Working together is a tradition

By Kay F. Reinartz

February 20, 2008, was a red letter day in contempory Ballard history because it represents the people once again coming together fighting for Ballard. This time the fight is over preserving Ballard's architectural and business history.

Downtown, on the 40th floor of the City Municipal Tower building, the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board voted 6 to 3 to designate the old Manning's Cafeteria, a.k.a. Denny's Caf/ building at the corner of 15th Avenue Northwest and Market Street an important neighborhood landmark and worthy of historical preservation. Architectural oddity that the building is, since it was built in 1964 it has gained the affection of many Ballardites and Seattleites alike. It sits on the corner serving as the gateway into the heart of Ballard. The success in convincing the Seattle Landmarks Board to bequeath official landmark status to the caf/ building was achieved through Ballardites working together for a common goal.

It must be noted that many people from nearby old communities - Queen Anne, Fremont, Wallingford and others - rallied around in support of the iconic building. Indeed, Alan Michelson and Anne Forestieri, who make their home in Wallingford, played significant lead roles in getting Ballard as well as all of Seattle focused on the plight of the building.

In the months preceding last Wednesday's Manning's building hearing by the Landmark Board, community volunteers worked tirelessly to bring the attention of the public to the building's fate of falling to the wrecking ball as the developers proceeded with plans to demolish the Ballard icon in the interest of erecting yet one more brick and cement block of "condos and retail." More than 600 people took the time to write letters and e-mails to the Landmarks Board in support of landmark designation. Nearly 100 people packed the Landmarks Board hearing room with 70 still there when the vote was taken four hours after the session began.

The Ballard News-Tribune demonstrated that it is indeed, our hometown newpaper by providing front page updates on development plans as well as the efforts of the coalition of citizens working to build the case for preservation. The editor and staff has to be commended for the balanced reporting showing both sides of the issues. Well-attended community information meetings were held at the new and old Ballard library, now Abraxus Book.

Bright yellow handbills appeared all over Ballard, in store windows, on bulletin boards and poles up and down Ballard Ave., announcing the second Mannings meeting. The handbill also broadcast the e-mail address and phone numbers where people could find out more about what they could do to help save the Mannings building. The story of the Ballard icon became mainstream Seattle news throughout January and February. All in all an impressive show of community working together for a common cause.

For Ballard this is not unusual. A quick look at the past century of Ballard history reveals numerous examples of the community coming together to achieve a common goal. One can say that it is a tradition in Ballard to take action when the community wants something to happen.

The establishment of the salt water fire fighting system is an early example. In July 1902, after a massive and expensive fire in the Ballard Mill District (Seaview Avenue Northwest) handbills appeared on poles, fences and buildings all over Ballard rallying people to "Demand Better Fire Protection" of the Ballard city government. Concerned Balladites drew up and circulated a successful community petition for more fire fighting equipment and paid firemen.

The city government and business interests worked out an agreement to develop and maintain a system of salt water mains, drawing water from Salmon Bay, for fire fighting. Shop keepers and mill owners contributed $2,275 (a large amount of money at the time when a house lot cost as little as $50), toward developing the system that proved to be highly effective in controlling the frequent fires that had regularly raged through the Mill District - often spreading to the nearby Ballard Avenue business district.

The City of Seattle promised to maintain this highly effective salt water fire fighting system after it annexed the City of Ballard in 1907. However, Seattle reneged on this promise and once again Ballard's Mill District was frequently in flames. Ballard never forgave Seattle for not maintaining the effective fire fighting system the community and developed.

The founding of the Ballard Library in 1904 is another instance of the community working together to accomplish a mutual goal for the community. In one year, 1903-04 the Ballard community went from the idea of a free community library to the opening of the doors of the handsome Carnegie Library building on Market St. now preserved by official historic landmark designation. This project happened as a result of community initiative and many people working together. The Dewey Women's Temperance Union, that was maintaining a free reading room on Ballard Ave., provided the community leadership. The women heard of the Carnegie Foundation's program whereby the foundation would donate money to build a public library providing the local community provide the building site, maintain the building and buy all of the books. The women persuaded Ballard's Mayor Mackie to appoint a Library Board of Trustees in May 1903.

From this point on the project moved quickly with the Ballard City Council signing the agreement with Carnegie assuming the responsibilities for buying the site and the cost of library staff and maintenance. Of the seven designs submitted the City Council selected that offered by H. Ryan. In 1904 the building was completed and the shelves filled with books bought with funds generated by community volunteers who worked all year soliciting donations from community clubs, churches and individuals. The Ballard schools enthusiastically participated in raising money for books with the children undertaking many projects such as donating their time doing chores with the money going to the library book fund.

The issues have changed over the past century; however, the Ballard community spirit continues to be remarkable. Old timers and newcomers alike seem to have a deep affection for and commitment to the community. Many people have been shocked and dismayed by the wholesale tearing down of Ballard's familiar old buildings to make way for look-alike condo-retail structures.

It is not surprising that the community has turned out to save the quirky old Manning's Cafeteria building. Once again Ballardites are coming together to achieve a common goal. Ballard is fighting back to retain its soul. There is still work to be done.

If you want to participate contact me through the Ballard New-Tribune, via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com