23rd Avenue Action Plan
What's Happening Now?
We updated the urban design and rezone recommendations for the commercial cores at 23rd Ave and Union, Cherry, and Jackson to reflect the Mandatory Housing Affordability requirement to achieve greater affordable housing, recommended by the City's Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda.
Central Area Neighborhood Design Guidelines
The Central Area Design Guidelines Coalition (CADGC) is worked to mitigate mpacts by partnering with the City, local architects Schemata Workshop, and Mimar Studio to outline a set of neighborhood specific guidelines to guide future development in the neighborhood. In addition, CADGC received an award from Congress for the New Urbanism to provide further technical assistance on this work.
Project Benefits
The purpose of this project was to establish a city-community collaboration that creates a shared vision and action plan to improve the health and equity of three Central Area community cores: 23rd Avenue and E. Union Street, 23rd Avenue and E. Cherry Street and 23rd Avenue and S. Jackson Street.
The project focused on these community cores to:
- Strengthen the community’s resilience so that its rich cultural heritage and diversity flourishes
- Build community, businesses, and organization’s capacity to take actions to achieve the shared vision
- Create livable, healthy and supportive places that provide equitable access to resources and opportunities for everyone
- Leverage public and private investments to create tangible, positive change that meets the needs of existing and new communities
The End Result
- An action plan of key priorities shared by the community and the city as a result of the planning process
- An Urban Design Framework that translates community visions and priorities into urban design recommendations and implementation steps
- Strong partnerships among the community, private and public entities to move forward projects in the action plan
Project Documents
Seattle Community Toolkit: A list of programs, grants, loans, and other resources the City of Seattle offers to help individuals, businesses, and communities.
23rd Ave Action Plan
Mandatory Housing Affordability Implementation - Adopted Plans and Legislations
- 23rd Avenue Action Plan (Adopted March 2017)
- 23rd Avenue Action Plan - Urban Design Framework (Adopted March 2017)
- Signed Resolution
SEPA Draft
- Draft 23rd Avenue Action Plan (June 2015)
- Draft 23rd Ave Action Plan Urban Design Framework (June 2015)
Phase 4
- Draft 23rd Avenue Action Plan (September 2014)
- Draft 23rd Ave Action Plan Urban Design Framework (September 2014)
Phase 3
- Strategy Summary
- Draft Urban Design Proposal
- September 21 workshop handout
- September 21 workshop boards
Phase 2
- June 29 workshop presentation
- June 29 workshop handout
- June 29 workshop summary
- June 29 workshop and July 17 open house combined summary
- 23rd Avenue Action Plan Draft Strategies
- Visions, Goals, Strategies, and Actions
Phase 1
- 23rd Avenue Action Plan Background Analysis Report
- Initial survey results (March 2013)
- Community visioning survey results (April 2013)
- Consolidated community comments – compiled from the April 2013 community workshop, online surveys, in-person interviews, and POEL workshops
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination
We refined our action plans based on public input and are ready to move the rezone legislation forward. The rezones intend to achieve the community’s vision to strengthen the Central Area’s unique identity and community character as identified in the Action Plan and the Comprehensive Plan Central Area Neighborhood Planning Element. These actions will help create vibrant and resilient commercial districts that encourage pedestrian friendly mixed use development, support both existing and new businesses and development, provide opportunities for a variety of shops, services, and affordable housing that serves the diverse Central Area community.
On June 29, 2015, we published the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance for each node along with the Action Plan, Urban Design Framework, draft ordinances, and a Director's Report. The public comment period closed on July 20, 2015, and we will move the legislation forward in 2016-2017.
SEPA Determination of Non-Significance
SEPA Checklist
SEPA Draft Ordinance
SEPA Public Notice
Central Area Block Party
2015 Block Party
2014 Block Party
Background
- Central Area Neighborhood Plan (1998)
- Central Area Status Report (2009)
- Central Area Neighborhood Plan Stewardship
- Central Area Design Guidelines (1998)
- Garfield Superblock Master Plan (2005)
- Garfield Master Use Permit Decisions (2005)
- Status Check: Seattle Citizens Assess Their Communities and Neighborhood Plans (2009)
Winter – Fall 2013
Action Plan Planning Process
- Inclusive outreach and engagement including underrepresented communities
- Sought community input
- Developed draft Action Plan
Fall 2013 – Fall 2014
Action Plan Implementation Process Began
Urban Design Framework (UDF) Process
- Inclusive outreach and engagement including underrepresented communities
- Sought community input
- Developed draft UDF
Fall 2014 – Summer 2015
Zoning Recommendation Process
- Inclusive outreach and engagement including underrepresented communities
- Developed State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklists, draft ordinances, and Director’s Report for rezone recommendations
- SEPA Determination of Non-Significance public comment period
2016-2017
Council Approval Process
- Finalize rezone ordinances, Action Plan and UDF
- Public comment process
- Public hearings for final recommendation