Seattle Press on Line - Northgate South Lot in Limbo

There From Here

Northgate South Lot in Limbo

By Tara Peattie

Sep 27, 2001 -- Parking lots are generally not sexy, but the south parking lot at Northgate seems to be for many North Seattleites. The lot in question, owned by Simon Properties, which owns Northgate Mall, lies between NE 100th and 103rd Streets and Third and Fifth Avenues NE. What's sexy about it? Salmon-bearing Thornton Creek runs underneath it, presently through a culvert pipe at this location. The lot is up for development, and there is potential for partnership with the City to "daylight" the culverted portions, and eventually, shore up the creek's habitat. Of course, this is enticing to salmon lovers, environmentalists, and those who simply long for something resembling green park space in the asphalt desert that covers most of central Northgate.

Security Properties has an option to buy the lot, and for the last several months has worked in concert with community members and the Thornton Creek Legal Defense Fund (TCDLF) to draw a master plan for the site, with acceptable buffer space along the creek. Why is Security Properties being so sensitive to community opinion when the rest of Northgate looks like caca? When Simon proposed a multiplex movie theater and other development for the spot in '99, TCLDF put up a fierce enough legal fight to cool Simon's interest in developing the property. For its own success, Security Properties needs to do the right thing.

There is not full agreement on what that right thing is, and some are skeptical about daylighting Thornton Creek. Joel Tufel, a long-time neighborhood activist with a tempered approach to development versus environmental needs, characterizes the daylighters as "messianic." But if you live with the mall nearly in your backyard, as I do, it's hard not to be taken in with the possibility of buying some green space that other neighborhoods take for granted in their parks and single-family-home zoning.

Currently, negotiation is centered on a new master plan-type layout developed by the TCLDF and two architecture firms, with Security Properties' assent. This latest plan for the 12.8 acre lot includes the new library slated for Northgate, maybe 500 to 800 condo or apartment units and parking, a grocery, public plaza or green space, and possibly townhouses along the creek.

Security Properties initially had another proposal, including more housing and a traditional grid of streets, with less buffer space for the creek. TCLDF was not satisfied with allowance for the creek and wouldn't give a blessing. If the new plan is adopted by Security, the creek defenders have promised not to sue on environmental grounds.

The clincher is city dollars. Jan Brucker of TCLDF estimates that the funding from the city for the creek restoration would be $2-3 million. Security Properties is looking for the city to pitch in as much as $15 million for the $100 million development. At a recent meeting to showcase the plan, also attended by Councilmembers Nick Licata and Richard Conlin, Deputy Mayor Tom Byers was concerned about creating as much housing as possible on the lot. "Northgate is very below its [neighborhood comprehensive plan] goals, at 6 percent of its 20-year goal. And we're seven years along already."

Revenues are down, and predictably, no city official was ready to go back to the Council and ask for a check. Byers said, "I'm not going to tell you we have $15 million to narrow the gap. We will help to the extent we can."

TCLDF has put together a notebook full of different ways to fund a public portion, and Byers stated appreciation for the "light years" of progress made in the cooperative effort. All parties agree on at least one thing: a major goal of the project is to create a "neighborhood that has a heart and a sense of place. This is not the character at the moment." Said Byers, "Northgate is already in line for substantial city development: community center, parks, and library."

Meanwhile, Security Properties' next deadline for a decision on plan feasibility is September 26. Anticipating that the planning will go forward, TCLDF, Sierra Club, and other groups are hosting a "Northgate Urban Renaissance event, celebrating solutions for Thornton Creek at Northgate." Monday, October 1, 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Nathan Hale High School, 10750 30th NE. Doors open at 6:00. Featuring: radio personality Ciscoe Morris, presentations, candidate appearances, and cool displays. For information call Janet Way, 365-4477 or Molly Burke, 365-5895.

Tara Peattie is a troll who lives under I-5 at Northgate. She can be reached at peattie@drizzle.com.

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