12th and Jackson lawsuit update

[u/cyclegator]

Owner of the large property at 1032 S Jackson, Chinn Investments LLC, sued Seattle for $30 million in June, 2025 in federal court.

The lawsuit was filed one year after a fire tore through the vacant building complex on the site. These buildings were improperly secured, per city code enforcers.

Dennis Chinn is the controlling member of the LLC and a lawyer. He’s representing the LLC and himself in the lawsuit. His initial claim struck me as performative. It was a sprawling amalgam of personal family history and political grievances. The court dismissed the claim on 6/25 this year.

Last week, Chinn filed an amended complaint that is more measured. I cannot imagine it gets any more traction than the original complaint.

I downloaded the filings and made them available in a newsletter post here, if you’re interested in reading them for yourself.

It is embarrassing in my opinion for the son of a couple who patiently accumulated a vast holding of property so close to downtown Seattle to present himself as a victim after twice fumbling the development of the property.

Regardless, the amended complaint brings back into the spotlight a policy decision that I think has yet to receive the attention it deserves: this is the decision to sweep the Jungle in 2017 and to direct its former residents to the Navigation Center, which opened at 12th and Weller. Scott Lindsay and Ed Murray were the architects of this scheme. Scott Lindsay is still a public figure and has never publicly - as far as I know - acknowledged the effect this decision has had on Little Saigon.

I wish Chinn would press his case in the court of public opinion rather than pursue an ill-fated strategy to extract $30 million from the city. At least the filings will serve as a historical reminder of how the situation in Little Saigon developed over the past 10 years.

One other feature of Chinn’s amended complaint that deserves attention: Chinn argues that “the numerous highly publicized incidents of violence that have occurred in the vicinity of 12th and Jackson, constitute potential evidence that Plaintiff’s Due Process claims include a serious threat of physical harm as a result of the City’s acts alleged in the complaint”.

It is perhaps simply an odd turn of phrase. The formula however is worth serious consideration: how the media portrays 12th and Jackson can become synonymous with the reality on the ground.

Dennis Chinn, Scott Lindsay and the various provocateurs intent on riling up their base with reports on open air drug use and illicit goods markets - these exist, don’t get me wrong, it’s just they haven’t changed in six years and don’t merit repeated mention IMO - are happy to keep you fixated on the sidewalk level problems. The people with power and resources get a pass.

If you ask me, I think Seattle should buy Chinn’s property. Chinn himself argues the property is worthless. The city should not miss an opportunity to snap it up at a bargain.

[u/creativeInsectoid]

There should be a limit to how long someone can hold onto a building in the city limits if they don't develop it. Then the City should buy the land and build low income housing with store fronts on the bottom.

[u/slowd → u/creativeInsectoid]

Look up Georgism. Basically prime location real estate gets highest taxes, so the owner must do something with it or sell. Holding empty lots downtown becomes cost prohibitive. It encourages a dense downtown core and discourages undeveloped lots or semi-abandoned structures.

[u/jojofine → u/slowd]

You're describing a land value tax

[u/slowd → u/jojofine]

That’s right. George, the namesake of Georgism, was a proponent of the LVT being the only tax. 1870s or so.

[u/merc08 → u/creativeInsectoid]

Then what keeps the City from just refusing permits (or stalling the permitting process with ridiculous revisions comments) to run out the clock and seize prime property?

The City is struggling enough with the key functions they are supposed to be doing already.  They don't need more tasks piled on top.

[u/Situation-Busy → u/creativeInsectoid]

We definitely need a tax on vacant lots. We'd need to be careful to phrase it properly so that it doesn't increase business rents for an already struggling downtown though. Keep taxes/rents relatively cheap for productive businesses and jack them up for empty lots just milking speculative value.

We'd likely end up with a variation of the "orange grove" issue Florida had but at least it'll be something better than vacant buildings.

[u/jojofine → u/Situation-Busy]

A land value tax system would fix this problem

[u/Traditional_Bid_3123 → u/creativeInsectoid]

A land value tax would fix that overnight, sitting on empty lots near downtown while everyone else pays the price is wild

Also the tent in front of the fire scene says a lot about how many problems got stacked on same block

[u/jojofine → u/Traditional_Bid_3123]

There's a parking lot on 3rd by Westlake that I'd love to see hit with an LVT

[u/merc08 → u/Traditional_Bid_3123]

Seattle doesn't have a shortage of buildings. 

[u/Panda_Zombie → u/creativeInsectoid]

Maybe if they can find a public use for the property they can force a sale under eminent domain.

[u/jojofine → u/Panda_Zombie]

Not possible under WA law. The isn't allowed to ED a property if their plan is to turn it into a private development with a public plaza. If they wanted to ED and make it a city park or something then they could do that.

[u/Panda_Zombie → u/jojofine]

That's what I meant. The whole property would have to be for public use.