Copyright © 1998 The Seattle Times Company
Lifestyles : Monday, December 14, 1998
'98 in review offers a few peeks at '99
Don't look now, but thousands of VIPs may be coming
to Seattle next year. President Clinton has invited the
World Trade Organization to hold its next meeting in
the United States. He said, "Y'all come."
Although several U.S. cities are competing for the
event, San Diego and Seattle are the top contenders.
Port Commissioner Pat Davis, who has been working
on Seattle's behalf, said, "We've already had two site
visits. They (members of the selection committee)
loved everything about Seattle."
Davis said the decision will be made by Clinton and Vice President Al
Gore, possibly this week. If Seattle is chosen, it would mean 5,000
visitors representing 132 trade organizations would arrive here Nov.
30 and stay through Dec. 5.
Speaking at the CityClub's "1998 Year in Review" luncheon Friday,
Davis saved the World Trade Organization news until the end of the
panel discussion.
Besides Davis, the panel, moderated by KCTS-TV Executive Producer
Enrique Cerna, featured Don Nielsen, Seattle School Board vice
chairman, and Matt Griffin, managing partner of Pine Street
Development, developers of Pacific Place.
Griffin predicted Seattle's downtown boom will continue. What he'd
like to see now is more in-city residency and less dependence on cars.
He asked for a show of hands: "How many had arrived here in a
single-occupancy vehicle?" Half the audience of 150 raised their hands.
For a developer of a large parking garage (the Garage at Pacific
Place), Griffin sounded suspiciously like a born-again pedestrian.
Griffin also had the best stand-up delivery. Responding to a question
about protecting endangered salmon, he quipped, "Not too many of
them swimming down Fourth Avenue."
Nielsen summarized what's ahead for public schools. He said the next
Seattle school superintendent will probably have a stronger
background in education than the late John Stanford, whom he
eulogized as "a hero." Money for schools will be scarce, since the state
Legislature is unlikely to increase school support.
During the question period, a man asked if there was any chance
Nielsen would succeed Stanford as schools superintendent. Clapping
and cheers erupted. Stanford's widow, Pat Stanford, who was seated at
a head table, said softly, "I'll second that."
Happening in Cyberia: The Wall Street Journal calls it "the classic
tale of the Northwest" in the 1990s: The home of timber tycoon (the
late Norton Clapp) has reportedly been sold to a cyberspace billionaire
(Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos).
The property actually sold for $10 million to a trust. But local
real-estate sources identify the new owner as Bezos, who heads the
Seattle-based online book and music seller. Bezos declined comment.
The Meydenbauer Bay waterfront property was first listed for sale
two years ago at $12 million. The five-bedroom home on the property
was built in the 1940s.
Silly season: The voice on the phone asked: "Have you heard that
Boeing is entering a hydro in next year's Seafair race?"
Me: "They are? Really?"
Voice: "Yes, they are. And they're going to call it Miss Management."
Jean Godden's phone message number is 206-464-8300. Her e-mail
address is: jgodden@seattletimes.com |
