Safeco lures fans, but not much else

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Thursday, July 15, 2004

Safeco lures fans, but not much else
Sodo area does have a few new retailers -- and some high hopes

By CHRISTINE FREY
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Safeco Field promised to spark a building boom in the nearby neighborhood.

But five years to the day since the stadium opened, the economy, transportation concerns and high vacancy rates today have discouraged property owners from building there. As the real estate climate improves and plans for the viaduct and monorail develop, however, that could change.

A group of local property owners last year unveiled a dramatic vision for the area near the stadium, calling for more residential buildings in Pioneer Square and development on a plot of waterfront land that the Port of Seattle has expressed reluctance to give up at Terminal 46.

Development of the concept is years off -- if it occurs at all -- but small changes are taking place in the neighborhood.

The greater Sodo neighborhood, for example, has become home to some new retailers in recent months, including Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, home store Rejuve Seattle and Salute at the Stadium Italian restaurant.

Here's a look at some developments near Safeco Field that could take place in the short term:

Bellevue-based Silver Cloud Inns & Hotels expects to begin construction by October on a nine-story hotel across the street from Safeco Field at the current site of a gas station. The hotel, which will have 212 rooms, a 6,500-square-foot restaurant and rooftop pool, is expected to open in spring 2006, said Jim Weymouth, the majority owner of Silver Cloud.

Greg Smith, who owns a 60,000-square-foot building at First Avenue South and Royal Brougham Way, is in the process of marketing the space to retailers. (It is currently empty except for campaign offices.) One possibility is a family-friendly sports restaurant. Smith eventually plans to develop the rest of the former Washington Oregon Shippers Cooperative Association site, potentially with up to 3,000 residential units. He is also renovating property near Qwest Field.

Gull Industries Inc. is studying its options to build on the Home Plate Parking Lot site, said Bill Vivian, vice president of development. He said he did not know what type of development the site would include. But construction there could be undertaken and completed within five years.

The Seattle Mariners applied two years ago for a permit to build a six-story commercial building across from the Home Plate entrance at Safeco Field. The club still wants to develop the site but hasn't decided on a specific project or timeline, spokeswoman Rebecca Hale said. The Mariners likely will reapply for a permit, she said. The club's current permit expires next summer.