In the Neighborhood

A 51 residential unit has been proposed on the corner of 23rd Ave and Yesler, across from the Douglass-Truth Library and the 23rd Ave Fire Department. It is the current site of the Catholic Community Family Services. The Catholic Community Services of Western Washington proposal calls for 51 apartments on three floors above 2,300 square feet of retail space, with 71 parking spaces in the building, at 140 23rd Ave. Catholic Community Services would use 41 of the parking spots for its adjacent office building.











The image above is from the plan presented to the design board on May 20. The June 17 meeting is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. in room 102/103 of Seattle Vocational Institute, 2120 S. Jackson St.

What does this proposal say about density and community character. The addition of 100+ new residents in the heart of the Central District may mean good news for retailers, but what will the increased traffic, noise and congestion do to neighborhood ties and community interaction? It is good policy to increase density and lower housing costs, as long as it is people focused, and deemed an asset to the community. My question is what other mitigating factors has the developer proposed? More park/open-space? Other amenities? Affordability should not jeapordize livability.