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One month ago, we broke the news of a new development plan for the northeast corner of 35th/Graham (map), site of a recent cleanup/excavation project. Seattle Housing Authority confirmed they were pursuing a townhome/live-work development rather than the large mixed-use building, with apartments and ground-level retail, proposed back in 2008. At the time, SHA told us they would have more information this month – and that additional information has just beenmade public. It’s in a news release on the SHA website, which overall addresses two different High Point developers. The portion explaining 35th/Graham identifies the prospective buyer:
… Intracorp is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Seattle Housing to purchase the vacant lot at 35th Ave. and (SW) Graham St. Over the next three years, Intracorp expects to build up to 90 townhomes along with some neighborhood retail.
The SHA news release continues:
According to Seattle Housing Development Manager Brian Sullivan, the new construction at this location will be consistent with the character of the rest of the neighborhood. “It will go through the same review process and design oversight as other developers in the community,” he said.
“We are encouraged by the interest that we are seeing in home sites at High Point,” notes Sullivan. Rental housing in this redeveloped community was completed in 2009, but the private construction planned for the site has been on hold because of the recession.
The site at 35th and Graham has been envisioned since the beginning of redevelopment in 1999 – 2000 as a preferred site for a neighborhood grocery store. The housing authority focused consistently on this concept in all its negotiations with potential developers.
Several years ago, an agreement was reached with Security Properties to develop the site with the inclusion of a grocery store. Security Properties pursued all major supermarket chains as well as Trader Joes. No grocer, large or small, viewed this site as a viable location.
“We are disappointed that we have not been able to secure a neighborhood grocery store at this site,” said Sullivan. “However, Intracorp has indicated a desire to continue to examine the possibilities for retail development here, including small-scale retail at the corner of 35th and Graham, with the possibility of additional retail or live-work units along 35th, if economic growth will support it.”
Plans for the site also include a pocket park along Graham toward the east side of the site. This will allow for the preservation of a significant large tree in this area.
These new details come one day before the High Point Homeowners Association is scheduled to meet, with guests including SHA leadership addressing topics including the future of the 35th/Graham site.
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