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On Monday, April 6th, Safeway’s architect, Tim Jewett, presented the proposed design for the Pinehurst Safeway. He later listened as community members commented and then he responded to Design Review Board questions.
About 10 community members attended the meeting. Most who attended live on 123rd or 16th next to the store. Comments and discussion focused on:
- Loading dock sound issues. 16th Ave neighbors who live near the proposed loading dock location are very concerned about noise and asked questions about sound levels and timing of deliveries and trash removal.
- “Transparency” of the store along 123rd and 16th. The issue here is whether there could be more windows into the storage space in the back of the store.
- Choice of trees and other plantings. The issue here is whether native plants could be used.
- Bikes racks at the new store. Safeway plans to install bike racks, but believes most shoppers will arrive by vehicle. A Design Review member and community asked that more consideration be given to number of bike racks available.
- LEED certification. Community members would like to see the store be LEED certified and not just LEED certifiable.
- Non-potable water. Community members would like Safeway to attempt to use non-potable water in the store restrooms.
- Green roof. Community members would like a green roof considered.
The next steps are that the Design Review Board will respond in writing to the proposed design. Then, once a design is accepted, the Department of Planning and Development will forward a packet to the Hearing Examiner. The Hearing Examiner will make a recommendation to Seattle City Council who will hold a rezone hearing. All community members are welcome to attend the rezone hearing. If the design and rezone are approved, a new store could open as early as late 2010.
As always, I will post to the blog when additional information is known.
(Sorry it took so long to write this summary. It has been a busy week.)
Thanks for the summary! I’ve been very curious.
Also, that sounds really quick on the construction but would the current store be closed the whole time? Or is there enough room since the new building seems to be in a different portion of the lot?
I don’t have an exact start date yet. And, everything is subject to change since there are so many variables. But, the current thought is that the store would close, a trailer would open on the site for pharmacy, the store and all other buildings on the site would be demolished and the new store would then be built.
There had been a lot of discussion of keeping the old store open during construction. However, this would extend the building time by a few months and it would be difficult from an engineering perspective. I think that total time from closing the old store and opening the new store would be under 6 months.
I am happy to finally see a new , updated safeway.. I beleive this is the oldest safeway in Seattle.. why has it taken so long for it to be updated????? Julie