University Place residents call on city to fix ‘eyesore’ at 27th and Grandview

History is repeating itself at the corner of 27th Street West and Grandview Drive in University Place.

Two years ago, an empty building was demolished to make way for affordable housing for seniors. At the time it signaled change was finally coming to the busy corner once anchored by a Red Apple market.

Today the property sits empty again, a chain link fence around an untouched mound of dirt and weeds.

Contaminated soil from a former dry cleaning business stalled development. Insurance companies are battling over the clean up, said David Swindale, UP’s development director.

Swindale recently sent a letter to developer Senior Housing Assistance Group, or SHAG, expressing concern about the halted project that proposed adding a 142-unit senior housing apartment complex with ground floor retail.

The city previously extended permits for work on the site, Swindale said.

The company submitted an updated site development plan and once it pays the fee the city will re-issue the development permit, he said.

“Each time we grant an extension they have to give some evidence that they are going to do the project,” Swindale said. “We’ve all got our fingers crossed.”

Karen Lucas, SHAG spokeswoman, confirmed the company still plans to build on the site and anticipates construction beginning in early 2018.

The city hopes resuming construction deters people from vandalizing the buildings across the parking lot. The status of that property was the focus of public comment at a July 5 UP City Council meeting.

Dale Fonk owns the property, which is not tied to the SHAG housing. Fonk wants to build an assisted living facility there but is still working on financing the $25 million project, he said.

In the meantime, he is exploring a permanent solution to stop vandalism of the buildings.

“I don’t need to have them gone right now, but I think if they’re gone, the attractive nuisance to the local vandals would be dramatically reduced,” Fonk said.

Earlier this month, blaring black graffiti spanned the boarded up storefronts, including swastikas. The “vile, hateful and threatening” messages prompted neighbors to call on the council to take action, resident Sharon Moffitt said.

“What at one time was just an eyesore and looked terrible, I think now feels like an unsafe place,” Moffitt said.

The city has not cited Fonk for code violations at the property because “he’s more of the victim,” Swindale said.

“I’m sure he’s just as upset about it as the neighbors are,” he said.

A fence will go up around the buildings soon, and the entrance from Crystal Springs Road West will be blocked to deter vandals, Fonk said.

“I know the community kind of directs their anger at me, but I’m doing what I can do,” he said. “I get their frustration, but on the other hand, I’m a little frustrated myself.”

This story was originally published July 11, 2016 at 1:34 PM with the headline "University Place residents call on city to fix ‘eyesore’ at 27th and Grandview."