Update: The unofficial results are in. Heather McAuliffe, Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board Coordinator, announced that Position 1 was won by the unopposed Jim Riggle, and the four-way race for Position 2 was won by life-long Ballardite and architect Gordon Lagerquist.

Riggle in the owner of Olympic Athletic Club, and Lagerquist of Lagerquist & Morris is one of the architects working on the new Olympic Athletic Club.

The seven-member Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board protects the historical and architectural values and significance of the district by regulating all proposed changes to the external appearance of buildings, structures, and public rights-of-way located within the district boundaries.

"The Landmarks Board and it's guidelines set the tone for protecting this valuable resource which are it's buildings. I have seen this work for the past 30 years," said Lagerquist ahead of the elections.

Lagerquist and Riggle will serve two-year terms ending June 30, 2014.

McAuliffe informs the BNT that the election results aren’t final until at the end of the challenge period, which ends next Thursday.

For questions or more information, please contact Heather McAuliffe at (206) 684-0229.

Vote in the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board elections today
By Anne-Marije Rook
2012-06-21

Elections for members to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board will be held today from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. 

The Ballard Avenue Landmark District was established in 1976 to protect the unique architectural heritage of the street which was downtown Ballard from 1900 into the 1930’s.  

The seven-member Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board protects the historical and architectural values and significance of the district by regulating all proposed changes to the external appearance of buildings, structures, and public rights-of-way located within the district boundaries.

The board is composed of two district property owners, two district property owners/business persons, one district tenant/resident, one architect and one Ballard historian or person with a demonstrated interest in the Ballard community. Five board members are elected for a two-year term at annual elections in the district, and two are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

Two seats on the seven-member Board are currently up for election.  All open positions are two-year terms ending June 30, 2014.
Position #1 is reserved for District property owners and incumbent Jim Riggle, owner of the Olympic Athletic Club is currently the only candidate for the position.

Position #2 , which is reserved for District property owners or businesspersons, has four candidates, one incumbent and three new candidates.

"The Ballard Avenue Landmark District is one of only a few in the city. It's an historic district, with a very special character, scale and cohesiveness to it. At the same time there's variety and individual expression within it. It's up to the Board members (and Board as a whole) to interpret the district guidelines in a thoughtful, consistent manner, that's supportive of the community of residents and businesses," explained incumbent Richard Hiner about the Board's function.

Hiner has had his storefront, Richard Hiner Architects, on Ballard Avenue for over 11 years. He has been on the Board for four years and served as Board chairman for the last year. If re-elected, Hiner hopes to bring "continued thoughtful service" to the Avenue.

"The Board does important work that is enjoyable to be a part of," he said. "Selfishly, it's great to meet the new proprietors coming in to the district, and be involved in the changing face of the neighborhood."

One of the candidates challenging Hiner is fellow architect David Coleman of David Coleman Architecture, 5206 Ballard Avenue NW.

Coleman has had his architectural office in a storefront on Ballard Avenue for eight and a half years and looks forward to giving back to the district if elected.

"I specialize in residential and community design and greatly enjoy the special character, vitality and diversity of Ballard Avenue. Prior to moving here my studio was in the Terminal Sales Building downtown, near Pike Place Market. I longed to be part of a community, not just a door off of a corridor, and searched the city looking for the best main street I could find. This is it," he said. "Now, as a long-time member of this community, I am interested in giving back to it by lending my expertise and experience to the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board."

Coleman credited the Board for doing a fine job protecting the special character of the Avenue over the years, and he hopes to bring fresh energy to the Board as they face new challenges ahead.

"Now, as we face new challenges, growth and change, it is more important than ever to keep the Board fresh and energized," he said.

Life-long Ballardite Gordon Lagerquist of the architect firm Lagerquist & Morris (the architects currently working on the new Olympic Athletic Club) is also running for Position #2.

"I have been in Ballard my whole life. We renovated and restored our offices on 5135 Ballard Avenue in 1982. After we moved in I spent the next 12 years or so on the Board," he said. "The Landmarks Board and it's guidelines set the tone for protecting this valuable resource which are it's buildings. I have seen this work for the past 30 years."

The final candidate is Robert Whaley, Provost of the New York Fashion Academy. He was unavailable for comment at this time.

Voting in the election is open to all residents, tenants, persons who operate businesses, and property owners of the Ballard Avenue Landmark District. Must be of legal voting age. The polling place will be Lagerquist & Morris, 5135 Ballard Ave N.W.
For questions or more information, please contact Heather McAuliffe at (206) 684-0229.