“Project X” may point to future Amazon drive-up operation on 15th

According to GeekWire, Amazon could be planning to open a new drive-up grocery service here in Ballard.

GeekWire reportedly uncovered permit filings that suggest the new operation will be run on the former Louie’s Cuisine of China site at 5100 15th Ave NW.

According to the reports, Amazon are keen to keep its involvement low key at this stage, referencing the project in filings with the City as “Project X”. The construction crew do not even know exactly what they are building, according to GeekWire.

“We had to sign our life away. Half the guys in there don’t even know what they are working on,” one worker told GeekWire.

According to the GeekWire reports, however, the language in the description “Project X” matches that of planning documents for the Amazon drive up grocery stores planned in the San Francisco Bay Area and also has listed the same architect, Ware Malcomb.

Check out the below description of how the mysterious “Project X” officially works from the City of Seattle’s planning documents:

When placing an online order, customers will schedule a specific 15-minute to two-hour pick up window. Peak time slots will sell out, which will help manage traffic flow within the customer parking adjacent to the building.

When picking up purchased items, customers can either drive into a designated parking area with eight parking stalls where the purchased items will be delivered to their cars or they can walk into the retail area to pick up their items.

Customers will also be able to walk into the retail room to place orders on a tablet. Walk in customers will have their products delivered to them in the retail room.

According to GeekWire, “Project X” is expected to be open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. with 15 employees working on site during peak time expected to occur between 5 and 7:30 p.m. The average wait time for customers is predicted to be approximately five minutes.

The My Ballard team will keep readers updated with any new developments as they come to light.

Photo and image courtesy of GeekWire.