UPDATED OPINION: Projects Over Aquifer Susceptible To Earthquakes

AMLI paper notice box empty.  No defined "comment period."  City will post QR codes
 on all yellow boards in the future. (click to enlarge)

Below, is my formal comment to the city planner managing the AMLI Project which is still under review / no decision.

"I'm concerned about a 6.0 or 7.0 earthquake disrupting or destroying all or some of the projects resting over the city's shallow aquifer.  AMLI is one such project. I recommend the following:  

1)  Delay the AMLI Decision until the City develops a solid plan to mitigate earthquake destruction.  In fact, for all projects under review resting over the shallow aquifer please delay the decision until the city updates their mitigation plan.

2) Impose above standard earthquake mitigation at AMLI and other projects under review resting on the shallow aquifer.  By "above standard" I mean mitigate to standards similar to San Francisco and other highly seismically prone cities.  

3) Require earthquake insurance or bonding.

4) Update the safety evacuation plan.

5) Mitigate damage to infrastructure so undamaged buildings and wellheads nearby can still operate.  A city wellhead in Anderson Park is across the street from AMLI.

Again, these comments apply to AMLI and all other projects "under review" resting over the shallow aquifer.

Unfortunately, my comment for AMLI is exceptionally late owing to the comment period not being  posted on the yellow notice board.  But, you can still make comment by emailing dlee@redmond.gov.

AMLI is one of my favorite projects proposed for the downtown. I hope the project isn't delayed by the City.  

-- Bob Yoder, 9/6/2022

UPDATED: Work Underway For Innovative "Anderson AMLI Project"

click image to enlarge

FedEx, Value Village and 8 small businesses are removed or re-located:

Dog Day Care, Romos, Gyros 2 Go, Costumes, Fun&Study, Kim's Hair

and Malt & Vine.  

                                                        AMLI  PROJECT  DEMOLITION

                                             Correction:  FedEx moved  next to Jersey Mikes  

Location:  AMLI:  Redmond Way & Avondale Way.  Adjacent McDonalds and Anderson Park; in the old Value Village mall. 

The applicant proposes the construction of two adjacent buildings, referred to as the “West” building and the “East” building respectively. The project includes a "pouch porch" dog run with space for hop scotch, 4-square and living green walls.  The applicant is proposing a woonerf on Avondale Way to safely connect the buildings.

Plantings and a green wall element were added along the ground level to enhance the pedestrian experience along the Redmond Central Connector. Two variations for the integration of planters and vertical green wall trellises are proposed to create visual interest along the concrete wall. 

The west building is a mix of residential and retail uses and varies in height ranging from five to seven-stories. 11,070 sf of commercial retail uses located along Redmond Way. On levels two through seven, there are 249 residential units. 237 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1

The east building is six stories and is a multi-family apartment building. Residential amenity space is provided at the ground level. On levels two through six, there are 127 residential units. 205 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1. 

A future elevated rail line is proposed south of the project as a part of the Sound Transit Downtown Redmond Link.

-- Design Review Board, April 2022

Three additional posts on this innovative AMLI project are HERE.

Prepared by Bob Yoder, 9/26/2023

AMLI Project Will Tear Down Value Village Mall and Dog Care Store

Value Village Mall: Fed Ex Office, Romos, Fun & Study,
 Kim's Hair and Nails, Costumes
(double click to enlarge)

 

Costume store (in the mall)
click to enlarge 

Dog DayCare (next to lone tree on the parcel)
click to enlarge 

The AMLI developer is using "a railroad theme" to market his property. (Railroads played a vital role in the development of Redmond. Light rail follows the Central Connector Trail, which followed the downtown railroad line.)

Report and photos, Yoder

12/6/2021  

376-Unit Development Planned In Anderson Park Zone

Two huge luxury apartment / retail buildings are in the process of pre-application approval.  The development is named "AMLI Redmond" and is located in the downtown "Anderson Park Zone." (16771 Redmond Way.) It will house 679 parking spaces, 11070 sf retail, and 376 apartment units.  There's an abundance of flat roof tops that could be used for Green Roofs.  Our Planning Department could make it work with the right incentives.  

-- Bob Yoder, 11/23/2021

   Source: Design Review Board  (2 resident vacancies)

   Go to pages 9-10 to see the roof lines

   Location:  Value Village

Twin Six-story Apartment Building With "Pouch Porch" and "Woonerf"

Location:  AMLI:  Redmond Way & Avondale Way.  Adjacent McDonalds and Anderson Park; in the old Value Village mall. 

The applicant proposes the construction of two adjacent buildings, referred to as the “West” building and the “East” building respectively. The project includes a "pouch porch" dog run with space for hop scotch, 4-square and living green walls.  The applicant is proposing a woonerf on Avondale Way to safely connect the buildings.

Plantings and a green wall element were added along the ground level to enhance the pedestrian experience along the Redmond Central Connector. Two variations for the integration of planters and vertical green wall trellises are proposed to create visual interest along the concrete wall. 

The west building is a mix of residential and retail uses and varies in height ranging from five to seven-stories. 11,070 sf of commercial retail uses located along Redmond Way. On levels two through seven, there are 249 residential units. 237 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1

The east building is six stories and is a multi-family apartment building. Residential amenity space is provided at the ground level. On levels two through six, there are 127 residential units. 205 internal parking stalls are also provided at ground levels B1 and subterranean levels L1. 

A future elevated rail line is proposed south of the project as a part of the Sound Transit Downtown Redmond Link.

-- Design Review Board, April 2022

City Planning Is Posting QR Codes for Proposed Land Use projects

It's great the city is finally posting QR codes for Proposed Land Use Action projects.  Better late than never.  The AMLI project decision has already been made, but with conditions.  According to the QR, the State Environmental Policy Act was revised and the project may now be appealed by 5/15/2023.  The project sits about 100 yards downhill from city well water and it's possible the aquifer may be disturbed.  It's also possible the aquifer will liquify during an earthquake.  A final act of the decision are inspections from city engineers.