vacant land
Significant Challenges Growing in Plain Sight
Within a small 1/2 mile radius area of downtown Seattle (South Lake Union, Denny Triangle, and Belltown) there are over 33 privately-owned vacant sites. This amounts to nearly 1.1 million square feet, equivalent to the expansive size of 22 football fields.
"On their own, demolished construction sites might not appear to be a problem. However, when considered together, the scenario shifts significantly and the scope of impact becomes evident."
Traditionally, these sites remained unused for about three years before development began. Given the current economic climate and the rising costs associated with financing and labor, many of these sites will remain idle for up to twice as long.
This situation underscores a critical opportunity for social responsibility and urban renewal. By reimagining these spaces for temporary community use, urban gardens, or pop-up businesses, we can transform these idle areas into vibrant centers for social enterprise and community engagement, fostering a more inclusive and sustainable urban ecosystem.
* Vacant is defined as either an empty plot of land or where there is an existing vacant structure pending demo
**As of January 2024
Project Interim Outcomes
Address the challenges associated with vacant land across the city, including loss of economic opportunities, declining property value, safety concerns, and diminishing community space.
Stimulate business and retail in vacant areas to impact livability, safety, community and real estate values in the downtown core.
Provide entrepreneurs with the opportunity to test their business and reach new customers.
Support local businesses that want to experiment with retail formats.
Enable more flexible and affordable storefront space through repurposed shipping containers to overcome steep rental prices for commercial space in Seattle.