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Citizen Review Committee

Yesler Terrace logoSeattle Housing Authority is working to make sure that whatever the future holds for Yesler Terrace, it will honor both its past and its potential. To help accomplish this goal and to assist in framing the discussion about Yesler Terrace, a broad-based Citizen Review Committee (CRC) has been formed.

About the CRC

The purpose of the CRC is to make recommendations to the SHA Board of Commissioners regarding Yesler Terrace redevelopment efforts. This work is being accomplished in consultation with residents and other stakeholders.

During the first phase of planning for redevelopment, the committee met ten times between October 2006 and October 2007. With participation from a wide variety of community stakeholders, the CRC developed the Yesler Terrace Definitions and Guiding Principles. These were the subject of a total of 19 community and CRC meetings and open houses and were adopted by both the CRC and the Seattle Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners.

In Phase II, the committee's work will focus on reviewing several conceptual site alternatives for consistency with the adopted definitions and guiding principles. Before beginning its review, residents and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide input on these alternatives through a series of community meetings and workshops conducted by Seattle Housing Authority staff and the planning/design consultants.

The CRC will forward its review to the Board of Commissioners. The committee’s goal is to ensure accountability to the residents of Yesler Terrace and to the larger community. The CRC will continue to be involved throughout the redevelopment process.

The CRC is made up of diverse participants representing both the immediate neighborhood and stakeholders throughout the city. Many of the committee members who served in Phase I are continuing their service into Phase II.

Membership categories on the committee include residents, affordable housing and smart growth/sustainability advocates, city agencies, and service providers. During Phase II, the CRC will be chaired by former director of the city’s Office for Civil Rights Germaine Covington, replacing Norm Rice who chaired the committee during Phase I.

CRC members

The Citizen Review Committee for Phase II

  • Germaine Covington, Chair, Citizen Review Committee
  • Ruqiyo Abdi, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • Elise Chayet, Harborview Medical Center
  • Brendan Connolly, City of Seattle Design Commission
  • Jim Erickson, First Hill Improvement Association
  • John Fox, Seattle Displacement Coalition
  • Patricia Garcia, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • Shurkri Guleith, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • Fen Hsiao, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation & Development Association
  • Fadumo Isaq, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • Kent Koth, Seattle University
  • Yin Lau, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • M. Michelle Mattox, City of Seattle Planning Commission
  • Mary McCumber, Futurewise
  • Quang Nguyen, WAVA, Chamber of Commerce
  • Kristin O'Donnell, Yesler Terrace Resident
  • Mark Okazaki, Neighborhood House
  • Adrienne Quinn, City of Seattle Office of Housing
  • Michael Ramos, Church Council of Greater Seattle
  • Sue Sherbrooke, Young Women's Christian Association
  • George Staggers, Central Area Development Association
  • Linda Taylor, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
  • Julie West, Seattle & King County Public Health
  • Donya Williamson, Squire Park Community Council

CRC meeting minutes

Minutes from the CRC's previous meetings are available in PDF format (download Adobe Reader).

Future meetings

The CRC completed Phase I of its work in fall 2007. Additional meetings and workshops are scheduled as follows:

Thursday, November 12

Citizen Review Committee Meeting
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Yesler Community Center
917 E Yesler Way

Interpretation in multiple languages and light refreshments will be provided at all meetings and workshops. Please contact Leslie Stewart (206-615-3556) if you have questions about the meeting schedule or need more information.