Slog
News & ArtsThursday, March 12, 2009
Boom Junction Function
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Mar 12, 2009 at 5:00 PM
There's a meeting tonight to discuss the seven-story buildings planned at the West Seattle Junction (the intersection of California Avenue and Southwest Alaska Street). Conner Homes proposes roughly 200 condos in two buildings, using the ground floor for restaurants and retail.
Of course, not everyone likes it. Over at West Seattle Blog, under the headline "Your chance to speak out on Junction megaproject," several people express their horror. Chicken little leaves the following comment:
This so scares the hell out of me. The character of our small community is at the hands of the money hungry developers that live some where else. I feel we are already bulging at the seams with population here. Our streets are an embarrassment, our police and fire are stretched thin, our public walk ways littered and defaced, landscaping unmanacured minimal parking of any kind and yet the city keeps adding more and more of these ugly structures when things already seem to be unmanageable.
West Seattle is bulging at the seams with population (ignore this city density map).
But the "ugly structure" will bring people close to bus lines and close to local businesses. And those new residents—they're actual people, you know—can help their neighbors in their plight to clean up the embarrassing streets of West Seattle. But here's my favorite part about the design: Whereas lots of new buildings use much of the ground floor as a parking garage (example), the ground floor of this project—as currently proposed—would be almost entirely retail and commercial space. That is, it will add the things that make the West Seattle Junction lively, walkable, and neighborhoody.
Images from Weber Thompson.
1
NIMBYs are so lame. What's the matter with a little change (and some new neighbors)? Do they expect the Junction to stay low-height forever?
What is it about a building that's more than 3 stories that drives them insane and makes them lie? (Nice catch on the density map.)
Speaking of which, you need to fix the density map link. It's missing an "f" at the end.
What is it about a building that's more than 3 stories that drives them insane and makes them lie? (Nice catch on the density map.)
Speaking of which, you need to fix the density map link. It's missing an "f" at the end.
2
Fuck yes!! Finally, a voice of reason. Thank you
Dominic for enlightening us all to the fact that Seattle does actually need MORE fucking condos built! I am happy to see that someone out there is actually optimistic enough to think they can finance and follow through on a project like this considering the financial steaming bag of poo we are all holding right now!
Can you really be surprised that someone might not want a fucking giant construction project in their small neighborhood??? Yay progress!!!!
Dominic for enlightening us all to the fact that Seattle does actually need MORE fucking condos built! I am happy to see that someone out there is actually optimistic enough to think they can finance and follow through on a project like this considering the financial steaming bag of poo we are all holding right now!
Can you really be surprised that someone might not want a fucking giant construction project in their small neighborhood??? Yay progress!!!!
3
Slog forgot to mention that everything posted on the West Seattle Blog lately is gloom and doom, gloom and doom.
4
eh, 2000 census data is about 10 years out of date, no? There has been an incredible amount of development in W.S. (and the rest of the city) since then
Also, West Seattle, like other more hilly parts of this city, have large bluffs/green areas where development is impossible due to topography, so density may be higher in places where people can build than the "average per acre" in that pdf would indicate.
I'm not saying the freak-out over the building is warranted. But having grown up there, I am shocked by how congested the westside is now when I swing by the old hood. I'm a bit sympathetic.
Also, West Seattle, like other more hilly parts of this city, have large bluffs/green areas where development is impossible due to topography, so density may be higher in places where people can build than the "average per acre" in that pdf would indicate.
I'm not saying the freak-out over the building is warranted. But having grown up there, I am shocked by how congested the westside is now when I swing by the old hood. I'm a bit sympathetic.
5
Ok sure, Condos for all!
But could we please fill in the massive festering pits that developers have left empty around Seattle first. I passed 2 today. One on Stone Way and the other a mega black hole of a pit in the Green Lake area.
But could we please fill in the massive festering pits that developers have left empty around Seattle first. I passed 2 today. One on Stone Way and the other a mega black hole of a pit in the Green Lake area.
6
I love West Seattle, and by extension, West Seattleites, but they do have a terrible persecution complex.
One time, while filling in for the West Seattle Electric Service Hostess, I mentioned that there was an awful lot of a certain distribution voltage left in West Seattle (City Light has been converting transmission voltages for decades, and parts of West Seattle are some of the last areas left with the old voltage. I'd tell you more, but you'd die of boredom. Suffice to say, it means nothing to the average electrical user)
Immediately, this person was defensive: Why, they demanded to know, was West Seattle the last neighborhood to be converted? Was this voltage inferior? Who could they complain to?
I laughed a silvery laugh, and tossed my hair in an effort to distract, but this awful person was not be sated. I finally told her that both were perfectly fine voltages, and she was not to worry over it. I don't think she believed me, but it gave me enough time to get to my sedan, and make a quick getaway.
As for this proposed building, I think it's a shame, if only because it means the cupcake store is going away.
One time, while filling in for the West Seattle Electric Service Hostess, I mentioned that there was an awful lot of a certain distribution voltage left in West Seattle (City Light has been converting transmission voltages for decades, and parts of West Seattle are some of the last areas left with the old voltage. I'd tell you more, but you'd die of boredom. Suffice to say, it means nothing to the average electrical user)
Immediately, this person was defensive: Why, they demanded to know, was West Seattle the last neighborhood to be converted? Was this voltage inferior? Who could they complain to?
I laughed a silvery laugh, and tossed my hair in an effort to distract, but this awful person was not be sated. I finally told her that both were perfectly fine voltages, and she was not to worry over it. I don't think she believed me, but it gave me enough time to get to my sedan, and make a quick getaway.
As for this proposed building, I think it's a shame, if only because it means the cupcake store is going away.
8
> "bulging at the seams with population"
I live in West Seattle. In fact, I just walked back from the Junction 30 minutes ago. I did not notice that it was jam-packed or "bulging at the seams" with people...
Some of the people around here make me embarrassed to live in West Seattle...
Why on earth would I want to strive for *lower* density in a city neighborhood?
I live in West Seattle. In fact, I just walked back from the Junction 30 minutes ago. I did not notice that it was jam-packed or "bulging at the seams" with people...
Some of the people around here make me embarrassed to live in West Seattle...
Why on earth would I want to strive for *lower* density in a city neighborhood?
9
A silvery laugh? I know I'm convinced. And I only want the latest and greatest electricity for my house.
10
hey, maybe weber thompson is done building sh*t in the city and moving out to the outlying neighborhoods.
one can only hope!
one can only hope!
11
Gloom and doom? If you really think so, go look at the 28 items currently on our home page. Only 4 can even remotely be categorized as doom and gloom ... 3 crime, 1 link to the P-I story about the $15 million settlement for a paralyzed athlete. Tell me where you're seeing doom and gloom in the other 24.
12
Oh PS, if anyone cares, the meeting this is about is over. Lot of good comments about the project as well as critiquing. Design Review Board members want to see the project one more time before voting. Short version published on our site right now, full details (for those who care) later tonight.
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=14924
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=14924
13
Dom -
Having the good fortune to be raised in West Seattle, I am pleased you have noticed our bulging seams.
Do not overlook, however, the fact that we have THREE junctions. The Admiral Junction, The Alaska Way Junction (which, of course can be referred to as the Junction, among those in the know, but clearly not the only junction), and the Fauntleroy Junction. Each has its delights.
For example, we are also home to the finest record store on the West Coast: Easy Street, which is of course adjacent to the Alaska Way Junction.
Having the good fortune to be raised in West Seattle, I am pleased you have noticed our bulging seams.
Do not overlook, however, the fact that we have THREE junctions. The Admiral Junction, The Alaska Way Junction (which, of course can be referred to as the Junction, among those in the know, but clearly not the only junction), and the Fauntleroy Junction. Each has its delights.
For example, we are also home to the finest record store on the West Coast: Easy Street, which is of course adjacent to the Alaska Way Junction.
14
Fnarf, I believe you live north of the ship canal, no? If so, then you have the latest and greatest electricity. After all, you are much nearer the dams.
South of the ship canal, we get mostly Tacoma's left over electricity, and stuff from Hanford. No wonder they don't care if West Seattle ever gets completely converted to 26kv. That old 4kv is good enough.
South of the ship canal, we get mostly Tacoma's left over electricity, and stuff from Hanford. No wonder they don't care if West Seattle ever gets completely converted to 26kv. That old 4kv is good enough.
15
see, weber thompson designs from the inside out. the buildings look great if you're inside it looking out.
16
I want the densities because I want a street car! Yet, it would be nice if the massive hole across from the now defunct Huling Brothers would be completed first - since the financial implosion, construction has ended. Big ass hole.
17
West Seattle is gradually becoming denser, but still remains relatively uncongested compared to much of the city. And the street scene is livelier today than ever before, thanks in part to a growing population. There were a lot of vacant storefronts in the Junction back in the 70's & 80's, not so today. And while fine dining options in those days were a toss-up between New Luck Toy and the Royal Fork (RIP to both), today we have a lot of great options. That said, the corner of California & Alaska is ground zero for the neighborhood, so it's good that the proposal is receiving scrutiny. If you want an example of bad development, just look one block east to Jefferson Square, a truly dismal strip mall on the old Jefferson Elementary site.
18
Yeah, but you know those shops are going to be boring dry cleaners, sun tanning parlors, nail parlors, and crappy thai food restaurants or asian fusion. And maybe a Quiznos. They're creating minimalls, basically.
19
you also should realize that if you stand at the location of this proposed building, you can see two other mega condo buildings under construction currently, one within the same block and one across the street. that's a bit of a population explosion, for what was a bit of a lazy corner for a while. but i think the cupcake store is safe- this place will be across the street.
21
One of the great things about the Junction as compared to a lot of neighborhood retail zones throughout Seattle is that the overwhelming majority of businesses are independent and locally-owned. I think there's a valid fear that the kind of development coming to WS is going to attract the likes of Quizno's, SuperCuts and Starbucks. Dominic - what can be done about this? Can you cite examples of new develpment around the city that haven't turned out this way, and also tell us the story of why that is?
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