After a century in West Seattle's Fauntleroy neighborhood, The Kenney's historic Seaview building could be demolished as AG Architects move forward with a new $150 million redevelopment project.

Board members and local residents made their objections known at a Design Review Board meeting on Oct. 23, eventually ordering a second round of early design guidance before AG moves forward with the project.

The library at Madison Middle School was full Thursday night with more concerned neighbors than typically attend Design Review sessions.

To begin, Kenney CEO Kevin McFeely explained that the existing Seaview building does not meet market demands of incoming residents, many who are looking for more independent living apartments. He explained that the building is too narrow, and the units are too small.

"Without this, we are not going to be able to survive financially," McFeely said.

AG's preferred design featured several distinct buildings that offer four different levels of service, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care for approximately 400 residents.

The design also included an open park over an enclosed garage on the corner of 47th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Myrtle Street.

Neighbors expressed their appreciation for the maintained green space and a building order that did not look institutionalized.

Still, they were not happy to hear that the Seaview's dome might no longer be part of the West Seattle skyline.

Southwest Design Review Board member Joe Hurley questioned why the architect had not presented a design option that would maintain the Seaview and it's surrounding buildings.

"I (am) surprised that so much of the history of the institution would be disappearing," Hurley said.

Representatives from AG responded by explaining that it would be difficult to adapt the historic building to meet the demands of modern clients.

"From an economic point of view, the reusability of the space would be a challenge," said Gene Guszkowski of AG Architects.

Guszkowski also explained their proposed strategy to prevent any of The Kenney's current residents from being displaced during construction. New buildings would be constructed for clients to stay in before their current residents housing is torn down.

All four of the proposed designs were dependant upon future zoning and code changes. AG proposed increasing height allowances at the center of the site to six stories, rising 10 to 12 feet above the Seaview's roof but below the peak of the renowned cupola. Around the site's perimeter buildings would be three stories tall.

But both Hurley and David Foster, chairman of the board, insisted that AG return for a second round of early guidance review to demonstrate how the site might look without zoning changes.

The board has also requested that AG return with an inventory of existing trees and renderings that demonstrate the impact of shadows from the new buildings, as well as further depictions showing how increased building heights might impact the community.

The next Design Review Board meeting for the Kenney project has not yet been determined but will be made available online at http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Project_Reviews/upcoming/.

Rose Egge may be reached at 932.0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com