Significant changes for two long-in-the-works West Seattle projects – one in scope, one in cost:
MORE RESIDENTIAL UNITS, LESS COMMERCIAL SPACE: The long-idled project at 42nd/Oregon in The Junction (map), replacing those three houses and a fourth that made a much-watched move last summer, has changed plans, and architects. When the project went through city review back in 2008-2009, it had 89 residential units, and 20,000 square feet of commercial space. Now the owners are asking for revisions to their master-use permit, proposing 135 residential units and 2,900 square feet of commercial space. The building would remain at 7 stories (as originally planned); the underground parking garage would increase to 137 spaces, from 121. The new architects, JBDG (which designed Arrowhead Gardens on the southeastern edge of West Seattle), are scheduled to be part of a community meeting that Junction Neighborhood Organization president Erica Karlovits announced is scheduled two weeks from tonight, 6 pm June 15th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle.
Another project with a notable change:
(CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL-SIZE VERSION: Top of the rendering is west)
DENNY PROJECT PRICE RISES: As pointed out by the Save Seattle Schools site team, previewing the agenda for tonight’s Seattle School Board meeting: Board members are being asked to approve another $1.2 million for the project to tear down the old Denny International Middle School and put in six tennis courts, a softball field, and an “informal playfield,” while leaving room for a potential future new elementary school (the sports facilities are replacing the ones torn out to build the new Denny next to Sealth). The board approved a $4.9 million contract with BNBuilders last December; now they’re being asked to raise that to $6.1 million for reasons including:
The cost of this project includes funds to address several issues identified during the preconstruction phase. A larger than expected amount of unsuitable existing soils was discovered during the … pre-construction services phase. Funds to remove and replace these soils are included in this contract amendment. Additional hazardous materials abatement work was identified and is funded in this contract amendment. Additional electrical services are also included for possible future use.
Tonight’s school-board meeting is at district HQ in SODO at 6 pm; the Denny cost change is item 10 on the list of “introduction” items. A community meeting on the demolition/construction project is set for June 14th (more details in our original preview).
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