Seattleâs former convergence zone for drug sellers and crack addicts (the corner of East Denny Way and East Madison Street) has been stripped of its former identity. Jim Mueller, a developer who bought two parcels of land, razed the notorious Deanoâs building on the corner (more on that here). The former Twilight Exit building across the streetâwhich was notorious for drunken, feckless hipsters, not crackheadsâis now vacant.
Mueller has submitted near-final plans to the city for the excellent buildings that will replace them. Hereâs the Twilight site recently:
And Muellerâs plans for 96 apartments above retail:
The former Deanoâs site before the demolition:
And Muellerâs plans for 222 apartments with retail:
The two buildings will cost $75 million, Mueller says; heâs waiting for the lending markets to thaw before beginning construction. He expects to break ground within the next two years. âI think it will be positive for the neighborhood,â says Mueller. âYou get the right kind of retail and youâve really made a statement.â The right kind of retail is âneighborhoodâ and âlocal.â Aw, c'mon, Jim, crack is neighborhoody and local. "Friendly, neighborhood and local," he says. "No imports."
A public design meeting for the latter project is scheduled for May 6, at 8:00 p.m. in room 3211 of Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway.