‘Market Street Landing’ makes progress with board

Rhapsody Partners and architect Arthur Chang presented the latest proposal for Market Street Landing to the Design Review Board on Monday night. The condo-retail complex is slated for the old Denny’s site at 15th and Market.

Last time Chang presented his design plans to the board, a member called it a “sprawling octopus.” This time, the board said it applauded many of the changes, but a couple members said the lack of diversity in building materials still made the project “feel big.” The building is large by Ballard standards: it tops out at eight stories in height with 287 condo units, 32,850 sq. ft. of retail space and 445 parking stalls over three underground floors.

One of the design changes is the corner tower on 15th and Market — which would be illuminated at night. Chang had said he gathered inspiration for the design from the Old Ballard City Hall along with a lighthouse. One board member said the tower still needed some work.

This aerial view illustrates the large private rooftop garden area. A board member mentioned the project needed some kind of public space because “the public deserves something” for a project in such a central place.

Overall, the board said the Market Street Landing design had “a lot of great elements” but that Rhapsody and Chang should make some changes and “probably plan on another round” with the board. A member of the audience declared that the project “doesn’t say Ballard at all” and “doesn’t speak to the neighborhood” — a common theme among supporters of the old Denny’s building, once Manning’s Cafeteria, that was designated a landmark and demolished to make room for the Market Street Landing project. Yet despite all the previous controversy, only a dozen or so people attended tonight’s meeting. For Rhapsody, which appears to be making progress with getting design approval, the next hurdle is finding financing for the project — which is currently unfunded in the middle of a recession.