West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Three notes today. First, two projects received key city approvals this week, opening appeal periods:
(October 2018 photo sent by Thomas)
5917 CALIFORNIA SW: More than a year after the former Charmann Apartments were torn down here, the site’s 9-townhouse, 4-offstreet-parking-spot plan has been approved. That opens an appeal period through January 20th. The decision notice explains how to appeal; the notice and the decision itself are both linked here.
6045 WEST MARGINAL WAY SW: We first mentioned in December 2018 that this landscaping-materials site was proposed to become a 4-story self-storage building; current documents in the file describe it as 3 stories plus a basement, with 931 storage units and office, plus 12 “parking stalls on grade.” This plan also has received city approval, with an appeal period open until January 20th; the notice and decision are linked here.
Third note – another project added to the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review program:
7035 DELRIDGE WAY SW: We mentioned this site three weeks ago – 9 townhouses, with one offstreet-parking space per unit, to replace an old house. Its appearance on the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review list means a community chat/site tour should be scheduled soon.
(WSB photo of project site, September 2018)
Doing some followup work in city files, we discovered a West Seattle development site with a significant plan change since we last reported on it. In September 2018, we noted an early-stage proposal for 30 townhouses at 3101 SW Bradford [map], a site in the upper Luna Park area, bordering the West Seattle Bridge. The file shows a new site plan (PDF) submitted this past November, for an 8-story building with approximately 100 apartments. 55 offstreet-parking spaces for cars, 88 for bicycles. The architect of record on the site plan is Studio 19.
Records indicate that 94-year-old house at 8447 Delridge Way SW has been vacant for a while. New today in the city’s online files, a plan to replace it with eight townhouses. The site plan shows two 4-unit buildings, with five offstreet-parking spaces on the alley behind them. The 6,700-square-foot property was sold earlier this month for $450,000.
(WSB photo from 2016)
At 8822 9th SW, that former substation’s saga is getting closer to development, four years after it was declared “surplus” by the city in the same group of properties that included:
-5601 23rd SW, becoming a park under DNDA stewardship as the Delridge Wetland
-50th/Dakota, which a community group wants to buy ($650,000 current asking price) and turn into the “Dakota Homestead” (here’s our update from last week)
-2100 SW Andover, sold for $185,000 and redeveloped into 8 rowhouses
-4520 SW Brace Point, sold for $352,000 in 2017 but still vacant (with a proposal for a house)
-16th/Holden, still vacant
8822 9th SW has changed hands already since the city sold it for $279,000 in 2017; records show a subsequent 2018 sale for $158,000. Now 12 townhouses and two “accessory dwelling units” are proposed, a change from the 9 units planned when a community Early Design Outreach site tour was offered a year ago (there’s still a project website at the9seattle.com); the proposal includes 14 offstreet parking spaces. Today, the official application has opened a two-week comment period. You can download the notice from this page; it explains how to comment.
Just north of the Orchard business node on Delridge, more redevelopment – a project to replace that 93-year-old house with nine townhouses is proceeding through the system, a year after an early-stage proposal appeared. The townhouses at 7035 Delridge Way SW would have one off-street-parking spot per unit. The 9,600-square-foot site, sold this past June for $690,000, is just a couple doors down from the site where the Lam Bow Apartments are to be rebuilt.
Demolition finally started this morning on the three remaining vacant, much-tagged houses at the 1250 Alki SW condo-project site. (Two other houses were moved and relocated, one in January 2018, the other in October 2018.) This site was originally proposed for 125 apartments four and a half years ago. The downsized 40-condo project just secured $43 million in financing, announced last week.
Development notes this afternoon:
PROJECT CANCELED: Last month, we mentioned early-stage plans for four new single-family houses to be added to a site that already has one at 9441 26th SW, south of Westwood Village. We noticed an “early outreach” meeting for it on the city calendar – and then the listing disappeared before we could even write a story. Now a note sent to area community advocates by the project architect explains it: “The title report for the project turned up to have covenants restricting development. Unfortunately, this application and meeting is being canceled.”
(corrected) APPEAL TIME: Applications have just been approved for two projects elsewhere in West Seattle, and that opens two-week appeal periods for both: One is 4807 41st SW, “a 4-story apartment building with 22 small efficiency dwelling units. No parking proposed” (in the works almost three years); the other is 9251 35th SW, “two 3-story, townhouse buildings (8 units total). Parking for 6 vehicles proposed.” Follow each address’s link for the official notice, including how to appeal.
(King County Assessor’s Office photo of current building at 4401 42nd SW)
The formal application for 4401 42nd SW – described as “a 5-story apartment building with 72 small efficiency dwelling units and 5 live-work units,” plus 36 offstreet-parking spaces – has been filed, and that opens a new comment period. This notice (PDF) explains how to comment, with a deadline of December 18th. This is a general comment period; there will also be another chance for input, but only regarding its design, when the project goes back before the Southwest Design Review Board, date TBA. Here’s our report on that board’s first look at the project back in September. The building would replace a West Seattle Christian Church-owned building, with past uses including a school and artist studios, on the southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee, across from Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
(Rendering from September’s review, by Sazei Design Group)
Another Delridge Way redevelopment project is continuing to progress through the city system – the Southwest Design Review Board‘s calendar has just been updated with its first scheduled project review of the new year, 8854 Delridge Way SW, 6:30 pm January 23, 2020, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). This is the now-vacant site where a burned-out former auto shop has already been demolished; the project is now described as ” a 4-story apartment building with 18 small efficiency dwelling units, 14 apartments (32 units total), and office space. Parking for 14 vehicles proposed.” The project has been before the board twice; in September (WSB coverage here), the SWDRB decided it needed to return for a third meeting, so that’s what this will be.
(2018 WSB photo of project site)
Tonight’s “early community outreach” meeting for the revised 9201 Delridge Way SW project was devoid of community members.
20 minutes after the promoted 6 pm start time, it was still your editor and six members of the project team, led by Caron Architecture, at Jim Wiley Community Center in Greenbridge.
So we asked Caron CEO Radim Blazej and his team a few questions about the project, which, as first reported here in October, pivoted from self-storage to residential/retail mixed-use
They say the current plan is for 46 apartments – not microstudios, but “regular” apartments – and three live-work units, in a five-story building with about 2,000 square feet of retail space. Ideally that’ll go to an F&B (food/beverage) tenant, but that depends on how leasing goes. Though no offstreet car parking is required, they’re looking at about 20 underground spaces, plus spots for 50 bicycles. They are not proposing any zoning exceptions (“departures”). The project will have to go through the Southwest Design Review Board and is likely to start that process “in the first part of 2020.” The site has not been sold – same ownership is developing the new project, which doesn’t have an official name, so it’s going by the working title “Delridge Apartments.” Its residential entry will be off SW Bartpn.
SURVEY: Through Thursday night (December 5th), you can provide feedback via this survey.
WHAT’S NEXT: Watch for that first Design Review Board meeting next year.
Two project notes:
6318 41ST SW SITE TOUR: Another “early Design Review outreach” meeting – this time, you’re invited to a site tour at 6318 41st SW, 10 am Saturday, December 14th. This is a HALA-upzoned site, where a house is proposed for replacement with a 4-story, 6-unit townhouse building and 3 parking spaces. Project-team members will be there to answer questions and talk about the plan, including the architects from MNMuM Studio, who provided the early-stage rendering above.
5616 CALIFORNIA SW APPROVAL: From today’s Land Use Information Bulletin, land-use approval for this project planned to replace a house with three 3-story townhouse buildings totaling 8 units, as reported here back in August.
(Rendering by Cone Architecture)
One change: The project (just south of C & P Coffee [WSB spomspr]) now has 5 offstreet parking spaces, one more than previously reported. Today’s notice (see it here) opens a window for appeals until December 16th.
Checking the city’s Early Community Outreach for Design Review calendar, we see 2 more West Seattle projects have set meetings. These are casual drop-in meetings at which you can ask the project team questions and offer early design feedback, not the big formal board meetings (which may or may not come later):
APARTMENTS AT 3417 HARBOR SW: We first reported on this back in April, a 5-story apartment building planned just north of the West Seattle Bridge. An Early Design Review Community Outreach Meeting with architects Atelier Drome is now set for Tuesday, December 17th, 6:30 pm at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW). The project files show the team has continued talking with the city in the ensuing months; last month, for example, their request to avoid sidewalk improvements on the 30th SW side of the site was rejected. (Side note: Our April report mentioned the site was listed for sale for $2.5 million. Records show it sold last month for $2.1 million.)
TOWNHOUSES AT 2330 ALKI SW: We first wrote about this plan in September. 17 townhouses are proposed to replace a single-story apartment complex. Caron Architecture has an Early Community Outreach meeting scheduled for 6 pm Thursday, December 19th, at Alki Community Center (5817 SW Stevens).
Just filed with the city: A new proposal for 6016 California SW, to replace the small mixed-use building and house currently on the site. As we reported two years ago, a 38-unit microapartment building was proposed previously. Now a newly filed site plan proposes seven townhouses- three live-work units facing California, four residential-only units behind.
(Photos via King County Assessor’s Office)
Just filed with the city, an early-stage plan for an 8-story apartment building to replace those two houses at 3010 and 3014 SW Avalon Way. The site plan shows a proposal with 87 apartments, 78 off-street spaces for bicycles, no off-street parking for cars. Since it’s an early-stage plan, that’s all the detail on the document, which is by architecture firm Studio 19.
The project planned for what was 5 houses – 2 moved – at 1250 Alki SW is finally, really about to start, its developers say. The project has been through not only delays but changes – it was once planned to be a 125-apartment building but will instead be built as 40 condos. Here’s the official notice:
CONSTRUCTION BULLETIN: ALKI BEACH RESIDENCES
Project Description:
Experienced local developer, Vibrant Cities, along with architecture firm, Tiscareno & Associates and general contractor, Alki Builders, will soon begin construction of a new condo building along the Alki beachfront. This 6-story, multifamily residence will contain 40 condo units and two levels of underground parking. Other features of the building include a swimming pool, and a rooftop garden.
Current Timeline for the Project:
This project is expected to be complete in the 1st Quarter, 2021. Demolition activities will begin after building permit issuance, targeting November 2019, with excavation activities running through the 2nd Quarter, 2020. Structural concrete work will begin in Quarter 2 , 2020, with the exterior enclosure being completed by the 2nd Quarter, 2021.
Construction Activity Impact:
Our team prioritizes traffic access for the residents, businesses and visitors in the area. Due to site constraints, the northbound sidewalk on Alki Avenue SW will be closed to pedestrians for the duration of the project. Crosswalks will be set up at both ends of the project site to allow pedestrians to safely cross to the sidewalk along the water. Nearby residents and businesses will be informed of any planned road closures before they occur.
It is our goal to minimize noise impacts in the Alki Beach neighborhood. Construction activities will not begin before 7:00 a.m. during the week, and not before 9:00 am on Saturdays only, unless in emergency situations.
Safety is an Attitude:
At Alki Builders, we hold safety as one of our highest values. It is a moral responsibility to our employees and the community as a whole. Our Safety Program includes not only our team and subcontractors, but also the community members passing by our project each day. Please observe the temporary traffic signage and follow the directions of flaggers. Please stay alert when walking, biking, or driving around the site and look for construction vehicles or heavy machinery entering and exiting the site. Our priority is to maintain a safe work site for our team and for the public.
Project Location: 1250 Alki Avenue SW
Work Hours:
Weekdays: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00p.m.For Construction
Related Questions, Contact:alkibuilders@gmail.com
They say demolition will start within 2 weeks.
Three West Seattle development notes:
4800 ERSKINE CANCELED: The project proposed to replace the 7-11 in The Junction is “no longer happening,” according to a city docket notation related to what was logged as a “withdrawal request.” The project had an Early Design Outreach meeting last spring, at which time it was described as a mixed-use project with ~66 apartments. That project had a long timeline anyway, the then-team explained, as the 7-11 lease was described at the April meeting as being in effect until 2023.
MORE 26TH SW DEVELOPMENT: There’s another project on 26th SW south of Westwood Village. 9441 26th SW is in the Early Design Outreach system with a proposal for 4 single-family houses to be added to the one currently on the site. (We reported last month on 10 townhouses proposed to replace a house at 9256 26th SW.)
9020 15TH SW REDEVELOPMENT: A notice in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin says the house at this site is proposed for replacement with 6 new single-family houses. The application is open for comments for two weeks.
That century-old house is on one of two parcels that have a just-filed two-part early-stage proposal for 12 townhouses. The parcels are at 9442 and 9446 20th SW, immediately north of a parking lot that’s across SW Roxbury from Holy Family Church. They were upzoned to Lowrise 2 (M1) under HALA-Mandatory Housing Affordability. The initial site plans show 8 offstreet-parking spaces for the 12 units, to be built in four 3-unit buildings.
Four weeks ago, we broke the news of a dramatic change in the redevelopment proposal for the auto-shop site at 9201 Delridge Way SW. Instead of a 4-story storage facility, a 5-story mixed-use building is now planned, with 51 apartments, 5 live-work units, and offstreet parking spaces for 8 cars and 59 bicycles. Today, we just got word from Caron Architecture that an “early design outreach” community meeting is planned, 6-7 pm Tuesday, December 3rd, at Jim Wiley Community Center in Greenbridge (9800 8th SW). Above is the flyer, in English, Vietnamese, and Spanish (or see it here in PDF). As it says, you also can answer an online survey to provide feedback – find it here.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Now there are two redevelopment projects on the way to construction in the heart of The Junction, after 4508 California SW cleared the Design Review process last night.
This was the Southwest Design Review Board‘s third review of the yet-to-be-named building, which will be the third mixed-use Junction redevelopment for Leon Capelouto, after Capco Plaza (42nd/Alaska) and AJ Apartments (42nd/Oregon). This one will replace the building that currently holds Lee’s Asian Restaurant, Kamei Japanese Restaurant, and The Naked Crepe.
Last night’s meeting was sparsely attended, with two community members commenting. David Reddish of Caron Architecture led the briefing on design changes made since the project’s last review one year ago (WSB coverage here). Here’s the packet:
As recapped last night, 58 apartments are planned, plus 12 lodging units, 17 underground parking spaces, and ground-floor retail space. Reddish said the project is intended to create spaces for smaller retailers, as the current building does. Other design points: Read More
(King County Assessor’s Office photo)
That’s the latest Morgan Junction house proposed for replacement by multi-family development made possible by HALA MHA upzoning. But this one, at 6056 41st SW (corner of Graham) is not set for townhouses like multiple parcels a block south. The early-stage proposal here is for two small three-story apartment buildings on the 6,250-square-foot lot, with 10 units total and five offstreet parking spaces .
That’s the packet now available for preview before the third and potentially final Southwest Design Review Board look at 4508 California SW, the mixed-use building planned for the site of Kamei, Lee’s Asian, and Naked Crepe. It’s been a year and a half since we first reported on the plan, which initially had a bigger footprint, but was downscaled before its first SWDRB meeting in August 2018. The proposal is for a 70-foot building – 25 feet below what the site was upzoned to by HALA MHA – with ground-floor commercial beneath 12 lodging units and 58 residential units, mostly studios and 1-bedrooms.
(Rendering by Caron Architecture)
No offstreet vehicle parking is required; the proposal has 17 spaces, plus 69 stalls for bicycles. The project goes before the board at 6:30 pm Thursday, November 7th, at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon). P.S. Here’s our report on the board’s previous review a year ago.
The latest approvals for Delridge development/redevelopment are for the slope along the east side of 23rd SW: 13 houses in the 5200 block [map]. We first wrote about the proposal a year and a half ago. The city published notices today with the approvals, technically two separate (but adjacent) sites, one with seven 3-story houses planned, the other with six, each providing one offstreet-parking space per house. This opens a two-week appeal period, deadline November 7th. The 5232 23rd SW notice and decision documents are here; the 5244 23rd SW notice and decision are here.
(WSB photo, January 2018)
ORIGINAL REPORT, SATURDAY NIGHT: Back in February, the Southwest Design Review Board gave its final OK to the plan for a 4-story storage facility to replace the auto-shop business at 9201 Delridge Way SW. But new documents in the city filing system suggest that plan’s been scrapped and a new one is in the works: A 5-story, 56-unit mixed-use building. The new early-stage site plan (PDF) shows that 51 units would be apartment, 5 would be ground-floor live-works, and that there will be offstreet parking spaces for 8 cars and 59 bicycles. The building would also have retail space with an entry from Delridge; its main residential entrance would be off SW Barton. So why the change? A docket notation regarding the withdrawal of permit requests for the storage project says, “New zoning does not allow what was proposed for this permit application.” This site, like several others we’ve reported on lately, was upzoned by HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability and is now zoned NC3-55.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Department of Construction and Inspections spokesperson Bryan Stevens says the aforementioned docket notation is accurate: “Zoning changed from a Commercial 1 zone with a 40′ height limit to a Neighborhood Commercial 3 zone with a 55′ height limit. The new zoning placed a 25,000 sq. ft. limit on mini-storage uses. The previous proposal included 34,000 sq. ft. of mini-storage. A revision to the design would have been required to limit the size of this type of business, while the added height provided with MHA may have also played a role in reconsidering the project.”
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