West Seattle project updates: Delridge DESC; 5247 California

Two development updates this morning:

DESC DELRIDGE PROJECT SCHEDULE: We checked with DESC after noticing an online business-publication ad seeking “sub-bids” for this project – 66 units of “supportive housing” at 5444 Delridge Way SW, much-discussed since the project first came to light in June 2011 (all of our coverage is archived here, reverse chronological order). Its land-use permit was issued a month ago; the construction permit is still pending. According to DESC executive director Bill Hobson, Walsh Construction – whose portfolio includes Youngstown – is the general contractor, and that’s who is soliciting subcontractor bids right now. (Its ad describes the project as 75 units, its original size, but Hobson says that is a mistake, and it remains at 66.) Regarding when work will begin, he tells WSB, “We anticipate starting construction sometime in the first 2 weeks of November.”

FORMER ‘PSYCHIC BARBER’ SITE: We have reported on the building at 5247 California SW largely through the relocation of its longtime tenant, “Psychic Barber” Rick Cook, now at The Classic Barber Shop further north on California. He called our attention to the demolition work now under way behind the one-story commercial building, and we went by yesterday afternoon:

Rick says the house is gone as of early this morning, while the commercial building’s still standing. Timetable for its demolition isn’t as clear, as the proposal for a three-story building at the site, with underground parking, is still in the early stages. We’ll be following up with the owner, who didn’t want to discuss his plans in detail last time we checked.

7 Replies to "West Seattle project updates: Delridge DESC; 5247 California"

  • coffee September 19, 2012 (12:25 pm)

    Looks like another kinda boxy unexciting or uneventful building……

  • Silly Goose September 19, 2012 (3:18 pm)

    I agree no imagination on any of the buildings that are being forced down our throats in West Seattle all so so ugly!

  • Harry Reems September 19, 2012 (4:47 pm)

    Bland and unimaginative.

    Pretty soon it will be hard to tell the difference between West Seattle and Ballard.

  • sam-c September 19, 2012 (5:21 pm)

    you’ll be able to tell Harry: Ballard will be the one with light rail, while West Seattle muddles along with ‘rapid ride’

  • Harry Reems September 19, 2012 (5:38 pm)

    Good point sam-c

  • chas redmond September 19, 2012 (10:30 pm)

    Perhaps the West Seattle light rail is a streetcar named “Please.” It would require a new Duwamish Crossing. The Ballard Bridge is 2500 feet or so, the West Seattle Bridge (plus parts of Spokane Viaduct and Fauntleroy Viaduct) is 8000 feet. Money, engineering, shoreline issues, all connive against an easy or cheap fix for West Seattle. The weight-bearing limits and grade of the WS Bridge preclude light rail’s oversize elevated guideways – known since the Monorail days, because the Monorail’s guideways were small/light enough to be able to use the center right-of-way on the WS bridge. Low bridge no conceivable way – two lanes and what? for rail?

  • Nimbynator September 20, 2012 (9:56 am)

    You guys are just a bunch of Nimbys! Tourists from all over the world will come to take pictures of this building for its beauty and craftsmanship.

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