Ballard is on its death-bed. We should re-name it 'North Belltown.'

It is sad, so very sad that they are replacing another of Ballard's traditional institutions with yet more overpriced housing that only affluents just moving into the area will be able to afford.

If anyone had understood that Greg Nickel's vision of "Urban Villages," - exclusive neighborhoods, people might have said "wait-a-minute" before it was too late.

Just out of curiosity, who is it that can afford to pay Avalon's high rents anyway? I am a working professional with two college degrees, and I personally couldn't do it. Perhaps, like many others, I will be forced to move to a new neighborhood or city that actually has affordable housing?

Joel Cochran

Ballard