Fred Meyer plans to tear down its Greenwood store and the Greenwood Market next door to make room for a much larger store and urban village.
PhinneyWood has the scoop on the new development, along with preliminary sketches and coverage of some of the controversy surrounding it.
New Fred Meyer center of big Greenwood project
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
That's really sad if Greenwood Market is getting torn down. I use to live near by there so I frequented the store often. It's still the only place I know of where I can get Wax Orchard's fruit sweetened fudge sauce. Where will I go to get my chocolate fix?
Are they really planning on building 200-300 apartments in this climate? Seems like an exercise in planned failure. I know we're talking 3-5 years until completion, but still… Combine that with the big box concept that may or may not thrive, and it could totally change the landscape of the downtown Greenwood area. And not for the better.
Nice to see the “progessive” nature of Seattle continuing even in Greenwood. Being old enough to rememeber Value -Mart when it went up, very littlw has been done it that area since, and the land has become worth much more. Does anybody else think they might just get together and make this store “what the people want”? Or do they just wanna piss all the regular whiners off? Which isn't hard at al to do. The ones allowing this are the elected represenatives. As in a “represenative democracy”. I guess some still wanna srive their model-t to the market while their 8-track plays on. Walking to a new, better, expanded Greenwood Market might just keep you guilty fools outta yer Prius for a day now too! Have at it
Well you know the QFC north of 85th on 15th is closing. Maybe Town & Country could move Greenwood Market there, change the name to Crown Hill Market. I like the sound of that!
I have to say this revised plan is so much better aesthetically and more neighborhood friendly than the original big box design!
datajunkie, I'm sure if you talk to Ballard Market they can get in your FudgeSauce, but I really hope that Greenwood Market will just be relocating within the area, rather than being replaced by the new FM grocery!
since when have shopping centers become “urban villages”?
this city will do anything for money. this entire area is a bog!!
I much prefer Greenwood Market with its great employees and increasingly good selection of organic products. More friendly and 'real folks' than Ballard Market. And what about Natalie's Coffee next door? I'm hoping we don't totally lose them both!
This is not 'what the people want.' Nobody I know in Greenwood is happy about this. I have no problem with new developments that fit into a neighborhood. This does not. But Fred Meyer isn't taking suggestions or opinions. So what if Greenwood starts sinking again?
And I'll repeat what I said before about the Ballard Fred Meyer. You need a map and a pith helmet to find what you went in there for and the produce section is a joke.
what?
when they are combined with residential, mass transit options, and are located adjacent to other urban areas. i.e. downtown greenwood.
WTF is a 'real folk' ?
That stretch of 85th needs all the help it can get. While they're at it, get one of the wreckers to cross the street and tear down that windowless teen drug, er dance, hall.
Plus Fred Meyer is filled with working class people. Yuck!
“Not pretentious”
Here is a map of the Greenwood Peat Bog, in case anyone is interested. (Fred Meyer site appears to be out of the bog, unlike the Safeway was)
Take your generalizations and assumptions elsewhere.
And, btw, I'm a recently laid off 'working class' person who shops at the Ballard Market. My favorite stuff is almost always on sale.
Actually, HERE is the link: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/DPD/static/Fig8_Pea…
the city will allow building just about anywhere (i.e perkins lane). it's like building on a bed of moss up there. if you haven't already, drive around the immediate neighborhood. notice the cracked and sinking streets? not a real stable foundation.
let me sign that petition!
Really? Someone at Phinnywood.com is saying Ballard Market is filled with yuppies, not 'real people'. I'm so confused: where's a 6 figure income college grad professional supposed to shop and fit in? Apparently I fit in nowhere.
And you can tell just by looking? You must have amazing eyesight or is a pretentious person just some one with a better car than you?
Wow! You mean somebody has a differing opinion? I'm shocked! Shocked, I tell you!
Sadly, Greenwood Market isn't going to be expanded but torn down. It is the loss of the neighborhood identity and businesses that we are decrying. Fred Meyer is simply going to bulldoze through with the plans because they can, regardless of what the people want.
Last time I checked, my Model T only had an AM radio. What's this 8-track?
Not shocked, just confused how to focus my class envy. Any tips?
So? Thats why we have people called engineers.
Yeah – they suck, we're cool.
The funny thing about people is that they don't always know what they want. I'm sure plenty of people in greenwood will end up shopping there and enjoying it, even if they are against it now.
Is that place still a clean and sober dance club? I think that was the reason that it was all ages because they didn't serve booze. If it is, I doubt all of the AA types that hang around would put up with any sort of drugs. Probably less drugs in there than the rest of greenwood.
Who's cool? Who sucks?
This is great, I feel like I'm back in High School. I hope I'm in the cool clique like Molly Ringwald in 'Pretty in Pink'. I'd hate to be Andrew McCarthy; I mean, besides money and good looks, what did he have?
Daniel, can I assume you're Duckie?
Urban Village. ugh.
ha! nice.
Your high school sounds cool.
No way to tell by looking of course since Seattlites are so generic for the most part but so few of the climber types can keep their mouths shut they give themselves away. They often try to impress sales people and clerks and of course other posters on blogs
I agree the term is hurl causing but the idea is nice and Greenwood may well be the most walkable area of town we have so it really is an urban village right now. It’s flat and offers a better variety of daily need type as well as recreational shopping than Ballard or other neighborhoods. Better restaurants also. It is also well served by transit. I really can’t see the new money moving there however. They like to think the ‘belong’ to a hood with a history like Ballard.
Like people who blab about their divorces on blogs?
Hey, if it means I get to make out with Annie Potts, sure!
For all of those who are concerned about the “Greenwood bog”, there is something called a pile foundation. Its either driven into the ground or cast in place in a deep drilled shaft. It will reach all the way down below the “bog” until it contacts firm dense soil. The building will then be supported on top of the piles. All of the houses and streets are sinking because they are supported directly by soil on top of the bog. As it decomposes, it condenses and then everything sinks. Just an fyi, the entire U village is built on top of a 25 foot thick layer of decomposing peat, and it is not sinking at all.
Now that the bog concern is not longer, on to the building. I support this project. I dont like greenwood market getting the shaft, but I am hoping they can move over to the old QFC. But most important to me as a neighbor, is improving 85th. Like others mentioned, that stretch of 85th west of greenwood ave is a little neglected to say the least. the huge surface parking lots are an eyesore and a waste of real estate. Hopefully, this development will be a catalyst for further redevelopment of adjacent properties. The lot directly south of fred on 85th has been fenced and disintegrating for the last 3 or 4 yrs that i have lived nearby. And the shanty houses to the west, and the strip mall to the east are all in need of the dozer.
Specifically about the project, i like how they are burying most all of the store. This will allow it too blend in better with the smaller apartment buildings that are scattered around the site. Which i really like as compared to one massive apartment building taking up the whole site. The site will be well utilized while not feeling massive. I think it will complement the new development just finished to the east as well as the historic greenwood ave. Hopefully they will incorporate some finishes that will tie it to the older buildings nearby.
Looks like a map to show Greenwood meth heads….maybe there's a relationship?
I like the idea a lot. Greenwood has such an icky feeling to it, especially that area of 85th. What is the deal with the rotting cafe type thing across from the Fred Meyer/Top Ten Toys area? That little slice of heaven needs to be bulldozed.
It may be an “Urban Village”, or “Pretentious”, or whatever other buzzwords people like to throw around about new construction, but it doesn't look like as much of an eyesore as, say, the Dance Club or the other run-down buildings around the area. Aesthetics are SO important in a neighborhood's overall safety and wellbeing, like it or not, and there needs to be more construction like this in areas of 85th, 15th, and other more busy Ballard/Greenwood area streets.
Seriously, at 2 am in the morning, would you rather be standing alone in front of that shopping village or some rotting, dilapidated building across the street?
“since when have shopping centers become “urban villages”?”
Since white liberals moved in and decided they wanted to live like Europeans after their 2 week vacation to Europe in 1992. They want cute independent cafes, florists, and boutiques. Of course, this will make the area expensive as hell, just like European cities, and we can then watch the feigned indignation of white liberals as their property values go up an their urban village is realized.
it seems you're not familiar w/zoning regulation/regulating in seattle. engineers are part of the scam.
still wouldn't buy there. buyer beware is all i have to say.
You can get it here: http://store.waxorchards.com/index.aspx?
Which restaurants are better in Greenwood? and I'm not being snarky – I really want to know!
The problem is the existing homes, which are not built on pile foundations. Installing a pile foundation after the fact is prohibitively expensive, often reaching into 6 digits. New construction is less expensive in overall cost, however.
Barnofs has good food. A lot of people don't believe me about that, but it's actually true. Also, fab food at Naked City.
I wouldn't call Greenwood better for food, though. Better for breakfast (Barnofs) but maybe not in general (IMHO).
thanks! I was wondering because I think Ballard has a lot of good restaurants. I'd love to be noshing at Ocho right now . . . darn kid keeping me tied to the house.
the existing structures built upon the bog are on their own. I was only addressing the concerns of those who spoke against the project because of concerns that the site would prohibit such development. If the existing home owners are looking for someone to blame, I have not a clue what to say about that. But I can say for certain, its not the future development of big fred.
:)
good point about the vast parking lots there. maybe they can move the parking to the back and actually have the new businesses adjacent to the sidewalk?
The “teen dance emporium” has been closed for years now. There's never been a for sale or lease sign on it, so I suspect the owner's just sitting on it until market conditions improve.
The vacant building on the corner of 3rd and 85th recently had a large for lease sign added to it, so we'll see if someone makes a go of it. The building needs a significant remodel though, so there's going to be a lot of upfront capital investment required. The lot itself is also in bad shape.
Frankly, that stretch of 8th between Greenwood and 8th has a lot of marginal small businesses that have been there for a while. I guess the rent must allow for small revenues, because they're never very busy.
Snoopy,
Wow. “And the shanty houses to the west… in need of the dozer”. That statement pi$$e$ me off for a number of reasons. You must be thrilled that Ballard is close to being free from shanties and lower cost homes to keep those shanty people out.
Gorditos is great as is Kalia and the Thai place in one of the best in Seattle. Also the Mandarin is the best American Chinese outside Chinatown although of course they have opened a second place in Ballard now. I frequent both and adore the family who runs them. They are lovely friendly people. Barnof’s is like stepping back to 1960 restaurant days but it is well prepared American type food and the bar has a generous pour for a good price unlike most of the trendy spots. Romeos is a great deal if you can get in the door; the place is always so packed. It’s better and half the price of Lomabardis. I REALLY miss the King Falafel.
I admit I am not too into overpriced trendy food. I don’t go out for décor or ambiance or to see and be seen. I go to eat a meal that is good, for a good price and I don’t have to prepare myself.
Yes, people that allow their houses to fall into state of disrepair like those, i do not want living in my neighborhood. And if the house is rented, then I dont want people like that owning and renting houses near me either. I am only 2 blocks from 85th and the better it looks, the more desirable my block is to live on. I spend hours every weekend keeping my house and yard looking their best. It encourages my neighbors to do the same without me ever saying a word to them.
Gardening in Greenwood means trying to figure out how many beater cars you can park on the weeds….
Well, how many meth labs does Greenwood need?
My Gyros is fantastic… and check out the food menu at Gainsborough- Mmmmm mMMMtasty!
Ahhh Snoopy. Unfortunately your reply is EXACTLY what I expected. You people judge so quickly without regard to other's circumstances. Some people are too busy working paying for those crap homes to work in the yards. How wonderful for you that you have all that leisure time to devote to your yard. As I am being run out of Ballard, I may end up as your neighbor in the future. I'll be one of the Shanty people decorating my yard with cars to cut down on the need for mowing, and motorcycles are my idea of lawn art. I'll be sure and extend an invite to come over for beer and BBQ. And please don't mow before 10. Thanks buddy.
Greenwood Market will find a new home, at least I hope they will because I do like Town and Country Markets.
As for the project…it looks like a keeper to me. That area could use some new life. Hopefully by opening date the economy will be in repair and many new people move into the area, bringing their dollars with them.
Thanks for the tip! I really prefer to buy products from stores as opposed to ordering them through the mail for some reason. Maybe I need some sort of instant gratification? Anyway, I may end up ordering from their site.
Ballard Market has been really responsive when I've asked for products in the past – I'd try them. You can request stuff online too (I always forget when I'm there for some reason).
Gorditos sucks, go two blocks west to Tequilas!!
Greenwood market employess aren't friendly, they're bored because they've got nothing to do.
(PS That dump of a market couldn't fill up the QFC space even it could afford the rent to remain profitable.) Otherwise, great insight
Oh Motorrad is one of those (folks) who lives in the city and complains about noise. I can't wait until you move to my part of town. I'll know it's you when I see your busted Honda Rebel in the yard.