Othello Neighborhood News
May 12, 2011
Weather
Winter has been reluctant to leave this year. In fact he is still hanging around in the vestibule like some fussy old drunkard making a nuisance of himself. Effective neighborhood organizing succeeded in ridding Othello of a raving debauchery of parties in the Citadel, but no one has yet taken on winter.
Public Market
In effort to create a better atmosphere and climate, the parking lot in front of the Citadel, now called the Othello Center, has invited in a “Public Market.” Besides the big vegetable stand, there are a number of interesting attractions. Hot dogs, hamburgers, and milk shakes are sold from a truck decorated as for a military base with a dancing blonde kicking up her heals in front of a fighter plane against a background of waving stars and stripes. A big clothing stand displays colorful T-shiirt designs of Aztec warriors and other mythical creatures. One young woman spreads out her collection of small African carved elephants, beaded necklaces, and self help books (in English). A fume belching barbecue stand offers tables and chairs to sit amid the street noise and eat your lunch. And there’s still more but not enough. More sunshine, more booths, and more pedestrians, are needed to cheer up the crumbling black asphalt.
New Neighbors
Some apartments in The Station at Othello Park are now inhabited. To see inside the courtyard and perhaps to meet new neighbors, show up for the opening celebration Thursday May 19, 4:00-7:00PM.
Parks and Open Space Improvments
If all goes according to plan, Othello Park should see some significant positive changes in the coming months. A group of neighbors formed a citizen advisory committee to review and approve safety and lighting improvements to be accomplished under the Seattle Parks levy. Besides more effective lighting, there will be safer paving on the walking paths. Othello Park Alliance has also applied for a large matching fund grant to put in a stage, new entry ways and playground improvements. This grant is being reviewed but has not yet been awarded.
Another grant proposal awaiting review but not yet awarded is a Small and Simple neighborhood matching fund grant to gravel muddy footpaths along the Chief Sealth Trail in New Holly. If funded, the project, this will allow easier and safer pedestrian access between neighborhood parks and open space and to the New Holly Gathering Hall andLlibrary. It would also facilitate the approach to spectacular views out over the neighborhood, surrounding city scapes, and mountains. In the event tha this grant is awarded, much volunteer labor would be needed, so be on the look-out for opportunities to help out the neighborhood.
A Coffee and Bike Shop at Othello Station
Hopes for installation of Whistle Stop Co-op; Beverages Bagels and Bikes have been delayed by the City’s complex permitting process. But all the permitting is pretty much in place now, and work is being done on the prefab building which should soon appear, as if by magic, on the grassy vacant lot next to the bus stop on the southeast corner of MLK & Othello. If summer ever comes there will be a better climate in which to enjoy some positive happenings in Othello.