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Clues about Ballard’s mysterious development

Posted by Geeky Swedes on March 31st, 2009

Last year we wrote about a development under construction on one of Ballard’s most prestigious lots: where the old Azteca restaurant used to be on Seaview, at the entrance to Salmon Bay. Several people had posted in comments explaining that the waterfront building included a marine business to meet zoning requirements, but it also featured a residential space for the owner.

At Large in Ballard’s Peggy Sturdivant was curious about the development, and she did some investigating. She writes:

For months, I tried contacting anyone connected to the project including (owner) John A. Goodman. He finally responded by email to my multiple questions: “This will have office use and caretakers unit for marina.” I responded with compliments on the scope of the renovations and the landscaping, mentioned swirling rumors about its usage and asked yet again if he could provide more specifics about the project. His reply: “Really not much more to say.”

The residential caretaker unit, according to official filings, measures just 676 square feet of the “10,544 sq. ft. marine, retail sales and service building.” Over the last several days, workers have been busy installing the finishing touches.

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  • dogbark
    It seems that someone is upset about it currently being non-conforming. Seattle DPD investigating "No commercial sign; no way to get in; "caretaker" is a "caretaker of the property". There is no evidence of yacht sales or any commercial water-dependent business on-site." See http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Projec...
  • joelsails
    What is the latest with the old Azteca? I now seems to be the Goodman compound, 1/2 dozen cars parked around it 7 x 24 which is a lot for a 700 sq ft caretaker of no marina, piles were recently pulled.
    Any further news?
  • ShilsholeSailor
    Mr Goodman seems to have taken up residence;
    - 6 cars & a Hummer parked overnight
    - 2 Mercedes
    - 2 BMWs
    - Bently (?)
    - Accura (?), white and not in the same stratophere with the others.
    I've seen a child of middle school age shuttled to school...
    How do you do that in 676 sq ft "caretaker" unit???
    Or are those marina tennants, now that he has take out the docks?
    What ever happened to his application to add on?
  • Mike
    I believe the ground floor is a restaurant, I've heard the name Golden Tides.
  • pt
    eyesore
  • Nordic Woman
    Word on the street is that John's using it for an office. As far as being reticent about telling the public about what's going on...remember Howard Hughes?

    Well, I can tell you it probably isn't going to be another sushi place.
  • Kayla
    I never thought of a wedding chapel for this place, but with the Venetian, it would be nice. I thought it was going to be a B&B with the tousan feel to it. Normally when you can't get a straight answer out of someone, they are hiding something. Otherwise with all the money put in this place why isn't the guy proud of his work?

    I really miss Azteca, spent many a times down there. Good view and value for the little man to enjoy.
  • M
    When reached for comment, owner John Goodman was also quoted as saying "Donnie, you're out of your element."
  • Eric
    It looks sweet. I want it...
  • waterlover
    I dislike this structure for two reasons: style (gasp!) and waterfront misuse (surprise!).

    This house belongs in Las Vegas. Faux plaster revealing faux history in faux Venetian style. Haven't we graduated from these gimmicks here in the PNW!? (My favorite part is the toilet on the South elevation by the floor to ceiling window.)

    Seattle, and Ballard especially, utilizes its waterfront so terribly, when considering public access. With the exception of Ray's and Anthony's we have hardly any restaurants on the water. In Fremont in the summer, you can get a drink at the Nickerson - surrounded by traffic on all sides, rather than a deck that faces the canal. I appreciate the boatyards and marinas, and would further love to admire the workings of our semi-industrial waterfront from a cafe deck.

    This Vegas-emulating waterfront eyesore just represents another missed opportunity for a great restaurant, possibly even built with actual architectural consulting. I feel like it's our own slice of the Venetian, right here by the most beautiful view in the area.
  • jm
    It would make a nice art/photography studio.
  • Kate
    I doubt this will be a single family home. Mr Goodman has a waterfront home in Magnolia. This building looks very commercial and has a huge parking area. It looks even more commercial from the water. For examples, there are huge glass windows that don't open and no balconies. It would be a pretty peculiar house.
  • Crown Hill
    thanks Roy - just ordered a metal dhruker for the home.
  • Nordic Woman
    John Goodman is in fact a Ballard High School alum and has a house in Magnolia...as far as I can tell, he's going to use the building as an office and business.
  • hungry
    is this the same John Goodman of Roseanne fame? I would think that big fat guy would've preferred the Azteca.
  • joe
    @ e/c... can't build single-family homes along the waterfront of Puget Sound or Lake Union... must be a marine-related business, but can also have a residential component to it... the controversy is whether the design intent was to build a business or build a home.
  • Bryan
    I heard they were going to use it as a wedding reception area. Plenty of parking. Place upstairs for the reception. Beautiful setting. I could be wrong.
  • Hasfrau
    Maybe it is a bowling alley!
  • Joshua
    The things rich people have to go through to subvert the law. It's so annoying! Can't we all just let them do whatever they want!
  • Roy Hobbs
    @Crown Hill - we're particularly proud of the new product that OnlineMetals introduced today - go to our website and click on the "Print This Metal" button.
  • For a good hoax today, visit http://www.youtube.com
    Seriously.
  • Pollywog
    I like the look of the place. Personally, the old Azteca was the eyesore. It stood vacant for a few years, and I am glad someone can put that lot to use. Who cares if the guy is secretive, do you think he is breaking laws? Probably not.
  • Anthony
    I miss that azteca... :(
  • Crown Hill
    I thought at first that this was some sort of April first fun story...... has anyone read or heard a good hoax today?
  • boardbrown
    The irony is that it looks like an Azteca.
  • Joel
    Next time I see Mr. Goodman at the Elks I will offer to buy him a round in exchange for a tour of the new digs.
  • hungry
    it really is an eyesore.... although I might still go knocking on the door looking for an Azteca chimichanga.
  • george
    That's a lot of parking lot for SFH. What's the zoning?
  • e/c
    it's a single family home...whats the big deal?
  • chopper_74
    Thanks Peggy...
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