The Stranger has learned that developer Wright Runstad--which was slated to expand Amazon.com's digs at the company's Beacon Hill PacMed site--couldn't secure financing for the north lot project. Creditors determined that the online retailer wouldn't be able to make its payments to Wright Runstad.

The new building has been temporarily scrapped. JOSH FEIT

Foiled Again

There's been a lot of talk about the push in the state legislature to lower criminal sentencing for nonviolent drug offenders. Some tough-on-crime politicians have reportedly begun emphasizing treatment over punishment to best fight the war on drugs ["Change Your Meds," Phil Campbell, Jan 18, 2001].

But that "push" is turning out to be nothing more than a faint-hearted tap. Conservatives are balking at lowering criminal sentencing for nonviolent drug offenses, and the state senate's Ways and Means Committe Chair, Lisa Brown (D-Spokane) is balking at funding the initial start-up costs of encouraging treatment. PHIL CAMPBELL

Strike Busters

There's a new threat to the local labor movement: Hooters girls.

Two weeks ago, Avalon Bay Communities, a Bellevue-based construction company, used the women to end some labor unrest. Earlier this month, Avalon was enmeshed in a bitter strike with a local carpenters' union. Hoping to lure the carpenters back and to keep scab workers on the job, Avalon hired the scantily clad Hooters women to cater lunch at its Belltown work site.

The strike has since fizzled. Did the ploy work? A union spokesman says no, claiming that the carpenters returned to work in order to "feed their families." PHIL CAMPBELL

Bypass Surgery

City Council Member Nick Licata is bypassing the council's transportation committee, a committee headed by Sound Transit diehard Richard McIver, to introduce resolutions that will expand the scope of Sound Transit's light-rail review panel. Among other things, Licata wants the panel to look at transportation alternatives like monorail. Licata also wants the group to include one member from each neighborhood pegged for a light-rail station stop. JOSH FEIT

Great Idea

In a press release issued last week, Mayor Paul Schell announced that the city would enforce a policy of "zero tolerance for any violations of the law." Schell is also rumored to be floating the idea of creating an entire city agency responsible for "policing" these laws. Schell's radical plan will establish a department of specially trained, uniformed "officers," who will cost the city an estimated $153 million. NANCY DREW