With every problem or issue that keeps popping up for the Ninth & Stewart hotel project, it's starting to feel like it will be a minor miracle if it ever ends up getting built. Seattle's biggest hotel project has had to deal with labor union workers, a "notice of determination of significance" from the city and now it's facing its biggest threat yet…an empty alley.
Until recently, executives at R.C. Hedreen Co. were confident they had the city's support for a unique proposition: In exchange for the city abandoning its rights to the alley, the company would, among other things, build 152 affordable housing units on the hotel site at Ninth Avenue and Stewart Street. ...But city planning officials now say Hedreen will have to do far more to justify the city giving up public space. And the frustrated developer says it could scrap the rare affordable housing or cancel the project altogether.
The big sticking point for Seattle is their desire to see Hedreen do more for their employees in terms of affordable housing. Otherwise, the burdens won't be worth it, even for 150,000 square feet of conference and meeting space. Hedreen will present a public-benefit package to the Seattle Design Commission on January 9.
· Alley divides the city and downtown hotel developer [Seattle Times]
· Ninth & Stewart Hotel Project Delayed Over Traffic Study [Curbed Seattle]
· All Ninth & Stewart coverage [Curbed Seattle]