DEVELOPMENT: West Seattle Junction site work begins, with a change in plan

| Development | West Seattle news

That’s the construction site at 4515 44th SW in The Junction, formerly home to CDE Software. Now that site work is under way, a nearby resident suggested an update on the project, which was in city files as a microapartment building when we last mentioned it in fall 2022, planned for more than 40 units. Big change since then, according to what we’ve found in the files now: Construction permits were issued recently for three buildings holding a total of six townhouses (with five offstreet-parking spaces shown on the site plan; the microapartment project was to have none). The site is zoned for development up to five stories. Property records show the company that’s building the townhouses bought the site this past February for $1.65 million.

Wsresident June 19, 2024 (9:12 pm)

The way the construction is going it sound commercial. It’s been terrible for neighbors.

Wsresident too June 19, 2024 (10:14 pm)

Embrace change and density. If the permits allowed for 5 stories they should be building five stories and maximizing units to avoid demolishing trees in exurbs because west Seattleits don’t like anything that isn’t stagnation.
- Ivan Weiss June 20, 2024 (7:17 am)
  
  There is no bigger “big lie” than the big lie the “urbanists” repeat, with all the fervor of the Nichiren Shoshu cult chanting “Nam-yo-ho-rengye-ko”, that density in the cities reduces sprawl in the exurbs. It doesn’t. It never has. It’s a lie. Been to Auburn lately? To Covington? To Maple Valley? To Silverdale? Who are we to believe? The “urbanists?” Or our lying eyes?
  - k June 20, 2024 (2:09 pm)
    
    What are you talking about? Go to a city with lots of single-family housing like Los Angeles or Seattle and see how far the suburbs sprawl into neighboring green spaces. Then look at a city like New York, which also has suburbs, but roughly the same number as LA, despite having manyfold more residents. Density absolutely reduces sprawl. It has been proven so many times in so many cities it is absolutely weird to insist otherwise. Next you’ll be saying taking the bus doesn’t save money or drinking water won’t keep you hydrated. smh
    - Ivan Weiss June 21, 2024 (4:51 am)
      
      Like I said, who am I to believe, you or my lying eyes? Take a drive through Port Orchard and environs, and tell me after your visit if density in Seattle is reducing sprawl in Kitsap County. Seattle is not New York, and I’m not buying your faith-based argument.
  - Mike June 20, 2024 (2:21 pm)
    
    Hi Ivan, with all due respect, the sprawl we see in outlying communities is secondary to restrictive zoning within the urban core. When affordable housing is scarce in the city, people move out to the suburbs. Until very recently Seattle had very restrictive zoning, and still has an onerous construction permitting process. The move towards higher urban density and increased use of public transportation has been successful elsewhere, and is likely the reality for Seattle moving forward. We’re no longer the same small city you and I grew up in. Neighborhoods still exist where the small city feel prevails, mainly due to being too expensive for urban density to be feasible. You just need to pay lots of money to purchase, and keep paying lots of money for property taxes. I’d humbly suggest accepting these changes, or else you’ll find yourself increasingly frustrated and at odds with the new reality.
    - Cori June 20, 2024 (3:38 pm)
      
      Increased density is not going to magically lower home prices because land costs what it costs and construction costs what it costs. Infill construction does not offer the benefit of scale. I’ve talked to reps from the state DOC and they openly admit that lowering the cost and increasing first time buyer (the ones driving up equity for current homeowners) options was never the intent. (Unless those 1st time buyers want to purchase a piece of a rooming house…. but there is no financing available for that). They are handing a huge opportunity to builders by incentivising the tearing down of traditionally first time buyer homes (old cheap (ish) & on arterials) and replacing with 4-6 market rate homes.
    - Mike June 20, 2024 (4:40 pm)
      
      Cori, Increasing density (and therefore supply) of housing will absolutely lower its relative cost. That’s simple economics. Nothing short of a major recession will lower the absolute cost of housing in Seattle within our lifetime, but that’s mainly due to demographics affecting demand. Maintaining single family zoning will yield the most expensive housing, other things being equal.
- Pelicans June 20, 2024 (12:20 pm)
  
  Wsresident too, thanks (not) for the blanket insult to people you don’t even know. There used to be a long-time commenter on this Blog who called himself “Too Many Rats In A Cage.” He was really on to something and wish he was still here to provide clarity in this madness. BTW Ivan Weiss, absolutely agree!
- TripstotheStore June 20, 2024 (11:40 pm)
  
  You’re right. You should probably move if you don’t want to be a stagnant west seattlite. We don’t need you to try to change the mindset of people who lived here before you came along.
- WSresident June 21, 2024 (10:35 am)
  
  To assume I’m against density is ignorant. I’m very supportive of the change density that’s happening. That said, it’s still been a nightmare for my business, albeit temporary. They are blocking the alley the patrons use for parking at the many business’ in my building and the construction has been shaking the building to a point I’ve been worried I might get crushed while in my office. Thanks for your comment but I have every right to not enjoy the construction process, while still supporting density. 🙏🏻👌🏼👋🏻

JunctionRez June 20, 2024 (8:45 am)

Appreciate WSB and your great research. As a nearby neighbor in multi-family housing, will be happy when the likely “Summer of Sound” (from construction) is over. Happily surprised to hear of the more neighborhood friendly change in number of units. Thanks much!

CAM June 20, 2024 (6:31 pm)

Because people who live in micro apartments definitely wouldn’t qualify as being neighborhood friendly? Just because people can afford less space than you (or want less) does not make them unworthy of being in this neighborhood. Diversity is a good thing, and that applies to economic diversity too.

Still in WS June 20, 2024 (7:11 pm)

Will miss the old building, having worked there for many years before moving the business to Tukwila. Also lived in the house behind for many years.

Mike June 20, 2024 (8:42 pm)

I wish condos were more popular. It seems like a shame to build townhouses when the site is zoned for 5 stories. All those stairs are a waste of space.

CAM June 21, 2024 (8:56 am)

Condos in that location would sell extraordinarily fast. With the view from the top floors, access to shopping and public transit, walkable restaurants, etc. They just wouldn’t sell for as much as the million dollar townhomes they will squeeze in there (with barely more usable square footage).
K June 21, 2024 (10:56 am)

Not to mention that these modern townhomes are difficult if not inaccessible to those who wish to age in place, have mobility disabilities, etc. It’s a damn shame we aren’t stacking flats and zoning in order to do so.

Sorry, comment time is over.