FOLLOWUP: Sweeney family’s Triangle ‘potential redevelopment’ process begins

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

Four weeks ago, the Sweeney family announced they would soon be meeting with the city to start the process of exploring redevelopment of their West Seattle Triangle property – particularly the Alki Lumber site. Now, early-stage documents generated by that process have appeared in the city’s online files. The overview notation is: “Potential redevelopment of 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW and 4406 36th Ave SW”; One associated document offers the general assessment, “A large W. Seattle Triangle redevelopment proposal. Total development does not appear to be formulated yet.” But another document in the file gives some hints at possibilities. Here’s an excerpt:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Over four generations, the Sweeney family has assembled over 3.5 acres of real estate in what, today, is known as the West Seattle Triangle (WST), an area bounded by Fauntleroy Way SW, SW Alaska Street and 35th Avenue SW. The properties are distributed over six blocks and range in size from approximately 1.5-acres to 1.0-acres, including:

• 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW (Alki Lumber)
• 4406 36th Ave SW (Alki Lumber)
• 4500 36th Ave SW
• 3512 SW Alaska Street
• 4609-4623 36th Avenue SW
• 4517 37th Avenue SW

Since 1938, the two northernmost half-block properties fronting Fauntleroy Way, SW Avalon Way, and 36th Avenue SW have been home to the Alki Lumber & Hardware Co., one of Seattle’s few remaining independent lumberyards. With the exception of the 0.4-acre Dearborn Lumber warehouse site, located on 37th Avenue SW, the remaining three properties are organized along both sides of 36th Avenue SW, creating a North-South spine of potential development running through the center of the Triangle neighborhood.

The Owners would like to confirm planning considerations and potential permit paths for the phased, coordinated redevelopment of the two Alki Lumber sites – extending their commitment to the neighborhood for generations to come. In total, these two Project sites are anticipated to include underground parking; approximately 30,000 sf of ground floor retail, market/hardware, and commercial office functions; and approximately 270,000 sf of multifamily residential use.

Again, no specific proposal is on file yet. In their January announcement, the family said, “Our goal is to establish a vision and a master plan for the future of our properties to benefit the West Seattle Triangle community, which serves as the gateway to the peninsula. This will be a long-term, multi-year, phased approach.”

12 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: Sweeney family's Triangle 'potential redevelopment' process begins"

  • Old friend February 25, 2019 (4:24 pm)

    The Alki lumber site should be purchased and utilized by Sound transit for the light rail transit center (TOD). Light rail is too disruptive to the character of neighborhood to extend further west to Alaska /California junction. 

    • heartless February 25, 2019 (6:59 pm)

      HAH!  “character of neighborhood”?  Look at how much the neighborhood has already changed in the past 5, let alone 10, years.  Light rail is here BECAUSE the neighborhood has changed.

  • Jon Wright February 25, 2019 (5:43 pm)

    Mobility for the people in and around the Junction is more important than some nebulous notion of “the character of the neighborhood” that sounds like code for NIMBY.

  • Villagegreen February 25, 2019 (5:54 pm)

    There definitely needs to be a light rail station closer to the Junction than the lumber location. However, it should be underground. They didn’t destroy Beacon Hill or Capitol Hill with above grade stations. Why should they destroy West Seattle? 

    • Jort February 25, 2019 (7:46 pm)

      Maybe because it won’t actually destroy West Seattle?

      • Villagegreen February 26, 2019 (1:30 pm)

        “Destroy” was probably the wrong word. Although it will destroy certain families dream of retiring in their current homes if the yellow route is approved. Yes, I know people who’s houses will be “destroyed” without the tunnel option. I’ve voted for every public transit option ever put on the ballot. However, I’m not ready to accept a cut rate solution. If it can’t be done right then wait until it can be. West Seattle deserves the same respect other neighborhoods received. 

    • Peter February 26, 2019 (9:36 am)

      West Seattle will be destroyed! DESTROYED! by light rail.*eyeroll*

  • WS Guy February 25, 2019 (6:26 pm)

    This should be an employment center, not residential.  It makes no sense to ship everyone in West Seattle downtown every morning, with empty buses or trains coming back.  

    • Azimuth February 25, 2019 (10:44 pm)

      Yes!

  • Alkimark February 25, 2019 (6:28 pm)

    Noooooo!   Let’s start a Save Alki Lumber!  I remember about 10 years ago I had my then 6 yo twin boys and they got a couple candy bars which were like $2 each.  They only had $3 so they asked ol’ man Sweeney if he’d take $3 for two.  Everyone at the counter became really quiet and looked at Sweeney ( apparently he was known as quite frugal).  He agreed and everyone let out a roar, saying that was the first in a long time.

  • chemist February 26, 2019 (10:05 am)

    Development related, but not this development related – Does the MHA stuff expand the urban village too?  I noticed had a revision to this map makes the entirety of the riteaid property in the urban village, instead of just half.  I’ve been searching around trying to find a map related to Herbold’s Residential Small Lot amendment.

  • Mara Haveson February 26, 2019 (4:18 pm)

    A big kudos to Alki Lumber establishment and to the Sweeney family. Change & growing pains are not easy and I applaud you in running a big business in a mom and pop fashion for decades! Your costumer service is always top notch and your employees are so helpful! Looking forward to see what the future holds, exciting considerations….

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