Seattle council approves acquisition of land in South Park for affordable housing

Art, greenery, and seating next to the South Park Library. (Photo courtesy SDOT / Flickr)

Seattle’s Office of Housing will purchase two lots in South Park for affordable housing development.

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Mayor Jenny Durkan’s law – Council Bill 120114 – authorizing the purchase was unanimously approved by Seattle City Council on Monday. Durkan will sign the law this week.

The measure requires that the units be affordable for households earning 60% of the median land area or less. That’s $ 69,400 for a family of four and $ 48,600 for a single person.

“Our housing crisis has impacted every neighborhood in our city and we are called to use every tool available to address it with the urgency that this crisis requires,” Durkan said in a written statement. “Most importantly, I want to congratulate the tireless South Park advocates who continue to urge the city to make its vision of a just future a reality. South Park will change for generations to come because of the work of our community leaders who are at the forefront of new investments in housing, environmental justice and infrastructure. ”

Future developments will include units with two or more bedrooms. The plans must also include common areas on the ground floor, with the additional aim of incorporating water and energy efficient sustainable building practices.

The City of Seattle has been working closely with community-based organizations in South Park since 2016, such as the Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition and the Duwamish River Clean-Up Coalition, the fast-changing neighborhood where many residents and businesses are feeling the pressure to move. “

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Other urban investments in South Park include: Duwamish Waterway Park Improvements; the creation of South Park Plaza, which will include open lawn and event space; and Marra Farm, which will be an accessible multi-purpose park. Seattle Public Utilities and the Seattle Department of Transportation are working on road and drainage improvements and will build a pumping station.

The Office of Planning and Community Development has awarded the Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition $ 1 million to help identify and acquire land for community service.

The KIRO Radio Newsdesk contributed to this report.