DEMOLITION: Ex-House of Kleen gone

| Environment | Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

Thanks to commenter James for the tip. The long-planned demolition of the ex-House of Kleen at 4425 Fauntleroy Way SW has finally happened. The demolition permit had already been in the works for months when the business moved out last fall (it’s now Alex Dry Cleaners at 4744 California SW in The Junction). But it’s not currently slated for redevelopment; as we reported in October, the property owner had told us the plan was just to demolish the 57-year-old building and clean up the site.

snowskier June 22, 2023 (8:09 am)

While they determine the next plans for the site, we all get to enjoy a better view of that cool Kraken mural!

Robert June 22, 2023 (9:10 am)

Parking for the nearby businesses might be a good use for the lot for the time being, though there might be plenty of red tape with the city towards that end. Hopefully it doesn’t become a tent city.

James June 22, 2023 (10:53 am)

I do not understand your “tent city” comment as it comes off like you have disdain towards the poor. This lot would be really good for housing as it is desperately needed all over the city.
- Also John June 22, 2023 (12:07 pm)
  
  I have disdain towards drug use, scattered garbage and increase crime. These are all closely associated with a ‘tent city’.
  - James June 22, 2023 (1:33 pm)
    
    Cool, not everyone in an encampment is a drug fiend that you are describing. As someone who works with the houseless I find these comments irritating and obtuse with no real knowledge of the situation, and how it’s a problem all over the country and a problem with structurally with our economy and pharmaceutical industry. I love for this to be a tiny house village if possible with the lot next to it.
- Robert June 22, 2023 (12:40 pm)
  
  I have no problem with building low-income housing for the poor on that site. Having seen what tent cities look like elsewhere around the city, which also are havens for crime and drug use is what I don’t care to see there.
  - Ruby June 23, 2023 (3:20 am)
    
    Wouldn’t it be nice if the city provided consistent trash pickup and built more housing/shelter? I’d be happy with a sanctioned encampment that does provide hygiene and clean up svcs – one way that is cost effective and connects people to services while providing some security. Including the fact that when housing opens up instead of having to search they know they stay there at a certain encampment. Did you know unhoused can’t get into shelter unless the are on HMIS and receive a referral? Some require photo id. Tent encampments do not. While we build more shelter/permanent housing we need SOMETHING.
snowskier June 22, 2023 (3:29 pm)

It’s privately owned so they can trespass anyone at will. I’m guessing they are doing soil cleanup before moving forward with future plans or sale. Also glad to have an empty lot and not an empty building for community safety reasons.

Elton June 22, 2023 (10:28 am)

Just out of curiosity, what’s the incentive to demolish the building without near term re-development plans?

max34 June 22, 2023 (3:57 pm)

could be tax reasons. buildings on site have more value vs empty lot. also “cleaning up the site” could mean they want to eventually sell it and (sometimes) locations where dry cleaners used to be can have hidden environmental issues that would ward off potential buyers. at least they would do an inspection after the building is demolished to determine if any further action is necessary.

Dan June 23, 2023 (10:19 am)

Probably safer not to build anything if Sound Transit is going to put pillars down on the site for the light rail in. Should make it a community park in the meantime. Fauntelroy is really destitute as far as open space goes.

22blades June 24, 2023 (11:40 pm)

Developing a former dry cleaning site is lengthy, complex process of mitigating chemical residues. It won’t happen overnight.https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-04/documents/scrd-cleanup-factsheet.pdf

Alki Jack June 25, 2023 (9:35 am)

I have no problem with tent cities, but building them on valuable commercial property, no. Plus I want them away from shopping areas, schools, parks etc. They should be hidden behind 6′ walls or fences so they are out of public view.