The Brick Crisis: Why Seattle’s Boom Is Stalling Because of Empty Lots

We have had occasion heretofore to allude in very plain language to the urgent demand for brick structures in this city, and the situation has now become acute in all its aspects as to warrant still another reference to the great and crying need of the day.

Matters can be said to have reached an actual crisis, and unless something is done at once the interests of the city are certain to suffer materially. Seattle has prospered during the past eighteen months and the volume of business has increased amazingly. There should be to-day at least fifteen brick blocks under construction, while in fact there are but one or two. Several others are projected, but even if built they must prove inadequate to meet the very unusual demand which now exists.

This year, if every citizen did his duty, would, beyond all doubt, be the brightest and busiest in the history of Seattle. The prospect seems to be, however, that no small amount of capital which would otherwise be invested here, will go elsewhere, simply because accommodations are not to be obtained either through lease or outright purchase.

Any city in which such a condition of affairs is permitted is certainly doomed unless means are adopted to provide for the reception of the men and money that are now moving towards the Pacific coast. The great opportunity will have been lost, and the position which Seattle ought to have maintained will be needlessly turned over to another. Tacoma, Port Townsend, Chehalis, Olympia and Ellensburg are preparing for the influx, and brick blocks are going up on every hand.

In Seattle about the only activity manifested in the business part of the city is in the moving and repairing of a few old shanties which are a disgrace to the place, and only fit to be chopped into kindling wood.

It is well to look at this matter fairly and squarely. Unless more brick structures are built than are now contemplated, Seattle cannot hope to get one-tenth of the new trade which will settle on the Sound during the next six months. If some means are not employed to induce the owners of business property to build, or at least so lease for building purposes, the same old story will be told, and men of capital after vainly seeking accommodations will turn elsewhere for a place in which to invest.

Would it not be advisable for a committee of citizens to be organized with the intention of holding a conference with every holder of business property in the city? Cannot the seriousness of the situation, in this view, be brought to them in the most effectual way? If they have not the money with which to build, cannot this committee arrange to procure the same at low rate interest? Or, if property holders will not build, could it not induce them to sell, or at least to lease for a long term of years to those who would but build?

Of course, every man has the right to do with his own as he will, but he certainly could take no better an opportunity than this to serve the best interests of his fellow citizens when they are actuated only by public spirit and working solely for the public good. Any sacrifice is worth while to make the trial and run the risk of giving offense, rather than suffer the present exasperation of seeing a golden opportunity lost.

This is a most vital issue, and the sooner it is brought to a realizing point of view the better it will be for the city and those who are anxious for its welfare. We can no longer afford to let capital have the day. We must have more brick buildings. That is all there is to it.