The South Downtown Project was inspired by the area’s neighborhood plans and their expression of community interest in balancing the regional services in the area with a strong residential and employment base. A vision for the area, published by the Seattle Times in 2003, presented a picture of the South Downtown area bolstered by new investments and housing development.

The Mayor directed DPD to undertake a planning effort to evaluate issues and opportunities relating to future growth in South Downtown. The City Council specified that the department conduct a public process that is fair and draws from a diversity of interests in the south downtown area.

South Downtown is a highly diverse area, from its activities and land use patterns, decision-making authorities, cultural and historic resources, to its regional entertainment and recreational resources. South Downtown is an area of industrial activity, small businesses, residences and human services facilities, as well as a hub of regional transportation infrastructure. This area anchors the south end of the Downtown business and government community and is an important part of the Mayor's "Center City Seattle" strategy for housing and economic growth within Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

There are at least five identifiable subareas within this study area, each with their own particular characteristics, needs and opportunities (see map):

• Pioneer Square;
• Chinatown/International District west of I-5;
• Chinatown/International District east of I-5 to Rainier Avenue S. (known as Little Saigon);
• the predominantly industrial vicinity south of Chinatown, west of I-5 and north of I-90; and
• the mostly industrial "stadium transition area" along 1st Avenue S. to S. Holgate Street.

The historic cores of Pioneer Square and Chinatown have long served as centers of social, cultural, commercial and tourist activity. The stadiums have created centers of entertainment activity. However, several peripheral areas of the cores have remained vacant or underused, often as parking lots. Other, more peripheral areas, have been inconspicuously used for small-scale industry and commerce, or, like the Little Saigon area, have witnessed a resurgence of activity and growth. Presently, many of the underused areas, and specific sites such as the football stadium's north lot and the former INS building provide opportunities for growth and re-use that would energize and enhance these neighborhoods. There are also many opportunities to improve connections among these neighborhoods as well as the overall quality of the urban setting.

Over the next 20 years, the Pioneer Square and Chinatown/I.D. neighborhoods are targeted for a total of approximately 5,500 new jobs and 2,000 new housing units. Additionally, the industrial portion of the study area outside Downtown is targeted for roughly 200 new jobs to help achieve the Duwamish Manufacturing and Industrial Center's job growth targets. These targets were determined through City comprehensive planning processes that distribute the growth projected by the Puget Sound Regional Council. The targets help ensure that growth is properly allocated among various areas of the city. The area's zoning pattern helps determine how much development capacity is available. The City's role is to provide leadership in shaping growth to help improve livability and vitality while maintaining the treasured character of these areas.

View Livable South Downtown Background Report (13 MB)