Written by This just in. I’m bummed. But I suppose we can survive with the other five or six Starbucks stores in the area 🙂
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Council,
It’s our understanding that Starbuck’s will not be opening their store at The Landing. We have heard that they removed all of their equipment and signage. This is not a surprise with the announcement last night about 6,700 company layoffs. We will keep you updated as we learn of new tenants coming online.
Denis
If the Obama economy gets any worse (he heh) the Landing would be happy to take in Jet City Espresso – unsorted garbage and all.
what makes you think it is not sorted?
Their nick-nacks are mixed up with their kitsch, and their schwag is mingled with the collection!
Great memory you got there.
Forget $tarbucks — let’s get Jitters to open a store down there.
I rather have a mom/pop coffee/bar/donut shop with live music.
-H
Indoor gun range
Heck with coffee, how about an indoor gun range? With the crime rate about to begin it’s climb, that place would be busy all day, just look at Wade’s in Bellevue. It would be the safest place in town. No security needed at the Landing. They could put on safety classes, training classes, etc. The opportunities are endless. How about a restaurant in the range. I could see the menu. Burgers would be the .22 pounder, .38, and .50 cal burger, the most powerful burger on the planet! I like it. TCC
Re: Indoor gun range
Just don’t combine Starbucks with a gun range…
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Sweet Jesus! Have you seen how much stripped AR-15 lowers are going for now? You’d think some sore of two-faced loon was in power or something..
Want:
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If you’re curious to what you’re looking at, it’s a very accurate but shortened rifle with a smaller caliber with a foldable stock that makes use in tight spaces easier. It looks “scary” but It costs around $1500 – so no criminal has ever used one in a crime.
Because Obama’s rhetoric about not liking the Bill of Rights in it’s entirety, a lot of reasonable people have bought weapons like this one as a precaution against another “gun ban.” I’ve gone from knowing squat about guns to owning enough to arm my family for two generations because of Obama.
Just doing my part to stimulate the economy.
Re: Indoor gun range
Obama has helped gun sales, that’s for sure. I have a couple additions myself. I love the AR15, it’s a great weapon. There is a 6 month wait on them in most places. Becoming hard to get, along with ammo. TCC
Re: Indoor gun range
I’ve got all the guns I need. They are loaded and in the hands of trained professional police officers, who will be at my home in one to three minutes if it’s an extreme emergency. When waking up in the middle of the night, I can’t get a light on and get my gun loaded any faster than our alert and wide-awake officers will be at my door, with back up on the way.
But in a bad economy, there will be people in rural areas who will indeed be buying more guns. I could not really blame them if crime does indeed climb (which it often does with higher unemployment), and if the sheriff’s department is experiencing cut-backs. I only hope they all get good training, and keep the guns away from children.
Re: Indoor gun range
My guns will remain locked in their case even if I think someone is in the house – I don’t trust myself to make rational decisions at 3 am when I’ve just been woken up by a loud bang.
I hate to say it – but I have all the protection that I need because I’m a white english speaking male. Guns arnen’t necessary for people like me – it’s the downtrodden that need them.
My guns are reserved for when we elect the next despot – twenty years from now or hundreds from now.
…
Random thought of the day:
If you’re worried about home invasions, get a heavy screen door and lock it. Because of the way it’s hinged, you can’t kick it in – and it makes a hell of a racket if you try to pull on it. It’s illegal to have your exterior doors hinged so they open out – the fire department want’s to be able to kick your door in to rescue you.
Re: Indoor gun range
Let me add to that: There’s not a lot of practical reasons to buy $10,000 worth of guns as you’d be better off investing in a safer car.
However – it’s a long term thing, as eventually a disarmed society will eventually be ruled and killed by their own government.
In fact I’ll bet a nice meal at Omar al-Kyam to the first person that proves the exception: that there has *NEVER* been a disarmed society that hasen’t eventually been slaughtered by their own rulers.
Even the Tibetian monks murder members of their disarmed host societies…
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Think of it this way on economic principals- Governemnt shouldn’t have a monopoly on death otherwise they will use it indiscriminately.
Re: Indoor gun range
Randy, you still haven’t been on a ride a long. Get out there late at night and see what happens. There is a lot that goes on that will make you change your mind. You do have the best dept in my opinion, but you can’t always count on the police. Dispatch delays, bad info, not getting to the phone in time to call, officers on multiple calls, and many more things that occur. You need to answer this question. When are you going to step up and go on a ride a long with the PD? I thinks it’s your duty as a council member to get a better understanding. TCC
Re: Indoor gun range
Randy. You should get in touch with one of the Renton homicide detectives and ask them about the Snedden case. Not sure if I have the spelling correct, but it happened about 20 years ago on Kirkland Avenue by the Tech College. The wife of the victim called 911, it had to do with an intruder and I think her husband had to confront the person. The first responding officer I am told was no more than a few blocks away and by the time he got there the suspect was gone and Mr. Snedden was dead. This case has never been solved either. So to go along with your perspective of the guns of the officers think twice. As TCC said there are delays in the 911 system, and in the end you are the only person who can protect yourself all of the time. I think the Renton officers provide the best service bar none, but they can’t be there all the time.
Randy lacking in Community Involvement
Randy won’t answer questions from his own community home owners, why do you think he would all of a sudden reply to your question? This man does not even know what in going on in his own neighborhood when it comes to police support and knows very little about what our Police officers go thru to keep crime down in the Highlands. The only time he gets involved in the community affairs is when something directly affects his social life or it’s time for him to run for office again.
Re: Randy lacking in Community Involvement
Could you give us more details?
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I will say this: From what I gather, Randy has a full time job with a commute, several children, a part-time city job, a farm and some rental property to attend to. It also looks like he goes to church – and given how happy his wife looks, it appears that he attends to her as well. Factor in Dan’s lawsuit – and either he hasn’t the time or energy to do much more.
Dealing with the voices in his head takes up a lot of time – “Charles” really is quite talkative.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
It looks like you (TCC) are “clinging to your guns and religion” This reader does not know if it is true but that is certainly what it looks like. By the way the readers are still waiting for you (TCC)
to identify which environmental law it is that offends you so much. Personally, I am offended by people that turn a discussion about the Landing into radical and extremist views about semi-automatic assault weapons. Evidently, there was nothing intelligent that you could think of to say about what has happened at the Landing. Maybe you and Cheney could go hunting together?
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
No, the readers are not waiting for me, you are and it is driving your liberal self nuts! By the way, an indoor range would bring serious business to the Landing. Just look up the increase in gun sales nation wide. You may not believe in firearms, and that’s ok with me. A firearm in the hands of a responsible person can save lives. Your local police have semi auto handguns, and semi auto assault weapons. There are many citizens that can handle a firearm as well as police officers. You may choose not to own them, and that’s ok, but lighten up with your feel good liberalism. I noticed you had to throw in the Cheney thing. What are you implying? I hope I continue to offend you. You need a dose of reality. One thing you should know about me. If I saw you being robbed, I would be the first to jump in and save your rear. I’ve bailed many libs out of situations because they are usually the ones that become victims. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
If it is a “lib” that can identify that you are so offended by “environmental law” even while you cant identify which one it is that offends you so much then I guess it is true I am a “lib” But the facts prove clearly and cogently that you are just a blowhard…BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB (that was a fully automatic assault weapon burst)
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
The word “law” was a bad choice of words. Regulations would be better. Just look at the cost of these ridiculous environmental studies that are conducted prior to projects beginning. The amount of time it takes and the costs involved. That’s just the beginning. There are so many examples that you can easily find. The bottom line, environmentalist whackos are running amok.. Just look deep into the Dept of Ecology or the EPA. When they can assess a $10,000.00+ daily fine, per violation, on a citizen for cleaning up his property by removing garbage left by others and removing 20yr old stumps, that’s what I mean by ridiculous. I can give many more examples but I think I made my point. The environmental issue needs to get back to the area of common sense. Will this allow you to get some sleep now? I won’t even bill you for the therapy session. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin environmental legislation victim
Congratulations, your victim status places you in the same category as single welfare mothers and homosexuals you despise so much. I know that legislation passed (regulation as you call it) came to be enacted because our elected representatives chose to observe the 1st,5th,9th,and 14th amendments so the courts wouldnt have to. I cant say about the stumps or garbage but the legislature, recognizing that man depends on his biological and physical surroundings for food, shelter, and other needs, and recognizing further the profound impact of man’s activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influences of population growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource utilization and exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of man, declared that it is the continuing policy of the state of Washington, in cooperation with federal and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to: Foster and promote the general welfare; to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony; and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Washington citizens. I am so sorry about your victim status. By the way thank-you for making me realize my real true political polarity. Your a Great American victim.
Re: Gun-Totin environmental legislation victim
Nope, not a victim yet and don’t plan to be. Just a guy that has a strong opinion that you don’t like! Environmentalism has gotten carried away and you know it.TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
You’re an idiot.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
You just lost the argument. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
“clinging to your guns and religion”
Being capable of defending oneself from tyranny and yet their mind is enthralled by the universe’s possibilities Is one of the more noble states of Man.
Both Jefferson and Adams clung to their guns and religion – do you measure up even remotely to their genius?
I could name plenty of recent leaders who neither liked guns nor religion in their populous – but it’s rather tiring.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
I dont think anyone said they wanted to repeal the second amendment. The subject was Starbucks at the Landing and AR-15 came into the conversation while this TCC started calling people “libs” I wouldnt doubt if it is really one of those instances where a bunch of thugs meet to discuss militia plans (“never mind the dog” “beware of owner” pasted at the front door) lighting up a cig and starting to spew the “N” word while noting that Jesus Christ is thier savior. That is what it looks like. In the meantime now everyone knows that TCC can not hold a civilized conversation or back up what he says. He must think he needs an assault weapon to do it.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
Get your facts straight. I brought up the indoor range, and Ben introduced the AR15 in the next response. By the way, I can back up anything I say. What is your problem? Is it that you can’t handle what I say? Why don’t you lay out some facts as to where I am wrong before you start the personal attacks. Just look at your ridiculous response. Get out of the house once in a while. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
Also, there are a lot of guns I like. That does not mean that I own them. If you have an Ar15 you want to sell cheap, let me know Yoda. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
It was me that put the photo of the AR-15 – just to stir up the pot… Heh. Private owenership really shoudn’t scare you, but this should:
All to often when it comes to guns, emotion takes over logic.
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So let me get this streight – you paint a picture of TCC being a “N” word spewing redneck and then
accuse him of not engaging in civilized conversation?
“Pot, Kettle, Black”
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I would suguest that TCC use more expressive labels, as “lib” used to be a good word before the federalists/whigs/big-government types took it over:
Fear-mongers.
Socialists.
Collectivists.
Short-term thinkers.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
Ben, libs are nothing but emotion. I crack up that they get so mad when they are called libs. TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
mmkay ReThug.
Re: Gun-Totin nut-job
The thing is, you need to pay homage to your savior, Jesus H. W. Bush. This of course while accepting and recognizing that you are a minority and a victim like TCC. Bush scare tactics lost the election. I am accusing TCC of being like you…….spewing fundamentalism hate, anti-union hate, propaganda, and generally trying to incite violence. You also lost quite a few hundred billions of dollars with your savior’s actions of bailing out big Wall Street disciples treating the nation to the illusion of a free marketplace by flooding them with taxpayer dollars. You must feel very warm and fuzzy knowing you too now have victim status. (right wing fundamentalist rip off) For your information in general I consider anyone posting AR-15 rifles in the fashion you have to be a nut job…-not logical. Just for your information I dont like being called a “lib”, for making light of the fact that public officials need to be informed when making decisions. The picture doesnt scare me at all, I am not going to get the assault weapon out to talk about Starbucks.
Re: Gun-Totin nut-job
You have liberals in your local, county, state and national level – you’d think you’d be happy, but instead you run around calling people names.
Perhaps you need to get your own house and mind in order before you begin to judge others. You need to have a stable reference point for yourself before you you can reliably begin to fathom the world.
Build yourself up, and don’t spend so much time tearing people down and not only will your own life improve but so will the lives of those around you.
As for a PHOTO of an AR-15 leading to you diagnosing the mental state of others, that certainly say more about YOU than anybody else.
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
By the way, while operating on the internet, you should take steps to conceal who you are. Who’s the uncivilized here? TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
That was meant for Anonymous, who I will now refer to as Yoda. Yoda, you have a big mouth. Now why don’t you back up what you say? TCC
Re: Gun-Totin Republican
Yoda? He’s more like Jar-Jar.
im so sdad about the landing…nothing is goiung in…even stabucks is completed and theya re taking it all out! what a mess… 🙁
Sorry about losing your fingers, typing with the nubs is hard!
listen here jerk, I was tired last night when I got home. jeeze. I didnt even read my response till after the fact. Plus i was typing really fast. give me a break…loser.
“…jerk….loser…”
Spend more time proofreading and less time looking in the mirror.
You need to be a bit more respectful to others, the above poster wasn’t even trying to start anything with you. If anything, you need to reexamine the way you talk to people on here.
Tired…. or drunk?
Dan, is that you?
Daphne’s pulled the plug.
These are tough economic times, that’s for sure. I heard that Daphne’s Greek has decided not to open.
Re: Daphne’s pulled the plug.
where u hear that from?
Re: Daphne’s pulled the plug.
Heard it from the City’s economic development department.
Now’s the Time for the Torture Thread
Can’t get any more off topic, so let’s talk about torture!! Or tax evasion.
Re: Now’s the Time for the Torture Thread
Whoa-
I can’t believe the comment traffic! FORGET about the Starbucks! Our community clearly does not need any more caffeine 🙂
Hey Randy jump back in this is fun.
It DOES look like fun!
First, let me say thanks to the always entertaining and politically-incorrect Renton Ben. I appreciate his kind defense of me, and I have to say he was spot-on. He also made my wife laugh.
I also have similar opinions to Ben when it comes to gun ownership. I see three reasons for owning guns. (1) hunting, (2) protection from criminals prowling our homes, (3) protection from an overthrow of our government by a dictator, an overwhelming foreign power, or thugs if a disaster pushes into anarchy.
I don’t personally do much hunting, although I have many friends that do.
With regard to criminals, I would go for my cell phone first and a weapon second. Like Ben, I would not be too quick to trust my judgement in taking a shot at someone in the middle of the night. In fact, having raised a houseful of teenagers, I can tell you that they have so many friends over so late at night that if I had taken a shot at every stranger I’ve run into in my hallway late at night I would have a room full of bodies by now. So, I rely on the police.
This does not mean that I would begrudge a retiree living in a home alone from keeping a gun for protection from prowlers. He or she would just need to be very certain that they could differentiate hostile targets from anyone who could have a legitimate interest in entering the home…like a fireman, a long-lost child concerned for their welfare, or a landlord who rang the bell and did not get an answer.
Finally, I think the 150 million or so guns that our population owns are a clear reminder to anyone who aspires to overthrow the democratic nature of our society. Also, if a foreign power even has dreams of overcoming our two-million strong military, they would have 150 million militia to deal with. This helps make us impossible to invade.
Finally, with regard to the comments about the homicide on Kirkland Ave many years ago. I remember the case well, as it was cold-blooded, never solved, and extremely close to my home. It happened in my second or third year on council, in a year when we had 7 homicides all within an short time. Our community also lost a young woman who was being supported by St Mathews Lutheran Church (which I attend); the woman was killed in her apartment near RTC. It was a tragic year, and I remember Mayor Jess Tanner really riding the police chief at the time about why things seemed so bad. It would have been great if the two victims had been able to somehow repel or incapacitate their assailants. Since those assailants got away with murder, we will never know who else they may have killed.
In spite of some of the above comments, I’m of course very serious about crime and supporting our police. I’ve worked closely with all three police chiefs we have had on my watch, and always supported virtually all their requests for staff and equipment. I’ve been on tours of their facilities including stations, jails, and dispatch centers, and I helped build the new city hall, police station, and jail. I supported the new dispatch center, and more recently the new SCORE jail. I’ve been driven around by a a sergeant when we were going after street racers, I’ve been in countless executive sessions where we made strategic decisions about criminal cases (such as whether to retry an abuse case after two mistrials–we did, and we convicted), I’ve chaired Public Safety Committee several different years, I’ve helped make sure the police have the latest technology like computers in their squad cars, I’ve actually been inside a case watching the Renton detectives (and then Kent detectives) chase the “lipstick bandit”, I’ve seen us track down murderers and rapists and molesters with some of the best detectives in the state, and while on council I’ve spent a decade sitting next to a former deputy chief who has spoken with me about all aspects of policing, I’ve served on a felony jury where we voted to convict, I’ve taken a police polygraph test, and the list goes on and on. I would like to accompany an officer on a full night’s shift, and it is on my list.
Nice write up! I assume the your ordering of the reasoning about personal arms was intentional, if so… please consider the inverse order due to the risks involved.
1) Defense Against American or Foreign Tyranny – Because the risk is global war, millions dead and setback of our civilization.
2) Personal Defense -Because the risk is that you and your family would be dead
3) Hunting – Because the risk is that you go hungry for a while.
More info….
I learned today part of the reason the Landing Starbucks won’t be opening. (heard at least third hand, so details may not be correct)
Apparently the Starbucks lease had a clause about a certain percentage of the stores being filled at the Landing before the store would open. (the number is rumored to be 60%)
Since the Landing didn’t meet the occupancy requirement, the Starbucks opening was delayed. When it became apparent that the occupancy rate wasn’t going to be filled anytime soon, the opening was canceled.
In otherwords, its not just about the Starbucks, its about the entire Landing shopping area. Occupancy is low, and not looking any better in the future. Sadly, I think this recession is just getting started.
Re: More info….
Randy is a centrist (left leaning) he loves freedom of speech but hasnt shown to the satisfaction of one reader that he recognizes that the First Amendment (the context) is intended to be about so much more than free speech alone – encompassing fundamental American rights – not the least of which is the preservation of American liberty. Randy should be able to find out about the Starbucks deal so that anyone interested may exercise that “free speech” that is so adored and inherent in this blog topic. How about it Randy? This isnt really a gun control debate is it? By the way it was read on Yahoo this last week that at least 220,000 retail businesses are projected to go out of business this year. I wish the best of luck to the Landing’s “Golf Galaxy” for success, looks like they are going to need it.
Re: More info….
I see. I understand your comment now.
It is true that I have not posted some of the information I have heard about openings at the Landing. This is a tricky area, because some of the information is sensitive for the affected businesses, for one of several reasons. Examples include: Sometimes employees have not been told; sometimes Westfield will pounce on information, either to try to pull the tenant into SouthCenter (steal them from us) through incentives or threats concerning other Westfield locations; sometimes regional managers will share preliminary info with our economic development department, but the final word has not come down from their national or world headquarters; and sometimes the store just asks to make an announcment, positive or negative, in its own way.
For the above reasons, unless the public has a strong need to know, I let the announcements come through the official business channels.
Still, you bring up a good point about whether we may be getting closer to an environment in which the public may have an interest in keeping closer tabs on the leasing situation at the Landing. And, it is probably possible to do this without having to get overly specific.
I will think about this some more. Meanwhile, be aware that even though the city provided the streets, the developers built the Landing with private money. While they would have liked to see more openings, they are very happy with the businesses that are in there so far. Furthermore, the mayor says we will be seeing about three openings a month for the next few months, so the Landing is continuing to become more filled out in an otherwise very rough business climate. I have alsow heard that the businesses that have opened are generally doing better than they had predicted, so there is a lot of optimism by current tenants (stores and businesses). In addition, the apartments have been pre-leasing well, and will drive a huge increase to traffic at some of the local shops and restaurants.
The Parking Garage will need to be partially paid for by the city when the Landing becomes 70 percent occupied, and fully paid for when the Landing becomes 90 percent occupied. The bad economy and the slower-than-planned leasing has delayed Renton’s obligation to buy this garage, which has given us a cushion in the short term. Still, we have the money to pay for this when the time comes, with no need for new taxes. The sales tax revenues from the Landing will more than cover the garage and streets.
Again, I will commit to trying harder to get info that is releasable to the public on the business situation. I know there remains much interest in how the Landing is doing.
As a final note, the city is very pleased by the iron fence and the landscape treatments that Boeing is completing on it’s side of the new Logan Ave (across the street from the Landing). Boeing stepped up to the use of the decorative iron, and they are putting some first class plantings in. I think the end result will be one of the most attractive business corridors in the area.
Re: More info….
It should be very clear to you with no thinking at all. If you ever try to develop your property, you will quickly find out that you are the one that will have to pay for the streets, and another fifteen dozen items that have nothing to do with you and your property. Do you also love the 5th, 9th, and 14th amendments?
Re: More info….
I actually like the whole Constitution, including the 5th, 9th, and 14th amendments. You too?
Re: More info….
It is more than “love” maybe you can think about it some.
Re: More info….
Do you feel you were mistreated by me or someone at the city? If so, you can just tell me about it. I feel a little like I am trying to communicate with “The Riddler.”