Urbanexus Update - Issue #50 /  by H. Pike Oliver

Go here for the 50th weekly compilation of links to selected articles, images, tweets and videos about opportunities—and challenges—for real estate investment and sustainable community development. Please note that some of the links may take you to articles that are behind paywalls.

Urbanexus Update - Issue #49 /  by H. Pike Oliver

Go here for the 49th weekly compilation of links to selected articles, images, tweets and videos about opportunities—and challenges—for real estate investment and sustainable community development. Please note that some of the links may take you to articles that are behind paywalls.

Homeless Michael of Lower Queen Anne/Uptown in Seattle /  by H. Pike Oliver

Go here to see postings from the Nextdoor app concerning the status of a homeless man who has been a long-time sidewalk resident in the Lower Queen Anne/Uptown neighborhood of Seattle.

I tried to get public officials to address poor Michael’s situation to no avail. Unfortunately, unwillingness to challenge restrictions on involuntary institutionalization and lack of appropriate mental health resources have allowed exposure to the elements to take an extreme toll on his health. If Michael has passed I think it would be fair to say that this is a case of bureaucratic manslaughter.

The photos show what appears to be a remembrance of Michael, the sidewalk camper who was originally at 528 Queen Anne Ave North and more recently at 600 1st Ave North, opposite Metro Market in the Lower Queen Anne/Uptown neighborhood of Seattle, WA,…

The photos show what appears to be a remembrance of Michael, the sidewalk camper who was originally at 528 Queen Anne Ave North and more recently at 600 1st Ave North, opposite Metro Market in the Lower Queen Anne/Uptown neighborhood of Seattle, WA, USA. There is conflicting information about his status and he may still be alive in an area hospital recovering from frostbite.

A small-scale public-private partnership failure in Seattle /  by H. Pike Oliver

Here is a small scale example of one of the challenges of public/private partnerships--the Uptown Parklet in Seattle, WA, USA.

The parklet was first envisioned in 2012 and, after fundraising, was installed in February 2015. In October 2015, the parklet was removed. The main reason for removal was the failure to establish and fund an adequate program for maintaining the parklet. See below for two articles that offer background and perspective on what took place.

Top - Parklet concept from 2012. Lower left - Parklet opening in Feburay 2015. Lower right - Parklet removed in October 2018.

Top - Parklet concept from 2012. Lower left - Parklet opening in Feburay 2015. Lower right - Parklet removed in October 2018.