Development
Colman Center: office space for creative types [PI, June 14]
Hotel not residential disappoints Seattle officials [Times, June 14]
Sims hopes to buy time for rails-for-trails (?!) [PI, June 13]
Related: Sims wants to speed up land-swap deal (?!) [Times, June 14]
Megahomes multiplying, but how big is too big? [Times, June 14]
Visions for a new Seattle Center being made public [PI, June 12]
Related: Seattle Center: daily destination? [Times, June 13]
Hist. comm. approves new lighting for Steinbrueck Park [PI, June 13]
In Other Neighborhoods. . . [Stranger, June 13]
Historic Central Area hall looks as if it's on its last legs [PI, June 12]
More Ava condo information [SCR, June 11]
Neighborhoods
WS: Seattle Housing Authority acquires WS apts [WSB, June 13]
GT: Duwamish cleanup gets a bit messy [PN, June 13]
GT: Stop work order: demo of Old Firehouse Market(!) [PN, June 13]
Municipal/Zoning/Politics
City Council: Primary Primer [Stranger, June 13]
City Council: Follow up with Venus Velazquez [Slog, June 14]
City Council: Joe Szwaja profile [Slog, June 14]
More City Council links on Slog [Slog, June 13]
(I didn't see any Times or PI coverage this week. Did you?)
Transportation
Beyond Sound Transit 2 [OR, June 13]
Related: ST2 includes study of Burien light-rail [Hi.Times, June 12]
Market
New housing market: Urban car camping [Slog, June 14]
Sabey sells P-I building to California company [PI, June 14]
WA 1st quarter mort. delinquencies down QoQ, up YoY [PI, June 14]
Seattle foreclosures up QoQ, up YoY [PI, June 13]
Homes cited as too costly for too many [PI, June 11]
Related: Seattle Bubble's article review [SB, June 12]
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Striking design proposed for 1903 5th Ave (photos)
Model above is the original proposal for 550', 46 story hotel/condo tower at 1903 5th Ave. Changes detailed and more photos below. I told you previously that the proposal for 1903 5th Ave was something to get excited about, and it is, not just because it would dwarfs Escala and the Westin towers and everything around it. Its thoroughly modern looks would be unlike most all of them.
Placed on a site just 108' by 120' (if I heard correctly), this tower has a tight podium and a solidly straight-up expression clad in a "greenish blue" glass, despite some changes to the original model. In order to thin the tower, "shoulders" have been lost (balconies on the corners rise higher up) and the podium has risen some stories. Added transparency at the base connects pedestrians to activity within the building. Notches have also been added to the tower's heights to avoid a "Darth Vader" feel. Interesting features include a rooftop screen inspired somewhat by an inverted parasol and transparent tube elevators at the podium corners facing 5th Ave.
For what it is worth, out of respect for the developer, a cordial man with whom I conserved briefly (and gave me permission to photograph his model for this obscure blog), I'll refrain from sharing more details until this project progresses further through design review.
The design review committee seemed slightly positive. Concerns shared among the committee members were lack of exterior expression of interior activity at higher elevations and some issues with the podium. One member expressed some worry that the tower could become "retro." I could not figure her intent, but if she meant a retro vision of the future, I do admit that that is my greatest worry here. It's too early to tell, however, and I remain terribly excited about the possibility of its being built. Here's to hoping that the committee allows this tower to make a statement, which it undoubtedly will by its height alone, unhindered and uncompromised.
Related: DJC article [via Urbnlivn, Feb 13]
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The DSA Luncheon: Middling, but why?
Sorry Charles, the 49th DSA Annual Event was no party. As little more than a downtown meet and greet, there was no champagne, nor models (scale building or marketing), new information, grand initiative, or revolutionary vision. The economy is great right now but it would seem people are thinking worrying ahead about the viaduct and the general transportation mess, the potential for a local housing mess, rising interest rates, a national slowdown, or something else...
It was hard to get excited about much. The first speaker, outgoing 2006-2007 DSA Chair Pat Callahan (a real estate guy), is a terrible public speaker (sorry Callahan) and as a result (though still without excuse) the crowd's murmur rose somewhat over Callahan's farewell, devoted largely to the viaduct. Stalling an immediate rebuilt viaduct was considered a great victory; the outstanding potential of a rebuilt viaduct was the next great threat. The viaduct problem was one of too many self-interests.
After Callahan was done the incoming 2007-2008 DSA Chair, John Hanley (a real estate lawyer guy), gave a bland speech that said absolutely nothing and was completely uninspiring. His introduction to the podium, with a broad array of boards he's served on (from affordable housing to alcoholism and others I can't remember), was more interesting than his speech.
Kate Joncas, DSA President, turned things around. She spoke with some energy about a downtown's ability to foster diverse interaction and its importance to civil society. People outside downtown live and interact with too many people too similar to themselves and the Internet is largely a collection of niches. (Here was something to think about.) She said that great public open spaces were needed in order to draw a diverse crowd downtown. Her hope was to see a family picnic outside City Hall and girl scouts selling cookies (I think she said) on 2nd and Pine. That got a laugh and then some applause.
The final speaker was Edward K. Uhlir, the man put in charge of creating Millennium Park in Chicago by Mayor Daley. The park is absolutely amazing. Uhlir gave a very informative presentation that held the crowd's interest; the man himself sounded tired however.
Here's to hoping the economy doesn't tank by next February when DSA holds the State of Downtown event, the closest it gets to a party.
It was hard to get excited about much. The first speaker, outgoing 2006-2007 DSA Chair Pat Callahan (a real estate guy), is a terrible public speaker (sorry Callahan) and as a result (though still without excuse) the crowd's murmur rose somewhat over Callahan's farewell, devoted largely to the viaduct. Stalling an immediate rebuilt viaduct was considered a great victory; the outstanding potential of a rebuilt viaduct was the next great threat. The viaduct problem was one of too many self-interests.
After Callahan was done the incoming 2007-2008 DSA Chair, John Hanley (a real estate lawyer guy), gave a bland speech that said absolutely nothing and was completely uninspiring. His introduction to the podium, with a broad array of boards he's served on (from affordable housing to alcoholism and others I can't remember), was more interesting than his speech.
Kate Joncas, DSA President, turned things around. She spoke with some energy about a downtown's ability to foster diverse interaction and its importance to civil society. People outside downtown live and interact with too many people too similar to themselves and the Internet is largely a collection of niches. (Here was something to think about.) She said that great public open spaces were needed in order to draw a diverse crowd downtown. Her hope was to see a family picnic outside City Hall and girl scouts selling cookies (I think she said) on 2nd and Pine. That got a laugh and then some applause.
The final speaker was Edward K. Uhlir, the man put in charge of creating Millennium Park in Chicago by Mayor Daley. The park is absolutely amazing. Uhlir gave a very informative presentation that held the crowd's interest; the man himself sounded tired however.
Here's to hoping the economy doesn't tank by next February when DSA holds the State of Downtown event, the closest it gets to a party.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Original Content: Coming tomorrow!
Finally, you can expect some real journalism on Seattle Plans.
Tomorrow I'll be at the DSA's Annual Event. While I won't be live-blogging, I will provide you with a full report sometime afterward. I say sometime because tomorrow evening I plan on attending an early design-review meeting you care about to give you a second original report the following day. Bonus!
Tomorrow I'll be at the DSA's Annual Event. While I won't be live-blogging, I will provide you with a full report sometime afterward. I say sometime because tomorrow evening I plan on attending an early design-review meeting you care about to give you a second original report the following day. Bonus!
Monday List
This doesn't deserve the "compendium" label- Sorry, I just needed to get this out the door...
Development
Seattle looks at widening apartment, condo tax break [PI, June 11]
Affordable rentals vanish as apartments go condo [Times, June 10]
Transportation
Crosscut special report: Tolling the Puget Sound [Crosscut, June 11]
Kemper Freeman really hates transit [Slog, June 11]
Related: Transit opponents overview [STB, June 9]
3rd Ave to stay bus lane until viaduct replacement built [STB, June 10]
Neighborhood
Wallingford: Park NIMBYs oppose school project [Times, June 11]
Windermere: Denny mansion loses piece of its history to [PI, June 11]
Market
Local home sales cool off; why are prices still hot? [Times, June 10]
Belltown Market Analysis [SCR, June 8]
Development
Seattle looks at widening apartment, condo tax break [PI, June 11]
Affordable rentals vanish as apartments go condo [Times, June 10]
Transportation
Crosscut special report: Tolling the Puget Sound [Crosscut, June 11]
Kemper Freeman really hates transit [Slog, June 11]
Related: Transit opponents overview [STB, June 9]
3rd Ave to stay bus lane until viaduct replacement built [STB, June 10]
Neighborhood
Wallingford: Park NIMBYs oppose school project [Times, June 11]
Windermere: Denny mansion loses piece of its history to [PI, June 11]
Market
Local home sales cool off; why are prices still hot? [Times, June 10]
Belltown Market Analysis [SCR, June 8]
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sunday Compendium: Delayed
I am out of town. Sunday's news links will be up tomorrow. I've also got at least three posts brewing... hopefully I'll have some time to post this week.
As always, send tips, stories, or feedback to seattleplans@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
As always, send tips, stories, or feedback to seattleplans@gmail.com. Thanks for reading.
Friday, June 8, 2007
06/07/2007 DPD Bulletin Highlights
Highlights from yesterday's DPD bulletin:
Downtown: 600 3rd Ave (entire block)
180 residential, 540k office, plaza, Metro tunnel connection, 600 spaces
This is the early design review for Triad Development's proposed "civic square." (You've heard about this previously.) The site is currently an entire city block of dirt surrounded by a plywood fence. What you may or may not realize is that the architectural firm, Norman + Partners, and its namesake, Lord Foster, is a big deal. Such a big deal that you might want to attend the early design review: June 26th, 5:30pm (possibly 7pm) at City Hall.
Central District: 2203 E Union St (SW corner)
6 stories, 91 residential units over retail, 100 parking spaces
This gets included because 1) it's also been a large dirt field for some time and 2) it's at the intersection (23rd & Union) featured in this week's Stranger short feature on the Central District. The Central District has seen tremendous change; since 1990 African-Americans went from over half the household population to just over one third now, whites from one third then to over half now.
Roosevelt: 6515 Brooklyn Ave NE (north half of west block)
4 stories, 42 apartment over 4 live-work, retail, 71 parking spaces
This project wins this week's smart growth award for working to end the tyranny of single-family homes by tearing down 5 single family houses and replacing them with over eight times as many apartments right next to a planned light rail station (albeit a years ahead of time).
Sidewalk cafe applications:
La Dolce Vita Ristorante
The Local Vine
Globe Cafe & Bakery
Downtown: 600 3rd Ave (entire block)180 residential, 540k office, plaza, Metro tunnel connection, 600 spaces
This is the early design review for Triad Development's proposed "civic square." (You've heard about this previously.) The site is currently an entire city block of dirt surrounded by a plywood fence. What you may or may not realize is that the architectural firm, Norman + Partners, and its namesake, Lord Foster, is a big deal. Such a big deal that you might want to attend the early design review: June 26th, 5:30pm (possibly 7pm) at City Hall.
Central District: 2203 E Union St (SW corner)
6 stories, 91 residential units over retail, 100 parking spaces
This gets included because 1) it's also been a large dirt field for some time and 2) it's at the intersection (23rd & Union) featured in this week's Stranger short feature on the Central District. The Central District has seen tremendous change; since 1990 African-Americans went from over half the household population to just over one third now, whites from one third then to over half now.
Roosevelt: 6515 Brooklyn Ave NE (north half of west block)
4 stories, 42 apartment over 4 live-work, retail, 71 parking spaces
This project wins this week's smart growth award for working to end the tyranny of single-family homes by tearing down 5 single family houses and replacing them with over eight times as many apartments right next to a planned light rail station (albeit a years ahead of time).
Sidewalk cafe applications:
La Dolce Vita Ristorante
The Local Vine
Globe Cafe & Bakery
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