West Seattle development: Crane rising over ‘Hole’-turned-Spruce

| Development | West Seattle news

The crane is going up at 3922 SW Alaska, almost a year since we uncovered the new name and plan for “The Hole,” which stalled in fall 2008 under previous ownership, followed by a court fight and a foreclosure auction. Though the new owners of what’s now called Spruce have been mum on the project – except for what was said/shown at the Design Commission meeting we covered in December – construction equipment showed up five weeks ago and, as noted here, work resumed. Wondering what it’ll look like? Here’s one of the images shown at the aforementioned December meeting:

If you’re just tuning in, Spruce will include apartments and an L.A. Fitness health club.

Diane June 12, 2013 (1:14 pm)

yay

community member June 12, 2013 (1:25 pm)

Does anyone know whether they are paying rent for using the small park for their equipment? And do they restore the park after the building is done? Or have they done some sort of swap where they add that park to the building site, and pay for the parks department to aquire and develop a different park site?

WSB June 12, 2013 (2:02 pm)

As noted in our December story, linked in this one, they are improving the park space. Not sure about the deal for usage of it right now though.

ericak June 12, 2013 (1:36 pm)

It appears the public space at the corner is now gone (or at least not visible in this picture)? In walking past this site I have noticed the developer tore out the plantings in the previous public benefit park space and is now using it as office/staging space. I would hate to think this previous public benefit space has been removed with the consent of DPD and the design commission. I have been out of the loop on this project recently but would like to know if anyone has inquired or heard anything. This space was a HUGE part of the conversations when this project was developed and removal of it would be a SIGNIFICANT change in my opinion and should be recognized as such by DPD. I will also forward my comments to DPD for response.

BLB June 12, 2013 (2:06 pm)

West Seattle needs a larger exit, not more housing…Anyone seen the exodus in the a.m.? Yikes!

adam June 12, 2013 (3:15 pm)

will the la fitness be a signature club?

nyhopi June 12, 2013 (4:08 pm)

Not too sure about the park area. I can tell you as I live on 40th that the developers have NOT been very good neighbors. I knew nothing of when they started up a few weeks ago, and also knew nothing of the crane coming. They have also been starting work before 7:00am.

The old developers may have went broke and abandoned the “hole” but they were FAR better neighbors letting the whole block know far in advance everything they were doing before they started any work.

Diane June 12, 2013 (4:16 pm)

I assumed they got permission to use that space during construction; when the new fence went up couple weeks ago, it went right up next to the pole with button to press for pedestrian crossing on sidewalk

rt June 12, 2013 (5:03 pm)

now that is an iconic corner for west seattle!

Silly Goose June 12, 2013 (6:02 pm)

Does anyone know what other businesses are going in this location? Is whole foods out?

WSB June 12, 2013 (6:18 pm)

Silly – that’s it. LA Fitness. We reported Whole Foods’ pullout in 2010. They have since announced they are going into the 4755 Fauntleroy project across the street. Hancock Fabrics is not returning. – TR

JayDee June 12, 2013 (7:50 pm)

Couldn’t they call it Seattle Fitness? Or West Seattle Fitness? ;-)

ACG June 12, 2013 (10:23 pm)

Bummed that Hancock Fabrics is not returning.

ann hoesley June 13, 2013 (12:30 am)

I ‘second’ the disappointment that Joanne Fabric is not returning… And I agree I would like to see something ‘West Seattle’ or ‘Seattle ‘as opposed to a big old ‘LA Fitness’ sign ! I can’t get excited about another fitness facility that serves just a few patrons; would rather see a business that supports a larger number of people. Traffic at that corner already is crazy; can’t be a good idea to add more traffic in the form of people in a rush to be on time to an exerxise class!

wessider June 13, 2013 (8:11 am)

This is just another example of how West Seattle is turning into Ballard! That hole had character. It stood for something. I’m going to miss the hole.

Chris W June 13, 2013 (8:36 am)

I just noticed the bulldozers, etc, have completely taken over the side streer on the west side of the hole. Road closed. During morning rush hour.

Big G June 13, 2013 (8:51 am)

LA Fitness is part a large chain, that’s why it’s called that.

Do you know a completion date for this project?

WSB June 13, 2013 (9:29 am)

G – as noted previously, the developers aren’t commenting. Most of the projects of similar size have taken about a year and a half, but given the excavation is already out of the way, I’d bet closer to a year.

Last53BusRider June 13, 2013 (9:37 am)

We won’t be needing fitness centers for long at this rate!! Between traffic gridlock, lack of parking, and Metro bus service going down the tubes, there will be more of us walking longer distances, or getting around on bikes, skateboards, rollerblades etc. :) :)

SW June 13, 2013 (5:07 pm)

Last53BusRider, that’s right! I think this is a non-issue. Many more of us could use public transportation and bike and or walk or run or any combination. Biek to work month was a bit dissapointing (May), I didn’t see many commuters, BUT since the weather improvements, June has looked OK. Anyone up for riding to work? It saves gas, keeps you in shape, and you can cancel that gym memebrship you never use at whatever excuse of a gym that has been everyone whines about (no name mentioned…).