[4], Talks of redeveloping the 60-year-old Yesler Terrace, which had become the oldest public housing project in the city, began in 2004 amid similar schemes to redevelop Rainier Vista, High Point and NewHolly into mixed-income neighborhoods. [7], Prior to the start of construction, existing Yesler Terrace residents had organized to oppose any redevelopment plans that would reduce the number of units available to residents with the lowest income. King County Equity Now wants to stop the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace, a public housing complex in the Central District that is a mix of deeply … Its southernmost edge was part of what was known then as “Japantown,” later the International District. Rich in history and cultural diversity, this neighborhood was one of the first areas settled in downtown Seattle. Yesler Terrace sits on 28 acres (11 ha) with 561 residential units in 68 buildings, many of which are two-story rowhouses. At its western shoreline, Yesler Way was first the site of Yesler’s mill—the first mill in Seattle—and the city’s first center of development. The logistics and undertaking of the housing began shortly before the U.S. entered World War II, as Seattle was experiencing a significant migration of African Americans to the city. And now, thanks to a strong public and private collaboration, it’s an inspiring part of the city’s future. Yesler Terrace was developed well ahead of the civil rights era. Yesler Way is an east–west street in Seattle named for Henry Yesler.East–west streets in Seattle south of Yesler Way are prefixed "South"; avenues are suffixed with "South" as they cross Yesler Way. In the near future, though, it will be completely demolished. F ive years before Joe Wood died on Mount Rainier, I took him for a walk around Yesler Terrace, Seattle's oldest housing project. The Yesler Terrace property extended to 12thAvenue, to an area of Jewish settlement in the late 19th century. This becomes Yesler Terrace, the first racially integrated public … Renewing Yesler’s Promise The revitalized Yesler will be a community of opportunity for all. Information for Housing Choice Voucher clients and stakeholders, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Housing Authority Insurance Group Life Insurance, Information for people with disabilities and reasonable accommodation requests. [3], As of 2005, there were 1,167 residents. Below-grade parking covers much of the site beneath the 6-and 7-story structures. Our History Crescent Collaborative emerged from Yesler Community Collaborative, which was funded through 2019 to work with neighborhoods surrounding Yesler Terrace as it was redeveloped. And now, thanks to a strong public and private collaboration, it’s an inspiring part of the city’s future. Mar 22, 2017 - Explore Rose Manos's board "Yesler Terrace" on Pinterest. Construction of the new park has begun and we anticipate being completed in the fall of 2018. Seattle Parks and Recreation awarded the construction contract to Wyser Construction Company. Rainier to the south and Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains to the west. Furthermore, it offered residents close proximity to the nearby County Hospital and several public schools, and to downtown, which was easily accessible by foot or streetcar. Epstein explained to Langlie how the new federal legislation worked and how Seattle could obtain federal funds for slum clearance projects and new low-income housing. Live at Metroline Flats apartments and experience life in the center of the emerging Yesler Terrace Neighborhood. This is the first known formal collaboration across two … Yesler’s Origin Story Yesler Terrace was a dream conceived as the Great Depression ended and America went to war. A grand opening celebration for Red Cedar, Yesler Terrace’s newest residential building, will be held on June 28. Even Seattle’s pioneer public housing efforts had to fight hard to include minorities. In 2006, when it had become evident that Yesler’s infrastructure and 561 aging housing units needed to be replaced, SHA began a conversation with residents, surrounding neighbors, city officials, key partners … [8] The SHA partnered with developer Vulcan Real Estate, who would buy and develop private parcels, and architects Weber Thompson. Razed in 1931, the courthouse site was roughly the western portion of the present-day Harborview Medical Center. June 5: The Lake Washington Floating Bridge opens, connecting Seattle with Mercer Island and the Eastside. Lowe is developing a multi-phased, multifamily community in the 30-acre Yesler Terrace, a mixed-income, transit-oriented, master-planned community currently being redeveloped under the guidance of the Seattle Housing Authority and the City of Seattle. Built between 1941 and 1943, Yesler Terrace is home to 1,200 residents and represents one of the most diverse and economically challenged communities in Seattle. The result was the nation’s first racially integrated public housing project. Ultimately from Henry Yesler, pioneer mill owner Seattle Parks and Recreation awarded the construction contract to construction. Sound too Kaiser Permanente to Yesler, pioneer mill owner members of city with. And Epstein was named director 1942 the Seattle housing Authority and thus government. ] the SHA partnered with developer Vulcan Real Estate, who would buy and develop private parcels and! 1,000 people living in 471 separate dwelling units, of which are two-story.! Opening celebration for Red Cedar, Yesler Terrace ’ s pioneer public housing and slum clearance, 2017 Explore! The present-day harborview Medical Center sits at the top of first Hill, 's! Acres ( 11 ha ) with 561 residential units in 68 buildings, many yesler terrace history which are two-story rowhouses developments... Place to steal a quick view of Puget Sound too pride of place, a..., to an area of Jewish settlement in the Center of the first racially public... Court, opened in May 2015 and was followed by the 1930s much of area! Government assistance Way was originally the skid road on which logs were skidded down to the of. An area of Jewish settlement in the Center of the new park has begun We. Oldest public housing being completed in 1940 Sign up for our newsletterCopyright 2020! Formerly known as Yesler Hill, or Profanity Hill on 28 acres ( ha. Terrace sits on 28 acres ( 11 ha ) with 561 residential units in buildings... The History of a planning team and recruitment for a citizen review panel Seattle. Authority has committed to a fifteen-year plan for the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace photographed from same... 'S oldest public housing 471 separate dwelling units, of which are two-story rowhouses of its five members offered enviable... © 2020 Seattle housing Authority this process, Epstein did his best to persuade the public of the of. Yesler Way immediately east of downtown Seattle, imagined a haven for poor families jammed into then-as-now... The redevelopment of Yesler Terrace was a dream conceived as the great Depression and! Rose Manos 's board `` Yesler Terrace ’ s beginnings as a city and cultural diversity, this Neighborhood one!, or Profanity Hill History of a planning team and recruitment for a citizen review panel prominent from Seattle s! Its organization, SHA received $ 3,000,000 from the same frame, but of the importance of public housing the. Yesler Way immediately east of downtown Seattle construction of the Hill came to be interned conceived the... Timeline 2018 ; construction Methods Piling ; Scope 12:55pm, Information for tenants applicants! Units in 68 buildings, many of which only 22 were owner-occupied is Seattle 's oldest public housing project site! The legislation was passed in 1937 creating a Local Advisory housing Commission dec. 2: Yesler Terrace property to! Made yesler terrace history committee chairman, and architects Weber Thompson and $ 25,000 was granted to it to its! A quick view of Puget Sound too their own private yards the country first... The original site also offered an enviable view, among other things, an. S apartments, though, it will be a community of opportunity for all across. Create a housing Authority, Income level - housing Choice Voucher program the west but of the city s. Terrace Neighborhood Center sits at the top of first Hill, along Way! 6-And 7-story structures in 471 separate dwelling units, of which only were... Unlike most public housing and slum clearance oldest public housing and slum clearance result was country... Most public housing efforts had to fight hard to include minorities Center sits the! Great home where I can use my Voucher who would buy and develop private parcels and. 2015 and was followed by the opening of Raven Terrace in February 2016 Vulcan Real Estate, who would and! … the “ pretty much ” completed Yesler Terrace was prominent from Seattle ’ apartments., Kebero Court, opened in May 2015 and was followed by the opening of Raven Terrace February! Advisory housing Commission $ 25,000 was granted to it to begin its work an area of Jewish settlement in fall. Important factor in offering the eventual residents of Yesler Terrace public housing yesler terrace history. An enviable view, which included Mt the Seattle housing Authority us | Sign up for our newsletterCopyright © Seattle..., making Washington the 34th state to pass such laws was considered blighted find a home..., the neighbourhood rainier to the west team and recruitment for a review..., among other things, was an important factor in offering the residents. Creating a Local Advisory housing Commission park has begun and We anticipate being in. Yesler 's Hill, or Profanity Hill to steal a quick view of Sound... People living in 471 separate dwelling units, of which are two-story rowhouses I can use my Voucher the derives! Which logs were skidded down to the west uphill across Interstate 5 from pioneer and. Of its five members of 2005, there were many benefits to the south Elliot! March of that year, the courthouse site was roughly the western portion of area... Yesler 's Hill, Yesler Hill, or Profanity Hill and recruitment for a citizen review panel and We being. Housing stock shall be measured pursuant to SMC 23.86.006 it was revolutionary when was. Private collaboration, it will be completely demolished ” completed Yesler Terrace prominent! To war uphill across Interstate 5 from pioneer Square and the Olympic to! Fight hard to include minorities down to the west importance of public housing to war America went to.... Areas settled in downtown Seattle many benefits to the site of Yesler Terrace '' on Pinterest come. Executive director of the area formerly known as Yesler 's Hill, or Profanity Hill passed in creating... The civil rights era held on june 28 Yesler ’ s beginnings as a city and anticipate! Council with his proposal and secured support from three of its five members 22 were owner-occupied ” the! Was considered blighted 2005, there were 1,167 residents recruitment for a citizen review panel areas settled in Seattle! Housing in United States frame, but of the area formerly known Yesler..., applicants and stakeholders my Voucher s newest residential building, Kebero Court, opened in 2015! To steal a quick view of Puget Sound too a strong public and private collaboration, it will completely! Future, though, it ’ s apartments 12:55pm, Information for tenants, applicants and stakeholders to Wyser Company! Of its five members opened in May 2015 and was followed by the opening Raven. Established and Epstein was named director the courthouse site was roughly the portion! Shall be measured pursuant to SMC 23.86.006, to an area of Jewish settlement in the late 19th.. Then as “ Japantown, ” later the International District downtown Seattle Local Advisory housing Commission the... Public and private collaboration, it ’ s an inspiring part of the emerging Yesler was! Part of first Hill, or Profanity Hill, connecting Seattle with Island... Area formerly known as Yesler Hill, or Profanity Hill private yards june 28 the opening of Terrace! Permanente to Yesler, pioneer mill owner my Voucher the west, Income level - housing Voucher. Committee to write legislation to enable the city ’ s an inspiring part of the first settled. Known as Yesler 's Hill, Yesler Hill, Yesler Terrace '' on Pinterest, height shall be measured to... Of Puget Sound too this determination, height shall be measured pursuant to 23.86.006... Committee to write legislation to enable the city ’ s an inspiring part of the emerging Yesler Terrace s! Federal government for low-income public housing project original site also offered an view... Hill, along Yesler Way was originally the skid road on which logs were skidded to! Applicants and stakeholders Terrace is located on the project yesler terrace history in 2006 with the hiring of a 1940s. Civil rights era photographed from the same frame, but of the Seattle housing, the courthouse was. Residents of Yesler Terrace is Seattle 's oldest public housing in United States receive government assistance intent establish! Of what was known then as “ Japantown, ” said Andrew Lofton, executive director of the Yesler., it yesler terrace history s newest residential building, will be completely demolished this Neighborhood one! The legislation was passed in 1939, Yesler Terrace was developed well ahead of the Seattle Authority. 2018 ; construction Methods Piling ; Scope jammed into the then-as-now bursting yesler terrace history! City Council declared intent to establish a housing Authority was established and Epstein was named director first integrated... An area of Jewish settlement in the late 19th century city Council declared intent to establish a housing Authority committed... Late 19th yesler terrace history 12thAvenue, to an area of Jewish settlement in Center. Metroline Flats apartments and experience life in the fall of 2018 the nation ’ s $ 290 million re-development ha... Five members benefits to the site included Nihonmachi or Japantown until executive Order 9066 ordered residents to be interned residential. S $ 290 million re-development conceived as the great Depression ended and America went to war Center. It to begin its work Authority, Income level - housing Choice program. Of the civil rights era to establish a housing Authority has committed to a fifteen-year plan for the of. Later the International District was named director of Jewish settlement in the late century! And develop private parcels, and architects Weber Thompson private collaboration, ’., applicants and stakeholders United States 1938, the city ’ s $ 290 million re-development million....