By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Outrage is mounting in Seattle’s Black community over the controversial sale of a historic property tied to the Seattle Black Firefighters Association (SBFFA). Known as “the house,” the property at the corner of 23rd and Pike has long stood as a symbol of legacy and resilience for Black firefighters and the broader community in Seattle’s Central District. The sale of the property, carried out in an alleged defiance of a court order, has drawn sharp criticism and calls for justice from both community members and activists.
Last week, members of the SBFFA and the Northwest Retired Black Firefighters Association (NWRBFA) held a press conference in front of the property to address the sale and its implications. The event turned chaotic when the buyer of the property unexpectedly arrived and engaged in a heated confrontation with attendees. The disruption highlighted the deep tensions surrounding the issue and left many in the community outraged at what they perceive as a betrayal of trust and legacy.
“400 years plus of atrocities against African Americans, and it continues. What hit me was that Claude Harris was there. Claude Harris is 90 years old. We just honored him as the elder of distinction,” said former State Representative Dawn Mason, referring to Seattle’s first Black firefighter and fire chief. “He was the first Black firefighter. He was the first Black fire chief, and he has to be out here being disrespected by this woman yelling and screaming in his face. There’s something wrong with that. That’s trauma-producing for our community to see that. This man should be honored.”
The sale of the house has also sparked broader conversations about the erasure of Black history in Seattle and the impacts of gentrification on the Central District. The property, built in 1908 and valued at $680,000, was sold in July 2024 despite a King County Superior Court ruling that prohibited such a transaction without the majority approval of both active and retired members of the SBFFA. Critics argue the sale price was far below market value and describe the transaction as a violation of both the court’s decision and the trust of the organization’s membership.
According to real estate listings, the property was marketed as an “Investor Alert!” with the description, “Unlimited opportunities to bring out the potential of this property. This 1908 home in the Central Area is in a prime location close to some of the best restaurants in the city! Easy access to downtown, parks, coffee shops, grocery stores and public transit. Great opportunity to build your dream home or excellent development opportunity to build several units on this lot in a very popular location!”
The house is described as a single-family home built in 1908, sitting on a 4,393-square-foot lot. It sold for $300 per square foot—a price many see as significantly undervaluing its historical and cultural worth. The buyer, a local real estate broker who also owns a property development company, specializes in interior design services, property remodeling, and rehabilitation management. This development company’s interest in transforming the property for financial gain has further intensified the backlash from those fighting to preserve the house as a community landmark.
“This press conference was organized to bring the community up to speed on what’s going on since the first press conference we had,” said Erwin Chappel, a newly appointed battalion chief and current SBFFA member. “It was in regard to the sale of the house, where we were trying to stop the sale of the house, which we actually were able to do. Well, the second situation came up because they actually executed a sale in defiance of a court ruling.”
The controversy began in 2022 when SBFFA leadership first attempted to sell the house, which led to protests from members and a legal countersuit. The court ultimately sided with SBFFA members and the NWRBFA, ruling that the property could not be sold without majority approval. Yet, by October 2024, it was discovered that the property had been sold to Skyline Properties, Inc., represented by Camila Borges.
“In defiance of that ruling, they were able to secure what I would call an unscrupulous developer and finance company. I would even say the title company probably didn’t perform their fiduciary responsibilities by ensuring there was no encumbrance cloud on that property,” alleges Chappel. “They sold the house without informing the body of members, and now we’re bringing that to court.”
For many in Seattle’s Black community, the fight over the house represents a larger battle over preserving the cultural and historical identity of the Central District. Once the heart of the city’s Black population, the neighborhood has seen dramatic demographic shifts over the decades, fueled by gentrification and rising property values. The house, listed as a tear-down and described in real estate listings as an “Investor Alert,” is emblematic of these changes.
The importance of preserving the legacy of Seattle’s Black firefighters and the broader community has been echoed by activists and public figures. Mason pointed to House Bill 1918, passed in 2019, which recognizes the Central District as a historically Black neighborhood and highlights the adverse impacts of public works projects, land-use decisions, and displacement on the community.
“House Bill 1918 was key to creating the Central District Preservation,” Mason said. “It mentions African Americans as an identifiable population that has contributed culturally and historically to Seattle. It acknowledges how decisions around funding, projects, and land use have caused the disintegration and dispersal of our community.”
For many, the loss of the house would signify another blow to the cultural fabric of Seattle’s Black community. The property has long been a gathering place and a touchstone of pride for the SBFFA and its retired members, who paved the way for future generations of Black firefighters.
“In the Central District and for the Black community in general, the language within that bill is so important,” Mason continued. “It actually mentions African Americans and calls out how projects and decisions have caused the disintegration, the disbursement, and a whole lot of other ‘dis’ words that this identifiable population has taken.”
Legal counsel for retired firefighters, Yohannes Sium, has filed actions to reverse the sale and return the property to its rightful owners. The next court date, scheduled for January 8, 2025, will determine whether the sale violated the original court ruling.
As the fight heads to court, SBFFA members remain confident that the law is on their side. Chappel expressed optimism, pointing out that the sale directly defied a judge’s order, which could weigh heavily in their favor during the proceedings.
“I’m always going to be optimistic when I feel like we’re doing the right thing,” Chappel said. “But I’ll say this: it doesn’t look favorable for people who disagree with and disobey a judge’s orders. I don’t think that sets you up for success. So yeah, I’m optimistic.”
The stakes of the legal battle go far beyond a simple property dispute. For the community, the house represents a connection to their shared history and the sacrifices of trailblazers like Claude Harris, whose contributions laid the groundwork for generations to come.
“It’s not just about a building. It’s about who we are and what we stand for,” said Mason.
