Site Report #1: Deep Read by Loren Pickard
When visiting this block for the first time, I was intrigued by the many purposes it filled. It was one of the most diverse blocks I have seen; there was a niche for every type of person. Do you want to go to a hookah bar, buy used books, and top off your day by seeing a movie at an old theater? Then this block is the place for you! There is also an interesting mix of residential houses sprinkled between the diverse businesses. I did seem to see an international theme when I was walking around. There was an Italian restaurant, hookah bar and Asian spa made me think this block may have been home to immigrants, or maybe it was just a coincidence. There was also a strange juxtaposition between new and old. There are new apartment buildings 10 feet away from an abandoned and rundown shop with graffiti and boarded windows. One of the things that caught my eye was how different the pavement was in each area as well, adding to the strange diversity of this block. Every so often there was new concrete on the ground, with a tree planted in it. This made me curious about if the pavement was some sort of clue as to which of these buildings have a long history and which are new, or if some boy scout troop took it over as part of a beautician project? Or maybe it was simply the city trying to pave over old cracks.
Which brings me to a few questions I have about the area. First, the buildings look worn as well as the signs, making me think they have been around for a while. If so, how long have these businesses been around and who first started them? Have they been kept and passed down for many generations? Next, has there been any crime in the area? I would imagine the hookah bar has some sketchy memories and late night scandals that might be in news archives. Finally, I want to know more about the Seven Gables Theatre at the end of my block. Do they show only show movies or do they produce plays as well? Do they only show big movies, or small ones as well? If so, have any of them made it big and had success? Have they had any memorable guests at the theatre? Has it always been a theatre? I would love to do more research on all of these questions and get more information.
One of the things missing from this area that I would expect to find is newer construction of homes, since everything appeared to be very old. When I drive around Seattle, I see construction everywhere, whether that’s housing or industrial. I'm surprised more of those older homes and businesses have not been bought and turned into something more modern and newer that could be sold or rented for more money. I only saw one new apartment building, and I would love to know if there’s something stopping developers from modernizing and improving the block.