| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 11:08 am |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Local News 
|
|||||||||
Lynnwood neighborhood now a hot property National attention may help find a buyer for at least 27 homes near Lynnwood. LYNNWOOD — News has spread nationwide about the Oak Knoll neighborhood's effort to band together and try to sell their family homes for redevelopment."There's a tremendous amount of developer and builder interest from New York to California," said Steve Canter, Home Realty sales manager who is coordinating the deal. "I foresee there being an acceptable offer within 60 days." The price tag for the Oak Knoll neighborhood is expected to break $30 million today as more property owners band together to sell their family homes for redevelopment. As of Friday, there were 27 homes jointly on the market, totaling nearly 14 acres and $29.1 million. Martin and Holli Schippers say their home is No. 28, albeit reluctantly. "It looks like we're on board," said Holli Schippers, a resident for 15 years. "I feel like we were forced into it, though. It's not fun, but on the other hand, we don't want to be screwed over and be the only ones here. I'm not happy." Residents said they were driven to sell by fear of seeing the neighborhood carved up piecemeal for smaller housing projects. One home in the neighborhood already has proposed to build a nine-plex townhouse and two duplexes on a half-acre. The whole neighborhood is prime real estate near I-5 and 164th Street SW, a place county officials want to see someday change from single-family homes into a "transit pedestrian village." That could mean five- to eight-story buildings and condos above businesses. The community already is surrounded by change, with new townhomes being built nearby. The imposing 60-foot-tall Newberry Square apartments overshadow the older two-story split-level homes in Oak Knoll. More are expected. This pocket between Lynnwood and Everett is slated to have a sea of condos and apartments for nearly 30,000 additional people by 2040, giving it the most growth in Snohomish County and second-most in the four-county Puget Sound region. Terry Quick, who organized his neighbors, said the response has been overwhelming. "I'm blown away that all of the neighbors have pulled together," Quick said, "and the fact that they recognize sticking together is what's making this whole thing work." The Schipperses at first were suspicious of the pressure to sell their home. "We went through some very emotional moments," Martin Schippers said. "In the end, you've got to realize that what the county has done is rezoned it and that's what's going to happen. We don't like it; however, the money's good. It will allow us to purchase a house outright and not have a house payment." The family was thinking about repainting the house and laying down new carpet, Holli Schippers said. Why bother spending the money if the neighborhood will be bulldozed and redeveloped, either with them or all around them? "I didn't want to have a five-story condo in my back yard," Holli Schippers said. The move changes the family's plans a bit. They expected their next house to be their retirement house. Now they'll have to find a house they can commute from for another decade. "You work, you live close to work, you save your butt off until you have enough money to have a great retirement in the place of your dreams," Martin Schippers said. "That's the American Dream." At the asking price, homeowners stand to collect $48 per square foot for their land, Canter said. "I think this is really going to come together and they're really going to get good value for their properties," he said. Holli Schippers wants to rescue three giant Japanese maple trees, and katsura and peach trees planted in memory of family members. "I've got a lot of digging to do," she said. Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com. |
- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
(9) - Vote on school levies by Tuesday (9)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Life story: Man fought depression courageously, family says (3)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (2)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (2)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|