“Economic activity in the areas affected didn’t return for at least 10 years, at least not to previous levels.”. If we don’t get it, burn it down.”, Antifa in Portland: "What do we want? And, in the weeks since, its restaurant industry has been shaken to its core. At least 160 businesses have left the city since last March. estimated to be the costliest in insurance history – between $1 billion and $2 billion. An often-overlooked cost of riots is the immediate funds needed to de-escalate violence and keep residents safe. Justice. She was unable to tell if it was an officer or rioter and so far there has been no update as to that information. "It is with heavy hearts that we announce effective Friday, March 13, 2020, we will be permanently closing our doors due to the devastating economic impact of global events. It may be beautiful, but please don’t post video ?? The shutdown, reopening at reduced capacity, and concerns for health and safety have forced many to close their doors permanently. — Joe B ?? SEATTLE, WA – Seattle downtown businesses continue to suffer the aftermath of the year’s protests-turned-riots and COVID-19. A reporter on scene said that she saw a body loaded into an ambulance from the ground. DSA officials say COVID-19 and plummeting foot traffic have only exacerbated problems, including shoplifting and the cost of paying for security. Many have closed permanently, reflecting the devastating outcome of a downtown area that has now been called a ghost town. While some of the companies that have left Seattle is due to the coronavirus pandemic, business leaders have said that much of it could be traced back to a sense that no one is minding the store in Seattle anymore, and a lack of accountability from city leaders. Blakeney said: “There hasn’t been a huge reply from the City Council to be honest.”. And that’s why I’m out here being, like, can we do a different form of protest besides burning down something?”. EDMONDS, Wash — TR International, a global chemical distributor, is moving from its home of more than two decades in downtown Seattle, crossing the county line to neighboring Edmonds. Now. The company is one of at least 160 businesses that have left Seattle since last March. Now. Commotion took over the streets again as people disbursed the area. 4,500 businesses in Seattle have been forced to close down temporarily or permanently since March first during the stay-at-home order, according to data just out from Yelp. Elaine Thompson/AP These departures come … When do we want it? And despite calls on the city council to adequately finance the police to keep the downtown area safe, the council continues to go forward with its plans to “defund.” On September 22, Twitter user Jon Huntley (@renwa82), a self-described political moderate, tweeted: “I’m staying out of any city that doesn’t have an adequate police force. Police release footage of knife-wielding man saying “kill me”, Don’t tell Fauci: Oscar attendees won’t be wearing masks while on camera (but will during commercials), Michigan Rep. Jones threatens to call Governor on police after drunk driving car crash. He said Los Angeles riots cost almost $5 billion in economic activity measured in lost sales over 10 years. More than 160 businesses have closed permanently in the Downtown Seattle area during the COVID-19 pandemic. We had an employee paying for parking after work. “Defunding” the police, at least in the short run, is proving to lessen the safety of the citizens and visitors of a city. Members of the press are harassing police officers in Portland. Last week, the DSA sent a letter to City Hall, inviting elected leaders to see what is happening on the ground and hoping they make a pledge to keep businesses safe. https://t.co/FoJ6oGcOpl, — Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) August 25, 2020. Video posted of the arson fire set at the @PPAVigil offices tonight. Both were extinguished before they were able to cause further damage. Arrests were made and tear gas was deployed to disburse the unlawful gathering. While protestors and rioters can choose to go home, or on to the next protest, Seattle businesses are left to deal with the remnants of violence, and they continue to pay. "Seattle was on the Today Show and the whole nation heard the silence of our elected leaders. Known for pulling guns on people and living a life of crime. According to Don Blakeney, spokesperson for the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), deteriorating safety conditions and COVID … Cars are blocking N Lombard. Add that to the post-riot ghost town and graffiti laden appearance of the downtown area, and it is little wonder that business owners find it difficult to begin again. TR International CEO Megan Gluth-Bohan said the decision to leave was easy. Now, the tea store has closed down permanently. With so much “stuff” happening in the world on social media, it’s easy for things to get lost. Many have closed permanently, reflecting the devastating outcome of a downtown area that has now been called a ghost town. Meantime, TR International just dropped $4 million on their new headquarters in Edmonds and is pumping another $500,000 into the local economy for renovations. Written by. West Seattle news, 24/7. — PNW Youth Liberation Front (@PNWYLF) August 25, 2020. Unfortunately, business closings are occurring all across the country post riot/COVID 2020. Most Americans, hearing of the violence and viewing it nightly on their television news, will not choose to go somewhere they are not safe. It's just unacceptable. SEATTLE — Even before new coronavirus restrictions were announced on Sunday, Seattle-area businesses had already taken a hit. Many businesses are still reeling from COVID-19 restrictions and closures. And Megan Gluth-Bohan isn't looking back. While some may not agree with the group’s political stance – the group hasn’t been responsible for any of the damage to property or looting in the city. Greg Goodman, the co-president of the Downtown Development Group, wrote a letter to Mayor Ted Wheeler explaining what the unchecked riots is doing to Portland economically. Become unbearable for many businesses in hordes, as evidenced by a slew of tweets from those departing the,... 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