Belltown bars, restaurants slated for demolition could be on hold

SEATTLE — The planned demolition of Shorty's and a handful of other Belltown bars could be on hold.

Earlier this week, the Puget Sound Business Journal reported an Atlanta real estate development company is planning a 124-unit building at the site where Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club, Lava Lounge, Clever Bottle, Rabbit Hole, Rocco's and Shorty's are located.

The move comes after impassioned presentations and testimony at a city historic preservation hearing Thursday afternoon.

The board was so impressed it unanimously agreed to give the buildings "potential protection" as it looks into whether they might qualify for landmark status.

The next phase will be a hearing at the Seattle Municipal Building on Oct. 7.

KIRO