The community is invited to give input into Fred Meyer’s redevelopment plans for its Greenwood store from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the Phinney Neighborhood Association, in the brick building’s Community Hall.
At the meeting, Fred Meyer and its design firm, GGLO, and housing developer Lorig & Associates, will present their proposal, answer questions and gather feedback from community groups, business leaders and residents.
The $77 million project will demolish the current Fred Meyer and Greenwood Market, and build a 170,000-square-foot super store, which would include groceries. About 20,00 square feet will be available to other tenants, and the project includes 200-300 apartments.
The first hour will be an open house where people can see design renderings up close and speak one-on-one with members of the project team. A presentation and question-and-answer session from 7-9 p.m. will be moderated by Greenwood Chamber President Steve Giliberto. Light refreshments will be provided.
A member of the Greenwood neighborhood since 1975, Fred Meyer has met more than 50 times over the last six years with various community members and organizations to discuss the future of the Greenwood store. The company’s current proposal includes redeveloping the site with a strong focus on sustainable design and building, 200 to 300 apartments, and additional retail space to be occupied by small, boutique retailers and restaurants. Plans also include a public plaza for community gatherings and events, and a continuation of Piper Village’s Woonerf-inspired Morrow Lane—which is a European-influenced street emphasizing walkability and bicycle access.
“We look forward to hearing the suggestions and the ideas of the people who live in the neighborhood so we can be sure we create a place that people enjoy, appreciate, and use,” said Tom Gibbons, Director of Real Estate Development for Fred Meyer Stores. “Thanks to the involvement of the Greenwood community, this store will be unlike anything Fred Meyer has ever done.”
For more information, contact Melinda Merrill, Fred Meyer Public Affairs, 503-797-3830; or Kathleen Warren, Parsons Public Relations, 206-789-5668, Kathleen@parsonspr.com.
As we have previously reported, the proposed project is bringing out strong feelings on both sides of the issue, so this is a good opportunity to make your voice heard.
15 responses so far ↓
1 jm // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:16 am
Wow, a huge investment to improve grubby Greenwood.
2 MonkeyPilot // Jun 23, 2009 at 6:23 am
Fred Meyer’s empty ocean of asphalt is no small reason why Greenwood is considered “grubby” by some.
3 Austin King // Jun 23, 2009 at 7:57 am
Thanks for the heads up!
4 Iron City Mike // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:02 am
Sounds like they are bending over backwards to accomodate the community - I can’t believe anyone would oppose this.
5 Neighbor // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:19 am
@2: Uh, no. Meanwhile, the Chase (formerly WaMu) down the street was robbed yesterday afternoon: http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2009/06/23/bank-robber-at-large/. How come this blog never has important information like this?
6 Whopper // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:51 am
Bring it on, ignore the whiners.
7 Whopper // Jun 23, 2009 at 9:52 am
“How come this blog never has important information like this?”
Because an armed bank robbery in Greenwood is as newsworthy as a bake sale in Phinney.
8 Bella // Jun 23, 2009 at 11:30 am
It wasn’t the chase, it was the B of A.
I don’t remember the last time a bank in Greenwood got robbed.
9 Bella // Jun 23, 2009 at 11:31 am
The should have been Chase, with a Capital C.
10 :) // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Wow Whopper; I have to say that I usually tune out the mundane dribble that type, but your “bake sale” post was actually funny. Keep up the good work.
11 Dale // Jun 24, 2009 at 7:18 am
Neighbor, here’s more info on the bank robbery: http://www.phinneywood.com/2009/06/23/greenwood-bank-of-america-robbed-monday/.
We monitor a lot of sources for info, but we didn’t see this one as quickly as you did. If you see something happening in the neighborhood that you want to be sure we know about, send a note to tips@phinneywood.com. Thanks!
12 Matt // Jun 24, 2009 at 2:46 pm
@Iron City Mike: They certainly make it sound like they’re bending over backwards (and in a lot of ways they are), but a lot of people are opposing the fundamental concept of the big box store, and FM is being completely inflexible on that point. And that seems to be the major sticking point for a lot of people.
If you were given your choice of manner of execution, and your executioner were bending over backwards trying to accommodate killing you in comfort, should it be unbelievable to someone that you were objecting to being killed at all?
Of course, this isn’t an execution. They own that land, and can theoretically develop it (or not) however they see fit (within certain limits, such as zoning laws). I think it’s awesome that they’ve gone to the lengths they have to be as accommodating as they have.
Having said that, I’d still prefer not to lose the Greenwood Market, and I’d also rather not have a single ginormous store there; I’d like see a good mix of small retail and a good grocery store. Does that make me unreasonable?
13 Jackalope // Jun 29, 2009 at 7:08 pm
They can do whatever they want with Fred Meyer and Greenwood Market but, until Checkers is gone, the 85th corridor will continue to be a grubby, dirtbag magnet.
14 M Hurst Frye // Jul 1, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Has anyone addressed the concern about the peat bog that exists north of 85th and west of Greenwood? My understanding is that when Safeway went in there was a good amount of damage sustained by the neighborhood houses. Safeway diverted water away from the job site so it would not flood, BUT also diverted water away from the peat bog… which acts like a wet sponge… if the sponge dries it then contracts… and you can imagine what happens to the houses; extreme settling and cracked slabs, etc… Home Owners insurance does not cover that sort of damage. Just take a walk around the streets and see how the road has fallen.
I am SO totally behind the aesthetics and function of this project, I think it is a great idea. Sad to see the market go, agree that small biz offices would benefit us more in the area than simply additional boutiques, want more sidewalks… BUT what are they going to do to protect the integrity of the bog, thus my house? Does Kroger care if they do major structural damage to my house (which is N of 85th and W of greenwood) or your house which may be many blocks away? This project is going to have a big underground scope - how are they going to prevent diverting ground water thus preventing damage to the neighborhood?
Check out the link below for more info on the 2003/4 study & I will see you at the meetings 7/9 & 7/13!
http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/Research/GreenwoodSu...
15 Steve Dillman // Nov 3, 2009 at 3:19 am
Does it strike anyone as strange that the businesses burned out were the only ones ‘embarrassingly’ part of the land parcel underdevelopment? Who wants to burn down a churchy coffee shop?
Fire dept sez arson but not how. or what kind of accelerant. Are we talking a pro here? Shoot I was unaware Fire dept arson investigators routinely turn over their investigation/cases to SPD arson? What kind of ’sniffers’ do you think ouw city has?
Its been my experience that SPD investigations are shall I say less than motivated without the onus of a Capitol crime. Further I myself am finding it unusually difficult to ‘Follow any of the Monies’ involved… on-line. Just who stands to lose what?
Ya I know oo-ee-oo from another mad-hatter in the peanut gallery (grin)
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