Grrr. I'm so OVER the Northgate Mall development

[LisaM]

Not only is it ruining the neighborhood, but my bus stop has been out of commission for at least two months and people have to wait in the rain (it also doesn't have a schedule posted). I haven't seen a new store opening up that's not a national chain. That horrible thing that is supposed to be a senior center and multi-plex movie theatre is noisy and obnoxious and has completely messed up pedestrian access to the transit center and the mall. I hate it now and I think I'll hate it more when Chain Store Heaven is finally finished.

What's happened to Seattle? I've been here since the late 80's. The city used to have character. Now it's like a large strip mall.

[sneakythomas]

1. It's all the Californians

Sorry I couldn't resist.

My daughter lived in LA for several years and she says the people up here seem to be hell bent on turning this place into another California. I know that around my folks place (Clyde Hill) they're knocking down what used to be big houses (and are now modest houses) and replacing them with 6,000 sq ft mcmansions. And 3/4 of them have red tile roofs and stucco siding. I figure the good news is that the rain will melt them in about 10 years.

When I came here in 1963 this was a nice little place. Drivers on the free way would slow down to let every other car merge. The sound had salmon in it, and yes I enjoyed sport fishing which pretty much isn't worth it any more.

I guess the alternative is that we could look like the rust belt with boarded up houses because the jobs have been shipped to who knows where.

[LisaM]

2. Don't get me started on the NASCAR track that is I-5

The drivers are all so rude and impatient.

I've been here just under 20 years. The area has changed dramatically, and it's really lost its character. If you watch a movie set in Seattle in the 1980s, half the places are gone.

There were signs at Northgate today informing us that the 14-plex theatere (14!!!!) will be opening in the spring of 2009, which means well over a year more of this BS. I'm guessing - taking a wild guess - it won't be a local theatre! If it's Loews, I am going to really complain.

[maxsolomon]

3. you're expecting capitalism to see people as something other than consumers

it won't happen.

i'm sorry about your bus stop, but northgate is always going to suck. only national chains can afford the rents they have to charge to pay for the remodel.

wait for the project on the (former) south parking lot to be finished. you'll be happier. it will enhance the neighborhood.

i promise.

[LisaM]

4. Yeah, but you think that the Northgate North building is attractive!

All corrugated metal, and plastered with huge brand names.

I will not like the enhancement. There's going to be a 14-plex movie theatre. It will be just like Oak Tree village, endless traffic.

I am actually about to call Jean Godden's office, and one of the things I'm going to bring up is how they don't require these developments to have some level of local presence. I think they should commit something like ten percent of their space to local businesses, give them an easement.

[maxsolomon]

5. good idea. do it.

and you're right, i do like northgate north - its a vertical mall, and takes up less room that any target/best buy i've ever seen. i like driving up the ramp, too!

[LisaM]

6. I like those aspects of it too

I just don't like the exterior.

[flamingyouth]

7. I love that Target.

Especially the ramp. :D

I miss the old, weird Northgate of my youth: with the hospital (why?) and the bizarre, run-down theater.

[LisaM]

8. I liked the old movie theatre

It was so big - I don't like those little cramped ones. Give me a big screen any time. In fact, I liked the mall how it was. Now it's just going to be University Village North.

[flamingyouth]

9. I saw tons of movies there when I was a kid.

Off the top of my head - one of the bad Pink Panther sequels of the '70s, Raiders of the Lost Ark, lots of others...

[sneakythomas]

10. AHH old movie theaters

I went to the John Danz in Bellevue every weekend for years. I think it had room for about a thousand people. The screen looked like the Jumbotron at Seahawk stadium. I hate these little multiplexes. I'd rather stay home and save all the money.

[maxsolomon]

11. cinerama is for you, then

that place is great.

[sneakythomas]

12. Cinerama

I've seen some great movies in that place! 2001 when it first came out (there were a bunch of "hippies" snorting coke in down in front of the screen during the wormhole sequence). I saw Andromeda strain there, Dr. Zhivago, 2 of the 3 Lord of the Rings movies, Gone with the Wind.