Community Package Coalition Secures Historic $82M Investment for Seattle

Back in January 2017, Cascade and seven other community organizations and groups agreed to jointly advocate for a fair public benefits package from the Washington State Convention Center (WSCC) Addition Project, a $1.6 billion investment in downtown Seattle — the largest development in the city's history. 

On Monday, Oct. 16, the Community Package Coalition announced an agreement with the WSCC following nearly a year of allied work: A suite of investments in public open space, active transportation and affordable housing worth more than $82 million. The CPC was joined Seattle Mayor Tim Burgess, County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Sally Bagshaw to make public this historic negotiation, which more than quadrupled what the developer had initially proposed. 

In addition to desperately needed funding for affordable housing and open space updates, Cascade is thrilled that the package will include $16 million for bike improvements, earmarked for building out the bike network on Pike, Pine and 8th Ave. Here is a breakdown of what's included: 

COMMUNITY PACKAGE PROJECTS — $61 MILLION

• Parks and Public Open Space ($15.5 million)
• Active Transportation and Mobility ($16.5 million)
• Affordable Housing ($29 million)

OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS — $19.5 MILLION

• Active Transportation and Mobility ($8.5 million)
• Public Art ($2 million)
• Historic Building Lighting ($1 million)
• ​On-Site Features ($8 million)

Coalition work is never easy, but through countless meetings, conversations and challenges, we stuck together and demonstrated how development can and should benefit the community at large. The agreement fulfills the vision put forth by the community: a set of interconnected investments in affordable housing, open space and walking and biking infrastructure that will ensure the expansion will improve the surrounding neighborhoods, and help the area remain livable as we welcome the many new visitors, staff and traffic the project will bring.

Please see the full press release for additional details.