Lessons from Seattle: community cooperates with a development
A new development in Seattle has much from which we in Kirkland could learn, and much with which to be leery. Rather than oppose the building of a Target store in Seattle’s Little Saigon district, the local community worked with the developer to craft a plan for the benefit of all.
When Target announced plans to build a new store in Seattle’s Little Saigon business district, community organized for action. And action they took, but not in the typical fashion of opposing the development. Instead, the community embraced the project and cooperated with the developer to create a win/win for both the community and the property owner. A news story on KING5 first brought this story to my attention.
A story in the September 2nd issue of the Seattle Times stated, ”Today, after three years of negotiations, the coalition is announcing a legally binding agreement that requires the developer to invest money in Little Saigon and the nearby Jackson Place neighborhood, and to include 200 affordable-housing units within the project. In return, the coalition won’t fight the developer in court or before the City Council.”
To attain community support, however, the developer had to sign a “community-benefit agreement” which guarantees that the $300 million project will supply 200 “affordable” housing units, $200,000 toward a Vietnamese cultural center as well as $600,000 over a ten year period to fund a training program for Vietnamese entrepreneurs.
In addition, the developer promised to pay union wages and supply health insurance for the construction laborers. “It also requires that the project’s grocery tenant be a union shop or allow for union organizing.”
In Kirkland, we find groups organizing against projects all over town. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could embrace projects and create a win/win for all? Much like Touchstone’s proposed Kirkland Parkplace project, the Seattle developer needs the Seattle City Council to approve a rezone for the project.
This story shows another possible route for interaction between community groups and developers within the City of Kirkland. Anything beats appeals, lawsuits and economic stagnation.
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What a solution to the problem of builders destroying communities! I love it. I suggest that builders reach out to us and let us embrace their plans rather than fight them. Civik should not be the negotiating party but they should be invited to participate if they wish.
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What a great idea. Let’s see how this would work. City states in comprehensive plan a goal for Downtown of being Pedestrian friendly and Green. Developer buys property. Developer understands and is told City wants to be Pedestrian friendly and Green. Developer plans project where tenants will most likley not drive and provides large sidewalks and public courtyard. Green and Pedestrian friendly. Developer leases space previously used as bank to bank. People and business already know where bank is and can walk to or park in garage. Green and Pedestrian friendly. Design Review Board massages developer plans and makes more Pedestrian friendly and green. City Council rejects project because ???????
Too many floors, not enough parking and I guess not pedestrian friendly or green enough. Makes sense to me!
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