Catch up on U-District TOD Community Meeting!

Building rendering provided by HEWITT

On Wednesday, September 18 at 6:30 pm, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) held a community meeting to discuss our proposal for a mixed-use Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and alley vacation at 1000 NE 45th Street, Seattle on the corner of 45th & Roosevelt Way NE. The site is currently the home of Rosie’s Village, a Tiny House Village operated by LIHI that offers shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness.

U-District Community Meeting attendees

In partnership with Sound Transit and the City of Seattle’s Office of Housing, this site will be a key transit oriented development with 150 to 160 units of affordable housing, commercial space and a U District Urban Rest Stop. This property will provide studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom apartments designed with singles and families in mind. The site is approximately two blocks from the U-District Light Rail station and other amenities. 

LIHI is partnering with UHeights Center and U-District Partnership to conduct public outreach on the design and to complete the alley vacation process that bisects the 18,000 SF property. In 2023, the Seattle City Council passed legislation to approve the alley vacation and its realignment to 11th Avenue NE.

The Seattle Office of Housing and Sound Transit partnership on this site is historic. “Part of our goal is to ensure that there remain long-term affordable units near our stations so that access can be provided to a wider set of the community, not just one at the higher end of the income spectrum," said Tim Bates, Senior Project Manager with Sound Transit. 

LIHI owns and operates several properties in the U-District including the Marion West Apartments, which hosts the U-District Food Bank; permanent supportive housing at Gossett Place; and three single family shared houses for formerly homeless individuals. LIHI is ecstatic to be working on much needed affordable housing in the U-District.

Sharon Lee, Executive Director of Low Income Housing Institute

The proposed building will house an Urban Rest Stop on street level facing Roosevelt Way that will offer hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness. There will also be restrooms for the general public, including students, transit riders, bikers, shoppers and visitors to the U-District. The Urban Rest Stop will be a clean, safe, and welcoming facility where people can access restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. 

LIHI operated an Urban Rest Stop located at the University Temple United Methodist Church up to its closure in 2020 when the building was sold and demolished. “Initially, we thought the Urban Rest Stop would be used by homeless students, but as it turned out, it was also being utilized by families, seniors and veterans. People who are unhoused really need support for basic hygiene services; it helps them maintain their dignity," said Sharon Lee, Executive Director of LIHI. 

Rosie's Village, operated by Low Income Housing Institute

Sharon Lee thanked the U-District community for welcoming and supporting Rosie's Village. At the request of Sound Transit, Rosie's Village will be closing at the end of the week. Clients that resided in the 35 tiny houses have been relocated. The City of Seattle has set aside funding to relocate Rosie’s Village. 

Maria Dewees of the Seattle Office of Housing said “LIHI brings extensive experience in creating affordable housing for Seattle’s low-income residents. So we are really grateful for their leadership and partnership”. 

Sound Transit will convey the property at below market value to LIHI. Washington state law requires 80% of Sound Transit’s surplus property that is suitable for housing to be offered for affordable housing for households at or below 80% AMI. The Seattle Office of Housing has committed $15 million for construction. Other public funds are identified as well as tax exempt bonds, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, charitable grants and other sources. The housing will remain affordable for 99 years.

Don Blakeney, Executive Director of U-District Partnership stated: "This project offers an opportunity to provide services to those in need that do not exist to in our neighborhood. LIHI has always looked for creative ways to house neighbors and the U-District TOD is another example of community-centered housing." 

Following the presentation, attendees had the chance to ask questions directly to LIHI staff and the HEWITT architecture team. 

The retail spaces will be activated alongside a community room, centering residents and neighbors. The alley plaza design will foster a communal space that is both inviting and functional. Initial plans include an area designated for food trucks or a music and sound stage. Two more community meeting are planned. We welcome U-District neighbors' attendance at our next two community meetings to share feedback on the design.

For more information contact Marta Kidane at marta.kidane@lihi.org or 206-858-0734.

Marta Kidane, LIHI Community Engagement Manager, Ian Pangburn - HEWITT Project Designer, Julie Nagele - Senior Principal Director of Design - Architecture, Sharon Lee - LIHI Executive Director, Haili Brown - HEWITT Project Designer, Michael Larson, HEWITT Associate, Sean Ludvikden, AIA - Principal, Director of Practice - Architecture