CollinsWoerman chosen to lead planning
for Yesler Terrace Redevelopment

Watchwords for planning:
healthy, livable, sustainable, affordable, viable

SEATTLE—June 5, 2008—Seattle Housing Authority has chosen the Seattle design firm CollinsWoerman to lead the planning effort for the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace.

A team led by Tom Hudson, a principal of the 110-member firm, will begin work later this month to engage the local community (residents and other stakeholders) and Seattle Housing Authority staff in creating a series of potential development alternatives with extensive input from the community. The design team is expected to incorporate the Guiding Principles for the redevelopment developed in 2007.

According to Hudson, "A successful future for Yesler Terrace depends upon  balancing community, economic, and affordability priorities.  Our team at CollinsWoerman is devoted to helping Seattle Housing Authority and the City achieve the right balance.”

"We are confident that CollinsWoerman can provide the creativity and expertise we need to breathe life into these guiding principles and help us create a truly great place for current and future residents," said SHA's Executive Director Tom Tierney. "They understand that we are committed to keeping our promises to residents, and I know they will involve all stakeholders in a meaningful way."

The firm has assembled a team to take on this planning effort that includes consultants familiar with Seattle Housing developments. Consulting firms that have joined the team include SvR landscape architects, Environmental Works architects, and other experts on sustainable design and community health.

The firm will begin by conducting a series of community workshops where they will seek to expand community knowledge of redevelopment opportunities. Alternatives that resonate with the community will then be addressed in greater detail. The firm's outreach approach will stress ongoing dialogue with stakeholders so that their guidance is brought to the table.

Guiding the planning process will be an emphasis on health in four dimensions - personal, community, environmental and economic. For example, personal health refers to providing for affordable housing, local jobs and education, incorporating safety in the design features and honoring personal heritage. Economic health includes providing livable-wage jobs and small business opportunities.

As design alternatives are developed, CollinsWoerman will judge the alternatives against five qualities to make sure that the new community is healthy, livable, affordable, sustainable and viable economically.

The contract for Phase I of the design process (2008-2009) is expected to be between $800,000 and $900,000. Design and permitting is expected to be completed in 2010, with construction planned for mid-2011.

CollinsWoerman, which was chosen through a competitive "Request for Qualifications" process, was one of 12 firms that submitted proposals. The proposals were evaluated by a team of four that included a current Yesler Terrace resident. The four finalists the evaluators selected were asked to provide an example of creative thinking for a portion of the site and to make a presentation to residents on April 15.

“As part of our selection process each finalist made a short presentation before the Community Council," said Judith Kilgore, Seattle Housing Authority’s Yesler Terrace project manager.  "Based on residents' feedback, CollinsWoerman was the most effective in engaging with the community.”

Final selection of the consultant was made by Executive Director Tom Tierney.

Explore the CollinsWoerman website for more information.