(King County Assessor’s photo)
Just filed with the city today: An early-stage proposal to replace the 66-year-old single-story apartment complex at Alki SW/54th with a 16-townhouse complex. The site plan (PDF) shows 7 units facing Alki Avenue, 5 facing 54th, and 4 behind the Alki-facing units; 15 would have attached garages and 10 more parking spaces would be provided on-site (the Alki Parking Overlay requires 1 1/2 spaces per residence).
Nothing unique will be left on Alki to live in, just tall townhomes and condos that block each other’s views. It’s an atrocity .
This is so disappointing! I live in the building directly behind this proposed action. I have enjoyed a lovely view for many years and have felt so lucky to live here. I don’t look forward to the view being replaced by ugly townhouses and a parking lot.
And the huge drop in property value since the view is a HUGE selling point!
Even today the apartment building has 6 surface parking spots as well as a double-door basement garage of some sort off 54th. These aren’t even in a frequent transit urban village, so they wouldn’t qualify for no-parking even if it weren’t for the alki overlay. You can also bet that most folks spending a half million dollars+ on a townhome would like a parking spot.
Alki is challenging to maintain views. Perhaps the new design will do the site justice.
Private property views are not protected in Seattle.As for the parking lot, petition al those demanding parking.
I’ll wait for a helpful urbanist to explain how developers are helping with affordable housing by once again replacing affordable (for Seattle) rental units with $700k+ units
Affordable housing? The rental prices for those units are well north of $2k to 3k a month.
Very sad. It’s nice to have a mix of rental and owned housing. Pretty soon the amenities of living there will only be available to those who can afford it. Fortunately, it is still free for the rest of us to visit.
I’ve always loved these U-shaped single story apartment buildings scattered around Seattle. What a shame to see another one get wiped off the map.
Looking forward to it. Have my sights on a contemporary, energy efficient, bright, and smart floor plan to enjoy best of Seattle views with.
Yes, another part of the Alki I grew up in will be gone. As a small child, I remember visiting Freda in those apartments and thought they were so awesome. I walked by there about once a week going to my Campfire Group after school at Alki. Freda worked at Seaside Pharmacy, a favorite place for many of us, as there was a soda fountain and a full rack of comic books!! Sad to see the old Alki disappearing.
Money wins…what else would you expect. At least their providing parking…because they have to, lol.
:( I live right near there, and they sold our building too. We’ve had developers coming in and taking stock of all the fixtures. We have no idea if they’re going to tear down our place too. Guess I’d better look at those city plans.
The fact is these old buildings are not energy efficient. Who wants to live in housing with single pane windows, possible asbestos, lead paint, galvanized (lead) pipes and PCBs in thermostats. Housing needs to be brought up to code which I guarantee this building isn’t. The landlord choose to sell rather than make his units energy efficient and hazard free. Blame the owners for not keeping up their property through the years.
john is correct views are not protected. however buying an easement to protect a view is conducted routinely by people who wish to keep their view intact.
ANother development done in the name of “affordable housing”? Tearing down afoordable apartments and put up over priced townhomes is helping affordable housing how?
Everyone against redevelopment shouldn’t worry, the tsunami will level the playing field.
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