Building a New Community
Yesler Terrace is both prominent and accessible from downtown, with pivotal connections to surrounding neighborhoods. This proximity offers convenient pedestrian connections to nearby residential, institutional and commercial uses. Close transportation choices - buses, light rail, ferries and the future First Avenue Streetcar - make the neighborhood easily accessible, even without a car.
Yesler Terrace is also relatively isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods, creating an "island effect.” It is bound by natural and constructed elements such as steep slopes, the freeway and arterials. Even so, its physical isolation is tempered by its southwest exposure and expansive city views.
Taking into account these factors and the definitions and Guiding Principles developed by the Citizen Review Committee, the future redevelopment will provide an opportunity to create a truly sustainable community, one that includes elements reflected in the following graphic.
Components of a sustainable community. Click to see larger.
Guiding Principles
The vision for Yesler Terrace began taking shape in 2006, when Seattle Housing created a Citizen Review Committee (CRC) comprised of residents, members of the surrounding community and other key stakeholders.
The CRC developed a set of Guiding Principles and planning concepts to guide the project, which were adopted by the Seattle Housing Board of Commissioners. These Guiding Principles lay the foundation for all planning efforts..
The Yesler Terrace Guiding Principles are based on the core values of Social Equity, Economic Opportunity, Environmental Stewardship and One-for-One Replacement Housing.
Sustainable District Study
In partnership with Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle Housing commissioned a study by national experts in mid-2010 to evaluate the sustainability potential of the Yesler Terrace redevelopment.
Initial study findings indicate that opportunities are worth pursuing in the area of district heating, use of renewable energy sources and water re-use for potentially significant decreases in water usage.
To access the Sustainable District Study findings.
Renovation Cost Analysis
This study was conducted to estimate the costs associated with the replacement and rehabilitation of Yesler Terrace. The report is referered to in the Final EIS.
To access the Yesler Terrace Renovation Cost Analysis.
Redevelopment highlights
- Development Plan adopted, May 17, 2011
- Final EIS issued, April 14, 2011
- Preferred Alternative selected, Jan. 2011
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement released, Oct. 2010
- Recognition from the Quality Growth Alliance, Sept. 2010
- Redevelopment alternatives developed, Oct. 2009
- Guiding Principles established, Dec. 2007
- Citizen Review Committee created, Oct. 2006
Redevelopment timeline
