Expect to see construction starting this summer on a five-story apartment complex along West Smith Street across from the Kent Station shopping mall.
“We don’t have a hard date but it’ll be during the second quarter,” said Brad Reisinger, project manager for Seattle-based Goodman Real Estate, Inc., in a phone interview last week.
The Seattle developer demolished the half-built parking garage in October 2011 to make room for 166 apartments and about 3,700-square feet of retail space at the corner of West Smith Street and Fourth Avenue.
“My target is to have the project completed and people moving in by next summer (2014),” Reisinger said.
The previous developer ran out of money in 2007 after constructing a half-built parking garage as part of a proposed hotel, condominiums and retail space development. The garage loomed as an eyesore for four years before Goodman agreed to tear down the garage and build the first urban-style apartments in Kent.
“We’re in the middle of the design process and getting the building permits,” Reisinger said. “We’re pushing it forward as fast as we can but it’s a complicated project. We’d rather spend more time up front doing the project right than trying to make changes later.”
Reisinger said the permit process is going smoothly with city officials.
“Kent has been incredible to work with,” he said. “Kurt Hanson (economic development manager) has been very engaged to help us get permitted.”
Goodman will call the apartments The Platform.
“It’s a play off the railroad since the train station and Kent Station are nearby,” Reisinger said. “People step on and off the train so it keeps the overall railroad theme. People will come home to The Platform.”
Reisinger hopes the closeness of the apartments to the Sounder train helps attract renters who commute to Seattle. He said other renters could include people who work nearby for the city of Kent, the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center and REI since those employees could walk to work.
“Kent has not had a lot of new construction right now and we will bring urban-style apartments to Kent so it meets a demand,” he said. “With the lack of supply, we’re confident it’s a great product and location.”
The apartments will feature one and two bedroom units. Reisinger said no prices have been set yet for the rental cost but it’s expected to be affordable rates for many as the apartments are not being built as luxury units. The ground floor will feature retail space of about 3,700 square feet.
Goodman, and its architect Studio Meng Strazzara of Seattle, plan to build much of the retail space near the corner of West Smith Street and Fourth Avenue and extend the space along Smith Street east from Fourth Avenue. The retail will feature small, boutique-like shops.
Reisinger said the company is in talks with a retailer, but he didn’t want to reveal that potential client or the type of business at this time.
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