Yesler Terrace Citizen Review Committee to meet for the first time in October

Committee membership announced

SEATTLE—September 12, 2006—The first meeting of a citizens’ review committee for Yesler Terrace will take place on Oct. 25 from 5-7 pm at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School.

Chaired by former Seattle Mayor Norman B. Rice, the committee will be made up of community stakeholders, including residents, who are invested in the future of Yesler Terrace. All of the citizens’ committee meetings are open to the public for observation, although public participation will be limited to future community workshops.

Judith Kilgore, Yesler Terrace development manager, announced the membership of the committee this week. The following people have agreed to serve on the committee for at least a year:

• Aregawi Abiraha, Yesler Terrace Resident

• Basra Ahmed, Yesler Terrace Resident

• Elise Chayet, Harborview Medical Center

• Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Central District Forum for Arts and Ideas

• John Fox, Seattle Displacement Coalition

• James Kelly, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle

• Tim Leary, Seattle University

• John Littel, Carpenter Union Local 131

• Mary McCumber, Futurewise

• Kristin O’Donnell, Yesler Terrace Community Council

• Planning Commission Member, (To Be Determined)

• Quang Nguyen, Vietnamese American Economic Development Association (VAEDA)

• Adrienne Quinn, Office of Housing

• Michael Ramos, Church Council of Greater Seattle  

• Sue Sherbrooke, Young Women’s Christian Association  (YWCA)

• George Staggers, Central Area Development Association (CADA)

• Sue Taoka, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority

• Donya Williamson, Squire Park Community Council
   

• Herold Eby, Yesler Terrace Resident (alternate)

The initial goal of the committee is to spend at least a year in community conversations, developing a set of principles which will guide any redevelopment efforts in the future.

“In addition to the meetings of the CRC, we will be implementing programs and projects to involve residents of Yesler Terrace and others around the city in the planning process,” said Kilgore. "These will include workshops and other opportunities to keep people informed and collect their viewpoints."

Kilgore also stressed the importance of honoring Yesler’s rich history. “In discussing the process with Norman Rice, we have agreed that one of our most important commitments is to balance the value and history of the existing Yesler Terrace neighborhood with the needs of future generations.”

In considering any redevelopment projects on the site, SHA’s goals are threefold: to create social equity, to create economic opportunity for Yesler residents and others, and to pursue environmental stewardship.

Some people have expressed concern about what would happen to current residents during and after redevelopment. SHA is committed to involving Yesler’s residents meaningfully at every step, and to making sure that everyone’s housing needs will continue to be met. Any redevelopment would continue to house current Yesler Terrace residents. The same number of low-income units or more (at least 561) would be replaced through redevelopment efforts.

Kilgore welcomes all ideas about Yesler Terrace and is interested in meeting with groups or individuals to discuss Yesler’s future. She can be reached at 206-615-3480 or e-mailed at jkilgore@seattlehousing.org.