West Seattle development: Junction teardown update

| Development | West Seattle news

Went to The Junction to check on the teardown work that began earlier this week at the site of two future apartment/retail buildings. The eastern building is now all gone, with the former Rocksport space next to go.

Just yesterday morning, Brian Presser from TouchTech Systems a couple blocks away caught the demolition crew bringing down part of the copper-tone awning:

Today’s “after” view, looking west at that spot:

The demolition crew is working east to west and is likely to start on the California/Alaska building next week.

NW October 10, 2013 (2:53 pm)

I have begun to accept the fact that West Seattle is undergoing a dramatic change and that I may also in fact be moving away from here because of enevitable congestion and the rest with dense living conditions ……..

West Seattle Since 1979 October 10, 2013 (3:50 pm)

And I may have to move away from a place where everyone wants it to stay like it was when they grew up here. In fact, I probably should not be living here, since I didn’t grow up here. I don’t know why I read the comments in here at all–it’s always very upsetting.

AN October 10, 2013 (3:56 pm)

It will be interesting to see how they rip into the vault. The door is off but they still have the walls of the walk-in vault that they haven’t even started on. It was at one time a bank vault.

enough October 10, 2013 (4:07 pm)

I’ve been thinking that too NW.

West Seattle Hipster October 10, 2013 (4:09 pm)

I have no problem with growth as long as the infrastructure grows to support it.

Any word on when the new bridge to downtown will be built?

cjboffoli October 10, 2013 (4:10 pm)

I’m happy to see those ugly, cheaply-built low rise structures go away. The commercial center of the Junction deserves something newer and more vibrant that will better utilize the space.

Just wondering October 10, 2013 (4:35 pm)

Do any locations, COMPARABLE to West Seattle, that folks want to move to, in order to avoid a changing environment, actually remain in an unchanged state over decades?

sicksick2 October 10, 2013 (4:36 pm)

NW – jeez, back away from the cliff, the world isn’t ending.

W Sea Neighbor October 10, 2013 (4:55 pm)

Getting so sick of coming here and seeing NIMBYs complaining all the time, lamenting the loss of ugly old buildings and longing for the good old days. You are welcome to leave. I’ll stay and enjoy the changing, vibrant West Seattle community that continues to grow and improve year after year.

Bus_ rider October 10, 2013 (5:26 pm)

No bridge. I want a gondola to the mainland. Capitol Hill can walk.

Ray West October 10, 2013 (5:45 pm)

Bridge?

Ray West October 10, 2013 (5:52 pm)

cjboffoli–The ugly, cheaply built, low-rise structures will be replaced by ugly, cheaply-built high-rise structures that will further box in the WS Junction and have nothing to do with its historical character.

NW October 10, 2013 (5:56 pm)

Well W Sea Neighbor if your getting sick of this nimbys comments on here along with my fellow nimbys why the f do you read and or comment here cause you can sure expect to see more of it here in the future bubba!

Genesee Hill October 10, 2013 (5:56 pm)

Those old buildings were dumps.

JayDee October 10, 2013 (7:46 pm)

As a late baby boomer (post 1960) I have always heard “you should have been here when…” because the front wave of the boomers had already been there and driven up prices. When I first arrived in West Seattle there was a feed and seed store in the Junction (now returning as a butcher shop.) No West 5, no Elliot Bay Brewing, no Beer Junction, no Great Harvest, no Bakery Nouveau, no bin 41, nor Jak’s Grill…
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While I am glad Easy Street and Husky Deli remain, would I want the Old Junction? No. I like being able to walk to QFC, Seattle Fish, the Farmers Market, Husky Deli, True Value…etc. You get the point.
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Do I like the 6-7 story autonomous building replacing the low-rise crap architecture that was previously there? Not really, but we didn’t lose anything but sunlight. When Husky Deli and all the other relatively homegrown businesses leave, then I will mourn. Until then I will just wait for the sun to crest the new buildings and warm up “Walk-All-Ways”.

villagegreen October 10, 2013 (8:36 pm)

The buildings being torn down are turds. Nothing remotely architecturally interesting whatsoever. If you find them to be ‘the soul’ of West Seattle then you must have quite a low opinion of our area. I find it hard to believe the new buildings going up won’t improve the Junction. They may not be the pinnacle of architectural design, but they will definitely be a better use of space.

BrianC October 10, 2013 (8:44 pm)

Go ahead Nimbys. Move away. Far fewer complainers will be left for those who stay to listen to. Good riddance.

Last53BusRider October 10, 2013 (8:54 pm)

Yikes! I didn’t even notice. In my defence, however, I must note that I was sitting with my back to the site as I went by on the 50 bus.

West Seattle since 1979 October 10, 2013 (11:03 pm)

JayDee, I remember when it was like that. It’s much better now. And if we can get a variety of small local businesses in the ground floors of the new buildings, it’ll be even better.

Civik October 10, 2013 (11:20 pm)

Look forward to seeing what gets put up there. I don’t lament the loss of the building, more the density increase coupled with a lack of parking.

Also, Cj, one can hope that it will build a more vibrant and interesting area, but I doubt it.

Are there any design proposal drawings for this site available? Usually there is something for a project this size… I just haven’t found it yet.

BookGal October 11, 2013 (8:51 am)

What attracts people to a neighborhood is the sense of community, feeling safe, places to shop, walkability, a place to settle down, a place to raise your kids, where you can get some sleep, have considerate engaging neighbors, and perhaps a bit of nostalgia.
What makes “all quaint neighborhood downtowns” appealing are buildings that do not loom over the sidewalks, seeing/feeling the warmth of sun, the breeze on a hot day, and plenty of “mom & pop” retail shoppes.
Those “old ugly buildings” were also less than 3 stories tall. The new buildings will be 7+/- stories tall. They will loom over the sidewalk and the street. They will block the sunlight and change how the air flows. There will be more street congestion, buses will become even more packed, and for those who drive – street parking will become increasingly more difficult around the Junction.
Perhaps there will be more retail on the street level, but sadly I doubt it – as most small retail businesses (with affordable goods) will NOT be able to afford the higher rents in the new buildings. The only ones who can – will be most likely more bars and restaurants.
You can not have a truly sustainable community or neighborhood with only bars and restaurants. RETAIL IS ESSENTIAL for the survival of a neighborhood and community.
West Seattle has never been a transient neighborhood filled with hipsters and party monsters. It is quiet here (sometimes a bit sleepy) – it is away from the hustle, congestion, and noise of Downtown, Pioneer Square, Belltown, Capitol Hill, and Ballard. This is a place where people put down roots – where one settles down, knows one’s neighbors, where there are hard-working blue-collar workers living next door to tech types, where there is support for local businesses, folks have families, raise their kids, and rally around those who need help. That is why I live here.

cowpie October 11, 2013 (10:34 am)

I am glad to see the recycling of materials. They have a large pile of concrete and metal that will be kept out of the landfills. I also saw some very large wood beams that will probably be cut into 2 x 4’s….again keeping them out of landfills too.

NW October 11, 2013 (12:30 pm)

Well for us who have grown up here and those who have lived here decades now its hard seeing such dramatic changes in the neighborhood. This talk of nimbys or whatever is from folks who have not lived in an area like here for now going on 40 years which I have and admit the junction has improved a lot since the 70s onward like the commenter above mentioned will we just have more bars and restaurants with the density I see these places in other communities like capital hill and pioneer square attracting lots of debris , shady characters and crime. I grew up here as did my family since the 30s and I speak from that perspective of West Seattle being a quaint small town the density and population growth is going to jeopardize that.

villagegreen October 11, 2013 (12:41 pm)

BookGal – 99% of West Seattle is still living the 1950’s dream you speak of. Some added density in the Junction isn’t going to change that.

Kara October 11, 2013 (2:24 pm)

Jay Dee, what you said is perfect! I’m third gen and I heard stories of West Seattle my whole life, but my family we are not going anywhere. We will stay and live with the changes that have been going on and will continue to go on until I have stories to tell…

Steve f October 11, 2013 (4:00 pm)

Been here since ’83. No way would I want it like it was then. Much much better now. Speaking of them good ol’ days, our neighborhood had racial restrictive covenants in place until the 1960s (though eventually thrown off the books). Glad for progress

West sea October 11, 2013 (11:00 pm)

NW, that’s really crass. I hope you and said fellow nimbys go away and leave us as a better community in your absence.

Raymond October 12, 2013 (12:36 pm)

Change is good but why so ugly? I think if you like Bellevue you should live there.

Chasmeister October 12, 2013 (6:22 pm)

Heck, I remember when what’s now a yoga studio was the Feed & Seed store where you could buy bite-sized dog biscuits I’d eat while walking home. I remember that the cheese and veggie ones were nice, the liver ones were passable, but that I never liked the charcoal ones.
As for the NIMBY’s, they’re right of course but as one of those old Greeks said: “Time and change – only the immortal Gods are immune to them.”

Sorry, comment time is over.