Status of the Proposed Development for the Metropolitan Market Site
UPDATE (12/7/07): QFC has backed out of the project and the Cox family is in the process of selling the property to developer Joe Geivett of Emerald Bay Equity. Joe is the developer of the Eden Hill/Union 76 project, and has a good track record of seeking AND incoporating community input into his projects.
QANRG looks forward to working with Joe to create a project that benefits everyone in a positive way..
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Queen Anne Place development a done deal?
A: No. QFC has backed out of the deal, and the property has been sold to another developer.
Q: What are the next steps?
A: Joe Geivett has stated that he intends to work closely with the community in developing a project that most people can be happy with. This process will likely begin sometime next year.
Q: Isn't Metropolitan Market moving to the Larry's Market location in Lower Queen Anne?
A: Yes and No. Metropolitan Market purchased the Larry's Market lease, and is in the process of remodeling the store. They intend to continue operating both stores as Metropolitan Markets, serving both upper and lower Queen Anne.
Q: Is there a chance the Metropolitan Market can stay in their current location?
A: The developer iintends to incorporate Met Market into his development plans.
Q: Didn't Metropolitan Market decide they do not want to stay in this location?
A: No. The landowners and Metropolitan Market couldn’t come to terms, but the details of their relationship are private. Although it is public knowledge that they have proposed redevelopment projects in the past, details of why these projects did not materialize are private.
Q: Wasn't the proposed development in 2001 stopped due to community opposition?
A: No. There was limited opposition to the proposed development in 2001, but the concept eventually won support from the Queen Anne Land Use Review Committee. The landowners discontinued their efforts towards this proposed development. Two years later (in 2003) they purchased the adjacent Elfrieda apartment building, which they now seek to demolish.
Q: What is QANRG trying to do?
A: QANRG is representing Queen Anne residents and business owners in this process. We hope to influence the project and help create a successful, positive outcome for residents, the landowners, and the businesses that end up occupying the space. QANRG has hired a land use attorney because Queen Anne residents are very concerned about the scale of the proposed development and the lack of diversity by having such a large single retailer. We will continue to fight for a safe, tasteful and appropriate development on this site.
Q: What can I do to express my opinions or participate?
A: Visit the QANRG Write To page at http://www.qanrg.org/write.html. Write to members of the DPD, the City Council, and the Mayor's office to let them know what you think about this project. Voicing a strong opinion in clear and concise language is the best way to gain the attention of those at City Hall. SIGN OUR PETITION here.
