Yesler Terrace Redevelopment

Yesler Terrace is a 30-acre publicly subsidized housing community located on the southern slope of First Hill, adjacent to downtown, Harborview Medical Center, the International District and Seattle University.

Potential future for Yesler Terrace

The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) owns and operates Yesler Terrace.  According to SHA, "…the community is one of the most diverse and economically challenged in Seattle. Many of its 1,200 residents are families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, and immigrants who speak a variety of different languages. On average, Yesler Terrace residents earn about $14,000 a year.

"Yesler Terrace is the oldest publicly subsidized housing in Seattle. Its 561 aging housing units need to be replaced. Its water, sewer and other key systems are failing. Most units at Yesler Terrace are functional but do not meet the modern-day needs of tenants and families."

Led by SHA, plans have been in the works since 2006 to redevelop the neighborhood. The planning process has incorporated input from the Yesler Terrace Citizen's Review Committee consisting of Yesler Terrace residents as well as neighborhood and city-wide stakeholders.

After several months of intensive review, the City Council’s Special Committee on Yesler Terrace voted on August 16, 2012, to approve several pieces of legislation related to Yesler Terrace – links are provided below under “Legislation.”

The Full Council is scheduled to take final votes on Tuesday, September 4, at 2 p.m. A few minor amendments are anticipated to be offered at that meeting, as follows.

• In C.B. 117541, the Land Use Code amendment and rezone ordinance, add two words to the definition of “replacement unit” so it matches the definition in the Cooperative Agreement. See changes here.
• In Exhibit A to C.B. 117536, make a variety of small revisions to the Cooperative Agreement – most are for clarification, consistency, grammar, and formatting.  One is a substantive change – reducing by three the number of replacement units in the rehabilitated Baldwin Apartments east of Boren, and increasing by three the number of replacement units at 1105 E. Fir, also east of Boren. See changes here.

• DPD Director's Report
  Summarizes the Executive's proposal and its individual parts.

 

• Land Use Code amendment and rezone ordinance (C.B. 117541)
  Creates a new zoning classification and applies it to Yesler Terrace, and includes a variety of changes to procedures including platting, design review, and planned action review. Adopted by Special Committee on August 16, 2012.
  • Exhibit A – rezone map
  • Exhibit B – design guidelines

   

• Planned Action Ordinance (PAO)(C.B. 117540)
  Designates Yesler Terrace redevelopment as a "planned action" under State law, establishing mitigation requirements and a streamlined environmental review process.  DPD planners will use several exhibits to this ordinance in reviewing proposals against the PAO:
  
• Exhibit A: Planned Action Site Map
• Exhibit B: Planned Action Mitigation Document
• Exhibit C: Tree Protection Plan
• Exhibit D: Highrise Structure Parameters for Planned Actions
• Exhibit E: Street Configuration

 

• SHA/City of Seattle Cooperative Agreement (C.B. 117536)
  

  Records a voluntary agreement between SHA and the City of Seattle, including commitments related to affordable housing, open space, district heat, and funding partnerships.

• Exhibit A: Cooperative Agreement

 

• A Resolution relating to City assistance in exploring a mixed-use project in Little Saigon (Resolution 31403) Adopted by Special Committee on August 16, 2012.

 

• Street Vacation and Dedication (C.F. 311389)
  Approves vacation of existing streets, and new, proposed street grid if specific conditions are met, including provision of public benefits.
• Exhibit A:  Proposed Vacations and Dedications
• Exhibit B:  Right-of-Way Cross-Sections
• Exhibit C:  Public Benefits
• Exhibit D:  10th Avenue Hillclimb Design Concepts

Adopted by Special Committee on August 16, 2012.

 

• Yesler Terrace Redevelopment Background (Committee Notebook)

 

• Seattle Housing Authority proposal for Yesler Terrace raises concern, Seattle Times, 5/13/2012
• City Inside/Out: Yesler Terrace, Seattle Channel, 5/4/2012
• Seattle Channel, Yesler Terrace videos