The proposed development of the old Thunderbird Motel site on Aurora Avenue North will under-go Early Design Review Guidance on Monday, January 30th at 6:30p, in the Ballard High School Library. Catholic Community Services has purchased the property to build a 71-residential unit building, with 5,600 square feet of commercial space, at 4251 Aurora Avenue, as affordable housing – with on-site services – for previously homeless people.
According to the Land Use Information Bulletin on the meeting, distributed by the Seattle Department of Planning & Development, at the meeting the applicants will present information about the site and vicinity. The public may offer comments regarding the design of the development, and the siting of a development on the subject site. Finally, Design Review Board Members will offer comments and identify design guidelines of highest priority in developing this site.
On the site under discussion stands the wrecked building that once housed the notorious Fremont Inn, a motel that had serious problems with prostitution and drug users. Finally, in 2009, neighbors and the Seattle Police Department were able to shut the business down, using an ordinance developed by the Seattle City Council intended for exactly this kinds of chronic criminal nuisances.
Now Catholic Housing Services plans to build a facility where people who want to work to end the cycle of homelessness in their own lives, can apply to rent an apartment. They can choose to live in a peaceful and positive environment – near a thriving business district and near a strong transit line that can take them to jobs and services. Read more about the planned facility in the Fremocentrist.com column from November 2011.
And attend the Early Design Review Guidance meeting on Monday, January 30th at 6:30p to hear more details about the development.