TACOMA Project Discussion

[Tacoma Boy]

As promised, here is Townhome city. The area under development is roughly between Pine on the east, Warner on the west, about 40th on the north and 47th on the south. There is a metric assload of these things in there, with many older (look late 60s to 80s) homes.
I see lots of residential, but failed to find any of the "mixed use". Perhaps it's yet to be built?

** this is a big update! my apologies in advance to anyone with a slow connection **

Big row of them in the distance.. there seem to be two main styles. Some of these "apartment style" blocks:


and then there are these "rowhouse" style blocks:


Lots of bold color. Not sure if I like it.


Some of the apartment style ones under construction


Looking down a block (I don't remember which street is it... Alder, I think)


Looking south down Lawrence St... a preview of what the previous block will look like an a few months


Oh man... this sign just made me WANT to climb the fence!


Same townhomes from above. These are on Warner.


Looking west down 45th (that or 43rd) from Warner


Headed north on Warner (just up from the previous pic). I'm not 100% certain if they are a part of this huge project, but the styling and location leads me to believe they are likely connected.


Directly across the street from the surveillance sign building. Again, on Warner


Same ones. Check out the Cat. I always like getting the equipment in the scene... reminds you what it takes to build this stuff.


Exposed wires! Ok, maybe not the raw copper (or fiber optics). I think these are possibly telecommunications lines. Anyone know for sure?


From the same site. To give a little perspective on where this all is, that building high on the hill is the Apex, over by the mall.


Taken a couple of days ago over by Pine (that's the Tacoma Mall Office Building looming over them in the background). Don't know about anyone else, but these apartment style ones leave me cold.


Last one! It's an alternate rowhouse style. It's uncommon to see these kind, just the way everything is laid out, I guess.

[Tacoma Boy]

Found this on the corner of 19th and MLK. There used to be a run-down gas station there that had been abandoned for years. While I'm glad to see the blight being removed, I'm gonna miss the old man who sold cherries on that corner all summer long. I grew up in this area, it's awesome to see some progress finally in hilltop.

Looks like some retail brewing here. Anyone know more about it?


Looks like it will have a decent looking storefront when done... personally I'm a fan of brick.


Now that's a forklift!


For those not from T-Town (or just unfamiliar with hilltop), these are stone's throw from St Joes.


Progress and clean up in hilltop really brings joy to my heart... it's about time the neighborhood was taken back. I remember growing up here in the 80s when it was gang central. Now I actually feel safe enough to walk the streets... even at night. Anyone who talks about how "unsafe" Tacoma is really needs to leave 1985 behind. So much better than it used to be.

[Tacoma Boy]

Remember the new Hillcrest over on 9th?
There are already windows going in! The project is just speeding along like crazy. I suppose an OSB tower does have that advantage...



Check out that railing-type detail on the roof's edge. Kinda cool.


I wonder how memorable this thing will turn out. I like memorable buildings like this one (it is world famous, you know)

[Tacoma Boy]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

I like seeing Tacoma get crane action. Thanks for taking these and sharing. BTW, those are very cool named streets "Le Lou Wa"/"Hyada".

These are for you, amigo.
And by the way, all the streets up in Browns Point have names like that. Someone once told me they were from the Puyallup language. I have no idea how correct that is or isn't.

Anyway, a couple of crane shots.
This is the big one from down on the corner in front of Chelsea Hts. If I get a chance this weekend, I'll try to get a glimpse into that giant hole that the crane stands in.


Here is the boiler plant crane in all it's glory.


Hey Jake... I was thinking about the whole smokestack issue and I thought of something. Couldn't we form some sort of citizen advocacy group and get Metro Parks to plant some big, fast growing trees across from it? That might help minimize the negative effects of the plant on the appeal of Wright Park.

[jake840]

Great updates.

The "Townhome City" actually goes west to about Puget Sound Ave. PS Ave. is getting all new streets, sidewalks, sewer, landscaping, etc through an LID. Should be nice once it is done. For people not fimiliar with the area west of the Tacoma Mall it is somewhat similar to the infastructure of parts of North Seattle. No sidewalks, crappy streets. I believe other streets are going to be seeing LIDs in the near future because the city council was not happy how things were looking. I have been involved in a few transactions back there. Things move fast. If a home is priced right (around $150-170k) and is on a good lot the developers grab it up fast and tear it down.

The structure on 19th and MLK is being built for a drive-thru coffee shop, rumored to be Tully's. While it is an improvement for the neighborhood (19th-23rd and MLK used to be a big problem area) the design is lacking in urban appeal. Very strip mall suburb style. The developer did work with the neighborhood and asked what people wanted (coffee, food, etc) and don't want (check cashing, smoke shop). I think those promises were part of the rezone of the lot. I am hoping so. I live right down 19th a few blocks and I am excited for a neighborhood coffee shop.

And look at that deck on those penthouses on Hillcrest. Pretty nice. The developer of this project was planning a mixed-use project on Madison in Seattle. I believe it was on the triangular lot across from the car wash at the top of the hill. Anyone know the status on that? I might have to shoot him an email.

Not sure about the tree planting at Wright Park. I think they just got done taking down trees and planting new ones. A lot of community input went into the building so hopefully they did all they could to limit the impact of the neighborhood and park.


Tacoma Boy how about the McCarver Neighborhood (my neighborhood ) next? Townhome City #2 or maybe I should do that since I am already here.

[Tacoma Boy]

Speak of Chelsea Heights. As long as I was in the area, I hoofed it and went to the back alley to get a closer look.

Almost more interesting than the front side on J street.


Floors 2-4 are living, bottom is retail. I wonder what will go in there? A restaurant would do booming business with Tacoma General so close by.
I wonder if I could convince Gary to give me and my camera a tour...


I really like the red and the gray. The white part though... seems to clash if you ask me.


Looking in through the window by the truck in the 1st picture. This is the retail floor.


I would have loved to get a peek in at the units, but I don't think climbing up on the truck to get to the ledge would have been worth it. Besides, the neighbors were eying me suspiciously.


Just a reminder that this is still a construction site and all.


I got a few more sites on my hit list that I hope to get this weekend...

[Tacoma Boy]

Originally Posted by jake840

Great updates.

The "Townhome City" actually goes west to about Puget Sound Ave. PS Ave. is getting all new streets, sidewalks, sewer, landscaping, etc through an LID. Should be nice once it is done. For people not fimiliar with the area west of the Tacoma Mall it is somewhat similar to the infastructure of parts of North Seattle. No sidewalks, crappy streets. I believe other streets are going to be seeing LIDs in the near future because the city council was not happy how things were looking. I have been involved in a few transactions back there. Things move fast. If a home is priced right (around $150-170k) and is on a good lot the developers grab it up fast.

The structure on 19th and MLK is being built for a drive-thru coffee shop, rumored to be Tully's. While it is an improvement for the neighborhood (19th-23rd and MLK used to be a big problem area) the design is lacking in urban appeal. Very strip mall suburb style. The developer did work with the neighborhood and asked what people wanted (coffee, food, etc) and don't want (check cashing, smoke shop). I think those promises were part of the rezone of the lot. I am hoping so. I live right down 19th a few blocks and I am excited for a neighborhood coffee shop.

And look at that deck on those penthouses on Hillcrest. Pretty nice. The developer of this project was planning a mixed-use project on Madison in Seattle. I believe it was on the triangular lot across from the car wash at the top of the hill. Anyone know the status on that? I might have to shoot him an email.

Tacoma Boy how about the McCarver Neighborhood (my neighborhood ) next? Townhome City #2 or maybe I should do that since I am already here.

If you wanna hit all that stuff down on Yakima and near McCarver, go for it. I was planning on headed for some downtown sites (like the Park Place South) and Point Ruston.

I have high hopes for Townhome city. It's great to see entire neighborhoods get a boost and a face lift. Of course $170K is still high for many people, especially considering the economy lately. We also need some affordable housing that looks good as well.

It's too bad that it's strip-mall type... reminds me of that strip mall going up on the corner of 38th and Pac ave. That site would have been far better suited to something like Jay Hts.
I just hope we don't see check cashing or a pawn shop or whatever at 19th & MLK. Not working with the neighborhood is a serious problem that we need to break developers from.

My buddy lives right by Seattle U. I'll have him look at the site and see is anything is going on there.

[jake840]

Don't know if you would want to call Gary. He was selling the condos and the building has been switched to apartments so I don't think he is involved anymore.

[Tacoma Boy]

Originally Posted by jake840

Don't know if you would want to call Gary. He was selling the condos and the building has been switched to apartments so I don't think he is involved anymore.

good point. I kinda forgot about that.
I wonder if we can use the "free advertising" card to get into some of these places. Hell, look at the access people like Harry C and Imre have managed to get over on the supertall board. Most folks eat that stuff up, and those projects get free advertising.

Methinks I'll email/call Prium on Monday. What's the worst they can say? No?

[mSeattle]

The dense suburban apartement-style townhomes are ok.

For future designs: They should build closer to the street and the entrance to the car garages and garbage/recycle action put in the back/alley.

Where are they in relation to downtown -- you probably said but I missed it in your write-up.

[jake840]

Originally Posted by mSeattle

The dense suburban apartement-style townhomes are ok.

For future designs: They should build closer to the street and the entrance to the car garages and garbage/recycle action put in the back/alley.

Where are they in relation to downtown -- you probably said but I missed it in your write-up.

That area is west of the Tacoma Mall.

I think they do put the parking off the alley for the back units. The front units get the front facing garages. They could put the front units parking in the middle but unless you have street access on both sides you are going to lose 1 or 2 units.

[Vashon118]

The Commencement (taken 04/05):

[Tacoma Boy]

Nice pics, Vashon!
I was actually headed up there today, but got distracted (tomorrow's update will show why). Needless to say, it's obvious that great minds think alike. Did you get any of the Point Ruston sites?

Anyone heard more on the Commencement being stopped? I've heard that a legal issue with the Town of Ruston has put a freeze on the project. Something about the sale of the land? Anyone know anything more?


So, here's one for today. Stadium 302. For anyone who doesn't know, it's down on the opposite side of Stadium Bowl.
The sign:


Looking down the street... not the most flattering side of the building


Frontal shot. Fair amount of glass, but that's not surprising considering the view.


Around the bend in the road. Those porches are going to be so nice on a hot summer day!


The neighbors... the big guy in the back is Vista Del Ray. Built sometime in 1951. 185' tall, I think...


Remember that view I mentioned? This is only a small part of it...


...more tomorrow. Including Park Place South and my distraction from going to Ruston.

[Vashon118]

Didn't really get around to checking out the Point Ruston sites.

I haven't heard anything about the Commencement being stopped. I did a check on Google and didn't find anything about this. I did see something where Ruston's council was trying to force the Commencement to remove their sales center from the old Ruston School.

http://rustonhome.blogspot.com/2008/...it-update.html

[jake840]

There was a change in developer last year or in 2006 for The Commencement. From what I heard the Marcato people are now building it.

I also read in the last Business Examiner that the old real estate broker is suing the developer lost commissions.

I really think it is time for Ruston to get of the business of being a town. The Ruston Neighborhood of Tacoma would work so much better.

[jake840]

Here is the update on the McCarver Neighborhood in Downtown Tacoma:

This is a map I made a few months back for a condo I had listed in the neighborhood:


Townhomes

City Steps :






Metro Homes:








Bella View:







HighRidge:









McCarver Village:











Element 20:







Lexington Square:







Gaslamp Terrace:







Conversions:

Grandview Condos:



1919 Condos:



Nineteen02 Condos:



1939 South I Street Condos:



Low Income Rentals

Eliza McCabe Townhomes:





Hillside Terrace:






Neighborhood Shots:


McCarver Elementary School


St. Joseph's Medical Center



Proposed Grocery Store Mixed-Use Building Site


When Anarchist attack. TPD said they caught them.


Hwy 509 Cable-Stay Bridge


Some left over urban blight.

[jake840]

Some great urban shots!

I took a stroll through the Hilltop and thought I would share:

[mhays]

Nice. The Hilltop has its problems, but even in the 90s it was far better than its reputation among the suburbanite / TV news watcher crowd.

[Tacoma Boy]

Ah, good old hilltop. Some of those pics aren't too far from my parent's house.
Yeah, parts of the hill (like 23rd and M) were pretty sketchy back in the 80s, but now it's just more or less rundown in some places. Not at all like it used to be.

[Tacoma Boy]

The Vilaggio looks like it's finally finished. The equipment is gone and construction fences are almost vanished as well. I only found fencing around the garage entrance in front and in the alley by the courtyard.



Shiny... and they're renting now (as is obvious). I think I'll call for info (rather talk to a person than surf the 'net). Not that I want to move, but I am super curious...


There is a still-fenced off courtyard area in the alley...


Looking through the fence at the permanent gate. I like the design.


The neighbors:
Up the hill is the Mercato


And down the hill is the Convention Center