Today's L.A. Times features the story of Benjamin Gant, the owner of Newsboys Union newspaper stand at Third and Pike streets. His 6-by-6-ft. blue-metal kiosk is said to be the last surviving corner newsstand in Seattle, selling newspapers, hot coffee, sodas and copies of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Gant is battling the city over whether his 87-year-old newsstand should be torn down as an eyesore. He's launched a last-ditch effort to save his newsstand by turning it into a memorial for founder Frank Turco, who sold papers there for 47 years. Gant hopes to raise $23,000 to renovate the newsstand. But if renovations aren't finished by November, the city says it could get a court order to have the stand removed. "I will chain myself to this thing. I told the city that," Gant told the The Stranger. "This is... my life's work."
City Hall gives panhandlers and derelicts a free pass in Seattle. City Hall spends a fortune on imported potties, they can't give away on ebay. What else does city do, but persecute a man who works hard and is operating a service for the cities citizens. The City Hall folk’s need to get out of their Ivory Tower every now and then and appreciate a tax paying corner newsstand. Why doesn't the city use some of their 'public art budget’ to fix up the newsstand? At least the public money would be fixing up something that is iconic and pays taxes.
Seems Gayle Has Sound Reasoning.
Declare the news stand "ART", and it would be Heralded as "Priceless Beauty", Protected by all kinds of nonsense regulations.
Seattle has been careening towards madness at an alarming rate. We are now being asked to pay for grocery bags (note: the new law only applies to necessity shopping, high end retailers get a pass), our mayor is killing every remaining shred of city night life, and now, they want to take away the last newsstand in the city?
They should be giving this guy money to help him renovate, not threatening to shut him down if he can't get the renovations done by November.
I go down there every week to buy something just to help support the guy. Everyone should do the same. "Save the Newsstand!"
The priorities of Seattle have become extremely warped and myopic. "Green" is good, but people are more important.
What has happened to this city? Seems it's done lost it's collective mind.
I've lived here for 15 years and what this city has taught me is to not care about anyone else
only worry about yourself. And to not give anyone a break, ever. Great message seattle. How backwards can one town be.
Given that this newsstand has been there since 1920 or 21, wouldn't this make it a historical landmark? He could apply for that, perhaps. Even if that isn't the case, it's clearly got a lot of historic value, why would the city want to get rid of that?
I'd like to look into putting on a benefit for this guy. I've never done anything like that, not sure where to begin?
didn't it burn down, or have fire damage recently anyways? I seem to remember it closed for a while then it reopened with a fresh set of paint..
This issue has more dimensions than it gets credit for.
Get an inside glimpse at the vendor and his vision n this video...
http://www.seattleiam.com/videos/20ccf4689837
This issue has more dimensions than it gets credit for.
Get an inside glimpse at the vendor and his vision n this video...
http://www.seattleiam.com/videos/20ccf4689837
the city of seattle will not enfose a 25 ft smoking ban from all bus stops and door and windows. this is one more attemped to sweep in a condo only population and all of the rest of us people of seattle can raise 300 thousand dollars or get out of seattle. we have a governor that left the office for disability assistance empty stating that there are no disabled or elderly in here state.
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