Year in Review: Development way down, projects on hold

In 2008 we wrote more than 150 articles on real estate and development. This year, with prices falling and lending much tighter, there was much less news to cover in that category, resulting in only 45 stories.

As for what's not happening:

• In April we mapped all of the big projects that were put on hold. None of those have changed since then, and earlier this month we learned that Jim Mueller's big projects are on hold "for the forseeable future".
• April '09 was also the end for the big Goodwill project on Dearborn due to lack of financing and lack of committment from big-box retailers

Projects to keep an eye on in 2010:

• The Broadway & Jefferson project is moving through the permitting phases, so it will be interesting to see if they can get financing to start construction.
• King County is moving forward with a redevelopment of the Youth Services Center, and it will be interesting to see if they can find a private development partner.
• Seattle U is still moving forward with their projects, and the big new housing complex at 12th & Cherry is scheduled to start construction in the spring.
• Money is still available for non-profit affordable developments, so keep an eye out for 21st & Jackson, Catholic Community Services at 23rd & Main, and Capitol Hill Housing's project at 12th & Jefferson
• Seattle Central has funding approved for the woodworking school expansion, which should start construction in 2010.
• We're still waiting for a decision on the Swedish expansion across 18th, and expect some news on the landmark issue there in early 2010.

And finally, our favorite development story of 2009 was the night and early morning we spent watching two houses make their way from Madrona to Madison Valley: