Opening a window to look inside developers’ minds

In case you missed it on the More page — this might be of interest, if you’re interested in the broader philosophies driving development in West Seattle and beyond. This addresses transportation needs as well; it’s written by two executives with Harbor Properties, which is building Mural in the old Petco lot and has at least two other West Seattle projects in the pipeline (38th/Alaska and the motel site). Most Daily Journal of Commerce content is subscription-only but that article (and the special section, published today, where it appears) is available free, at least as of this writing.

John May 29, 2008 (11:13 am)

Here’s a peek inside their minds.
MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

toomanyratsinacageakaWS May 29, 2008 (11:56 am)

ANYTHING can be spun!

Neighbor May 29, 2008 (12:23 pm)

John & toomanyrats… you are so right…

SLK May 29, 2008 (2:41 pm)

I would rather have more density than more sprawl, and really those are the only two choices for a growing city. I appreciate what Harbor Properties is doing, and I think they’re one of the better & more responsible developers out there.

John May 29, 2008 (3:24 pm)

If you think building more in W. Seattle is going to equal less sprawl than you’re sadly mistaken. The zoning will continue to allow development in the burbs too as long as developers can profit and tax base can grow. I’ve seen it many other cities. You’ve bought into the big lie. But I do agree that Harbor is better than the others.

PSPS May 29, 2008 (4:12 pm)

HA! That piece in the DJoC is nothing more than a call for a developers’ paradise: Let us build unlimited “mixed use” monstrosities with little or no regulation or oversight, do away with any parking requirements and, while you’re at it, let us foster monopolization and gouging by businesses under the guise of “avoiding duplication of services.”
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Well, it is the DJoC after all. Other than the legal notices, it’s really paid advertising from cover to cover, including these articles.

JE May 29, 2008 (5:17 pm)

I found the comment about what kinds of things should be provided at the ground level interesting. I’ve thought for a long time we could end up with a glut of coffee shops, boutiques, etc., and not enough room for childcare, schools, and similar services families need. Schools and childcare can’t afford the kinds of rents that businesses can. They also need space adapted to their particular needs. What about rewarding developers for providing space for these services at affordable rents?

West Seattle has already lost one school (West Seattle Montessori), and childcare is hard to find for many families. But I think it’s quite likely that some of the people moving into all the new apartments and condos will be families with children.

We need to be sure the density we’re building is pleasant and liveable. We can’t just give away space for developers to profit from and not require that what they build enhances our community.

Paul May 29, 2008 (5:49 pm)

And let me toss in, from a small business side, we probably cannot afford their rent either. Also, how about my 3 business friends who are looking for space, a dog groomer, who wants to live above a groomer, an electical company who needs parking spaces for their fleet, none of these buildings are offering that, and myself, who wants to live above an embroidery shop with machines that make a ton of noise till 11 PM. We 3 want to stay in our community but there are no places for us to go to. We are not moving soon, but we always keep our eyes open because we are growing. And I was interested in the comment about how people can live and work in the area. If I recall a 1 bedroom is going to run 1K a month. Most of the businesses that will lease those spaces probably will not be able to have employees that can afford that kind of rent.

Sorry, comment time is over.