"The Fenpro," as it is known, is an old warehouse along Ballard's Market Street containing dozens of studios for artists and craftsmen. But as of the end of March, those who worked inside were told to move out.
Plans are to demolish the warehouse; in its place, a $45 million Nordic Heritage Museum will line Market Street.
"You're never going to have another building like this," said Jay Craig, an artist who used to work inside the Fenpro.
Dozens of his friends received notice that they would have to move out of the Ballard warehouse by the end of last month. Ballard's Nordic Heritage Museum bought the Fenpro building and gave those inside notice that they would need to move out.
"We're very sympathetic to the folks who are there now, especially because we find ourselves in a similar position -- being kind of forced out of our home," said Eric Nelson, CEO of Nordic Heritage Museum.
Nelson says that they, too, are being forced to move. The museum currently operates out of a Seattle Public Schools building – and SPS is ordering the museum to leave so it can open up another school.
Nelson says he is excited for the museum to be more visible along Ballard's Market Street, and for the museum to own the property.
The plan is to demolish The Fenpro this summer, with plans to open the new museum to the public in 2018. In total, Nelson says it is a $45 million project.
Cox Media Group
