Looks like plans for a new mixed-use apartment building on Stone Way are in the works. This time, it’s on the former site of Stoneway Roofing, at 3636 Stone Way N. We phoned Stoneway Roofing back in the fall when we heard they were closing that location, but they were pretty mum about vacating the space.
The Land Use Application calls for “a 4-story 120 unit residential building with 7,642 sq. ft. of retail at grade. Review includes demolition of existing structures (20,430 sq. ft.) Parking for 148 vehicles to be provided below ground.”
The companies listed on the application are CRP HU Fremont Venture, LLC. and AP Urban Development.
Thanks for the tip, Michael!
no. the Noblewallingford is leasing per their website, but the not eon the door today apologizes for nto being there thsi weekend. The downstairs is empty.
If it were up to me, since we will not win against this progress, I’d put in an organic sandwich salad deli an da juice bar and a yoga/movement studio.
Hope the Prescott’s retail space is not an example of what we can expect on these new developments. My guess is that the big north corner space will eventually come down in price and be occupied by some kind of fitness center, you know, treadmills and stuff. The little spaces along the sidewalk are pretty pathetic, might be good for an accountant or a optometrist startup or something, can’t guess what they were thinking. (More optimistically, they could put local large installation type artists in those high ceiling low entry units at a generous discount in return for a lively artistic presence, but … OK, never mind.)
These projects go through design review, and at those reviews the architect will be slightly dismissive about the neighborhood – Stone is a backwater and the retail potential is pretty minimal – but by now they shouldn’t be able to get away with that, with 1000 or more new residents and a “served by transit” classification that implies foot traffic.
I’m sure we’ve read about the Stoneway Roofing thing months ago on this site? The numbers look a little different now, though – a couple more units, many more parking spaces.
I’m less concerned about how they will find retail tenants than I am about all the TRAFFIC these new buildings will create. It already takes too long to cross Stone Way east/west — and is increasingly dangerous on foot. It’s going to be like a freeway — especially with only one lane in each direction.
I’ve also heard the newest buildings on Stone Way are charging $1300-$1800 per month for small one bedroom apartments. Not many solo dwellers can afford that, so does that mean only couples will move in? If so, what does that do to density and…
To parking? These huge buildings don’t provide enough for current car ownership levels or for the new business employees and customers. So, unless there are huge changes in transit, I don’t see parking needs dropping dramatically anytime soon.
So, am I against “progress”? No. Am I concerned about thoughtless, greedy development that doesn’t pay attention to basics like parking, pedestrian safety, sunlight reaching the gardens of neighbors, or continuing to afford the neighborhood I’ve called home for over 15 years? Yes.
To be clear, I don’t see Stone as a backwater at all, it’s a working neighborhood full of interesting and productive businesses, and the architect I was thinking of didn’t literally use that word either. It just seemed like the street level retail was being presented as something to meet the statutory requirement, rather than a really definitive part of the architectural program, and this is one place where the design review process may have at least a little potential to squeeze out some improvements.
Once the buildings are up, results will vary according to the owners’ rental rates and policies. A quick tour of retail store fronts in new construction in Wallingford and Fremont should give us an idea of what to expect. How about a bank branch?
Fuerte is a tiny, not so reliable place, with no classes.
The gym in Fremont has no place to park.
I am talking about an exercise studio with yoga, movement, dance- not necessarily machines, tho maybe some spinning bikes.
Welcome Wallingford Condo Developers!
The main floor retail is a requirement that is inherently going to be problematic. The developers know they won’t make money on the retail, but the project pencils anyway. With all these new buildings under construction the commercial space will be tough to lease and they will have to lower rates and they will not be selective with who wants to occupy the space. Despite that, there won’t be many artists that could afford to pay the rent. It will be hair salons, cafes, restaurants, nail salons, teriyaki joints, and pharmacies.
I really don’t want a Jack in the Box. I can’t believe I’m reading that people want a Jack in the Box.
Eek I know this is bad but I would LOOOOVE a Jacks or BK around here.then I’d need a gym too LOL!!!! Seriously let’s get a Jacks in there peeps!!
Here is a design for the 3636 Stone site from last year:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012718AgendaID3422.pdf
Regarding the Prescott, I had heard that Whole Foods was looking at the space. It is clearly designed for a grocery store (which IMO is needed). Not sure why they have not been able to get a tenant signed/announced…but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was due to the street improvements (ingress/egress to parking) that would need to be done to support a grocery at that site.
Have you been there, Mr. Sampson? There’s already a bagel place that is an asset to the neighborhood, I’d say after a couple visits. Just mind your p’s and q’s, because you’re in the world of taste and affluence there at the Prescott.
The Stoneway Roofing development may very well be a little lower rent, but the classic fast food giants aren’t going into any of these developments – you might see that kind of thing going on downtown, but around here they will find cheaper spaces. If the occupants of these buildings lean that way, then they’ll probably be coming to Stone, it will will just mean tearing down some small buildings and displacing more local independent businesses.
I agree with Donn that fast food franchises are not the most likely early tenants of these buildings (at least I hope so). The trend in-city is moving away from such in favor of small cafes or ethnic restaurants. It is not like we have a shortage of places to eat…and if you REALLY need a Jack n’ the Box fix in you can ride your bike down the Burke-Gilman to the one bolted to a gas station in Frellard.
I really, really hope no fast food goes in anywhere on Stone Way. One of the things I love about Wallingford is that there are no major fast food chains.
I have been hoping for a Metropolitan Market or some other healthy grocery store (like PCC). Trader Joe’s would be OK, too.
I’m happy that I can walk around Wallingford with my kids without seeing fast food everywhere.
There are no healthy options at any fast food chain that I know of (other than Burgerville, USA).
Just because something is labelled as a “healthy option” doesn’t make it so. As far as I know, none of the chains like Burger King, Jack in the Box, McDonald’s, etc. sell organic salads, let alone local.
The produce they use is covered in pesticides, which are poisonous not just for pests but humans as well, and have been sitting around for God knows how long losing what little nutritional value they may have had to begin with.
I don’t think Jack in the Box will consider a space without a drive thru. That should end the conversation there. Trader Joe’s would be great, but they may be taking business from their store on Roosevelt. That should be ok though because that place is so busy all the time. The space available is 15,000 square feet, which is definitely ideal for a grocery store, but is there adequate parking? I think that is a bit smaller in size compared to the Metropolitan market at 40th and 55th.
Sampson, I have not said bad things about our neighborhood, I really like it a lot and am distressed about the impact of all this development on businesses that I value more highly than what I expect will replace them. I’m going to have something bad to say about your reading comprehension though. I like an eating establishment that’s a better value myself, but I’m with Beth above and I think it’s somewhat typical neighborhood viewpoint, it would be good with me if there were no fast food chains on Stone. But it’s immaterial in the present context, because they won’t end up in these condo spaces anyway!
Like I said, look around. Bank branch offices, the occasional boutique where you can’t afford anything and wouldn’t want it anyway, hair dressers, picture framing, exercise places. It’s street front retail, meeting the letter of the design guidelines but very unmemorable.
Taco time is pretty good and I don’t picture them as a big chain because they are a local family and they use good ingredients and try to recycle. With that building there was a relative of the owners who was granted with the right to open this location how he saw fit. That is what he chose to do. To say the least, it does not fit well with the neighborhood at all.
My, the trolling is strong in this thread.
First, Crispin Donnelly is my new favorite commenter. Second, this is an interesting conversation with differing viewpoints reflective of a diverse area of Wallingford. The lower cost apartments/housing along Highway 99 occupants are likely represented by one class and the new residents in places such as the Prescott represent the other end. These two populations only live a few blocks away from each other for one mile going north/south. Interesting dynamics.
I for one love the diversity of having different classes living closely together. It’s a true sign of healthy diversity in my opinion.
The old Avtech site at 3400 Wallingford also has a proposal for 240 apts and work/live spaces. They are asking for relief from maximum allowable parking to start. The whole project is taller than the surrounding units.
Are we going the way of Ballard? yikes! 🙁
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3014232AgendaID4290.pdf
While Wallingford is a fairly expensive neighborhood if you’re moving here today, it wasn’t so long ago that it was an affordable working class neighborhood, and in my opinion it’s strongly rooted in that working class history. People who move here know the difference, if they wanted to live in Laurelhurst or whatever, it’s right over there. But it’s also close to the UW, full of labor lefties and the like, and it isn’t a mecca for national chain retail shopping. A certain character that has evolved over decades. If there are class distinctions around the neighborhood, that doesn’t need to be a problem. A massive influx of people who don’t get Wallingford and don’t care, now that would be unwelcome, and I think that’s one of the reasons for the harsh words about the Ballard condo invasion.
just call it Crispins Column
and then no one has to bother commenting
big waste of time
I stated I would like a juice bar. How can that then become “no one wants a juice bar”? 1 is not equal to zero. Is math required for being an overpaid parts assembler?
Healthy diversity would be helathy if opinions were respected instead of diminished or considered nonimportant by big overpaid airplane part assemblers.
I stated I would like a juice bar. How can that then become “no one wants a juice bar”? 1 is not equal to zero. Is math required for being an overpaid parts assembler?
Healthy diversity would be healthy if opinions were respected instead of diminished or considered nonimportant by big overpaid airplane part assemblers.
I would love a Jack in the Box, Wendy’s, McDonalds or Burger King in the neighborhood. Cheap quick food in addition to Taco Time would be wonderful. I really miss the McDonalds on Stoneway that was torn down for condos or apartments I don’t know which and the gas station on Stoneway that was torn down for apartments.
I would like someone to explain to me what “That would attract the wrong type of people to the neighborhood” means. When my family moved here Wallingford was a low income working neighborhood. I have seen many changes and much development over the years. To me the wrong type of people are those that think that their opinion is the only right one and are not open to different types of people with a variety of ideas and opinions. To me the wrong type of people are those that are mean spirited and elitist. To me the wrong type of people are those that think now that they have moved into the neighborhood everyone should look, think, act, and shop like they do.
I’m sorry to say that there are an awful lot of people living in Wallingford that make very little money and have lots of opinions that are different from the posters on this blog. I know this makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Shall we evict people under a certain income or “class” level to make Wallingford a better place to live?
And in case anyone jumps to the conclusion that I must be uneducated and standing in front of QFC with a sign begging for money. I have a master’s degree and work two jobs. Oh, and they aren’t two part time jobs I work for fun or to give me something to do. One is 40+ hours on week days and the other is another 20 hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
apparently as a member of the “lower class” people who live on the other side of Stone Way, I would love a chain sandwich shop in one of these storefronts. I don’t actually like Jack in the Box and agree that it wouldn’t go anywhere w/o a drive thru. But all of our Subways have closed down and we don’t have a Jimmy Johns close enough to get delivery. I want Jimmy Johns to deliver to my door dammit! There are not many reasonably affordable, fast lunch places in that part of Wallingford or in Fremont. There aren’t actually many eateries at all along Stone that aren’t bars. (Excepting Tutta Bella & that BBQ place). Oh wait, didn’t Joule just open down there somewhere? I’d like a Thai restaurant in The Prescott, as well as a Jimmy Johns. Or a sushi place? It’d be nice to only have to walk 3 blocks someplace and stay in Wallingford.
I think Prescott has been in talks with Trader Joes for awhile. I wouldn’t mind a Trader Joes.
IrishJunkie, can I like your post!
I’ve gots to agree 100% that a pub would be great down there. why isn’t there one already is my only question.i’ll totally toast to you down there Rup if you can make dis happen!
No one wants a juice bar.
NO ONE
No one cares about your overpaid inflated jerky attitude.
No one but you believe that by having mor ehigher income people here the neighborhood will be better.
I wonder if Boeing supports having employees being so narrow-minded and rude.
You didnt start a ruckus.. you divulged your inner snobbism. it’s pretty cool, really and informative how money does not build character- remember the French revolution? “let them eat cake.”
Why is the wallyhood comments section turning into the youtube comments section? I think Wallingford is a great neighborhood, but these comments lately are slowly eating away at my local pride.
I like the pub idea! Also, I for one would love a Taco Del Mar or a Quizno’s around there. And since I live two blocks from Prescott, it would make my year to have a grocery store in there! Don’t care which one.
I dont have anything against people who are stupider than me.
Oh my god you guys are so getting trolled by this Crispin guy. Total fake.
Also, +1 for a pub.
Best comment string ever. More!
How about an Ezell’s? I read in the most recent Puget Sound Business Journal that Ezell’s was starting to offer franchises. I think $400k may be a bit steep for a franchisee license, but maybe someone will pony up the cash to bring the gospel of fried chicken to the unwashed masses of Wallingford.
An Ezell’s and a pub. Alternately, an Ezell’s with a liquor license.
Yes, this Crispin character is doing a fine job trolling this thread. It’s easy to do afterall, all you have to do is type a different name to post. The same person could be typing as several different people! The good hearted folks of Wallyhood make for easy victims to trolling so it is ever tempting.
Given that Crispin/Rupert has taken to arguing with himself here, I’ve removed his comments.
Vegan Wallingford! If only there was a way to open a low cost organic vegan soup kitchen- with cruelty free and delicious foods! The Pike Place Market has a cafe where you can choose to donate what you can afford for the cost of the meals they serve- It is an honor system. I can dream…
I don’t know about condo retail rents vs. low cost organic vegan soup, but I am confident it would smell better than a burger place. I’m sorry if any of you live downwind from Dick’s and have to smell that all day long. (Or Ezell’s, I’ve lived near one of those, incredible stench.) This kind of business can have a real down side for neighbors.
Wingdome is another.
I realize this Crispin character might have been trolling, but I’m a bit upset my comments got deleted too. On one hand I’m kind of glad because I flew off the handle with his posts, but I don’t see why I should get my comments deleted when other people were also upset with what he said. I was just sticking up for my community. I’m sorry if I went overboard trying to defend it but I’m passionate about where I live and where we all live.
Wingdome started in Wallingford on 45th.
there is nothing nor will there ever be anything healthy about food from Jack in the box. That being said – hell yeah you can feed your family on the cheap and I’m down with that.
Food that comes wrapped in a package is not healthy food. Healthy food is ridiculously expensive. That’s another issue
The Prescott not having enough parking for a grocery store was a dumb ass move.
I’m glad they will be including so much underground parking for the residents of the building. I live in this neighborhood and I can tell you that when Bastyr moved down the hill from 45th to 38th we couldn’t find parking and had to switch to permit parking which means paying a yearly fee. BTW, I still see their students/employees parking in the permit-only parking areas and getting in their cars and leaving at the end of the day so apparently permits were issued to non-residents which defeats the purpose.
RPZ permits are for residents only. That is the point. Apparently there is some eligibility for businesses in Sound Transit zones…but that would not apply for Bastyr.
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/rpz_z22.htm
If Bastyr folks are parking all day (weekdays) in our Zone 22 RPZ, they are doing so illegally and are subject to ticketing. (Of course they could just move their car every 2 hours to skirt this)
I am still part of the “refurbish the old, crappy frat house” set of Wallingford – long before MS millionaires, Amazonians, and their delivery trucks. I watched the shift from Taco del Mar to “Give me organic and Whole Foods”. It’s sad that we have mostly moved to the NIMBY elitist set who have ugly blinders on. Acceptable diversity, as if there is such a thing. Reading this string is sad and frustrating.
A little puzzling … searching the text for the terms you mention, it seems like you might be reading a lot into it. Don’t buy into the class conflict paradigm that’s used so adeptly by those who exploit both sides of it. Unhealthful fast food doesn’t support the less affluent, it exploits them. And don’t make up imaginary enemies – so far the count is 1 to 0 in favor of Taco Del Mar, and no votes cast for Whole Food.
I still like Taco del Mar and remember the one that was in Wall Center
I’m probably wrong and have misunderstood, but Donn I don’t think I’m interpreting what Claudia said the same way you are. I think she’s talking much bigger picture than what restaurants should open shop on Stoneway. I come from the same old Wallingford that she does.
That’s great, but I’m saying (and said above in #21), I don’t think old vs. new, affluent vs not, are the right boxes to put people in, because after all it does not reliably tell you anything about them. I am fairly sure there are a lot of long time residents of somewhat modest means who go for organic produce, for example. Maybe Wallingford is too diverse a place to have any distinctive character at all, but I think it does at least a little. And while in any case there’s little we can do, it isn’t an “elitist” preoccupation.
I completely disagree that Wallingford is diverse. If so, with very limited margins. I am not complaining, or encouraging, I am simply reminding us that these surroundings are not average or attainable by most. I am guessing many of us shutter at even Lynnwood, or federal Way, or Oakland, ca. And we aren’t Clyde Hill or South Park. We are pretty insulated from that and should recognize it. (I will now get off my soap box and back on my over-priced bicycle)
I have lived primarily in Wallingford most of my adult life in Seattle, since the 1970s; 2 yrs in Minneapolis, 4 yrs in eastern WA; tried 4 mo in Federal Way and 2 yrs on Cap Hill; 2 yrs in Eugene ( grad school) and 2 yrs in Ellensburg( grad). Thanks for that trip through the past: about 30 yrs here! 15 were in a humble apt off 45th near Taco Time, now I’m in a larger one less friendly owned by a landshark near Stone.
The area is NOT racially diverse. Incomes may differ, but LOOK around at who shops in out neighborhood stores and drives around- then compare it to other areas. we have a lot financially. My income is much reduced and I will move to Port Angeles in 2 yrs.
Please consider commenting: on both Wallingford projects below.
Several of your concerned Burke Ave neighbors here have sent off comments to [email protected] and “Rips, Bruce” the city employee regarding this quite large apt project on 34th and Wallingford which is in the first stage of city review.
And moving to 2nd stage following end of comments deadline this Wednesday. The project is for building a 4 story 160 apartment building at the corner of 34th and Wallingford. It replaces the Avtech land use and several additional parcels currently there.
Any site design comments to be considered must be submitted by Wed Mar 6.
One of the more challenging pieces of the project is the current plan that calls for egress and ingress into it’s proposed structure from Burke ave between 34th and 35th. What do you think?
There are several other issues that may invite you to comment. If so please do so, not later than 4:00 pm Wednesday!
The city of Seattle project # 3014232
You can review more about the project here:
http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=3014232
At the bottom of this page is a link to the
Preliminary Assessment Report
And here is a link to 1/2 dozen neighborhood comments received to date: http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/edms/
This 2nd Stoneway project will update Margaret’s partial information above. The project is much larger than outlined there and tonite had it’s 2nd community comment meeting. Both are over building for the neighborhoods in my opinion.
City info here: http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=3014111
permit project # 3014111
this is it’s scope: Design Review Early Design Guidance application proposing a 280 unit residential structure with ground level commerical, live-work and parking for 274 cars.
It appears that developers are paying the small fee of $2500 for an Early Design Guidance app. to get around handling the more difficult aspects of their big plans and the city is going along and in fact paving the way for smoother faster cram.
Come on people – wake up….