On Tuesday June 10th, from 7-9 p.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church (7050 35th AVE NE) the RBCA Land Use Committee will host a meeting to get updates on the following:
Council Member Sally Bagshaw will join us to share information on the Seattle Parks for All Initiative that will be on our August 5th, 2014 ballots.
The 35th AVE Committee Chair Per Johnson will give us a run down of what has occurred so far with the planning for the business district on 35th.(http://35thneighborhoodplan.blogspot.com/) The 35th Ave Committee also has the second of the three public meetings on Wednesday June 11th, also at Messiah Lutheran 7-9 p.m.
Polygon Homes will update us on their 3.7 acre project on NE 65th between 32nd and 34th Ave. You can read about more about that project here.
Representatives from Goodman Real Estate and Volunteers of America will give us an update on the process of relocating the current Theodora residents, as well as give us an idea about their construction schedule for remodeling the building. You can read more about the Theodora here.
The Seattle Fire Department has completed its “live fire” training exercises on the existing house located 6556 32nd Avenue. Ravenna Blog has an excellent, and humorous, report on the fires here.
In addition to these exercises, the Seattle Fire Department have asked to conduct “destructive training” on the remaining two single family homes located on the Bryant Heights property. (3219 NE 68th Street and 3225 NE 68th Street) This destructive training effort entails training the Recruits in the very important life safety practices of cutting open a roof structure, breaking open doors and breaking through walls. The Seattle Fire Department estimates that this training will go to the end of the day on Wednesday, May 21st.
On Thursday, May 22nd (following the completion of the destructive training), the demolition and removal of the remains from the burned house 6556 32nd Avenue and the two additional houses (3219 NE 68th Street and 3225 NE 68th Street) will be commenced. This work will be completed by an experienced demolition and recycling contractor that specializes in demolition work in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest, Demolition Man, Inc. (www.demoman.org).
Consistent with the demolition permits issued by the City of Seattle, the above demolition activity will be completed within the following hours:
(1) Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
(2) Saturday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
During this construction activity all employees of Demolition Man, Inc. will park within the limits of the Bryant Heights property and not use any of the existing street surface parking on 34th Avenue NE, and NE 68th Street. The demolition team anticipates collecting the debris and recycling materials on site and then exporting these materials in accordance with the Bryant Heights Demolition Haul Route plan. (NE 68th Street to 32nd Avenue NE to NE 65th Street.) In addition, prior to the export of any materials, the team will contact adjacent property owners, including the St. Bridget’s Assumption School to avoid any conflicts.
Polygon Homes will soon get started on their Bryant Heights project by demolishing the single family homes along NE 68th. On Tuesday, May 13th, the Seattle Fire Department will burn the single family home at 6556 32nd Ave NE as a training exercise for their recruits and staff. The others will be there for the rest of the firehouses in the area for practice such as cutting holes in roofs, dragging fire hose lines inside but will NOT include any burning whatsoever. Captain Brian Maier has said he “wants this to be a great experience for everyone in the neighborhood and for them to see THEIR fire department in action.”
House to be demolished on NE68th, one block from NE Library
In preparation for these training exercises, these single family homes on NE 68th have been evaluated and tested for any household hazardous materials such as asbestos. As many of the neighbors can attest, it is not uncommon (as an example) to find low levels of asbestos in some of the floor tiles in homes/buildings of this era. This environmental investigation has been completed and a certificate from a professional hazardous material contractor has been provided to the Seattle Fire Department evidencing that the homes are free of any such materials. With these certificates in hand, the homes are now being disconnected from the existing overhead and underground utilities consistent with the underlying demolition permits that the City has issued for these single family homes. The homes are scheduled to be disconnected on Monday, April 28th with the work being completed by Seattle City Light, Garner Electric and BDZ Construction.
In conjunction with this effort, the Seattle Fire Department will be delivering portable toilets and making preparation to the houses for the training exercises. This effort will include some reinforcement to the existing structures to allow the Fire Department Recruits to perform repeated training exercises on the property with a variety of Recruits and insure that all of the training exercises can be completed safely. The preparation efforts are anticipated to commence on May 6th with the actual Recruits arriving on the morning of May 13th to begin the drills. With this effort, Captain Brian Maier from the Seattle Fire Department has canvassed 50+ houses and businesses in the neighborhood to inquire about any health issues with particular neighbors and distribute informational flyers. Please email Sarah Swanberg (RBCA Land Use Committee Chair) at rbcasarah@gmail.com, should you have further questions for Captain Maier to limit the number of inquiries he will need to deal with directly.
In the meantime, the schedule for the 3.7 acre project on 65th between 32nd and 34th is generally following the original timeline. The larger structures should be removed in August of 2014. With the demolition effort of the larger structures, Polygon Homes also hopes to be building the Alley Improvements (installing underground power conduit to serve the future single family homes and townhomes) off of NE 68th Street in August of this year. Construction could start as early as November 2014. The new single family homes on the north end of the property will be used as model homes, so they would be the first place the neighborhood will see vertical building construction. The sale of the Theodora is also set to close in late Fall of 2014, so please check back at www.ravennabryant.org for updates as they become available.
The Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has posted a notice of Administrative Design Review for the project at 5515 40th Avenue NE as well as the Early Design Guidance Pack prepared by CAST architecture (click on Documents and then “Design Proposal: ADR Proposal #2”). Note the preferred scheme can be found starting on Page 17 (here as a PDF:page 17 ) .
The Design Review Process is intended to address site planning and design issues of a project – the EDG pack also contains a history of the zoning of the area. This summary can be found on page four and five and reviews how the Low Rise Zone on the West Side of 40th Ave N was planned to align with the Commercial zone on the North side of NE 55th St. These diagrams illustrate how the North edge of the proposed rezone to LR1 would align to the north edge of the fire station per the original area planning and provide a more gradual transition between the LR2 to the South and SF5000 to the North. You can find an explanation for the LR1, LR2, SF5000 zoning codes here.
Page 17 of the Proposal
The Director will accept written comments to assist in the preparation of the Early Design Guidance through April 2, 2014. You are invited to offer comments regarding important site planning and design issues which you believe should be addressed in the design. Comments can be sent to PRC@seattle.gov.
The owners of the Theodora, just south of the NE Library on 35th AVE NE, have responded to the concerns that the board of Ravenna-Bryant Community Association had about the sale of their building to Goodman Real Estate. The sale of the Theodora has been in the news recently (here and here), so we’ve asked Volunteers of America to explain the rationale behind closing this historic building. This is their response to us:
Dear Ravenna-Bryant Community Association:
Thank you for your recent letter and opportunity to respond and provide some background and facts related the sale and closing of The Theodora.
As owner of The Theodora, we’ve been proud to be part of the Wedgwood neighborhood for more than 50 years. In addition to providing low-income housing, we provide services in six counties locally through a wide range of programs that focus on serving people and communities in need. Through our Basic Needs Services, Personal Support Services, Child & Youth Services, Conflict Resolution Services, Behavioral Health Services, Volunteer Services responds to 350,000 requests for assistance each year.
The Theodora: Transitioning the Building & Our Residents
The building is a unique housing model– it’s comprised of 114 single-room apartments (about 200 sq. ft. or smaller) with shared cafeteria and kitchen. Meals are prepared onsite for residents. While this model worked well decades ago, it has become antiquated and does not address the needs of today’s elderly and disabled.
The outdated building configuration, which is not comparable to or competitive even with other HUD 202 buildings in Seattle, has been an increasing impediment to retaining residents.
We first looked at options for VOA to redevelop the Theodora, but after review by two independent consultants, the results were not viable for us.
We first marketed the Theodora via CBRE brokerage firm to nearly 75 local and national non-profit developers, including names given to us by the Office of Housing. Through many conversations had by our team and our broker, non-profits told us because of the building’s age and current configuration, they could not afford to acquire and operate the building as low-income housing.
We then took the Theodora to the private market and received several bids. We could have easily maximized our profits and sold to a developer who would have razed the building and built expensive homes.
Instead, we found a developer willing to invest in and keep this historic building, as well as keep the housing affordable – at the exact levels the city is trying so hard to increase (about 60-80% area median income).
At this point, Volunteers of America entered into a good faith contract with Goodman Real Estate, which will conclude with a sale of the building this fall. Both parties have spent significant capital moving toward this closing.
VOA has operated the Theodora at a significant financial loss for years, and we cannot continue to sustain the building. Regardless if we would have found a buyer, the Theodora will close in February 2015.
Relocation Process: A Thoughtful Commitment to Resident’s Well-Being
We are deeply committed to our residents during this time of transition and our goal is to go above and beyond for them wherever possible.
Here is a summary of the work we are beginning:
We will work with Seattle Housing Authority and HUD early and often to make sure all Section 8 residents and non Section 8 residents find new homes that fully suit their needs.
We’ve retained a relocation specialist to work one-on-one with each resident and their families to help them find new low-income housing that fits their budget and health needs.
VOA and Goodman Real Estate (buyer) will provide $5,000 to each resident. In addition, all residents who qualify for City of Seattle relocation assistance will receive $3,184 to help with their transition. This means each resident could receive about $8,184.
ALL residents with a Section 8 voucher will retain their voucher. A portable voucher allows them the freedom to find a home that better meets their needs. We’ll work closely with Seattle Housing Authority on this transition and our relocation specialist will be closely involved to make sure everyone transitions well and all vouchers are maintained.
Affordability in Seattle is a complex topic. And while the Theodora is economically no longer a viable building for VOA to operate, we will continue investing in our North Seattle/Greenwood location as well as other new low-income housing in and around Seattle – as we have done for nearly 100 years.
We invite each of you to tour the property and learn more about the building, as well as our commitment to residents during this transition.
Polygon Homes has provided a response to the NE Design Review Board’s comments from the January 13th meeting for their project at 3300 NE 65th. The file (click on Documents and then Design Proposal EDG #2 Proposal), while large, is well worth the download as it provides details and fascinating visuals about how the project will look and fit into the neighborhood. Of note is the fact that although not all the trees on the property have been deemed healthy, the larger trees deep inside the lot are worth saving, and have a significant impact of the layout of the development.
The next Early Design Guidance meeting is Monday March 3rd at 8 p.m. at University Heights Center on NE 50th and University Way. If you can’t make it, comments can be sent to PRC@seattle.gov.
On Wednesday February 19th, RBCA President Tony Provine and Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) President Dirk Farrell met with City Attorney Pete Holmes regarding the City’s enforcement actions on the Sisley properties. It appears that the City Attorney’s Office is resolute in their desire to deal with this matter firmly and without delay. Mr. Holmes expressed no desire to seek any less than full and immediate compliance and is not interested in seeking a compromise or settlement agreement. Mr. Holmes was very receptive to RBCA and RNA recommendations for appropriate compensation to our neighborhoods for bearing the brunt of damaging impacts from Sisley’s blighted properties. The fines to date levied against these properties total nearly $3 million. Mr. Holmes said he appreciated our communities’ involvement and support and he agreed to communicate any updates as they develop.
City Attorney, Pete Holmes has agreed to speak to our community on May 6, 2014 on the Sisley Case and will bring with him other City officials to share information about the case.
The Roosevelt reservoir is undergoing an approximately 2-year test to determine whether it will be needed by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) for future use as a reservoir. The test began in March 2013, so the latest a decision would be made about whether to decommission the reservoir would be at the end of March 2015.
If SPU decides to de-commission the reservoir, an assessment would be made about whether it may be needed for any other “utility” purpose. If not, the assessment could be declared surplus. This decision would be internal to SPU and could happen within a few months upon conclusion of the reservoir testing.
If the reservoir is declared surplus, the asset would be subject to the “review and decision” process for all surplus City of Seattle assets, as depicted in the attached chart.
There are typically three points of public comment in a typical, “simple” surplusing process: first, at the time the asset is declared surplus; second, after the City analyzes alternative uses and recommends the criteria for evaluation the disposition of the asset; and third, prior to completion/closing of the sale or lease of the asset.
A note on Fair Market Value (FMV): State Law requires that the utility must receive FMV for the asset. So even if the property ends up under the ownership of a public agency, such as another City of Seattle Department, other local government, or even a non-profit, SPU would need to receive fair market compensation for the property. Given funding challenges at all levels of local government, funding strategies for non-income generating uses that might be contemplated for the site would likely need to be put in place prior to the notice of disposition to be deemed competitive in a FMV context. However, given the size and location of the reservoir, it seems highly likely that a mixture of uses – both civic and private – may be possible. Thus, the scale of required funding would be proportionate to the amount of the asset needed to accommodate the desired public uses.
RBCA has written a letter to the Parks Department asking that they consider making the Roosevelt Reservoir into a park.
Almost a year and half after their first Early Design Guidance meeting in August of 2012, the Roosevelt Development Group (RDG) will be back at the University Heights Center at 6:30 on February 3rd, 2014 to present their plans to the Northeast Design Review Board. The meeting will also have a public comment portion, should community members have input for the board or for RDG. Issues of zoning or parking, however, are not within the board’s purview and should instead be directed to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD).
Because the site is within the transit overlay for the new Sound Transit’s Roosevelt Light Rail Station, set to open in less than 8 years, parking is actually not required at all. It’s up to the developers, therefore, to decide if their building will include parking or not. (The ST station will not have parking for cars, just for bicycles). Also, the notice states that it will be a 7-story building, in the newly rezoned 6 story portion of Roosevelt. This, however, is just to accommodate for the slope of the parcel, and the zoning is indeed still at 65′.
This is the preferred design
Should you want to learn more about the rezone process in Roosevelt, you could read more on our site here, or on Ravenna Blog’s site here.
Unlike the developer for the project further east on NE 65th between 32nd NE and 34th NE, RDG has not shared any new information on the package to be presented at the Design Review Board meeting on February 3rd. There is, however, a *large* file from their August 2012 meeting that is still available. Their preferred “Option 3” gained support from the board at that time, so we can expect to see more about this “double l” design at the February 3rd, 2014 meeting.
The properties around Roosevelt High School have been in the news recently, and the RBCA and the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association (RNA) will be working with the City to ensure that the more than $2 million dollars of fines get put to good use. This will be on our agenda for our February 4th board meeting at Ravenna Eckstein Community Center, 7-8:45 P.M.
After the November 14th hit-and- run on NE 55th, the RBCA board asked the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to come to our December 2013 board meeting to discuss traffic speed and volumes, as well as pedestrian crossings, along NE 55th.
SDOT has agreed to conduct a speed and traffic volume evaluation along NE 55th sometime in January 2014. Should 85% or more of the vehicles travel more than 5-7 mph over the 30 mph limit, traffic calming measures *might* be installed (such as speed cushions). A trailer with a speed radar sign will be on NE 55th at some point its January, as well, so that drivers’ can be conscious of exactly how fast they do travel up and down this corridor.
In addition to the traffic volume and speed, the City will also be looking at the number of pedestrians that cross NE 55th on a daily basis, especially at 27th NE and 30th NE. Should the numbers warrant it, crosswalks might be installed there, but SDOT warned us that crosswalks provide s false sense of security for pedestrians and are not always useful in preventing the kind of incident that happened to our neighbor in November. Regardless, pulling the parking back from the corners at 27th and 30th seems likely.
Check back on our website (or follow us on Facebook or Twitter) for the results from the traffic study.
** UPDATE The file for the Early Design Guidance meeting on Monday January 13th can be seen here. It’s an enormous file, so start the download and then go give the dog a bath.**
*UPDATE: A Notice of Revised Streamlined Design Review has been released, and the comment period for the townhome portion of this project has been extended to January 15th, 2014.*
Polygon Homes, and Johnston Architects, are preparing for the Early Design Guidance Meeting (January 13th, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. University Heights room 209) for their project along NE 65th between 32nd and 34th Avenue NE. You can read more about the sale of the Children’s Home Society here and here and read the Notice of Early Design Guidance here.
Preliminary Sketches of the Single Family homes, to be located on NE 68th.
RBCA has been provided with preliminary images for all three portions of this project, as seen above. Here are the Concept Images for “Bryant Heights”
The EDG meeting on January 13th 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at University Heights room 209 will be a great opportunity for community members to learn more about *just* the NC1-30 portion of the project along NE 65th. The City of Seattle’s design review process for new commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects can be seen here . A different review process is involved for the LR2 townhome portion of the project. You can learn more about that process here There is no formal design review process for the 14 single family homes on the north side of the property, but Polygon has said they are “working on the houses to make sure the houses fit contextually both in the neighborhood and within the overall block.”
Residents within 300 feet of the site recently received notices from the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) about the “Streamlined Design Review process” for the townhomes. Townhomes, zoned LR2, do not go through as rigorous a process as the commercial portion of the project , but do still have a design review process. DPD sent notices to residents within 300 feet of the project notifying them of the commencement of the streamlined process, but incorrectly used the address for the single family portion of the site (the default address for the entire project). The RBCA Land Use Committee notified Polygon, and DPD will be reissuing the notices for the LR2 (townhome) portion of the site. It is not clear if this will affect the timeline for this portion of the project. Again, you can learn more about the Streamlined Design Review process here .
You can see the Bryant Heights Preliminary Project Schedule here. Polygon aims to complete the entire project by early Summer 2016, with Master Use Permits for the commercial/condo part of the project along NE 65th and townhome portion along 34th Avenue NE in hand by the end of 2014. Demolition of the single family homes along NE 68th may happen by the 3rd quarter of 2014, and the developer would like to install underground power for the single family homes before the construction of the commercial and townhome portions are started. Check back with ravennabryant.org, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter, to receive updates.
Last Thursday November 14th, at around 4 in the afternoon, a woman was hit on NE 55th and 27th Ave NE. The Ravenna Bryant Community Association has written to Peter Hahn (peter.hahn@seattle.gov), Director of the Seattle Department of Transportation, asking him to review the speed and crossing issues on the entire NE 55th corridor from 25th NE to 35th NE. We urge residents to write to him, as well. Here is our letter:
November 18, 2013
Peter Hahn, Director, Seattle Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 34996, Seattle, WA 98124-4996
RE: Pedestrian hit by motor vehicle on NE 65th Street
Dear Mr. Hahn,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association (RBCA), I am writing to tell you about a serious hit and run event that occurred in our community and to ask for your assistance. On Thursday, November 14th at about 4:00 p.m., a female pedestrian was hit by a driver on NE 55th Street near 27th Avenue NE, and was carried on the windshield of the vehicle for 40 feet. Our community is devastated by this incident, but few of us are surprised.
Vehicles are often seen on NE 55th travelling at unsafe speeds, moving down the hill without any stop lights, crosswalks, or any other reason to temper their speeds. Vehicles going eastbound on NE 55th gain speed as they prepare to climb the steep hill that starts around 28th Avenue NE. Because there is no crosswalk along NE 55th between 35th NE and 25th NE, pedestrians often dash across the street and hope that no vehicles are approaching them or that the vehicles will slow for them.
We respectfully ask you to please review the speeding behavior on this arterial, and to assess the need for crosswalks or other traffic calming measures.
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.
The City wants to know what folks would like to see on the BMP (Bicycle Master Plan) for NE 65th. You have 4 choices, which you can see by completing this survey put out by SDOT. SDOT will also have an open house at Ravenna Eckstein on Wednesday October 16th from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Anyone can fill out the City’s survey, however, even if they don’t live in our neighborhood. The RBCA also has a survey about NE 65th, but asks questions that go beyond just cycle track or no cycle track. Anyone can fill out this survey, too, even if they don’t live in RBCA. But, if you send an email to your neighbors with this link www.surveymonkey.com/s/NE65thStBusinessDistrict then our responses should outweigh those of folks who live elsewhere, right? What will we do with the results from this survey? We’ll be able to tell the City, and current/future developers, what our residents envision for the entirestreetscape along NE 65th.
The RBCA has also written a letter to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) thanking them for their work on NE75th, and asking them to work with us to find solutions to improve NE 65th. You can read this letter here:RBCA NE75th letter
Tonight’s RBCA board of director’s meeting will address the following issues, in addition to it’s regular, reoccurring business:
Discuss the overlapping boundary issue of the RBCA and the Hawthorne Hill Community Councils between NE 55th and NE 65th – 40th NE to 45th NE.
Vote on sending a letter to the City thanking them for their work on NE 75th, and addressing concerns about NE 65th.
Vote on sending a letter RBCA letter on scoping for EIS on U District to the Department of Planning and Development urging them to include open space in their plans for the new light rail station in the University District.
Discussion on other transportation and land use issues in our neighborhood.
All are always welcome to attend board meetings, and get involved in their community association.
Last Tuesday, September 24th, about 40 people gathered at the NE District Library to hear what Polygon Homes, Architects from Johnston Architects, Rob Fazio, ASLA, landscape architect and the civil engineer Laurie Phar, PE had to say about the 3.7 acre project on NE 65th between 32nd and 34th Avenue NE. Here are a few key facts that came out of that meeting:
Polygon Homes will NOT be applying for a contract rezone. The current zoning is NC1-30 along 65th (commercial on ground floor + two floors of residences), LR2 (townhomes), and fourteen 5,000 square foot single family sites. See what our neighborhood is zoned here :RAVENNABRYANTASSOC_2012
All the units will be for sale (no apartments).
Adequate parking will be given for both the residences as well as for the commercial units.
Setbacks will be more than the minimum requirement in areas, in order to accommodate significant trees on the property.
Both the president of Polygon and the lead architects live within walking distance of the project, and aim to make it pedestrian friendly.
Residents were also able to ask questions as a group, and then again individually with the team.
What do you envision for the streetscape on NE 65th? You can give your feedback on how NE 65th works (or doesn’t work) by completing RBCA’s survey. If you have concerns/input about the CHSW site project, please email eric.evans@polygonhomes.com.
The Ravenna Bryant Community Association has learned that the buyer of the 3.7 acre parcel of land that is now the Children’s Home Society of Washington on 65th between 32nd and 34th Avenue NE is Polygon Homes. Johnston Architects will design and plan the property. You can read more about Polygon and their team here: 91713 RBCA Polygon NW Open House Invitation
The Ravenna Bryant Land Use Committee has put together an open house to introduce the team to the neighborhood:
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Time: 5:45-7:45 p.m.
Location: Seattle Public Library NE Branch, 6801 35th AVE NE
Please consider coming, but if you can’t make it, you can send your comments and/or questions to Eric C. Evans at Eric.Evans@Polygonhomes.com.
Last Tuesday, September 3rd, the Ravenna-Bryant Community Association Board voted 5-3 in opposition of the proposed cycle tracks on NE 65th contained in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan. You can read the letter sent from the board to the City here RBCA NE 65th letter and you can watch a video of the August 15th, 2013 Mayor’s Town Hall on the subject here.
Our NE 65th Survey is still open, should you want to let us know how you feel about NE 65th (and not justabout the BMP and NE 65th, either). We have 349 responses at the time of this posting, but our goal is to have 1000 by the time the BMP goes to City Council this Fall.
The RBCA has just learned that The Theodora (6559 35 Avenue NE), owned by Volunteers of America, is for sale. According to data from King County, the property is 64,772 square feet, valued at $8.5 million, and has 114 units. According to one resident, since the assisted living residents were moved out, less than 50 people currently live in this building.
The Theodora 6559 35 NE
This property is zoned “LR2,” which allows townhomes, rowhouses, and apartments. This is the second non-profit to put their property up for sale in this part of RBCA so far this year. The Children’s Home Society of Washington put their 3.7 acre site up for sale earlier this year, and will be releasing the buyer’s info very soon.
Recently, the NE 35th Avenue NE Steering Committee created a survey asking for feedback on the business corridor on 35th Ave NE. You can see the results of this survey here.
There has also been a lot of discussion recently about our business district on NE 65th, so the Ravenna Bryant Community Association would like to find out what people who live, work, drive, bike, walk, and shop on NE 65th, between 15th NE and 40th NE, think about this business district. Does it work? Why or why not? We’d like your feedback so we have some data to work with in the future. Please fill out this survey, and tell all your neighbors to do the same.
