Committee backs transfer of Lake City garage to parks to advance community center and 112-unit affordable housing

The Parks and City Light Committee on July 15 recommended passage of Council Bill 121250, a transfer of the Lake City Garage and adjacent plaza from the Department of Finance and Administrative Services to Seattle Parks and Recreation to support a joint community center and affordable housing project.

The committeeunanimously voted 5-0 to send the measure to full council on July 21. Chair Deborah Juarez moved the recommendation; the clerk recorded ayes from Councilmember Strauss, Councilmember Sacca, Councilmember Rivera, Vice Chair Kettle and Chair Juarez.

Michelle Finnegan, interim superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation, said the project will sit on reconfigured city parcels and include a 99-year ground lease for the park-owned parcel. She described a design with 112 affordable rental units above approximately 27,000 square feet of community center space and one level of below-grade parking. Maria Duis of the Office of Housing told the committee construction is expected to start after financing closes, with Mercy Housing Northwest securing project financing by year-end and closing in December; staff projected construction to begin in Q4 2026, substantial completion in 2028 and a grand opening in 2029.

The project budget was described in the briefing: the community center is estimated at about $38 million and the housing component about $86 million, for a rough total project budget of $124 million. Staff identified public funding sources including city-issued bonds, state housing trust funds and low-income housing tax credits; the presentation noted a $6.8 million state commitment and roughly $33 million from the city.

Speakers from Mercy Housing Northwest and Family Works told the committee the redevelopment will provide on-site services, a civic plaza and family supports. Local senior-service providers and residents urged attention to accessibility, a larger dining/kitchen area, and a capacity that can serve 150to 200 seniors on busy days.

Lisa Ward and Parks staff described parking arrangements: the existing garage has 59 spaces; Mercy Housingis designing a new garage of roughly 75 stalls, with four van/ADA stalls adjacent to the community-center elevator. The Transfer of Jurisdiction ordinance also grants the SPR superintendent authority to contract for parking operations for up to five years without returning to council.

Council members pressed staff on the timeline and funding details; staff said transactional documents and a second legislative package are expected in September and that the term sheet is ready for the next package. The committee agreed the transfer is the first legislative step to enable the redevelopment.

The committee sent the ordinance to full council with a recommendation of passage; the full council will consider the bill at its July 21 meeting.