Committee backs Grand Street Commons alley vacation after developer meets public-benefit conditions

The Seattle City Council Transportation Committee on Aug. 5 recommended passage of an ordinance to vacate an alley to facilitate the Grand Street Commons development in the North Rainier / Judkins Park area after staff said the developer met required public-benefit conditions.

Committee members voted 5-0 to recommend passage of Council Bill 121026, which would vacate the alley in Block 14, Josh G. Kinnear’s Addition to the City of Seattle and accept a property use and development agreement related to Grand Street Commons MBH, LLP. The committee’s recommendation will be sent to the full City Council for consideration on Aug. 12.

Why it matters: Council policy requires that street and alley vacations provide public benefits proportional to the private development potential created. Central staff and Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) staff told the committee the Grand Street Commons developer met the conditions established by the council and provided substantial publicly accessible amenities.

What staff reported: Leish Whitson of Council Central staff said the alley vacation was first approved years earlier, the project has been built and the developer met the council’s vacation conditions. Beverly Barnett of SDOT described the public benefits: improved right-of-way with benches and art; a community-based art program with panels reflecting local history; a cultural space inside the building for art shows and community events; and a plaza and amenities intended to serve the broader neighborhood.

Project details and public comment: SDOT staff said the alley to be vacated is located between Rainier Avenue South and 20 Third Avenue South, just south of Grand Street (location as presented in staff materials). The development includes 206 low-income residential units as part of a three-block project totaling 775 units, with nearly half of the total designated as affordable housing, according to staff.

Public comment included an in-person speaker, Holly Gardner, who identified herself as having worked on the project and thanked the council, the city and SDOT for “a 6 year partnership on a very complex project” and said she was pleased to see the neighborhood benefit. A remote commenter raised unrelated transit-safety concerns in the University District and downtown.

Formal action: Councilmember Strauss moved and a colleague seconded the motion to recommend passage of Council Bill 121026. The clerk called the roll: Councilmember Kettle — Aye; Councilmember Rink — Yes; Councilmember Strauss — Yes; Vice Chair Hollingsworth — Yes; Chair Rob Sacca — Aye. The committee recorded five votes in favor, none opposed, and forwarded the bill to the Aug. 12 council meeting.

Ending: Committee members praised staff and central staff for their work on the item and moved on to a package of deeds and easements.