Madison Park Times Real Estate - April 2019

APRIL 2019

Madison Park Times

Serving East-Central Seattle since 1983

Real Estate

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Repurposing the Interbay armory National Guard looking to relocate to North Bend; Commerce department seeking redevelopment ideas

By Brandon Macz

Madison Park Times editor

Washington Army National Guard Col. Adam Iwaszuk is confident the Interbay Public Development Advisory Committee will have a recommendation report on the governor’s desk by November.

Gov. Jay Inslee formed the committee after the Legislature passed a proviso last year to assess the greatest public benefit for the National Guard’s Interbay armory site.

The armory was built in 1974, and

is now considered deficient under current guidelines for what are now called readiness centers.

Iwaszuk said the Interbay Public Development Advisory Committee is comfortable with the National Guard pursuing relocation to a 25-acre site in North Bend, but that still requires state funding to purchase the land from Puget Western Inc. The lingering question of what to do with the armory site if the National Guard does receive relocation funding was posed to the public during the first open house for developing the report on Tuesday, March 19.

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Photo by Brandon Macz Washington Army National Guard Col. Adam Iwaszuk talks about the redevelopment potential for the Interbay armory during an open house at the Ballard Eagleson VFW Post in Ballard on Tuesday, March 19.

People had the opportunity to ask questions about the property and relocation proposal, and to write comments regarding what they’d like to see happen on the 26-acre armory site at 1601 W. Armory Way. “This site has so much potential,”

said Iwaszuk, who serves on the committee and is the National Guard’s construction facilities management officer. “It’s just a matter of rezoning.”

The Interbay Public Development ARMORY, Page 7

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APRIL 2019

Review boards clear Midtown Commons Lake Union Partners to begin twoyear construction in July

By Brandon Macz

Madison Park Times editor After four rounds of critical review of the Midtown Center superblock redevelopment, Lake Union Partners received the green light on Wednesday to proceed with the master use permit process.

LUP principal Pat Foley tells MPT plans are to begin the two-year construction of Midtown Commons on July 15, starting with the demolition of existing commercial buildings at the southeast corner of 23rd and Union.

A contentious project among longtime Central District residents concerned about their quickly gentrifying neighborhood, Midtown Commons is a seven-story mixed-use development that will spread 430 apartment units across three buildings. About half of those are proposed to be priced at affordable housing levels for incomes between $28,000 and $60,000.

The northwest building will have a 12,000-square-foot drug store anchor tenant, which is expected to allow LUP to offer smaller retail spaces at below market to minorityowned businesses.

The Midtown Commons design team had its last presentation before both the East and Central Area design review boards in December. The boards joined forces to address the large development after residents protested last July that the East Design Review Board was not representative of the neighborhood, as its members are mostly white architects from Capitol Hill. The Central Area Design Review Board had just been formed at that point.

LUP hosted three community open houses last fall to help inform a refreshed design that better represented the neighborhood and its strong African-American roots.

But the East and Central review board members agreed during a second recommendation meeting in Decem-

Image courtesy of Weinstein A+U The 430-unit Midtown Commons mixed-use apartment development received approval from the East and Central Area design review boards on Wednesday, March 13. ber that the design relied too heavily on art and that they lacked enough information about its context and function to pass it through.

Board members said during the third recommendation meeting on March 13 they were put more at ease by the addition of Vivian Phillips as the project’s communications and arts advocacy lead.

Phillips is a former member of the Historic Central Area Arts & Cultural District, which will be engaged in the outreach and artist selection process from start to finish.

“They’re very eager to be a participant in this project,” Phillips told the joint board.

After reviewing feedback gathered at the three open houses, Phillips concluded that Central District residents want to see art symbolic of the legacy of that corner that

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also generates continued community engagement.

Phillips and HCAACD will conduct targeted outreach and establish a partnership network of local arts groups, including the Northwest African American Museum, Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, Black Dance Collective and Central Area Arts Commission.

There are eight opportunities for art in Midtown Commons, including along facades and its three pedestrian portals leading to a 16,000-square-foot central plaza.

A long-term communications plan will be established that includes electronic and printed updates ahead of the formation of an advisory panel to assess artist applications, which will be due in September. Artists are slated to be announced in December. Phillips said artists will live in Se MIDTOWN, Page 4

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APRIL 2019

3

East Prospect street end ready for improvements Madison Park resident leading April work party to restore shoreline area for public use

By Brandon Macz

Madison Park Times editor After years on pause, the East Prospect street end in Madison Park is going to get some TLC. “We are really proceeding with developing the planting plan for the East Prospect street end,” said resident Gene Brandzel, who has been leading efforts to make shoreline street-end improvements in Madison Park for many years.

He and his wife continue to steward the Beaver Lodge Sanctuary, a long-term habitat restoration project at the end of 37th Avenue South.

Efforts by the Madison Park Community Council to rehabilitate the East Prospect street end in 2015 were stymied by protests by a property owner to the north of the site.

“He was imposing all kinds of requirements on us to avoid having him make a big stink about it, so we just decided at that point the hassle wasn’t worth it,” Brandzel told MPT for a feature on shoreline street ends in February’s edition of the paper.

Now that the concerned party has sold, Brandzel is organizing an April work party to clear blackberry bushes and other invasive vegetation.

“It’s a big project, and it’s mostly blackberries that need to be removed,” Brandzel said.

The street-end project will be helped along with support by the city’s Trees for Seattle and Shoreline Street Ends programs in the form of tools, waste containers and volun-

Plans are to restore the East Prospect street end in Madison Park as a natural area while keeping it open for public use.

Removing invasive blackberries will be the focus of an April 27 work party.

Photo by Brandon Macz/ Design courtesy of SDOT teers. The Madison Park Community Council is also providing financial support.

“I think they have more tools than even Lowe’s does,” Brandzel said. “So SDOT is really pitching in, and the [Seattle] Tennis Club is really thrilled to have this going and are looking forward to helping.”

The tennis club has an entrance off 41st Avenue East that

would benefit from an improved street end, Brandzel said, and has agreed to help keep it maintained.

The work party is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 27, at the end of East Prospect. People should wear long-sleeve shirts and pants to protect them  PROSPECT, Page 4 PROVEN RESULTS

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APRIL 2019

WSDOT releases Montlake Market survey results

Photo by Brandon Macz WSDOT has still not decided whether it will add construction time and cost to spare the Montlake Market from demolition.

Neighborhood business’ fate remains uncertain as SR 520 Bridge replacement looms

By Brandon Macz

Madison Park Times editor It is feasible to preserve the Montlake Market and still reconfigure Montlake Boulevard during the next phase of the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program, but it will add millions to the project.

Whether public opinion captured in a community survey conducted by WSDOT will sway the transportation department or fuel another push in Olympia to spare the neighborhood market from the wrecking ball remains to be seen.

The Montlake phase of the SR 520 replacement includes a new West Approach Bridge South for eastbound traffic that will connect to the floating bridge over Lake Washington, a lid over 520 and a bicycle/pedestrian land bridge east of the lid that connects the Washington Park Arboretum and East Montlake Park.

The Montlake Market was removed and later added back into plans for a reconfiguration of Montlake Boulevard, which caused an outcry from the neighborhood and legal challenges.

The Legislature passed a proviso in 2018 directing WSDOT to preserve the market if possible.

WSDOT provided the public with design options in January that would preserve the market, at which point it launched a survey that ended on Feb. 14. Forty-one people took the survey that night, and another 1,688 weighed in before the survey closed. Two-thirds of respondents were from Montlake, Madison Park, north Capitol Hill, Portage Bay and Eastlake.

Keeping the market building upright and operational is estimated to add 45 days to the project — about $50,000 more per day — which is estimated at $15.3 million to $20 million in added cost.

WSDOT interprets the legislative proviso as requesting the transportation department address preserving the building, and not the business. Just keeping the building, leaving it vacant and not operating during construction, is estimated to cost $7 million to $10.15 million. The building could be reused later, or surplused and sold to the highest bidder.

The transportation department awarded Graham Contracting Ltd the design-build contract for the project in October. Even as the lowest bidder, the cost came out to $455.35 million, which was $30 million more than WSDOT’s highest estimate for the project.

Half of the survey respondents said they wouldn’t mind adding 45 days of construction to keep Montlake Market operating, and 25 percent said they would still accept the delay even if only the building were preserved. About 10 percent would accept an increased timeline of 31-45 days.

Two-thirds of respondents cited the loss of Montlake Market and its neighborhood amenities as their highest concern for community effects, and a quarter said their concern was travel and construction impacts from preserving the market.

Twenty-five percent of survey respondents said they would accept a project cost increase of $20 million or more, 20 percent were fine with up to $10 million, and 10 percent found an increase of $10 million to $20 million acceptable.

Forty-four percent of respondents said it wasn’t worth it to preserve the building if the Montlake Market is unable to continue operating.

People also provided written comments, with 451 expressing a desire to save Montlake Market and 211 writing against preservation.

WSDOT takes ownership of the property this summer. Another public meeting is expected before then to provide an update on the property’s fate.

The survey report has been provided to WSDOT senior leadership, Seattle representatives and Washington legislators for review.

Lawmakers consider extending eviction process timeline

By Emma Epperly

WNPA Olympia News Bureau Protecting tenant rights through increasing the length of eviction proceedings is part of eviction-reform legislation, currently in the state House of Representatives.

The House Committee on Civil Rights and Judiciary heard public testimony on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5600 on March 19.

The bill would extend from three to 14 days the time a tenant has to comply with a notice to pay rent or vacate before unlawful detainer action. This notice means that a tenant must vacate the property or pay the back rent if they do not want eviction proceeds on their record.

The measure also authorizes judicial discretion in unlawful detainer proceedings. Landlords would be allowed, under certain circumstances, to seek payment from the Landlord  EVICTION, Page 10

 MIDTOWN, from Page 2 attle or have strong ties to the Central District, and will have experience working on projects with communities.

Central Area Design Review Board member Sharon Khosla said she was happy Phillips had been attached to the project and will provide accountability for the art programming.

“That’s not in the [design] packet, and that needs to happen,” she said.

EDRB member Andrew Haas said he wanted to make sure there was no branding art in Midtown Commons, which the boards agreed to make a condition for their approval.

While the artwork is expected to be long-term, EDRB chair Melissa Alexander said she likes the idea of it being changeable over time if a concept doesn’t work.

Late artist James Washington’s Fountain of Triumph is still planned to be relocated to a plaza at the corner of 24th and Union. The James and Janie Washington Foundation, which is overseeing the artwork’s restoration, previously provided a letter agreeing with its proposed placement. It had originally been sited along 23rd Avenue, near Earl’s Cuts and Styles.

Tom Bangasser, who managed Midtown Center for 50 years and commissioned the fountain piece, pushed for the fountain to be placed in the center of the public square and that the intent of the piece — Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, integration, and segregation’s impact on community — be fully realized.

“Let’s give the man the honor that he deserves,” Bangasser said.

Review board members agreed that they would like to see the fountain’s intent fully realized, but were fine with it remaining at the corner of 24th and Union. EDRB member Alastair Townsend said he’d like to see the sidewalk pavers have a better connection to the fountain, noting the intricate paving pattern in the public square; all lines leading to a significant tree near its center.

Khosla expressed concern about a lack of artwork planned further down 24th Avenue, near where Midtown Commons would meet the future site of a development being created by Africatown Plaza LLLP, a shared entity of Africatown Community Land Trust and Capitol Hill Housing, which secured $4.5 million in city funding to help purchase 20 percent of Midtown Center from LUP. Landscape architect Todd Bronk with Berger Partnership said the design team is working with the James and Janie Washington Foundation to spread a number of Washington’s unfinished sculptures in its streetscape and landscaping along 24th Avenue.

Board members also approved of changes made to the three pedestrian portals planned at Midtown Commons, which include planters and raised wood decks as focal points to draw people in. A planter in the 24th Avenue portal will spill out onto a portion of the sidewalk, near the delivery truck loading entrance, for added safety.

The board approved of two new departures that will allow for constructing townhomes along 24th Avenue, a pedestrian-designated zone that under code would only allow 20 percent of street-facing facade to be residential.

 PROSPECT, from Page 3 from blackberries. Gloves will be provided, but people can also bring their own pair.

“This is not something you do in shorts and a Tshirt,” Brandzel said, “unless you like the sight of blood.”

Brandzel expects it will only take one party to clear the street end.

“And then we plan on planting in the fall, so we will have a final development plan, I would hope, in the next month or two,” Brandzel said. “It’s going to add a new touch to the neighborhood, because what we’re going to do is we’re going to try to make it a more natural site and try to attract more birds.”

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2019

Madison Park Home & Garden Tour

Benefiting: McGilvra Elem.entary School 1617 38th Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112 206.252.3160

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MADISON PARK | HOME & GARDEN TOUR 2019

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The armory in Interbay was built in 1974, and prior to that it had been at Seattle Center.

The property is on a liquefaction zone, so the structures are reinforced with underground pilings.

Moving to North Bend would allow the National Guard to respond to an earthquake event in Seattle rather than currently be in its path.

 ARMORY, from Page 1 Advisory Committee had its most recent meeting on March 13, where about six options were discussed, three of which Iwaszuk feels would be most attractive to the community.

“I definitely want to see some level of housing,” said Andrew Lewis, an assistant city attorney running for the District 7 city council seat, who attended the open house.

The site is near an arterial street — Elliott Avenue — and near future light rail service.

“What more could we want for housing,” Lewis said.

The District 7 candidate said he’d like to see a portion of the site support more light industrial business in Interbay, which he thinks could be the next Georgetown.

“I would entertain possibly housing, but I worry very much that it’s a liquefaction zone and it’s near the train tracks,” said Don Harper, a retired small business owner who is also running for District 7.

If housing were considered for the site, he said, light industrial could act as a buffer near the tracks.

Magnolia Community Council member Will Stafford believes the site could receive a contract rezone to accommodate affordable and market rate housing, commercial and light industrial development. He attended the March 13 committee meeting.

“They showed in their scenarios that it is doable,” he said.

Photo by Brandon Macz

Iwaszuk said he’s in favor of affordable housing, park and open space, light industrial and commercial uses on the armory site.

“The plan I pitched is, let’s make it a hybrid; a little bit of everything,” he said.

The armory site is in a liquefaction zone, Iwaszuk said, but structures can be supported with underground pilings like those used on the existing armory buildings.

There is a field maintenance shop on the site, which requires frequent inspections for fuels and other possible contaminants, and no issues have been noted previously. Frank Gibson, a contracting specialist for the Military Department, said more soil testing is being done this month.

“We can’t turn the property over

without a full, clean environmental assessment,” Iwaszuk said.

The property can’t even be marketed until the National Guard has moved into a new readiness center. Iwaszuk said there can be no down time that would affect guardsmen’s ability to operate.

While a funding request by Iwaszuk to the Office of Financial Management was denied, he said, the Legislature could still budget for the purchase of the North Bend site this session, which would mean funds could be available by July.

The Interbay armory may seem quiet during the week, but there are about 660 that report there for weekend and annual trainings. National Guard members at a facility at Boeing Field would join them in North Bend,

Iwaszuk said, for a unit totaling more than 800.

The Interbay Public Development Advisory Committee is set to meet again from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 8, at the National Guard Armory. A second open house is scheduled for 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, at the Ballard Eagleson VFW Post, 2812 NW Market St. A final open house is planned for Oct. 1, where details of the report to be delivered to the governor will be shared.

“We may end up with a preferred alternative,” said Interbay project manager Sean Ardussi with the state’s Department of Commerce. “We may end up with more than one alternative.”

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APRIL 2019

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Making a good first impression in the seller’s market Lisa Turnure Property Views

A

fter a long, cold winter, with recordbreaking snowfall, spring has finally arrived in Seattle. But spring has not only arrived on the calendar, or in the gorgeous northwest gardens beginning to erupt in glorious colors; it is also evident in the blossoming real estate market.

As many of you will recall, last fall the real estate market quieted significantly and there was talk of a downturn. Analysts speculated about a potential correction this spring and homeowners began to fret a bit about whether they had missed their opportunity to sell, or at least to see the value of their real estate investment in their home increase.

The start of 2019 has instead offered a welcome surprise, as the market has made a definite uptick in activity versus what some had anticipated. In reviewing the statistics as of late March 2019 for Area 390, which includes Madison Park, Washington Park, Capitol Hill, Montlake, Broadmoor, Madrona, Denny Blaine and Leschi, the numbers are looking good and slightly ahead of where we were this time last year. As of late March 2019, there are currently 77 pending single-family listings in Area 390 and 141 closed sales year-to-date.

This is a very slight increase over 2018’s 136 closed sales for the same period. Prices are also up slightly, the average single-family sold price for Area 390 in the first quarter 2019 at $1.093 million versus $1.061 million for the same period last year. These 2019 numbers are not a dramatic increase from 2018’s figures, but they are an increase, and this increase occurred despite multiple snowstorms that brought the real estate market to a virtual halt for several weeks.

In contrast to the uptick in recent market activity and average price, days on market saw a pretty significant increase from first quarter 2018, where average days on market was 22, to year-to-date 2019 where average days on market is 49. However, I don’t find this statistic overly concerning as this seems to be due primarily to fourth-quarter inventory languishing on the market and into the new year, ultimately selling in first quarter 2019. This number was also skewed in first quarter 2019 by the sale of several high-end homes that closed after longer periods on the market.

So, what does this all mean to our Madison Park and surrounding area real estate community? I would say that it means that we are off to a healthy start of our 2019 spring market.

To take it one step further, while we are still in

a “seller’s market,” as evidenced by only about two months of available inventory, the market is not as frenzied as it was last year.

A normal market is typically defined as a market with 4-6 months of available inventory. Over that amount begins to lean toward a buyer’s market. While sales are still brisk and there are some multiple offer situations still occurring, many homes are selling with only one offer and in a more “normal time frame.” So, while prices remain strong, buyers are afforded the opportunity to actually get into contract before doing their inspection and not having to waive all contingencies to get a home. Though this is still happening for some sought-after properties, it is certainly not the norm. In addition, sellers need to understand when they list their market time may be longer than it was last year.

Given these statistics, you may be wondering what you should be doing if you are considering selling your home this spring.

The most important things that you can do to prepare your home for sale are fairly simple; clean, de-clutter, tidy up your garden and think about first impressions. You do not or should not have to spend a lot of money, that you likely will not make back, remodeling your home to sell it. If you do feel that your home needs a facelift, something as simple as paint can change the whole look and feel of a space.

Also, furnishings can make a huge difference too. This does not mean that you need to start over and buy all new furniture for your home.

Updating linens and towels or adding a few light throw pillows can often do the trick. Or, when preparing to sell, consider using a stager to bring in a few key pieces without having to purchase them. The main thing to keep in mind is that first impressions are so important.

When a buyer drives up to your home, is your front yard tidy? Is the front clear of shoes, packages or garden tools, and does it instead have some flower pots filled with fresh spring annuals? First impressions matter!

But it is also important that your Realtor makes a great first impression. Your agent should be working with a high-caliber photographer, not trying to cut corners with a lesserskilled resource or, worse yet, taking their own photos. Brochures, ads and marketing materials should be professional, beautiful and showcase your home in the best light possible.

Remember, you only get one chance to make a great first impression, and you and your real estate professional should be a team with this goal in mind. Both seller and broker being well prepared can go a long way to achieving a well-presented listing and successful sale in today’s market.

Lisa Turnure is a founding member of Coldwell Banker Bain Madison Park.

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APRIL 2019

9

Landmarks board has opening for structural engineer member There is an opening for a structural engineer to serve on the 12-member Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board.

The board makes recommendations for designating properties as landmarks and reviews and sets conditions for all proposed physical alterations to landmarked properties.

The mayor appoints all members, subject to city

council approval.

These are volunteer positions for three-year terms open to Seattle residents.

Board meetings are held at 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month.

Interested applicants should email a letter of interest and resume to landmarks coordinator Erin Doherty at Erin.Doherty@seattle.gov by Monday, April 8.

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APRIL 2019

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Image courtesy of Broderick Architects Holy Names Academy plans to demolish its gym, so it can construct five levels of below-grade parking, and then build a new gym back on top. Construction could start in June.

Catholic girls school agrees to preserve green space to north, maintain communications during parking garage construction

By Brandon Macz

Madison Park Times editor Holy Names Academy plans to proceed with construction of five levels of below-grade parking on its Capitol Hill campus after reaching a mediation agreement with surrounding neighbors.

The Catholic secondary school for girls submitted a land use application to the City of Seattle in February 2018 to partially demolish its 30-year-old gym, creating five levels of below-grade parking under it, and then constructing a new gymnasium over the garage.

Several neighbors filed an appeal on Dec. 11 that claims the new parking structure will create additional traffic and congestion, is over scale and “will be a blight, especially on the north end of the property where the cherished, revered, and historic park will be paved with a parking lot…” Lead appellant Shannon Martin filed a dismissal of the appeal on Feb. 21, after reaching an agreement with Holy Names.

“It was a great mediation,” said Holy Names Academy principal Elizabeth Swift. “We met for one day and were able to come to a resolution. I appreciate the neighbors. I think everyone came together in good faith.”

The original plans were for the underground parking garage include 246 stalls, and for 32 new surface parking spaces to be added on the north side of the school at 21sth Avenue East and East Aloha Street.

Under the settlement agreement, Holy Names will use the north lawn for construction staging, and then return it as green space, Swift said. Parking had been planned there to accommodate buses and guests.

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Mitigation Program Account, which is an account held by the Department of Commerce that tenants payback over time, for an unpaid judgment of over $500.

Sen. Patty Kuderer, D-Bellevue is the prime sponsor of the bill and the chair of the Senate Housing Stability and Affordability Committee. Kuderer testified in support of the bill and noted the

“We will definitely have to, in the long run, figure something out,” Swift said, “but we’re fine in short run.”

Holy Names Academy was founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1880 and located in Downtown Seattle.

Construction on the Capitol Hill facility started in 1906, and the school opened in 1908.

Holy Names has a full 700-student enrollment, plus a faculty and staff of 100. The underground parking garage is expected to alleviate issues with parking around the neighborhood.

“We’ll still have the same proposed levels of parking, the same facility on top,” Swift said. “The gym will have close to the same footprint as the current facility.”

The settlement agreement also commits Holy Names to following sustainable construction practices where it can, which Swift said is something the school also values.

There will also be a communications plan for notifying neighbors about construction activity regularly.

Anderson Construction is handling the project, and will set up a Facebook page for updates, which will also be available through an email distribution list, Swift said. She added an information session will likely be held prior to the start of construction, which is expected to be completed in November 2020.

“We are pretty good at managing school, so I think we’ve got some good plans for management and traffic flow during construction,” Swift said.

Holy Names has identified a few potential interim sites for its volleyball and basketball teams, as well as its summer camps.

continued work being done with stakeholders to perfect the bill.

“It was interesting because what jumped out at us is that right out of the gate the leading cause of homelessness was evictions. Eviction for nonpayment of rent in particular,” Kuderer said.

The change of notification time from 3 to 14 days was the major point of contention throughout the public testimony.

“What the data showed us is that Washington was an outlier at three days and that it was inhumane to give someone a notice

and three days later expect them to pack up all their worldly possessions and find another place to live,” Kuderer said.

In a study done by the Housing Stability and Affordability Committee, 26 other states have longer periods of time than Washington’s current 3 days. Some states allow as long as 30 days. Kuderer said she settled on two weeks because it would allow tenants to receive an additional paycheck during that time. The bill represents a “hard-earned compromise” for Kuderer.

Pacific Publishing Company – Queen Anne & Magnolia News • Madison Park Times • City Living Seattle

APRIL 2019

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What to love about Bigleaf Magnolias BARCELONA COURT CONDO 2205 BIGELOW AVENUE NORTH #7

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MLS# 1412360

SEWARD PARK MID CENTURY 7 7 7 8 S E WA R D PA R K AV E N U E S O U T H | M L S # 1 4 0 9 9 6 7

O F F E R E D AT $ 6 3 0 , 0 0 0 DOREEN ALHADEFF

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O F F E R E D AT $ 9 2 5 , 0 0 0

206.604.7575

F I O N N U A L A O ’ S U L L I VA N

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206.779.4643

Photo by Mary Henry Tree Talk columnist Steve Lorton loves his Bigleaf Magnolia. How much? In this month’s column he counts the ways.

Steve Lorton Tree Talk

H

ow do I love thee? Let me count the ways?

Not long after Elizabeth Barrett Browning published that line in 1850, the opening of likely the most famous poem in her collection, “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” much of Victorian Britain was quoting it. The line applied to anything beloved: sweethearts, children, friends, dogs, pet crows or adored milk cows, and the poem was paraphrased to suit the object of affection.

I’m thinking about that poem as I look out on my rear garden and see a deciduous Magnolia macrophylla in its statuesque nudity, knowing that in a few weeks fuzzy buds will swell and leaves will begin to emerge in lime green. These leaves will grow and continue to grow, becoming richly verdant, papery, elongated ovals between 1 and 3 feet in length. The summer sun will filter through these leaves making a soft green glow that shades the terrace. When autumn comes, the leaves will drop (a daunting but well-worth-it clean-up), but I’ll collect a couple dozen of the largest and best of these leaves and take them indoors to lie and dry on my basement floor. In a few weeks these leaves will be slightly curved, a robust dark brown on the outside and silver on the inside. They make great filler for dried winter arrangements. I’m proud to say that my leaves have graced the altar at nearby Epiphany Parish. No doubt the angels were involved.

Now for the zinger: this magnolia not only has the largest leaves of the genus, but when the big

creamy buds of thick petals open, the flowers are the size of volley balls. The blossom show peaks in June, but the plants continue to put out a bloom here and there throughout the summer. And with doors and windows open, the delicate fragrance, which fills the garden, wafts into the house.

No doubt the angels are involved here, too. In a word: Heavenly.

There is still time to get this plant in the ground this month if you can find it. It’s a bit rare. As to why, that’s a mystery. Everyone should have this tree. It grows slowly to a height of 30 feet with a 20-foot spread; a good size for a city garden. Happy in our cool moist climate and rich acidic soil, this American tree, commonly called Bigleaf Magnolia, can be found sparsely scattered in forests from southern Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico. It has the largest single leaves and blossoms of any plant native to North America.

That bragging right alone makes it worth growing.

If you put a plant in this month, keep it well watered through the summer and for the two following summers, at least. Then it should do just fine on its own. Remove the plant ever so gently from the nursery can, so as not to damage the fleshy roots. Dig a generous planting hole, placing the base of the trunk in a shallow saucer just slightly below the level of the surrounding ground, thereby funneling rain water to the tree.

You’ll fall in love with the foliage immediately. Then the day comes when the plant blooms.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thy form, thy foliage, thy flowers, thy fragrance, the ease of thy cultivation, the joy thou giveth me each season of the year.

So, a deep and well-deserved bow to you, Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Thanks to a Magnolia macrophylla, your words continue to resonate in the 21st century.

MODERN CAPITOL HILL CONDO 1420 EAST PINE STREET #E310 | MLS# 1335444

TURN-KEY ISSAQUAH CONDO 1 8 5 0 5 S E N E W P O R T W AY # A 1 0 1 | 1 4 1 1 0 1 6 O F F E R E D AT $ 3 5 5 , 0 0 0

O F F E R E D AT $ 4 9 9 , 0 0 0 ERIC PREMO & GINA HASSON |

206.915.9490

W E S T S E AT T L E B U N G A L O W 5653 26TH AVENUE SOUTHWEST |

MLS# 1388963

K E N L AT Z | 2 0 6 . 6 0 5 . 0 2 8 6

ATTRACTIVE FIRST HILL CONDO 1200 BOYLSTON AVENUE #202 | MLS# 1381922

O F F E R E D AT $ 5 7 0 , 0 0 0

O F F E R E D AT $ 2 9 5 , 0 0 0 ERIC PREMO & GINA HASSON |

K E N L AT Z | 2 0 6 . 6 0 5 . 0 2 8 6

DOWNTOWN VIEW CONDO- PENDING

206.915.9490

C H I C B E L LT O W N L O F T - P E N D I N G

2121 TERRY AVENUE #1601 | MLS# 1404120

81 VINE STREET #203 | MLS# 1399703

O F F E R E D AT $ 1 , 3 5 0 , 0 0 0

O F F E R E D AT $ 5 8 9 , 9 0 0

P R E S H A S PA R L I N G | R I L E Y S PA R L I N G B E C K L E Y | 2 0 6 . 7 9 9 . 1 5 7 2

DOREEN ALHADEFF | 206.604.7575

206.322.8940 W W W. G B K . C O M

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APRIL 2019