Waterfront Home Sale Makes Front Page News

By Scott Price

Jul

10

You know there’s something “over the top” when the sale of a waterfront home makes the front page lead story of the Seattle Times… The 23,000 square foot Mercer Island waterfront home of the Lytles (founders of Leisure Care retirement community chain) finally sold after 6 years on the market and eventually being put up for auction (though not a foreclosure auction). The original $40 Million asking price was always overpriced, even in the go-go heyday of a few years ago. It was a classic case of asking too much in the beginning and continually chasing the market down, never getting ahead of the actual market value and market trends to make it truly in sync with real buyers. If it had been priced right initially they would have sold much quicker and they would have received a higher sales price.

The home sold – to the owner of the Video Only electronics stores chain – for the auction’s minimum bid of $12 Million. It is set up with grand spaces, indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, large dock and waterfrontage, great views, and all the details you would expect in a $12M waterfront home. Mr. Edwards will be having some great parties soon!

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FEMA Flood Insurance for Waterfront Properties Seminar

By Scott Price

Jul

9

The Seminar Group is organizing a day long seminar for those interested in the implications of FEMA’s floodplain re-mapping (that I wrote about back in December). It will be rather technical and oriented to professionals, but for anyone who wants to learn more about the re-mapping and how it may affect insurance, development, or local regulations, you may be interested to attend.

Here are the details from their seminar announcement:

“Impacts of FEMA’s Floodplain Re-Mapping: Regulatory Changes & Implications for Local Jurisdictions & Property Owners”
October 14, 2010
Grand Hyatt Seattle

SUMMARY
Floodplain Mapping: Standards/Methodology; Levee Accreditation; Process/Appeals
Biological Opinion: What Does it Require and What Does it Mean for Local Jurisdictions and Property Owners?
Impacts to Local Governments: How are Local Governments Responding to the Mapping and BiOp?
Recertification of Levees
Relationships with Other Local Programs
State Involvements

AGENDA
9:00 Introduction and Overview
Steve Bleifuhs, Program Co-Chair
Section Mng., DNRP/WLRD, River & Floodplain Management Section
King County, WA

Robert Brenner, Program Co-Chair
Environmental Program Manager
Port of Tacoma

Molly Lawrence, Program Co-Chair
GordonDerr LLP

9:10 Floodplain Mapping
• Standards/Methodology; What is Risk MAP and Next Steps
Ryan Ike, Branch Chief
Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Levee Accreditation
Steve Bleifuhs
Section Mng., DNRP/WLRD, River & Floodplain Management Section
King County, WA

• Process/ Appeals
Kevin Rogerson, City Attorney
City of Mount Vernon, WA

10:45 Break

11:00 Biological Opinion: What Does it Require and What Does it Mean for Local Jurisdictions and Property Owners?
• Discussion of Science Behind BiOp
DeeAnn Kirkpatrick, Invited
Fisheries Biologist, Washington State Habitat Office
National Marine Fisheries Service

• FEMA’s Plan for Implementing the Biological Opinion
Mark Eberlein
Regional Environmental Officer
Federal Emergency Management Agency

• Background and Substance of Biological Opinion
Molly Lawrence
GordonDerr LLP

12:00 Lunch (on your own)

1:15 Impacts to Local Governments: How are Local Governments Responding to the Remapping and BiOp?
Molly Lawrence, Moderator
GordonDerr LLP

Patrick B. Anderson, City Attorney
City of Snoqualmie, WA

Robert Brenner
Environmental Program Manager
Port of Tacoma

Timothy LaPorte, Dir., Public Works
City of Kent, WA

Scott Thomas, City Attorney
City of Burlington, WA

2:45 Break

3:00 Recertification of Levees
Steps Required to Recertify a Levee once it has Lost Certification
Harold P. Smelt, PE, Surface Water Mgr.
Pierce County Public Works and Utilities

3:45 Relationships with Other Local Programs
• Relationships with SMA
• Relationships with GMA
• Other Local Programs
Alexander W. “Sandy” Mackie
Perkins Coie LLP

4:15 State Involvement
• Washington State Department of Ecology’s Role Regarding Floodplain Management/Development
• Potential State Action to Address Impacts of Remapping and BiOp
Daniel Sokol
NFIP State Coordinator
Washington State Department of Ecology

5:00 Questions and Answers
Members of the Faculty

5:15 Adjourn

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Salmon runs increasing but still low in Lake Washington

By Scott Price

Jul

8

The salmon runs through the Ballard Locks are up from the past two years, but still below levels needed to permit recreational salmon fishing in Lake Washington. The salmon runs last met the minimum numbers in 2006. Distant Columbia River sockeye salmon are returning in record numbers through the Bonneville Dam, but that success hasn’t translated to our local fish populations yet.
As an interesting historical and habitat note, Lake Washington sockeye salmon were artificially introduced by the state in the 1930s to create a fishery and provide lifecycle nutrients for riverbank plants. Most start in the Cedar River, while others are released from local hatcheries. Hopefully the numbers will continue increasing!

Cedar River Lake Washington sockeye salmon

Lake Washington and Cedar River sockeye salmon in spawning colors



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Des Moines Puget Sound no bank waterfront for sale (click photo for info)

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Nude Beach in Seattle?

By Scott Price

Jul

6

Supporters of an officially sanctioned clothing-optional beach in the Seattle area gained a little bit of momentum recently, although the parks board of commissioners have placed it as a low priority until there’s a clearer sign of broader support within the community.

There are currently three unofficial nudist beach sites around Seattle located at Magnuson Park, Discovery Park, and the “Secret Beach” of Lake Washington. However, people get asked by police to wear clothing at those beaches from time to time by the beach.
Maybe if there are more 90 degree days locally they’ll get that broader support! :-)

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Angle Lake waterfront home for sale close to Seattle (click photo for info)

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