“The consideration of the Carmack House by the Landmarks Board has been postponed from February 18. Now it’s scheduled for April 1. A potential purchaser is in conversations with the estate, owner of the property. If an agreement can be reached the house may be purchased and moved to another location. That potential purchaser does not oppose the designation of the house as a landmark while the current owner (the estate) does oppose designation.”

The current owner of the property opposes the designation of the house as an historic landmark, at least so long as it sits on property it owns. The current owner is not a “family”. It is the estate of Irene Jewdoschenko the late owner. The beneficiaries of the estate, I’m told, include several charities including Swedish Hospital.

The administrator of the estate has a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries. The estate believes the fiduciary duty is inconsistent with preserving the house on the property. The current zoning of the property is SF (Single Family) which, ostensibly would allow only single family development. However, the property is included in what is known as the Providence Hospital Major Institution Master Plan overlay. The overlay allows development of the site to a more intense degree (higher, bigger, different use) than a single family home so long as the development is “functionally related” to the Swedish Medical Center that now occupies the site. So, if the property were acquired by Swedish Medical Center, or perhaps by the Sabey Corporation which owns approximately half of the Swedish campus, there could be more intense development of the site. Presumably this greater degree of development would also be more valuable.

A proposed development of the site for a use not functionally related to the Swedish Medical Center would not be permitted by the Land Use Code, unless it is a use allowed in a single family zone. (Basically, a single family home, or a small nursing home or adult family home.)

But you’re right, all buildings past their prime should immediately be razed and replaced with the most modern, trendy, up-to-date structures possible. Everyone knows that design just gets more and more timeless as the years pass.

My impression is that the family that owns the property is very interested in seeing the house preserved, just somehwere else. Unfortunately, the media types I talked to said that they (The owners) weren’t interested in talking to the press about this story, but KOMO and KING have covered the theft to some extent.

-andy

Sorry to see it go but this house is past it’s prime and the owners have the right to use their property as they choose. And I imagine it is zoned for something other than single family homes based on it’s location. Would have preferred that Nickel Brothers had a chance to move it rather than have it demolished and sent to a landfill. At least most of the good stuff was saved. Watch for the demolition permit to show up anytime….

Now if it was a crime (unbelieveable) then that’s just not right. But neither is a car prowl and this will likely rank right up there with those crimes on the list of the City’s priorities. But life will go on people…..Get out there and live it….

What about papering the neighborhood with flyers to see if anyone saw anything? Particularly at the bus stop. Couldn’t hurt, maybe someone remembers something. I’d be happy to help.