Columbia City, Seattle

A historic icon, spilling over with diversity. The infamous Columbia City is a sight to behold, especially on foot. Just taking in the sheer number of businesses and restaurants along Ranier Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way (MLK) can make any head spin. Located between Hinds Street (north) and Kenyon (south), with MLK and Ranier squeezing in tight on the south side. In the northern half, it spreads eastward along Alaska Street.

History

Formerly a dense conifer forest, named with exploration in mind, and annexed to Seattle in 1907, Columbia City is now considered one of Seattle’s most economically and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. The boom in wartime industry not only brought jobs, but a large influx of African Americans. As a result, the 1960s and 1970s suffered financial and racial hardship. The late 1980s ushered in an era of rebirth, as new blood moved in to take advantage of inexpensive housing.

Demographics and Income

Ethnic diversity is the buzzword here, with Whites nearly a minority. The Blacks and Asians dominate the cultural landscape with almost 40% being single. However, out of the 45% that are married, one-third of them have children at home. Income levels drop significantly, especially in the northwest section of the community. Closer to Lake Washington, contrasting the homes near Beacon Avenue, are mansion-like estates with beautiful vistas of the Cascade Mountains.

Culture

The cultural diversity of Columbia City may make it feel less like a typical Seattle coffee-saturated neighborhood and more like an overseas immersion experience. Just like the income levels, the cultural feel shifts from west to east, with the darker-skinned residents residing closer to Martin Luther King Jr Way (MLK) and the whites near the water.

Real Estate

From a residential standpoint, having the opportunity to own in this area is a win-win situation. No need to travel the world for cultural enrichment, when it is right at the doorstep. Diversity doesn't stop with the people, but also extends to the architecture. Homes, typically, were built in the 1920s, with the average size being around 1,500 square feet. Roughly half of the residents are homeowners, many of whom have beautifully restored their residences. Values have dropped considerably, with the average home being around $300,000.

Local Business Tour (Restaurants, Pubs, Coffee Houses, Shops and other Amenities)

Standing on the podium, claiming a medal for one of the most diverse zip codes in the nation, it truly is the melting pot of Seattle. If one were to eat out at a different ethnic restaurant each night in this community, they would be busy for about half of the year! MLK Way and Rainier Avenue are packed with eating establishments, and many Seattleites dip into this section of town for entertaining evenings.

A running list of some eating establishments: Hoanlan Restaurant (http://bitly.com/fkjke4) - Serves Bun Bo Hue; The Cajun Crawfish (http://on.fb.me/hMZyb9) - An inexpensive way to explore the tastes of Lousiana; Thai Palms (http://thai-palms.com) - Authentic Thai and Laos Cuisine; Mawadda Cafe (http://mawaddacafe.com) - Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine that is home to some of the best Falafel in Seattle; Afrikando Afrikanda (http://afrikandoafrikando.com) - West African cuisine; Tutta Bella (http://tuttabella.com) - The Northwest’s first and most celebrated authentic Neapolitan pizzeria; Kallaloo (http://kallalooseattle.com) - An authentic Caribbean restaurant featuring weekend performances; Roy’s B-B-Q (http://royscolumbiacity.com) - Georgia-like BBQ, featuring tasty pulled pork; Verve Bistro and Cellar (http://vervewinebar.com) - Wining and dining experience every evening, along with champagne brunch on the weekends; Island Soul Caribbean Cuisine (http://islandsoulrestaurant.net) - Tender chicken dishes worth savoring; Geraldine’s Counter (http://geraldinescounter.com) - Breakfast served all day; and Flying Squirrel Pizza Company (http://bitly.com/hi2TPo) - A casual, yet funky vision to pizza served with mainly organic ingredients and featuring Stumptown coffee (http://stumptowncoffee.com).

Night life is no stranger to Columbia City, and the restaurant list above features certain venues with doors open past 10pm. Other establishments to seek out after the sunset include: The Bourbon Columbia City Theater (http://columbiacitytheater.com) - Featuring a wide selection of whiskey and specialty drinks, all the while, enjoying quality performances; and Columbia City Ale House (http://seattlealehouses.com/ColumbiaCity) - A British Pub with extensive history in the Seattle area.

A couple of cafés to savor include Columbia City Bakery (http://columbiacitybakery.com) - Featuring the coffee of True North Coffee Roasters, while specializing in delicious pastries, cakes and bread; Empire Espresso Bar (http://empireespressobar.blogspot.com) - A community-based and community-oriented wine, beer and espresso bar; and Both Ways Cafe (http://bitly.com/hunv0f) - A laid back environment with tasty biscuits.

Food and beverages are just the beginning, as a wide variety of local businesses have found solace here. Here are a few: Bike Works (http://bikeworks.org) - An organization that makes bicycling accessible and affordable to people from all walks of life; Retroactive Kids (http://retroactivekids.com) - Vintage accessories for children; Books4Cars (http://books4cars.com) - Find the correct auto repair manual and book for every automobile; Lucky Dragon Tattoo Parlor (http://luckydragontattooparlor.com) - Respect and understanding back this state-of-the-art studio, featuring thousands of flash art choices; and Viet Wah (http://vietwah.com) - A large Asian grocery importer, wholesale distributor and retailer.

Accommodations

A neighborhood packed with restaurants, pubs, coffee houses and shops has not overlooked the overnight stay. However, only one place exists to be reviewed, The Shirley Marvin (http://shirleymarvin.com). A vintage hotel situated on Edmunds Street, with quick access to Seattle’s light rail. The goal is to provide a relaxed and home-like ambiance, virtually hassle-free. It features four fully-furnished one-bedroom suites, with vintage furnishings.

Schools

Education choices abound here, starting with Hawthorne Elementary (http://seatteschools.org/schools/hawthorne) - An inclusive, collaborative learning environment, rooted in strong family partnerships. Other notable institutions are: Zion Preparatory Academy (http://zionprep.org) - Students who know themselves, what they can become, and understand implications of serving God and walking in His will; Rainier Valley Cooperative Preschool (http://rainiervalleycooppreschool.org) - Adults and children have equal roles in the learning environment—a place where parents are highly involved; Saint Edward Parish School (http://saintedwardseattle.org) - Quality Catholic education that is nationally accredited; and Magic Lantern Montessori (http://magiclanternpreschool.org) - A rich curriculum that touches on many life experiences.

Recreation

Eating venues are not the only items on the menu for Columbia City; a large community center (http://bitly.com/dWE5Xk) with plenty of activities and sporting facilities occupies the center of the populated area, which blends, almost seamlessly, into Genesee Park (http://bitly.com/eaeFnW), then leads north to Sayres Memorial Park (http://bitly.com/geXWsb) and a boat launch area. More waterfront green space emerges further south, approaching Seward Park (http://bitly.com/huK5hU). A bike ride along Lake Washington Boulevard is a Mecca-like experience for any rider. Even the smaller, inland, Lakewood Park (http://bitly.com/gE731J) is a solitary experience within this already enriched demographic area.

Peruse the streets and use all senses to absorb the days gone by, being occupied with modern enhancements. Days off will never be the same when committed to explore Columbia City, bringing almost unending satisfaction to any curious tourist or local.

My family and I had the opportunity to attend a picnic with several friends at Genesee Park, further digesting (no pun intended) the depths of natural beauty and cultural mixing that occur so peacefully here. Even blocks from the water, Columbia City has not left out any fun, with the addition of Brighton Playfield (http://bitly.com/eN44Nc). Many hours of sports-related activities are to be had here, including a play area for the small ones. One more activity-filled green space is on the south side, Othello Playground (http://bitly.com/evlEoQ), featuring basketball courts and a play area with a large slide.

Medical and Wellness Facilities

Following closely on the recreational, knowing someone is bound to get hurt, is the medical component. Here’s what can be found: Rainier Beach Medical Clinic (http://bitly.com/hnImNU) - Part of a chain that features quality medical and dental care, along with many other services; Columbia City Acupuncture (http://columbiacityacupuncture.com) - Featuring the services of David McGraw, who believes in widely accessible harm-free medicine; Elderhealth (http://elderhealth.org) - Providing care for frail adults, enabling them to remain at home with their families; and Group Health Rainier Medical Center (http://ghc.org) - A consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system.

Spiritual Centers and Churches

The diversity trend continues with religion. Here is a wide swath of the churches and spiritual centers within Columbia City: Greater Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church (http://greatermtmoriahseattle.org) - A diverse congregation led by Sherman and Ruth Walker; Bethlehem Lutheran Church [Recently renamed to “Columbia City New Start”] (http://bethlehemseattle.org) - An ELCA church with eyes to social justice; Columbia Lakewood Community Church (http://columbialakewoodchurch.com) - A multi-racial and multi-generational congregation related to the Church of Brethren and the United Church of Christ; Damascus Baptist Church (http://damascusbaptistchurchwa.org) - Led by Rev. James P. Broughton, III and Tammi Broughton, with a “New Beginnings” theme; and Bikur Cholim Machzikay Hadath (http://bcmhseattle.org) - A synagogue with a 120 year history.

Transportation Access and Tips

Commuting via arterial streets and public transport are the way to go in Columbia City. Access to the Interstate involves several minutes of residential jockeying. With the addition of Seattle’s light rail in 2009, traveling to downtown and the airport are commonplace. The bus runs along MLK, Rainier Avenue and Wilson Avenue. Arterial streets like MLK and Rainier Avenue can provide efficient commuting parallel to Interstate 5.

Summary

This neighborhood should either be at the top of the list for sightseeing, or a near second if Pike Place Market (http://bitly.com/fYYXms) takes precedence. Regardless of the visitation plan, this collection of people, homes, businesses and parks should not be missed.