Two motels on Samish are slated to be demolished, making way for an apartment complex
Two Samish motels are slated for demolition in order to make way for a building that will have 196 apartment units and ground floor commercial space.
The Cascade and Villa inns at 208-212 N. Samish Way will be removed to make way for the five-story building, according to a proposal submitted to the city’s design review board on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
The project will have a variety of features to address some of the urban village guidelines for the Samish neighborhood. Those features include a 30-foot wide setback/sidewalk on Samish Way to allow for outdoor seating and landscaping. Additional landscaping is planned throughout the area including on the roof and in the parking area, which is tucked away from the main street. Architects from Seattle-based Clark Barnes were at the review board meeting to provide details of the project.
The Seattle developers, Trent Mummery and Patrick Ashman of Trent Development, are still in the process of purchasing the property, which is expected to close this spring. After the purchase and the permit process is complete, they hope to begin construction this summer and estimate it will take 16 months to complete.
Along with landscaping, the rooftop will have other amenities for residents, including possibly a barbecue area or fireplaces. The landscaping architect is Seattle-based Weisman Design Group.
Mummery said the apartment units will be priced at the market rate, and expects it to appeal to the general Bellingham population along with Western Washington University students. The apartments will have a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.
They became interested in developing the property because Mummery and Ashman consider the Samish area and Bellingham to be in need of residential housing. As they researched the property and learned about the urban village concepts, they became more enthused about the project, Mummery said.
“We see this as an up-and-coming area,” Mummery said, adding that he’s impressed with the projects happening nearby.
Members of the design review board appeared receptive to the project and its design. Michael Knapp said he liked the building and it can represent a good gateway structure into downtown.
“It’s a great improvement to have on North Samish Way,” Knapp said.
The proposal calls for 151 parking spaces, which is less than the 206 required for this kind of project. The developers want to offset the fewer parking spaces by adding other amenities, including spaces for bikes. Sidewalk improvements on Abbott Street will also create some spaces.
This proposal would join other significant residential projects that are currently underway along Samish Way, including the redevelopment of the former Aloha Motel and the construction of Samish Station.
The first phase of the housing authority’s project at the Aloha Motel site calls, 315 N. Samish Way, for 69 residential units but when completely built out Samish Commons will have 180 units.
The Samish Station, 109 N. Samish Way, is currently leasing one of its two five-story buildings, with the other currently under construction.
This story was originally published January 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
