A new project on Union Bay Place across from Tully’s at the “Five Corners” will create 60 residential units right along the Burke Gilman Trail, parking for roughly 115 cars, and add 4,000 square feet of commercial space along Union Bay Place. You can read the complete Early Design Guidance package here .
The impetus for this project was to improve the parking and circulation for both the Lake View Medical Dental building and the Union Bay Place Medical Offices, all owned by affiliates of ICP Capital.
This project is next to the Burke Gilman Trail but it is unclear if a connection to the trail will occur given several challenges facing the site. In addition to a steep slope between the building site and the trail presenting elevation issues, there is a City right of way that runs between the site and the trail that would require an easement. Access approval from Seattle Parks would also be required to connect to the Burke.
This is not the first time a developer has applied to build along the Burke Gilman in our neighborhood. In 2013, developer Ron Sher explored building a “bike hotel” on 45th in the old “Bill the Butcher” site. He eventually opted to put two new restaurants on his property, set to open in July/August 2015.
Union Bay Place recently got some pedestrian safety upgrades, but this new development will also be required to put new sidewalks in front of its project.
Union Bay Place is zoned NC2-40 (neighborhood commercial with 40 foot heights) on the Burke Gilman side of the street, but it is zoned C2-65 (commercial with 65 foot heights) across the street. It seems likely that this entire street will soon be redeveloped as the new Sound Transit Station soon opens at Husky Stadium.
There is an Early Design Review Board meeting Monday July 6th, 2015 at 6:30 at University Heights, room 209.
