Solar Richard Profiled in NYT
The New York Times calls Richard Thompson, AKA Solar Richard, a “certified character,” in their profile of the Tacoma man published today.
It’s a nice article about Solar Richard, and we appreciate the linking of green power with Tacoma. Particular positive attention is focused on the effort to light the new Narrows Bridge with solar power:
At Mr. Thompson’s urging, the new mile-long Tacoma Narrows Bridge is on its way to being lighted with solar power, a project toward which the state has contributed $1.5 million. And if all goes as planned, there will be electricity left over to feed back into the city’s power supply.
Kudos to our own Solar Richard for helping keep Tacoma on the map.
Link to The New York Times
11 comments
R Rick King December 5, 2007
Here is another great deal in this same neighborhood by Holy Rosary. A duplex for only $249,950. Two and three bedroom units. Wonderful panoramic views of Tacoma. Walking distance to all transit options. A great deal for owner occupied or for an investor. Great neighborhood. Offered by Re-Max MLS# 27207296. Check it out at http://sterling.washington.remax.com/listings/ListingDetail_r4.aspx?LID=37404621#aTop
C Crenshaw Sepulveda December 5, 2007
I know some people that won’t visit the Holy Rosary neighborhood during the daytime, let alone at night and there are people that hang around Hilltop and the syringe exchange van. Not Supulveda, though. They say the south side of Tacoma is the baddest part of town and if you go down there you better just beware of a man named Sepulveda….
C Christine December 5, 2007
I think that little area is a hidden gem. Its also a short walk to the streetcar station on 26th. From there…anywhere!
To get rid of bad things in the area it only takes a few proud homeowners who don’t put up with crap. That system is working for my neighborhood. 4 houses on my block alone have been fixed up by new occupant owners in the time I’ve lived here. No, not North End…the “405” is the best area in town!
Although I must admit, watching the johns come by and honk for the prostitute across the street was cheap entertainment. She must have worked fast, the car usually returned to drop her off within 10 minutes. 15 minutes tops.
C Crenshaw Sepulveda December 5, 2007
I agree that the Holy Rosary area is one of hte more amazing neighborhoods in Tacoma. How it could fall to the state that it ended up in I can’t explain, but it deserves a much better future. The prices are going way up in what was a very modestly priced area of wonderful views. Really, this is an area too good to stay in the hands of the lower incomed as much as I would like it to.
S snoopy December 6, 2007
That first one is a steal!!
G Ginkgo December 7, 2007
Highwater is right on every detail. Great neighborhood – no need to go to a rifle range when your own neighborhood is already full of the vermin that infest Holy Rosary.
Great views though.
E Erik S December 7, 2007
The neighborhood has a nice visual feel. I’ve never been through that part of town. How’s access to services? Is S 38th the best bet?
H Highwater December 7, 2007
Access to services is direct. Eventually the City will finish the Tacoma Ave Bridge project, and the state the new bridges over I-5. When those projects are complete, this neighborhood is 5 minutes from the center of downtown and 3 minutes from the Lincoln District. It’s 2 minutes from the freeway. And yes, it has great views. Someone else already mentioned how close the light rail is. You can walk to the the Sounder in about 10 minutes.
C CJ December 8, 2007
Highwater, BS agent do not set the price, unrealistic sellers do. This is how it works for all those BS agents. They work in an over populated field and they will take what ever piece of the pie they can get. The seller always wants more then what the real market dictates, but do they believe the honest agents, —— no! They think the honest agents are lying to them just to get a quick sale. So they will go with the less experienced or desperate agent who tells them they can get more and they will sell it at a reduced commission just to prove they know what they are doing (BS) but ultimately it is the seller who determines the price that is on that listing and that is who you need to complain about. Five words that will defeat a seller every time “we can always come down”. Your buyer didn’t even know you were there because you out priced them.
H Highwater December 8, 2007
Real estate BS — not saying anything about the agent, the seller, etc. — what I’m talking about is the general racket of the real estate business itself. The two houses pictured are perfect examples. One had a major slope failure after the Nisqually earthquake that was never fixed. The other had all the charm and historic ornamentation sucked out of it by a poorly executed remodel. Yet the phrase “lovingly restored” has actually been used in the selling literature. Replacing solid fir lathed porch columns with three 2×6s nailed together isn’t loving restoration — it’s hackwork. And that is the epitome of real estate BS.
C CJ December 9, 2007
I will agree with you that there is a lot of hack jobs out there that the sellers think are good enough! Do you have any suggestions on how to enforce a standard of quality that will benefit everyone with pricing, time and effort? As a potential buyer I am always offended by the lack of truth in “beautiful remodel” and all they did was paint it. It is a waist of my time to even go look at someone else’s lies. Again agents write what a seller wants them to say because the seller is who hired the agent. I want to make sellers more responsible for what they have agents market.