Seattle City Council approves Yesler Terrace redevelopment

The Seattle City Council voted Tuesday to redevelop Yesler Terrace, the city’s first public housing project, which opened in 1941.

“By building a mixed use community at Yesler Terrace we can improve the quality of life for very low income families and create new affordable housing opportunities,” said Mayor Mike McGinn.

The residents from the 561 existing units of very low-income housing will be relocated in phases as construction begins. There will not be a net loss of low income housing, and all residents will be guaranteed the right to return. City Councilman Richard Conlin addressed the public’s concern over displacing residents on Tuesday.

“One-hundred percent of the low-income housing is being replaced, and many new housing units are being added as well,” said Conlin.

The new development will bring more than 1,100 new units of housing for low-to-modest wage workers. There also may be an additional 100 units for extremely low-income housing. In total, the site could support 5,000 new units.

“The Council took this opportunity to ensure the Yesler Terrace redevelopment plan will respect the needs of people who live in Yesler now and to make sure that Yesler evolves into a greater urban neighborhood for more residents,” Councilmember Sally J. Clark said in a news release.

The Seattle Times reports much of the existing Yesler Terrace development is “beyond patching-up.”

“The new Yesler Terrace will be a vibrant, healthy and sustainable neighborhood where people from all income levels, races and cultural backgrounds can live, work and play together for years to come,” said Andrew J. Lofton, Executive Director of Seattle Housing Authority.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.