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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Shoreline Place (Sears) development - disagreements between partners

ROIC owns Central Market and the Marshalls property
Merlone Geier owns the Sears store
If you would like to check the rest of the parcels
go to King County iMap


On Thursday, May 2, 2019, Merlone Geier, majority owner and developer of Shoreline Place - the former Sears site - will meet with Shoreline Planning director and manager and the Planning Commission to discuss the plans for development of the site.

Today, a consultant representing ROIC, which owns about a third of the site, as well as Central Market, distributed a memo expressing concerns about the Merlone Geier plans.

ROIC has reviewed the plans to redevelop a portion of Shoreline Place (owned by Merlone Geier Partners) and we are concerned that what is proposed isn’t the deal that the people of Shoreline deserve. Specifically:
  • The Sears building is likely to sit as it is for the foreseeable future
  • Plan calls for for 35% more apartments and far less retail than originally envisioned, effectively turning a mall into residential development
  • The promised public open space is only available if the City Council allows taller apartment buildings
  • Unclear whether there will be development “buffer zones” between apartment towers and neighbors across the street
  • Traffic could worsen as a result of multiple new driveways, plus cars may be forced to exit and re-enter the mall at various points rather than drive straight through the mall
  • Access to Central Market may be compromised, and their delivery trucks could have a hard time reaching the store to drop off fresh produce and goods
Fortunately, Shoreline’s Planning Commission can ensure these issues are addressed by amending the Development Agreement before them. The people of Shoreline have a chance to shape the development at Shoreline Place – ROIC is asking the Commission to get this right.

The Planning Commission meets this Thursday evening at 7p.m. at City Hall, and while ROIC will be there to outline these concerns, neighborhood voices will make a difference.

If you share any of these concerns, you can voice them at the meeting on Thursday. Alternatively, you can connect directly to the Planning Commission via the web by:
  • Filling out the comment form (click here)
  • Emailing the Planning Commission staff at Plancom@shorelinewa.gov
Thank you,
ROIC at Shoreline Place

Below are the details about the presentation at the Planning Committee as sent out by the City. Planning Commission meetings are videotaped - see options for viewing here

Planning Commission Meeting
Regular Meeting
Thursday, 5/02/2019 7:00pm

Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall
17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline 98133

Agenda: 05022019 PC Meeting Agenda

Agenda Highlights
Proposed Development Agreement - Shoreline Place
Staff Report - Proposed Development Agreement - Shoreline Place

Draft Minutes from Thursday, April 4, 2019

Link to Full Meeting Packet

- Comment on Agenda Items
- About the Planning Commission

Contact us:
Carla Hoekzema, Planning Commission Clerk (206) 801-2514
choekzema@shorelinewa.gov



8 comments:

  1. Kaching! The sound of greed.

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  2. All of the above concerns were expressed by the public during the public hearings for the Aurora Square CRA planned action.

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  3. More bait and switch from our precious real estate developers. You can bet that Shoreline City Hall will continue to handmaiden for them and give them whatever they want and compromise Central Market's business and long time contribution to this city.

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  4. Central Market and the space where the development is happening is crucial to the area. As a neighbor who lives in the area, it greatly concerns me that the Sears buoo could be left in place for the foreseeable future. Abandoned buildings do not make a contribution to the community and it is pretty shocking that it could be left there empty when it occupies such an enormous amount of space. I would consider selling and leaving the neighborhood if the City Council does not hold the developers accountable to the community for the entire plan that was promised.

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  5. This is very discouraging. There is an opportunity to develop this space to benefit the entire area by providing amenities to the neighborhoods surrounding. We need community green space, retail and restaurants, and even a theater. People want to walk and cycle, not have to drive all the time. Apartments can go anywhere but a large space like Aurora Sears should draw people together and create community. Where are the city planners with vision??

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  6. Do I just go to the meeting if I have a concern on this?????? Do we also di online meeting as well?

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  7. I'm so disappointed but unfortunately not surprised that the owners of the Sears space have changed the plans to actually improve the area, and instead are closing access roads and hindering operation of one of the best contributions to Shoreline--Central Market. Merlone Greier has shown themselves a bad partner for Shoreline.

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