Marlon Meyer
Northwest Asia Weekly
Improved design of Jasmine, with moon gate, round opening. (Photo courtesy of Otak)
On August 9, the International Special Review District (ISRD) committee said it had enough information to support the demolition of the old building and make way for the construction of a 17-story apartment building on the site of the former Bush Gardens. Decide on the design of the new building.
Gary Redick
According to Reddick’s explanation of early feedback from the board, the proposed structure, called Jasmine, has been completely redesigned to have what architect Gary Reddick calls an Asian look, rather than a sleek modern style that would look out of place in the neighborhood. .
Added James Wong, CEO of developer Vibrant Cities: “This is my community too. I have to feel it belongs to it.”
Nonetheless, board member Adrian Lam said the new design was a hodgepodge of Asian styles that did not truly represent the Chinatown International District (CID) or any Asian culture.
“You end up with two different buildings,” he said. “You can see the struggle.”
He said the building could be Japanese or Chinese.
“An inconsistent architectural language may not benefit the community,” Lam said.
Huang responded that the style of the building was aimed at laypeople passing by on Chinatown Street.
“We wanted to make something traditional into modern,” he said, adding that the mix of styles was purposeful.
“We wanted a design that was ‘in front of you’. A lot of laymen passing by wouldn’t be able to see the subtleties,” he said.
Board member Ryan Gilbert said the building appealed to him in that sense. He also said the structure appears to honor the past and celebrate the next century, a theme championed by the design team.
New renderings of the Jasmine Building (image via Otak)
end of a long process
This debate over design appears to be the ultimate feud over a development that has stretched into the application stage, over the years and six meetings of the review board.
Critics argue that the destruction of the former Bush Gardens (also known as the Elgin Hotel) and its adjacent structures will represent the first time a true historic building has been demolished to create a luxury high-rise.
They argue that the Bush Gardens building, where activist Bob Santos has gathered with supporters to protect CID in the face of development, should not be lost to an apartment complex that they say will further exacerbate low-income residents of displacement.
They say the site should be devoted entirely to affordable housing.
Proponents argue that the CID, especially in abandoned areas adjacent to abandoned properties, has seen a rise in crime, making it dangerous for elderly residents living nearby to even walk the streets.
In addition, they believe the influx of wealthy people into the neighborhood will inject cash and foot traffic into businesses.
But ultimately, such competing arguments are largely symbolic, as considerations of affordability and economic impact are beyond the purview of the review committee.
Still, the project’s impact on CID’s future took center stage in public comment before the board considered Redick’s slides, with critics accusing it of hastening the demise of the community and betrayal of the Santos spirit. At the same time, proponents believe it will help rejuvenate the area as a safe space for people to visit.
New renderings of the Jasmine Building (image via Otak)
site of resistance
Describing CID as her “home of community and culture,” Jacqueline Wu called on the review committee’s mandate to preserve, protect and enhance CID’s historic and architectural features.
“I ask the board to fulfill its responsibilities and goals by protecting and protecting the Bush Garden buildings.”
She said the structure was similar to other buildings such as the refurbished Louisa Hotel, based on reports submitted by developers and an independent study.
Activist Nina Wallace also called on the board to preserve the existing building as a “unique and irreplaceable” part of the area’s history.
Sukai said her grandfather was “running out of the first Chinatown” and she opposed the demolition and construction of “luxury high-rises.”
“Displacement and gentrification are real for our community. Not only have mom-and-pop stores gone, we’ve lost 350 Asian American and Pacific Islander families,” she said. “This is not a project that should be stamped by the ISRD Review Board. The community offers other solutions.”
Commenting on the benefits to the community of large retail spaces, Meilani Mandery of the Wing Luke Museum said: “When retail space is occupied by chains rather than locally owned mom-and-pop stores, it doesn’t make sense.”
A homeowner from Little Saigon who calls herself “Yin” said the former Bush Gardens building exemplifies “resistance and struggle” against the former stadium kingdom.
“Uncle Bob and his staff often meet there. This building is very meaningful. As one of the only historic heritages in the city and in the CID, we call for the continuation of the CID’s legacy of affordable housing for the CID median income 30,000 people served,” she said.
Looking to the future
Some who support the project see themselves as looking to the future.
“We’re building a mixed-use building with community space for people of all incomes,” said Jay Ho, who said he grew up in the area and traveled to CID with his family every week to avoid getting stuck. Mr Ho lamented the vacancy of the two buildings, referring to the former Bush Gardens building and the adjoining buildings, increasing the danger of walking down the street at night.
Chris Robinson, who moved with his family from New York to the neighborhood in June, said the addition of Jasmine “should alleviate” rising crime.
Another supporter who identified herself as Jessica said she moved into the area a year ago as a software developer and enjoys playing volleyball and table tennis in the area, as well as attending events at the Japan Cultural Center.
“The Jasmine project is a beautiful proposed condominium where the owners want to live, work and play nearby,” she said.
Tian Lele said she moved to Seattle from China 20 years ago and said CID is no longer safe, so she supported the project.
One pastor said he could serve in the newly proposed program.
“Jasmine will provide a large community space for community gatherings, not only for faith groups like ours, but also for wedding celebrations and other cultural events,” said Royce Yuen, a Seattle native.
Unresolved issue?
Adding to the tension was the last-minute decision by board chair Andy Yip and ISRD coordinator Rebecca Frestedt to limit individual public comment to one minute, rather than the pre-agreed two minutes. Yip and Frestedt said such a decision was necessary because of the large number of people who wanted to express their opinions.
Still, some of the critics present expressed indignation that they were not informed in advance.
As for the destruction of the former Bush Gardens building, the main point of contention at the last meeting – the need for the board to see a third-party structural engineer’s assessment of the feasibility of salvaging the original building, is unclear – appears to have been absent.
Board member Elizabeth Baskerville and board member Ming Zhang, who did not attend the meeting, raised the issue in an email Frestedt read on her behalf.
“I am interested in learning more about 614 Maynard [municipal code] 23.66.318 B—Demolition may be approved if critical to safety, public health, and welfare. However, the last time we discussed the issue, the two structural engineers disagreed on the feasibility of a repair and the threat to public safety,” she said in an email.
Ye said the design team was under no obligation to respond to the question.
At its last meeting in February, an outside expert found old buildings could be refurbished, something Jasmine’s design team strongly objected to, saying the bricks were “powder-like”, although one of their designs involved using the original bricks to create a facade.
In addition, proponents of the new project say the study is unreliable because it was commissioned by Eugenia Woo, director of conservation services at the Seattle History Museum, who is biased against the Jasmine project. They also said experts had not done a thorough study, while Jasmine’s opponents said the owners had not given him permission to study the property thoroughly.
Baskerville referred to the controversy in her email, saying: “I had asked for more information, such as giving third-party engineers full access to the building, so that we could have a fuller picture of the existing structure and whether any replacements were made. The planned demolition has been investigated.”
style and safety
As Redick began his presentation, he said “something very unexpected and extraordinary has happened since our last briefing.” Through many lengthy meetings and considering feedback from Huang and others, he reinvented himself design.
He talked about drawing on thousands of years of history in Japan and China as well as his own experience in Asia, especially China. For example, his team found common ground in the reverence for bricks, although in Japan, white represents purity, while in China, red is a sacred color.
During the presentation, he gradually added components to the white rendering, such as red columns, awnings, white towers, balconies overlooking the street, and “moon gates,” which he referenced repeatedly.
The Moon Gate in traditional Chinese architecture is a circular opening to an elite garden. Here, in the rendering, it’s replicated by a circular design that surrounds the front door, like an open mouth, with two front teeth visible like a door.
Describing the special windows, Redick said the ballroom on the second floor is expected to have hundreds of seats, “where the light will filter through and pour down the walls.”
Board member Nella Kwan asked if the exterior lighting would be extended to illuminate the alley behind the new building.
Redick said the team could “clamp in a limited number of downlights so that [alley] The wall becomes an asset to the overall composition. “
Huang said his firm has illuminated the alleys of other buildings, such as Capitol Hill.
He described it as an “easy-to-solve problem”.
The lighting issue often comes up in community discussions, Frestedt said.
Mahlon can be contacted by info@nwasianweekly.com.
