The Joann Fabrics building (2217 NW 57th St) might turn into a pickleball club.
The former owner of Ballard Health Club, Pat Gilbrough, is exploring plans with Babienko Architects to convert the empty building into an indoor pickleball facility. Joann closed just over a year ago.
Gilbrough and Babienko Architects are preparing for a pre-submittal conference with the City of Seattle’s permit department to assess whether the change from retail use to a recreational facility is feasible.
Gilbrough said they expect to hear from the city within about four weeks on whether the project can move forward. If approved, the goal would be to open the facility by fall.
The pickleball club would have five courts with a second-story mezzanine overlooking the courts. There would be a small practice area near the back of the building.
The building includes a 32-stall parking garage with access from NW 57th Street. According to Gilbrough, the garage has been boarded up since 1999 during Joann Fabrics’ occupancy, and the proposal includes restoring it for use.
He said the restored parking area would use the same stall dimensions that existed in the 1990s, with most stalls measuring about 11 feet wide. Current city parking stalls are typically closer to eight feet wide.
Gilbrough said the concept for the Ballard Pickleball Club is modeled after the approach taken with the Ballard Health Club, with a focus on creating an affordable, community-oriented space for fitness and recreation.
The proposal is still in the early feasibility stage while the team works through the city’s permitting process.
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