3811 California: Landmark nomination published, meeting set

3811cali.jpgWe’ve been tracking the fate of 3811 California (left), the brick apartments that a developer has proposed razing and replacing with a 4-story mixed-use building. But first, the city has to decide if the buildings qualify for landmark status. As the next step in the process, the 46-page landmark-nomination document has just been posted on the city website – you can download it here (it’s fascinating to browse – detailed history, photos old and new, inside and outside – and more). Also posted on the Landmarks Board site: the official notice of a public meeting on the nomination, 3:30 pm Feb. 20, 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown. In the meantime, if you have an opinion on the proposed landmark status, as we mentioned earlier this week, you can e-mail Landmarks Board coordinator Beth Chave at beth.chave@seattle.gov.

2 Replies to "3811 California: Landmark nomination published, meeting set"

  • S.R. Slater February 9, 2008 (11:06 am)

    The crime will be if this court is allowed to be destroyed. Interestingly, my husband’s family lived there when he was a small child. In speaking with my sister in law, she indicated that it was a beautiful place in which to live back then.
    There are so few of these types of units anywhere any longer that they need to be preserved and updated. I cannot see how another nondescript mixed use building is going to enhance California Ave. I hope that the city will do the right thing and not allow these units to become a victim of the wrecking ball.
    It might be beneficial to allow the city to purchase the property for fair market value and then restore them and rent them out as low cost housing units thus keeping the street scape of California Avenue from becoming a canyon of ugly buildings.

  • katcan February 9, 2008 (12:49 pm)

    I’m so glad to see that there is the possibility that the court will not be destroyed. I have frequently commented to my husband that it’s such a shame that this charming, old building was going to be replaced by generic condos that are constantly going up all over W. Seattle. In addition to the fact that they are eyesores, is anyone else annoyed that the explosion of these blah mixed-use buildings are increasing population density and thereby making the traffic getting into and out of W. Seattle a nightmare?

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