More redevelopment awaits Town Center – Two more large-scale projects planned
Published 4:56 pm Monday, November 24, 2008
By Wendy Giroux
Two more mixed use developments are being planned for the Town Center, pushing the total number of large-scale developments to seven.
Just west of Tully’s, at 7800 S.E. 27th St., plans call for a development dubbed 7800 Plaza, which will include apartments, office and retail space.
And kitty-corner from Island Market Square, which is currently being built by Swinerton Builders for owner Steve Cohn, is called Cohn Mixed-Use. That project will be on a longer timeline, and likely won’t begin construction until Island Market Square is complete. It also will include apartments, retail and office space.
“These are huge. We have had such a big year this past year, getting the community center, Island Market Square and several other projects reviewed,” said Kirsten Taylor, liaison for the major construction projects and customer service team leader for the city.
“Now, to have two or three new projects that will need design review and plan review, it means lots and lots of work for Development Services and the Design Commission,” Taylor said. “We see this being another very active year for residential and commercial projects.”
City Councilman Jim Pearman, who serves as the liaison to the Design Commission, said members were quite impressed with the plans they reviewed for the Cohn Mixed Use project.
“What I like about it is they’re working with the developer across the street,” Pearman said. “I also like it because it’s not a boring building. It’s got some nice modulations.”
The 7800 Plaza will be five stories built on a 15,556-square-foot site. Designed by TSA Architects, the plans call for 24 apartments — or 27,000 square feet of residential space — 85 off-street parking spaces, an art feature and a water feature. The project will be built by Island-based developer HMI.
It is scheduled for final approval by the Design Commission on Wednesday, March 23, then will move on to the building permit process.
Plans for the Cohn Mixed Use project include the following description: “A lively pedestrian experience that includes retail, recreation and a private residential entrance and access to all parking.”
Designed by Mithun Architects, Designers and Planners, the plans include a public plaza on S.E. 27th Street, a central private courtyard for residents and retail space along 77th Avenue S.E., S.E. 27th Street and 78th Avenue S.E. There will be 12,950 square feet of retail space and 317 parking stalls. Plans also call for new tree plantings and bench seats along 27th and 78th.
The project is tentatively scheduled for preliminary Design Commission approval on April 13, but the applicant has not yet submitted the necessary documents.
Sidebar: Mercer Island development updates
Following are updates on the other ongoing or planned projects:
Aljoya House at Mercer Island, 2430 76th Ave. S.E.
Era Care Communities has planned an upscale senior living community of 131 units is proposed for the site where Ana’s Family Mexican Restaurant and Haruko’s operate now. The project includes 131 independent and assisted living units, 24,829 square feet of resident amenities and 83 underground parking spaces. Construction is slated to begin in November and last 15 months. The project is scheduled for preliminary Design Commission approval on Wednesday, March 23, and tentatively scheduled for final approval on April 27.
Avellino Apartments, 2834 78th Ave. S.E.
A model unit is complete and available for public viewing. The finishing work on the project is expected to be complete early this year. The five-story, mixed-use project includes 23 apartments, 2,600 square feet of retail and office space and 43 parking spaces. For more information, check www.avellinomi.com
Island Market Square, 2758 78th Ave. S.E.
Major slab pours are continuing; wood framing work is ongoing. The four- and five-story project calls for five buildings with up to 210 apartment and loft units, 14,045 square feet of office space, 22,000 square feet of ground floor retail, restaurant and service space, and 493 underground parking spaces. For more information, visit www.islandmarketsquare.com
The Mercer, 7750 S.E. 27th St. (formerly called Gateway Commons)
Demolition of two buildings is complete; shoring and grading permits have been issued and earthwork and mass excavation have begun. The project is in the midst of building permit review. Also of note is that Dollar Development owner James Cassan has purchased the Travelodge site adjacent to The Mercer — no plans have been submitted for that site.
Newell Court, 3011 78th Ave. S.E.
Now renting; finishing work is underway. Minimal traffic impacts are expected. The three-story project includes 40 apartment units, about 2,540 square feet of office, retail and service uses, and 59 underground parking stalls.
One major project is planned for outside the Town Center:
South Mercer Center, 8451 S.E. 68th St.
Applicants are planning a two-story office and retail building in the south-end QFC shopping complex. It is tentatively scheduled for final review by the Design Commission on April 13; it will then move on to the building permit process.
For more information on any of the projects, visit www.ci.mercer-island.wa.us and click on “Departments: Building and Planning” and then click on “Town Center Development.”
