We are writing today to ask you to send an e-mail supporting the nomination of the Ballard Manning's (later Denny's) Restaurant to be a Seattle City Landmark. Please send your e-mails to three city addresses to insure their delivery: beth.chave@seattle.gov, joanne.walby@seattle.gov, sarah.sodt@seattle.gov

Please send this e-mail by Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. If you want to attend the Landmarks Board's decisive meeting on the Ballard Manning's, it will be held Wednesday, Feb. 20, 3:30 p.m., Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave. Room 4060.

There are two forms that this e-mail could take, a "short form" that we have prepared or your own composition that refers to one or more of the six landmark criteria used by the Landmarks Board in their designation process.

Please read the text of the "short form." If you agree with it, you can cut, paste, sign and send it. This is what is says:

"Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board

Department of Neighborhoods

PO Box 94649

Seattle, WA 98124-4649

RE: Manning's Cafeteria Building Landmark Designation

Dear Landmarks Preservation Board:

I strongly support the designation of the Manning's Cafeteria Building (later the Denny's) as a City of Seattle Landmark. The building has been a community icon at the intersection of NW Market St. and 15th Ave. NW (the "Gateway to Ballard") since was it constructed in 1964. I support designation for the following reasons:

- The building, with its dramatic roofline, is the best remaining example of a Googie style restaurant building in Seattle. It is one of the most well-known structures in Ballard and is an easily identifiable feature and contributes to the distinctive identity of the neighborhood. Given Ballard's Scandinavian roots, the building is also reminiscent of Nordic longhouse architecture.

- The Manning's occupies a prominent and well-traveled location and serves as a navigation point and symbol for the neighborhood and city. It contributes to the distinctive quality and identity of our Ballard neighborhood.

- The building is associated with Manning's, a long-running restaurant business in Seattle with roots dating back to 1908 as a coffee roaster in Pike Place Market. Its influence was felt throughout the west coast with several dozen locations. Thus, Manning's contributed to the economic and cultural heritage of Seattle.

- The Manning's was designed by a noted Bay Area architect, Clarence Mayhew, and stands as one of his most distinctive designs. It is also the only building he designed in Seattle.

I respectfully urge the Landmarks Board to designate the Manning's Cafeteria Building so that it may be protected as a Seattle and Ballard icon.

Thank you very much!

Your name

Address"

You can compose and send an e-mail that refers to one of the six criteria that the Seattle Landmarks Board can use to designate a building a Seattle Landmark. Please make specific reference to one or more of the criteria in your letter of support. The six criteria are as follows:

Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (SMC 25.12.350):

a) It is the location of, or is associated in a significant way with, a historic event with a significant effect upon the community, city, state, or nation; or

b) It is associated in a significant way with the life of a person important in the history of the city, state, or nation; or

c) It is associated in a significant way with a significant aspect of the cultural, political, or economic heritage of the community, city, state or nation; or

d) It embodies the distinctive visible characteristics of an architectural style, or period, or a method of construction; or

e) It is an outstanding work of a designer or builder; or

f) Because of its prominence of spatial location, contrasts of sitting, age, or scale, it is an easily identifiable visual feature of its neighborhood or the city and contributes to the distinctive quality or identity of such neighborhood or the City.

Thank you all for your efforts at saving this landmark!

Alan Michelson

Save Manning's