Dunn Lumber Expansion Update

It’s been over two years since the last update on Dunn Lumber’s planned expansion project, but progress is being made. This past Wednesday, Dunn invited neighbors down to a Site Walk to talk about the latest plans.

As a reminder, the plan is to take down the existing structure and lumber yard that occupy the block across from Dunn’s retail store and offices on Latona and NE Northlake Way and put up a modern building that will house a warehouse and covered yard as well as retail space and offices.

One change to the project since the last update is the building height. With the approval of HALA, the area’s zoning code went from IC-45 to IC-65, meaning that they can now build to 65′ instead of 45′. Marianne Stover, a project spokesperson, said they don’t plan to go quite that high, but they do plan to take advantage of the opportunity to add some more room to the building. It will likely be built to three-stories on the north end, where it abuts the Burke Gilman Trail, and then four stories overlooking Northlake Way on the south.

Plans still call for retail spaces on the north side of the building (I have to imagine a restaurant / coffeeshop / wine bar would do well there), and Dunn has obtained agreement from the Seattle Parks Department to improve the city-owned parking lot area that acts as a buffer just to the south of the Burke Gilman at the corner of Latona. As illustrated in the drawing above, it will be landscaped with benches and other areas for people to stop and relax on their trip down the Burke. The landscape architect I spoke with also mentioned bike fixit stations and the necessity of “family bike”-sized bike parking.

One question that arose was what the impact of the building and the increased foot, bicycle and car traffic would have on the traffic and crosswalk at Latona and Pacific. If people have suggestions and requests for how they would like to see this handled, please add them to the comment section here. The city does read it.

The project is in the “city review” stage now, and will continue in the design phase through early to mid 2021. They hope to break ground in mid to late 2021 with a target completion date in late 2022 or early 2023.