Live upstairs, work downstairs

Urban style living made up of both residential and commercial space is not something new — but to Bremerton it will be.

Nor’west Properties LLC of Kingston has plans underway to develop an 18-unit-mixed-use building on Roseway Lane off of State Route 303 across from Fred Meyer. The property sits 400 feet from the highway, surrounded by trees. The project, which is still in the design development stage, will consist of four ground-level office spaces with 14 condominium units located on the second and third floors.

“Right now, urban in-fill is very important because the Growth Management Act (GMA) of 1990 is placing the majority of upcoming growth into urban-zoned areas,” said Paul Eberharter, architect and managing member of Nor’west Properties. “It all goes back to the GMA because what they’re trying to do is reduce growth in suburban areas and increase or force growth in urban areas.”

The 1.3 acre site was purchased by Nor’west in March. Eberharter and associates have recently turned in an early set of plans for site approval and will next put the finishing touches on the construction drawings to submit for construction permits. Site work is scheduled to begin in April 2006 followed by the start of building construction in June 2006. Condo owner move-in is expected to happen in November 2006.

It was in March that Eberharter teamed up with real estate investors which helped turn the project into a reality.

“I had the skills to build it and they had the financial backing,” Eberharter said.

He adds that the goal is to sell the project to a builder, but it still remains to be seen if Nor’west will indeed sell the design plans to a builder or if Nor’west will have it built. The project is currently on the market for $650,000 which includes the land and architectural design for permit set and bidding set. The preliminary cost estimate to build the project is $2.7 million. The area in which the project lies is zoned as highway/tourist commercial which allows for a mixed-use building.

“A lot of new codes are encouraging mixed-use,” he said.

Urban style living, he said, unites shopping, working and living in one area instead of separating it as past zoning codes have done.

“We blame developers, but it’s really the zoning,” Eberharter said.

He adds that mixed-use buildings are not something new, but is to this area because of recent changes in zoning.

“This is nothing new, the Romans did this,” he said. “It’s been a model of urban living for eons ... It’s a first (in this area) but only because we’re now being allowed. (The project) is a first because other developers don’t want to do it because it hasn’t been done in the past. This is a national phenomenon to allow mixed-use.”

The 14 condominium units include four one-bedroom units, totaling 677 square feet each; six two-bedrooms units at 1,182 square feet each; two three-bedroom units featuring 1,850 square feet of space each; and two four-bedroom units with 2,012 square-feet of space. All four commercial offices will be 1,515 square feet each.

Eberharter expects pre-sale of the condominiums to begin within the next six months and is confident the units will provide a less expensive alternative to increasing house prices.

One-bedroom units are priced at $140,000, two-bedrooms are $174,000, three-bedrooms will go for $225,000 and four bedrooms are $249,000. Office units may be purchased for $220,000 each.

“There’s a real advantage here, there’s a lot of people who want to downsize, older people, retired people,” he said. “It’s a lock and leave lifestyle, there’s no lawn to mow and you can focus on the urban amenities around you. It’s entry level housing, you can’t buy a two-bedroom house around here for $174,000. This is not low income, but it is entry level.”

The grounds will include separate parking for both residents and commercial visitors as well as a walking and jogging path, outdoor recreation courts and a play area.

“We build in attractive architecture, walking trails and recreation opportunities so that families have enjoyable, safe and affordable options for home ownership,” Eberharter said.

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