The latest in public art

It's bright, it's colorful, and we've heard rumors (unsubstantiated) that it even lights up at night. But what exactly is it and why is it there?  The new yellow and green lamp post in front of the Villa Marina building at 43rd and E. Madison seems to be a bit of a mystery.The building's owners were not forthcoming when we quizzed them; so unfortunately all we can report, in case you've missed it, is the installation of an entirely new piece...

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Do we want to claim another bank?

Madison Valley touts arrival of new bank officeMadison Park, which is already the home to an ever-expanding banking sector, could soon make the claim (assuming we wanted the notoriety) that we are home to six separate banking operations. Sound Community Bank earlier this month opened a loan production office at 3101 E. Madison St. That's technically within the boundaries of Madison Park, as defined by the Madison Park Community Council and our...

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No, no, THIS is the weekend 520 will close

For some reason, WSDOT decided not to close 520 last weekend as had been scheduled for many many weeks. That decision made liars out of those of us in "The Media" who faithfully reported that the bridge would be shut down for construction. WSDOT had confirmed that fact up until about 10 hours before the closure was scheduled to take place.  The ostensible reason given for the reversal was "expected inclement weather."  We wonder what they...

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February Police Blotter

Another quiet month in the neighborhoodFor reasons unknown (and in order not to jinx the situation we won't speculate) criminal activity--at least as reported to the police--was virtually non-exist during the month of February.  Here's the rundown:  one house break-in, one car prowl, two incidents of credit card fraud or theft, and one threatening situation.The lone reported house break-in occurred on February 4 on the 1900 block of Parkside...

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SR 520 closed this weekend

It's a regular ritual: periodically closing 520 so that construction to widen the roadway on the Eastside can proceed unencumbered.  This weekend the contractor will be shifting the eastbound lanes between Evergreen Point Road and 92nd Avenue NE, opening up space between the eastbound and westbound lanes for construction.The route will be closed from 11 pm on Friday until 5 am on Monday.  Details are available here.[Photo courtesy of W...

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The 2012 real estate market in context

Home sales were up, but prices were down slightlyAt about this time last year we declared that Madison Park's real estate market was "beyond stabilized." In the previous year, 2011, prices of sold homes were on the increase and the total number of sales in the neighborhood represented a significant improvement over the immediately prior years. But while home sales continued to increase in 2012, there was not a corresponding uptick in sale prices.Though...

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Red Onion's Longtime Owner Dies

Several readers contacted us to report that two weeks ago Lyle Johnson, who for almost 40 years owned and operated the Red Onion Tavern, passed away.  He was 82. Services will be held tomorrow at the Grace Lutheran Church (Bellevue) at 1 pm.  The Red Onion, which is still in the family, will be holding a remembrance of Lyle Johnson's life from 1 until 5 pm on Saturday, March 9. The Seattle Times obituary, which provides some additional...

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What's new (or upcoming)

New coffeehouse enters the scene (but in Madison Valley)Those missing the old neighborhood Tully's and wishing to find a replacement might do well to check out the Harbour Pointe Coffeehouse, which opened its doors a couple weeks ago in a location (2818 E. Madison St.) where several other coffee shops had earlier failed. Proprietor Zander Natallanni describes his venture as a "European-style coffeehouse that has enough food to fall between the restaurant/bistro...

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