Not every project on the Hill holds an open meeting with community members before the start of construction. But not every project is creating a six-story (actually seven levels on Broadway, four on 10th Ave) mixed-use development smack dab in the middle of Broadway. Meanwhile, we also want to remind you about the kick-off of the City of Seattle’s design process for the Cameo building. Details on both, below.

The construction team and developers behind the 230 Broadway project met with neighbors and other community members Tuesday morning to discuss the planned 21 months (yes, one more) of construction required to complete the 235-residential-unit, 23,000 square-foot-of-office-and-retail-space development. Attendees included Michael Wells, the head of the chamber of commerce and the owners managers of the nearby Harrison building.  Our notes from the session are below. We have also embedded the document provided by the developers at the end of this post. If you were there please let us know what you thought of the information session.

CHS Notes:

• Construction work when it begins in a few weeks once demolition is complete will run from 7 AM to 6 PM on weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays, per City law.
• Construction of the project is expected to stretch into January, 2013. You can see the timelines for the project in the embedded document.
• CHS asked about coordinating construction with major events like the Broadway Pride Festival in June and got a “We’re working on it” response.
• An advanced video surveillance system is planned for the site that will be triggered by “anything larger than a cat.” Developers said they noticed “an increase in graffiti” when the fences went up prior to demolition. If you didn’t see it, the old Bank of America and other buildings were covered with tags as demolition approached.
• There will be no construction wall like the light rail site.
• Developers expect sidewalk closures along Broadway through a good portion of the construction period — especially during periods of masonry work.
• 10th Ave is going to be busy. Construction lot access will be limited to 10th to reduce impact on Broadway but that means all truck traffic will be limited to the relatively narrow street. That probably means 10th will need to be clear of cars at times to allow access.
• Other traffic/car issues: Contractors are required to provide off-site parking for their crews so street parking in the area should not be impacted.
• Even though it wasn’t germane to the construction discussion, Andy Loos from SRM Development addressed a question about a building with hundreds of parking stalls planned for a development so close to a future light rail station. “There will be 72 stalls for commercial space,” Loos said. “That leaves about one per bedroom after that. We did cost estimates of taking out the lower level [of parking]. The risk not having enough parking in 70 or 80 years that this building could be around.” Loos also said renters won’t be stuck paying for parking they don’t need. “Market rents are market rents,” Loos said. “We charge for parking. If you don’t have a car you pay less. We didn’t want to encumber the commercial neighborhood by not having enough parking.”
• Developers also made sure to note the parking garage will likely have electric car charging stations and “plenty” of bike parking.
• We also learned that SRM is on the hunt for an official name for the project — apparently 230 Broadway won’t be the marketing brand. Any ideas?

Reminder: Cameo Early Design Guidance meeting Wednesday night
Developers are reviving plans for the Cameo, a companion building to the Braeburn at 15th and Pine. Earlier this month, we published some of the building’s design details. Those interested in the project will have a chance to see them in person and comment during a meeting with the Capitol Hill Design Review Board at 8 p.m. April 20 at Seattle University’s Admissions and Alumni Building Meeting Room (824 12th Avenue).

The proposed Cameo is a six-story, 56-unit building with two live-work units and 2,100 square-feet of retail at ground level. Parking for 61 vehicles is planned.

The design review will include discussion of the design’s current parking garage entrance on Pine. Planners prefer a Pine garage entrance to 15th, but that would either reduce the retail frontage on Pine to less than the mandated 80% of the lot or require lights and speakers warning pedestrians of exiting vehicles.

B230 Neighborhood Pre Con Mtg Agenda