Proposed building between neighborhoods draws excitement and concern

SEATTLE — A Whole Foods could potentially transform the part of town where First Hill becomes Capitol Hill.

The new building would sit right at Madison Street and Broadway, replacing a three story building across from Seattle University.

“I'm excited because it'll be cool,” Aaron Pauls said.

The Whole Foods would be part of a 16-story apartment building. The city design review process will begin in March for the 160-foot structure that will have nearly 300 units.

However, some neighbors are raising concerns.

“Seattle is growing too fast and can't accommodate all its citizens,” Larry Levine said. “Traffic would be worse than it is now because it would congest this particular area that's already congested.”

Levine also has questions about already limited parking in the area. The current design for the new building calls for five underground stories of parking for 374 vehicles and nearly 100 bikes. Also, the new secure bike lane along Broadway is set up to keep cyclists safe from any increased traffic flow.

The proposed Whole Foods would be an easier walk for residents of the rapidly expanding Capitol Hill neighborhood. It would be more than a mile closer than the Whole Foods at Westlake Avenue and Denny Way.

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