West Seattle development: Abandoned townhouse site up for sale

(Photo added 12:37 pm, looking toward north side of lot, from SW Yancy westbound)
Thanks to Mike for spotting this one, which online records indicate just went on the market yesterday: The long-abandoned 4-townhouse project at 30th/Avalon/Yancy (map) – fenced-off concrete and rebar at a high-traffic site, inactive for months – is now listed for sale. Here’s the $300,000 listing, which describes the parcel as “bank-owned.”

11 Replies to "West Seattle development: Abandoned townhouse site up for sale"

  • Trevor F. Smith December 19, 2009 (12:30 pm)

    Oh, thank goodness!

  • Bald Guy December 19, 2009 (12:41 pm)

    Gee, I’ll miss the exposed re-bar and abandoned tires.

  • Todd December 19, 2009 (1:51 pm)

    There was a great old building on California Ave near Beverage Place that was torn down to build condos, I think. It has been a vacant, weed filled lot for about a year now. Shame to lose such a great old building. It was so much better than a weed filled lot, such an eye sore now. I believe the lot is still “for sale.”

  • mark December 19, 2009 (3:08 pm)

    That actually seems like a pretty cheap price with Permits in place. If any one is looking for a partner!!!

  • Chuck and Sally\'s Van Man December 19, 2009 (5:35 pm)

    Hey Todd,

    I live near that “great old building” (graham and california) and while not happy about the weed filled lot, it is one hundred times more desirable than the drugs and prostitution that were going on with the tenants and/or their friends for the last few years before it was torn down. They had planned to build a very attractive new building right up until the economy tanked. Not sure what the plans are currently?

    Now if someone would just take over perennially-closed Chuck and Sally’s across the street or buy it and knock it down. Graffiti and litter are really starting to become an eyesore at that place.

    Chuck (not the owner ;)

    • WSB December 19, 2009 (5:37 pm)

      We reported somewhere along the way pretty much what C&SVM said – the owners decided to tear down the building even though they weren’t ready to move immediately on construction, because they were having a transient etc. problem. I haven’t checked with the project players in a while but some months back it was represented to be yet another of those projects just waiting till the economy turned around – the lending market for commercial projects of all sorts is still pretty tight, experts say – TR

  • Mike D. December 20, 2009 (8:36 am)

    Hear, hear to C&SVM. In complete agreement that it is much better to have a building gone and weeds on an empty lot than a vacant uninhabited structure attracting problems. Weeds and grass can be easily cut down. The other problems much, much more difficult to deal with and have a huge spillover affect.

  • wseye December 20, 2009 (11:13 am)

    Many townhouse developers deliberately allow existing buildings to deteriorate, and lease them to the most antisocial individuals to make it easier for them to build whatever they want.

  • alki_2008 December 20, 2009 (2:42 pm)

    What’s with the perpetual complaints?
    .
    People complain about abandoned/deteriorated buildings and there are “tours” of houses that neighbors want torn down.
    .
    Then people complain when a building is torn down and there’s just an empty lot.
    .
    So complainers basically expect people with money to make their community “pretty”…but these complainers are the same ones making nasty comments about the “rich” people and how they’re all greedy for having big houses and nice cars.
    .
    Maybe more people should think about the big picture before complaining?

  • rewinn December 20, 2009 (8:48 pm)

    A lot full of weeds could become a lot full of wildflowers …or even better, those giant sunflowers that look great and feed the native chickadees … with a very small bit of effort and probably under $10 of seeds.

    Who would need to be brought in on this? I love me some sunflowers and would be willing to plant!

  • Been here a long time December 21, 2009 (7:07 am)

    Thank you Alki_2008.
    It gets to me too sometimes. The complaints about how many christmas lights people have on their houses…. ect.
    Did you get to read any of the complaints in May when a small group of 3rd graders from Holy Rosary had a little assembly and prayer circle? Wow. those were harsh.
    …..
    rewinn, I’ll go in for some sunflower seeds. There used to be an urban renegade take back movement that was happening in the 70’s. Unused land that was abandoned, was being planted on and then squaters rights were invoked. It didn’t last long but it was fun to watch and see all the trees and plants that were growing. Maybe Pea patch or parks dept can come up with an idea.

Sorry, comment time is over.