Tukwila Village Associates, LLC, (also known as the Senior Housing Assistance Group/SHAG,) has been approved by the Tukwila City Council as the new developer for the Tukwila Village project, which was previously put on hold after the initial developer, Tarragon, LLC, backed out after the economic downturn.
The idea behind Tukwila Village is to have a mixed-use facility that includes retail and residential areas, public spaces and a new King County Library.

Mayor Jim Haggerton has been authorized to begin negotiations with Tukwila Village Associates, LLC.
Negotiation have already started with the King County Library System to bring a new library to the development.

Derek Speck, Tukwila's economic development administrator, outlined the next steps for the project:
Summer/Fall 2011: SHAG performs due diligence.

Summer/Fall 2011: Draft deal points presented to City Council.

Dec. 2011: Development agreements brought to council for consideration.

2012: Public involvement in design of site, plaza, indoor commons.

2012: SHAG completes design.

2013-14: Construction.

Speck is seeking small businesses, such as coffee shops, restaurants, bakeries and others that would be a good fit for the mixed-use development.

Speck also wants to hear from community groups who might want to use the indoor community commons space or outdoor plaza for meetings, for performances, shows or events. He noted it will help determine sizing and scale for preliminary and conceptual design.

Speck is already developing a waiting list for those who might want to a rent an apartment at Tukwila Village. Renters will have to wait, at least, until 2014 to move in, though.

Speck may be contacted at 206-433-1832 or tukbiz@ci.tukwila.wa.us.