Council okays High Point redevelopment

SEATTLE—The Seattle City Council this week approved a contract rezone and street vacation that clears the way for the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) to begin work on its plan to redevelop the 120-acre High Point Garden Community in West Seattle.

The SHA plans to redevelop High Point into a mixed-income rental and home ownership community with 1,600 housing units on-site and 250 units off-site, replacing the existing 716 on-site units. The community also will include a branch library, community center, medical/dental facility, retail space, and new parks and open space.

A federal grant will help fund the redevelopment, with no City spending requested.

The Council action included approval of a contract rezone that allows variable zoning within the development, including height adjustments, subject to conditions. The Council added an amendment to the contract rezone requiring SHA to commit to a one-for-one replacement of very low-income housing units, at or below 30 percent of median income.

The Council also approved a preliminary street vacation that allows SHA to regrid the street alignment at High Point to fit the redevelopment. The street plan incorporates an innovative natural storm water runoff approach to the street design.

“This is another demonstration of SHA efforts combined with City of Seattle cooperation to deliver safe and decent housing to residents with low- and moderate-incomes,” said Councilmember Richard McIver, who chairs the Housing, Human Services and Community Development Committee.

SHA will begin abatement and demolition on more than half the High Point site this summer, with completion of this first phase expected in early 2005. The entire redevelopment is scheduled to be completed in late 2008.

City Council release, May 27

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