Seattle committee hears debate over bill to allow housing in SoDo’s stadium district

Council President Carrie Nelson on Friday introduced a briefing on Council Bill 12933, a proposal to allow residential development in the Stadium Transition Area Overlay District in SoDo. The committee met for a public briefing and comment before further hearings; a public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24 and a possible council vote could follow on Feb. 27.

Nelson said the measure would amend the overlay district to permit residential uses and remove the current 200‑foot limitation that bars housing within 200 feet of major truck streets. "This morning we'll be having our first briefing and discussion of council bill 12933 which would allow for housing in the stadium district," Nelson said as she opened the meeting.

The briefing drew dozens of in‑chamber and online commenters and a panel of presenters that included labor representatives, neighborhood and maker‑space advocates, central staff and the director of the Office of Planning and Community Development.

Why it matters: The stadium district sits between downtown neighborhoods and heavy industrial and maritime uses. Supporters argue modest residential development will bring workforce affordability and neighborhood activation; opponents say new housing will conflict with freight operations and risk the long‑term viability of maritime jobs and Port of Seattle facilities.

Supporters’ case: Presenters and several union and development groups said housing would expand workforce options and support small makers. Andrea Porter, program director for Seattle Made, said Seattle is losing local manufacturing for lack of affordable production space. "We see 2 to 3 Seattle Made member…