Seattle officials say a city inspection found the brick facade on the 15th Ave E building tied to the sudden shutdown of three businesses is stable, and it does not present an ongoing safety hazard to the public.
According to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections, the finding means the city will not issue a Hazard Correction Order. CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News reported that such an order can set repair deadlines and require licensed engineering reports, with civil penalties as enforcement.
The building has been at the center of questions since Rione XIII, Rubinstein Bagels, and Bar Vacilando closed last week, citing lease issues and unspecified building concerns. CHS previously reported crumbling brick along the E. Harrison-side masonry facade of the 96-year-old structure. The city’s decision not to compel a vacate order adds uncertainty for tenants, neighbors, and anyone planning work on the building.
For owners and mason contractors, the situation is a reminder that “no city order” does not automatically mean “no project.” A stable facade can still demand planning, especially when brick deterioration is visible and commercial tenants need clarity on timing, access, and responsibility for repairs. For now, the block remains dark, and the next steps range from rehabilitation for new tenants to substantial structural investment or eventual redevelopment.
Read the full, original article from CHS Capitol Hill Seattle News here.