In the second recommendation meeting for a mixed-use complex at 4532 42nd Ave. S.W., the Southwest Design Review Board requested that architects return for another review after making changes to the first level of the building.

The complex, located near the Alaska Junction, will measure six stories high and with 35 unit apartments and two levels of underground parking containing 55 parking stalls.

In his presentation, architect Roger Newell explained how the project's design had been modified to address concerns presented by the board in June of 2008. He explained that the building's mass at the ground level had been set back and aligned with the west property line.

To accommodate previous board recommendations, commercial retail space in the building had also been moved to the first level of the complex. Continuous overhead canopies have been added along the sidewalk.

But Joe Hurley, the only acting board member who had been present at the project's previous recommendation meeting, was not satisfied with the changes he saw in Newell's design.

"It's striking to me how much the building now looks like it did then, even though they did address things we specifically asked them to," said Hurley.

Board members were particularly concerned about the pedestrian experience on the ground level. Hurley encouraged high, engaging windows and more inviting retail spaces.

Vlad Oustimovitch, who is substituting for board member Brandon Nichols, questioned whether Newell had considered blending the project with existing architecture in West Seattle, but Newell said he was unable to identify any strong building trends in the neighborhood.

"The building has no personality, its shockingly bland and generic and I'm really worried about fifty of these buildings in the Junction area," said Oustimovitch. "But defining how to bring life to a building is difficult."

Another concern was regarding Newell's proposed entrance to the parking garage, located at an alley east of the property, which would face neighboring town homes.

But Erica Karlovits, who lives across the street from the project and represents the Junction Neighborhood Association, asked that the garage entrance be moved to an alley on the south side of the property. She said that the alley to the east is not wide enough for two cars to pass though and has limited visibility where it connects with Southwest Oregon Street.

A date for the project's next recommendation meeting has yet to be determined.