Panel To Consider Hawthorne Manor Expansion

Hawthorne Manor Retirement Residence is having growing pains.

The retirement home needs to expand to pay for a $6.9 million upgrade, but neighbors are worried about added traffic and depressed property values.

“We think they’re wonderful neighbors,” said Michael Bowen, the neighborhood’s liaison with Hawthorne Manor. “They’re great to have in the neighborhood.

“But we have been concerned ever since hearing about the 93-unit, three-story building across from our house, simply because of the size and height of the building.”

The county hearing examiner committee will consider Hawthorne Manor’s plans at 9 a.m. April 20.

Owners of the facility, at 101 E. Hawthorne Road, want to build a new three-story building with 93 units, build a new skilled nursing center, install fire sprinklers and install sanitary sewers.

Representatives from Presbyterian Ministries, the non-profit Seattle agency that owns Hawthorne Manor, have been meeting with residents.

“We’re trying to work those (concerns) out with the neighborhood,” said Lisa Anderson, chief financial officer for the Seattle agency. “In our opinion the communication has gotten better. They see our desires and concerns.”

Area residents also feel that Presbyterian Ministries is listening to their concerns.

“They’re quiet. They’re clean,” said neighbor Lisa Hussey. “We want to make sure it’s a good relationship.

“We’re trying to work to find a way so that everyone can be happy.”

Still, two neighbors have put their homes up for sale because of the proposal, Bowen said.

And Presbyterian Ministries can compromise only so far. A three-year study on whether to sell or upgrade the facility showed that upgrading the home would cost about $6.9 million. That includes bringing in sewers and installing fire sprinklers.

The expansion would fund the upgrade.

The home now has about 100 residents. After the expansion, that number would double.

“The only way to afford it was to expand,” Anderson said.

If the home’s expansion plans aren’t approved April 20, Presbyterian Ministries would have to reconsider the cost of selling the building vs. getting approval, Anderson said.

“We might have to build another facility somewhere else to house the current residents and carry on with our mission,” she said.