You can see Northwest residents' passion for the region where they live in the Crosscut stories that drew the most attention this week.
Jordan Royer's wide-ranging article about Belltown's development over the past two decades or so brought a great deal of perspective to the issues facing the densely populated north-downtown neighborhood. While the summer violence in Belltown has become something of an old story in Seattle, people grabbed onto his examination of the choices that face the neighborhood. Seattle residents and their neighbors very much care about making density work for people and the environment.
The article is here: "Belltown: Is this as good as it gets?"
Architect Stuart Silk's look at harborfront development possibilities that grow from the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement got the most comments from readers. His article provoked a fascinating discussion. Here: "Seattle belatedly joins the harborfront parade."
For all the justifiable talk about weariness with politics, people also took interest in stories about elections and politicians. Matt Rosenberg wrote about the often-poor quality of what we are told about initiatives, and also highlighted an experiment in Oregon where citizen juries will try to sort through ballot measures and give the public a better idea of what is really at stake: "Initiative campaigns: Where's the truth?"
And many people turned to Knute Berger's review of a new book about former Gov. Booth Gardner, in which Berger also stepped back to give us some insight into how Olympia got the way it is today: "When Olympia knew hope."
Here are some of the other stories that caught up with public life, lifestyles, and our sense of place this week:
"Stalking Anthony Bourdain in Seattle," by Sue Frause.
"Report details major errors by NOAA in moving ships from Seattle,"by Bob Simmons.
"R-71 petition signing case could rise again," by Daniel Jack Chasan.
"Updated: A new baton at the SSO, a marriage in early music," by David Brewster.
"All hours bars, more guns: back to Seattle's future?"by Knute Berger.
Finally, speaking of places, Bob Simmons had an engaging look at a new outdoor theater in Rexville, where Shakespearean plays can be seen: Shakespeare has exciting outdoor home in Skagit Valley".
Have a good Fourth of July weekend.
