Wayne Building Gets Landmark Status; Shorty's & Its Neighbors May Be Saved

Well, hallelujah, Seattle: Belltown may live. Two months back, we learned that there were plans to tear down Shorty's, Rocco's, and Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club on Second Ave to make room for apartments. Then, a campaign came together to argue that the Wayne Apartment Building on the same block warrants landmark status; if it got it, the whole land deal could fall apart. Now King 5 reports that that Wednesday's public meeting was a success: after a vote, the Wayne Apartments officially have landmark status. Per King 5: "Opponents see it as a step in the right direction, but the designation is not a guarantee that there won't be redevelopment on the block."

Stay tuned for further updates, and in the meantime, admire some of these clowns, courtesy of The Stranger, who rallied to gain support for Shorty's last weekend. Progress!