Junction development: Official comment time for Conner buildings

| Development | West Seattle news

From the city’s latest semiweekly Land Use Information Bulletin: Formal applications have been deemed “complete” for for the two buildings that Conner Homes proposes in The Junction, California/Alaska and Alaska/42nd. That means the formal comment period is open — for the next 13 days. You can send those comments through Nov. 19th via the city’s online form, by clicking “comment on application” on this page for the California/Alaska building and on this page for the Alaska/42nd building. The city pages now describe both as 7-story buildings, with 72 residential units in the California building and 126 in the 42nd building, plus the 307-space underground garage (requiring a subterranean “alley vacation” that needs City Council approval). P.S. Today’s LUIB also included a reminder of the next Design Review meeting for the Admiral Safeway project; as we first told you a week ago, that meeting will be at 6:30 pm 11/20, West Seattle (Admiral) Library branch.

Ron Richardson November 6, 2008 (6:20 pm)

Thanks for giving us a link to make comments on the Conner buildings. As for myself, I think the new development should provide spaces and leases for the small businesses that will be uprooted by new development. These businesses are part of the history and fabric of the junction. What we do not need are upscale/chain businesses to replace our community friends.

Greg Richards November 6, 2008 (9:56 pm)

I strongly oppose the demolishing of these buildings, this defacing of the West Seattle Junction. Why doesn’t this developer take over the empty car lots to the east and develop them into something rather than disrupt the Junction with an unwanted mixed commercial residential project? These types of projects erode the essential charm and livability of West Seattle, making this just another junior Kirkland or Bellevue. The streets cannot support the density of residential influx that developers (who don’t live here) are imposing on those of us who moved to West Seattle because we like it the way that it is.

At a time when our local economy is struggling under the mortgage criss, you’re proposing to build even *more* upscale property? If this gets approved, please ensure that the committee that approves this project isn’t getting some kind of kickback because it just doesn’t make sense.

Jaime Gummer November 6, 2008 (10:29 pm)

I’m very excited these projects are moving forward. The buildings on those sites now are depressing. That corner of the Junction is so important and it deserves something more modern and vibrant than the tired properties that are there.
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I think more upscale, locally-owned retail (in the same spirit of places like East Street, Cupcake Royale, Bakery Nouveau and Swee Swee Paperie) will infuse that corner with new energy. And the dense residential development will provide all of the Junction businesses with more foot traffic.

WSB November 6, 2008 (10:42 pm)

More development’s on the way … by 11 I’ll be posting our report on tonight’s Fairmount Community Association meeting, at which BlueStar revealed more about its talks to buy yet another Huling parcel.

Angela November 7, 2008 (10:48 am)

Does anyone else think 7 stories just doesn’t even fit west seattle at all????!! It seems so excessive and ridiculous to me. I love the junction, and west seattle for that matter. My friends and i describe west seattle as an “island” since we’re such a close community and kinda a small town. Why ruin that?! It’s a wonderful thing to have such an amazing community in a big city.

“These types of projects erode the essential charm and livability of West Seattle, making this just another junior Kirkland or Bellevue.”
MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY! I love that i don’t live in a cookie cutter town where all the buildings are new and the same. The junction has so much character, please please please don’t ruin it!!

bn November 7, 2008 (12:19 pm)

But what does the proposal look like? Is there any information or images of what is currently proposed? Did they take any of the publics comments into consideration?

WSB November 7, 2008 (12:24 pm)

waiting to see the next Design Review meeting turn up, unless Conner Homes chooses to release renderings ahead of that …

Jaime Gummer November 7, 2008 (10:18 pm)

It seems there can never be a thread about development without someone dredging up that tired comparison to Bellevue. It makes me wonder if people in Bellevue say “That seems so West Seattle” when they see something ugly, decrepit and provincial.

Sorry, comment time is over.