Showing posts with label development. Show all posts
Showing posts with label development. Show all posts

LFP Hearing Examiner decision for habitat retention could save Northwest salmon

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Salmon fry
By Jim Halliday Co-chair StreamKeepers

On October 24, 2018, Mr. John Galt, the Hearing Examiner for the City of Lake Forest Park (LFP), rendered a Decision that could mark the beginning of a change in land use development policy that will save northwest salmon.

The hearing resulted from a developer requesting a Reasonable Use Exception (RUE) for relief from the City of LFP’s Tree Canopy Preservation and Enhancement Ordinance regulations.

Mr. Steven Crane, the developer, had sought to maximize his return on investment (ROI) by building the largest house possible on the small non-conforming lot he had purchased.

To accomplish that, he sought an exception from tree canopy requirements in order to remove two Exceptional trees – one 52”dbh and one over 42”( in which neighbors had seen and recorded Ospreys in their nest for the past three years).

The developer’s hired arborist claimed the large Exceptional trees needed to be removed in order for a house to be built.

However, Kim Adams Pratt, the City Attorney, through careful questioning of the City’s Consulting Arborist, Paul Thompson, was able to show the Hearing Examiner and the City Planning Department that by using trenchless or low impact excavation construction methods, (such as dry-vacuum or hydro-vacuum tunneling for utilities), that a reasonable use could be made of the property without removing the Exceptional trees.

The City proposed conditions such as a “no-dig driveway” and methods for protecting the “interior critical area root zones” (ICRZ) that would have to be met before the City would recommend approval of a building permit. These conditions were intended to protect the Exceptional Trees during construction and the five-year post construction Maintenance Bond period.

In his Decision the Hearing Examiner stated he was not convinced that either Exceptional Tree needed to be removed to allow reasonable use of the property and their removal was not approved.

His Decision adopted most of the City’s recommendations and also stated that in the Conditions wording, “should” will be replaced with “shall” and that the word “applicant” will be replaced with “permittee” (or other word meaning “holder of the approval”) to ensure that no confusion occurs in the future regarding that an RUE “runs with the land.” His own set of additional stringent conditions included such things as:
  • The building footprint shall be limited to the area outside of the ICRZ of both Exceptional Trees.
  • Any changes to the tree protection measures shall require City Arborist approval.
  • The permittee shall provide a performance security (bond) prior to development permit issuance. 

The Decision and conditions can be viewed on the City’s Planning Notices and Announcements page and scroll down to File 2018-RUE-0001 Hearing Examiner Decision (10/23/18)

This is a very important precedent-setting ruling that could result in more trees being retained all over Puget Sound and land development practices evolving in favor of habitat retention for salmon. 



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Development: Vail Apartments on Midvale

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Photo by Mike Remarcke

Construction of the Vail Apartments, 17962 Midvale Ave N, is well underway. The site is just north of Shoreline City Hall on Midvale, next to the blue and white storage facility which itself will be the site of the new community / aquatics center.

Photo by Mike Remarcke


The Vail is planned for seven levels mixed use, with 195 units, and 3,400 sq. ft. of commercial space. There will be two levels of parking.

The site is notable now for the large crane onsite.

Drawing courtesy City of Shoreline


This is the concept graphic submitted to the Planning Department.



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Starbucks on the rise at Parkwood Plaza - trees come down

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The new Starbucks is progressing quickly at Parkwood Plaza, N 152nd and Aurora. The building replaces a Broiler Bay restaurant.

Trees appear to be broken off, rather than cut down
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Nearby trees have been removed from the small planting island between Starbucks and Shari's Restaurant.



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ELNA to hear from two major developers at Tuesday meeting

Saturday, September 15, 2018

The Rat's Nest on 192nd and Aurora
Google Earth

Echo Lake Neighborhood Association members will hear from two developers with major projects on Aurora in the Echo Lake Neighborhood.

Trent Mummery, developer of the Malmo and Paceline apartments, will show the latest work planned for the CRUX apartments which will replace the Rat's Nest (Sleep Aire factory) at 192nd and Aurora.

Photo was taken while Aurora was under construction
Lot is currently vacant
Google Earth


He will be followed by the team developing housing for homeless or about to be homeless people at 198th and Aurora (currently a vacant lot). The team includes the City of Shoreline, King County Housing and Community Development, Catholic Housing Services, and the Community Psychiatric Clinic.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 from 7-9pm in conference room 303 of Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, 98133.



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Construction to begin next year on 17,000 square feet of shops and restaurants at Shoreline Place

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Shoreline Place vision

Merlone Geier Partners revealed plans Wednesday for Shoreline Place, a vibrant mixed-use development at the former Sears Property near North 160th Street and Aurora Ave North in Shoreline.

The development will take shape in four phases over more than a decade, featuring 90,000 SF of shops and dining options, 1,300 apartment homes that may eventually include condos, green space including a dog park and a large community park called the Town Green, and connections to Metro’s E Line and the Interurban Trail.
  
“Our plan is directly tied to the vision and environmental approvals the City prescribed in its 2015 Community Renewal Area Plan for Aurora Square,” said Jamas Gwilliam, Vice President for Development at Merlone Geier Partners. “Equally important, it’s also reflective of input we sought from area residents over the last year.”

Phase 1  2019 - 2022
The first phase of development, slated for construction next year, is 17,000 SF of shops and restaurants at the corner of Westminster Avenue, near the Central Market parking lot. 

“We conducted a survey of over 6,000 area residents, and the main things they wanted to see at Shoreline Place were more dining and housing options,” said Gwilliam. “We’re excited to bring those options to the community first.”

Merlone Geier released a video and artist renderings to better explain all four phases of development. 

The Sears building will remain intact until the third development phase, when it transforms into five-over-one housing and retail, anchored by the large Town Green. The Town Green will serve as a community gathering and performance area, as well as the future permanent home of the Shoreline Farmer’s Market.

Sears was new in 1967
Background on the Aurora Square Community Renewal Area

Sears opened in Shoreline in September 1967, and more than 50 years later, the area and the needs of Shoreline residents changed. In 2013, the City of Shoreline designated Aurora Square – the 70+ acre Sears-anchored retail center and several adjacent properties – as a Community Renewal Area (CRA), finding that it qualified as economically blighted with “old, obsolete buildings, defective or inadequate street layout, faulty lot layout, excessive land coverage, diversity of ownership, and connectivity problems”.

As part of the CRA, the City of Shoreline completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for site redevelopment in 2015. The EIS evaluated their vision for a development that would include mixed-use commercial and residential development and gathering spaces. Merlone Geier Partners acquired property rights of the former Sears property in 2017, focused on meeting the needs of the current and future community in Shoreline, where there is strong demand for modern retail, better restaurants, and additional types of housing.

Merlone Geier Partners engaged GGLO to design the project.

MGP owns and manages 15 million square feet of retail on the west coast, 4.2 million of which is in the Pacific Northwest including Lynnwood Square, The Town Center at Lake Forest Park, Shoreline Marketplace, Ballinger Village Shopping Center, and Alderwood Plaza. Visit MerloneGeier.com for more information.



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Construction: Ballinger self-storage

Saturday, August 18, 2018


Under construction now - Ballinger Self Storage, 20029 19th Ave NE. The 100,000 square foot, four story building will house 788 storage units.

Ballinger self storage under construction
Photo by Mike Remarcke in July 2018


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Shoreline Place teases reveal at Celebrate Shoreline Saturday

Friday, August 17, 2018

There has been a great deal of interest in the future configuration of Shoreline Place - home of the closed Sears store at N 155th and Aurora.

Now the owners, Merlone Geier, are teasing an appearance at Celebrate Shoreline Saturday.

Are you celebrating Shoreline at Cromwell Park this Saturday? We are! 
Stop by and see us the Celebrate Shoreline Beer Garden where we'll reveal the Shoreline Place site plan! Can't make it? No worries. We'll post all the materials on our website.


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Hearing examiner rejects most of BSRE's Motion to Reconsider Point Wells project

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Point Wells 2018 holds oil storage tanks

The following is a report from the Sno-King Environmental Protection Coalition, an advocacy group opposed to the proposed BSRE development at Point Wells


The Snohomish County Hearing Examiner has issued a ruling on BSRE’s motion to reconsider his June 29, 2018 ruling that denied their application for a 3,000 unit development at Point Wells. The ruling on reconsideration was issued on August 3, 2018.

The ruling on reconsideration rejects most of BSRE’s objections and leaves the application dead pending any further appeals or other actions by BSRE.

Findings on Residential Setbacks

The Hearing Examiner originally ruled that SCC 30.34A.040(2)(a) limited the height of proposed buildings in the Upper Village area (the area east of the railroad tracks) because they were too close to neighboring residential zones in Woodway. BSRE argued that this section of the code only mentions specific Snohomish County residential zones, not the Woodway zones cited by the HE, so it can’t be used to limit building heights in that area of the property.

On reconsideration, the HE stated that the clear intent of the code was to limit the height of buildings near any residential zones no matter what jurisdiction controlled those zones. He found BSRE’s argument would lead to “absurd results that contradict the otherwise clear intent of the code”, and upheld his original ruling.

Findings on the Ordinary High Water Mark

The Hearing Examiner originally ruled that BSRE placed several of its proposed buildings within 150 feet of the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) when no development is allowed in that buffer zone. BSRE argued that they found out about the need to identify the OHWM only recently when the County pointed out it was missing from their plans.

On reconsideration, the HE stated the code requirement to use the OHWM was unambiguous and has been in the code since 2007, that it was BSRE’s responsibility to understand the requirements for a design that meets County code, and upheld his original ruling.

Findings on the 90 Foot Height Limit and High Capacity Transit

The normal height limit for the development is 90 feet, but the developer is allowed to build up to 180 feet if the site is near a high capacity transit route or station and the developer can document that the additional height is necessary or desirable. While BSRE’s plans showed 21 buildings over the 90 foot limit, the Hearing Examiner originally ruled that BSRE had not submitted any documentation showing the extra height was either necessary or desirable. BSRE argued that since the County had not asked for such documentation, the HE could not base a ruling on it.

On reconsideration, the HE stated that it is the HE’s job to determine code compliance and the HE cannot just ignore non-compliance whether or not the County previously mentioned the issue to the developer. The application does not show the taller buildings are necessary or desirable, that is in conflict with County code, so the HE upheld his original ruling.

Findings on Landslide Hazard Area

Snohomish County Code section 30.62B.340 states that no buildings are allowed in a landslide hazard area unless it can be shown there is no alternate location for the buildings, and the developer can prove they will be able to complete geotechnical modifications that will make the buildings just as safe as if they were located outside the area. The Hearing Examiner originally ruled that BSRE had not fulfilled either of these conditions. BSRE argued that their project architect had since reviewed the site plan again and concluded that there was no other location for the buildings that was as good as the proposed location.

On reconsideration, the HE stated that it was too late for BSRE to submit more documentation because the application had expired on June 30, 2018, so the HE upheld his original ruling.

Findings on Request for Further Extension

The Hearing Examiner originally ruled that he would not grant BSRE any further extensions because BSRE has not been diligent over the last five years in resolving issues raised by the County. BSRE argued that they were led to believe that the County would grant them another extension, and that all the work they had accomplished in the last 3 months proved they would work diligently to complete the application if they were granted more time.

On reconsideration, the HE stated that he did not have authority to grant an extension unless he remanded the application back to the County for further processing. Since the HE denied application instead of remanding it, the HE could not grant an extension. The HE also stated that even if he had remanded the application, he would not have granted an extension because BSRE had not been diligent in trying to complete the application over the last five years. The HE upheld his original ruling.

What’s Next

The Hearing Examiner originally ruled that if BSRE did not like the ruling on the motion, they could appeal to Superior Court. BSRE cited sections of the County Code they claim allowed them to appeal to the County Council before going to court.

On reconsideration, the HE agreed with BSRE and changed the decision to indicate that the first level of appeal was the County Council, with a deadline of August 17, 2018 for filing an appeal. Any appeal to the Council must be limited to issues previously raised in the motion to reconsider.

At BSRE's prompting, the HE also clarified that his original ruling was to deny the application "without prejudice". Under the 2011 version of Snohomish County Code in effect when the application was submitted, denial without prejudice gave BSRE the right to reactivate the application while keeping the old vested development rules. The right to reactivate was removed in 2013 and we believe the HE indicated that BSRE must follow the current code in this area. We've asked the County to explain their position on this question but have not yet received an answer.

This is a critical question: if the County agrees with our position, then BSRE's only option if they want to proceed with development is to submit a new application using current development rules which give the City of Shoreline and the Town of Woodway much more control over the size of the development. We will let you know when we get that answer.


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Construction: Shoreline Apartments

Monday, July 9, 2018

Shoreline Apartments from 15th NE
Photo by Mike Remarcke

The Shoreline Apartments are steading rising. This is a good time to drive by and check out the work because the 15th NE side is at eye level right now.

Shoreline Apartments from the west
Photo by Mike Remarcke

The building will eventually have 243 apartments, with underground parking. It is located on the southwest corner of NE 175th and 15th NE in the North City Business District.


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Construction: Arabella II

Sunday, July 8, 2018

Arabella II
Photo by Mike Remarcke

The first story of the Arabella II apartment building has taken shape. On the right you can see what will be the entrances to the below grade tenant parking. The construction crane towers into the sky. The line of red flags warns the crane operator of power lines.

Arabella I shows in the background. A lot of people there are going to lose their views. The top floor might be able to see over the top of the new building, as the road is going downhill. 

This view is from NE 180th, just down from the fire station, which will also be under construction soon.



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City Council to review financial update for deal with developer of apartment complex near Shoreline Place

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Original design for Potala Place
now under new ownership


At the Shoreline City Council meeting on Monday, June 25, 2017, 7pm Council Chamber, City Hall 17500 Midvale Ave N, the council will review the financial update for property transactions with the new owner of the apartment block to be built between Shoreline Place and Aurora, originally called Potala Place.

To help the transformation of Westminster Way N, a 7,908 square foot (sf) portion of public right-of-way (ROW) along the eastern edge of Westminster Way N was identified to be vacated by the City to the adjacent property owner.

In consideration for the vacated property, the property owner had agreed to pay $72,600 in cash, dedicate 5,548 sf of Parcel No. 1826049453 to the City, and remove the former Pizza Hut building from the same parcel.

The address of the property will be 15560 Westminster Way N, a 309 unit building.

Together, the compensation was equivalent to 100% of the Fair Market Value of the vacated ROW. 

On June 1, 2015, the Council approved Ordinance No. 703 which approved this ROW vacation.

The exchange property, which was owned by a company controlled by Lobsang Dargey, currently serving four years in prison for fraud, subsequently went into federal receivership prior to execution of the Vacation Agreement, receipt of cash consideration, or the transfer of the exchange parcel.

The property has come out of federal receivership and is currently under contract to be purchased by a different property owner that desires to conclude the vacation and exchange.

Because of the increase in land values since the last appraisal, the City received an updated appraisal and the matter is before the City Council as proposed Ordinance No. 830 to amend Ordinance No. 703 to increase the required consideration for the vacation.



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Planning commission to reconsider saving trees in MUR 70 developments

Monday, May 14, 2018

Under staff recommendations
trees would not be protected in
MUR 70 zones
The Shoreline Planning Commission meets Thursday, May 17 in the City Hall Council Chamber, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

On the agenda is a discussion about reconsidering the development code amendment from February of this year which removed MUR 70 zoning exemptions from the tree code.

The City has discovered that applying the tree code is restrictive to development on lots with trees.

"Developers have provided staff with feedback that the amendment that changed the exempt status for the MUR-70’ zone in 2018 will thwart the planned redevelopment..."

For example:

"The ST stations and guideway are almost primarily in MUR-70’ zones. ST has proposed that 296 significant trees be removed within the MUR-70’ zone.

"If the MUR-70’ significant trees are no longer exempt from replacement, as adopted recently by Council in Ordinance No. 789, ST will be required to provide for 693 replacement trees for the light rail project.

"The City anticipates ST to request a replacement tree reduction because not enough area will remain to replant more than the 296 trees."

The staff report discusses actions taken, what led up to them, what the current issues are, the differing opinions, and their recommendation, which is to exempt MUR 70 from the tree code.

Tree Retention in MUR 70' Development Code Amendment - Reconsidered

Comment on Agenda Items




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LFP Conservation Cluster Housing -- Citizen’s Voices

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Mike Dee, chair of the Citizens' Commission
addresses the crowd at the May 1st meeting
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

By Donna Hawkey

A civil and thoughtful conversation took place between residents of Lake Forest Park (LFP) and a local LFP real estate developer/builder about the subject of Conservation Cluster or Cottage Housing on May 1, 2018.

The open discussion event was sponsored by the LFP Citizen’s Commission and held at the Third Place Commons stage area in Town Center, Lake Forest Park.

The conversation was graciously led by Brian Highberger of Upright Homes, the Lake Forest Park developer of the Bell Homes cluster proposal, who said that the “only bad thing about this type of housing is its name.” Indeed, not all residents buy into that, but those that do believe in this statement were represented as well during this all citizen-run meeting.

One resident spoke about just saying “No” to increased density and remain true to the City’s founding intent of keeping the LFP land and residential homes on large wooded lots to preserve the trees, the wildlife corridors and a more peaceful quality of life. Some other questions emerged such as - would the City’s reputation be thought of as “snobs” if residents rejected concepts to increase density capabilities? Others wondered why aren’t Mercer Island or Laurelhurst embracing cluster housing? And some brought concerns about how newly built homes could impact future property tax increases and current home values.

Can the residents just say “no” about other’s land usage rights or tell someone exactly how to design their development- is that even feasible to do? Another resident said “we can’t say no to everything,” and LFP residents need to do “our own soul searching” about this housing crisis issue.

Unless the residents can buy all the property that goes on the market, who can control what another person does when they choose to sell? City ordinances and policies and design standards can be in place to require a quality construction and protection of the land, but these can only go so far before they are fought in court by property owners. Residents also shared concerns about recent single-family development sites in LFP and how poorly some of them have turned out as developers are thought of as exploiting every ordinance they can.

As property and lots are sold in LFP, some older homes will continue to be torn down and new homes built. The cost of land and the creation of new homes are also exploited costs in today’s real estate trends, so that a multiple of single-family homes may have to be developed on newly purchased properties. The average price of a home in LFP is currently over $700,000, according to Highberger.

Highberger had intended to build three large single-family homes on this property but got caught up in the tree moratorium, and after that was revised, he could no longer use the land the way he intended. Conservation cluster housing was a recommendation to him as a way to recoup his investment.

Brian Highberger, Bell Homes builder
explains his project to the crowd
Photo by Steven H. Robinson
 
After Highberger heard about the conservation smaller homes idea, he got excited due to the housing needs in the region. He also remembered the many older LFP neighbors who had to leave the area due to no longer wanting to take care of an extensive property, and there were no small housing alternatives for them to move to. He plans to offer these 950 square foot units for approximately $400-450k. But concerns emerged about whether these type of units are appropriate for seniors or are still out of price ranges for many elders in LFP.

The Bell Home builder said he believes the seven realtors he talked with who stated to him that they did not think this type of cottage housing brings property values down – with an emphasis on - “as long as they are designed and well-built.”

He did acknowledge that the only way to confirm property values effect or no effect is to hire an independent consultant to prepare a report, but there is no crystal ball to the future. Also, there was concern that while the neighborhood surrounding the Bell conservation homes property values may not be impacted, the adjacent ones could be, according to some residents attending this meeting. The City of Shoreline had tried cluster housing around the year 2000. Those initial units were painted in very bright colors, so they did not fit into the surrounding area, and also their approach was a conventional cluster one that did not include any permanent tree/forested easement as a requirement to protect open land.

Real estate values are so high today but there is always uncertainty about the future of the economy. The irony is that the companies that are aiding in choking the area with growth today saved the region from the harder economic suffering that many other cities experienced during the recession of 2008. Home values in the Puget Sound area held up stronger than most other US cities because of the region's innovative technology sector and job opportunity marketplace.

Attendees asked questions and made comments
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Also mentioned is that there is less clearcutting with the conservation housing approach as compared with single-family multi or more massive house building due to the “green” conservation easement requirement; 50% of the land must be designated as tree forested permanent easement land. And on that continuous piece of conservation easement land, more trees can be planted for future growth and sustainability of the tree canopy, so that too is the “green” part – this type of permanent easement land use can create a new circle of forest growth. However, does this strategy provide a smaller footprint overall in the land designated for the building of homes? Or do the recent tree and critical areas ordinance updates provide for the same environmental protection as the permanent cottage housing easement does?

Conservation cottage homes are also not low-income housing and especially in this current real estate market. Highberger said there is also a myth about developers or builders getting rich – the price of land, labor, and materials has skyrocketed and building homes come with a certain degree of risk as well. He has been working on this project for one year now and is not breaking ground yet. He is a small builder who completes only about three projects a year. He also has revised his original plan to include community concerns such as having 50% more parking than what is required by the current LFP Ordinance No 1150 and now is planning to build three duplexes and one single floor residence instead of several individual small homes. There will also be a common area such as the concepts behind co-housing for encouraging community development among the residents.

A previous post on the subject of conservation cluster housing is found HERE..

The LFP Citizens’ Commission meets every month on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday evenings from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Third Place Commons Stadler Conference room to discuss various community concerns and issues. Join these civic-minded volunteers for more lively and future discussions. The LFP Citizens’ Commission is not affiliated with the City of Lake Forest Park.

'

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Photo: Shoreline Apartments

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Shoreline Apartments
Photo by Mike Remarcke

Construction has begun on the Shoreline Apartments in North City at the corner of 15th NE and NE 175th St.

The building will have 243 apartments, with underground parking. Shoreline building code requires the ground floor to be designed for business and retail, but developers do not plan to use it that way.

Structural concrete pours will soon begin and are scheduled to be complete in August. Framing will start in August. The building is expected to be complete the middle of December 2019.

The site is the former location of the North City Post Office.


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Trent Development proposed apartment building at 192nd and Aurora

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Shoreline 192
Clarke / Barnes Architectural Design

Trent Development has purchased the triangular piece of land at 192nd and Aurora which has been owned for decades by the Pearson family. The old warehouse on the property is currently occupied by the Rat City Rollergirls and the Get Strong First gym.

Trent has applied for permits to build a 7 story apartment building with 244 residential units, retail, and parking, with the working title of Shoreline 192.

Architectural Design by Clarke / Barnes of Seattle.

The buildings will be on the Rapid E bus line, half a block from the Interurban Trail, and across the street from the park n ride where shuttles are expected to run to the 185th St North Shoreline Sound Transit station.

They will be across the street from the South Echo Lake development.

Owner Trent Mummery, while at Metropolitan Companies, developed the Malmo Apartments and the soon to be finished Paceline Apartments.

Trent Development will hold a public meeting about the Shoreline 192 on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 at 6pm at the Shorewood High School Career Center, 17300 Fremont Ave N, 98133.


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Paceline Apartments: the wraps are coming off

Friday, April 13, 2018

Paceline Apartments
Photo courtesy Paceline

The wraps are coming off the new Paceline Apartments at 17202 Aurora Ave N. The building has been notable for being shrouded in protective covering for the last stages of exterior construction.

The architect's drawing was different colors from the final product


Surprisingly, the building is white, with dark blue exterior accents.

Six stories, 221 units in two towers, street level commercial space, below grade parking for 221 vehicles.

View from the Interurban Trail
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The building has an interesting placement. The front is right on Aurora. The back of the building, which appears to be a formal entrance, is on the Interurban Trail. A road stub with a couple of parking places is very close to the rear of the building.

It is expected to open Summer 2018, but interested renters can get on a mailing list for notifications about the apartments. There's a number to call for information 206-595-2773.



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Plans are still being made for Shoreline Place (Sears)

Thursday, March 22, 2018

The Shoreline Place open house attracted a lot of attendees, but Merlone Geier Partners is far from having concrete plans to share.

They are still in the evaluation process, deciding whether the existing building can be remodeled or whether it should be torn down.

They do plan to include housing on site, with the most likely location being at the back of the building where the catalog sales were housed.

The property they purchased is 17 acres pus the 5 acre parking lot currently used by Shoreline CC. It includes the Sears building, the US bank, and the area where the farmers market sets up.

The farmers market will continue on the site. Central Market owns its own land and is not part of the reconstruction.

The city is working to redesign the street along the south perimeter, for better access and traffic flow.

Consultants hired by the city suggested over 80 names for the new site, with the final name being Shoreline Place. The signs on the site are in bad shape and will be replaced with Shoreline Place signs.

So the old names are "Sears" and "Aurora Square". The new name is "Shoreline Place."

A lot of residents in the survey asked for restaurants, so that is definitely part of their deliberations.

They are taking their time and will be communicating with citizens when they have a final design.

--Diane Hettrick



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What's happening with Sears - find out at open house Tuesday

Monday, March 19, 2018

Find out the plans for the Sears site at an open house on Tuesday evening.

The meeting is Tuesday March 20 from 6:30 – 8:00pm at Shoreline Community College. People can drop in any time throughout the night.

The start time has been confirmed by Merlone Geier Partners, new owners of the site.

They have named their project Shoreline Place. MGP solicited input from the community in the form of a survey and received 6,000 responses.

Drop in anytime to meet the Shoreline Place team and learn more about the project vision, what we learned from the survey, and what’s next.

Shoreline Community College Pagoda Student Union Building #9000 PUB, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133. No charge for parking on campus evenings and weekends.



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Shoreline Place (old Sears) meet & greet Tuesday at Shoreline CC

Sunday, March 18, 2018


Merlone Geier Partners, new owners of the Sears site at Aurora Square, will be holding a Meet and Greet with the public on Tuesday from 6:30 - 8pm at Shoreline Community College.

The meeting is Tuesday March 20 from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Shoreline Community College. People can drop in any time throughout the night. 

The site will be developed as Shoreline Place. MGP solicited input from the community in the form of a survey and received 6,000 responses.

The event is a drop-in. There will be displays and staff to answer questions.

Drop in anytime to meet the Shoreline Place team and learn more about the project vision, what we learned from the survey, and what’s next.

It will be held in the Shoreline Community College Pagoda Student Union Building #9000 PUB, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline 98133.

We’re Merlone Geier Partners (MGP), pleased to meet you (but you may know us already). We own and operate retail properties in the Pacific Northwest and down the west coast — including the Shoreline Marketplace on 175th with the Trader Joe’s and the Town Center at Lake Forest Park. MGP is focused on meeting the needs of the current and future community in Shoreline, where there is strong demand for modern retail, better restaurants, and additional types of housing.

The start time of 6:30pm has been confirmed by Merlone Geier Partners.

Updated 3-19-18


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Police station gets exterior cladding

Monday, March 12, 2018

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Exterior cladding was installed on the new Shoreline Police station extension last week. Work also continues on the first floor where police offices, conference and interrogation rooms, files, and other business will be housed.



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