The second Early Design Guidance meeting for Project Number: 3037493-EG has been set for July 6 at 5pm. for a 6-story, 65-unit apartment building at 1116 Alki Ave SW. Parking for 102 vehicles is proposed.

You can attend the meeting virtually at  https://bit.ly/mtg3037493 - Listen Line: 206-207-1700 - Access Code: 2496 166 3852 - Public Comment Link: https://bit.ly/comment3037493

The end of the comment period is 07/05/2023.

From the Design Proposal:

SUMMARY OF OUTREACH

Cascadia Consulting Group conducted the following outreach activities on behalf of MZA Architecture as part of the Department of Neighborhood's (DON) Early Design Guidance process. Cascadia's approved outreach plan is included as an appendix to this document.

1. Project Webpage (Multi-Prong Method)
   The project website launched on April 12, 2021. The website included a project overview, design approach, hotline information, and the feedback survey. The project website had 219 unique visitors who viewed the site a total of 278 times.
2. Project Hotline (High-Impact Method)
   The project hotline phone number launched on April 12, 2021 and appeared on web and print materials. We received two voicemails during the project inquiring about the survey. The project
   email address was also on web and print materials. We used the same address to send emails to community organizations. We received one email from a community organization and one email from a resident in the area requesting technical assistance for the online survey. The voicemails received were from the same community organization and resident that sent emails.
3. Online Survey (High-Impact Method)
   The online survey was embedded into the project webpage. It consisted of seven questions with a combination of multiple-choice and open-ended response formats. The survey was open from April 12 to May 4, 2021. We received 70 responses.
4. Email to Community Organizations (Multi-Prong Method)
   On April 12, we sent an email to twelve community organizations inviting them to provide feedback on the project. The email included a PDF of the direct-mail flyer.
5. Direct Mailing (High-Impact Method)
   We promoted the project website and the online survey through a direct-mail flyer sent to households within a 500-f radius of the project site. We sent the mailing to recipients on April
   12, 2021.

SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

All project feedback was captured through the online survey (see appendices for a detailed response summary and individual responses). Most of the individuals who responded live very close to the proposed project site. The majority of respondents heard about the project through email or "other", which mostly included sources such as West Seattle Blog and HO meetings. Some of the key themes from the feedback indude:

Interest in sustainability and aesthetic. When asked, "What is most important to you about a new building?" one third of respondents (20 out of 58) hoped the property design will consider environmental sustainability and nearly another third of respondents (17 out of 58) hope that it is nice looking. Many respondents noted the importance of adopting the existing Alki aesthetic into the design.

Concerns about parking and congestion. Nearly all respondents noted concern that the building will make driving and parking in the neighborhood more difficult (48 out of 58). Some respondents commented that ample off-street parking should be provided for tenants and others specifically suggested providing two parking spaces per unit. Nearly two thirds of respondents (36 out of 59) noted concern about construction impacts. Respondents pointed out that traffic is already an issue and expressed concern that this development will add to the problem. Several respondents suggested off-street parking or a shuttle for construction crews to minimize impacts to parking and congestion.

Concerns of scale and design. Approximately two thirds (41 of 58) of respondents are concerned that the building may feel out of scale with other buildings nearby and one third (17 of 58) are concerned they will not like the way it looks. Several respondents expressed that will be too high-density for the area and worry that the design will not fit with the neighborhood character by "overwhelming" the current look and feel. Another respondent worried a high-density building will contribute further to parking congestion and noise. Some respondents recommended reducing the total number of units and designing a medium-density building.

Preference for tenant-owned units. When asked about priorities, preferences, and/or concerns about the development, some respondents hope that the units be tenant-owned condominiums, rather than apartment rentals. Several respondents noted that condos would be more fitting with existing neighboring buildings and surrounding community.

A focus on green space. Some respondents mentioned that they would like to see more green space, such as a buffer of trees and lawn between the building and sidewalk. Respondents see Alki Avenue as a beautiful and special area for the community and hope to maintain the natural views and open space. A few respondents mentioned concern for potential landslides behind the building and one respondent suggested leaving as many trees in place as possible to reduce that risk.

Interest in including retail and/or amenities space. Nearly one quarter (13 out of 58) of respondents feel it is important that the development bring new services or amenities to the area. One respondent said the area would greatly benefit from a high-end cafe and other pointed out that the proximity to Luna Park offers business opportunity associated with the water taxi and boat launch.