SEATTLE - Is South Downtown Seattle ready for taller buildings and more people? That is something the City Council has been considering, and the public will soon have a chance to voice their concerns.
Neighborhoods in the International District, Stadium District, Pioneer Square, and portions of the Industrial Center could be rezoned if the proposal becomes a reality.
The area under consideration has the busiest transit hub in the region, something that could interest developers. But, the question is, how will building up the area impact the people already living in these neighborhoods? There are a lot of historic buildings, which bring special rules about development. The area also has the city's highest concentration of low income, subsidized housing.
City Council member Sally Clark wants to see more people living in South Downtown and more businesses, but she says she it has to be done the right way.
"The trick there is, as you allow that stuff to happen, probably rent levels go up. So the big concern I hear is if we allow new development, how do we insure the folks who have made this place great up to now can still afford to live here," asks Clark. It is a question she is still working to answer.
The public can weigh in on this at a hearing later this month.
The hearing will take place on Nov. 22nd at the Wing Luke Museum at 5:30PM. The Wing Luke Museum is located at 719 S. King Street.
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