Work on assisted living center could start in early 2020

ARLINGTON — Construction could begin early next year on an assisted living center near Smokey Point Boulevard, said Kristin Banfield, spokesperson for the city of Arlington.

A developer has proposed to build a three-story assisted living complex, with a single-story memory care wing, on about 2½ acres at 3607 169th Street NE.

A public meeting on the subject is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The proposed development would be near senior living apartments called Affinity at Arlington, now under construction.

Ideally, the two structures would work in tandem. People living on their own at the apartments can move to assisted living or memory care if need be.

Both sites are near the shopping center that includes Costco and Target. Banfield believes this would be the first assisted living facility in the Smokey Point area.

Early plans say there would be 18 rooms containing 32 beds in the memory care unit. The assisted living portion would have 77 rooms with the same number of beds.

Permit review could move faster than usual because of planning already done on the neighboring construction, Banfield said.

“They still need to go through the approval process,” she said.

If the development moves forward, new sidewalks and landscaping would be installed along 169th Street NE. Trees also would be planted.

The building would be about 46 feet tall. Light fixtures would have to meet certain requirements to reduce light pollution. Siding would be made of materials such as stone and steel, according to design drafts.

At the Tuesday meeting, people can expect to learn more about the project. It’ll be located inside the Arlington City Council chambers, 110 E Third St.

“It’s the opportunity to hear about the proposed project and to ask any questions they might have before we get into the permitting process,” Banfield said.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @stephrdavey.

Correction: An earlier version misstated a street.