New construction proposed in Longfellow

Story and Photo by MARGIE O’LOUGHLIN

Longfellow Community Council held their monthly Neighborhood Development Committee meeting at Lake Coffee on Mar. 18, and had one major agenda item. Developer Andy Bare of Key Funding LLC gave a presentation and answered questions about his proposed mixed-use, multi-family development at 3403 38th Ave. S.

The site, which formerly was home to a gas station, has some soil remediation issues. Those were addressed by Bare, but questions about the scale of the project, the lack of green space and perceived inadequate water retention strategies were left unanswered.

Bare is in the early stages of defining his project. He said, “I always put the biggest plan out there first. There’s the possibility that I might scale back, and there’s the possibility that I might not.” According to an LCC staff person, “To Bare’s credit, he’s well ahead of the curve in terms of meeting with the public.” Residents’ concerns included increased alley traffic, reduced on-street parking for people using Longfellow Park and an adverse change to the feel of the neighborhood.

Watch the Longfellow Community Council’s website (calendar) to see when the next public information meeting will be – likely late April at Longfellow Park.