by Kirby Lindsay, posted 20 April 2011
On Thursday, April 14th, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce hosted a public presentation on proposed land use projects, all three of which, by coincidence, were sited within sight of the Fremont Rocket, at the intersection of North 35th Street & Evanston Avenue North.
The Evanston Space Project
Brian Regan presented the Evanston Space Project. To be built on the site of the Rocket Apartments, Regan acknowledged that he may have been hasty in clearing out the tenants. A demolition permit (as well as a building permit) has been issued for the development of the property, but financing remains to be fully assembled so no construction dates have been set.
For the 18,787 square foot property, zoned Industrial Buffer Urban 65’ (IBU-65’,) Regan has plans to build a five-story building with two floors of below grade parking garages accessed by an existing alley (the property will have 112 parking spaces total,) the ground floor have five retail/restaurant spaces, with 121 small office spaces above. In use, the building will resemble the SPACE building (at 600 N 36th St,) a previous development by Regan. The project does not require a Design/Review process, due to the zoning, and Regan explained that this will make it easier to alter the look of the building during the financing, demolition and construction processes.
For instance, Regan admitted, of the final design, “it’s a blank canvas to do art on.” He wants to have artists advise him. “I’m looking for art,” he stated. He would welcome proposals for public art on the property, as well as direction on how the building exterior/interior should appear. To take a look at the project, and for contact information, go to the website.
Regan launched this project in 2007, but that financing fell through with the economic downturn. During a search for other financing, Regan explored the possibility of building a hotel. When asked about that proposal, Regan admitted that his extensive research convinced him of his own inexperience with managing such a complicated project. “I can finance this,” Regan said about the mixed-use office/retail building, “and I’m pretty sure of the numbers.”
When showing the projected visions of the building, Regan explained that the ‘L’ shaped building will follow the sidewalks as preferred by retail tenants. Rather than a building that fills the entire property (the southwest corner of the property will contain at grade parking) the building will reach the maximum allowable height of 65’. It will also, Regan said, have slightly wider-than-normal sidewalks, with the Qwest service boxes, that sit along the sidewalk today, relocated into the building’s basement.
A Patio For 9 Million in Unmarked Bills
Diagonally across the intersection, on the triangle shaped block, stands 9 Million in Unmarked Bills (or NUMB, for short.) Yet, the Rocket side sidewalk behind the bar has long been a no-man’s land of dumpsters, graffiti and weeds. Architect Curtis Boozer presented plans on behalf of NUMB, and Nate Rezac, to improve this area.
Primarily, Rezac has plans to expand the outdoor seating for NUMB along the south side of the building. The bar already has permitted sidewalk seating area, for which, Rezac admitted, they pay approximately $1,000 a year in fees. In order to expand the seating, the sidewalk would need to be relocated closer to the street, and several trees, in their dilapidated planter boxes, would also be removed.
Boozer also described an enclosure for the dumpsters, professionally landscaping the area, and potentially opening the area for neighborhood events that could close the one-way access street. Boozer further proposed red brick (or stamped asphalt) pavers for the intersection in front of the Rocket to slow car traffic and welcome pedestrians. These improvements, Boozer allowed, would also draw attention to the beautiful façade on the south side of the building. Out taking photos, I was shocked to discover (for the first time,) a gorgeous, classical doorway on the building, surrounded by refuse and filth.
A Ryan ‘Henry’ Ward mural also decorates the back of the building, currently defaced by graffiti. Rezac admitted that he would agree to let community members restore the mural, but he is unlikely to maintain it. Local landlord, and artist, Mike Peck questioned any plans that shift the sidewalk, and potentially narrow it further. Peck also said that he had spoken with the facing neighbors, who voiced concerns over plans they knew nothing about. Rezac, however, also insisted he had spoken with his neighbors, and heard their support to these plans.
A Ferry Stop For Fremont?
Boozer then presented an additional project for the agenda – efforts to establish foot-traffic ferry service on Lake Union, by Captain Larry Kezner and Seattle Ferry Service. They’ve been in negotiations with South Lake Union, and Vulcan, for a stop at the South Lake Union Trolley (SLUT) terminus, as well as at the University of Washington (UW.) Captain Kezner, who ran his m/v Fremont Avenue from beneath the Aurora Bridge for many years, would also like to establish a regular stop in Fremont.
Captain Kezner envisions a stop at the foot of the Evanston steps, along the Burke-Gilman Trail. He already has acquired a 26’ boat that can carry 14 passengers, create a low wake, and will start a trial run this summer, between South Lake Union and the UW. The project will require approval, and oversight, by a squadron of government agencies – EPA, DNR, Corps of Engineers, etc. – which is why the project has already spent several years in the planning phase. Community support, however, will only help to speed up the process(es.)
For more information on all three projects – which all remain in the planning phases and can still be influenced – direct comments to the individuals connected. Or, contact the Fremont Chamber Executive Director, Jessica Vets, to find out about more public meetings, and other ways in which to learn more about projects going on near the Rocket – and all over the Center of the Universe!
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©2011 Kirby Lindsay. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.