Before and after in Seattle

Light Rail and MLK Jr. Way Seattle, originally uploaded by joseph songco.

“Before and after photos of changes occurring in South Seattle (2004-2009). To see more please visit josephsongco.com/MLK/index.html.”

Seattle scene

busted on MLK, originally uploaded by Dougerino.

Caption explains: “Couldn’t tell what happened here. I think the cops recognized him, because they swooped in and cuffed him immediately. He had been standing there talking to those ladies.”

Seattle

light rail, Mount Rainier, originally uploaded by Dougerino.

Caption says: “Along Empire Way ^H^H^H^H I mean Martin Luther King Drive. It’s unbelievable how much this area has changed in the two years prior to the rail starting operation this summer. It was like a third-world country right here in 2005, now it’s looking very gentrified. And the train hasn’t even carried its first passenger yet.”

MLK Way, Seattle

Jack’s Payless Generators Foods, originally uploaded by rutlo.

Three images from a very interesting set by rutlo, titled, MLK Way: Empire Rebuilt. (Seattle’s “MLK Way used to be known as Empire Way until the late 1980’s,” rutlo writes.)

The caption on the above image: “A variety store in South Seattle…”

Abandonment and public art in Rainier Valley, originally uploaded by rutlo.

Caption: “No amount of completely obvious happy generic ethnic ladies dancing will cheer up this dour street corner.”

Restaurant, originally uploaded by rutlo.

“Just restaurant.”