Tower Envy: Capitol Hill vs. The CD
I’m totally burned-out on depressing news stories, so today a (mostly) silly diversion: the simmering feud between Capitol Hill and Central District bloggers. Their territorial squabbling may not rival the Hatfields and McCoys, but it hints at the importance of neighborhood identity and also touches on truth in advertising. Better still, most everyone has an opinion about it.
Near as I can tell from sifting through the historical documents, the whole who-ha began with the uppity Hill folks’ graphic attempt to annex what they’ve dubbed Radio Point, the tiny triangular strip of land just south of Madison from which the mighty broadcasting towers rise.
For many, this was the final insult. The diverse tribes south of Madison could countenance no more. The CD responded to the attack on its sovereignty by rallying its citizenry to e-retaliation.
And so the blog wars began. (Such as they are.)
As a mercenary who daily steals back-and-forth across the border, I find, in this fracas at least, I must side with the CD. Every thinking man knows the disputed territory has historically been part of the CD.
Madison marks the southern boundary of Capitol Hill: always has, always will. Regardless of what several truth-stretching real estate agents write (Note to said agents: stop it; it’s annoying and insulting), or what social-climbing south-of-the-boundary Hill-wannabes proclaim.
Beyond mere historical precedent, I also make my stand for simplicity’s sake. It’s much easier to say, “Madison is the boundary between Capitol Hill and the CD”, than it is to say “Madison is the boundary between Capitol Hill and the CD, until you get to Union. Then it turns south on Union until 20th, where it winds back north to…” Talk about overly-complicated bureaucratic tripe?!?
Personally, I think the Hill folk are just jealous. How can they help it? Sure, Capitol Hill is fancy–but it’s also sorta tired and stodgy. The CD on the other hand, flush from on-going gentrification, is fresh and newly-shined.
For the record, these homes are in Capitol Hill:
324 17th Ave E Seattle, WA 98112 Price: $798,000
1420 E Pine St #E302 Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $499,950
1631 16th Ave #220 Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $280,000
And these homes are in the Central District (marketing hype aside):
1811 E Spring St Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $899,950
1101 17th Ave #207 Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $219,000
1415 E Marion St Seattle, WA 98122 Price: $829,000
Don’t even get me started on the CD vs. Squire Park debate.
