There was a time when Dexter Avenue North could turn
sunshine
gray. Karen Clark, who used to work on the
sordid street of
warehouses, says, “I remember seeing a pregnant prostitute once on the
way to my car.”
Get ready to say goodbye to that Dexter. Maybe. Capstone Partners
has proposed developing a six-story commercial facility with 400
underground parking spots and 10,000 square feet of street-level
retail, to be designed by LMN Architects. Zoning on Dexter allows
developments up to 65 feet high, but a special biotech exemption
enables Capstone
to build to 85 feet, mirroring the big
research facilities across the water on Eastlake Avenue East.
However, the development, which will house an as-yet-unnamed biotech
tenant, raises major questions about the future of the neighborhood.
Capstone principal Mike Hubbard says there are no renderings yet for
what will replace this concrete tundra—the design is being
adjusted to accommodate neighbors’ requests.
Since it opened nine months ago, the Neptune condo building across
the street from the proposed development isn’t wanting for residents,
but it’s still seeking renters for its empty storefronts.
And farther up on Aurora, there is grumbling. Andy Mayorkinos, who
owns Andy’s Mobile Auto Repair (in the path of the planned development)
knows his business will be pushed out. Meanwhile, residents of the
Regency Apartment Condominiums on the west side of Aurora are said to
be mad because Capstone’s building will block there views.
However, a view is a fleeting thing. If the gray expanse of Dexter
is replaced by a vivid street connecting downtown to
Fremont, it
will have been more than worth the tradeoffs.
Janet Williams, who moved to the Neptune last week to be closer to
her South Lake Union job, thinks the residential density will bring new
businesses to the area. “It will be great to walk out the door and have
retail right there,” she says. 