Delay in Winthrop financing vote

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Tonight's City Council meeting was packed full of people most of whom wanted to talk about the Winthrop. Not only were local business owners present but current Winthrop residents voiced their concerns. Bottom line: everyone agrees about restoring the hotel as long as current residents are treated with respect and given real viable options and help in relocating to other affordable housing. Although a stigma certainly arose in my own comments and elsewhere online generalizing about the dodgy nature of the Winthrop's tennants everyone at the meeting came together in a mature fashion and realized we all want the same thing.

As for the postponment, I'm happy the council has allowed more time for A.F. Evans and Quigg to work out some more details about how the property may changes hands toward becoming a grand, restored hotel. Although both developers and tentative "rivals", I fail to see the surprise that A.F. Evans would be willing to entertain the idea. Makes sense to be because I can't imagine any business wanting to be present among so many other businesses that completely oppose the idea of maintaining affordable housing in the Winthrop. That's not a fun spot to be in and, in light of the tarnished rep A.F. Evans' properties in and around Seattle have I can't blame local business owners for wanting nothing to do with A.F. Evans.

Anyway, glad to see so many now-familiar faces and meet a couple new ones. I really love what I think us local bloggers are contributing to here in Tacoma and I'm excited to see what kind of force for positive change we'll be here in the months and years to come.

Previously here and here
In the Trib here
More discussion on Exit133

Update (2006-09-13 @ 6:35am)
And in the Trib today here

posted by Kevin under af evans, city council, quigg, restore, tacoma, winthrop hotel