DEVELOPMENT: Two updates from 4700 block of Fauntleroy

| Development | West Seattle news

From the east side of the 4700 block of Fauntleroy (between Alaska and Edmunds):

WORK ABOUT TO START: Thanks to Binh for sending the notice circulated in the area of the two-building 4722 Fauntleroy Way project, saying work is finally about to start. The notice from Compass Construction says they’re expecting to get going on the 300-plus-unit project in the first week of May. (This is the former West Seattle Produce site.)

NEW NAME FOR NEWLY COMPLETE PROJECT: When 4754 Fauntleroy (100+ apartments and live-works on the former Capitol Loans site) was in the planning stages, the project team used the name The Foundry. Driving by this afternoon, we noticed the almost-complete project has a sign up, bearing a different name: The Huxley. We’re asking the developer if that’s a tribute to anyone in particular (The Whittaker, across Fauntleroy, you’ll recall, was named for the legendary climber, who has West Seattle roots). According to The Huxley’s website, its units – described as “luxury apartments” – range from 437 to 1070 square feet, with rents from $1,505 (for the income-restricted 1 bedrooms related to the project’s participation in the Multifamily Tax Exemption program) to $3,050.

AN April 22, 2019 (3:56 pm)

Did I read that correctly? $1505.00 for a 1 bedroom and that’s the income-restricted price???That rate is not affordable for a single mother or father with a child. A couple with no kids could afford it but they wouldn’t qualify. A low income couple with a child shouldn’t have to live in a 1 bedroom. How is this affordable housing? This is why we have a homeless epidemic! The owners get a tax break for charging, what should be considered an over priced 1 bedroom apartment that is all of 437 Sq Ft……This is Outrageous!

psps April 22, 2019 (4:55 pm)

That is pretty ridiculous.
AJ April 22, 2019 (6:08 pm)

I agree that $1505 is absolutely ridiculous for an income-restricted one bedroom. However, looking at their site, it looks like the studios are 437 sq ft., and the 1 bedrooms start at 507 sq ft. Not a big difference, I know.
Erithan April 22, 2019 (7:43 pm)

Plus any seniors or disabled people wouldn’t either, don’t even get that much a month. Nothing is really affordable for people in that range at this point though, feel like no one ever thinks of them with planning or affordability.I remember growing up here absolutely being able to find 2 bedrooms for $500 easy.
- Bill April 23, 2019 (8:33 am)
  
  Yes because we all know prices never change and $500 should be the rate for a 2 bedroom apartment for the next 100 years
  - Erithan April 23, 2019 (10:04 am)
    
    That wasn’t my point, I was just pointing out the extreme changes in prices. No need for sarcasm. = /
bolo April 22, 2019 (10:39 pm)

Evidently children are not an important demographic in Seattle. Remember, there are way more dogs in Seattle than kids! The developers are therefore not thinking about children in their units.
Swede. April 23, 2019 (9:03 am)

You will however qualify as low income if you ad a single person ‘only’ make $56200. (That goes up for your example to $72250!)

old timer April 22, 2019 (5:49 pm)

The use of the word “luxury” in the advertising for these tiny cubes makes me want to laugh.

The truth April 22, 2019 (6:05 pm)

Wow! Glad public giveaways to this developer net us some affordable units. Time for this city council to be replaced! This is insanity!

WSB April 22, 2019 (7:16 pm)

The MFTE is not a creation of this City Council. It was originally created in 1998, expanded 10 years later, renewed in 2015 (before the election in which a majority of current councilmembers took office). Lot of background in this post by former Councilmember Nick Licata on the occasion of a program audit he had requested:
http://licata.seattle.gov/2012/09/19/new-audit-on-mfte-program-released-today

A 2018 list of participants (including then-planned projects like this one) is toward the end of this
https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Housing/HousingDevelopers/MultifamilyTaxExemption/2017%20MFTE%20Annual%20Report%20with%20Attachments.pdf

AJ April 22, 2019 (6:10 pm)

WSB, speaking of West Seattle Produce, have you heard anything about them reopening in a new location?

WSB April 22, 2019 (7:01 pm)

Nope. Last update from them was last year when they said they couldn’t find anywhere in WS so they were looking outside the area.

BAS April 23, 2019 (7:44 am)

The branding of The Huxely suggests it may be named after writer Aldous Huxley.I’m not sure if that branding fits with our outdoorsy theme here in WS. It’s more SLU or CapHill.

Anonymous April 23, 2019 (7:57 am)

I live in a building with senior citizens. Most in their 80’s or even 90’s. Our building was sold and it is being renovated with apartments starting at $1,800. Here’s part of the letter we recently received – “We appreciate your patience and understanding while we’ve begun the renovation of both units and common areas at the community……We want to continue the renovation process and are asking you to consider moving.” Of course this is not a ‘consider’ we will be evicted! Where are these people supposed to go!!

BJG April 23, 2019 (8:51 am)

I mentioned when the name Foundry was chosen, the area was known for blackberries and mud puddles, not metalworks. Then it was built and looked like a gray factory, so okay. Now it’s the The Huxley, for that author’s Brave New World? Seeing the rentals for tiny income-restricted units makes me think of the novel’s caste system. Oh my! It all fits.

I. Ponder April 23, 2019 (10:43 am)

Meanwhile, throughout the city, homeowners have fought allowing greater density in single family neighborhoods. For instance, the Queen Anne Community Council has so far blocked loosening regulations that would make it easier for homeowners to build backyard cottages throughout the city. More supply of different kinds of housing will mean more options for individuals and families. Increasing housing supply does in fact stabilize housing costs. So next time friends and neighbors complain about their neighborhood being ruined by the threat of backyard cottages, duplexes, and townhomes, remind them that you can’t have both affordability and exclusive single-family neighborhoods.

KM April 23, 2019 (12:33 pm)

QACC via their representative and leader, Marty Kaplan, have made erroneous statements to support their claims, in community meetings, in the Seattle Times, and in meetings with Jenny Durkan. Either they are looking to block newcomers from their neighborhood, or they are misinformed/working with bad information to come to most of their conclusions. Their attempts to negotiate directly with CM O’Brien and Mayor Durkan are concerning as well–a dozen or so homeowners shouldn’t have influence or special consideration at City Hall.
- KM April 23, 2019 (1:50 pm)
  
  I should have put a (?) after “leader” because I don’t think he currently leads QACC, but is just on their board/leadership group, but does still appear to lead the efforts on this issue within the group.
- CMT April 24, 2019 (9:32 pm)
  
  Their intent is not at all to block newcomers and I would be interested to know what misinformation you are referring to. More troubling from my perspective are the attempts by CMs Gonzales, O’Brien et al to improperly lobby the state government in an attempt to end run City planning and process with respect to their proposed ADU legislation. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/legislators-dont-meddle-in-city-planning/

CMT April 23, 2019 (11:56 am)

Your comment mischaracterizes Queen Anne Community Council as seeking to inhibit affordable housing. Rather, Queen Anne Community wants things like assurance that one of the dwellings will be owner occupied in order to ensure that backyard cottages are actually utilized for the stated purpose of creating affordable housing rather than allowing offsite developers to create Airbnbs which do not create affordable housing. I would encourage you to look at their actual position and concerns about the proposed legislation.

BJG April 23, 2019 (12:06 pm)

Backyard cottages are expensive to build even if you wanted to. City of Seattle suggested $150K some time ago. Architects who have done them say $250K. After paying for modest repairs/remodels in Seattle, I’m betting both are low estimates. (Then there is the whole loss of tree canopy concern.) Our neighbors are struggling just to pay their propert taxes right now. No one can afford to build and not make a decent return plus pay off construction loans and new higher income and property taxes. If you see many units in WS on a single lot, you are seeing developers. They are not offering them at low rents either. ADUs and DADUs will not be an answer to affordable housing in expensive Seattle. This is a sad reality.

Peter April 23, 2019 (3:45 pm)

Agreed. A lot of politicians are dishonestly touting ADUs as some kind of magic bullet that will solve our middle class housing shortage. I’m not against them by any means, but they’re being way oversold. ADUs will never be more than a tiny niche market because the vast majority of people don’t want people living in their basement/backyard/attic. ADUs are just distraction from the need for a massive increase in middle class housing. Also, once an ADU is built, the price of that house for future buyers will be dramatically higher.
Swede. April 23, 2019 (9:48 pm)

Just looked on current construction cost due to finding a ‘fixer-upper’ to see if/how much it would be worth. And its $250-300/sqf, and up if you want better quality…

Sorry, comment time is over.