‘Reckless urban planning:’ Seattle agencies clash over affordable housing proposal
Feb 24, 2025, 5:31 PM | Updated: 5:34 pm
Seattle's SODO neighborhood. (Photo: Dave Nakayama via Flickr Creative Commons)
(Photo: Dave Nakayama via Flickr Creative Commons)
Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson wants to re-zone an area in Seattle’s SODO neighborhood, that’s already been dubbed the Stadium Makers’ District, for residential use — including 500 units of affordable housing — along with industrial space for small businesses.
The issue was on the agenda Monday morning before the Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee, which Nelson chairs.
The area lies between 1st Avenue South and Occidental Avenue South from Edgar Martinez Drive to South Holgate Street. It’s currently zoned for office/commercial, but Nelson thinks it just makes sense to change the zoning and include houses … especially affordable housing.
“It makes no sense to exclude housing from a downtown neighborhood that holds so much promise,” Nelson said. “Given the shortage of both workforce housing and local small business space, and the opportunity to create tens of thousands of new jobs, I’m proud to put forward legislation to advance the Seattle Makers’ District, an economically viable, safe, mixed-use area adjacent to the stadiums that expands light manufacturing and delivers much-needed housing.”
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However, there is opposition to the proposal, especially from the Port of Seattle, several unions and multiple residents during a public comment session.
“It’s a special carve-out for a specific property benefiting one billionaire developer from California and would undermine our goals for a healthy economy, environment and quality of life for all residents,” Port of Seattle Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa said. “The proposal compromises safety. Putting pedestrians in direct conflict with freight and trains is reckless urban planning.”
Another speaker echoed Hasegawa’s statement.
“You’ve been brainwashed by the smell of a rich billionaire landowner’s money and his greedy investment group. If you vote this up, I and many others will question your word, your character and your integrity,” John, a local resident, said.
Affordable housing in a city as expensive as Seattle is a hot-button issue, especially for those who have no home and those who work in Seattle but can’t afford to live here.
“Seattle needs more housing and including this in the Stadium District will bring almost 500 new affordable homes to the area,” resident Jamie Lee said.
Jamie Fleming, another resident, summarized the debate.
“I think everybody in this room is in favor of affordable housing. I think that is a beautiful piece of wrapping paper that they’ve wrapped around a poor idea that has not been thought through,” she said.
The meeting was only a public hearing. No action was taken on the proposal at least for now.
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Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest
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