Admiral Safeway tour, 1st report: Umpqua Bank on the way

Safeway says the first tenant has been signed for the new retail building on its Admiral site – Umpqua Bank. That’s part of what we found out during a hard-hat tour with neighborhood leaders this afternoon; the tour had been in the works for weeks, and today’s sunshine finally made it possible. Sara Corn from Safeway’s real-estate division says Umpqua will take about a third of the space; she describes it as “boutique” (here’s a video showing what one of its newer branches looks like, on Capitol Hill – coffee and chocolates, as well as cash). They’re still looking for other tenants; there will not be an in-store bank branch at the Safeway, but it will have a BECU ATM. We’re working on a separate story with multiple views from inside the project site; among them – from the store roof, which will be primarily a parking level with more than 100 spaces, there’s a view toward downtown, including the Space Needle:

And on the California Avenue side, there’s a sweeping view staircase down from the parking deck (next to an elevator tower if you would rather not, or cannot, walk) to the store:

The elevator concrete will be poured this week. We have more to show you regarding what they’re doing as they aim for LEED certification (they won’t know what level till their “points” are added up); that’s coming in a separate report. If you’re wondering about the recent protests, there’s no new information/comment on that but one of the tour participants, Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum, tells WSB she is trying to get Carpenters’ Council and construction-company reps to come discuss it at ANA’s meeting next Tuesday (7 pm, Admiral Church).

ADDED 6:38 PM: Walum confirms the Carpenters Council will be at the meeting; she’s still working on the other side. And regarding the project’s schedule – Corn told us that they’re still on schedule (albeit a “tight” schedule) for opening the store on August 12th.

8 Replies to "Admiral Safeway tour, 1st report: Umpqua Bank on the way"

  • AlkiRagdoll April 8, 2011 (6:32 pm)

    So what is the estimated completion date?

    • WSB April 8, 2011 (6:37 pm)

      I apologize – That would have been helpful to add here too, rather than waiting for the longer story I’m working on (we’re out on a couple others right now). They are still on schedule for an August 12th opening. The tenants in the additional retail building are not likely to be open by then – but not long thereafter.

  • Other Banker April 8, 2011 (7:15 pm)

    Umpqua Bank, really? Why? Not like there are many of them around. Anyone else bank with them in WS?

  • Alvis April 8, 2011 (8:05 pm)

    I don’t see the point of a neighborhood group presuming to negotiate or mediate a labor dispute over which it has no influence or jurisdiction whatsoever. If anything, its concern should be the local school kids whose classroom hours were intentionally and excessively disrupted by the picketing group.

  • JayDee April 8, 2011 (9:07 pm)

    Thanks for mentioning the return of the BECU ATM…it was missed. During the demo I’ve gone to BECU downtown, at Morgan Junction, or the Waterfront CU (thanks to my PT appts nearby).

  • alkikmac April 9, 2011 (4:16 am)

    Although I’ve missed the BECU ATMs at Safeway and on Alki, this down time forced me to try the 7-11 ATM’s. I’ve had zero problems depositing checks and getting cash! Use the 7-11 ATMs…their free and reliable.

  • Forest April 9, 2011 (7:33 pm)

    I’m eager for Umpqua Bank to open its Admiral branch next to Chase Bank. The option of free checking with a minimum $100 opening deposit is going to be a lot more neighborly than Chase’s “free” checking that requires a minimum daily balance of $1500. FWIW, Umpqua is based out of Portland instead of New York City.

  • Karl April 11, 2011 (10:42 am)

    Bring your comments, concerns, and questions to the free public Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 7:00 pm at 4320 SW Hill Street (California Ave SW & SW Hill St). Representatives from Marquise Drywall and the Carpenters’ Union will be there.

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