Affordable Housing Development
1000 NE 45th Street
PROPOSED USE: SOCIAL SERVICES & AFFORDABLE HOUSING
PURPOSE
The U-District is in dire need of significant public intervention to address some of the serious challenges facing the area such as housing unaffordability and lacking social services. In 2018, Washington State passed a bill (SHB 2382) allowing publicly owned land to be sold at below market rate, down to $0 for the express purpose of providing permanent affordable housing. The parcel at 1000 NE 45th St, publicly owned by Sound Transit and with dense development potential, provides a unique opportunity in the area to begin work providing these needed opportunities for the community thanks to this ordinance.
CURRENT STATE
Rosie’s Tiny House Village currently occupies the parcel; established in October 2021 in partnership between the City, Sound Transit, and LIHI, this tiny house village provides 36 shelters for up to 50 people. The village also includes 24/7 on-site staff and wrap-around services to provide for the residents. Sound Transit is leasing the site to the City at no cost on a 1-year lease, with the option to extend that lease for up to 3 years.
PROPOSAL
Sound Transit, as the owner of this property, should restrict project bidding exclusively to affordable housing developers to ensure that this property is developed into permanent supportive housing. Sound Transit should require in the terms of sale that the affordable housing developer provide wrap-around human services to augment the ability of this property to support the public and neighborhood. Organizations such as Urban Reststop, already present in Seattle, could begin to provide some of these needed services.
Alternatively, entities such as Artspace could be contracted to provide affordable housing and unique public amenities to the area. Artspace has a long list of successful projects, both in Seattle and elsewhere. The development potential is larger than Artspace’s typical developments, but new ordinances for increased mass timber construction standards could help bridge the economic gap between efficient 5 over 2 typologies and glass and steel towers.
EXAMPLE SITE PLAN
SITE INFORMATION & METRICS
Address:
1000 NE 45th St
Seattle, WA 98105
Parcel Number: 773360-0155
Current Use – District 4 Tiny Home Village
Current Owner – CPSRTA (SOUND TRANSIT)
Land Area:
Total Parcel Area: 19,236 sq ft*
Total Buildable Area: 16, 618 sq ft*
*Estimated Areas
Zoning:
SM-U 95-320 (M1)
University Community Urban Center
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) MAX:
Up to 75 ft: 4.75
Residential: 12.00
Commercial: 7.00
Height Limit:
Max Height 320 FT
Midrise Height Limit 95’
Highrise Height Limit 320’
Floor Plate Size Restrictions above 95’
Additional FAR:
65% Affordable Housing
Residential:
Affordable housing per SMC 23.58A.014
Non-Residential:
MHA affordable housing 23.58A.014 and
Childcare (8,000sf) per SMC 23.58A.024
35% Open Space
Acquire open space or TDP LEED Gold certification
Provide open space amenities
(Residential 15,000sf max)
Floor Area Exempt from FAR:
Bicycle Commuter Shower Facilities
3.5% of chargeable gross floor area for
mechanical allowance
Human Service Uses
Up to 25,000 square feet of a community center
(open to the general public)
Recommended Exempt Uses:
Public parks
Arts facilities
Child care centers
Disclaimer: As a public university, this technical information is intended to be used by professionals and the public to assist in the best possible use of the Sound Transit Property as it relates to future and current planning initiatives.
SCHEME 01: PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
The robust zoning of this site will require a much higher investment to provide much needed housing for individuals at 0% of the Area Median Income.
Public Development:
Public funding
0% AMI
Commercial/Human Services:
16,210 sq ft x 3 Floors
38,904 sq ft Operable
Residential:
9,384 sq ft x 20 Floors
131,376 sq ft Habitable
290 Studios at 450 sq ft or
175 1 Bedrooms at 750 sq ft
Glass, Steele, Concrete Construction
Types I & II
Wrap-Around Services
Urban Rest Stop
Health services
SCHEME 02: AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
While under the proposed conditions below this project would not fulfill the full development potential of this site, Non-Profit developers could provide market developments for individuals between 30%-60% of the Area Median Income.
Public Development:
Public funding
0% AMI
Commercial/Human Services:
16,210 sq ft x 3 Floors
38,904 sq ft Operable
Residential:
9,384 sq ft x 20 Floors
131,376 sq ft Habitable
290 Studios at 450 sq ft or
175 1 Bedrooms at 750 sq ft
Glass, Steele, Concrete Construction
Types I & II
Wrap-Around Services
Urban Rest Stop
Health services
ARTSPACE ADVOCACY DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATION
We ask that UDP align and interface with the artists who may be interested in advocating for Artspace to be introduced to our area.
A comprehensive list and information sheet can be found here as a resource to jump-start this particular engagement project or to illustrate and lend imagination to future possible projects.
