Erskine/Dawson triangle’s future

A WSB reader e-mailed us to ask if we knew what was going on with the triangular spot of commercial land along Erskine a little ways west of The Junction. We remember driving past for years and noticing what looked like an old gas pump, though now (barely visible in the left foreground below) there’s just a concrete pad.

County property records show the parcel was sold in April; city permit files show the “storage shed” will make way for a single-family house. The person who e-mailed us says this site used to house “Thor’s Towing”; any WSB oldtimers have stories to share?

d June 12, 2007 (1:53 pm)

Thor’s also sold gas and did repairs, welding, towing storage, and just about anything (in the good sense).

Abandoned that location (don’t know why), and moved their towing operations to a single family residence on Avalon Way, just off 35th. Operated out of there for 10-15 years.

Gina June 12, 2007 (2:41 pm)

A gal I went to school with had a big time crush on one of the Thor’s drivers. Every time one of their trucks would drive by Madison, or later West Seattle, she would let out a squeal.

Keith June 12, 2007 (2:42 pm)

I can’t believe they’re not putting in a pet store there! Or better yet, a bakery for pets.

Doug June 12, 2007 (3:31 pm)

We were walking by there on Sunday– and saw a young couple who appeared to be taking measurements.. etc. Thank goodness someone is finally cleaning that place up and turning it into a home lot.

Jessie June 12, 2007 (5:00 pm)

I live across the street. In 1999, a mini-tornado ripped down several of the lovely old trees on that lot. In 2000 or so, some neighbors started up a small (obviously unsuccessful) campaign to get Thor to donate the land to the city so perhaps the city would take care of the cleanup…the gas tanks are still down there I think. We all thought it would make a pleasant public park. At that time I recall the land was appraised at $85,000, the building at $1,000 (perhaps because of the $100,000 hazardous waste cleanup cost?).

I saw some relatives of Thor’s clearing out the garage recently and asked them what Thor was hoping to get for the land. I was quoted $325,000. I’m happy to hear it wasn’t re-zoned for a giant salmon pink building full of view condos, but I do hope the present owners aren’t saddled with a hazmat issue they weren’t expecting…

deliboy June 12, 2007 (7:21 pm)

I remember in High School my friends and I had the crazy idea to do a film update of The Great Gatsby and base it in modern Seattle, with Seattle and Bellevue as New and Old Egg. We imagined shooting the scenes at the garage on the road there. Even though it’s old and potentially hazardous, still I think it’s kind of neat looking, sitting there.

GenHillOne June 12, 2007 (8:42 pm)

Thanks, Jessie, I had forgotten about the tornado! This used to be my ‘hood too. I remember both the crazy weather (the newscasters were befuddled) and the park attempt. I hadn’t thought about tanks still being down there.

DawsonGuy June 12, 2007 (9:50 pm)

The county records above show that it sold for $235,000. Maybe they negotiated the $100,000 out of the original $325,000 that Jessie was quoted.

The property is still zoned commercial use, so I guess anything can happen…but looking at the permits it’s encouraging to see a single family residence is in the works.

Dawson June 13, 2007 (12:23 pm)

Was told by a neighbor that an architect bought the property. Might be this architect if the name is the same. http://www.dsarc.com/
Either way, that is going to be a big house if it stays single family and follows what the other builders are doing. A shame not to have a park there, but still nice having another family move in.

Jenny June 14, 2007 (5:28 pm)

I always wished that whoever owned/bought the property would eventually refurbish the gas pumps & preserve them in the yard. I wonder what happened to the gas pumps?

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