Vision of the future: Artist concept of the view of the Sun Electric Project from Bobby Morris playfield.

That ice storm that cooled development on the Hill in 2009 doesn’t seem to have lasted as long as you might have expected. 2010 on Capitol Hill gave every indication that a thaw is underway as plans were filed once more and demolitions were readied. Get ready for some digging in 2011. Here is a look at the top Capitol Hill development stories of 2010. A hot spot we missed? Let us know in comments.

• The Bullitt Foundation’s Cascadia Center development moved forward with the demolition of the former CC Attle’s this week.

• Jewish Family Services detailed an expansion on 16th Ave.

• Perhaps the surest sign of thaw, the mixed-use development planned for the People’s Parking Lot at Belmont and Pine suddenly sparked to life in late 2010.
• Another large, dormant project stirring in 2010, a mixed-use project to replace the Undre Arms Apartments again showed life.
• 11th and Pine’s Sun Electric project underwent a developer shake-up. Here’s a peek at what it will look like someday.
• The massive, 7-story 230 Broadway project is a go. Watch for a winter 2011 demolition.
• A plan to build an urban cohousing project near Cal Anderson was announced.
• Planning is all well and good. There was also some doing. The City of Seattle bought lots at Federal and Republican to create a new park space where a “rowhome” project failed. UPDATE: Should also note the completion of the 16th Ave Seven Hills and the Summit/John parks and p-patches.
• The audacious 16th Ave church conversion/townhouse development The Sanctuary fell on hard times.

• The future of the former Jade Pagoda

  A redevelopment of the old Jade Pagoda building on Broadway started in 2010 and will continue into the New Year.

• Seattle University unveiled its new 37,000 square foot library.
• Seattle Central built an 1,800 square foot plant sciences complex.
• A community group dug in on Broadway light rail station development issues.
• The city went to court to demolish a Belmont ‘biohazard’ home so filthy, cops wouldn’t step inside.
• The City Council passed a second phase of the Pike/Pine Conservation Overlay District legislation designed to preserve the area’s character while encouraging responsible development.
• And we also did some navel gazing/day dreaming/looking ahead at some ‘hopes to be.’ Like why the Broadway streetcar won’t be bad for bikes. An ambitious ‘green’ development on Melrose that is still on the drawing board. How to design buildings Capitol Hill actually likes. Helping figure out a use for Seattle First Covenant Church’s empty space. Reclaiming Capitol Hill’s alleys.
• And, yeah,  Sound Transit agreed to pony up $132.8 million to pay for a streetcar connecting Broadway to Pioneer Square.
• It was an amazing year for openings. The Broadway Building debuted and is already mostly filled with retail tenants. Elliott Bay Book Co. moved onto an overhauled 10th Ave. Joule debuted and faced some retail challenges. The Melrose Market changed the face of of lower Pike/Pine *and* local retail and commercial space.
• Finally, this last one might be the most talked about development story of the year. DPD is deciding the fate of the Volunteer Park Cafe after a dispute with neighbors cast scrutiny on the popular cafe’s use of the former grocery space for a bustling restaurant. We’ll be talking about this story again when we review Capitol Hill’s 2010 in food and drink later this week.

Those who forget the past… here’s a look at our 2009 development year in review.