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SeattlebyDesign | Condos & Lofts, Houseboats, Waterfront, & Residential Real EstateSeattlebyDesign | Condos & Lofts, Houseboats, Waterfront, & Residential Real Estate

(206) 790-7874

Review of the West Seattle Sound Transit Open House

Seattleites have been known to complain about our local transit options, or lack thereof, on a daily basis. With Seattle residents sitting in traffic for 55 hours per year, Sound Transit is a frequent topic of conversation in Seattle, especially in the neighborhoods most affected by ST3.

Sound Transit 3 (ST3) was a measure passed by voters in November 2016. This plan will almost double the size of the current light rail system, extend the Sounder rail line, as well as improve the rapid bus transit of the region.

The West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions are part of the regional ST3 package and these neighborhoods are in the planning phase known as “early scoping”. Earlier this week West Seattle was the first neighborhood to host a Sound Transit Open House. Held at the Alki Masonic Center in the Junction, it was well-attended by passionate West Seattle representatives and stakeholders, including Deb Barker, the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the project, and City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who is on the Elected Leadership Group. Roughly 200 people gathered to hear a presentation and pour over route maps and rough renderings. Attendees debated both with Sound Transit officials, as well as one another, about ways to improve upon the existing plan. Sound Transit officials collected notes, comment cards, and exit surveys.

Here are few interesting takeaways from the West Seattle Open House:

1) West Seattle residents have made it clear to Sound Transit officials that they needed to speed up the building process. Citizens of King County overwhelmingly voted to approve ST3 (at great expense) and the feedback that Sound Transit received was that they needed to be functional much more quickly than previously planned, as many as 3-5 years more quickly.  Though ST3 will be inherently faster than ST1 and ST2 (because the technology systems and construction processes have been refined) there is pressure to be faster still.

2) In order to respond to the mounting pressure, Sound Transit has modified the planning phase for ST3. Instead of putting enormous energy into route design prior to going public (and then defending it), the approach has been modified to make public a very loose representative project and then make it available for public comment. It’s clear that they’ve come to see the value of the hive mind and, moreover, that long-term inhabitants have a keen understanding and perspective to share. Exactly how much the public actually influences the route and design remains to be seen, but the new process will no-doubt increase stakeholder support.

3) This early scoping period, the only real period for public input, is very, very short. The primary messages of the Open House event were “We need your input. We depend upon your input. Now is the time to speak up!” The period for public input will end in early March. Input can be given by mail (West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions c/o Lauren Swift, Sound Transit, 401 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104), email: wsblink@soundtransit.org, online, or in person at these neighborhood events. The Downtown Seattle Open House will be on 2/20, from 5:30-7:30, at Union Station.

Posted in: Transportation Tagged: king county metro, link light rail, seattle, seattle commute, seattle drivers, seattle ferries, seattle traffic, sound transit, washington ferries, washington state, West Seattle

Pending in West Seattle!

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It has been a busy week for us at SeattlebyDesign! Our client’s West Seattle waterfront Cape Cod is currently pending!

Enjoy the essence of San Juan Island living without ferry travel. With its wide stance, this lovely Cape Cod style home enjoys 180+ degree west-facing seascape views from most every room. Gourmet kitchen. Beachcomb, enjoy the sea life, runabout in your boat… Tide-out beach is flat and reaches for miles. Sea life galore; crabbing, oysters, clams, geoducks, seals, and eagles! Dine & entertain on a 60ft-plus deck. Hot tub included!
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Posted in: Featured Property Tagged: Burien, Cape Cod, Luxury Homes, Luxury Property, Pending, realogics sotheby's international realty, seattlebydesign, West Seattle

RSIR Waterfront Community Spotlight: Seattle, WA

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Lake Union – Laurelhurst/Windermere – Magnolia
Queen Anne – Shilshole/Salmon Bay – W. Seattle/Alki

SeattleScreenshot

In the Seattle region, total units sold are a bit down from this time last year (32 in 2015 vs 20 in 2016) but the markets in these areas tend to be comprised of a few large sales rather than a greater quantity of more middle-priced options. With a glut of construction in Seattle Proper to meet the demand of the near-constant stream of people relocating from out-of-city or out-of-state, the area has developed a strong rental market, perhaps with the result of fewer home sales. Waterfront sales in this area tend to be either large, multi-million dollar estates or lower-priced condos with little in-between.
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Posted in: Seattle, Waterfront Tagged: Alki, Lake Union, Laurelhurst, Magnolia, Queen Anne, seattle, Waterfront, Waterfront Report, West Seattle

Neighborhood Market Spotlight: West Seattle

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The West Seattle area of the city of Seattle includes the neighborhoods of Alki, Admiral, North Admiral, Belvedere, Fauntleroy, and Gatewood. Local media reports in 2015 indicated that West Seattle, especially its northern and western neighborhoods, have been a preferred target for homebuyers moving from California’s Bay Area. Chief Sealth High School in West Seattle is ranked among the top public high schools in the state. Although the area has been a seller’s market for years, the monthly supply tightened markedly in 2015, bottoming at 19 days in June. The average monthly supply was 1.8, from 1.7 in 2014 and about a month the previous year.
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Posted in: Community News, Market Update Tagged: Admiral, Alki, Belvedere, Fauntleroy, Gatewood, Market Report, North Admiral, realogics sotheby's international realty, seattle, seattlebydesign, West Seattle

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