West Seattle Blog…

Delridge homeless-housing proposal now in city online system

If you’re keeping track of the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) proposal for a 75-unit apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW, to provide permanent housing for homeless people dealing with mental illness/substance abuse, here’s an update: When we first reported on the proposal in mid-June, nothing was in the city Department of Planning and Development online system yet. Now, it is. There are two project numbers to track: This one is for the land-use permit application; this one is for the construction permit. Both are filed for the address 5444 Delridge Way. The page for the land-use application notes “Tree preservation and additional commercial space to be considered”; the latter came up at the first informational meeting for the project, a standing-room-only June 27th gathering at Delridge Library from which some were turned away. We are checking with DESC about future meeting plans.

Transitional Resources dedicates new Avalon Place housing

Good thing most of Wednesday’s big events were scheduled for evening – that’s when the sun shone the brightest, which was good news for the ribbon-cutting at Avalon Place, the new apartment building for Transitional Resources. They are headquartered in the 2900 block of SW Avalon Way, south of the Luna Park business district, and that’s where they have long provided housing, help, and hope for people dealing with mental illness; Avalon Place also reaches out to chronically homeless people, who are the targeted clients for the new building. Read on for more photos from, and information about, Wednesday night’s event: Click to read the rest of Transitional Resources dedicates new Avalon Place housing…

Admiral Safeway project: Apartments to be ‘Element 42′

As the new Admiral Safeway store gets closer to opening – now less than a month till the August 12th date – we have new information this morning about the apartments being built on the east side of the site. The developer is Kirkland-based Madison Development Group, also parent to the entity that is trying to take over the stalled Fauntleroy Place (aka “The Hole”) development. This morning, Madison has announced that the 78-unit apartment project along 42nd SW will be called “Element 42,” with 78 studio and one-bedroom apartments “designed for the working urbanite”; sizes range from 420-square-foot studios to 660-square-foot one-bedrooms with dens. They say the apartments will be available for leasing “in 2012″ (what part of the year isn’t specified – we have a followup question out), and they don’t plan to announce the pricing until next year. Their announcement also says the buliding includes a 720-square-foot “amenity room” with a community kitchen, dining area, lounge area, and fireplace, and an “intimate 2,600-square-foot rooftop plaza” with views from the Olympics to the Cascades. You may recall, the building originally, under a different developer, was planned to include flex-work space and fewer apartments; Safeway said that developer couldn’t get financing for that project configuration, and the more-apartments plan was revealed. You can read Madison Development’s full news release about the apartment project’s status by going here (2-page PDF).

North Delridge Neighborhood Council: Homeless-housing followup

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Within a few minutes of the scheduled start of tonight’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, more than 25 people were in the small meeting room at Delridge Library – more than double the usual NDNC turnout. (Our photo shows only about half the room.)

The biggest, and first, topic: The proposed 75-unit homeless-housing project that Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) wants to build on Delridge, a stone’s throw from tonight’s meeting site.

Read on for highlights of that discussion and other issues/matters talked about tonight: Click to read the rest of North Delridge Neighborhood Council: Homeless-housing followup…

Delridge homeless-housing proposal: New DESC webpage

A note for those tracking Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s proposal to build a 75-unit apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way for homeless people dealing with mental illness and other challenges such as substance abuse: Three weeks after DESC started contacting neighborhood leaders about the plan, it finally has a page on their website. (We have been checking for one, but nothing’s been there; a Google Alert just brought this up overnight, so it’s new.) It includes an overview of the project, plus links to the neighborhood letter/flyer circulated before last Monday’s Delridge Library meeting and the information sheet circulated at the meeting, as well as the images that were displayed on easels at the meeting, including a possible configuration for the building (shown above), and news-coverage links (so far, just us). DESC has not announced any additional community meetings but it would seem a sure bet to be on the next North Delridge Neighborhood Council agenda, 6:30 pm Monday, July 11th, location TBA.

Transitional Resources’ new Avalon Place to open in 2 weeks

(New photo substituted July 7th)
Eleven months after its groundbreaking last August (WSB coverage here), Avalon Place will officially open on July 13th. The announcement came today from Transitional Resources, the nonprofit organization offering housing and other services to mentally ill people, headquartered on the west side of Avalon Way, south of the Luna Park business district; Avalon Place at 2988 Avalon Way will be its southernmost building. Transitional Resources says this is its first venture into the “Housing First” philosophy; it will offer 16 apartments to homeless people with mental illness “and co-occurring disorders” without requiring them to be stabilized first. (This is the same approach followed by Downtown Emergency Service Center, in the news in West Seattle right now for its plan to build a 75-apartment building in the 5400 block of Delridge Way). Read on for the Transitional Resources announcement: Click to read the rest of Transitional Resources’ new Avalon Place to open in 2 weeks…

‘Passionate’ meeting, but Delridge homeless-housing project will roll on

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Facing a self-described “passionate” crowd in North Delridge tonight, Downtown Emergency Service Center executive director Bill Hobson did not deny Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride‘s assessment of the meeting’s intent:

“In one of your early comments, you said you came here to have a discussion, but it’s less of a discussion and more of an explanation,” observed McBride – an explanation from Hobson that if funding comes through, DESC intends to build a 75-apartment complex for mentally ill homeless people in North Delridge, whether area residents like it or not.

McBride’s assessment, stark as it was, came as the standing-room-only meeting, more than 50 packed into the Delridge Library‘s small public-gathering room, started to calm from a crescendo of shouting and accusations – more between participants of opposing views, than directed at the DESC leader, though Hobson too had to raise his voice at more than one point to get a word in edgewise.

He had begun with an explanation of his agency, and then of the project, while also saying, “This doesn’t have to be the last public meeting” about it. From sheltering, DESC moved into the housing business starting in 1995. He briefly touched on what is described on the DESC website as a “Housing First” philosophy – rather than expecting their clients to get their lives in order before becoming eligible for housing, they are put into housing first – then offered services to deal with their challenges, which might include mental illness and/or substance abuse.

The agency operates eight projects (unofficially Google-mapped above by McBride) and hopes to break ground soon on a ninth at 105th and Aurora in North Seattle; Delridge would be its tenth. DESC already had initiated the purchase of lots in the 5400 block of Delridge before going public with news of its plans, mainly by contacting representatives of community groups including the North Delridge Neighborhood Council; we covered the June 13th meeting of NDNC, and that’s where we heard about it for the first time, including information from chair Karrie Kohlhaas in our meeting report, then contacting DESC the next day for an in-depth followup. Here’s more of what Hobson said tonight about the project:

In our interview with him two weeks ago, Hobson had told WSB that DESC thought it might be able to help Delridge in its process of “stabilizing.” Tonight’s first question asked, how could this possibly help?

Click to read the rest of ‘Passionate’ meeting, but Delridge homeless-housing project will roll on…

Monday: Your chance to find out more about Delridge DESC project

Tomorrow (Monday) night, Downtown Emergency Service Center reps come to Delridge to answer questions about DESC’s proposal for a 75-apartment project housing homeless people dealing with mental illness/substance abuse challenges. (The site, at right, is in the 5400 block of Delridge – note the real-estate shingles; DESC says it’s “under contract.”) The day after North Delridge Neighborhood Council chair Karrie Kohlhaas brought up the proposal at the last NDNC meeting, we spoke with DESC’s executive director for a detailed followup (read it here if you missed it).

DESC has long since expanded outside the “downtown” in its name and runs projects around the city with about 1,000 “supportive-housing” units – 1811 Eastlake, Canaday House, Evans House, Kerner-Scott House, Lyon Building, Rainier House, The Morrison, and The Union Hotel, with Aurora Supportive Housing in its pipeline ahead of the proposed Delridge project. Tomorrow night’s meeting is at Delridge Library (less than a block southwest of the project site) at Delridge/Brandon, 6-7:30 pm (here’s the DESC-circulated letter/flyer).

Details: ‘Permanent housing’ for 75 homeless people proposed for Delridge site

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

An organization that runs eight housing complexes for mentally ill homeless people around the Seattle area, and is soon to break ground on a ninth, wants West Seattle to be home to its tenth.

After first word of the nonprofit Downtown Emergency Service Center‘s proposal for a 75-unit apartment complex near the Delridge Library emerged at last night’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting (WSB coverage here), we contacted DESC to seek details, ahead of its planned June 27th community meeting to outline the project.

Here’s what emerged in our conversation with DESC executive director Bill Hobson:

Click to read the rest of Details: ‘Permanent housing’ for 75 homeless people proposed for Delridge site…

North Delridge Neighborhood Council: DESC housing proposal; chicken-raising tips

Tonight’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council was the first of several the group hopes to have outdoors, weather permitting, this summer. A bit chilly – but the group braved the breeze and met in Greg Davis Park, instead of nearby Delridge Library.

The big news – and we’ll be following up on this tomorrow for more details – chair Karrie Kohlhaas reported getting a call from the Downtown Emergency Services Center, which she says is proposing a 75-unit apartment building on a site she described only as near Delridge Library. (We haven’t yet found anything on the city planning website, or elsewhere, that correlates.) DESC’s clients include people facing challenges from homelessness to mental illness to substance abuse, and they operate several buildings in other areas of the city. Karrie said DESC plans an informational meeting (later this month; we’ll verify the date when we speak to DESC), to get community input.

Concerns voiced by those at the NDNC meeting included the fact that Delridge is already short on services and businesses such as a grocery store, and has transportation challenges – particularly between east and west, getting into the rest of West Seattle. They also wanted to know more about the people with whom DESC works, and how their facilities operate. Karrie urged everyone to bring their questions to the meeting. (Tuesday morning note: Pete Spalding from the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council tells WSB this is on their Wednesday agenda as well, 7 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. And he confirms the community meeting date as 6 pm Monday, June 27, Delridge Library.)

Another major topic: Urban chicken-raising:

Iris, daughter of NDNC’s Holli Margell, got a close-up look at one of the chickens brought by Red Star Urban Farms. They provided general tips on chicken-raising, most notably security. Think cats are the biggest threat to chickens? Think again. Dogs, raccoons, and coyotes, NDNC was told. Also important: Knowing what kind of chicken is right, for what situation you’re bringing them into – for show? to be a pet? to produce eggs? or to be food? You need to make your choice before you move on to building coop.

One last topic of note: A new projected date for Delridge Day/Delridge Skatepark dedication festivities. Now it’s looking like September 17th. NDNC will be looking for food vendors and planning picnic-style games, among other things.

NDNC usually meets the second Monday of the month, 6:30 pm – watch for word on the next outdoor location!

‘Backyard cottage’ in mind? Ncompass plans free workshops

It’s going on 2 years since the city approved new rules for so-called “backyard cottages.” They’re not exactly what the name conjures – they can be elegant, albeit relatively small, residences in their own way. WSB sponsor Ncompass Cottage Company is a specialist in the field and is about to launch a series of free workshops, along with Microhouse Northwest. (At right are Drew Foster and Stefan Hansmire of Ncompass.) They say the city processed 55 construction permits for backyard cottages last year, nine in West Seattle, and they’re ready to share information about everything from the history of the idea, to current regulations, to financing options, planning/design considerations, and how to choose an architect and builder. Got a sketch already? Bring it along. The free one-hour workshops are planned for 7 pm June 22, June 29, and July 13th at the Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW). RSVP (or get questions answered) by contacting Stefan at 206-933-5961 or stefan@ncompass-llc.com.

West Seattle scene: Duplex demolished on Beach Drive

Thanks to Nancy for sharing that photo of demolition in progress this morning at 4149 Beach Drive (map). It’s a 95-year-old house, listed on county rolls as a duplex, being torn down for what the city lists as a new 3-story single-family house with “accessory dwelling unit.” The city site says it’s been exactly four years ago since an application was filed for a different project at the site (reported here); the same city page says that project was canceled.

SIDE NOTE: Wondering about trends? The city keeps online statistics for building permits by month. No breakdown by region or project, but in April (when this permit was issued), building, demolition and related permits totaled $305 million in value, compared to $107 million for April last year.

12:44 PM UPDATE: House gone. Katie E shares this new photo:

She adds, “Thanks for the tip on the demolition on Beach Drive. It made for a nice pre-lunch outing for my three year old son and I. … The house is now a pile of boards and rubble. Also, Henry (who’s 3 and fancies himself a construction vehicle expert), tells me it’s an excavator, not a backhoe. Not sure if he’s right, but that’s what he insists!” (Editor’s note: Consulting Google Image Search, we will take Henry’s correction. So much for the first alliterative headline; we’ll scrap “busy backhoe” for “duplex demolished.” Thanks!)

Meet a one-of-a-kind remodeler at next Ventana workshop

Thinking about remodeling, or custom building? Tomorrow (Tuesday) night is the next free workshop offered by longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction. And if you go – you can congratulate Ventana’s Anne Higuera on her newfound status as the only person in West Seattle who is a Certified Graduate Remodeler and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist. Anne just earned the latter designation – which she says is held by only two other people in the entire city! It requires training and education in how to “help retirees and older adults remain in their homes safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of income or ability level, and continue to live in a familiar environment throughout their maturing years.” That’s just one of the types of remodeling you can learn about at Ventana’s free Tuesday night workshop, 6 pm at their HQ on the northeast corner of California/Findlay – call (206) 932-3009 to RSVP.

Green Home Tour, day 2: Expandable solar, and more

(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
So what constitutes a “Green Home“? WSB contributor Katie Meyer checked out another stop on the West Seattle leg of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild‘s Green Home Tour during its second and final day today (here’s the stop we made on Day 1).

This one was Mighty House Construction‘s project in Sunrise Heights, a few blocks east of the mini-business district with West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor), Café Osita, John’s Corner Deli (with the cow on the roof), etc. Speaking of the roof – top photo is a “scalable” solar-panel system designed and installed by West Seattle’s own Solar Epiphany. Katie reports it’s a grid designed to hold several frames of four panels each; one panel is in place now, but Mighty House’s Laura Elfline says more are planned over the next six-plus months. Also a work in progress, the back yard, with an ongoing conversion away from the old-fashioned water-guzzling, chemical-tempting lawn mode:

More ahead: Click to read the rest of Green Home Tour, day 2: Expandable solar, and more…

Green Home Tour: Miss it Saturday? Continues today!

So much going on Saturday, we made it to only one stop on the West Seattle leg of the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild‘s Green Home Tour before it wrapped up for the day. But the good news is, if you had that problem too, it’s continuing today (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm! Above, architect Sheri Newbold of live-work-play and contractor Anne Higuera of Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), in front of tile work inside the “Kitchen Art House” tour stop at 2651 47th SW in the Admiral District. That’s one of four sites to stop at in West Seattle, and two of the others offer more workshops during the Green Home Tour today – from the list that’s been on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, courtesy of Laura Elfline from tour co-sponsor Mighty House Construction – at her company’s stop on the tour, #19 (3108 SW Webster):

* Luke Marcum w/Markham Home Performance, thermal imaging camera on his side and a blower door too! 10 am-4 pm
* Eric Thomas w/Solar Epiphany highlighting the expandable solar systems | 11 am-2 pm
* Josh Brinkco w/International Studio – “making green look good!”
* Sandy Peterson w/Urban Land Army mobilized w/ her bucket brigade and all things about edible gardening | Noon -3 pm
* Make your own green cleaning supplies courtesy of CoolMom (while materials last!)

And at the Envision Homes stop on the tour, #16 (2216 Walnut SW):

11 am…Rainwater Harvesting and Indoor re-use
Noon…Recycled and Reclaimed
1 pm…IAQ…Low-toxic living
2 pm…Solar Thermal Assisted Heating
3 pm…High-Efficiency Building Envelopes

Though we’re just mentioning the West Seattle offerings, the self-guided Green Home Tour is regional – full details start here.

Alki Villa, represented by Ron Pederson: New WSB sponsor

Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Ron Pederson with Coldwell Banker Bain, who is representing the Alki Villa – alkivilla.com – where he will have an open house this Sunday afternoon, 1-4 pm. The home is located over Alki Beach, with unbroken views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

As its agent, Ron brings 20-plus years experience in sales, project management, negotiations and customer service. He says, “My success has come from focusing on the needs of my clients. They appreciate my honesty, integrity, sense of humor and photographer’s eye for detail. As a Seattle native with a global perspective, I am very acquainted with the unique, diverse neighborhoods of our city and what each has to offer.” Seattle Magazine recognized him as a 5-Star Real-Estate Professional in 2010, and he says he is “consistently recognized among the top 8 percent of all Coldwell Banker Agents worldwide.”

Photos and video of the Alki Villa, along with a map, can all be found at alkivilla.com, along with options on how to contact Ron (who’s available by phone at 206-619-3901).

We thank Ron Pederson and the Alki Villa for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

Saving the Shoremont: New owner ‘really just liked the building’

The latest Land Use Information Bulletin from the city brought word that the proposal to renovate the interior of the Shoremont Apartments on Alki is proceeding – it’s been determined no environmental review is needed. You’ll recall the twin apartment buildings were once proposed for demolition, to make way for an ultra-modern development planned 3 years ago; then foreclosure led to new ownership. This morning, we talked for the first time with new owner Dennis Schilling, who tells WSB he bought the Shoremont because he has “always liked small brick buildings … I thought (these) were pretty interesting.” More about his plans, ahead: Click to read the rest of Saving the Shoremont: New owner ‘really just liked the building’…

First Mural & Link; next for Harbor Properties in West Seattle, Nova

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
One week from tonight, the Southwest Design Review Board convenes for the first time in many months, to offer “early design guidance” on a new West Seattle project. As reported here previously, that project is by Harbor Properties, which is about to open Link in The Triangle, a followup to its mixed-use sibling in The Junction, Mural. (Both are WSB sponsors.)

The new project is in The Triangle, two blocks east of Link, on a relatively small parcel (4600 36th SW) that Harbor bought while also at one time holding an option on the adjacent motel, an option it didn’t convert (as reported here last year, the motel has new owners and a new plan). We just spoke with Emi McKittrick and Denny Onslow of Harbor, who say the new project has a name: Nova. They’re looking at around 60 apartments, mostly one- and two-bedroom, and no retail – “because of where it’s located on 36th, we don’t think retail can thrive there; the site is kind of ‘tucked in’,” McKittrick explained. They’re aiming for six stories, and an as-yet-undetermined amount of parking – most likely similar to Link, with about two-thirds as many spaces as units.

With Link already having secured tenants for more than a quarter of its 195 units, before the first move-in (which is about a week away), Harbor is still banking on strong apartment demand in West Seattle: “It went undiscovered for so long as a delightful place to be,” Onslow observed. They don’t have sketches for Nova just yet, but we’ll see them in pre-meeting material sometime before next week’s Design Review Board meeting, 6:30 pm Thursday 3/24 at the Senior Center of West Seattle (SE corner of California/Oregon).

Family changing, house not? West Seattle NestFest ahead

Families grow and change no matter how much you wish sometimes things would just stand still for a bit – but your house, maybe that nice little bungalow you bought when there were just two of you (or just you!), isn’t going to adapt unless you take action. West Seattle NestFest next Saturday aims to help. It’s a free workshop presented by West Seattle Family Zone, with participants including WSB sponsors Ventana Construction and WEdesign. As Anne Higuera from Ventana puts it, “Often, the arrival of a new family member is the impetus for starting a remodeling project. And more often than not, there’s a bit of urgency involved (i.e.– there’s a baby on the way and we want to finish the project before the baby arrives). Whether it’s an addition onto the house, converting a basement, or creating new space in or above a garage, there’s a lot to keep in mind as you plan. We’ll be talking specifically about how to plan for remodels that involve kids and kids’ spaces, and how to make sure those spaces are functional for the long term, as the kids grow up.” NestFest is next Saturday morning, 10 am, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon); though it’s free, registration is required – here’s how to sign up.

P.S. The next edition of Ventana’s own free remodeling/custom-building workshop is tomorrow night (Monday 3/14), 6 pm – call 206-932-3009 to RSVP for that.

2011 Green Home Tour to include stops in West Seattle

Stopping by the Sustainable West Seattle booth at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market every other Sunday usually yields the proverbial wealth of information. This time around, Laura Elfline shared the announcement of the 2011 Green Home Tour, planned for 10 am-4 pm April 16-17. She says there’ll be at least a few West Seattle stops on the tour, presented by the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild. And she said the tour sites haven’t all been finalized yet, so if you know of a sustainably designed/built home that might be perfect for the tour, you can reach organizers through tour@ecobuilding.org.

From peninsula to Phinney: West Seattleites @ Home Fair today

Remember all the talk about “backyard cottages”? Now that they’re legal in Seattle – this city webpage explains the concept – local builders are starting to add them to their repertoire. In the photo above, you see the first one built by West Seattle-based NCompass Cottage Company. The cottage is in Ballard, but NCompass is West Seattle’s first specialist. And today, they are one of three WSB sponsors participating in an event that’s a must-visit for anyone considering not only a cottage but any other type of home project, even though the event’s not happening in West Seattle: It’s the 14th annual Home Design and Remodel Fair at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Avenue North (here’s a map), 10 am-4 pm. The three WSB sponsors among the 90 exhibitors are NCompass Cottage Company and Ventana Construction, as well as the landscape specialists of WEdesign. Detailed information is available here, including full lists of exhibitors and workshops (WEdesign is presenting a workshop on sustainable landscaping at 2:20 pm). There is a $9 adult admission fee.

High Point showdown: Housing Authority boss apologizes

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

High Point homeowners got a high-level apology last night.

Tom Tierney, executive director of the Seattle Housing Authority, faced a meeting of the HP Homeowners’ Association “with some apology and a little embarrassment that I let stress grow in this community to a point where you all feel like you need to come out on a Thursday night.”

That stress had spawned a list of concerns that frustrated homeowners wanted to see addressed. It also clearly had sparked some changes already, with new faces in on-site management, such as property manager Terry Hirata, who took over a few months ago.

Top of last night’s list was a change in plan for a prominently vacant High Point corner, a change first made public in a story here on WSB exactly one month ago: The new plan for about 90 townhouse units at 35th and Graham instead of the mixed-use apartment/retail building that had been under review in 2008.

Click to read the rest of High Point showdown: Housing Authority boss apologizes…

West Seattle’s new Link is quickly linking apartments & people

Before the first week of pre-leasing was even over at Link (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle, nine units already were spoken for. Harbor Properties‘ Emi McKittrick says that’s quite the pace. She took us on a tour of the almost-complete building along 38th SW between Fauntleroy and Alaska (map) this past week, our first tour since this one in October. Ahead, come on up to the expansive view-deck roof and into the model units, as well as a lobby that’s even going to sport iPads:

Click to read the rest of West Seattle’s new Link is quickly linking apartments & people…