DRA SeattleComment

Downtown Development [5th & Virginia] Could Hit Roadblock from State Archaeologists

DRA SeattleComment
Downtown Development [5th & Virginia] Could Hit Roadblock from State Archaeologists

Downtown Development Could Hit Roadblock from State Archaeologists

By Kristen Drew, KOMO News, January 4, 2017

SEATTLE - State archaeologists are the latest roadblock for a major development in downtown Seattle.

The delay is welcome news for neighbors who've been fighting to change the development plans.

Developers want to turn a city block along 5th Avenue and Virginia Street into new apartments, a hotel and retail space. But, the proposals are concerning to some who live nearby.

"I'm hoping that the developer will see the light, you know, and realize this is not right," said John Sosnowy who lives in the nearby Escala, a 31-story luxury high-rise.

Behind the alley of the Escala is where the projects are being proposed.

"There's never been two, who you call glass wall high-rise residences that close across the alley from each other in Seattle," said Sosnowy. "You could walk all the alleys, all the streets in Seattle, you won't find a comparable situation."

Sosnowy is not opposed to new developments, he's just concerned about how the towers are being proposed.

He said the projects will create livability issues when it comes to traffic and lighting. He's also concerned some residents wouldn't get any sunlight at all after construction.

"Our analysis says that's going to be crazy. It's going to be unworkable," said Sosnowy. "It can't function this way. So all we're asking for is a design that will be functional and be healthy for everybody that's going to live here."

In one proposal, the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation is now recommending the city do an assessment in advance of construction, to figure out if there are historical remains on the site.

That's not unusual for downtown development but, if the city decides to take the recommendation, Sosnowy said it gives residents more time to focus on the key issues.

"We feel like the city got us in this predicament and we're going to fight to get an equitable resolution," he said.

At design meetings, proponents have said the project will deter crime in the area.

The city is still reviewing the projects and there's no timeline for when permits will be issued.

 

DRA SeattleComment

Lack of Daylight has Huge Adverse Impact on Health and Productivity.

The lack of natural light is known to cause all sorts of health issues, including reduced alertness, ability to concentrate, sleep issues, mental anxiety, depression, and even death from cancer or suicide.... This can be mitigated by setting back the primary west-facing building façade farther from the alley to allow daylight to penetrate the lower floor levels.

DRA SeattleComment
Lack of Daylight has Huge Adverse Impact on Health and Productivity.
Alleys, fairness and justice, Residential Dev StandardsDRA Seattlealley, seattle, traffic, appealComment

5th & Virginia project delayed after Hearing Examiner rules on Escala Appeal

A ruling by City of Seattle Hearing Examiner Ryan Vancil to remand the 5th & Virginia project on daylight and health and require additional work on their dock management plan will further delay the start of construction.

Alleys, fairness and justice, Residential Dev StandardsDRA Seattlealley, seattle, traffic, appealComment
5th & Virginia project delayed after Hearing Examiner rules on Escala Appeal
Alleys, Congestion, Alley Cat SeriesDRA Seattlealley, alleys, seattle, congestion2 Comments

The Downtown Alley Cat Is Now On The Prowl: Part 9

My dad, Dac*, started this series of posts three years ago. Now that he’s retired, I have decided to come out of the shadows to continue his good work and share with you what I see today walking the downtown alleys. And I’m afraid it’s not pretty. If the Mayor and City Council don’t “see the light” and make some meaningful improvements to Alley Code, you’re going to see some real “cat fights” in these alleys (See what we need and why we need it at the end of this post).    --*Downtown Alley Cat

Alleys, Congestion, Alley Cat SeriesDRA Seattlealley, alleys, seattle, congestion2 Comments
The Downtown Alley Cat Is Now On The Prowl: Part 9
Congestion, Alleys, fairness and justiceDRA Seattlealley, seattle, seattlealleys, alleys, congestion, seattlecongestionComment

Downtown Alley Code Amendment: It’s really elementary my dear Watson.

We’ve had it with broken promises at all levels of city government. This Alley Code Amendment is not an unreasonable request. It’s something that is long overdue in order to have functional design of loading, waste, and delivery facilities in downtown Seattle.

For District 7 Candidates, you have no excuse for “waffling” on the issue unless you really don’t support us and don’t have the guts to say so.

Congestion, Alleys, fairness and justiceDRA Seattlealley, seattle, seattlealleys, alleys, congestion, seattlecongestionComment
Downtown Alley Code Amendment: It’s really elementary my dear Watson.