Another Southwest Design Review Board date set: 5458 California SW

From the city’s online files, another West Seattle project has a tentative date on the Southwest Design Review Board calendar: The six live-work units planned for 5458 California SW. We first reported on this project two months ago; at the time, it was a seven-unit plan. (As also noted in that first report, the business currently renting the 107-year-old structure now on the site, Ventana Construction [WSB sponsor], has no involvement with the plan and expects to remain at the location until its lease expires in a year.) The proposed project is tentatively scheduled for a 6:30 pm SWDRB hearing on August 4th at the Senior Center of West Seattle. That’s the second SWDRB meeting on the schedule for this summer, after the one planned July 21st for a 32-apartment building at 9021 17th SW.

6 Replies to "Another Southwest Design Review Board date set: 5458 California SW"

  • Chris June 21, 2016 (1:54 pm)

    When posting about these types of things – could you include the cross streets and not just the address? In this instance, context clues made me guess that it was California and Findlay but I had to look it up to be sure. It would help for context when trying to get a brief understanding about what’s happening. Thanks!

    • WSB June 21, 2016 (2:09 pm)

      I add map links when I have time to. Didn’t, in this case, for a variety of reasons.

  • Jeanie June 21, 2016 (3:20 pm)

    What the h-ll does “live-work” mean? Is that a euphemism for “no parking provided”?

    • WSB June 21, 2016 (3:58 pm)

      Live-work units are common in the business districts along California. Generally, commercial at street level, residential upstairs, although there’s been recent concern that the street-level commercial space doesn’t always turn out that way.

  • Diane June 21, 2016 (5:01 pm)

    yep; “live-work” has taken over what used to be vibrant walk-able store-fronts, local businesses in our neighborhoods; “live-work” typically turns into blinds pulled down, no one there, dead space; opposite of walk-able community oriented; I’ve advocated at nearly every design review meeting for years, to not do “live-work” and to instead please give us smaller retail spaces that could be leased by local store owners (and not the giant big chain stores)

  • sam-c June 21, 2016 (7:40 pm)

    In the junction, through the pass through between the new bldg and the dentist (?) next door to talarico’s, there a florist in a place that looks like a live work unit.  You know what would go really well next to that? A letterpress printer/ artist. (Don’t call me out on it if these units are not actually big enough for a letterpress/printing studio)  Maybe some actual ‘live work’ work spaces will come about in these units.  Would be nice. 

Sorry, comment time is over.