Comments on: Embracing Seattle’s New Urbanism

By: Jerry Gropp

Jerry Gropp — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 23:37:48 +0000

Eileen- As to “It’s mostly green built, close to mass transit, only 20 miles from downtown Seattle and quiet and peaceful”- these are true.
However, I do think “green built” is used to cover a lot of sins these days.
Many people- myself included- do not like Issaquah Highland’s highly intrusive appearance on nature from below. J-

By: Jerry Gropp

Jerry Gropp — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:45:45 +0000

Here’s my beef- As an architect specializing in custom home design these many years, I once in a while pause the plowing my own furrow and look around at what’s going on in my chosen field. Some of what I see I like, some I abhor. An example of the latter is Issaquah Highlands- highly touted
as the best of “the New Urbanism”. Looking back, I see that CrossCut
had covered this: Crosscut Seattle – 72 hours in the Issaquah Highlands
http://crosscut.com/2007/08/06/flip-side/5978/

In theory a good idea, this hill-climbing clustered community above a
once sleepy suburb was put forward as an antidote to Issaquah’s highly
obvious suburban rush hour traffic. Nothing wrong with that- except
it’s so badly executed- by the usual suspects- operative builders who’ve
long been littering our Puget Sound landscape with “Bellevue Chateaus”.

Unfortunately, over time we’ve all become rather inured to developer
“Super-Dingbats” (not my term- one bandied about for years by spec
builders themselves meeting at the lumberyard). But the negative side
of so many (3,000!) tightly-grouped, high-density SDs up on this hapless
hillside is visible way down below on highway I-90. There’s an immense
off-ramp that makes it easy to visit what’s touted as “an urban village
reminiscent of friendly, turn of the century neighborhoods”.

A Seattle native, I’ve long resented the treatment of the NorthWest as
a far out outpost of the East Coast- just awaiting enlightenment by the
developer/design establishment. Now CrossCut has been an enlightened
alternative online publication that may well help to reverse these most
unfortunate developments. Buying and perhaps restoring a MCM (Mid-
Century Modern) as I’ve done (see my WebSite below) may well be the
best, most organic way to go.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:52:10 +0000

What’s not to like about Issaquah Highlands? Other than the development of the shops has been delayed. It’s mostly green built, close to mass transit, only 20 miles from downtown Seattle and quiet and peaceful.
What’s your beef??

By: Jerry Gropp

Jerry Gropp — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 22:13:09 +0000

Anyone enamored of the “New Urbanism” should take a drive up thru the highly touted Issaquah Highlands. JG

By: Seattle Architect - Matthew Coates

Seattle Architect - Matthew Coates — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:15:53 +0000

Root Beer is good…But sustainable design is better.

With Seattle Architect Coates Design, you’ll get a customized, innovative approach to your design & green building design needs along with sustainable design solutions that suit your specific budget.

If you folks would like to chat about how sustainable design = new urbanism…let’s chat.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:15:11 +0000

Hi Jim:
here’s the link for the map of downtown Seattle. Go to the bottom of the page to the related articles link and follow the Skyline 2010 link.
http://www.nwmls.com/discover/nwreporter.cfm?SectionListsID=25
It was also in the PI on June 14 but you have to sign into that to see it.
Ardell, you need to fly back home for a vacation and pig out!
Robbie, I am an A&W rootbeer fan, too many calories in a good old hamburger. Sometimes getting old isn’t all that great

By: Robbie

Robbie — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 07:53:14 +0000

I should note that the XXX root beer is very highly regarded.

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 06:36:13 +0000

Hey Robbie, I followed the link and read about the great food and something about the Coke machine…but I’m dying for a GREAT Rootbeer…Rootbeer float even! How come no one’s mentioning the rootbeer at XXX rootbeer?

And while we’re on food…anyone know where I can can a really good and “authentic” Philly Cheese Steak around here?

By: Robbie

Robbie — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 04:47:55 +0000

As a short time Issaquah resident, I have to say the burgers are still good. XXX Rootbeer is probably the burger joint in King County (if not the state).

By: Jim Greenleaf

Jim Greenleaf — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 04:09:46 +0000

Source for the skyline1 image? – it doesn’t enlarge so I couldn’t read it