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Welcome to The Seattle Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Amazon commits an additional $1.4 billion to affordable housing.

• Upcoming Say Anything concert

• A deep-dive into the life of Victor Steinbrueck

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle, and giving 110% all the time."

— Don Zimmer

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Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

The Seattle Central Library, known for its unique architecture, was designed by which famous architect?

A) Frank Gehry

B) Rem Koolhaas

C) Zaha Hadid

D) Norman Foster

Answer to Week 19's Trivia:

The name of the famous coffee shop chain that originated in Seattle in 1971 is B) Starbucks.

News

💼 Business

Mortgage rates ease for second straight week, leaving average rate on a 30-year home loan at 6.95%. (Link)

Seattle continues to delay vote on new delivery driver pay law. (Link)

🏒 Sports

Mitch Haniger sends Mariners to another walk-off win over White Sox. (Link)

The toughest game for each Pac-12 team as they enter new leagues. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Amazon commits an additional $1.4 billion to affordable housing. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚽ Racing Louisville FC at Seattle Reign FC
Lumen Field, Seattle
Sunday, June 23rd | (More info)

🏀 Indiana Fever at Seattle Storm
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
Thursday, June 27th | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎵 Say Anything
Showbox SoDo, Seattle
Monday, June 17th | (More info)

🎤 Mystery Skulls
The Crocodile, Seattle
Tuesday, June 18th | (More info)

Family Friendly events:

🎉 Black Entrepreneur Family Enrichment Day
605 Southwest 108th Street, Seattle
Saturday, June 22nd | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Seattlescape with a fusion of different historical eras” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Seattle Historical Events

Seattle Pilots' Single Season (1969) - Seattle's first Major League Baseball team before moving to Milwaukee.

In 1969, the city of Seattle marked its debut in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the establishment of the Seattle Pilots, an expansion team that represented a significant milestone in the city's sports history. As the first MLB team to call Seattle home, the Pilots generated immense excitement and anticipation among the local fans hungry for major league action. The team was part of a broader expansion that year, which also saw the birth of three other teams, as MLB sought to capitalize on the growing interest in baseball across North America. Despite the enthusiasm that greeted their arrival, the Pilots' performance on the field and their time in Seattle would be short-lived, defining a unique chapter in the annals of baseball history.

The Pilots played their home games at Sick's Stadium, a minor league ballpark that struggled to meet the demands of hosting MLB games. With a seating capacity insufficient for the swelling crowds and facilities that were deemed inadequate by league standards, the venue posed significant challenges for the team and its fans. On the field, the Pilots' lone season was marked by struggles, as they finished in last place in the American League West division with a record of 64 wins and 98 losses. Despite the team's lackluster performance, they garnered a loyal following, and several players stood out for their individual contributions, including Tommy Harper who led the league in stolen bases.

However, financial woes and the inability to secure a new, modern ballpark led to the team's sudden and controversial relocation. After just one season of baseball in Seattle, the Pilots were purchased in bankruptcy court and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970. This relocation left Seattle fans heartbroken and without a major league team, a void that would not be filled until the Seattle Mariners were established in 1977. The Pilots' brief existence and subsequent departure have since become a curious footnote in MLB history, offering lessons on the complexities of sports franchise relocations and the importance of stable ownership and adequate facilities. The legacy of the Seattle Pilots lives on, serving as a poignant reminder of the city's tumultuous early relationship with Major League Baseball.

Famous People From Seattle

Victor Steinbrueck (1911–1985):

Early Life and Architectural Beginnings (1911-1935)

Victor Steinbrueck was born into a world on the brink of the Great War, in 1911, in Seattle, Washington. From a young age, Steinbrueck showed a profound interest in the built environment, drawing inspiration from Seattle’s diverse architectural landscape. He pursued his passion with vigor, eventually earning a degree in architecture from the University of Washington in 1935.

The Formative Years (1935-1945)

Upon completing his education, Steinbrueck immersed himself in the architectural currents of the time, contributing to several projects amidst the backdrop of the Great Depression and World War II. These early experiences honed his design skills but also instilled a deep sense of civic responsibility, aspects that would later define his career.

Bridging Architecture and Academia (1945-1950)

In the post-war period, Steinbrueck found a new calling in academia. He joined the faculty at the University of Washington, where he balanced teaching with practice. This period was marked by his involvement in various architectural projects, including campus buildings, which blended modernist principles with a respect for the natural and historical context.

Champion of the Urban Environment (1950-1960)

As cities across America embraced urban renewal, often at the cost of historical structures, Steinbrueck emerged as a vocal advocate for the preservation of Seattle's architectural heritage. He saw the city's older buildings not as relics of the past to be swept away but as essential elements of Seattle's character and community.

The Battle for Pike Place Market (1960-1971)

Steinbrueck's commitment to preservation found its most notable expression in the fight to save Pike Place Market. In the 1960s, plans to demolish the iconic market in favor of urban development mobilized Steinbrueck. He led a grassroots campaign that culminated in the 1971 public referendum, which decisively voted to preserve and rehabilitate Pike Place Market.

Establishing Preservation as Public Policy (1971-1975)

The successful campaign to save Pike Place Market marked a turning point for preservation in Seattle and beyond. Steinbrueck worked tirelessly to ensure the momentum translated into enduring change, advocating for preservation to be integrated into public policy. His efforts contributed significantly to the establishment of historic districts and the adoption of preservation ordinances in Seattle.

The Legacy of Landmark Preservation (1975-1985)

During the final decade of his life, Steinbrueck continued to champion the cause of preservation, contributing to the saving of numerous buildings and districts. His advocacy was instrumental in raising public awareness about the value of preservation and shaping the future of Seattle's urban landscape.

Reflecting on a Life Dedicated to Preservation (Posthumous)

Since his passing in 1985, Victor Steinbrueck's legacy has continued to inspire new generations of architects, planners, and preservationists. His contributions are remembered as pivotal in shaping Seattle’s approach to urban development and preservation, ensuring the city's history remains a living part of its future.

Key Achievements of Victor Steinbrueck:

• Spearheaded the movement to save Pike Place Market, leading to a landmark public referendum in 1971.

• Instrumental in the establishment of historic districts and the integration of preservation into Seattle's public policy.

• Played a crucial role in the preservation and rehabilitation of numerous significant buildings and landmarks in Seattle.

• Balancing a career between practice and academia, he influenced countless students at the University of Washington with his dedication to architectural history and preservation.

• Contributed significantly to the discourse on urban development and preservation, leaving a lasting legacy on Seattle’s urban landscape.

Victor Steinbrueck's dedication to preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of Seattle transformed the city's approach to urban development. His advocacy ensured that iconic landmarks like Pike Place Market remained vibrant community spaces, cherished by generations. Through his teaching, activism, and visionary projects, Steinbrueck left an indelible mark on Seattle, embodying the spirit of preservation that continues to inspire efforts to protect urban historical landscapes around the world.

Connect With Me

If you want to connect, reply to this email and let me know what you think.

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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