In the Roosevelt neighborhood, the properties owned by Hugh Sisley stand out for rundown conditions that have resisted years of government efforts to improve.
But on Friday, neighbors had something to gather and cheer about. The city plans to create a new park on a corner of the Sisley land at NE 65th and 14th.
"We are thrilled to hear of the process moving forward and what this will do for our neighborhood," Kimbris Bond said.
"Create park space, next to transit and truly create a new neighborhood for this neighborhood," Mayor Ed Murray said to cheers from Roosevelt residents.
Sisley is being called a slumlord by the city officials, who are taking their toughest stand yet.
Simply put, the city is making Sisley an "offer he can't refuse": "In exchange for $3 million in fines on your blighted property, give us the park. Refuse, and we'll take it by eminent domain. Either way, the neighborhood gets a park."
But as some neighbors celebrate a park, others still living in a Sisley-owned house worry about being driven out.
Byron Allen and Timothy Pulphus told the mayor their leasing agent was supposed to pay the city light bill. Instead, it's hundreds of dollars past due and now they have to pay.
"They longer I stay there, I'm going broke," said Pulphus.
"We're going to get on it," responded the mayor.
The construction crane is a symbol of how the Roosevelt neighborhood is booming. It's building the Light Rail station that will make Roosevelt one of the city's key destinations.
That's why neighbors applaud the plan to force Sisley to give up this corner for a park.
"Brilliant, I love it. I was not expecting it at all," said Roosevelt neighbor Peter James.
The rundown Sisley houses across the street from the park are next up for takeover.
A developer has leased the property and already has detailed plans to turn it into a big apartment and retail complex.
But with the neighborhood growing, critics believe more housing would be a better use of the land now designated for the park.
"Well, there is nothing wrong with parks," said Roger Valdez, of Smart Growth Seattle. "But we are, by every estimate and measure, experiencing a real challenge with affordable housing."
"We can't just build density if we don't build the amenities that come with density," responded Murray, meaning parks.
Still, that's not enough for neighbors who don't want to look at rundown houses next to the park, while they are waiting for the new buildings to go up
"This will be redeveloped. We know that, but in the meantime, let's just get rid of it, because it's ugly, it's a health risk, it's just nasty," said Peter James.
City officials say it will take many months of negotiations before the buildings can be removed.
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