Originally published Saturday, August 2, 1997

By MARK HIGGINS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

In a place as beautiful as Magnolia, it is hard to imagine much controversy, but it does lurk beneath the surface. The community has challenged some of the city's biggest institutions and come away with some partial victories.

A long-awaited swimming complex is near the construction stage, years after Metro promised the community it would pay for improvements to make up for the expansion of the West Point sewer treatment plant. And the Parks Department is building a public golf course along the eastern flank of Magnolia at Interbay.

Burlington Northern has spent a small fortune in recent years to lessen noise from its massive Interbay yard, says spokesman Gus Melonas. The railroad company also has stopped revving up its locomotives at night and on weekends, in response to community complaints.

The Port of Seattle reports 129 complaints from Magnolia about airplane noise in the last year, with some callers phoning in more than once.

Immunex Corp., Seattle's largest biotech company, recently alleviated some concerns of Magnolia and Queen Anne Hill homeowners about the increased traffic, noise and other effects posed by a proposed Pier 88 corporate headquarters and laboratories. Immunex will make 1.1 acres of land next to Elliott Bay Park available for public use.

Even Magnolia's prized madrona trees have stirred deep emotions. The sinewy, red-trunk trees line the southwest bluff, framing views and providing shade for summer-time picnics. (Magnolia's name comes from a case of mistaken identity. An early-day seaman looked at trees atop the 300-foot bluffs flanking the south end of the peninsula and wrote down "magnolias" in a ship's log.)

Almost a decade ago, someone cut through the fleshy trunks of about a half-dozen trees, sentencing them to a slow death by disease. Some of the trees are thought to be 100 years old.

"The rumor is that someone confessed to it in a hot tub one night," says Valerie Cholvin, though that person's identity has remained a secret."We always thought they added to the view. They're so graceful. But I guess some people like panoramic views."

Cholvin is a member of Save Magnolia's Madrones, a group that has been working with the city's Parks Department and University of Washington to save the trees. One goal is to replenish the madronas by planting new seedlings on the bluff.

Though the trees' ability to anchor the soil on the steep bluff is debatable, a huge slide along Magnolia Boulevard West occurred where a stand of madronas once existed.

Several beautiful waterfront homes below on Perkins Lane have been knocked off their foundations by the slides, causing millions of dollars in damage.

Continued:

• Great views, a changing scene
• Assortment of lifestyles lends charm to area
• Park is a slice of wilderness inside the city