Projects and
Initiatives Library

Seattle Center Arena Renovation. Partnership in developing, and comment on, the Environmental Impact Statement for this project and its effects on the SLU neighborhood. Year: 2018

1120 John Street. Advocated for changes to the design of this development to ensure maintenance of Thomas Street as a ‘green street’ amenity. Also advocated for a plan to conserve the Seattle Times Park in perpetuity. Year: 2018

Appeal of 121 Boren development project proposal. Advocated for improvements to this development to create better through-block access. Year: 2018

Block 38/520 Westlake Design Proposal. In collaboration with the project architects, provided input and feedback to improve the ground-level experience for this future Google property. Year: 2018

Cascade Apartments Mews. Advocated for neighborhood residents to have public access to the through-block connection (mews) of this private development, in line with design review obligations. Year: 2016

Support for the 333 Dexter office development project, with comments to add public use amenities mid-block and along Thomas Street. Year: 2015

Seattle City Light Denny Substation Development and Street Vacation. The SLUCC along with the Cascade Neighborhood Council formed a Task Force to ensure community interests were included in the design and development of the Substation. As a result, the Substation is a positive addition to the community and the Community received $3M in streetscape and pedestrian lighting improvements in areas disrupted by substation and network construction. This is primarily around Cascade Playground and as far north as Republican Street. Year: 2015

Support for 1001 John Street Development, to include a publicly accessible elevator for the hill climb. Year: 2015

Advocates for South Lake Union Neighborhood during Design Review process. Since 2013, SLUCC has actively participated in the City of Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections Design Review process. SLUCC’s Policy and Planning Committee ensures that relevant community feedback is conveyed and advocates for design improvements when warranted. In 2018, SLUCC actively participated in revising the South Lake Union Design Guidelines (pdf) that are the basis for the Design Review process it helped develop and enact. Year: 2013

South Lake Union Design Framework enables 2013 South Lake Union Rezone and Design Review Process.
Step 1: 2010 SLU Urban Design Framework (pdf) SLUCC took a leadership role in the year-long, community-wide effort led by the City of Seattle's Office of Planning and Community Development to develop the Urban Design Framework for the planned rezone. The plan presents the vision for SLU as a thriving, sustainable, and diverse urban center. This was the first such effort in Seattle and set an example for future efforts for other neighborhoods. Step 2: 2013 SLU Rezone. SLUCC collaborated on framing the SLU Rezone legislation and advocated for its passage. The approved legislation paved the way for the transition of this formerly light industrial warehouse district to support mixed uses up to high-rise development. Step 3: The South Lake Union Urban Design Guidelines (pdf revised 2018) is the primary Design Review tool that ensures compliance with the vision and establishes an implementation process. Year: 2010-2018

Market to MOHAI is an enhanced pedestrian corridor that in SLU includes 7 blocks between Denny Way and Bell Street to Valley and Terry Avenue North. https://www.markettomohai.org/history-blades Year: 2020

Seattle Times Park - The Developer of the two Seattle Times blocks (bounded by Denny Way, Boren Avenue North, Thomas Street and Fairview Avenue North) initially planned to destroy the Seattle Times Park and the SW corner of Fairview and John. This Park had 6 Exceptional Trees according to City of Seattle standards. The SLUCC supported efforts to save this park that were led by Mirabella Seattle residents and Councilmember Sally Bagshaw. Those efforts were successful. The park was saved and is open to the public. Year: 2018

Mercer Corridor Adaptive Traffic Signal Control. Advocated for and joined as co-signer in letter to Seattle City Council prioritizing completion of Adaptive Traffic Signal Control system in the Mercer Corridor. City Council ultimately allotted completion funds of ~$1M for this effort. Year: 2014

Mercer West TIGER IV grant application. Advocated in support of the City of Seattle’s application for the US Department of Transportation TIGER grant for the Two-Way Mercer West project, which won funding. Year: 2012

Mercer Corridor TIGER grant application. Advocated for and supported the City of Seattle’s application for this USDOT Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant intended to resolve the historically mobility challenging ‘Mercer Mess’. This project was ultimately funded and converted one-way Mercer into an expanded two-way corridor serving South Lake Union. Year: 2009

Landscape Conservation and Local Infrastructure Program (LCLIP). In cooperation with the City’s Office of Planning and Community Development, advocated for this legislation that conserves farmland in Eastern King County, increases density in SLU, and creates a bondable funding source for neighborhood street and park improvements. Year: 2013
OPCD LCLIP Funding Plan (pdf)
Imagine Greater Downtown Part 1 (pdf)
Imagine Greater Downtown Part 2 (pdf)

Thomas Street Reimagined Design Charette. Provided input and advocated for the design of Thomas Street corridor in the Uptown Triangle, in cooperation with SDOT and adjacent neighborhoods. This project will adjoin an improved Thomas Street in SLU, envisioned in our LCLIP-funded plan. Year: 2019

The Emerald Mile (formerly Microparks of Westlake). In cooperation with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and SDOT, this ongoing project seeks to activate tree planters along the Westlake Avenue corridor to create an educational and celebratory amenity promoting Seattle’s Sister Cities relationships. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods funded the initial conceptual studies, which have been completed. Funding is being sought for final design and permitting, with construction funded through LCLIP. Year: 2019

Neighborhood Parks Improvements. In cooperation with the Seattle Parks Department, this project seeks to repurpose LCLIP funds formerly envisioned for an SLU Community Center. Projects will be identified with community input and funds committed to improve SLU's three signature parks: Cascade, Denny, and Lake Union. Planning for Lake Union Park is currently in process. Year: 2022

Seattle Police Department Reforms. Provided a community venue for discussion of this topic, as well as a letter of recommendations to City leadership for reforming SPD. Year: 2020

Seattle City Council Candidate Forums. SLUCC hosted candidate forums for District 7 and at-large Districts 8 and 9 in 2015 and 2019.

Washington State Heritage Capital Grant Program. Advocated for this round of funding to support construction of the Center for Wooden Boats Education Center and the continued restoration of the historic steamship Virginia V. Year: 2013

SLUCC with the neighborhood at large collaborated on the SLU Urban Center Neighborhood Plan being developed by the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. The plan lays the foundation for long-term development in SLU and recognizes the mix and diversity of uses in this rapidly changing neighborhood. Year: 2007
South Lake Union Urban Center Neighborhood Plan (pdf)

Creation, Incorporation and Bylaws of the South Lake Union Friends and Neighbors (SLUFAN), later renamed SLU Community Council. Year: 2000

Oversight of North Downtown Mobility Action Plan. SLUCC helped author this forward-looking planning document, which provides guidance to SDOT, KC Metro, and Sound Transit for unified investments in SLU, Uptown, and Belltown (NODO) mobility. Originally approved in 2011, it was updated in 2019 and will guide mobility project investments for the next ten years. Year: 2019 Northdowntown Mobility Action Plan (pdf)

North Portal Street Grid Reconnection. Advocacy for this proposal to reconnect the street grid across Aurora Avenue N at the western edge of the SLU neighborhood. Year: 2014

South Lake Union/Uptown Mobility Plan. Supported the development of this forward-looking planning document, which provided guidance to SDOT, KC Metro, and Sound Transit for unified investments in SLU mobility. Adopted by City Council. Year: 2011