North Rainier

What's Happening Now?

We have sent our final zoning recommendation to City Council, which you can download from our Project Documents page. Once Council adopts our recommendations, we will work with the community to prepare neighborhood-specific design guidelines to supplement our new zoning proposal.

From 2008 to 2010 the City worked with the culturally and ethnically diverse North Rainier community to update their neighborhood plan, and to act on OPCD-related recommendations to create a vibrant town center around the light rail station. We have completed an Urban Design Framework. Our final rezone recommendations are based on this work.

Project Goals

We are implementing the goals of the recently updated North Rainier Neighborhood Plan by creating:

• A vital, walkable town center
• Better pedestrian and bicycle connections
• Convenient transit transfers
• Attractive and engaging public spaces and streetscapes
• Affordable housing
• A sense of place
• A healthy and sustainable community

The End Result

We are planning a new town center at the Mount Baker light rail station.

Project Documents

• Mount Baker Station Design Guidelines
• Mount Baker Town Center Neighborhood Design Guide
• Supplemental Rezone Analysis for the Proposed North Rainier Rezone (March 2014)
• North Rainier Rezone Letter to Council (July 2013)
• Director's Analysis and Recommendation on North Rainier / Mount Baker Town Center Rezone Proposal (June 2013)
• North Rainier Rezone Ordinance (June 2013)
• North Rainier Rezone Exhibit A (June 2013)
• North Rainier Rezone Exhibit B (June 2013)
• North Rainier Rezone Fiscal Note (April 2013)
• Mount Baker Town Center Future Transportation Improvements Preliminary Business Outreach Project, Summary Report (May 2012)
  A study that evaluated the mobility and access needs of key area businesses and property owners, presented relevant case studies, and assessed potential solutions
• Mount Baker Town Center Urban Design Framework (October 2011)
• Traffic Study for Mount Baker Town Centers (May 2011)
  A study that evaluated the proposed “bowtie” traffic circulation concept
• Map of the North Rainier Urban Village Planning Area
• North Rainier Neighborhood Action Plan (September 2010)
  A work plan that identified strategies and actions by the community and the City to achieve the community's vision and goals
• North Rainier Neighborhood Plan Update (January 2010)
  A community-driven process to update the goals and actions of the 1999 Neighborhood Plan
• Printable Version of North Rainier Neighborhood Plan Update (January 2010)
• Recommended Changes to the City's Comprehensive Plan (January 2010)
• Baseline Report (March 2009)
  A report that provides a snapshot of the people, jobs, and land use in North Rainier, and an update about projects and actions identified in the 1999 Neighborhood Plan