http://www.scribd.com/doc/209601369/Waid…

There's some of the history regarding the series of events leading up to this.

Do we need to keep this business in operation just because of the race of its owner? Is that the high road here?

Serious question: what would it take to create new black-owned night spots in the CD? What are the barriers to entry, and what can be done to mitigate them? Is it a funding issue? Lenders? A real-estate problem? No spaces available? If there's a genuine demand for black run establishments that caked to a black clientele, what is missing from this picture?

If this is such an important issue for the black community, Waid should take his role in the matter more seriously. He did the soundproofing, why won't he inensify security, root out the druggies, and show up to court when summoned?

Been to Waid's, the place was unfairly blamed for the assaults and muggings that have been happening on that corner since long before the club was there.

That said, you can't operate a nightclub in Seattle if you stupidly hook up every undercover cop that walks into the bar and asks for drugs.

"In an effort to keep the discourse respectful and on topic, commenting on this item is now available only to registered commenters."

That should be sitewide, all the time.

There's some serious liberal guilt going on here

As far as I know Waid's has been unfairly blamed for a lot of things happening in the neighborhood.

Waid's is one of the best nightclubs in all of Seattle. I have been to a lot of unique events there, including a lot of techno dance parties and fundraisers for the local Burning Man community. Not only have I never seen any problems there, I'd say that the staff, as well as Waid himself, are the nicest people involved in nightlife in Seattle.

I hope that he's given another chance. If not then all of Seattle loses out. I'll contact the city liquor control board and tell them as well.

@10

This has been going on for 3 years now. He's had his second chance, and his "another chance" after that.

I feel bad for the guy, but I feel worse for the neighborhood residents who have had bullets come through their windows and worse.

Those bullets probably came from the bar whose alley entrance is across the street from Waids. That bar is an open crack market.

I completely fail to see why anyone cares, IN SEATTLE, that someone passed a joint to someone who asked at a reggae night. Woah. Apparently SPD cares. That's BS. A joint. Why doesn't SPD send an undercover to ask the bathroom attendant at the Columbia Tower Club for some coke?