The NE Design Review Board will hold an Early Design Review for a project on the current site of “Bill the Butcher,” wedged between the Burke Gilman Trail and NE 45th St, on Monday November 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the University Heights Community Center, Room 209.
The Developer, Sher Partners, would replace the 3 buildings of and around “Bill the Butcher” with a 3 story mixed-use project, including a roughly 4200 sf eating/drinking establishment and a small hotel with about 26 guest rooms. The architect, Michael Whalen, AIA, has used National Parks Lodges, such as Lake Quinault Lodge, as inspiration for this project. You can read about the project in its entirety here.
In “Downtown Ravenna,” Ron Sher owns Third Place Books, the Pub at Third Place, and is part-owner of Vios Restaurant. Mr. Sher also developed Crossroads Mall, a well-known community gathering spot in Bellevue. A “bicycle advocate disguised as a developer,” Mr. Sher would like to create a space on the Burke Gilman Trail that becomes a destination and a gathering place that is timeless, solid and “somewhat iconic.” Mr. Sher currently sits on the board of the Cascade Bicycle Club and would like to see the 60% of the population that is “willing but wary” get on their bikes more often, and also to promote the idea of Green Tourism in Seattle. His project would require reconfiguring the Burke Gilman Trail at the intersection of 36th Ave NE, currently a pedestrian crossing.
Ron Sher himself plans to speak at the meeting on November 18th, to explain his vision for the project.
