Once proposed for a park/pool, 4515 41st is back up for sale

One year ago, we first wrote about the stretch shown above — 4515 41st and environs, on the east edge of The Junction. Neighbors were concerned at the time about a development proposal for a 7-story apartment/condo building on the 4515 41st parcel, and neighboring lots, that at one point even featured a “park & pool” plan. That had changed by the time the project finished going through the Design Review Board process, but neighbors’ concerns over the size of the proposed project remained. Now, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli (who also took the photo above) reports, the original developers appear to be getting out — 4515 41st is on the market again. Two years ago, county records say, it sold for $925,000; now it’s offered for $1,500,000, with listing pages (such as this one) describing it as a “(f)antastic townhome or multi-unit site right in the heart of the West Seattle Junction.”

Christopher Boffoli November 20, 2007 (4:01 pm)

Erica Karlovits of the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) deserves a tremendous amount of credit and thanks from the neighborhood for her tenacious and well-organized grassroots effort against this behemoth development project.

WSB November 20, 2007 (4:11 pm)

In our relatively recent career of attending Design Review Board meetings, Erica has been at all the key ones to ask important questions and advocate for the neighborhood — which is indeed lucky to have her taking the time and trouble to do that. We post information about all West Seattle-project-related DRB meetings — in fact, another one has just been set for next month, for two more WS projects, and we will be posting about that shortly — and encourage everyone with an interest or concern to attend them.

Kim November 20, 2007 (6:39 pm)

Thank you for your efforts Erica! I am so glad I don’t have to have that parking garage across the street. Nice work everyone!

GenHillOne November 21, 2007 (5:46 am)

LOL – I need a little more coffee…when I read this, I thought, “wow, a park with a pool, cool, how did I miss that? and what was the objection?” :P

Jan November 21, 2007 (7:51 am)

GHO…..don’t feel bad…that was my first thought, too…..hehe

Todd (different) November 21, 2007 (9:55 am)

This may be off topic but does anyone know if it does any good to go to a design review board meeting if you oppose a “proposed” land action use? Seems like it’s already a done deal and all you can do is comment on how you’d like it to fit into the neighborhood better. This is important, don’t get me wrong.
I’m not talking about vacant lots but what I am concerend about is rezoning areas like Hinds and tearing down “history” in general. I’m not total anti development but it seems like we have had enough already and it is now going over board with rezoning, like what is already zoned for commercial and multi family use is not enough. Gimme a break.
I’ve lived here 10 years and have seen the positives. I know some old timers are going to blast me because I wasn’t here when they say it sucked in the 70’s and 80’s. WS is a great place to live and I love it but I am concerend for where it is going. It’s like we think more of something (development) is better.
Who is really “winning” in this game?

Todd (different) November 21, 2007 (10:55 am)

By the way, thanks Erica. I live on the GenHill/Admiral line so I am hypersensitive about these issues, if that was not already obvious :)

Jan November 21, 2007 (10:29 pm)

I’m still mulling over GenHillOne’s idea….a park with a pool…right in the middle of things…how cool would that be? It could be a covered pool, so usable in winter…but…glass enclosed, so you can see in…and out….think it would sell? hehehe

old timer November 24, 2007 (9:47 am)

Parks mean ‘public’ participation.
Very nice if you come from somewhere else to use, but for the folks who live nearby, it’s noise, litter, rowdyism, traffic, and things you don’t want to talk about around small children.
Ask almost anyone who lives next to a park about their experiences. There will be those who feel blessed to have fallen next to nirvana, but dig deeper.

Having good parks requires a huge community involvement, something that’s hard to do in these times of dual jobs and 60+ hour workweeks.
The responsibilities for policing can’t be delegated and so, they usually default to those most affected, the property owners adjacent to the ammenity/nuisance.

Yeah, it’s NIMBY, but not without reason.