The aggressive commercial and residential development sweeping Ballard threatens to degrade the ambiance of the funky and historic neighborhood - or, the swanky new condos, attractive shops and trendy restaurants will create new excitement and give a financial shot in the arm to local businesses.

When it comes to what's in store for Ballard, it depends upon whom you ask.

There are roughly twenty large-scale projects currently underway or recently completed in the area of NW Market Street and Ballard Ave NW according to Ballard Neighborhood District Coordinator Rob Mattson. These projects are expected to add between 1300 and 2500 households to the area.

Naturally, this has created deep discussion and sometimes concern among Ballard residents.

Among their concerns:

- The development may impact the old-world charm and uniqueness of Ballard by making it more homogenous and increasingly commercial.

- Traffic congestion is sure to increase. The already difficult parking situation in Ballard may get worse.

- Residential development will bring in hundreds of new community members. Some wonder whether or not these people will understand the history and culture that sets Ballard apart from other Seattle neighborhoods.

- Commercial development will bring in new restaurants and shops. Some worry that a proliferation of corporate chains could make the neighborhood bland.

Kirsten Burt, owner of the restaurant Madame K's, who sometimes uses that name for herself, is one who is less than pleased with this development.

Sitting in her restaurant, a former bordello where negligees dangle from hooks on the walls, she expressed her fear that Ballard will become "corporate."

Burt, who moved to Ballard eight years ago to open Madame K's thinks that this wave of development is spurred on by greed. She says that she understands why people are intrigued by the potential for financial gain but that they need to realize that the integrity of the neighborhood is at stake.

"There's something more to business than money," she insists.

"I don't want them to put a Gap in," she said. "Look at Europe. Look at the fact that they don't tear down old buildings there.... This has become Fremont and people don't even get it."

Burt says she understands that change is inevitable.

"Change with integrity is okay," she says, staring out the front window of her restaurant at the biggest thing in sight: the towering skeleton of the Canal Station condominiums, under construction across the street from her Ballard Avenue restaurant.

Burt believes that one way for Ballardites to resist such extreme change would be for landlords to use discretion when deciding which commercial tenants they'll allow in. Burt cites Art Olsen as one such landlord.

Olsen and his family, owners of the 74 year-old store, Olsen Furniture, are approached on a weekly basis by restaurant and bar proprietors who want to lease space in one of their Ballard Avenue buildings. Because the Olsen's are trying to uphold the individuality of the area, they are particular about what businesses they'll allow in. Now, the section of Ballard Avenue Northwest owned by the Olsen's is partly lined with funky, one-of-a-kind clothing shops.

When asked about this approach Olsen explains, "That's just how we do business."

Leave Olsen Furniture and walk next door to the polished show room of the Canal Station Condominiums and you'll meet Maggie Greenblatt, an agent with John L. Scott Real Estate, which is handling the Canal Station Condominiums.

Greenblatt says that Ballard's unique history and funkiness appeals to all different types of people.

"Our buyer is down to earth and very practical," she says. And as the Canal Station Condominium website boasts, the building "was designed to remind you of a time when quality and community mattered."

Greenblatt says that the surge in development will be good for local businesses because of the foot traffic it will create. She says that most Ballard community members have responded favorably to these changes because "they know they're still going to have a historic Ballard Avenue."

While historic Ballard Avenue may never disappear, some have expressed concern over the fate of the Scandinavian influence in neighborhood. All of the newcomers may not understand how important the Scandinavian community has been in shaping Ballard.

Marianne Forssblad, executive director of the Nordic Heritage Museum doesn't seem too concerned.

Forssblad believes the new Nordic Heritage Museum, to be built in a more central location on Market Street in 2012, will rejuvenate the community. For new Ballard residents who don't realize the importance of its Scandinavian roots, the museum will serve as an educational tool.

One of the major concerns is the definite surge in traffic in a neighborhood where congestion is already a problem.

Some people fault the city for not thinking ahead and investing money into public transportation. In Scandinavia, most people use bikes or public transportation to get around, and Forssblad suggests that Americans should take the cue from their Scandinavian counterparts and learn to divorce their cars.

For Kailyn Clarke, 24 year-old who has lived in Greenlake and the University District, moving to Ballard is an exciting change. Clarke is a marketing assistant with Screenlife, pioneers in the DVD game industry, and best known for the DVD movie game Scene It?

In the spring of 2007, Clarke will settle into the NoMa Condominiums, located just North of Market Street. Clarke says that she decided to move to Ballard because she likes the "feel of the neighborhood."

"Ballard is unique in that it's a neighborhood of contrasts," Clarke says. "On one hand, it has a distinct small-town feel with plenty of quaint stores and restaurants within walking distance. However, Ballard is also changing. I think that the influx of people into the area bringing their new personalities and ideas will make Ballard an even more dynamic neighborhood."

For these new buyers, a brand new condominium will cost anywhere from $200,000 to over $600,000, figures that beg a question the City of Seattle has been trying to answer: What is the future of affordable housing?

In a Dec. 1 Seattle City Council meeting, members discussed their commitment to providing incentives for the development of "low and moderate income housing," and in fact, one of the buildings set to go up in the next few years is low-income housing.

Although housing prices have skyrocketed in Seattle in general, this current wave of development in Ballard doesn't seem to be causing an additional spike in prices - yet.

According to a city spokesman, if a large apartment building, say 200-300 units, were torn down to make room for these condominiums or apartment complexes, that would be sure to push people out who couldn't meet the higher housing prices. So far however, only single-family homes or duplexes have been taken out to pave the way for these buildings.

Still, to some people it's just a matter of time. While Marianne Forssblad believes the Scandinavian heritage will remain she concedes that eventually, with rising prices, it may become difficult for some people - seniors in particular - to remain in Ballard.

Until then though, Ballardites remain proud of their unique community and interesting heritage.

According to Art Olsen, "Ballard has been found." And yet, he understands why: "There's nothin' in Seattle like Ballard. It's better than any of them."

Kate Levin is a freelance writer and can be reached via bnteditor@robinsonnews.com