Earlier this week, the Northeast Design Review Board issued early design guidance priorities for the proposed Safeway redevelopment. E-mail me if you would like a copy of this report – or contact Marti Stave at marti.stave@seattle.gov.
Here are some highlights from the report:
The Board noted that none of the design options would achieve the desired human activity on 15th Avenue NE. They encourage the applicants to return with a design that energizes both 15th Avenue NE and NE 123rd possibly by locating a entry plaza at each corner of the building. This would improve security on both of these streets.
The applicants should pay particular attention to noise and lighting concerns of the neighbors.
The applicants should evaluate the necessity for two large curb cuts on 15th Avenue NE which is not pedestrian friendly when added to the curb cut for the corner convenience store.
The Board would like to see an option where the building faces onto 15th Avenue NE with more transparency. The Board believes that there are other options to a one-sided building facing a large parking lot which the applicant should vigorously explore.
The design is not sufficiently advanced as yet, however, the Board is concerned that the building not look like a large “box”. The massing should be broken down along 15th and rooflines be brought down provide shading for those using the proposed outdoor gathering places.
The Board noted that artwork and landscaping could be used effectively to create a better human experience on the site.
The Board has high aspirations for the eventual choice of materials.
The Board is concerned that pedestrians have a positive experience walking along 15th Avenue NE and not feel like they are walking along the side of a store.
The Board would like to see a through-block crossing connecting 15th Avenue NE and 16th Avenue NE.
At the next meeting the Board would like to see colored and shadowed schematic elevations and site sections for all four sides of the buildings showing the parking lots, loading areas, building and beyond to the residential uses across 16th Avenue NE and NE 123rd.
At the next meeting the Board would like to see more detailed drawings and concept studies for freight loading and trash collection areas and how these relate to the neighboring properties.
The Board would like to see maximum transparency along NE 15th Avenue particularly with both corners of the building activated at this façade.
The Board was pleased to see a tree survey as part of the submittals and encouraged the applicant to preserve as many of the existing trees as possible, especially along NE 16th Avenue.
The Board looks forward to a much more detailed site plan showing how they will be meeting the Green Factor requirement. The applicant should also include detailed landscape studies for the parking lot.
