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Cancel your reservation if you were planning to stay at the Don-a-lisa Motel, because it is coming down in just a few days. The Don-a-lisa, which sits on Bronson Way across from Liberty Park, and Meadow Ave, is owned by the Bryant family…owners of Bryant motors.
Mayor Law had a productive meeting with the Bryant family, and they reached agreement on terms that will work out well for everyone. The Motel is coming down immediately, and the Bryants will begin working on a two-year-plan to redevelop the whole block to it’s highest and best use.
During the two years, Bryant Motors will use the vacant lot (where the Don-a-lisa now stands) to park trucks and buses that currently get parked in the street. After the two years, there will be no more bus/truck parking here, and the site will probably be a new use altogether.
In addition, the Bryants have agreed to fix up the West side of their building, with appropriate siding materials to match the rest of the building. This will present a nicer face to the nearby homes, most of which are meticulously well kept.
This wall of Bryant Motors will be repaired/beautified, to present a nicer face to the well-maintained homes of the adjacent North Renton Neighborhood.
Mayor Law and the Bryants deserve credit for sitting at the table and solving this problem. Thanks to all of you.
Meanwhile, say goodbye to the Don-a-lisa. I’m sure at some time, in a past era, it lodged starry-eyed couples, grandparents motoring up the coast to visit their loved ones, tourists headed to the World’s fair, and many other happy visitors. But that was a long time ago, and it’s been overdue to come down for many years.
This photo from N 2nd shows the Don-a-lisa on the left, Bryant Motors on the right, and Liberty Park can be seen through the gap.
Thank you!
Thanks to all who made this possible!
Why this didn’t happen a long time ago is beyond me; The city should have the authority to bulldoze places like this and bill the landowner.
If they don’t have the authority – the they need to get it!
Turn it around
I wonder if, with the right resources, this place could be turned into a shelter or half-way-house or something. It may seem trashy but it could be fixed up and turned into a resource for the less fortunate.
Mark Martinez
Re: Turn it around
First of all, it is private property.
Second of all, have you seen this place? The amount of money needed would far exceed the amount needed to build a new facility for the same purpose.
Re: Turn it around
Also, would the neighbors like a shelter or half-way house right next to them. Talk about years of litigation…………
I personally would not.
Re: Turn it around
Government organizations buy private property all the time. Also, a private community support organization could do it.
If is is in such bad shape, I should be a steal to buy. Renovations are cheaper if there are no major structural problems.
Its just a suggestion.
Re: Turn it around
Also, the need for safe places for people in need far outstretches the demand. There are neighborhoods that host tent city where homeless families live.
Seem to be that people around here talk a lot about having a “great society” (thank you Pres. Johnson) but its only talk. This is a very blue area, progressive ideas. Maybe its time to stop talking and start acting like the poor and disenfranchised are worth our time.
I guess what you two are trying to say is somebody should help ‘those people’, just not in my neighborhood.
Mark Martinez
Re: Turn it around
Mark,
I am just talking about the realities here. Typically when halfway houses and homeless shelters go in, there is lively community debate and litigation.
Also, just because it is in bad shape, it is not a “steal” that is not necessarily how private property sales work. It’s value is in it’s highest use. True, there is an abatement cost, but unless someone ones to put a two story hotel with outside entry there, the value is not in the building, it is in the land.
Also, I would be willing to bet that there are major structural and health, and code issues with the current property which would dictate complete removal and rebuild.
Furthermore, the Progressive Movement is simply a communistic approach to social and governmental issues. It believes in a “living constitution” and basically redistribution of wealth from wealthy to poor. Keep in mind, “wealthy” is usually defined as over $75,000 a year for a family. Hardly wealthy. You can only take so much from that family before you need to start taking from the 60K group and then the 50K group and so on.
We have plenty of charitable resources and organizations such as the Salvation Army, Churches, Union Gospel Mission, etc… to offer assistance. We should not be taking precious resources to establish another “organization” or group to help, we should be supporting the existing groups that do. Reduce the drain on our charitable dollars by focusing on those groups that already do this well. Support the Salvation Army Renton Food Bank for instance, like I do. They are in desperate need.
Also, I can’t speak of your neighborhood, but I would prefer not to have sketchy characters around mine. Sorry…truthful response, period.
Regards
Re: Turn it around
Oh, and I forgot. You are right, it is time the Social Progressives stopped “talking” because they never actually act. Show their true colours. Appropriate land for governmental use, Nationalise corporate America, require everyone to work and contribute to the great society, eliminate any modern convenience that may damage the environment.
I agree with you one hundred percent, the Progressives only talk and never act. I wonder why…
And BTW, I am not trying to offend you, so please don’t take this the wrong way. Like you said, you were just making a suggestion, and I respect and appreciate that. I was simply stating my views that often suggestions like this are simply not realistic when all factors are taken into account. Certainly Bryant may be willing to sell the property, and they should be allowed to, but zoning will dictate what is allowed there. And there is no reason for Bryant to sell at less than full market value, unless they choose to do so.
Regards again
Re: Turn it around
I was in the Marines for 10 years. You are not going to offend me unless you start talking about my mother (hi mom). She’s great!!
I fully enjoy debate, even if I don’t know your name.
All I know of this place is what is on Randy’s page. It could have asbestoses everywhere for all I know. I would think that the market price of a condemned building is mainly in the land.
I’m sure if the Union Gospel Mission had the opportunity to buy and renovate a building to be uses for the community they would.
Mark
Re: Turn it around
Sorry. I’ve been holding out on you….I might have been able to give Mark some additional information that would have helped answer his question. This particular motel went through a very seedy period, in which it was used as long term housing (rented by the week or month) for some pretty down-and-out folks. The nearby residents felt it was a crime and drug magnet during that time, and it seemed to get virtually no maintenance. It went completely vacant about three to five years ago, after everyone around had completely had enough of it. It’s possible that if it had not gone through that whole period of deterioration, and if it had not generated so much bad will, then it could have been used as some sort of emergency housing. But there is too much bad history and damage at this point.
Re: Turn it around
Thats to bad. It sounds like there was a management (leadership) breakdown. Maybe if the right people ran the place it would have turned out better.
Mark
Glad to find some photos of this wreck, as I neglected somehow to take some! Also nice to see a photo of the remaining intact side of the NO/VACANCY neon sign (the plastic facing was so cloudy, you could barely see the tubes). The still-functional tubes, a clashing red “NO” and orange “VACANCY,” now reside at my house.