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West Seattle development: New buildings planned for 4505 SW Oregon in The Junction, 1606 California SW in North Admiral

October 1, 2013 2:05 pm
|      59 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Two new early-stage development proposals have appeared in city files:

4505 42ND SW: On the southwest corner of 42nd/Oregon, across from nearly complete Oregon 42, there’s a brand-new proposal for a seven-story mixed-use building. The 7,000-square-foot site currently holds a hedge-ringed 105-year-old house (top photo) owned by West Seattle entrepreneur Leon Capelouto, owner/developer of Capco Plaza (QFC, Petco, Altamira Apartments) one block south at 42nd and Alaska. The architects of record are ever-busier West Seattle-founded Nicholson Kovalchick. The early-stage proposal described in DPD records outlines a seven-story building with 55 residential units over two floors with 10,000 sf of retail/office space and one level of underground parking with 14 spaces. The NC3-85-zoned site is immediately north of the Junction Association‘s free-parking lot, across the alley from the Senior Center of West Seattle, and less than half a block south of the planned site of 78-unit Junction Flats at 4433 42nd SW. This project will require Design Review; no meeting date are yet – initial documentation was filed with the city just two weeks ago.

On to North Admiral:

1606 CALIFORNIA SW: The 60-year-old four-plex on the southeast corner of California/Seattle and the 111-year-old house to its south would be replaced by a 16-unit apartment building under a plan that’s also just been filed with the city in the past two weeks. Roger Cayce is listed as owner/developer, and the architecture firm is Roger Newell AIA. The site plan in city files mentions three floors and a below-grade garage, in keeping with the zoning here, which is LR (lowrise) 3.

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59 Replies to "West Seattle development: New buildings planned for 4505 SW Oregon in The Junction, 1606 California SW in North Admiral"

  • anonyme October 1, 2013 (2:12 pm)

    55 units, plus office and retail, with 14 parking spots? RU kidding? I’m sure the Junction businesses will be thrilled that all of their retail parking will be filled 24/7 by apartment dwellers.

    Let the blight begin…

    • WSB October 1, 2013 (2:30 pm)

      WSJA has parking-lot management and they’re pretty aggressive about patrolling those lots. (We’ve been ticketed.) Anyway, the property owner is a longtime Junction businessperson himself (and I should note that his Capco Beverages premium-liquor store in Capco Plaza is a WSB sponsor); I believe he is a member of the business association too. We’re hoping to reach him for a bit more info; I just found this in the city files very early today. – TR

  • JanS October 1, 2013 (2:29 pm)

    and that does happen. I live across the street from Element 42, another who didn’t provide enough parking (and charge for what they have). Our street is now packed all the time. That was my first thought…and the second was…well, they’ll just park in the lot next door. It’s a free parking lot, after all (yes, a bit sarcastic). I stay away from the junction area now, for the most part, this will even make that more so now. Sigh…

  • T Rex October 1, 2013 (2:39 pm)

    Is it just possible to find out about ALL developments getting ready to take place so we can just bleed out all at once. Good Lord!

    West Seattle is WORSE than Ballard now, at least Ballard had the great recession to stop the building.

    • WSB October 1, 2013 (3:13 pm)

      TRex – I wish I had time to compare WS and Ballard – would be interesting! The building here did stop during the recession. Three of the Junction developments under way now – The Blake at 5020 California, Spruce (formerly The Hole) at 3922 SW Alaska, and the Equity Res. (formerly Conner) property at 42nd/California/Alaska – all got their permits/went through Design Review around 2008-2009, and went on hold for a few years. Those aren’t the only ones, but a few major examples. As for finding out about all (I imagine you meant that as a rhetorical question, but still) … the DPD map I browse every few days (including clicking on every single dot) is public. This is the only way to catch developments BEFORE they are announced in the Monday/Thursday Land Use Information Bulletin – this shows proposals in an initial stage too, not just once they have formally applied. Some might not happen; some entered the review process and then were put onsale. But our mission is to share info if we find it, in case neighbors hadn’t heard, etc. … TR

  • morgan October 1, 2013 (2:43 pm)

    The entire Junction area is so congested already. Is the city going to give us back the bus lanes? What a horrible idea that was. Morgan Junction is completely at a stand still when a bus is stopped. Before their “bus bulbs” traffic flowed just fine.

  • enough October 1, 2013 (2:53 pm)

    Blight began in 2005.

  • Lee October 1, 2013 (3:03 pm)

    That is ridiculous that there are only 14 parking spots.I’m sure most residents, if not all, will have cars that will have to be parked somewhere. As it is, there are times you can’t find parking in the Junction. The businesses should be up in arms.

  • WSGrrrl October 1, 2013 (3:07 pm)

    Welcome to the new Ballard, everyone. This is exactly how it happened in Ballard in the late 90s and early 00s. No one was able to stop it. Or no one knew how. But try to get in or out of Ballard for anything these days and you’ll be in for a long haul.

    I’m not against development, but I am in favor of doing it smart. It looks like all of the developers are scrambling to jump back in the action to make a buck at whatever the cost.

  • CeeBee October 1, 2013 (3:31 pm)

    Continue to kiss the history of West Seattle goodbye. How ironic that we lose a 105 and 11 year old houses because of two people who claim long-time West Seattle ties.

  • onion October 1, 2013 (3:39 pm)

    Considering all the seven story buildings going up in that vicinity we ought to rename it from Alaska Junction to Manhattan Junction. Yikes.
    Seven stories, 55 apartments, and only 14 parking spaces? That’s nuts. Anything less than one parking space per unit ought to be a nonstarter, especially since the businesses there need parking for their employees and customers as well.

  • sad architect October 1, 2013 (3:59 pm)

    The four plex at california/seattle!!! no!! One of my favorite buildings in west seattle is being torn down… sad day for mid century modernists. Not sure why everyone makes a big deal about the parking. If it’s bad enough they wont be able to rent the apartments and parking garages will start popping up. Its all the natural progression of a city growing up.

  • anonyme October 1, 2013 (4:12 pm)

    CeeBee, that’s the other angle I find disturbing. Whether it’s over-development of apartments, or 3 monster houses crowded onto a single lot, the character and history of West Seattle are being destroyed. Development and change are possible without this kind of poor planning and destruction.

  • Gene October 1, 2013 (4:15 pm)

    Sad architect – you know I’ve brought up the topic of parking garages in the blog before- evidently the city has pretty much nixed the idea altogether. No parking structures for West Seattle it seems.

  • CandrewB October 1, 2013 (4:17 pm)

    Have to admit, I have skipped places in the Junction lately because there was no parking and it was just not worth the struggle. When that happens I find myself at the multinational corps a few minutes later. I prefer not to do that, but I am not vigilant enough to plan my days 24/7.

  • Jeff October 1, 2013 (4:37 pm)

    This is fantastically amusing.

    Whether wittingly or not, this is exactly what people voted for.

    Now, sit back, enjoy the view while it lasts, and enjoy a nice cupcake.

    Laughing in the hills.

  • Silly Goose October 1, 2013 (4:50 pm)

    I have complained about all of this for years at City Hall and Mocha meetings so again with a sad heart all I can say is I hope that hedge gets to stay so we won’t have to look at the cheap, no character, or architectural imagination that is once again going to be built!!

  • Heather October 1, 2013 (4:53 pm)

    I know parking always comes up in relation to development, as it should. But truthfully I rarely have a problem parking around the junction. There always seems to be something on CA or in the few parking lots. But I will say that I am not of limited mobility so I can easily park and walk.

  • Wes C. Addle October 1, 2013 (5:04 pm)

    All I know is I’m glad I moved out of the Altamira last year. It would be a nightmare now.

  • wetone October 1, 2013 (5:14 pm)

    Capelouto and other’s are west seattle longtime Junction business people true. Does that change the fact that west seattle is being ruined by projects they are involved with no ! Most these long time west seattle business people spend much time away from this area and not impacted like the rest of us. Capelouto’s actions by not adding more parking with their projects to help out with the problems their causing and leaving in this area shows me they have little concern for the people of this area and only concerned about maximum profit $$$$$$$$$$. Bottom line ! They have lost my respect and so has the city of seattle for making it so easy for them. Feel bad for surrounding neighborhoods as they will be changing and not in a good way. I see west seattle changing to a white collar area instead of being diversified as it once was.

  • anon October 1, 2013 (5:21 pm)

    I love my 100 year old house, my neighbors and the access we have to the beach in WS, but I just don’t like all the increased development and non descript architecture going in. If this was all better planned (for example the townhouses next to the church in Seaview where some thought was actually applied) with existing West Seattlelites in mind it might be better, but it’s just developers cashing in at all costs. I have actually started the conversation with hubby to move, perhaps to somewhere with a bit more elbow room.

  • JanS October 1, 2013 (5:22 pm)

    heather, there’s the rub…some of us do have limited mobility, and that’s a problem. A while ago I made the mistake of meeting someone for brunch on a Sunday morning at Jak’s…had to park a block and a half away. Might not be a problem for some, but at the moment it is for me. The Farmer’s Market draws quite a few people, and there was simply no parking anywhere on Calif. Ave from Edmonds to Oregon.

    I, too, thought about the office space that will supposedly be in this building. If those businesses employ people from other parts of the city, will they truly leave their cars behind? And customers of those buildings, too, have to park. Yes, there is the parking lot next door for those customers, but Mr. Capelouto knows the situation in the junction. I think the size of the building on that space will dictate how much underground parking he can do. It’s not a huge lot.

  • Nwryan October 1, 2013 (5:32 pm)

    The buildings around west Seattle are falling apart. Embrace the development. We are still the community that lives here and it will still be the one occupying them and creating their environment.

  • G October 1, 2013 (5:48 pm)

    Most of the above comments are why I moved out of West Seattle; a “collective” that thinks its their right to decide what you should do with your property, despite you paying the taxes. And for those whining about too many people, it’s always someone else who is the problem.

    Bleh.

  • Wes C. Addle October 1, 2013 (5:48 pm)

    @JanS
    I realize that many of us have limited mobility, but what else can be done to make it more convenient? If you’re going to Jak’s for brunch or anywhere on the main drag of the Junction you will most likely not find a parking spot on California. It was that way before all of the development. The free junction parking on the East and West side of California are as close to the heart of the junction as possible and I rarely ever don’t find parking there. Is that still too far? I agree with your assessment regarding the businesses, customers, and employee parking. It will become much worse.

  • JanS October 1, 2013 (6:01 pm)

    Wes…it was Farmer’s Market Day, so the lot behind Pharmaca was taken up by that. It meant that people parked in the lot on 42nd and filled it up. and parking on Alaska between Calif and 42nd doesn’t exist anymore, and parking where the ex-Petco has been removed. I realize that people come and go, and if you’re lucky you get a spot. Wasn’t so lucky.

  • JanS October 1, 2013 (6:02 pm)

    G…if you dislike WS and it’s people so much, I don’t understand why you’re here hanging out with us. There is no blog in your new neighborhood?

  • JayDee October 1, 2013 (6:15 pm)

    Why is this happening or even allowed when the City itself is looking at revising the parking spaces requirement? 55 apartments and 15 spaces: Absurd…
    –
    “But young people now do not own cars…”. Wishful thinking folks. Young, old, and others will rent these apartments and then complain there is no parking. Or the poor businesses nearby (QFC, Petco, Capco Liquor) better pray we still come when their lots are full-up. Sundays ought to be rich with the nearby churches and faithful trying to attend both the church and the Farmer’s Market.

  • wetone October 1, 2013 (6:37 pm)

    Capelouto and other’s are west seattle longtime Junction business people true. Does that change the fact that west seattle is being ruined by projects they are involved with no ! Most these long time west seattle business people spend much time away from this area and not impacted like the rest of us. Capelouto’s actions by not adding more parking with their projects to help out with the problems their causing and leaving in this area shows me they have little concern for the people of this area and only concerned about maximum profit $$$$$$$$$$. Bottom line ! They have lost my respect and so has the city of seattle for making it so easy for them. Feel bad for surrounding neighborhoods as they will change and not in a good way. I see west seattle changing to a white collar area instead of being diversified as it once was.

  • sgs October 1, 2013 (6:51 pm)

    What’s the street parking law in Seattle in terms of how long a car can be in a spot without being moved?

  • buckwheat October 1, 2013 (7:03 pm)

    For of those of us who are getting really tired of all of this development must remember that for whatever reason idiots are being elected to the mayor’s office, city council, city attorney, and other elected offices. By having indiots in these positions this out of control development will continue. No different from what is going on with Congress during this budget impasse. Vote them all out. How about those Seahawks!

  • Ajax October 1, 2013 (7:27 pm)

    I love the idea of a pedestrian-oriented neighborhood where everyone is out shopping/dining local. Unfortunately, sometimes the reality of life is at odds with that. When I bought my house, the number one criteria that I gave my realtor was walking distance to bus stops, shops, and restaurants. That was only a few years ago, but I now have an elderly parent living with me who is not very mobile and being able to walk to a restaurant is a lot less important than being able to find a parking spot at the grocery store or pharmacy. That shouldn’t doom me to living in the suburbs. I think the rapidity of the change and the lack of input is what’s unsettling to some long-time residents. A lot of people in West Seattle are accustomed to driving and parking close by – that’s what they’re used to. It’s not that easy to adapt to a different lifestyle when you haven’t opted to do so.

  • sna October 1, 2013 (7:33 pm)

    I assume this is the design of the 16 unit complex at 1605 California. Top drawing on page:

    http://www.rhnewellaia.com/news/

  • Ajax October 1, 2013 (8:30 pm)

    I guess there’s no guess about what the Roger Newell project is going to look like – every single one looks exactly alike. Sad to see the very cool mid-century complex and lovely landscaping bulldozed to be replaced with something that looks so incredibly low-end design/build.

  • MellyMel October 1, 2013 (10:00 pm)

    On the Roger Newell site — the one labeled

    West Seattle Mixed-Use

    Lying within the urban village of West Seattle Junction, this project was designed to provide a link between 35th Ave SW and the Junction.

    is this the “mega project? with the proposed whole foods?

  • Mike October 1, 2013 (10:28 pm)

    There are two main reasons developers are building without parking that fits the number of people they plan to have move in. 1) Mayor McGinn put in place tax cuts for developers to not have parking that matches how many people will be living in a building. 2) The shoring work costs are far smaller when you don’t need to worry about a parking garage of large size. That is millions of dollars in money that the developer will pocket just by not providing enough parking. The reason that the mayor had was that it will promote alternative transportation. What really happens is those of us paying estate taxes on land in areas that surround these new developments end up with cars parked all over, many times blocking fire hydrants or so close to the intersection you can’t see oncoming traffic. That 30′ from a stop sign, when was the last time you saw 30′ from a stop sign without a car parked in front of it?
    .
    This is only the beginning. They will only get taller as zoning laws get adjusted by the government puppets people voted in. They love their developer funds for the next election. Everyone has a price, politicians are typically easy to figure out.
    .
    just saw this and thought it was fitting. Those that don’t have a fat paycheck are going to feel this pain here more and more. http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Elderly-Ballard-woman-fighting-to-keep-her-apartment-226075161.html

  • Beach Drive Home October 1, 2013 (10:59 pm)

    What are the people of West Seattle smoking? Won’t shop in the Junction because of the traffic? Seriously? Are you joking? This is the easiest city to park in I’ve ever lived in my life. Go live in Chicago or complain to the folks in DuPont Circle in DC (where I used to live) about the “horrors” of having only 3 totally free parking lots within 4 blocks. We have multiple free parking lots. No parking meters on the main strip. No parking meters on the side streets. Free merchant parking in the major buildings (Jefferson Square and QFC/PetCo). In 15 years I’ve never failed to just drive up to the Junction and park (except on the West Seattle Festival days). So there are a dozen 7 story (ha) buildings going up in a 40 square block area. Again, in percentage wise this is nothing. There are 70 thousand some residents in West Seattle now. Another 70 units here and 55 units there is statistically insignificant. I know it LOOKS like a lot or “feels” like a big change, but it’s not. So instead of 28,000 thousand cars leaving during rush hour it’s 29,000 after 10 years of building. That’s 4% increase in 10 years (due to the ‘big’ buildings, not including all the smaller lots splits and 2 story buildings no one seems to complain about).

  • JanS October 1, 2013 (11:47 pm)

    actually, the population is more like 90-95K on the peninsula now, and I’m willing to bet that it’s more than 29000 cars. Maybe I just pick the wrong times to go to the junction, but I find lots full quite a bit, and I almost never find parking on Calif. Ave when I try to go to the junction. The parking lots for Safeway and QFC are for those businesses, not for general parking to go to , say , Art’s West on a Friday evening.

  • CandrewB October 2, 2013 (5:58 am)

    Beach Drive Home, you are absolutely correct. Parking is way worse in Chicago. I lived in the NW Loop for ten years. I should have realized I could not share an opinion since whatever I was speaking to could be worse somewhere else. I should LOVE McGinn because I could have ended up with Marion Barry. The Mariners have NO problems because they could be the Astros. I get it now.

  • Gene October 2, 2013 (7:03 am)

    Beach Drive Home- this IS West Seattle& not Chicago- DC- or anywhere else- while many here bemoan the changing landscape- most know that it is inevitable & just the way of things. What bothers ME the most is the lack of vision & character in the structures being built(look around WS- we’ve been there & done that & it was hoped wouldn’t be repeated) & the lack of dedicated parking assigned to each building. I understand building around the junction- but it is the heart of our community – where we all like to shop & eat. The junction has seen ups & downs over the years- with a true emphasis on shopping local & as a community we stepped up. While the increasing lack of avaiable & convenient parking may not compare to other cities- it is a problem here. It’s turning a once accessible shopping area- for ALL- not just those hardy enough to walk blocks- into an exclusive shopping mall .
    Seriously- 55 residential units AND retail space & only 14 parking spaces – add that to the other construction with similar lack of parking & there is no way it won’t impact junction shoppers.
    Perhaps this could be an opportunity for Westwood Village to expand — but it will never replace our Junction.

  • AG October 2, 2013 (8:45 am)

    ARRRRGHHHHH! STOP! Just freakin STOP already. I’m so tired of the huge apartment buildings. Part of WS’s charm is the older houses and buildings, and its “small town” feel while still being close to the city. Developers are flat-out ruining that and I’m sick as hell of it.

  • salamander October 2, 2013 (9:03 am)

    Some perspective…I just got back from Midwest. So many dying/dead towns and cities very sad. No traffic! no new apartment buildings! but no vitality and business to keep things going. Change is inevitable so I guess the change of too much growth may be better than too little..a thought..

  • Gene October 2, 2013 (9:29 am)

    Just because development/traffic-or lack thereof is worse somewhere else-doesn’t & shouldn’t diminish the concern we have for our own community. The insight is appreciated I guess-but doesn’t mean we have to say-“well look what’s happened in ____ (fill in the blank) so it could be worse in WS”! Yes change IS inevitable-but we can & should have a voice in the change & be concerned about how that change is implemented & how it will impact our community.

  • sun*e October 2, 2013 (9:48 am)

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…
    .
    I’m all for growth and change but only when it’s good…this is NOT good! It seems like every time I read the blog these days there is another plan for a residential building of some sort but there is never any mention or plan in creating more exits out of West Seattle to accommodate the influx of all these extra people. When will it ever stop…or at the very least, slow down and consider the impact? AAAUUUGGGHHH!

  • james October 2, 2013 (10:40 am)

    I always enjoy a good ol WSB Blog “development” comments section. The sky is falling! Everyone run! I can guarantee you that businesses in the junction are absolutely not concerned with the loss of parking. They’re getting hundreds of new customers that are choosing to live in an urban environment because those apartment/condo dwellers want close proximity to businesses and services.

    Stick with the bad traffic scare-mongering. Much more effective.

  • miws October 2, 2013 (12:33 pm)

    Stick with the bad traffic scare-mongering.

    .

    Huh?

    .

    Mike

  • CW October 2, 2013 (12:41 pm)

    This is the beginning of the end of free parking in the Junction. All street and lot parking will be metered with a 2 hour max. RPZs will start popping up in the residential blocks bordering the Junction in a year or two as well and they will just continue to push out as more of these apartments go up. The future tenants of all of these new apartment buildings will find parking their cars to be a constant nightmare.

  • james October 2, 2013 (12:58 pm)

    @Mike I’m suggesting that the anti-development crowd stick to the message that increased people = worse traffic. Not increased people = declining revenues for junction businesses (which defies all logic).

  • metrognome October 2, 2013 (5:03 pm)

    according to the Sept. 27th article in the Seattle Times’ Pacific magazine, there have been 3,900 new housing units built in WS since 2005 and another 1,258 have been approved or are under review. And, WS ‘… is the oldest and biggest in the city with roughly 16 square miles of land and more than 83,000 people — about 14 percent of the city’s population. Within that area are more than a dozen distinct neighborhoods …’
    .
    http://seattletimes.com/html/pacificnw/2021803997_0929coverwestseattle1xml.html
    .
    as far as the Junction parking issue, the bigger picture is that the city has failed to meet its obligation to provide accessible routes of travel in and around the Junction. Try going from Jaks to True Value in a wheelchair; ever notice the poorly installed and missing curb ramps and crappy sidewalks? Try going a block south of the Junction on the east side of the street and navigating that roller coaster sidewalk using a walker or crutches. I also feel the city has failed to meet its obligation to provide accessible street parking and to ensure that businesses do not block narrow sidewalks with café tables. And lastly, they have failed to enforce building codes, including the requirement for accessible parking stalls in private lots.
    .
    I’m not delighted about the development, but I’m looking forward to the new sidewalks and curb ramps.

  • JVP October 2, 2013 (6:17 pm)

    We need a positive voice here, so I’ll step up. I’m excited for the development. I do hope they build nice looking buildings with lasting materials, but I love the density. I live here because I want to be in a walking neighborhood with grocery options, great restaurants, and retail. We’ve got it, but juuuuust barely. More people living in the walking zone means more restaurants, more shops, and more urban energy.

    The good news is that all this development is NOT taking place in the single family neighborhoods. You can still live in most of West Seattle and not have density, if that’s what you prefer. The new density is happening where it should be, clustered in small zones of higher density.

    Parking here is easy. Even though I usually walk, I park a couple times a week when I need to grab something on my way out. Since when did walking a few blocks require you to be some kind of athlete? Normal people can walk a bit. Yep, we need parking spots for those with disabled plates, but the rest of us can easily find parking within a few blocks. Easy. Plus it’s really healthy to walk.

    We do have issues that the city needs to address, and that includes transit. We really need light rail coming to the Junction! Please, please, please bring a subway here. In the mean time, we need enough bus service. Good transit will keep the bridge a viable route to/from. Younger people really don’t want to drive.

    This area is awesome, and it just keeps getting better.

  • datamuse October 3, 2013 (1:24 am)

    “But young people now do not own cars…”. Wishful thinking folks.
    .
    No, it’s not. Car ownership is trending downward nationwide and the trend appears to be generational, not economic. (I’d cite sources but, seriously, JFGI. There’s been tons of news reporting on it recently.)
    .
    With full agreement that there do need to be accessible spaces for people who can’t walk long distances, I have to agree that I have never had trouble parking in the Junction. The most time we’ve ever spent looking for a spot is about ten minutes. We’re rarely more than a block from our destination, either.
    .
    And that’s without using the pay lot under Jefferson Square, which is nearly empty every time I’ve gone in there.
    .
    Sure, it’s not free, but that free parking in the Junction isn’t really free–it’s just that it’s the businesses paying for it, not us. Has it occurred to anyone how much less those businesses would be struggling if they weren’t subsidizing our cars?

  • Gene October 3, 2013 (9:10 am)

    Has it occurred to anyone how much more these businesses will be struggling if folks can’t get to them? You can turn this any which way- the point – for me- isn’t – not building- it’s having at least reasonable parking for what’s being built- why is that too much to ask of developers?
    Looks like there are lots of folks who don’t have any trouble walking- or finding places to park- and likewise lots of folks who do have problems walking – and finding places to park– right now. What happens in the future? While someone living in these new buildings- will no doubt walk to businesses & restaurants- does anyone think those same folks won’t have friends- family- clients- visiting? You think they will all just bus it to WS?
    I love WS- love to patronize the businesses & restaurants in the junction- but I have to say – if the weather is bad- I am not spending 10 minutes driving around trying to find a place to park( even to park & walk) if that makes me lazy- so be it.
    Bring a subway here- ha! Good transit will make the bridge a viable route to & from-oh please!

  • sam-c October 3, 2013 (10:29 am)

    In the past, we’ve not had trouble finding parking to go to the junction. maybe we get to brunch earlier than others (9.45 am). we usually find parking in one of the free lots for art walk or Friday night after work. but, the apartments aren’t up yet, so yeah it will get harder to find parking.

    but the comments that the businesses will suffer because there is no parking kinda seem silly to me. a while ago, while at the junction- I was pondering the 2 developments going up on either side of Talarico’s and EBB, and I thought ‘wow- those places will be so busy with all the new apartment residents that I probably won’t go’. the yogi berra quote came to mind “nobody goes there anymore. it’s too crowded”

    I don’t think the businesses will struggle.

  • datamuse October 3, 2013 (11:23 pm)

    I’m kind of inclined to agree with Sam-c on this one. People won’t be able to get to these businesses? They’ll have ready-made customer bases living right upstairs!
    .
    My point is that parking isn’t free. If you’re not paying for it, someone else is–and where that parking lot or garage was built could have been something else, something more interesting and productive than a place to store a car.
    .
    I suppose you could drive an additional ten minutes to someplace with more convenient parking…

  • RunAway October 4, 2013 (4:22 pm)

    Welcome to a growing city. West Seattle is a great location to downtown and entertainment, while feeling somewhat safe. Development will happen, get used to it. If it weren’t for developing places like Seattle I wouldn’t have a job, coming from a state that is in a downfall. I say bring on more housing, multi-residental buildings bring down the carbon footprint you leave. More places for younf professionals to work and pay less. Pay for parking somewhere, and walk a few blocks – or don’t have a car (even a better option). Bus system is better in Seattle than most other cities. Yes, they are way behind on other forms of transportation (subway system), but that will come in time. I say more development! Honestly, you wouldn’t be here either if there wasn’t development at some point.

  • lisa October 19, 2013 (6:19 pm)

    Whatever you think about development – how does 14 spaces, 55 units make sense? And why is so much of the discussion – development is good vs development is bad. Isn’t there good development? Isn’t there bad development?

    Even if the building was rented by only young people with their allegedly fewer cars if you assume 2 people per unit (110 people) that is about 1 parking space for every 7.85 people!

    Young people are not the only people who will live there (or else all those who talk about diversity and vibrancy will be upset, right?) and many do own cars.

    And young people get older. Its amazing but true. And they have kids, soccer games, carpools, etc etc.

Sorry, comment time is over.