Update Thursday, Nov. 10: In response to numerous comments, I asked Seattle Parks Department Acquisition Planner Chip Nevins whether the three businesses would be getting relocation assistance. Here is his response:
The relocation assistance provided by the City is enough to allow the businesses to find a new space, move and set-up their business at the new location. This would happen either when we are ready to develop the park, or if they decide to move after their lease expires.
Earlier: The Seattle Parks Department has signed a purchase and sale agreement to buy the land directly north of the Greenwood Library — which currently houses Greenwood Quickstop, Aloha Ramen and Manna Teriyaki – for a future park site.
Acquisition Planner Chip Nevins said Parks expects to close on the property sometime in early January. The current owner of the site is also the owner of the Greenwood Quickstop.
But, the quarter-acre site at North 81st Street and Greenwood Avenue North won’t be turned into a park right away. Nevins said the Parks Department doesn’t have the money yet to develop the site, and there’s no time frame yet for that to happen. So the businesses that are currently there will remain for the time being.
The purchase money comes from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy.
