High Point Center Part IV

Maybe this should be a revolving installment until we can get some answers on this issue. Several of you have written in that the site located approximately at 34th & SW Graham streets is actually just a staging ground for construction at High Point Phase II. I would agree that this is the likeliest of cases since HPB had previously suggested that the fenced-off footprint seemed too small fit a retail/mixed use center. In the midst of all the fog this morning though, High Point Blog caught construction-like activities taking place on the actual site.Also, there is an increasing abundance of construction equipment on the site and it just seems like with the abundance of space available much closer to the immediate area near Phase II that it’s a little strange that the “headquarters” would be so far away from the actual construction site.High Point Blog will be closely monitoring the site in the next few days and will try to get some images up of the reported construction activities. I am truly starting to suspect that something is being built on that spot and that it’s our neighborly right to know what it is. 

High Point Commons Park

This is more of a visual post for those of you eye candy gluttons out there. A reader had asked, and HPB had planned to post an update on the construction of the High Point central park. As you can see from the pictures posted below: construction is expected to (dare I guess.. has already begun?) on the central community park as of this fall. For more information, or to volunteer as it were, call (206) 615-3415 or email parks@thehighpoint.com. More pictures after the break…

High Point Center Part III

HPB has searched up and down for more information on the upcoming High Point Center and well–I haven’t found much more out than we already knew. Land use and construction permits come up empty for the land in question, and yet as can clearly be seen from the pictures I’ve taken, t-shacks and construction equipment are clearly on the premises.

Another curiosity about the project is the fact that the rent-a-fence which borders the site does not occupy the whole parcel of land from High Point Medical Center south to Graham St, but only about half of the land. Just from having walked around the whole area, it seems to me like the part which is fenced off is too small to hold a small retail strip, a parking lot, and residential units.

Actually, if you were to look at the footprint of the space from the air, it would seem to be better suited for a small to medium sized grocery store and a parking lot. Additionally, the way the land is fenced off now gives the idea that the site will have a small entrance to parking from roughly Graham St. and 34th Ave SW, with the building set back from both streets. As a probably irrelevant aside, and having no real architectural expertise, the space roughly approximates the footprint (at least square-footage-wise) of Trader Joe’s in Queen Anne.

High Pointers: y’all have a homeowners association; maybe someone from the homeowner’s association has access to information on the general planning of High Point, or has a contact within the Seattle Housing Authority?

The story in pictures:

More Construction in High Point

As if the sounds of construction throughout High Point weren’t bad enough, it looks like High Point Center is finally getting off the ground. HPB hasn’t heard any rumblings as to what the new High Point Center will be, though from a sign posted on the property’s fence, it still appears that some form of retail/mixed use is planned for the site. This marks a change from earlier information that misled people into believing that an anchor store (possibly grocery store) would occuply the retail-only parcel. Adding to High Point Blog’s suspicions that plans may have completely changed is the fact that Cushman & Wakefield no longer has a public listing for the retail space at High Point Center, whereas previously the real estate management firm had posted a listing featuring 40,000+ sq. ft. for an anchor store. This either means that they did find someone willing to risk a specialty grocery store in an untested neighborhood (read: unlikely), or that they could not find a lead tenant after months of searching and have decided to develop the land differently (much more likely).I say that the latter possibility is much more likely because construction on High Point Center was to have begun far sooner than August 2007, but it obviously did not. No coming soon signs yet, as in the Junction. The High Point Blog will try and get to the bottom of this, so stay tuned. 

High Point Tutoring Center

From a High Point Blog viewer:

Do you love working with youth?

We are seeking applicants for an AmeriCorps position available at our High Point Tutoring Center in West Seattle. AmeriCorps members work 40 hours a week, receive a living allowance ($1000/month), receive health insurance, child care, and an education award of $4,725 upon completion of their year of service. To apply, send resume and cover letter stating your interest to: soundyouth_nda@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.soundyouth.org or www.ytpseattle.org. Thanks!

Tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Tutor elementary, middle and high school students one-on-one or in a small group• Assist youth with homework assignments; play educational games with students• Ensure the smooth, effective functioning of the center• Provide support and problem-solving to tutors• Coordinate educational incentive projects designed to motivate students toward high achievement in different content areas• Maintain records of all tutoring activities, family and school contacts and activities• During school breaks, assist in the preparation and delivery of supervised learning activities or clubs on subjects such as astronomy, women’s literature, technology, chess, creative writing or gardening• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Skills Required• Bachelor’s Degree• Desire and ability to tutor elementary and middle school students and assist with math, reading, writing and social studies homework• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and experience• Experience working effectively with young people, preferably at-risk youth• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and balance multiple responsibilities. Strong organization and documentation skills required. Detail oriented• Strong oral and written communication skills; clear, friendly phone voice and manner; good proofreading skills• Ability to represent self and program in professional manner to potential tutors, school personnel and community groups• Computer competency and willingness to learn and tutor with educational software

TO APPLY:Send resume and cover letter stating your interest to: soundyouth_nda@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.soundyouth.org or www.typseattle.org. Thanks!