On July 26, 2004, Historic Seattle, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation, and Friends of First United Methodist Church filed a joint appeal of the City of Seattle's decision to approve the Master Use Permit for the 33-story office tower planned for the site of the 1907 sanctuary.

So what does this mean? How might this effect the outcome on the First United Methodist site?

Why Are We Filing an Appeal?

We were hoping to see development alternatives that would save the church come out of the environmental review process -- which is part of the reason we have an environmental review process. This didn't happen.

We are asserting that the Environmental Impact Statement, that supports the plan for the new building at the First Methodist site, is inadequate because no alternatives were really considered within the document. If you would like a copy of the report, contact Michael Dorcy at the Department of Planning and Development (206) 615-1393.

There is also no real mitigation proposed for the demolition of a significant historic resource. There are no conditions placed on the project that will prevent the church from demolishing the building before they have funding for the proposed development.

We and the National Trust for Historic Preservation evaluated the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and noted a number of insufficiencies. Our questions were not answered. The reason given was that the State Supreme Court ruling meant the church didn't have to answer us.

The City's approval of the Master Use Permit is tantamount to approving demolition of the church. The appeal is our last legal opportunity to block the building's demolition and conceive reasonable, feasible alternatives to the 33-story office tower scenario.

Why Isn't the Church Protected from Demolition?

Because the church contested the building's landmark status when it was nominated several years ago and took the issue to the State Supreme Court, and won their case, landmark regulations can't protect the church.

Why a Joint Appeal?

Everyone involved in the appeal is pooling our resources to find solutions to this problem. The National Endowment for the Arts has pledged funds toward finding solutions because the problem is bigger than Seattle. The potential loss of the church is significant statewide, as recognized by its listing on the Washington Trust's 10 Most Endangered List last year. First Methodist's fate is also a nationally-significant issue recognized by the National Trust in 2003 when the building joined the 11 Most Endangered List.

How Does the Appeal Get Us Closer to a Solution?

The appeal is taking place in tandem with planning for a design charrette. The charrette, a brainstorming session involving designers, engineers, real estate developers, and other experts, will help generate potential alternatives for reuse solutions for First United Methodist Church.

We have raised funds for the charrette from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the partners in this appeal have pledged funds that will help pay for specialists and consultants who will provide expert witness testimony and produce pieces of information we need to conceive feasible alternatives.

When is the Appeal?

The hearing is currently scheduled for October 20, 2004.

When is the Design Charrette?

Because the charrette will produce ideas for alternatives, and part of our appeal involves asserting the church did not provide alternatives, we are conducting the charrette in advance of the hearing. We are looking at dates in September for the charrette and have been compiling names of experts interested in helping out.

Is there anything you I can do?

Expert witness testimony and alternative feasibility reports will cost money, even with the extraordinary amount of pro bono assistance we're receiving.

We have received pledges of support from engineers Swenson Say Faget and Jack Wiggins of Quantum Consulting Engineers, and legal support from Ater Wynne

Donations are greatly appreciated, as are letters to the editor, and your faith that we can find an alternative that will get the church what it needs while preserving this historic building.

View last month's Public Policy article

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