Two Projects in Greenwood Town Center
Looking for Early Design Feedback
Greenwood Community Council
Land Use Committee Meeting
Tuesday December 13, 7:00 pm
Greenwood Library, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N.
The Greenwood Shopping Center is beginning development of the next phase of their master plan, the first phase of which created Morrow Lane and the Sedges apartments and businesses between Greenwood Avenue and Fred Meyer. They would like to briefly introduce their next project to the committee and hear our concerns and thoughts early in the design stage. The permit says they plan to construct 156,000 sq. ft. of mixed use building with 154 units and 105 parking stalls at 8612 Palatine Ave. N. This is a great opportunity to talk with the developer early in the design process while there is still time to shape their proposal. Greenwood Shopping Center participated with GCC and Fred Meyer on the Greenwood Town Center Plan about nine years ago.
Another project in the Town Center will have its early design hearing on January 9th for a six story mixed use building at 8403 Greenwood Ave. N., the site of the gas explosion last year. The design review board will hold a meeting on early design guidance for this project on January 9. (See the early design guidance proposal here.) The developer has discussed this project with the community council previously. The developer will not be present, but we will have an opportunity to compare notes in advance of the design review board meeting. Early design guidance focuses on project scale and massing, while later design review will address more defined design details. Their preferred massing proposal is pictured below.
I am not sure I like the tall facade on Greenwood. The new building on NW 85th across from Fred Meyer seems to encroach on that space too much. Most of the new buildings in Ballard have completely destroyed that neighborhood, turning it into a maze of concrete canyons with little character.
I think a better approach might be to set back the upper stories so that the facade on Greenwood remains consistent with the 2-story buildings that have long defined the neighborhood.
setting aside the size, scale, etc. how about the design? can’t these folks come up with anything better than yet one more modern/glass/metal/rustic wood modern box? it will turn our otherwise quaint neighborhood town center into a bland, could-be-anywhere neighborhood — just like ballard is turning in to.
Is there really a lack of design talent in this town or are they all just lazy?
I too am concerned about the large charaterless design of the front of the building. Six stories is way out of place in our charming downtown Greenwood. A stepped back approach would help that a bit. The large building across from Fred Meyer is totally overwhelming to the landscape, although better than the abandoned building that was there.
I agree with previous comments on this thread. I think the proposed design implies biggest return on investment in the shortest amount of time. A modern, huge cement block of architecture does not fit in this neighborhood.
Greenwood is such a charming neighborhood with unique, craftsman building facades. It is a walkable neighborhood with street access to efficient commercial shops. The proposed design should embrace the style of the current Greenwood neighborhood – put in single or two story craftsman building, brick facades that blend with the current atmosphere.
What an eyesore! Early betting on the name of it- Villa Profita Maxima. Who needs the 5 bus or even a Light Rail trip to South Lake Union/downtown when SLU is coming to us.
I’m not naive enough to think the quaint, 2-story look and feel of 85th and Greenwood (which extends 2 blocks in every direction), will be around forever, but to cram in the max # stories allowed is pretty grotesque.
I agree with the comments already given. This is a featureless blob that does nothing to welcome people to the heart of Greenwood. And what does a green roof on top of Flint Creek do for anyone except the tenants of the developer’s building? How about a little dedicated green space at ground level for the hordes of people who pass there every day to take the bus to work, grab a coffee or visit with neighbors?