First Hill Streetcar: Funded and Moving Forward!

This was a great week for rail news! We posted an article on high-speed trains a few days ago and now we have word that the Sound Transit Board has finalized $132.8 million in funding for the First Hill Streetcar line. Covering a 2 ½-mile route, construction is expected to begin in 2011 and finish in 2013.

Plans are to link the First Hill Streetcar line to the Capitol Hill and Chinatown/International Districts. Stops are planned at nearby light rail stops, the medical centers of Harborview, Swedish, and Virginia Mason, plus Seattle Central Community College and Seattle University.

Monies for the line were approved by the voters two years ago, but initial plans were being made to put an underground light rail stop on First Hill. This has now been officially scrapped due to construction problems and the cost to cover them.  Steps are now being taken to select a general contractor/ construction manager, and is expected to be awarded the week of December 13^th.

Finally, before the first shovel of dirt is ceremoniously turned for the First Hill line, the City Council needs to decide two outstanding issues.  The first is where to place the terminals in Pioneer Square.  Community meetings will be set up with local residents and business leaders to determine the best locations, and then submitted for a vote. The second is for a maintenance yard and barn. Two sites under consideration are the city’s Charles Street Shops at South Dearborn and 8^th Avenue South, and at a block bordered by East Yesler Way, Boren and 12^th Avenues, plus East Fir Street.  The latter choice is owned by the Seattle Housing Authority, and would need their approval.

Down the track, the First Hill line could be extended another half a mile at its most northern stop on Capitol Hill, as well as extending a mile into downtown to connect to the South Lake Union line.  The extensions would need federal funding, but it’s expected that their grants of up to $75 million could cover both projects.  

For more project info, just click on this link.

Nobody Wants the Streetcar Expansion?

An article in the P.I. yesterday quoted councilmen Nick Licata in asking, “Why would you put a streetcar in a neighborhood when the neighbors don’t want it?”

Granted, gas is now under $2.00 a gallon, but the Times reported yesterday in another article regarding the progress of the streetcar expansion that ridership has exceeded what was expected.  By December 12th (the S.L.U.T. 1-year anniversary) the streetcar will have carried approximately 500,000 riders–80% of which .  150,000 more than what was estimated.  With that said, it begs the question of what neighbors Licata is referring to?

With downtown condo prices being the way they are (even in a “slump”), it would seem that the streetcar expansion would create more opportunity for those to live and work in the city without having to pay the downtown premium.

However, the argument from those who oppose is the lack of planning on how the $685 million streetcar project will be paid for.  Suggestions have been made that the money would come from a tax on local business’s.  The S.L.U. streetcar was paid for by nearby property owners, and there certainly is much more of a buzz in the neighborhood that was not long ago, not a neighborhood at all.

We want to know if you are for the streetcar?  Let us know what you think.

[polldaddy poll=1165553]

Heron Pagoda Towers – 1913 5th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101

Status: Postponed
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

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DESCRIPTION

Offering high-end hotel, condominium and office space, as well as deluxe retail space at ground level, developers of the 1.2 million-square-foot building at 1913 5th Avenue.  Above the glass-walled base, containing a large atrium, would rise the northern tower, nicknamed Pagoda. It would contain nine floors of hotel space, with 22 floors of condos above that.  Pagoda would be architecturally distinctive on its exterior to distinguish it from the all-residential south tower, nicknamed Heron. Separated from Pagoda by 70 feet, Heron would house 32 stories of condos.  Each sleek, angular tower would be topped by a V-shaped roof over a 50-foot-high combined open-air arboretum, roof garden and enclosed recreation space. Photovoltaic cells and microturbines would generate about 7 percent of the building’s electricity, and cisterns collecting rain would partly offset water use.

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Seventh @ Westlake

Status: Postponed
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Seventh @ Westlake. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new Seventh @ Westlake condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Seventh @ Westlake will feature over 250,000 square feet of Class A+ office and retail space combined with approximately 200 luxury residential units. At over 32 stories tall and set back from other downtown high-rise office buildings, Seventh @ Westlake’s elegant architectural design will prominently grace the Seattle skyline and offer panoramic views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic mountains, the Seattle skyline, Lake Union and the Cascade mountains.

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Rollin Street – 120 Westlake Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109

Address: 120 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98109
Neighborhood: South Lake Union/Denny Triangle

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Rollin Street Flats. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new Rollin Street Flats condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Rollin Street Flats is one of three projects by Vulcan located on the corner of Westlake and Denny.  These loft homes have nearly no interior walls and most units have up to 10′ high ceilings.*  Interior finishes include German Eggersmann cabinetry, stone surfaces, crushed quartz kitchen counter tops, high-grade hardwoods, Bosch appliances, Kohler fixtures, air-conditioning, and decks.  A unique amenity at Rollin Street Flats is the integration of a multi-use sport court for basketball, volleyball, or badminton. The 4th floor deck has a grilling area, party seating and fireplace.  Built by Howard S. Wright Construction Co. and designed by loft experts Ankrom Moisan, the 11-story building has been built to achieve LEED Silver certification with key features being water conserving fixtures, dual-flash toilets, and drought resistant landscaping.

PICTURES

VIDEO

BUILDING DATA

• Year Built: 2009
• Number of Units: 208
• Number of Stories: 11
• Exterior: Brick, Cement/Concrete
• Parking: Common Garage
• Pets:Subj. to Restrictions
• H/O Dues Included: Cable TV, Central Hot Water, Earthquake Ins., Garbage, Water/Sewer
• Common Property Features & Amenities: Basketball Court, Cable TV, Community Room, Disabled Access, Elevator, Exercise Room, Fire Sprinklers, Lobby Entrance, Outdoor Terrace, Sport Court

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS

• Autosport Seattle
• City Limits DVD
• Ducky’s Office Furniture
• Elephant Car Wash
• Glenn Richards
• Hurricane Cafe
• Jones Soda Seattle
• KEXP 90.3 FM
• Laadla Cuisine of India
• Seattle Wine Storage
• Subway
• Whole Foods Market

VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Is the Streetcar Just a Fad or Solution for our City’s Transportation Needs?

Seattle’s population is growing exponentially, a colleague of mine recently sold his car to conserve oil, architects are required to meet certain environmental requirements, and the Metro has been reporting delays in their schedules due to overcrowded buses. However, councilman Richard McIver was quoted in the Seattle P.I. saying, “I’m still not convinced that streetcars aren’t just a fad. McIver went even further to say that he would rather have money spent on Mercer Street.

Although the additional 4 lines proposed for Seattle’s streetcar equates to an estimated $599 million, the P.I. also reported that there would be an estimated 10.7 million riders per year. At $1.50 a pop, that would equal roughly $84 million in revenue each year. At that rate, the additional lines would have paid for themselves within 7 years. The P.I. didn’t report an estimate for how many riders would ride the First Hill/Capitol Hill line, so the numbers above should even yield a faster pay-off.

New Streetcar Routes May Need to be Redesigned Due to Cyclists Injuries

Seattle City Council member Jan Drago brought up an interesting concern regarding the new South Lake Union streetcar during the release of a concept map of additional routes. She pointed out that streetcars generally travel in the center of streets rather than along sidewalks. Apparently many bicyclists have needed medical attention due to accidents and this may call for a change of the current system. However, Drago thinks designing the streetcar to travel down a median will eventually save more money and open up more space for parking.

Here is the proposed “concept” map:

ENSO – 820 Blanchard St., Seattle, WA 98121

Address: 820 Blanchard St., Seattle, WA 98121
Neighborhood: Denny Triangle

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at ENSO. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

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DESCRIPTION

ENSO is a more commercial environment and different than many other developments in the Denny Triangle area (there are two distinct entrances… the residential lobby is entered off of Blanchard and the Commercial Lobby is entered off Westlake). This Vulcan community is comprised of a 19-story residential tower and adjoining 16 floor commercial building. Sellen Construction has developed ENSO community directly across the street from 2200 Westlake’s Whole Foods only steps away from the street car. The concrete and steel building is LEED certified featuring energy efficient heat and cooling pumps from water that is heated and cooled by the association via a central system, dual-flush Toto Aquia toilets, low-flow Kohler shower heads and concrete countertops. Designed by Callison Architects and Interior Designers, German cabinetry by Eggersmann, local artisan concrete countertops, sandblasted glass tile backsplashes and Bosch stainless steel appliances are featured in all 135 kitchens (top three floors have optional Miele Appliances). Each home also has Lunada Bay hand poured tile, Eggersmann cabinetry, floating vanity, built in linen closets (remove) ability to upgrade to california closets and the choice of a large shower or huge soaking tub in each bathroom.

PICTURES

VIDEO

BUILDING DATA

• Year Built: 2009
• Number of Units: 135
• Number of Stories: 19
• Exterior: Cement/Concrete, Metal/Vinyl
• Parking: Common Garage
• Pets: Subj to Restrictions
• H/O Dues Included: Central Hot Water, Earthquake Ins., Garbage, Water/Sewer
• Common Property Features & Amenities: Community Room, Disabled Access, Elevator, Exercise Room, Fire Sprinklers, Game/Rec Rm, Guest Suite, Lobby Entrance, Lounge Areas, Rooftop Terrace

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS

• Autosport Seattle
• City Limits DVD
• Ducky’s Office Furniture
• Elephant Car Wash
• Glenn Richards
• Hurricane Cafe
• Jones Soda Seattle
• KEXP 90.3 FM
• Laadla Cuisine of India
• Seattle Wine Storage
• Subway
• Whole Foods Market

VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Veer Lofts – 401 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98109

Address: 401 9th Ave., Seattle, WA 98109
Neighborhood: South Lake Union

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Veer Lofts. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new Veer Lofts condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Developed by Vulcan Real Estate, Veer Lofts was designed by experts in lofts; Johnson Architects. Homes offer volumes of open space and marketing encourages buyers to personalize thier homes by becoming a weekend regular Home Depot. Constructed by Walsh Construction, the LEED Certified community features drought tolerant landscaping, water conserving fixtures, natural day lighting with walls almost entirely made of glass and recycled building materials. Floorplans range from 624 to 1067 square feet with some having their own private outdoor balcony. Veer Lofts is located across the street from South Lake Union Streetcar line, the Westlake Whole Foods and just a few blocks away from everything else downtown has to offer.

PICTURES

VIDEO

BUILDING DATA

• Year Built: 2008
• Number of Units: 99
• Number of Stories: 6
• Exterior: Cement/Concrete, Metal/Vinyl
• Parking: Common Garage
• Pets: Subj to Restrictions
• H/O Dues Included: Earthquake Ins., Garbage, Water/Sewer
• Common Property Features & Amenities: Bocce Ball Court, Elevator, Fire Sprinklers, Lobby Entrance, Retail, Rooftop Terrace

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS

• 13 Coins
• Alpha-Cine
• Beba’s A Deli
• City Limits DVD
• Cornish College
• Gordon Woodside/John Braseth
• Seattle Piano Gallery
• Seattle Times
• Seattle Wine Storage
• Slo Joe’s Bigtime Backyard BBQ
• Subway
• Whole Foods Market

VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

2200 Westlake – 2200 Westlake, Seattle, WA 98121

Address: 2200 Westlake, Seattle, WA 98121
Neighborhood: Denny Triangle/South Lake Union

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at 2200 Westlake Landings. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new 2200 Westlake condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

550,000 square-foot three tower project including an upscale 47,000 square foot Whole Foods grocery store, a five-star Pan Pacific hotel, luxury spa and Marazul Asian Latino restaurant mainly serving the Denny Triangle and South Lake Union neighborhoods. Homes feature open-living spaces, premium kitchens and spacious balconies. The tallest tower featuring the hotel (ARIA) stands 18 stories with only 33 private residences between the 12th and 18th floor. The ARIA building’s lobby was designed by award-winning Hirsch Bedner Associates Interior Design. The southern tower (ARTE) features a two-level lobby, artwork by local artist Betsy Eby and stands 15 stories with 126 units. This tower also includes resident party room, 18-person theater, guest suite, wet bar and pool table. The western tower (AZUR) is where you’ll find resident fitness center and rooftop terrace. AZUR stands 12 stories and has 102 units. The goal of this complex is to provide a lifestyle of convenience with luxury hotel services and doorstep access to the South Lake Union streetcar. Homes originally priced from below $300,000 to over $2 million.

PICTURES

BUILDING DATA

• Year Built: 2006
• Number of Units: 261
• Number of Stories: 18, 15 and 12
• Exterior: Cement/Concrete
• Parking: Common Garage, Individual Garage
• Pets: Subj to Restrictions
• H/O Dues Included: Central Hot Water, Earthquake Ins., Garbage, Water/Sewer
• Common Property Features & Amenities: Cable TV, Disabled Access, Elevator, Exercise Room, Fire Sprinklers, Game/Rec Room, High Speed Internet Available, Hot Tub, Lobby Entrance, Sauna, Security Gate, Theater, Guest Suite

NEIGHBORHOOD

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.