27th Street Station Grand Opening This Weekend

19 comments

• M michael buchanan April 26, 2008

  Just came back from viewing the project. Awsome job of reconstruction at great prices. I saw the place about six months ago. I could hardly believe it was the same place! They already had deposits on 3 units when I left. And I was early so I would’t miss the BBQ. Which was great.

• J Jake April 26, 2008

  From Dan’s story:

  When a developer tells you he bought an 87-unit apartment building in November, started converting 17 units to condominiums in December and plans to start selling them at an open house Saturday, one thought comes to mind: “In this market? The guy must be crazy.”
  But you don’t say that to his face. You politely ask to see the units.

  Then he tells you his condos are in Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood, and suddenly you have no trouble asking him, “Are you nuts?”

  No, Ron Gintz isn’t nuts.

  Is it just me or does that first part of the article sound like something that might have been written about Hilltop maybe 5 years ago. Just seem like we are past the “you are nuts for investing in Hilltop” notion.

• C crenshaw sepulveda April 27, 2008

  “Overlooking Nalley Valley and Mt. Rainier, this area has one of the oldest and richest histories in town.”

  Would someone please tell me the old rich history of this area?

• J J. Cote April 27, 2008

  Crenshaw,
  Believe this is the same area where a group of Army Rangers, one of them lived in the area, shot it out with several members of a local street gang (either bloods or crips).
  The Rangers fired off over 160 rounds of ammunition. Nobody was injured on either side.Tacoma Police increased patrols and started to install video cameras in the ares
  Army officials sent to Rangers to the range for target practice.
  All happened in the area around 25th and M.
  This is the only history that I’m aware of, but I’m not 100% sure.

• C crenshaw sepulveda April 27, 2008

  That is, indeed, a rich and old history, J. Cote. Thank you for enlightening me. When I’m at the 27th Street Station I will look for the historic bullet holes in the siding.

• J Jake April 27, 2008

  The 1989 shootout happened near 25th and Ash which is somewhat a different neighborhood then 27th Street Station as Ash St. is on the other side of Wilkenson Street. I am sure there is a lot of history in the neighborhood like most of Tacoma’s old neighborhoods. I believe a streetcar ran down MLK and down 23rd Street. There are a few old commercial building along 23rd. And yes the past crime is part of the rich history.

• C Christine April 27, 2008

  Golly Cren, If you had the goose that laid the golden egg, you would gripe about feathers.

  I think what could be meant as historic is the fact that if you go back in time a bit further, it was a very rich and busy neighborhood. I work with several people in their late 40’s to early 60’s who grew up in that area and have many good memories. There were people living regular lives, doing regular things in the neighborhood before it became known for the shoot outs and other horrible things. This could be the reclaimation.

  I’m not trying to turn you into a “happy happy joy joy-everything is looking sunny” type, but things do turn out well sometimes. They really do.

• C crenshaw sepulveda April 27, 2008

  Hey all I wanted to know is what made this one of the oldest neighborhoods in Tacoma with its richest of histories. I understand why Old Town is considered an area rich in history. I understand the history of the St. Helens neighborhood. What makes this site so rich in history. I’m not making this claim, this is the advertising for the 27th Street Station. I have no doubt that this was a fine neighborhood in the past and from my estimation it is a fine neighborhood today. I’ve lived in some pretty rough neighborhoods in my time. Tacoma, any part of Tacoma, is far safer than any number of places I’ve had the pleasure of living in. You don’t know how good you have it in Tacoma compared to so many places.

• O Old Timer April 27, 2008

  The only rich history related to the complex as a whole imo was that back in the late 80’s Vista Rainier was home to a large # of cambodian immigrants. GG really did a nice job, probably the best apt conversion I’ve seen so far in the area. Seemed to be alot of attention paid to sound proofing between floors. Loved the Frieze, not to crazy about wood laminate but it looks nice. Just don’t fall on your ass when that stuff gets wet. Talking to a few neighbors they seemed to really appreciate the change even though people are being displaced. I found it amazing the diverse group of people that were checking it out. Great to see Hilltop coming back.

• T tct April 27, 2008

  Growing up on the Hill in the 70’s & 80’s I saw things change from normal to worse and now increasingly getting better. & it’s great to see dollars going into projects in the so called “Hood”. I just hope this is not the start of what has happened in the CD in Seattle. When people with $‘s come in and poor people, which include on the Hill black, white, asian and others, its a little worrisome. But I it’s expected in the society we live in.

• E Erik B. April 28, 2008

  GG really did a nice job, probably the best apt conversion I’ve seen so far in the area.

  I toured them yesterday and they were better than expected. They added some nice trim work on the door frames and windows that is usually absent on anything house or apartment built after 1950.

  Its interesting to see the buildings before and after. Great improvement.

  For the price, the finishes nice all around.

  The GG had the option of knocking place down and building some high end houses. Now its going to be some of the most affordable housing for sale in the city.

  From my understanding 4 units sold yesterday alone and more expected soon.

• O Old Timer April 28, 2008

  tct,
  Oh it’s already starting, we’ll see how long it takes before the big $ comes in and starts knocking down a couple of the shacks and building some mcmansions.

• R Ron Gintz April 28, 2008

  I admit to a bit of embarrassment regarding the advertising as “one of the oldest and richest histories in town.” Gintz Group did not develop that description, but we also did not edit it. It is not our intention to misrepresent. I was very excited to see the diverse group of visitors mentioned above. This project provides the opportunity for people with limited means to enjoy home ownership and build equity for the first time. We truly believe the new group of homeowners at 27th Street Station will become a cohesive community and a catalyst for further improvement and volunteerism on Hilltop. Gintz Group hopes to get involved in other projects on Hilltop.

• J Jake April 28, 2008

  Ron,

  I am curious about your choice to gate the community. While there are some benefits of a gated community for the residents (sense of safety) there are also minuses. The gates may create a disconnect with the outside neighborhood. Residents may feel they shouldn’t leave the condo community unless in a car. It may create tension with condo owners and the people living in houses in the neighborhood. I would hate for the new residents to not get involved in the neighborhood because they are gated in and the rest of the neighborhood is gated out.

  So while gates aren’t always a bad thing I am curious if thought was put into the community issues that could arise?

• E Erik B. April 28, 2008

  I am curious about your choice to gate the community. While there are some benefits of a gated community for the residents (sense of safety) there are also minuses.

  I think their gate actually works pretty well. It defines the space but you can still see easily through it so it does not break the connection between the sidewalk and the residences. Alot of the fences being built these days have visually impenetrable walls around that cut them off from everything.

  I would hate for the new residents to not get involved in the neighborhood because they are gated in and the rest of the neighborhood is gated out

  Any gate is only a barrier for trespassers trying to walk into private property. It doesn’t stop someone from going into the neighborhood.

• J Jake April 28, 2008

  Erik,

  Yes thanks for laying down the facts. While the fence and gate doesn’t stop someone from going into the neighborhood it does create an environment and perception for a disconnect inside the gates and out.

  Maybe similar to the reason people don’t want Frost Park gated/fenced off. It is still a park, you can still see the park from the sidewalk if fenced, you can still use the park the same if the fence wasn’t there, the fence would be there to keep people out when the park is closed, but due to a fence some people might not see it as inviting or connected to the rest of the area.

• C crenshaw sepulveda April 28, 2008

  Thank you, Ron, for clearing the air on the advertising. The neighborhood stands on its own merits and it does have much to be proud of. I believe your project will be a splendid addition to the neighborhood. The price is right for many and the work you have done to make this an attractive choice should be commended. Ron, you have the goods and they speak for themselves. Slick and uninformed advertising is unnecessary. I’d like to see the Gintz Group, when they have rested, take on some of the other multifamily structures around that area and turn them into solid affordable housing. There are interesting prospects and the GG has proven they can do some innovative re purposing of existing projects.

• R Ron Gintz April 29, 2008

  It might appear self-serving if I get too involved in sharing comments. But regarding the gated community issue, it is two-fold: 1) perception is reality in many instances. Therefore, security at this speck in time on Hilltop is a relevant concern to address and an important potential objection to overcome. 2) More importantly, however is my belief that this community will be home to many young families who are buying their first “home.” Knowing that you can let your young children (or your dog) play outside without being concerned that they might find their way into the street or down the street is a major relief. Check out the number of homes in the vicinity of 27th Street Station (and in other neighborhoods) that have fences. Most are in place to protect kids and pets from wandering off with little or no concern for neighborhood safety or demonstrating exclusivity.

• O Old Timer April 29, 2008

  Thats exactly what I was thinking when I saw the fencing. I do hope that the sidewalk entrances will not be gated and locked. That’s where I would say that it would take on a whole different feel.