New details on the latest plan for 35th/Graham in High Point

| Development | High Point | West Seattle news

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.

beth January 26, 2011 (5:12 pm)

The HPHOA meeting scheduled for tomorrow is to address homeowner unrest at High Point. There is a long and detailed list of decisions that have been made without homeowners, much less a regard for them. Please know you are invited to cover the meeting, as it’s about time for public scrutiny of SHA.

WSB January 26, 2011 (5:34 pm)

That invite was extended by someone after the last story (a commenter) and you bet it’s on my agenda – I pinged that person back to find out the time and location, so we’ll be there. – TR

Mn January 26, 2011 (9:25 pm)

Just what we don’t need
Another 90 townhomes
West Seattle is getting destroyed

Some Retail? January 26, 2011 (9:36 pm)

SHA should act very cautiously here. This space needs to serve the community with a significant amount of retail space. Just because the economy is in a rut and can’t currently support new businesses in this location does not mean that SHA should give up the space to the highest bidder. They need to reserve this space for better economic times, so that the proper retail space is available when the economy recovers. They made a commitment to home buyers that they need to honor. 90 condos and “some” retail doesn’t seem like they are honoring this commitment.

Gatewooder January 26, 2011 (10:07 pm)

I wonder why this retail site is being developed with housing when a number of other sites specifically designated for housing in Phase 2 of High Point sit vacant. It doesn’t make sense.

LyndaB January 26, 2011 (10:08 pm)

When I read “townhomes”, I kind of gagged. Ok, I really did.
We need more businesses.

beth January 26, 2011 (10:40 pm)

I would strongly encourage anyone interested in the future of the area in question to attend the HOA meeting at 7pm, Neighborhood House, at the corner of 32nd and Morgan.
As to the question regarding Phase 2, the still-undeveloped land is intended for private ownership homes. Unfortunately, all but one builder has been unable to secure financing. Those that have secured financing – well, real estate isn’t what it used to be, is it? That leaves High Point with empty blocks.
The ‘retail’ space on 35th and Graham has garnered much interest. The stumbling block does not lay with the buyer, but the seller. While abatement has been done, there are some larger infrastructure issues to be dealt with, and developers aren’t interested in footing those bills. Neither is SHA.

Skeeter January 27, 2011 (11:06 am)

If SHA decides to sell the retail land to residential builders after promising the area would be retail, so many Highpoint owners would be upset. If the economy is soft – let’s just wait it out!! No need to sell to the first person who makes an offer.

We’ll also want to confirm that if the retail land is converted to residential, the residences will have to pay dues in the Open Space Association. This is the association that pays for the parks in Highpoint (landscaping, trash, etc.)

Lulu & Co. January 27, 2011 (12:07 pm)

High Point is in desperate need of retail / grocery / coffee shops — ANYTHING but more townhomes. This is ridiculous.

East Coast Cynic January 27, 2011 (3:14 pm)

My concern is the need for more public transportation in the area if 90 townhouses worth of people are going to eventually move in.

HP January 27, 2011 (3:53 pm)

90 town homes?? Do people realize there are 1800 MINORS living in HP in the SHA rentals?? 1800. How many adults?? So adding town homes for homeowners, most of which don’t have kids and primarily have 2 residents isn’t going to add much one way or the other. Bottom line is SHA is willing to flood area with rentals, while not keeping there end of the bargain they made with HP owners, namely equal private vs rental homes & having retail / mixed use out on 35th & Graham. Thats why the head of SHA is coming out tonight, to address the growing unrest…………

mark mulligan January 28, 2011 (6:05 pm)

They just put in a new QFC, ACROSS THE STREET from Safeway, which is twenty blocks from another Safeway.

Hundreds of new housing units, with the closest (and only) grocery store almost 1.5 miles away, and no interest?

All this talk of no interest in a supermaket is hokum. Somebody is not playing straight — probably imposing impossible requirements so they can pile up more unserviced housing without impediment.

WSB January 28, 2011 (6:24 pm)

MM, we’re writing our story of last night’s High Point Homeowners Association meeting right now. If you weren’t there: Tom Tierney of SHA said he doesn’t understand why grocery stores don’t mind “clustering” like that, but insisted that none had any interest in 35th/Graham … TR

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