Wurdemann Mansion Changes Hands Again -- Mystery Buyer Gains Half Of Site

-- LAKE FOREST PARK

The historic Wurdemann Mansion in Lake Forest Park has been sold for the second time in less than a year.

The mansion, along with half the estate it sits on, was purchased by an unidentified buyer. Jim Braun, president of Olympic Properties - owners of the estate since September - confirmed the sale yesterday.

Consequently, an application to subdivide 1.8 acres of the 4-acre estate was withdrawn yesterday at the new owner's request, Braun said.

But it is unknown what the new owner plans to do with the property or the mansion, which has undergone a $200,000 renovation by the real estate company.

The new owner, a Puget Sound area resident, requested his name and details of the sale be withheld until closing, in about two weeks, said Braun.

Under plans filed by Olympic Properties, this part of the estate - situated at the corner of 47th Avenue Northeast and Bothell Way Northeast - originally was to be subdivided into three single-family residential lots of 17,000 to 25,000 square feet.

Although he was not ready to release the name of the buyer, Braun said he met with him yesterday.

Lake Forest Park officials had not been informed of the change of plans, Braun said.

Meanwhile, city officials also were to meet yesterday afternoon with representatives of a Kirkland firm hired to appraise the site, said City Administrator Ruth Muller.

The city is negotiating to purchase part of the property for open space, she said. Approximately $425,000 has been set aside from the King County Open Space bond issue approved in November to purchase all or part of the estate.

Braun said the remaining portion of the estate, 2 acres at the corner of Ballinger Way Northeast and Bothell Way Northeast, is still committed to Sunrise Retirement Homes unless the company decides to pull out.

Sunrise has an option to purchase the parcel if its application for a variance and conditional use permit is approved by the City Council. The Virginia-based company wants to build a three-story, 55-unit facility on the property.

Amid strong neighborhood opposition, the Planning Commission last month unanimously recommended denial of the application. Commission members said any contribution from the retirement home will not offset increased traffic, pollution and property devaluation.

Sunrise does not plan to fight neighborhood opposition but will wait for the City Council decision, said William Shields of Shields/Macek Inc., partners of the company. Muller said the City Council may discuss Sunrise's application in April.