The Project Files include correspondence at the federal and
local level, minutes of meetings, and financial information. Significant
projects include the Central Business District, Northlake, Pioneer Square,
South Seattle, Pike Place Plaza, and open space. Federal project numbers are
included in folder titles when known.
The Northlake Urban Renewal Project, also known as the
University Addition-Northlake Urban Renewal Project, was located within
one-fourth of a mile of the University of Washington campus. Primary land uses
for the project included development of housing, dining and parking facilities
for the UW, public and private utilities, and off-street parking. Relocation of
Northeast Pacific Street was part of the project. Work was initiated in 1960
but did not begin until 1964, in part because of legal action taken by property
owners regarding the constitutionality of the urban renewal law. Legal action
arose again in 1966 when the City was asked by the State Supreme Court to
justify conditions that would support "blight" within the project area.
Correspondence between the UW and property owners with the City is included.
Files include legal correspondence and property surveys as well.
The controversial nature of redevelopment plans for the Pike
Place Market is reflected in Willison's records. Correspondence from Victor
Steinbrueck, Friends of the Market, Allied Arts of Seattle, and citizens
describe the disagreements. Additional correspondence from business groups, the
Health Department, and others voice opinions about plans for the Market.
Housing, retail, and parking were some of the issues discussed. Information on
public hearings is also included.
The Pioneer Square Redevelopment Project records include studies
of the potential and economic feasibility for an urban redevelopment project in
this area. The survey and planning application for proposed development was not
submitted initially because of the area's non-residential character.
Eventually, application was made for a non-assisted project which permitted the
use of rehabilitation loans for property improvement. Willison' records contain
correspondence discussing this decision. As part of the planning, there is also
discussion of a ring road in downtown Seattle. The ring road is also discussed
in the records on the Central Business District. Some reports of the Pioneer
Square Advisory Committee are also included here as well.
The South Seattle Redevelopment project focused on utility
improvements and development of land for private industrial purposes. The
federal grant for $3,850,000 included land acquisition, relocation of people
and businesses, demolition, new construction, and utility improvements such as
sanitary sewers, storm drains, paving and underground telephone and power
lines.
The Yesler Atlantic project was designed to encourage
rehabilitation of existing structures in order to contribute to the improvement
of the entire area. The records document property acquisition and development
plans. Included is correspondence with the Yesler Atlantic Citizens Conference,
made up of property owners and tenants in the neighborhood who protested urban
renewal plans, and other residents, who were in favor of the efforts. Legal
information, background for hearings, and correspondence with neighborhood
organizations and consultants is included as well. The properties in question
were known as the Yesler-Atlantic "T". Work on another urban renewal project
area, known as the Yesler-Atlantic "U" was deferred because of the uncertainty
of the R.H. Thomson Expressway scheduled for construction south of East Yesler
Way after 1968.
