The sale went through. We spoke to many, many different organizations and goverment officials. We talked to the new ownership. The current tenants were consulted. We couldn't figure out how to make it work. The price the new ownership paid was too high and precluded other uses (other than their intended office space), especially when considering that the building was in disrepair.

The prior owners were disingenious with their tenants, some of whom had consulted with them not 6 months prior to the sale to inquire about their intentions for the property. They had acquired the building from the IOOF for a relative pittance; put almost nothing into the property and then cashed out.

The outstanding situation is that there is no system in place to promote the preservation or creation of cultural space in the City of Seattle. We stand to lose more cultural facilities as well to redevelopment unless the public is able to provide enough pressure to get the goverment to develop thoughtful policy and funding mechanisms that will help ensure that quality of life and cultural institutions are preserved as they continue to implement policies to promote high-density land use within city limits.

After a century as a gathering place, assembly hall and home to numerous non-profit organizations the current owners of the Odd Fellows Hall have decided to cash out to the highest bidder. The pending new owners have indicated that they will be increasing rents by more than 200% for the existing tenants and their plans include renovating the building into market-rate office spaces and retail.

News

12.28.07
We’re in the midst of a fundraising drive to help raise funds for our efforts to acquire the building to retain it as a home for non-profit arts organizations. Donate now!

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