LTU meets with Lockhaven owners John Goodman and George Petrie

The Lockhaven Tenant’s Union (LTU) scored a victory in our efforts to keep Lockhaven affordable  Monday evening when Lockhaven’s new chief owner, John Goodman, Chairman, Goodman Real Estate (GRE) and GRE President and CEO, George Petrie, both Seattle residents, sat down at the table with our negotiations team of current and former Lockhaven tenants.

Having the meeting in itself was an accomplishment as the LTU had been working hard for months to get the owners to the table to discuss ways to ameliorate the many hardships we have encountered since Goodman Real Estate executives purchased the building in August 2013. Goodman himself echoed the uniqueness of the gathering, “we don’t usually do this sort of thing,” he said.

Many factors contributed to the planning and realization of the informative face-to-face dialogue, including an information campaign, reaching out to all tenants, including those who have already departed, help from the Tenant’s Union of Washington State, facilitation by the office of Seattle City Council member Nick Licata, and the interest of GRE Lockhaven partners in reaching out to the community.

Viewpoints of both owners and the LTU were discussed openly, with the former evoking a willingness to be flexible and to consider extending some monetary assistance to tenants facing particular difficulty in relocation, more transparency regarding renovations to the complex and its effect on remaining residents, and further dialogue on the multi-faceted topic of “affordability”.

No decisions were made on either side but good progress was made and we are hopeful we can continue to move in a positive  direction through continued work with management and ownership.  GRE Lockhaven indicated they would consider a more detailed proposal based on the understandings put forth at the meeting and to meet again once it is time to make decisions and to commit to solutions. For those who have been wondering what is going on at Lockhaven, please be informed: your union is at work for you and invites your participation in the process of constructive change!

90 day notices from GRE Lockhaven

Earlier this week GRE Lockhaven distributed a "90-Day Notice of Development Activity ...". This was expected and is consistent with the relocation timeline presented by GRE Lockhaven on November 22, 2013. Simply put, this notice means that the City of Seattle has approved GRE Lockhaven's application for a license to relocate tenants as part of its renovation plan. After the end of the 90-day period, on March 28, 2014, GRE Lockhaven could conceivably issue 20-day Termination of Tenancy Notices to all Lockhaven tenants.

However, at this time, the Lockhaven Tenants Union (LTU) has no reason to believe that GRE Lockhaven will depart significantly from their earlier relocation schedule calling for phased evictions of three or fewer buildings per month over the course of ten months. The LTU is hopeful that our negotiations with the two principal shareholders of GRE Lockhaven, which begin next week, will result in changes that will preserve all or part of Lockhaven as affordable housing and lessen the impact of GRE Lockhaven's plans on current tenants. The LTU needs your input and support now more than ever to achieve a good outcome for all Lockahaven tenants. If you haven't already completed the Lockhaven tenants survey then please do so.

The colors of money

Hidden in plain sight are the test colors for the new Lockhaven. Presumably some or all of them will bedeck the facades of our buildings. This is the back of 3026, warped by the panorama effect. You will recognize the colors as today's designer colors of many new condominium complexes in the area. They are the colors of MONEY!

Evan A. Sugden

Survey for Lockhaven tenants

What is important to you?
Tell us for a meeting with Lockhaven’s owners!

Our tireless work has paid off!  The Lockhaven Tenants Union (LTU) is meeting with the new owners of Lockhaven Apartments early next year!  This meeting came about through the efforts of the LTU, Tenants Union of Washington State, and the offices of Seattle City Councilmember Nick Licata.
Now, we need your help!!!  Please complete a short survey!!!
    •    WHO: Current and former Lockhaven tenants
    •    WHY: Survey results will be used to help us in negotiations with the new owners of Lockhaven. This is your chance to tell us what is important to you. You matter!
    •    WHEN: Complete survey by January 10, 2014.
    •    WHERE: Online (email LockhavenTenants@Outlook.com for URL)  or get at a paper survey at the Lockspot Cafe (3005 NW 54th St).
    •    Questions: Please email the LTU at LockhavenTenants@Outlook.com  
or call Eliana Horn at 206-722-6848 ext 114.
    •    Any personal information you share with the LTU will be kept confidential.

Happy Holidays!
Lockhaven Tenants Union

Community. Dignity. Strength in numbers.

LTU flyers wrongfully removed from Lockhaven

LTU produced the flyer attached below to raise awareness about what is happening at Lockhaven and posted it on doors throughout the apartment complex.

Today these flyers were wrongfully removed by person(s) unknown.  Management and GRE Lockhaven should be aware of the following law:

Under the Seattle Housing and Building and Maintenance Codes, (SMC 22.206.180), Seattle landlords are prohibited from preventing or discriminating against tenants who are organizing in their buildings. Organizing activities include passing out and posting flyers and information to your neighbors and in common areas, creating connection with your neighbors and inviting them to get involved, and holding meetings that are unattended by management or agents of the landlord in the building. If the landlord takes any undue negative action against a tenant who has participated in one of these organizing activities, it is automatically assumed to be retaliation and is illegal. If you would like more information, or want to report retaliation by your landlord for organizing in your building, contact the Department of Planning and Development at 206-615-0808, or you can file a report online at Filing A Complaint.

LTU Pickets Goodman & Developer Friends At Greed Fest

Thursday night, with temperatures dropping below freezing, three LTU supporters held signs and handed out Save-Lockhaven fliers. The event was the "Multifamily Conference", held at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Pier 66, Seattle. Scheduled to present for Goodman Real Estate was Don Fosseen (now part owner of Lockhaven), speaking about the "biggest deals of the year". (Could the Lockhaven multifamily roust-out have been one of the big ones?) We reached several dozen conference-goers and handed out quite a few fliers, including some to the Center staff. From those who glanced at the flyer, we could see it was generating interest at various levels and presumed that word of the action would eventually reach our friends at Pinnacle and perhaps even John Goodman himself, although we did not see any familiar faces there. At about the time the traffic was trickling down to zero, the building management politely suggested we leave. We were too cold but to oblige, having accomplished our mission. Special thanks to Stina for media production and all our supporters at the Tenants Union of Washington State.

Evan A. Sugden

Lockhaven reroofing

 On Nov 27,  this notice was posted from management to selected Lockhaven buildings:

"Dear Lockhaven Resident,

The removal of the old roof material has now been removed from your building, and weather paper has been put in place. The next, and final step, is the installation of the new roofing material. This project will begin Monday, December 2nd. The work will begin for 5 different buildings, and the plan is that all of them will be complete within a 3 week timeframe, before the holidays. Work will be between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm.

Due to the nature of the installation, please make sure that all of your books, decor, etc. are secured well so nothing falls off of walls and shelves."


If you have any damage to your personal property due to this construction, or see any violations of building codes,  please call the

City of Seattle Code Violation Complaint Line at 206-615-0808