Pile driver!

I almost can't believe it, but it looks like the elusive Qwest Field North Lot project will finally break ground this year—in which half of the parking lot north of Qwest Field (and in front of our balcony) will get tore up and turned into (eventually) three towers with apartments, condos, and maybe even a supermarket.

Our floors were shaking for a few minutes this morning as they were driving more test piles into the ground. Our building manager said that he talked to the crews and that the first few piles had gone well, and that there were only 400-odd more to go, likely this August. Here's a pic from a few minutes ago:

Here's a rendition of the first structure, as planned:

And here's a picture of the models I had posted previously, with all of the towers:

Comments

[Tom]

There is a new (2007) building on First Hill that was built at the location of a grocery store. The neighborhood said a grocery store was really important. The project was held up when the developer revealed the replacement store would be a mini-mart. Then a real grocery store was put in. That store just closed because the landlord just jacked their rent.

Beware of developers' promises...
http://www.king5.com/news/local/Popular-First-Hill-grocery-store-closes-doors-115068434.html

[Paul]

Oh, I won't count on anything. And I have no idea if teh neighborhood can support a grocery store so close to the Waj. But grocery store by Benaroya gives me hope.

I went by the First Hill store a couple weeks ago after it had closed (I had no idea) and I asked a woman walking her dog what happened. She said they would miss it a lot, but that the owner lived on Bainbridge Island and his heart was never really in it. Also one of the commenters on that story says that the landlords *didn't* try to jack up the rent. I'm sure it's impossible to ever know what happened.

[dale hotep]

i can't wait to shop in your kitchen, paula.