SEATTLE — January 26, 2011 — Seattle Housing Authority is working with two private residential developers to add 173 new for-sale homes to the High Point Neighborhood over the next three years.
Polygon Northwest has broken ground on single family homes and townhomes in the central area of the High Point neighborhood. The company expects to bring the new homes on line gradually between Spring 2011 and the end of 2012. A total of 83 new homes will be built.
Polygon Northwest has previously partnered with Seattle Housing Authority to build homes for sale at both High Point in West Seattle and NewHolly in Southeast Seattle.
Intracorp is in the final stages of negotiating an agreement with Seattle Housing to purchase the vacant lot at 35th Ave. and S. Graham St. Over the next three years, Intracorp expects to build up to 90 townhomes along with some neighborhood retail.
According to Seattle Housing Development Manager Brian Sullivan, the new construction at this location will be consistent with the character of the rest of the neighborhood. “It will go through the same review process and design oversight as other developers in the community,” he said.
“We are encouraged by the interest that we are seeing in home sites at High Point,” notes Sullivan. Rental housing in this redeveloped community was completed in 2009, but the private construction planned for the site has been on hold because of the recession.
The site at 35th and Graham has been envisioned since the beginning of redevelopment in 1999 – 2000 as a preferred site for a neighborhood grocery store. The housing authority focused consistently on this concept in all its negotiations with potential developers.
Several years ago, an agreement was reached with Security Properties to develop the site with the inclusion of a grocery store. Security Properties pursued all major supermarket chains as well as Trader Joes. No grocer, large or small, viewed this site as a viable location.
“We are disappointed that we have not been able to secure a neighborhood grocery store at this site,” said Sullivan. “However, Intracorp has indicated a desire to continue to examine the possibilities for retail development here, including small-scale retail at the corner of 35th and Graham, with the possibility of additional retail or live-work units along 35th, if economic growth will support it.
Plans for the site also include a pocket park along Graham toward the east side of the site. This will allow for the preservation of a significant large tree in this area.