No it won’t be blue and yellow — but this is the general shape of things to come
City Hall is looking to the Capitol Hill Housing project to develop a mixed-use affordable building at 23rd and Union as a model for the development Seattle needs as it builds its way out of its affordability crisis while attempting to be sensitive to issues of history, gentrification, and equity. The money to power the nonprofit developer’s project is moving into place. The desire to honor the legacy of the region’s first Black-owned bank that stood on the site is there.
Wednesday night, Central District residents will have their first say about the early design concept for the Liberty Bank Building, a planned 6-story development with 116 affordable apartment units above 3,300 square feet of street-level retail space and parking for 18 vehicles.
The design from the architects at Mithun seeks to “support Capitol Hill Housing’s mission to provide safe and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income individuals and families” while honoring Liberty Bank’s history and achieving “a strong activated urban street experience.” Apartments are planned as a mix of two-bedroom, one-bedroom, and studio units and the project will be built to meet the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard.
A process to upzone areas around 23rd Ave is already underway
To achieve these goals, Capitol Hill Housing is seeking a contract rezone in a separate process:
A legislative rezoning that includes the project site is currently being considered based on the recommendation of the 23rd Avenue Action Plan Urban Design Framework (23rd Avenue UDF). Due to the timeline of the legislative process, the proposed project is seeking a Contract Rezone that is consistent with the recommendation of the 23rd Avenue UDF. The project site is proposed to be rezoned from its current NC2P-40 & NC2-40 zoning to NC2P-65 zoning
Several design elements are being planned to recognize the legacy of Liberty Bank:
Meanwhile, the Office of Economic Development has also been involved to find ways to ensure that commercial space is targeted towards local business, with a focus on black owners. OED brought together a group of Central District organizations with the goal of creating a pipeline of area small business owners that can move into the space when the project is complete, a City Hall rep told CHS earlier this year. Centerstone, Africatown, and the Black Community Impact Alliance are also discussing how arts can fit into the equation as part of the Central Area Arts District.
In late 2014, Capitol Hill Housing opened the 12th Ave Arts mixed-use office space + performance space + commercial space + affordable housing development.
Meanwhile, the area around 23rd and Union is busy with development. One six-story building is now complete on the southwest corner and another just wrapping up design review on the northwest corner. Both are projects from private developer Lake Union Partners and both are being put together as market-rate developments — though a quest to upzone the northwest project could help the community have a little more influence. Meanwhile, a deal for the block of MidTown Center has been tied up in a legal battle.
Wednesday night’s session will be about the building’s bulk and massing and discussion of proposed departures from Seattle building standards envisioned in the project like the street-level courtyard that could eventually run along 24th Ave.
2320 E Union St
Design Review Early Design Guidance application proposing a 6-story structure containing 116 residential units above 3,300 sq. ft. of ground-level retail space. Parking for 18 vehicles will be located within the structure. This project requires a contract rezone from NC2P-40 and NC2-40 to NC2P-65.
View Design Proposal (53 MB)
May 4, 2016 6:30pm
Admissions & Alumni Community Building
EDG–Early Design Guidance
Tami Garrett
That’s 24th and Union.
The real debate is whether you can abide by 23rd and Union as a neighborhood. No? Then, yes, 24th and Union. Discuss.
Can’t say I’m sure what you’re getting at, but I moved from the middle of Capitol Hill to 24th and Union about two and a half years ago and couldn’t be happier that the hill is making it’s way to us much faster than expected! We’re in the middle of the city, bring on the density and the amenities!
I’ve always hoped that Minor/Mann would catch on, as 23rd is the boarder between those areas. Mainly, I just want a T-Shirt with a self-deprecating super hero we can be proud of…
Let’s see… 116 units and parking for 18 vehicles. I guess those on 24th, 25th, Pike and Pine… and probably farther out, can say goodbye to their street parking.
I’m more than a little perplexed by that one, especially since it will hurt the new businesses more than anyone. Local streets will change to resident permit only, 23rd and Union themselves will be the only available street parking for non-residents.
Something you can do: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/parking/parkingrpz_howto.htm
It’s entirely affordable housing. Parking is also becoming prohibitively expensive to build and maintain. I’m sure there will be some issues, but sooo much apartment parking goes unused in this city it’s crazy. Kudos to the developer for being ahead of the trend here.
Am I the only one concerned about the old bank logo causing the building to get nicknamed “the pound”, and all the negative connotations that might go along with it?