The Last Exit lives!
The University of Washington says it is not demolishing the site of the old coffeehouse – for now.
By Knute Berger
September 28, 2007.
Well, I goofed. My informants about the demise of the legendary Last Exit coffeehouse were misinformed, it seems. I just received the following e-mail from Norm Arkans, executive director of media relations and communications for the University of Washington:
Knute:
The building we are demolishing at [Northeast] 41st [Street] and Brooklyn [Avenue Northeast] is not the old Last Exit (which is actually south of 40th). The one we're going to tear down is an old, nondescript small office building one block north of Campus Parkway.
Sorry. Sort of takes the wind out of your story's sails.
Norm Arkans
In a phone call, Arkans says he knows of nothing imminent for the Last Exit site, but "who knows?" He wouldn't rule out the university redeveloping it at some point, perhaps for student housing. In another e-mail, he writes: "We'll probably tear down the old Last Exit Building ... at some point in the future, but not now."
So my obit was premature. The wind is out of the story's sails, but at least it's good news.
Now if only the reports about Walt Crowley were equally premature.
Comments:
Posted Fri, Sep 28, 4:17 p.m. Inappropriate
And oh, my; yes, yes...if only we could redline last Friday's news regarding Walter.
From now on, any decision regarding our city's history--including the buildings, and especially--most especially--around the U-District--should be guided by the question, What would Walt Crowley do? The answer would surely light the way.
Posted Fri, Sep 28, 5:21 p.m. Inappropriate
Seven comments on two articles about a coffee shop while only three on an article about hate crimes and NONE on an article about Latinas and their growing influence in Seattle politics.
Fair notice: My daughter is Celtic by heritage but Hispanic by marriage, my son-in-law is from Mexico, and my grandsons are the best of both worlds.
I sometimes scratch my head over what prompts people to get excited enough to weigh in with thoughts on an article. Admittedly, I haven't posted on the articles I mention, but then again neither has anyone else.
But to get all agog over a coffee shop? Heck, it's not like it's the Ballard Denny's or anything earth shaking!
The Piper
Posted Sat, Sep 29, 4:05 a.m. Inappropriate
RE: Check, please? Reality check, please?: I don't know about anyone else, but frankly Scarlet, I'm pretty much on overload with hate crimes and Latinas. The Exit isn't just "a coffee shop," it's part of a history that belongs to anyone who's been here longer than five minutes and who misses what used to make Seattle different than every other boutiqued-up shopping mall from north of the border to south of San Diego.
Posted Sun, Sep 30, 5:17 p.m. Inappropriate
Yes!: Yes!!!