I understand that change is hard, and yes, greedy developers suck.

BUT-- I (sort-of) agree with Joey-- there are loads of apartment buildings (part of this "old ballard?") that are broken down and ugly. Those 3 floor/exposed car park buildings are hideous.

What do you guys think about THOSE getting replaced with newer buildings?

Sad about Sunset Bowl, though. I wish they would tear down the McDonalds across the street instead!!!

Another enormous, mostly empty fuggatorium for Ballard. I'm moving away soon enough, I'm sure. Ballard. Nice place while it lasted until the greedy asshole developers ruined it.

Do you think they'll actually allow people to stand in front playing guitar per the picture?

Jesus do you idiots ever stop whining?

How is this building worse than than all the ugly 3 story apartment boxes with exposed garages underneath?

I think its just envy that you are unable to buy a box instead of just rent a box.

Jealousy is a stinky cologne.

i don't really think there should be a bowling alley there.. i thought that was a frivolous concern. now setbacks, height limits - those seem like something to keep an eye on.

agreed. delicious, delicious Monkeys.

I like Monkeys

When people protest the loss of the bowling alley, there was lipservice by the developer that he was looking into making the ground floor a bowling alley. His intentions seemed disingenuous at the time, and it appears my guess was right. I can't go to the meeting on the 13, but I hope people ask loudly and clearly "So where's the bowling alley?"

Oops. That was supposed to read "keep OUT" the riff raff.

Indeed! Great way to keep the riff raff!! (You know, kids birthday parties, elderly, teens looking for acceptable/safe social outlets, and oh yeah - bowlers.)

Prediction: this project will go belly up due to funding problems. Investors will back out and that dirty lot will sit there forever...

But it sure beats a bowling alley, eh?

In order to meet parking requirements for a building that large (which the city requires to be part of the building) as well as to maximize the rentable square footage, the developers need the footprint to cover as much of the lot as possible. There will be set backs of course - more than the developer wants, less than the community would like.

Regardless, developers probably wont/can't go ahead without getting some retail commitments in place prior to building. Given the current economic situation those retail "anchors" aren't going to be lining up any time soon so we'll most likely be left with the Sunset bowl lot as is for 4-6 years.
Enjoy

Oh my, it's so big it's giving this boy palpitations! Plus it's so high this Seattle boy gets nose bleeds just thinking about it.

So why is it that the McMansions are being curbed, but the McCondos aren't?? A grass surround would be a great place for residents and neighbors to poop their dogs (and leave it).

Not related, really, but these plans are probably approved by the same dimwits that build a Ballard park with water features and then leave it in darkness past noon in the shadow of a mixed use building.

That thing is huuuuuuuge. Wasn't expecting much out of the design, but huuuuuuge.

Another huge brick box. NEW BALLARD BLOWS. id rather see the bums and garbage. upscale projects.

is there a finiancial reason that anybody knows about why all of these condo's pretty much look identical? i get that if you had an elaborate structure, it would be harder to build and then of course more money. but with all the talent out htere, surely someone can come up with some sort of new structure/look/anything that would inject a little personality into these new places.

I agree regarding the need for more grassy spots around buildings. This building is a lot better looking than the new condos where China Buffet used to be. Ugh-who picked the exterior colors and materials for that one?

I know they want to maximize their space, but I always wished new buildings would leave more grassy space between the sidewalk and the start of the building.

When they build the buildings right up against the sidewalk it just makes it look like a concrete jungle.

Blech.

I prefer the trash-strewn lot & wacky paint job to that big ugly clusterfuck full of trash of a different sort

What's the matter Duncan sweetie, do all those tanned, buff and well-dressed So-Cali boys get you riled up?

Wow, looks like pretty much any "mixed-use" development built anytime in the last 10 years. Color me underwhelmed, but I'm guessing my opinion doesn't really matter to the developer or the future (ex-Californian) tenants.

Yes, the homeless here really do need make overs, they're sooooooo grubby! Time for a Ballard Bum Makeover ladies!

Looks like the 'Ballard Projects'. A big fat brick box with lots of little boxes inside. Gives me a headache just looking at it.

Those look like some upscale homeless people hanging around out in front.

Unfortunately - since the Design Review Process doesn't leave any avenues for the boards to directly mandate specific future uses or tenants, I would guess that you will never get your bowling alley back, eM.

I think there is ALOT more money in tanning and short term lending.

Yep, pretty much what I expected...

I actually think this will be a good improvement for that side of Market. If you miss Sunset or not, we all can agree the area is a dump now.

geez
that thing is HUGE

But the most important question is: Does it include a bowling alley??

because, as I recall, that's what "the community"seemed most concerned about during the preliminary meetings...

looks a lot like the big blob they put on leary where the car dealerships used to be.