West Seattle development: Upton Flats tower crane going up; 3 rowhouse projects

West Seattle’s first tower crane of the year starts off this roundup of development notes:

(WSB photos from 2 pm today)

UPTON FLATS CRANE GOING UP: Despite the ubiquity of tower cranes in some other parts of the city, West Seattle has been without one since the second removal at The Whittaker (WSB sponsor) almost five months ago. But that’s changing today with the first tower-crane arrival of 2017, at Upton Flats (6058 35th SW in High Point), first mentioned in our morning traffic coverage.

UF is a two-building, 4-story, mixed-use project with 100+ apartments and ground-floor retail over 100+ underground parking spaces; here’s our report from its final Southwest Design Review Board meeting last April.

And from today’s edition of the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin, three rowhouse projects:

3914 SW BRANDON: A three-story, six-unit rowhouse with six offstreet-parking spaces is proposed for this corner lot across from Fairmount Park, to replace a 64-year-old house. Today’s notice opens a comment period until March 13th; here’s how to comment.

5015 FAUNTLEROY WAY & 5017 FAUNTLEROY WAY: Both are also in today’s LUIB and are being considered together, the city says, for “shared access”: Here’s the notice for 5015 Fauntleroy, a 3-story, 4-unit rowhouse with 4 offstreet-parking spaces; here’s how to comment (deadline March 13th). Here’s the notice for 5017 Fauntleroy, three 3-story houses with two offstreet-parking spaces. County records say the site currently holds a 68-year-old house. Here’s how to comment (also by March 13th).

3850 21ST SW: This notice is for the decision approving a land-use permit for a two-unit rowhouse with two offstreet-parking spaces. It opens an appeal period until March 13th; here’s how to appeal.

skeeter February 27, 2017 (4:07 pm)

We need a hipster brewery in the retail section of the Upton Flats.

Mark February 27, 2017 (4:54 pm)

FYI, according to Shelter Holdings, all of the retail space will be dedicated to SHA (Seattle Housing Authority).
- Oakley34 February 27, 2017 (5:02 pm)
  
  That’s literally the most boring thing I can think to fill the space, but on the plus side (presumably) no litter.
  - WSB February 27, 2017 (5:03 pm)
    
    We’ll check on that tomorrow – too late to get any info today.
  - dumplinggirl February 28, 2017 (8:31 am)
    
    Totally agree. SHA is worthy of nice offices, but man we could REALLY use some walkable retail and restaurants up here at High Point.
    - WSB February 28, 2017 (3:44 pm)
      
      Fact-checked and just got the response from SHA spokesperson Kerry Coughlin. No, SHA is not leasing the ENTIRE space, per Coughlin: “The plan is for SHA to occupy part of the space for its management office for High Point. The rest of the space will be multipurpose community use space and the rest for retail along the lines of coffee shop, eatery.”
    - Mark March 1, 2017 (2:38 pm)
      
      Interesting. Thanks for fact-checking.
      
      When I asked, Steve McFall (Steve.McFall@Shelterholdings.com) the following question via e-mail:
      
      “5) I know that SHA will be one of the tenants in the retail space on the ground level of Upton Flats. How much of the 5,604 square feet of retail will they be using? Are there other potential tenants that have signed leases or are in negotiations (only if you can share) for the retail space?”
      
      On Dec 8, 2016, he responded with:
      
      “- SHA will occupy all of the retail space.”
      
      Steve McFall was the representative from Shelter Holdings who reached out to the surrounding community in November and organized a meeting, which I couldn’t attend. So, I contacted him via e-mail.
      
      I’ll reach out to him again and indicate that Kerry Coughlin from SHA is providing conflicting information. Perhaps the plan for the retail space changed since December, which would be nice.
      
      – Mark
    - Mark March 2, 2017 (1:17 pm)
      
      I got the following back from Steve McFall, today:
      
      > With regard to the retail space on the first floor whatever goes in is up to SHA. Upton has no say in anything other than the living space. Please let me know if this did not clear up the question.
      
      I’m not sure what that means, considering Kerry Coughlin’s above comment about not leasing the entire space.
      
      Anyway, since I’m sure plans can and will change, we’ll just have to see what happens in the next few years.
      
      – Mark
    - WSB March 2, 2017 (1:39 pm)
      
      That’s not at all unusual. SHA controls the commercial/retail space. Shelter Holdings is dealing with the apartments. Kind of like The Whittaker – Lennar is the residential developer, Weingarten the retail/commercial developer. So basically both answers are correct. The fact SHA will be its own tenant just made it a little confusing! – TR
- TreeHouse February 28, 2017 (7:28 am)
  
  This info makes me so sad. I was hoping for a coffee shop, brewery or restaurant. =|
  - WSgal March 4, 2017 (4:19 pm)
    
    If someone helps me get contact information for the peopele responsible for retail I promise to bring you an amazing coffee shop featuring one of the best roasters in Seattle who IMHO is sorely underrepresented in West Seattle we would also serve microbrew/wines and with a small music scene and light food. I can’t get any information. I’m watching these cranes come in…

skeeter February 28, 2017 (12:10 pm)

Oh the irony.

We moved into the redeveloping High Point in 2007. One of the reasons we signed on the dotted
line is the expectation of walkable retail on the undeveloped lot at 35^th
and Graham. SHA owned the land and SHA
planned retail for that lot. The retail
was hyped in the marketing material.

Not long after 2007 was the slowdown. No question – SHA had a tough time marketing
that land to any sort of developer. I
get that.

So now the retail is coming in a severely scaled back plan. But at least there is retail space included –
just as promised by SHA back in 2007.
But we’re not getting a coffee shop or a brewery or a restaurant or a
skate shop or a 7-Eleven. We’re getting
SHA offices.

Surely I can’t be the only one that sees the irony. Gotta admit this is a huge, huge letdown.

skeeter March 1, 2017 (9:23 am)

Well I feel a little better now after the comment that SHA won’t lease all the commercial area. Holding out hopes for a place to buy a brew!!

AMD March 2, 2017 (1:55 pm)

If nothing else you’ll have the brewery up the road at 35th & Webster soon. :)

I think some walkable restaurants in that area would be amazing.

Sorry, comment time is over.