At the first of two pre-design community meetings last night, developer Bill Parks presented his ideas for the redevelopment of the corner building on 32nd Avenue and N.W. 64th Street in Sunset Hill.

Parks bought the building that houses the Sunset Hill Green Market, an artist studio and holistic practitioner in 2007 but waited to develop until the market stabilized.

Now he's revisiting this project and invited the community to two meetings to hear people's concerns and allow neighbors to give input.

The Sunset Hill community's biggest initial concern was what was going to happen to the beloved Sunset Hill Green Market, a natural foods market that has been the neighborhood's grocer since 1997.

Chuck Genuardi, proprietor of the Green Market, announced that he is not going to own the store anymore but that the store will continue.

"This is a pretty emotional night for me but I'm also excited," said Genuardi, adding that he has sold the store to Parks and his group under the condition that the store would continue, its employees would remain, and the products and services would continue as is.

"It's a solution to make everyone happy," Genuardi said.

Genuardi explained that between being a new dad and starting a new company, he had been spending little time at the Green Market and the employees have been running the store.

They will continue to do so once proprietor-in-training, John Kennedy takes over.

Young and likable, Kennedy has previous managerial experience and said he's excited about this "amazing opportunity". He recently received his law degree and like Genuardi, is a musician.

"But I'm not just going to disappear," Genuardi said. "I'll be serving as a consultant. In the end, the community is going to get a Green Market that's better but still has the same charm."

In the new building, the Green Market will be expanded by 250 square feet.

During construction, Parks said he's thinking of having a temporary rendition of the Green Market in his other project on 24th Avenue and N.W. 65th Street* but the Green Market will absolutely reopen on its current block.

"I thank the community from the bottom of my heart. It's the best shop I've ever had. Words cannot describe what it has meant for me and my family," Genuardi said.

*Parks is restarting his condo project on N.W. 65th and 24th Avenue N.W. Hoping to start construction this fall, the "Ballard Lofts" project is a five story mixed use building, which includes underground parking, commercial and live-work spaces at the ground floor, and 38 dwelling units above.

The residential units include small, affordable, European style Loft spaces with high ceilings and large windows. There are also large penthouses on the top two floors with 360 degree views.