Community Development Director Erik Thorvig said he realizes more dense housing options is not what everyone wants to see in the area.
“A lot of the multi-family housing you’re seeing today–the rents are quite high,” said Thorvig. “It’s a much different product than the apartments that were built in the 1960s.” He pointed to amenities like fitness centers and swimming pools that many newer complexes boast to try to lure younger professionals.
“There’s a market for all types” of multi-family housing, he said–including senior living communities.
The plans show a re-imagined footprint for Northtown Mall. Northtown General Manager Paula Mueller continued to decline North Metro TV’s request for an interview, but did say the mall and its ownership group, Washington Prime, are in full support of the city’s efforts to re-align the area.
“We’ve met with the mall multiple times,” said Thorvig. “They’re really into re-looking at how that mall functions.”
As for the city’s role in creating this vision, Thorvig said the full plan could be up for adoption by council as soon as May.
