|
|
Article: Seattle torn over how to save industry
- Article from:
- Journal of Business
- Article date:
- June 26, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Northwest Business Press Inc. Jun 26, 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
In December, Seattle's City Council passed a controversial law to protect more than 5,000 acres of industrial land by limiting the incursion of offices and retail. The massive downzone - some call it the largest in city history - was supposed to keep industry from being uprooted.
The law sent "a strong message that Seattle wants to keep industrial jobs," said Marty McOmber, spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels.
But within a few months, two big manufacturers - Korry Electronics and University Swaging - announced they'd leave town. Two others, GM Nameplate and Avtech, said they're considering such a move.
Now some are asking whether the downzone is working. And, perhaps more importantly, there's ...