'Save The Showbox' Movement Faces Big Juncture This Week

SEATTLE, WA — It's going to be a big week for proponents of the Save the Showbox movement.

This week, two major hearings will happen over a battle to preserve the 75-year-old venue. Last summer, the developer Omni proposed building a 44-story apartment building on the site. That plan sparked outrage, motivating the public, groups like Vanishing Seattle, and musicians like Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard, to lobby to save the Showbox.

On Tuesday, the Seattle City Council will consider an extension of the Pike Place Market Historic District, which is set to expire on July 23. The Council extended the district last August as a temporary way to prevent any development from moving forward.

Roger Forbes, who owns the Showbox property, has sued the city over the historic district extension, although it has been reported Forbes' attorneys may be negotiating a settlement. It's also possible the city could decide to make the Showbox a permanent part of the Pike Place Market Historic District.

Forbes spokesman Aaron Pickus sent this statement to Patch on Monday morning:

"The owner is committed to upholding all applicable laws and regulations relating to 1426 1st Avenue — as the owner of this property for decades, we will continue to respect the role of fairly-applied historical preservation in our city. The ordinance adopted by the City Council in August 2018 is clearly in violation of state law, specifically in that it spot-zones [the property] while ignoring the set law and process for zoning changes.

"Additionally, the City has had many opportunities over the past several decades to apply landmark protections to 1426 1st Avenue, but following extensive expert analysis has consistently decided against doing so until the sudden political action by the City Council in August 2018. The owners share the values of community as voiced by Councilmember [Lisa] Herbold and local organizations like Historic Seattle. Regarding any potential sale of 1426 1st Avenue, the owner has and will always consider any serious purchaser that offers fair market-value for the property."

Then on Wednesday, the Landmarks Preservation Board will consider a nomination of the Showbox as a city landmark. If that designation is approved, the exterior and interior of the building would have to be preserved under city law.

The Showbox, 1426 1st Avenue, first opened in 1939, and has hosted acts from Duke Ellington to Nirvana. The entertainment company AEG Presents actually owns the venue, operating it alongside other Seattle venues like Neumos and The Moore Theatre.

June 4, 5:30 p.m. — Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development, and Arts Committee
Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, Council Chamber
See the agenda here

June 5, 3:30 p.m. — Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board Meeting
Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue (first floor), Bertha Knight Landes Room
See the agenda here