By Patrick Robinson and David Rosen

The rise of condos and loss of iconic businesses in West Seattle is emblematic of change in the community and there are few more representative of that shift than the Alki Tavern which closes for good on Sunday, March 17.

As the West Seattle Herald was the first to report, the bar at 1321 Harbor Avenue SW, will close and the land will be sold to developers though that deal is still in process.

As the son of the owner, Gil McLynne noted in January, "Development is inevitable at this point on Alki, especially with the space we have down here with the empty lot next door and the run down house next to that. This building is over 100 years old. It's a very sad thing for West Seattle so I'm really hoping to put a positive spin on things."

A live auction gets underway at 6pm on Wednesday with registration, then bidding will begin at 6:30pm. Up for bid will be neon signs, mirrors, and other bar fixtures. "I've got stuff laying around here that's not up that we will be auctioning off. Some stuff has reserve prices on it but other stuff is just as it is. Some will stay through Sunday and buyers will get a reciept to come back and pick it up," McLynne said.

The big final celebration happens Friday, March 15 when a whole array of musicians crowd the stage for one last blast from the past. The Last Call Ball begins at 8pm.

First up will be the Alki Avenue All Stars with a number of players up to jam at 8 pm. At 9pm Tim Turner will take the stage with the well known and reunited CHILD including Lance Baumgartel, Mick Flynn, John O'Connor and Turner. Then around 10pm the phenomenal Randy Hansen will take the stage. Hansen, who rose to fame with his musical recreation of Jimi Hendrix will play for more than an hour to be joined by some of the other musicians including Turner who will play until the bar closes.

That will be the end of live music at the Alki, with nothing set for Saturday or Sunday. "We want people to be able to come in and talk and just enjoy it while it's here," McLynne said.

But Sunday is St. Patrick's Day and the Alki Tavern for many years put on a big Corned Beef and Cabbage Feed and this is the last one. "It will include all the potatoes, carrots, corned beef, and cabbage you'd expect," said McLynne and will go for "around 10 bucks." He expects a big crowd for the last day. Some there for the food and some just stopping in to say goodbye.

What will McLynne do once the Alki Tavern is closed? "I'm going to Disneyland," he said laughing. But then said he would in reality take a few weeks off and then pursue more seriously another location. "The Alki Tavern will rise again my friends. Like a Phoenix."