Community Post

New 12th & Jefferson apartment project inching forward

Capitol Hill Housing’s plan for six-stories of affordable apartments at 12th & Jefferson has reached another step on its way through the city’s approval process. Last week the design review board gave its recommendation to the project, which moves it on to the hearing examiner for approval.

The building includes 40 apartments, 5,000 square feet of retail space, and parking for 5 vehicles.

The project requires a rezone to allow for a 65 foot tall building, up from the maximum of 40 feet that is currently allowed. If the hearing examiner approves that rezone request, it will go to the city council for final approval.

Last night the 12th Avenue Stewardship Council also voted to support the project and rezone.

CHH plans to seek funding for the project in September, and is planning for a large environmental cleanup on the site in September and October to remove the pollution left behind by a gas station that once sat on the corner.

The design review board did request several modifications to the building’s design, including:

  • Enhancing the prominence of the 1st floor retail
  • Adding more bay windows to the south side of the building
  • Increasing the transparency of the balconies
  • Showing more details for the building’s eastern side

CHH sent us the updated architectural renderings that include those requests:

Looking northeast at the corner of 12th & Jefferson

Looking northwest from the 1200 block of Jefferson

Looking southeast from 12th Avenue

0 thoughts on “New 12th & Jefferson apartment project inching forward

  1. Design board seems to have spewed out some canned petty suggestions.

    “more bay windows.” Ick. Now watch we get geometric (square) pop outs on the side of an otherwise OK building. Make sure the are painted wild colors to make them even more garish.

    “more details of the eastern side.” Sure, we all want the whole building to look good. Unfortunately its pretty tough to dress up an elevator shaft and stairwell. Sometimes a wall is better than lipstick on a fence. Looks like a good place for a mural.

    “increase prominence fo 1st floor retail”? Like what, cut down the trees? Add billboards? I don’t get it. Looks like good retail space, just rent it out so it isn’t vacant.