Yesler Terrace
Built on 28 acres on the southern slope of Seattle’s First Hill district in 1939, Yesler Terrace is Seattle Housing Authority's oldest housing community. It currently houses about 1,200 residents in 561 apartments.
The Housing Authority plans to replace the aging Yesler Terrace apartments (left) with a more community-oriented urban neighborhood with open space, new housing, office and retail (artist's rendering, right).
The Housing Authority is engaged in a comprehensive planning effort to replace Yesler Terrace's aging housing structures with a revitalized mixed-income community where people from across society can come together to enjoy cultural diversity and high quality housing with amenities close by.
The goal is to replace what exists there now so that both current and future residents can live in a community that is healthier, more supportive of education and economic empowerment, and more sustainable.
Current Planning Activities
On April 1, Seattle Housing initiatied the first phase of the formal environmental review process that will begin a lengthy and detailed study to identify how different options for Yesler Terrace's redevelopment might affect people and the environment.
There was a public "Scoping Meeting" held on April 29 at the old Yesler Terrace Gym. The purpose of the meeting was to provide an opportunity for the public, interested stakeholder groups and public agencies to comment on the scope of the study, specifically the issues and the range of alternatives that should be examined in the Environmental Impact Statement.
A 45 day comment period in this phase of the EIS process concluded on May 17. More information on the Environmental Review Process.
Project Overview
Yesler Terrace is envisioned as a great place to live and work, providing housing, office, and retail space in a community connected to adjacent neighborhoods and downtown Seattle.
Citizen Review Committee
A committee representing Yesler Terrace and other city stakeholders has been formed to make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners about redevelopment.
Guiding Principles
The Citizen Review Committee has developed, and the Board of Commisioners has adopted, definitions and guiding principles for Yesler Terrace's redevelopment.
Planning Concepts
Eight planning concepts have been developed by the Citizen Review Committee, and will continue to be refined as the planning process moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many questions come up as the future of Yesler Terrace is discussed. Answers to some of the most common questions are provided here.
Community Workshops
Five workshops were held in 2008 by Yesler Terrace planners to gather to gather input from residents on conceptual site alternatives for the redeveloped neighborhood.
Redevelopment Staff
Seattle Housing Authority has planners, communications workers, and managers working on redevelopment efforts at Yesler Terrace.
Photos
See Yesler Terrace, from its original construction in 1939 through to the present day.