photo by Patrick Robinson

Many restaurants claim to offer authentic Mexican foods. But to make that claim you must have more than skill and a cookbook. It takes wide ranging experience and talent.

El Catrin in White Center at 9641 15th Ave. S.W. has plenty.

Jared Velazquez, his son Abi, and his brother Chef Noe Velazquez have taken their years of cooking at nearby Nobel Barton and at El Sirenito in Georgetown and combined it with Noe's years of traveling all over Mexico as a truck driver. Jared explained, "When you are a driver you learn all the best places to eat and all the best foods. So Noe was a driver for more than twenty years before becoming a sous chef." it also means the variety of foods offered at El Catrin represents many of the cuisines found across Mexico. As you'd expect, the foods from the coast are different from those farther inland.

Abi noted that they want to distinguish themselves by offering Mexican stews called Guisados. Among those are Peurco Verde (tender chunks of braised pork in a slightly spicy, slightly smoky green tomatillo sauce), Asado De Puerco (a specialty of northern Mexico. A combination of dried ancho and cascabel chiles, a few spices and a bit of vinegar stewed with pork), Chicharon Ranchero (Pork cracklings in Mexican red salsa) , Bistec Ranchero (Beef tips Mexican style) and others.

Another specialty are Chilaquiles which feature lightly fried corn tortillas cut into quarters and topped with green or red salsa (the red is slightly spicier).

You can also find Caldos like Pozole (Pork and Hominy soup with lettuce, onion, oregano, and jalapeño served with chips), Pollo (Chicken soup with corn, cabbage, carrot, potato, and zucchini served with rice and tortillas) and others.

But don't miss their Mexican Street Tacos (15 different kinds), or the Sopes (thick corn masa cakes topped with black beans and your choice of meat, crema, and vegetables).

Quesadillas, Tortas (Mexican sandwiches) and Mulitas are also on the main menu.

El Catrin can be reached by calling 206-708-6341; and found on Facebook. They are open daily 10 a.m. to 8

They don't have any delivery deals set up but parking is easy out front, and the restaurant will seat more than 40 people.

El Catrin primary menu.

Coming soon to El Catrin

Street Tacos at El Catrin

Chilaquiles at El Catrin

Comments

The pozole is some of the…

The pozole is some of the best ever!

Can't understand why they…

Can't understand why they don't show picture of place and give name of adjoining street! People will definitely have a hard time trying to find place.

White Center Tree lighting will honor the memory of Deputy Steve Cox Dec. 2

patr — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:42:26 +0000

patr Thu, 11/29/2018 - 3:42pm

The White Center community will celebrate the holiday season and pay their respects to King County Sheriff's Deputy Steve Cox on the anniversary of his passing.

White Center Tree Lighting

16th and Roxbury

Triangle Park

5pm

Chili, Donuts, Apple Cider & Cocoa will be on sale to benefit the White Center Food Bank.

Food and cash donations greatly appreciated.
This community event is sponsored by Meat the Live Butcher, Center Tool Rental, Mac's Triangle Pub, Miss Sheryl's Ballet, Tommy Sound Studios, Good Day Donuts, and the White Center Chamber of Commerce.

Deputy Steve Cox for whom the park in White Center was re-named was by all accounts a remarkable man. Westside Seattle paid tribute to him in an editorial in 2006.

Deputy Steve Cox

Deputy Cox was killed while investigating a shooting and assault on 12th Avenue Southwest near Southwest 106th Street early the morning of Dec. 2 2006.

White Center Food Bank opens new "Grocery Store" model shopping experience

patr — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 01:17:18 +0000

patr Thu, 08/09/2018 - 6:17pm

Marelle Habenicht is the Executive Director of the White Center Food Bank which has just launched its new grocery store style model.

Serving thousands of people in need monthly, the White Center Food Bank joined the movement among food distribution centers nationally on July 5th opening a new "grocery store" shopping model.

The new layout offers fresh produce, shelf stable milk, canned goods, packaged foods and frozen meats. They are located at 10829 8th Ave SW. near White Center.

The new model, initiated only last February was led into being by Executive Director Marelle Habenicht. She said, "We really wanted to serve our clients with more dignity and respect and to be able to give them more food choices. Rather than having somebody hand them something over the counter they are able to come to the grocery store, choose what they want, take their time. If they have dietary restrictions they are able to actually read all the ingredients, rather than have a volunteer read it for them."

The milk is primarily shelf stable, and they have yogurt, eggs, and butter. Bread products are usually fully stocked.

If you want to donate food to the White Center Food Bank or help out, "We always need frozen meat, any fresh produce, and honestly coming to volunteer," said Habenicht. If you do volunteer you can expect to help in the grocery store, with check out, bagging and carrying groceries out to the client cars.

The Food Bank has doubled its distribution hours so they need help from 10am to 2pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and on Monday from 12 to 4pm. The 2nd and 4th Wednesday they do food distribution from 4pm to 7pm.

The Food Bank is open from 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday.

The change is really aimed at the clients. "We wanted to make it a really welcoming place and not your typical social service experience," said Habenicht, " You are not sitting in a waiting room for three or four hours. You are able to schedule an appointment, get in, in five minutes and get through it." Clients can schedule shopping visits in advance weeks ahead if necessary. "We are doing five appointments every fifteen minutes and the last hour is open to those without appointments or new clients." They are allowed three visits a month and next week online scheduling through the website will be enabled.

Former Director Rick Jump was at the opening event and said, "They have ~~have~~ hired a great Executive staff here and this change is something I wanted to see happen from a long time ago. It's about dignity."

Habenicht thanked her entire staff and singled out Development Director Carmen Smith for all the time she put in, "she actually used a crow bar to pull up all the old floor tiles before we did the new floor," and Pam Romine who was the Project Manager who was instrumental by "creating the timeline and ordering the furniture, and did everything. We could not have done it without her."

Baked goods are available. photo by Patrick Robinson

Fresh produce and much more are there. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Cheo is the full time intake specialist there. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Baby formula and diapers are available too. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Tom Salle of Meat the Live Butcher. Photo by Patrick Robinson

Audrey Z. and former Exec. Dir. Rick Jump were on hand for the event. Photo by Patrick Robinson

International burlesque sensation INGA, originally from West Seattle

Lindsay Peyton — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 03:28:00 +0000

Lindsay Peyton Mon, 07/23/2018 - 8:28pm

Seattle's INGA crowned world's reigning queen of burlesque

Seattle’s own INGA has now been recognized as one of the best burlesque dancers in the world.

Photo by Max Shaw.

The reigning queen of burlesque can trace her roots to West Seattle and White Center.

“INGA” is her stage name--others might know her as Sara Beresford Carnell--and she received her crown from the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in June.

Now that she’s the 2018 Miss Exotic World, INGA is moving full speed ahead, preparing for shows, festivals and appearances.

Most of all, she wants to spread the word about burlesque.

“I have been given this immense honor,” she said. “It’s very important that I represent burlesque well. This world that has given me so much love and acceptance and has helped me grow into a better person, and I want to make sure I do what I can to preserve that world.”

INGA grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High. She started studying dance in White Center almost as soon as she could walk.

She would tag along to her older sister’s lessons and watch with her mother. “I was enthralled,” she said. “I begged my mom to let me study.”

When she was about 3 years old, she was one of the only dancers to stick to the choreography in her first recital.

“I was right in the center and I did everything right,” she said with a laugh. “At one point, I apparently turned around and scolded someone else. I’ve basically been at the same point of intense dedication to performance ever since.”

INGA continued to study ballet, tap, jazz, modern dance and choreography. Her instructor told her that at 5-feet tall, being a ballerina, showgirl or musical actress would be a challenge.

Instead, INGA was encouraged to pursue a career in specialized character acting—and gained a number of skills that would later serve her in burlesque.

She headed to Oberlin College to study dance but had to quit a year later due to a back injury. She returned to Seattle and took a break from dance, to see what it would be like to not be in constant rehearsals.

“I was super miserable,” she discovered.

In 2003, INGA attended her first burlesque show, knowing nothing about the art form. “The acts were sexy, funny, personality driven, clever,” she said. “It was like my life suddenly made sense. I was a burlesque super fan for two years. I went to all the shows I could.”

Still, she was intimidated to dance on the stage. She volunteered to pick up costumes and props between acts. Eventually, a director encouraged her to put together her first act, which was a success.

“Then I made up another one,” INGA said. “It sort of snow-balled from there.”

Photo by Scott Foster

She co-founded Dance Belt, a burlesque troupe, in 2005. One year later, she joined Sinner Saint Burlesque. In 2009, she started teaching at the Academy of Burlesque and joined forces with Miss Indigo Blue, the founder of the school.

Now INGA is a lead instructor and enjoys teaching as much as dancing.

“I love sharing the burlesque technique, but the mot important thing, the most fulfilling, is the way it can help people love themselves,” she said. “It offers an alternative to the idea that you are not worth something unless you fit some cultural norms. And it questions those norms.”

INGA joined the Atomic Bombshells troop in 2011. She has performed in shows all over the world and was crowned Miss Viva Las Vegas 2011.

In burlesque, she has found a safe haven, where she can perform with all types of dancers and actors and gain support from a variety of audience members.

“When you see a burlesque show, you’re going to see a variety of bodies, a variety of gender portrayals, race and skin color and cultures,” she said. “That’s rare in the dance world, rare in the theatre world, and in entertainment in general.”

INGA said burlesque gives her a sense of community.

“It’s something that’s very healing,” she said. “It gives you a rare opportunity in your life to celebrate everything about you that is different, and therefore is beautiful and unique. You’re able to celebrate your body for what it is. It sounds like a simple thing, but it’s not.”

Burlesque is a place where instead of hiding flaws, dancers throw some glitter on them and head brashly to the stage, INGA explained.

And watching these fearless performers can be a life-changing experience, she said.

“It’s an entertainment form like no other,” she said. “You will laugh. You will cry. You will be titillated, and you will be dazzled. You will also see diversity in all forms, and it’s so uplifting to watch.”

Ruby Mimosa has been dancing alongside INGA and teaching with her for about 10 years.

“INGA’s performance style is so highly choreographed in this way that’s completely captivating,” Mimosa said. “Even a simple move, when she does it, it’s the perfect move.

She does it in a way that you can’t take your eyes off her.”

Mimosa continues to enjoy watching INGA’s acts.

“Her attention to detail is amazing,” Mimosa said. “She’s so much fun to watch. She’s so committed to the craft.”

She added that INGA is a top-notch teacher and dedicated to sharing the story of burlesque.

“She’s such a great teacher, and she’s so compassionate,” Mimosa said. “She gives as much heart, soul, time and energy that she can with each person.”

For more information about INGA, visit whoisinga.com.

For information about the Academy of Burlesque, visit academyofburlesque.com.

INGA received her crown for “Miss Exotic World, Reigning Queen of Burlesque,” from the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. Photo by MC Newman.

Dance

West Seattle

White Center

White Center West Seattle

West Seattle scene

Highline Times

West Seattle Herald

Comments

Hi Inga: I am writing a book…

Hi Inga: I am writing a book on the history of Burlesque Strippers “The Art of Tease.” Dustin wax sent be photos of you but I need releases. I’m on the last pages dedicated to the Burlesque Hall Of Fame and exotic world queens. Pleases get back to me.
venaisabella2@gmail.com

Sam Jo creates dream place Anju Bar and Eatery in White Center

patr — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 17:42:45 +0000

patr Mon, 07/09/2018 - 10:42am

Sam Jo at Anju Bar and Eatery is bringing authentic Korean cuisine to White Center.

By Lindsay Peyton

Most days, Sam Jo can be found, power tools in hand and tape-measurer on his belt, working alongside a construction crew to build his dream.

The owner of Anju Bar and Eatery is not afraid to do the heavy lifting and the dirty work involved in building his bar and restaurant. In fact, he’s perfectly suited for the job.

Jo’s role models are his hard-working parents. His mother Joy is a nurse. His father Joe owned a series of small businesses, including restaurants, before becoming a minister.

“They’re superhero parents,” Jo said.

He received his degree in comparative literature and communications from the University of Washington in 2004. After graduating, however, he was unsure which direction his career would take him.

“I went to law school in San Diego, but then I realized that was a huge mistake,” Jo said with a laugh.

He took a job working for his uncle’s construction company in Southern California as a project manager and stayed in the post for nine years, traveling around the state and to Texas for jobs.

Eventually, Jo returned to Seattle to be closer to family and friends. He spent the next two years working for a different construction company. All the while, he knew he wanted to do something else, something better suited to his own interests.

Jo had worked in restaurants in high school and college and had a long-term dream of one-day opening his own place.

He decided to quit his job and took a few months off to travel around and solidify his plans.

“It was really scary leaving behind a steady savings and benefits, but I knew I wasn’t happy or fulfilled,” Jo said.

He spent time bartending and managing a few restaurants to get back on his feet in the industry and make certain that he still enjoyed it.

“It was humbling, but it was incredibly valuable,” Jo said. “It made me realize what I want to do—and what I don’t want to do—at my place.”

At the beginning of the year, he started looking for a location. Eventually, he found a spot in White Center.

The space is tucked behind a taqueria at 9641 15th Ave SW.

Jo said it was originally devoted to making kimchi, which is fitting since the condiment will be featured in a number of his dishes.

He explained that “anju” is Korean term for “food consumed with alcohol.” He plans to serve up a number of traditional Korean dishes—like bibimbap and savory scallion pancakes—as well as bar food with a Korean twist. Think kimchi quesadillas and pulled pork sliders with Korean spices.

His business partner Jason Ferrell is building a bar menu which will feature soju, a tradition Korean liquor, as well as a long list of playful cocktails.

“Let’s embrace that and raise a drink that’s aptly named,” Ferrell said. “We don’t want to be too highfalutin or take ourselves too seriously.”

He said the bar will also serve a makguli, an unfiltered Korean rice wine, and boricha, Korean roasted barley tea with a choice of cool syrups, like Saigon Cinnamon and Madagascar Vanilla Bean.

“To round it all out, we're also going to have a tight, Anju-appropriate wine list and 10drafts featuring only Seattle-area breweries,” Ferrell said.

The space had sat vacant for a while before Jo discovered it.

He was then able to transform the building’s shell into a cozy bar and restaurant, which is expected to open this summer.

Jo has already fallen in love with the neighborhood. “White Center is blowing up, and there’s diversity here,” he said.

Jo plans to add something a little different to the mix. “We want to offer a unique experience,” he said. “But I don’t want it to be a novelty. I just want this to be a bar where people like to go.”

Jo envisions Anju being the type of place where guests are comfortable lingering over a drink, grabbing a meal and connecting with friends.

In short, he’s creating the kind of bar and restaurant where he would want to go—and he’s giving his all to making it the best version of his vision.

“I’m putting everything I have into this,” he said.

For more information, visit www.anjuseattle.com.

Future Primitive Brewing will makeover White Center's beer scene

patr — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 21:19:57 +0000

patr Tue, 06/19/2018 - 2:19pm

Michael Baker and Dean Hudgins are two of the owners behind the new Future Primitive Brewing in White Center.

Photo by Patrick Robinson

White Center is about to get a beer makeover. Future Primitive Brewing is currently in the process of completely refitting the former Big Al's Brewing at 9832 14th SW in ways that will no question, please many beer drinkers across the entire northwest. They expect to open by mid August.

The owners are Michael Baker, Dean Hudgins, Kevin Watson, Ian Roberts and Larry Solomon. Together they bring more than 70 years combined beer industry experience to the task of creating a new brewery. Hudgins and Roberts are owners of The Pine Box on Capitol Hill. "Ian and I started it so we could get some street cred. So this was on our bucket list. Then we got the team together."

"We've spent a lot of money on our system that can do a lot really complex styles of beers and do them right. It's steam powered so we don't have to worry about scaldings or over heatings. We've got some special equipment to do that kind of brewing right away," explained Hudgins. "We're going to do West Coast style ales and some Belgian style, some barrel aging styles and others. We got the right equipment to make stuff nobody else is doing."

Future Primitive, true to its name, relies on knowledge about beer making that goes back to the days of Mesopotamia, but will use absolutely state of the art, "top of the line" equipment said Hudgins. The name came about largely because it's difficult to come up with a unique name. They were intending it to be called Unified Brewing. But then they encountered a copyright conflict with a brewery in New York state. "There are over 4000 breweries across America now and in Seattle alone there are 80. So it's a name that came up that we all liked," said Baker.

Three brewing tanks were retained from Big Al's but that's all. The rest of the gear is completely new and will offer not only far greater capacity, but versatility. Many smaller craft breweries keep their product limited to only the fastest type of beer to make, ale. Future Primitive plans to make a range of beers from IPA to full Plisners with 15 to 20 on tap at all times. "We could produce 6000 to 8000 barrels a year with this equipment," said Hudgins, "But we're probably to keep it closer to the 3000 to 4000 barrel range." They could make up to 12 beers at a time. "An Imperial Stout might not be everybody's favorite but it will be for some," said Hudgins.

The brewmaster, Kevin Watson is a White Center native and is the former brewmaster for Elysian Brewery in Seattle.

Both the interior and exterior are seeing major changes. Inside, the former tasting room will offer 15 barstools and a marblized slate treatment floor, while upstairs, room and seating for forty people, and a separate bar will provide service. Both rooms now have windows into the brewing floor and the space is all ages so kids can come in. Outside a large 40' x 20' x 20' exterior cooler is being built on the south side of the building and a 20' x 30' covered deck (with heaters) is being built. A large beer garden patio area will extend beyond that.

Also new on site is Future Primitive's own food truck that when operational will "Probably offer sausages and brewery style food with a German influence," said Hudgins. It will be parked right next to the deck meaning you can get your food right there.

The build out is being done largely by the owners who have pretty exacting standards. They realize all their work will not only have to meet code but will literally be on display for years to come, so the tanks are gleaming and the work done right.

Baker and Hudgins both acknowledged its their goal to be a deeply involved part of the community. "We really want to be community oriented. Without a community we can't survive," said Baker. Even before opening they've been donating to their 14th Street SW neighbor WestSide Baby and plan on doing a lot more.

A grand opening event is planned for a day in August, with much of that still in the planning stages but live music, and more are part of their thinking.

The logo features a couple of interesting figures in the form of stylized rodents. "We wanted to honor the Rat City idea but make it cool so we made them rats with wings," explained Baker.

The changing food and bar scene in White Center will now get a brand new foundational member, able to produce enough high quality beer to match nearly any request.

https://www.futureprimitivebeer.com/

This is only part of the interior of Future Primitive Brewing. More tanks will join this collection. Photo by Patrick Robinson

White Center

White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale coming up July 14-15

White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale coming up July 14-15

White Center on the cusp of change faces an uncertain future

White Center on the cusp of change faces an uncertain future

White Center and the area designated as North Highline may be approaching a significant tipping point regarding its future.

Key community values

Additional considerations

King County violent crime is 13.0. (The US average is 22.7)

King County property crime is 43.3. (The US average is 35.4)

White Center violent crime is 18.5. (The US average is 22.7)

White Center property crime is 53.7. (The US average is 35.4)

White Center Crime Stats

Comments

Arrest made in White Center vandalism; 11 arrests since 2017, suspect released

Arrest made in White Center vandalism; 11 arrests since 2017, suspect released

Phorale Way brings Southeast Asian and TexMex fusion to White Center

Phorale Way brings Southeast Asian and TexMex fusion to White Center

Jefe

Queso Street Corn

Sucio

El Catrin continues a tradition of flavor; Velazquez family create authentic Mexican food in White Center

El Catrin continues a tradition of flavor; Velazquez family create authentic Mexican food in White Center

Comments

White Center Tree lighting will honor the memory of Deputy Steve Cox Dec. 2

White Center Tree lighting will honor the memory of Deputy Steve Cox Dec. 2

White Center Tree Lighting

16th and Roxbury

Triangle Park

5pm

White Center Food Bank opens new "Grocery Store" model shopping experience

White Center Food Bank opens new "Grocery Store" model shopping experience

International burlesque sensation INGA, originally from West Seattle

International burlesque sensation INGA, originally from West Seattle

Comments

Sam Jo creates dream place Anju Bar and Eatery in White Center

Sam Jo creates dream place Anju Bar and Eatery in White Center

Future Primitive Brewing will makeover White Center's beer scene

Future Primitive Brewing will makeover White Center's beer scene