Community Renewal is a tool to revitalize urban districts. Technological and social changes, aging infrastructure and buildings, obsolete planning, and other factors can work together to inhibit healthy growth and change. Cities like Shoreline and Tukwila are using this tool to help revitalize areas challenged by similar issues.
Under community renewal rules, cities can play a more active role than normal to remove barriers to positive change. Typically, cities must sell surplus properties to the highest bidder, with little consideration of community goals. By designating a community renewal area, a City can acquire, transfer, and sell property for projects that meet community needs, support local businesses, or catalyze investment. A City can also assist property owners, tenants, and residents affected by any renewal project; as well as provide incentives for job creation and retention and to tenants who help fulfill the community renewal plan.
State law (RCW 35.81) allows cities to designate “community renewal areas” (CRAs) where special interventions are needed to stop problematic trends.
Community renewal involves:
• studying the area
• talking with stakeholders
• Identifying longstanding problems or “blight”
• developing a community renewal plan to address problems
This new opportunity would build on previous corridor planning efforts, including the Highway 99 Subarea Plan and Highway 99 Revitalization infrastructure project.
Some parts of the Highway 99 corridor face persistent challenges:
• Vacant or obsolete buildings
• Unsafe intersections
• Significant levels of crime
As more homes are built near the highway, the City is looking for ways to improve quality of life, address long-standing issues, and accelerate desired changes.
For comprehensive information about the 2017 Highway 99 Subarea Plan and Community Renewal, please visit the Highway 99 Community Renewal Plan page.