Two Large Developments Coming Behind Safeway On Both Sides Of Street, Design Review Meeting Tonight

Design for 61 residential units

behind Safeway

 

 

Two new large structures are coming to the area behind Safeway on both sides of the street. Both will have numerous residential units with retail below.
 
Tonight at 6:30pm is the public Design Review Meeting for the smaller of the two developments listed under Permit 3019495, which states that the structure would contain "61 residential units above 2,250 sq. ft. of retail space in an environmentally critical area. Parking for 115 vehicles to be provided at and below grade. Existing structures to be demolished."
 
The 5-story structure will be just off the corner of Sand Point Way and NE 45th Street, next to Lake View Medical and Dental at 4516 Union Bay Place NE.  Union Bay Plaza Parking and Union Bay Garage will be demolished for the new structure, which will sit directly across the street from the Federal Express store.
 
Permit 3022244, a secondary associated Land Use application on file states to "adjust the boundary between three parcels of land resulting in two parcels of land (4540; B) 4516 Union Bay Place). Proposed parcel sizes are:A)20,145sf; B)26,157sf. Existing structures on proposed parcel B to be demolished; existing structure to remain on proposed parcel A."
 
 
Wendy, with the Department of Construction and Inspections told the Laurelhurst Blog Staff that three buildings will be demolished at 4540, 4516, and 4514 Union Bay Place NE. Parcel B will be the site of the proposed structure (MUP 3019495), on which the structures will be demolished. Parcel A will remain as is. The site is zoned Commercial, for 40’. (C2-40)
 
The latest version of the proposal is currently under review, she added.
 
Wendy said that then there was a Design Review Meeting "a while back, however no public notice was sent out.
 
She added:

The EDG Meeting date was noticed on 6/18/2015. Typically public notice is mailed to addresses within 300’ of the site. Our records indicate that the project was noticed. The MUP application was noticed on 10/26/2015. The public comment period ended 11/08/2015; however, we continue to review public comment past this date. The Design Recommendation Meeting has been scheduled for February 22.

 

 

Here is detail about the project.


 
The second apartment complex, at 4609 Union Bay Place NE, between Safeway and the Bowman Building,  Permit 3020320, will be much larger. 
 
The Land Use application says it will be "a six-story structure containing 20,600 sq. ft. of commercial space with 244 residential units above. Parking for 68 vehicles to be provided below grade. Existing structures to be demolished."
 
This "Early Design Guidance" Document shows specific details of this project.
 
The developer states about this project :

The vision for this development is to create a desirable residential community and an active commercial space.  By creating a strong presence on the street it will be a first step towards creating a new identity for this transitional mixed-use zone between the U Village and the residential neighborhood to the NE.

Be a good neighbor for existing and future development:
 - Help to build Union Bay Place into a vibrant mixed-use corridor
 - To determine overall massing and scale look forward to future      development so that the surrounding sites can evolve gracefully    

The proposed project is a 5 story mixed-use building with residential units, parking and commercial space that will replace an above ground parking structure near University Village.  The new structure will continue to provide parking for the businesses on the two adjacent properties. 

The site is bounded by the Burke Gilman Trail to the North and will provide increased housing density. The project site is in the middle of a city block. The building is comprised of 3 wood frame levels over a 2 story, semi below grade, concrete podium.  

The main entrance will be clearly identifiable and located with frontage on Union Bay Place.  There will be commercial space along the street on the first level and residential units along the second and then parking behind.  On the third story there will be a courtyard that will have a mixture of private patios and shared outdoor space.  Levels three to five will be residential.
 

For more information go here.

 
Here is an article the Biz Journal wrote about the upcoming project.

Location of 244 apartment complex

and retail



New Lights, Sidewalks, Bike Path and Video Detection System Help Make Crossing Sand Point Way Safer



The redesigned intersection at Sand Point Way NE and 40th Avenue NE has been completed, making it safer for pedestrians to cross the busy intersection as well as for vehicles making turns on to 40th Avenue NE off of Sand Point way.  The intersection includes a new traffic signal, left-turn lanes and crosswalks.

The intersection’s new signal stops traffic in all directions for pedestrians and cyclists.  A video detection system make sure the road is clear of pedestrians before the light turns green.  And if people clear the crossing early, the light changes soooner to allow vehicles to continue.

"The redesigned intersection provides a more direct path for transit riders who previously had to walk a considerable distance to safely traverse Sand Point Way at a signalized location" the Hospital Blog says.

A new sidewalk and bicycle path, which includes separate lanes in each direction, was also installed in front of the Hospital along the east side of Sand Point Way that links up with the redesigned intersection and runs from Penny Drive to 40th Avenue.

The Hospital Blog says that King County Metro "chipped" in to install two new bus shelters on both sides of the street.  Service was also extended to the hospital from three additional routes.

Monthly Children's Storytime Saturday At Center For Urban Horticulture's Miller Library

Miller Library at the Center for Urban Horticulture (3501 NE 41st Street) is holding its monthly children's storytime Saturday from 10:30-11:15am.

The theme is "Evergreens."

 The information says:

For those who wonder where animals go when the weather gets frosty, these stories offer factual information as well as imaginative fun. After the stories, make a winter habitat tree picture. 

The programs, celebrating gardens, plants, and nature with stories and activities are presented at 10:30 on Saturday mornings, for children ages 3 to 8 and their families. All ages are welcome

Sand Point Way And 40th Avenue NE Signal Work On Schedule

Signal construction at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way

 

 

The intersection improvements at 40th Avenue NE and Sand Point Way NE are on schedule and should be completed in a few weeks according to the Hospital construction blog.

The information says:

The revamped intersection will feature a new traffic signal that will improve traffic flow and make it safer and easier to cross the street at this busy spot. 

Most work on the east side of Sand Point Way is complete – including installing a signal arm and building curbs, sidewalks and a cycle path.  

A new second signal pole and curb and gutter, sidewalks are currently underway.  

Some street trees will be removed from the median to  create a left turn lane onto 40th Avenue NE.
 

Here are the additional construction activites happening this week:

Helen Lane
Near the disabled access ramp up from Sand Point Way NE there is a temporary construction fence with work proceeding around the connector road tie-in. 

Site Elevator
Crews are working to complete the site elevator and access to it.

Building Interior Work
Crews are completing the interior construction. They are also completing electrical, air handling, and all ancillary systems for the hospital.

(photo courtesy of Hospital site)