Next move for Fauntleroy Place

Here’s the latest on Fauntleroy Place, the mixed-use megaproject with the future Whole Foods Market that’s been in the works almost 2 years for Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th. Eric Radovich with BlueStar Management, the FP developer, tells WSB today that they’re still hoping for groundbreaking by April, as reported in our last update in September. But first – the project has to get through one more key public meeting, for which the date has just been set — the Southwest Design Review Board “recommendations” meeting for Fauntleroy Place has is now on the city schedule for February 14. As noted on the BlueStar site, the architect on the project has changed to CollinsWoerman, but Radovich says the rendering above from the previous architect is still fairly true to the plan — 5 stories, Whole Foods and a new Hancock Fabrics store at ground level, more than 150 apartments above, parking garage with room for more than 500 vehicles (city project page here). We also asked about BlueStar’s more-recently revealed West Seattle mixed-use project, Spring Hill (no relation to the future restaurant) at 5020 California just south of The Junction (as reported by WSB here and here) — the first Design Review Board meeting for that is listed on the city site as January 10th, but Radovich says that might be changed to later in the month. He also says there’s no publicly available rendering for Spring Hill just yet.

41 Replies to "Next move for Fauntleroy Place"

  • toodles December 26, 2007 (11:10 am)

    The thought of WHole Foods in WS makes me want to puke.

  • JanS December 26, 2007 (11:21 am)

    I guess they have done their demographic studies about who will shop there, but around my place we call it “whole paycheck”. It won’t be my regular place to shop. Of course, I’m within walking distance of Met Market, PCC and Adm. Safeway, so that makes a difference.

    “If you build it, they will come”…and I’m sure they will…

  • k December 26, 2007 (11:49 am)

    The Hancocks employees seem to be getting extremely tired of questions about the project! I was in there a couple of times in the past few days and overheard them snarl in response to customers’ questions about the store’s future. I guess they don’t know when the store will close, what’s happening with their jobs, etc…

  • Erik December 26, 2007 (12:04 pm)

    a lil snippy with the snippers.

  • delores December 26, 2007 (1:01 pm)

    Two facts in defense of Whole Foods

    Not everything at Whole Foods is expensive. The store brand can be an an excellent value. Prepared (not fast) food costs more than food you cook at home no matter where you buy it.
    When I worked for Whole Foods part time workers (at 24 hrs/wk) got paid health care after 1000 hours. Don’t know if that is still true but it contributes to why some items are expensive.

  • coffee geek December 26, 2007 (1:14 pm)

    PCC and Metro Market aren’t exactly bargains relative to Whole Foods. I would have rather seen a TJ’s, but WF ain’t too bad…

  • sw December 26, 2007 (1:20 pm)

    While it’s not necessarily “needed” in our burg, WF fills a niche at the high end. It can be said we do have a nice range of choices for our grocery needs in WS. The question in my mind is who the heck thinks we need a QFC a couple of blocks up the street…

  • m December 26, 2007 (1:45 pm)

    i agree. qfc seems to fill the same niche as the safeway a block away. it’ll be interesting to see if both safeway and qfc are still there in five years.

  • JanS December 26, 2007 (1:49 pm)

    you know, it makes me wonder if the Jefferson Square Safeway is shaking in it’s boots. I hear more and more that people hate going there because of the parking lot, although it will be the low end of the 3 stores in that area when the other’s are finished.Just as in the Admiral District, where I shop sales, shop PCC for bulk foods , not prepared foods, and use Met Market for special treats (Like their wonderful hot soups ). It will definitely be interesting..

    and , Erik….LOL…

  • Aidan Hadley December 26, 2007 (1:56 pm)

    delores: I agree with you. I welcome Whole Foods to West Seattle and I will be shopping there. I think comments from folks like “toodles” has less to do with Whole Foods itself and what it means to them when they see ugly bits of the decrpit, old West Seattle going away. It reads to me like misplaced anxiety.

  • DB December 26, 2007 (1:58 pm)

    What West Seattle needs is a Cash and Carry ~! That will satisfy the niche of the folks that shope for discounts on beer at Chevron and those that may feel Safeway is too upper end.

  • Jiggers December 26, 2007 (2:17 pm)

    I love to go to Cash & Carry. I like their outstanding varity of seasonings to cook with. No one else in the city has as much in that department as they do. Uwajimaya in the International District has the best produce department in my opinion. Talk about variety. Cheap prices,fresh crisp greens that’s not wilted,soggy or overpriced like Safeway is in the Junction.

  • Mr. JT December 26, 2007 (2:19 pm)

    How about a Tradewell/Praire Market revival if you want to get your boxed mac&cheese,Budig Meats and Top Ramen at a real bargin ?

    The building is not West Seattle at all. Although it would be perfect for Irvine, CA.

  • John M December 26, 2007 (2:42 pm)

    Three stores in close proximity can be useful especially if you shop the sale items or can’t find what you are looking for at one. Probably every other time I go QFC at WWV they are out of stock on at least one item on my list, and it just a quick jaunt to Safeway over on Roxbury.

  • Jan December 26, 2007 (2:49 pm)

    Mr. JT…the drawing of the bldg. may not “look” like WS, but geez , that corner is ugly right now…that shouldn’t be what WS is , either :)

  • John M December 26, 2007 (3:09 pm)

    Jan, Combine that with Huling’s property, and what a perception of West Seattle for someone passing through to the ferry for the first time.

  • elevated concern December 26, 2007 (3:29 pm)

    I especially enjoy the chain link fences with the razor wire on top surrounding empty lots. Or, how about the still painted sign at Huling/Gee used cars…Bad Credit? … No Problem. We need a transportation hub that will accomodate multiple types of transportation on the east end of the triangle…the Tervo’s site comes to mind.

  • GenHillOne December 26, 2007 (4:04 pm)

    Not picking on JT here, because haven’t we heard the “doesn’t fit in” or “doesn’t look like WS” point made about a lot of different projects recently? I’m curious to know what style everyone thinks would. Thoughts?

  • hopey December 26, 2007 (4:24 pm)

    I agree that the Whole Foods house brand items are high quality and cheaper than similar items you’d find at Safeway or QFC. And believe it or not, a gallon of house label milk is CHEAPER at Whole Foods than elsewhere — the last I saw it was $1.99 for a gallon, instead of the $2.69 or whatever I just paid at QFC a few days ago.

    For those of us who actually like to shop there, it is a pain in the @$$ driving to any of the other Seattle area Whole Foods from WS. I will be very excited the day that store finally opens!

  • Jan December 26, 2007 (4:28 pm)

    GenHillOne…that’s an excellent question. I, myself , have no problem with the design of this bldg. Yes, I’m one who has complained in the past about all the cookie cutter townhouses/condos that have popped up everywhere. But this particular area of West Seattle needs an up grade. Maybe this will be the impetus to change what is now an unsightly “welcome to West Seattle”, an impetus for the Huling’s to do something foreward thinking with all the property that they have. The intersection of Fauntleroy and Alaska is an eyesore right now…a place where cars pass through, but don’t stay, and it’s not very pedestrian friendly. That should change. It could be something as simple as a transportation hub, with some surrounding retail,housing, small park.There’s a fire station, a “Y”, a golf course near-by, and at least one decent restaurant (Buddha Ruksa). There are gas stations, too. Think how that would look to people entering for the first time – a tree lined boulevard that welcomed people instead of telling them that they should keep going to the next destination, that there’s nothing there for them. Just an opinion….

  • B December 26, 2007 (4:42 pm)

    I predict this thing is going to fall through, and that would be a big loss for West Seattle. The groundbreaking has taken a suspiciously long amount of time given how quickly the QFC project started. I can only imagine the bean counters at Whole Foods started to contemplate the imminent (grocery) market saturation in the Junction.

    If the project does fall through, it’s a loss because the current Hancock Fabrics building and parking lot is a blight on the entrance to West Seattle, as are the car dealerships, pawn shop and, while I’m at it, the Walking on Logs sculpture.

    I vote for a restaurant/shopping row along Fauntleroy. It would be a knockout with people heading to and from parts south in West Seattle, including ferry goers.

  • Alki Res. December 26, 2007 (7:09 pm)

    I never shop at the Met Market… always thought every thing was over priced. When I picked up some Puffs at Rite Aid for $1.79… I thought that they might be on sale at Safeway. So I checked it out…if using my “club” card, they were on sale, $2.00!!! regular price was $2.39!!!! Yipes, it is just a nose wipe, trouble is they are the only wipes my Mother will use. Signed, Shopping for a new Store.

  • Sue December 26, 2007 (7:28 pm)

    I *love* Whole Foods and am thrilled that the new location will be within walking distance me. I am totally unimpressed with Met Market (I thought it was generally far more expensive), and PCC is nothing special to me. As for the regular supermarkets, I hate that Safeway at Jefferson Square. That parking lot sucks, there are usually people soliciting outside when I’ve gone, and even though I live within walking distance, I drive over to Thriftway. While I love Thriftway, I will most likely patronize QFC when I need something quick, and will never cross the threshhold of Safeway again.

  • WSB December 26, 2007 (7:40 pm)

    B – in our couple years of watching projects go through the system, we’ve noticed many of them tend to take a while. The fact the next Design Review Board meeting is now set, and the architect has changed, are both signs of life – as opposed to some projects that haven’t shown any public signs of life in the past year, such as the Admiral project west of Metro Market. If you look at the city permit histories of Fauntleroy Place and the 41st/42nd/Alaska (QFC/Office Depot) project, the earliest permit application on the latter was three months before Fauntleroy Place, so it really hasn’t moved that much more quickly. Of course, nothing’s ever for sure till the backhoes show up.

  • The Velvet Bulldog December 26, 2007 (8:27 pm)

    I am actually a little worried for my precious PCC. Mum and I went to the original Ravenna store way back when it was new, and I’m a lifer. I enjoy walking in and smelling the deli and the spices, and seeing familiar granola-ey folks, and having it still be smallish, homey and comfortable. I’ll shop at Met Market (I do love those garlic mashed potatoes) but I walk in and see an olive bar, and a cheese bar, and fer cryin’ out, all I want is a tomato! (I know, I know, they’re off to the right…) Really though, it’s nice to have the smaller stores where you still feel like a person and a customer and not just a VISA card. From all the hue and cry for a WS Trader Joe’s, I’m led to believe some folks share that sentiment (along with the love of TJ’s lower prices and groovy Hawaiian shirts…)

  • sw December 26, 2007 (9:03 pm)

    Perhaps to spur pedestrian friendliness in the Whole Foods/Huling Corner area, we should install an “all way walk” at the Fauntleroy and Alaska intersection. :-)

  • Picklemom December 27, 2007 (12:54 am)

    I like Whole Foods, despite its hip pretensions, and I’m sure I’ll shop there. However, what kind of traffic impact will this have on Fauntleroy and other nearby streets? Our little peninsula is getting more congested than Dick Cheney’s arteries!

  • miws December 27, 2007 (6:37 am)

    Jan mentioned the fire station, which reminds me, I believe this station may be one that SFD has determined needs replacing.

    Now, presumedly, the Huling properties will at some time be put up for sale. If so, the City should jump at the chance to buy one of the properties for the new station. (Perhaps the Ex-Thrifty/Enterprise lot across the street?)

    I would think permitting would be easier, and in fact the whole process, since it’s in the same neighborhood, and not coming into a new one.

    Mike

  • CMP December 27, 2007 (8:36 am)

    B, don’t be knocking the Walking on Logs sculpture! I love seeing them in new outfits and the grannie panties from a few years ago were the best. It’s not the greatest art ever, but at least we all have something funny to look at (usually) when waiting for the light to change at 35th. And speaking of overpriced grocery stores, the Westwood QFC is right up there with Whole Foods. Hopefully the new Junction QFC won’t be as pricey.

  • Mags December 27, 2007 (8:57 am)

    Well, being a WS native and having lived her over a half century, I’ve seen all the growth, Fauntleroy place looks pretty pretentious (probably some great views from the top,) not a fan of Whole foods (except their 69 cent black beans)and really hate the Huling property..but I think it would make a great assisted living place with all of the great transportation options. If the Huling’s are selling, let’s just hope it is purchased by a developer with some vision (or maybe they will develop themselves since Steve Huling is also a WS lifer and might actually have some vision for the place.) Just no more grocery stores!! Also, anyone have any brilliant ideas of what to do about the lack of parking in the junction? Several times recently we wanted to make a quick trip to Bakery Nouveau and were unable to find parking at all…one of us double parked in the back parking lot while the other ran in…parking in this area is starting to suck big time….

  • Jeff December 27, 2007 (9:57 am)

    I saw those apartment buildings in the mock-up and thought that we were finally getting a decent hotel, but no, it’s just more apartments. The design I like, though.
    Way better than Jefferson Square.
    One more thing, I go to downtown Renton Safeway and SeaTac Safeway sometimes, and they both put Admiral Safeway to shame. The bakery, produce, and meat, are way better elsewhere, and I’ve never understood why. Dear Safeway: stock some broccoli every once in a while, so your customers don’t have to go across the street to get basic staples.

  • GenHillOne December 27, 2007 (10:43 am)

    A really good point has been made – and admittedly, I’ve never been to a WF – I just want to be able to go to ONE grocery store whenever possible. I don’t have time to store hop. Met doesn’t have a big selection of staples (they might have four kinds of laundry soap, woo hoo, but only in one size). I like being able to get the specialty items, but am usually resigned, based on price and selection, to a separate trip to Safeway. There are some items Met doesn’t even carry. Their choice of course, but if I can pick up a great prime rib sandwich AND a few things I’m out of…bonus. Perhaps WF will be large enough to do so. I remember once asking Met where the Twinkies were (gross, I know, but a special request at the time) and I got a wide-eyed “we don’t carry THOSE” as a response. I put my other groceries down and went across the street because I didn’t dare come home without the 10-year-old sponge cake ;)

  • Lucy December 27, 2007 (12:08 pm)

    It seems a shame that there will be three grocery stores within this small area when other parts of West Seattle might be better served with a grocery store. It saddens me to see my neighbors in the north Delridge area picking up “dinner” for the family at the Mini Mart.

  • acemotel December 27, 2007 (12:42 pm)

    yeah, what’s up with the broccoli at Admiral Safeway? They are out by dinner time EVERY DAY! Safeway corporate must be rationing it out (along with the grapes) because it (and the grapes) is plentiful over at the Met, which will forever be Thriftway to my family.

  • Ann December 27, 2007 (2:20 pm)

    I love Whole Foods. Their bulk secton is by far the best and least expensive around.

  • miws December 28, 2007 (4:40 am)

    Doesn’t George Bush Sr hate broccoli?

    Maybe he’s part owner of Admiral Safeway! :p

    Mike

  • jrd December 28, 2007 (10:26 am)

    I’m loving the thought of the selection I’ll have with the choice of 3 grocery stores. On nights I don’t feel like cooking I can check out 3 different delis, or three different prepared meal sections. I’m within walking distance though, so that’s pretty much the only reason why.
    And Mags, I wouldn’t knock the parking situation. Name one other area in all of Seattle with free parking lots, and no meters on the street. I wouldn’t get all in a huff because West Seattle is prospering.

  • grr December 28, 2007 (7:24 pm)

    people in this city simply crack me up..Either they’re so overwhelmed by the slightest change/fear of change (rezoning, new development, a building that might look DIFFERENT), or they want everything given to them (‘affordable’ housing, free transportation ), or they want ‘the good old days’.

    returning from a recent trip to Chicago, a dear friend simply said ‘Seattle has no idea of what a backwards, small minded town they really are’. I think she’s right.

    fwiw..a recent trip to WF downtown as an experiment for two weeks worth of food that we’d normally get at Morgan Junct TWay ended up costing us $3.29 LESS (not counting the 10 gallons of gas our MegaSUV burned to go downtown…lol)

    I think the QFC/Office Depot and its speedy development will really give the WF people second thoughts. I know things develop slowly..but, I’m putting the odds at 50/50 that WF pulls out.

    hell with it. Mow down all the Huling propertys and let Diamond Parking build some 6 story parking garages, like the one by Macys. Maybe then everyone will stop bitching about parking.

  • Jiggers December 29, 2007 (2:25 pm)

    I’m not an organic lover, so WF doesn’t appeal to me, nor do the higher prices they’ll charge for produce when I can go over to Uwajimaya to get fresh veggies and cheap prices.

  • Jake December 31, 2007 (8:52 pm)

    We live 1 block from PCC and rarely shop there, we prefer Metropolitan Market because of the high quality food selection and friendly staff. If PCC were to go out of business it would be our hope that it would be replaced by a Trader Joe’s (which wouldn’t suffer one bit with a Whole Foods nearby). We look forward to the Whole Foods coming to West Seattle – as for those who decry “whole paycheck” we know the reason Whole Foods prices tend to be a bit higher is because their food quality is higher. Fresh meats and farm fresh, organic fruits & veggies are not cheap to begin with. Of course – that’s why Safeway will continue to prosper: because people who prefer low prices and dining on Chef Boyardee and Hostess will still need a place to shop.

  • pam January 1, 2008 (7:29 am)

    Before I left Cap Hill, (nope, not sorry, not one bit!) I lived within walking distance of the TJs, a Safeway, the QFC, Madison Market, and, until it closed, Rainbow Grocery. I shopped at all of those places – they filled completely different needs. The WF will do the same – I wouldn’t worry for the PCC. I worry more for smaller businesses – how will the WF affect the fish market? (I love that place.) Or the junction cafes? (Meh, prolly not much.)

    And, with a big clunky project like that, will we end up with more chain stores because that sort of mall like real estate seems to attract them? Office Depot anyone? Or will we see more cool independent stores go in the other spaces?

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