Ballard Area Experiencing Rapid Growth

Much Building; Street-Improvement, Ferry Line, Dock And Stage Depot in Prospect

Originally published Saturday, November 16, 1996

By Robert W. Kelsey

Marked in part by the impending completion of the magnificent new $400,000 Fraternal Order of Eagles Building at Twenty-second Avenue Northwest and Market Street, decided activity in real estate and business is reported for the Ballard district.

The new building is to be completed next month. Rising to a height of three stories, it will house the Ballard Eagles Lodge and also what is claimed the largest community theatre in Seattle. The theatre will be known as the Bagdad, and will be the third house under the control of J. von Herberg interests, the Theatres Investment Company.

The three Ballard houses constitute the nucleus for a proposed Northwestern chain, of which the general, offices are to be maintained in Ballard.

Improvements Varied
Other improvements in prospect include extension of Market Street from Twenty-fourth Avenue Northwest to the Ballard locks, the establishment of Ballard as the terminus of a ferry line to Suquamish, the building of a new dock in this connection, and the possibility of a new stage depot and terminal in Ballard, according to business men there.

Two companies, business men there stated yesterday, have signified an intention of operating ferry lines from Ballard to Suquamish. One of these, it was said, will build a dock at the foot of the Market Street extension. This will afford it direct connection with the Ballard business district, from where there are three arterial highways into downtown Seattle.

A $50,000 bond proposal for the Market Street extension, grading and paving has been acted upon by the city council and local assessment notices spread over the entire Ballard district.

Homes Are Built
The building of an automobile stage depot and terminal is contingent upon the Market Street extension and the establishment of the new Suquamish ferry service, business men in Ballard declared.

Construction of the Eagles Building has given impetus to other building activity. Four brick structures are under way in the business district and a number of older structures are undergoing remodeling.

Six additions on the outskirts of the district have been platted during the past year and now are selling. Almost 200 homes are under construction in the residential district, and a similar number was built in the past year, it was stated.