Significant Private Projects In The Pipeline

LMC, 265 dwelling units. 5 story, by Marymoor trail

On August 11, Planning and Development Manager, Sarah Pyle presented the City's annual summary of Private Development Projects in a Council Committee meeting.  Below are the facts:

In 2019: 132 SFH, 233 multi-family units and 24,400 s.f. commercial space were built.

2020 YTD: 61 SFH, 895 multi-family units, 610,766 sf commercial space.

Single Family Home construction hasn't changed significantly between 2019 to 2020 but increases in multi-family units and commercial square footage are exceptional.  

About 11 projects were presented; I'll focus on five:  

The most significant is "Redmond Square."  It's on the corner of 166th and Redmond Way.  Over 13 businesses will have to move. To name a few: John L. Scott, the Pony Express, Ed Wyse, Pizza Hut, Noodeland, Beyond Beauty, Flying Apron, Bamboo Gardens, Modera Bakery, Beauty Supply, Acupuncture, Vision Clinic, and a Yoga business. 

What we will get:  "Redmond Square" looks like two separate buildings but functions as one. It's a monolith.  613 dwelling units, 61 affordable units (80% AMI,) 33,000 sf commercial space, adjacent to transit station. Parking?  I was informed by one of the business owners demolition will begin early 2021. (The city throws up barriers when validating timelines.)  

"Harmony" drew the most questions and comments from Council.  Councilmember Vanessa Kritzer seemed skeptical about 1) it's absence of affordable housing and 2) the unusual housing type for our downtown. Harmony living spaces are tiny. It has 9 dwelling units of 465 sf and and 91 "residential suites" of 155 sf each. They will rent out for $1100. No school impact fees. The residential suites share a kitchen and living room with each other.  Steve Fields wanted Council to be more involved in these developments and Tanika Padeya suggested an amendment to require affordable housing.

The "Together Center, a nonprofit human services center of over 20 years will be redeveloped. Paid-off.  49,000 sf commercial, 280 dwelling units, 280 affordable units at 60% AMI, 30 parking spaces, 2-stories, art at gateway.  Completion expected by 12/2021. 

Proctor:  NW Redmond -- Willows Road & 124th.  Construction will be challenged by steep slope. Stats:  

87, 3-story townhomes, 9 affordable at 80% AMI, signal at 124th. two community parks.  195 dwelling units, 80% AMI, 22,000 sf commercial, trails and open space. Proctor will be a "10-minute community" servicing the businesses on Willows Road, including a subsidiary of Facebook. 

Amazon:  Macy's in Redmond Town Center is being renovated to accomodate ~ 300  Amazon engineers, working on their satellite space project.  Macy's departed.  

-- Bob Yoder
    9/1/2020