SEATTLE | CITY Activity (non-downtown)

[mSeattle]

Speaking of demolition. These are not as old as Hugo House but they're cute. There's no reason that these should be demolished to make way for condos that could be an addition to the property that is 8+ floors tall instead of 4-6 floors tall taking up the entire lot site including where the houses currently stand.


From Google Streetview

[mhays]

That sounds very expensive, and would probably make a parking garage very inefficient if not unworkable. Going eight stories will always cost a ton per square foot because the first three need to be concrete, as does the garage. Tall and thin is generally expensive. Working around existing buildings is expensive logistically, even if it's vacant in the meantime. And would eight stories get anywhere near the square footage that you'd get with six using the whole lot?

I know these things sound like they "should" work, but you keep proposing stuff that would require massive rents.

[mSeattle]

The developer of that lot should be one who has the money to build tall and preserve the structures of character. The developer who does not have the ability to do this should be down in Rainier Valley or out in Lake City or some place like that.

[mhays]

It's like you're on a mission to raise rents!

Should only developers who don't have a profit motive build anything? Only heirs to great wealth? More importantly, same with financiers? Even the most sainted developer can only build if someone gives them money.

The cost difference would be huge. I have no basis for comparison, but it would be way into the double digits in percentage, even if stuff like parking had a reasonable solution geometrically, which it might not depending on the dimensions of the lot.

Just because you're rich (apparently) doesn't mean everyone else can afford the same.

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

Speaking of demolition. These are not as old as Hugo House but they're cute. There's no reason that these should be demolished to make way for condos that could be an addition to the property that is 8+ floors tall instead of 4-6 floors tall taking up the entire lot site including where the houses currently stand.


From Google Streetview

I can understand Hugo House, but these two houses are of pretty common architecture that you can find in a good chunk of the country and even within Seattle. The only thing unique about these particular homes is the paint scheme. It wouldn't be at all hard to find duplicate of these or to even rebuild duplicates.

[mSeattle]

Lol, I'm faaaaaaaaarrrrr from being rich.

I'm not on a mission to raise rents, and the project going there has a very good chance of being not "affordable housing" to start with.

I'm not trying to stop anyone from being a developer, just having rules that guide the kind of development and preservation needed. I'm asking people in key positions to use their imagination and creativity.

Most of us don't get a chance to become so-called experts in architecture, construction, financing, politics... We just know that something can be done because we're often made to be innovative in our own capacities for the cause of others. They can harness the power that they have to be innovative for us, for the character, history, spirit of the place where we live.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

Lol, I'm faaaaaaaaarrrrr from being rich.

I'm not on a mission to raise rents, and the project going there has a very good chance of being not "affordable housing" to start with.

I'm not trying to stop anyone from being a developer, just having rules that guide the kind of development and preservation needed. I'm asking people in key positions to use their imagination and creativity.

Most of us don't get a chance to become so-called experts in architecture, construction, financing, politics... We just know that something can be done because we're often made to be innovative in our own capacities for the cause of others. They can harness the power that they have to be innovative for us, for the character, history, spirit of the place where we live.

My mind is boggled....are you saying cost doesn't matter when rents are above a certain level?! What in the hell? Let's clarify something very basic: Most people are financially limited, even if they earn over $40k or whatever your "they must not care" boundary is.

Innovation? A lot is already happening. For all the imperfections in any project today, someone is finding a way to build housing at a price people are willing to pay. You'd be shocked at the level of intelligence and innovation that goes into doing something people will rent while wringing out extra costs.

Ideas are great. But innovation doesn't have to mean spending 20% more per square foot.

[mSeattle]

I mention innovation for more purposes than just innovation on the part of the architect or developer. However, there are innovations that are not being used to scale, such as modular container construction. In addition I mean innovation in financing, innovation in tax credits etc. designed to help redevelopment and preservation.

[mhays]

Who says modular construction is any cheaper or easier? Some test cases are happening, and there's real hope, but it's a complex challenge.

If it was easy, you'd see a ton of it. Developers, architects, and contractors would kill themselves for an advantage like that.

[mSeattle]

Easy shouldn't be the ultimate test. Some things of value are difficult. There's only one project that I know of in the city that actually went full container modular. A second project seems to be a pre-fab hybrid. Two projects. That's all. This stuff is being done in other places. We already have the parking threshold decreased to help lower the cost of projects.

I support Smart Growth Seattle and others who are challenging the efforts that are slowing or hurting the development of microhousing.

[mhays]

Yes, some things can be very nice and very expensive. We do have a luxury market. But it sounded like your comment was related to ways to save cost.

[mSeattle]

My song is about saving cost AND saving character/history/preservation. Saving costs while you are preserving history and facilitating redevelopment.

[mhays]

That's the dream, but it's rarely reality. Rest assured that a huge amount of innovation is going to making that combination as cost-effective as possible.

[mSeattle]

Originally Posted by mhays

That's the dream, but it's rarely reality.

Give life to the dream.

Originally Posted by mhays

Rest assured that a huge amount of innovation is going to making that combination as cost-effective as possible.

Like that which happened up the street?


From Google Streetview

[mhays]

No idea what you're referring to.

[mSeattle]

I refer to what we've been discussing.

[mSeattle]

October 7, 2014
Nine-story apartment project proposed for Pioneer Square
http://www.djc.com/news/re/12070593.html
By JOURNAL STAFF

A derelict building in Pioneer Square could soon undergo a radical transformation.


Photo by Jon Silver [enlarge]

Owner Ron Amundson wants to add eight stories to this building at 213 S. Main St. Hewitt is the architect.

[mhays]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

I refer to what we've been discussing.

Your example appears to be a new building. Maybe you're saying it's modular, though we've already established that those exist?

[alki]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

Speaking of demolition. These are not as old as Hugo House but they're cute. There's no reason that these should be demolished to make way for condos that could be an addition to the property that is 8+ floors tall instead of 4-6 floors tall taking up the entire lot site including where the houses currently stand.


From Google Streetview

They are very nice. Are they threatened with demo?

[alki]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

It's on 11th between Olive and Pine, across the street from Cal Anderson Park/Bobby Morris Playfield.

That's BS. If it were on Broadway, maybe........but not at that location.