🏪 What’s in that vacant QFC?

Punk Rock Flea Market Keeps Seattle’s DIY Spirit Alive

In a city ranked the 12th most expensive in the world, and where the cost of living has blown up by 78%, there’s one place you can count on entering for just a dollar. The Punk Rock flea market has maintained its $1 entry fee for 20 years. [The Guardian]

• 🧷 What’s for sale? The market pops up four times a year with more than 200 vendors, and around 10,000 shoppers. I got my Guild 45th Theatre pin from Vanishing Seattle there, but you can find everything from artwork made from dried seaweed, to anarchist books and vintage magazines, to hand-sewn clothes, stained glass, and foraged herbal teas.
• 🏚️ Filling vacant spaces: The first Punk Rock flea market took place in an abandoned basement bar. Since then, it has popped up in 13 other locations around the city, including a former post office, a former drugstore, and a former strip club. For now, it’s settled in what’s become affectionately known as the “Quality Flea Center” – the vacant, 20,000-sq-ft QFC on Capitol Hill.
• 🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Anti-establishment, but established: The market now has a paid staff of 11 people who meet weekly to plan events year-round, such as all-ages concerts, fashion shows, and raves. Decisions are made collectively among staff, volunteers, and vendors. All proceeds are donated to Seattle’s Low Income Housing Institute. They’re currently leasing the space on a six-month-by-six-month basis, with plans to stay put through next year.

🤖 Data centers: Seattle City Light has been approached by four companies interested in building five large-scale data centers. The centers’ combined maximum demand would equal roughly one-third of what the city uses on an average day. City Light says this level of demand could cut into the resources needed to serve the rest of the city. [Seattle Times]

😅 Tax deadlines: The Trump administration has approved federal funding to aid with the aftermath of our state’s historic flooding from December. Funds could include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low-cost loans. In related good news, the IRS is offering an automatic tax filing extension (to May 1) for Washington residents in areas affected by the storms and flooding. [Washington State Standard]

🚷 Safety hazards: The Department of Construction and Inspections has issued an order to the parks and recreation department, saying the agency has until May 15 to remove unsafe ladders, piping, and catwalks from Gas Works. Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board has repeatedly blocked the parks department’s attempts to make safety improvements. This order gives the department a way around these roadblocks. Nothing like city government drama! [Seattle Times]