This post is based on a letter I recently sent to a colleague interested in my thoughts on the development of South Lake union as a new Seattle neighbourhood. I am interested for three reasons: 1. I work there, 2. I love Seattle, 3. I am concerned that the development is low qulaity and will raise my taxes.
Some facts .. this is a large area and is expected to grow over 20 years by up to 100,000 new people. The major developer is Vulcan an investment company owned by Paul Allan. The claim has been that this would be mix of super pricey condoes, some mid income houseing, and a biotech job magnet built around new UW biomedicine branch campus. A video of Vulcan's vision is here.
As part of its largesse to Vulcan, the city has built a trolly car bgtween SLU and down town. The nickname is South Lake Union Trolley, SLUT.
There are several issues, a few of which I have data on, On others I need more facts, but the bottom line is that I am unconvinced that either the city or Vulcan has a meaningful plan for SLU.
A few issues:
1.BIOTECH?
Some facts .. this is a large area and is expected to grow over 20 years by up to 100,000 new people. The major developer is Vulcan an investment company owned by Paul Allan. The claim has been that this would be mix of super pricey condoes, some mid income houseing, and a biotech job magnet built around new UW biomedicine branch campus. A video of Vulcan's vision is here.
As part of its largesse to Vulcan, the city has built a trolly car bgtween SLU and down town. The nickname is South Lake Union Trolley, SLUT.
There are several issues, a few of which I have data on, On others I need more facts, but the bottom line is that I am unconvinced that either the city or Vulcan has a meaningful plan for SLU.
A few issues:
1.BIOTECH?
A lot has been said about recruiting biotech and I have even heard there is someplace a committee of some sort. If this is true, I do not know who is on the3 ctee, nor have I found anyone who does know.
Friends in VC do not have much good to say about SLU as a venue. I have not heard of any biotech moving into SLU.
There are no plans to create SLU incubator space, an absolutely necessity for a biotech effort.
The UW effort, which I am part of. has very little effort intended to put the sort of labs most likely t be synergistic with biotech in SLU.
The SLUT has been advertised as supporting biotech. This makes no sense. Biotech folks need transport to the UW, maybe to Fremont or Elliot Ave, but NOT to downtown.
There is NO urban planning for issue that effect biotech ... e.g. transport for workers, housing for fellows and faculty,
There is no effort to attract the sort of commefrical facilities that stimulate biotech, e.g. a bar or a bookstore.
Funding for the SLU UW campus is VERY tight and could be endangered depoending on what happens to the NIH.
Friends in VC do not have much good to say about SLU as a venue. I have not heard of any biotech moving into SLU.
There are no plans to create SLU incubator space, an absolutely necessity for a biotech effort.
The UW effort, which I am part of. has very little effort intended to put the sort of labs most likely t be synergistic with biotech in SLU.
The SLUT has been advertised as supporting biotech. This makes no sense. Biotech folks need transport to the UW, maybe to Fremont or Elliot Ave, but NOT to downtown.
There is NO urban planning for issue that effect biotech ... e.g. transport for workers, housing for fellows and faculty,
There is no effort to attract the sort of commefrical facilities that stimulate biotech, e.g. a bar or a bookstore.
Funding for the SLU UW campus is VERY tight and could be endangered depoending on what happens to the NIH.
2. ARCHITECTURE:
Has anyone from the media looked at the quality of buildings being erected as "luxury" condos? WADR, corrugated sheeting is unlikely to be lasting impact statement for very long, there seem to be little or no plans for the kinds of trees or restaurants and gallery districts. I may be very naive but these buildings look to me as if they are intended to be turned over rapidly, sort of like an IPO. Is there any long term commitment to the area by Vulcan?
3. SLU as an "Urban Village:"
One example is the 2200 building. Have you visited this wierd place? 2200 is a self contained community for welathy folks. It is designed to serve all the needs of the inmates from a Whole Foods that is more a deli/kitchen than a grocery store, the design is a closed plaza surrounded by Vulcan towers. There are rumors about construction problems and about absentee renters using this as a tax address or a sort of pied au Citee. (pls forgive bad French). My understanding is that there are NO plans for the sort of community gathering places, e.g. small squares or gallery complexes. that make other expensive neighborhoods successful.
I have also heard that the existing small arts organizations are being forced out by increases. in rent.
There are no pans for a school or playground in the neghborhood.
There is, I am told, a plan to make Western Ave into a sort of shopping boulevard, BUT there are no plans for parking, the street is now a lot more narrow because of the SLUT tracks and the plans are t say the least vague.
4. Taxes:
3. SLU as an "Urban Village:"
One example is the 2200 building. Have you visited this wierd place? 2200 is a self contained community for welathy folks. It is designed to serve all the needs of the inmates from a Whole Foods that is more a deli/kitchen than a grocery store, the design is a closed plaza surrounded by Vulcan towers. There are rumors about construction problems and about absentee renters using this as a tax address or a sort of pied au Citee. (pls forgive bad French). My understanding is that there are NO plans for the sort of community gathering places, e.g. small squares or gallery complexes. that make other expensive neighborhoods successful.
I have also heard that the existing small arts organizations are being forced out by increases. in rent.
There are no pans for a school or playground in the neghborhood.
There is, I am told, a plan to make Western Ave into a sort of shopping boulevard, BUT there are no plans for parking, the street is now a lot more narrow because of the SLUT tracks and the plans are t say the least vague.
4. Taxes:
I have asked several sources about what effect SLU will have on MY taxes. I am told that SLU, despite the huge increase in property values, will not cover its own cost of operations and if anything will raise my taxes. If true, this is shocking. Why would I want to bring 100,000 WEALTHY new folks to Seattle if I am subsidizing their rent and the resulting neighborhood is not going to create a community magnet that I could benefit from?
5. RTID/Mercer mess.
5. RTID/Mercer mess.
From what I hear the plans for this will hugely benefit Vulcan but have not do much to improve the biotech possibilities or address the obvious need for transport from Elliot to Mercer. If anything the new Mercer will make it harder to get to and from the U District or to from AMGEN.
No comments:
Post a Comment