Developer outlines two downtown multifamily projects; council set public hearing on DA for Dec. 9
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Summary
Urban Olympia affiliate Urban Puyallup LLC presented plans for a five‑story Bell Site project paired with the AOB lot to create about 240 units downtown; developer pledged a water‑main upgrade (~$417,000 estimate) and proposed a 0.7 parking ratio; council scheduled a public hearing for Dec. 9 to consider a development agreement.
A developer proposing two adjacent downtown projects told the City Council on Nov. 18 that the combined effort could bring roughly 240 apartment units and about $70 million in private investment to Puyallup’s core, and city staff said the proposal would return to council for a public hearing Dec. 9.
City Manager Steve Kirkley introduced the informational presentation and said the Bell Site (three parcels west of the current police station) would be a five‑story building with structured ground‑floor parking, four residential floors and a mix of studios, one‑ and two‑bedrooms. Walker John of Urban Olympia said pairing the Bell Site with the AOB project would create operational efficiencies and a larger on‑site community.
Key public‑benefit terms discussed included an extended water‑main upgrade on Pioneer Avenue to fill a missing middle segment. “Our engineering estimate shows that at about $417,000 is what our estimate is,” City Manager Kirkley said when council asked about the cost to upgrade the existing 10‑inch, century‑old water main in the corridor.
Walker described the project program: 100 units for Bell at a 0.7 parking ratio with 70 on‑site stalls; the AOB lot is under contract for a 140‑unit mixed‑use project, bringing the combined total to about 240 units across the two sites. He explained 0.7 parking “allows us to do a 100 units” on the Bell Site and noted state law changes taking effect in 2027 could lower minimum parking to 0.5 in many locations, so the developer proposed 0.7 now to secure a higher parking ratio.
Councilmembers expressed broad support for quality design and transit‑oriented development while pressing staff for infrastructure and parking solutions. Councilmember Adler urged coordinated downtown planning and asked the developer to join future conversations about public parking and infrastructure. The city will provide renderings and additional materials to the council and return Dec. 9 for a formal public hearing and consideration of a development agreement.
No formal development agreement was approved at the Nov. 18 meeting; council received the information and set the next procedural step.