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Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:12 pm
by LCF
We dove Cove 2 yesterday, and went into the Fish'n'Chips place to warm up, and got the news that Yvonne has lost her lease. I'm not sure when she'll be closing, but the lease has gone to two Korean women. From what Peter heard (and I have no independent confirmation of this at all) the bids were the same, but the city gave preference to the other group on other than financial grounds.

I don't know if anyone else cares, or if anything we do would matter. But I'd be willing to spearhead a petition to keep Yvonne there. As much as I would like to see healthier food on the menu, that place has been friendly to divers for all the six years I've been diving, and Yvonne cares about us. I'd hate to see her go.

Anybody else think this is worth doing something about?

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:18 pm
by Grateful Diver
LCF wrote:We dove Cove 2 yesterday, and went into the Fish'n'Chips place to warm up, and got the news that Yvonne has lost her lease. I'm not sure when she'll be closing, but the lease has gone to two Korean women. From what Peter heard (and I have no independent confirmation of this at all) the bids were the same, but the city gave preference to the other group on other than financial grounds.

I don't know if anyone else cares, or if anything we do would matter. But I'd be willing to spearhead a petition to keep Yvonne there. As much as I would like to see healthier food on the menu, that place has been friendly to divers for all the six years I've been diving, and Yvonne cares about us. I'd hate to see her go.

Anybody else think this is worth doing something about?
Wow ... I'm just floored by that news. Yvonne has been an important friend to the diving community for the decade plus that I've been using the cove. It'd be like losing a good friend.

Not sure if there's anything we can do about it, but if there is I'd be willing to pitch in and support her ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 1:30 pm
by ktb
She is a total sweetheart and I don't want to lose a "diver friend" that way!! If there is anything I can do, I'll do it.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 2:21 pm
by Dusty2
Try Get Jessi, @king tv. This sounds like a job for the meadia. We as divers might not have much influence in this sort or thing but media can get the word out to thousands that we can't and a huge public outcry could pressure them into doing something.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 2:31 pm
by Jeff Pack
Yea, that just seems wrong.

If the bids were the same, you have two options.

1> Make the current business close down (jobs lost), and start a new one.(and whats in its place and who/how much will they hire?)

2> Leave the current business there, no jobs lost, current business continues.


I honestly dont remotely understand the logic of closing a current business. It just doesn't pass the smell test.

And I dont mean to sound racist here, I'm just speaking from alot of personal experience amongst varied Far East cultures, Korean businesses typically only hire the same folks unless they have no other choice.

News like this just pisses me off.

I'd suggest a petition to the city, as well as the same petition going to the varied news medias.

In todays economy, <1> is just stupid.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:04 pm
by kdupreez
OH NOO!!!

Yvonne has a super diver friendly operation and the "Dive Bar" just got some legs under it too! DAMN!

Sign me up for a petition signature to keep her there!!

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 3:31 pm
by Grateful Diver
Maybe we need an Occupy Seacrest movement ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:33 pm
by ktb
Grateful Diver wrote:Maybe we need an Occupy Seacrest movement ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I like my fish and chips without pepper spray, thank you.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:40 pm
by ljjames
we have until 4pm tomorrow to maybe help her out, as that is when they are submitting to the city requesting reconsideration...

maybe if we make an online petition and get everyone we know to sign in....

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:08 pm
by Dusty2
Sign me up! This totally sucks! Not to mention being totally unfair. :angry:

Racist smachist! The government is the racist! I have run into this before and it just plain stinks! Government entities frequently put things up for bit then after they and every one else has wasted mega money going through the process coming up with the best bid they will throw the whole thing out in favor of a minority contractor to fill their quota even though this contractor will cost us the tax payers more.

When I was out of work once the city of Tacoma had an opening for a machinist so they subjected us, and I am talking 100 or more candidates that they had whittled it down to to a very detailed written exam after which they called 4 of us in as final candidates for a last job interview and told us that one of us would be chosen and we would hear back soon. A week or two later we all received a letter saying that due to affirmative action they were hiring a minority candidate that hadn't even made the list of qualified candidates let lone the top 4. :angry:

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:17 pm
by CaptnJack
I don't have a clue what the other lease proposal included and I guess I would like to see the City's selection criteria and how/why Yvonne ranked lower. I sure like her regardless of the outcome. And she may be better off without a city lease. Last a saw the old Thai place down the street by Don Armeni was still empty.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 5:45 pm
by E_Mo
I imagine if it is a City building, the City Council will have to approve it at a Council meeting (I know from experience working for a City that the smallest things have to be approved by council, I once wanted to get a grant to cover expenses, and that had to be approved by the Council. Even expenidtures over a certain amount had to be approved). Maybe if someone calls into the City Hall, they will tell us when that meeting is, and we can show up and support Yvonne?

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 6:21 pm
by Joshua Smith
Yeah, this is terrible news. Yvonne is a sweetheart, and I love the crabshack and dive bar. If there's a petition we can sign, or a council meeting we can invade, I'd like to know about it.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:13 pm
by LCF
I'm trying to find out where we can send diver input on this. Does anybody know anyone at the West Seattle website?

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:19 pm
by DecidedlyOdd
I found what appears to be a link to the RFP for the concession at the park:

https://www.seattle.gov/parks/partnersh ... thouse.pdf

There's lots of interesting background information about the site, schedule, process, etc. in there.

The listed contact in the document is:

Rita Hollomon, Parks Concession Coordinator at (206) 684-8008 or email her at rita.hollomon@seattle.gov

It sounds like she should be able to provide some more information about the process and its current situation.

As to why the current operators may not have gotten the concession renewed, it looks like they may want a new operator to not only make money but also make improvements to the building/area. From the document (my own emphasis added):
DPR’s primary objective in this RFP is to secure a concession operation that will be financially viable, profitable and will be maintained and operated at the highest standards. In addition, another objective is to have an operation that will make a significant improvement to the visual quality and ambience of the park and its community while providing a convenience for the public.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:32 pm
by DecidedlyOdd
There's more info at the bottom of this page too:

http://www.pan.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/p ... ps/rfp.htm

Including a FAQ at http://www.pan.ci.seattle.wa.us/parks/p ... st_faq.pdf.

Some choice quotes from that document:
QUESTION: Can we get a timeline and descriptions of all tenant improvements or physical
alterations made for the last 10 years?

ANSWER: From 1999 on, the following improvements were made:
Office remodel, Window R&R and materials, Lighting labor and materials, tile work, materials and
labor-building Improvements; Security System, Install of a Window on North side of building for Divers
to order from outside
; Tables and Umbrellas, Glass display cabinets; Kitchen remodel with a Fire
Suppression system for hood, Hood Assembly and Exhaust system, 3-Phase adapter, Telephone
mechanical install, Dumpster for facility, Fence windbreak/cover; Safe, Vacuum Machine and Boat
Ramp Repairs and Maintenance. They also installed a new floor, painted walls and recently
remodeled the side room for a small ‘bar’ area.
So improvements for divers count.
QUESTION: Will any preference be given to businesses that are minority owned or women-owned?

ANSWER: No preference, but we encourage such businesses to submit proposals.
So it sounds pretty irrelevant if a business owned by two Korean women got the concession or not.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 7:47 pm
by dwashbur
Let me know where to sign the petition. I often wonder how much alcohol goes into some of this city's decisions.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:37 pm
by diverden
I'm out of town but this really sad news for me too. I'll stay tuned to see how I can help.

--
Sent from my Nexus One using Tapatalk

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:57 pm
by Sounder
ktb wrote:
Grateful Diver wrote:Maybe we need an Occupy Seacrest movement ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I like my fish and chips without pepper spray, thank you.
Meh - it's not that bad.

FWIW, Yvonne and the other owners of the business were very helpful and supportive in the placing of the AED. There might be a case to be made for goodwill with divers and their contribution to diver safety with their overwhelming willingness to have the AED installed.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:04 pm
by Magoi
Bad news indeed.
Looked the RFP over briefly. Seems like it is too late to file a protest. They are now in the process of negotiations (probably complete) and working on the legislation for City Council. There may be an opportunity for input of public opinion (petition) to the Parks dept. informally, not sure if they would be obligated to consider it. Seems like the petition and the media are about it, unless there is some other process described in their rules. I will sign the petition. We will need a boatload of signatures to make a difference, though, and it probably needs to be in this month.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:08 pm
by CaptnJack
I wonder what improvements the Korean tenants proposed to make?
Crazy "deal" the city stikes with these businesses. At this point I think Yvonne might be better off taking her good name and reputation to a similar location very close by.

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 11:50 pm
by ljjames
I don't know if it will help, but i made this, there were a handful of different online petition sites out there so i did the best i could without much info (i asked around heard sketchy things about a few of them) but this one seemed ok. if you know of a better one, please let me know... I'm happy to do the work to get it up and running...

http://signon.org/sign/save-alki-fish-a ... by=1751332

West Seattle Blog is going to promote it as well, and send it out to their network. If we can get boatloads of signatures she will take it all the way to city hall, the news stations, etc...

So, sign away!

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 12:33 am
by Dusty2
Let's hope we can pull this one out as we did with with the clay walls dive ban

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:28 am
by Grateful Diver
Dusty2 wrote: When I was out of work once the city of Tacoma had an opening for a machinist so they subjected us, and I am talking 100 or more candidates that they had whittled it down to to a very detailed written exam after which they called 4 of us in as final candidates for a last job interview and told us that one of us would be chosen and we would hear back soon. A week or two later we all received a letter saying that due to affirmative action they were hiring a minority candidate that hadn't even made the list of qualified candidates let lone the top 4. :angry:
I'm not sure when or with what department that occurred Dusty ... but as a City of Tacoma employee I can tell you that preferences based on anything except qualifications and test scores violates City policy.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Re: Really bad news for Seattle divers

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:05 am
by Jeff Pack
the sad part, is they have all the info, so they can weasel the info to make whatever case they wish to.