PROJECT REALITIES
Scroll down to read about your area of interest from the list
below.
>> Community
>> Design and Retail Development
>> Labor and Fair-wages
>> Environmental Impact
>> Traffic
>> Preserving Little Saigon
Community
Goodwill will receive a new training facility and retail store.
The facility is designed to help immigrants, the homeless and
others who have struggled with illiteracy gain a leg up in the
workforce. That provides an excellent opportunity for big
retailers to forge a relationship with Goodwill and create a
recruitment center for a population of people who would
otherwise find significant barriers to joining the workforce!
200 low-income housing units and 350 market-rate units. 50
of the low-income units are set aside for %50 median income
levels. According to HUD, an individual earning 27k annually or
two people with the combined income of 31k would quality for
the low-income housing. 50 are for 80% “work-force” median
income (40k annually), and the other 100 are for senior citizens
for 30% median income (16k). A local senior low-income
housing unit (The Leschi house) has a 65 person wait list –
senior housing is needed in our communities NOW. This
housing assures that EVERYONE has a chance to live and
thrive in our community. The developer has committed to
marketing the units to diverse communities and will mix the low-
income housing among the market-rate units so everyone is
truly incorporated.
Design & Retail Development
A condensed, urban street-scaled design which includes
pedestrian-friendly walkways, plazas, fountains, artworks and
gathering areas. The design will bring new life and continuity to
Rainer Ave. and Dearborn Street.
A variety of retail stores, restaurants and a grocery store: 50
stores are planned for the project. Two “big box” anchor stores
are included in the plan. Not all stores will be chain stores. In
fact, local mom-and-pop stores are encouraged and can
receive rent subsidies. Imagine a local restaurant like a Tutta
Bella, an independent book store or start-up organic tea shop
co-existing and benefiting from traffic drawn by larger retailers.
Labor and fair-wage issues
While we share some of the same concerns the coalition has
regarding the project, many issues voiced in the media by
coalition members been misleading, especially issues
regarding labor and poverty. Some coalition members feel the
presence of “big box” stores will spur poverty and gentrify our
neighborhood. The facts do not bear this out.
Facts about Target and Lowes, the two “big box” retailers
considered for the project.
Target is a leader in big retail for offering comprehensive
benefit packages, health care, advanced job training and career
advancement to all employees —including part-time. Target
has also won numerous awards for its visionary programs to
reduce waste and carbon emissions in their stores. They are
also philanthropic, supporting arts and cultural events in
communities they serve — so much so that Forbes named
them “Most Charitable Company”, 2005.
Lowes, the second big retailer sited is known for exceptional
401K matching plans, health and insurance benefits, and stock
options for employees — including part-time. Lowes is a
National partner of Habitat for Humanity and underwriter of
Habitat's Women Build Program.
Would these “big box” retailers really contribute to the
destitution the coalition warns us about, deny health care to its
employee’s and spur poverty in the area? We don’t think so.
Other labor issues
The developer will be using union-contract employees for the
construction and development of the site, is an equal-
opportunity employer and will seek out a diverse workforce.
Day labor station: The developers are willing to provide a day-
labor station on site if the surrounding community supports it.
Considering a home-improvement retailer, like Lowes is slated
for the project, there lies another opportunity for a community
of people to gain access to employment.
Environment Impact
Responsible construction and Environmental Impact Study
(EIS): Construction of the site will comply with the city’s new
“green factor” program which addresses water treatment
for auto run-off, energy conservation and low-impact
development. The project already has undergone intense
environmental scrutiny. The EIS has been prepared, reviewed
and finalized, with extensive community input.
Smart urban planning: To reduce suburban sprawl, Mayor Greg
Nickels announced that Seattle will need to increase its
population 60 percent by the year 2040, which will require a new
development model. Dearborn Street is a new model that is
making big retailers re-think store design on a condensed,
urban scale.
Access to 8 existing bus lines. Residents and shoppers can
opt for car-less traveling. The developer is committed to
advocating for extending the free bus zone, trolley and light rail.
Traffic
Traffic and congestion: The project will not double traffic on
Rainier and Dearborn. Using the figures in the EIS, traffic
volumes going through the intersection of Rainier and Dearborn
will increase by 17% (from 3807 vehicles to 4468). Traffic
volumes on Rainier increase by 15%, while traffic volumes on
Dearborn increase by 22%. Volumes at an often cited trouble
spot, 12th and Jackson, increase by less than 10%, and the
intersection operates at Level Of Service C, which is excellent
for the city of Seattle. Traffic volumes at Rainier and Jackson
will go up by only 6%. As part of the traffic mitigation, the
developer is improving three intersections around the
project, and adding a traffic lane on a portion of Rainier. City
engineers have reviewed and supported the EIS conclusions.
Preserving Little Saigon
Dearborn Street is near Little Saigon, a neighborhood of
Vietnamese professional offices, markets and other
businesses. Some opponents say the project will negatively
affect Little Saigon, but an economic impact study concluded
the project could improve the neighborhood’s business
climate. The study found that what Little Saigon needs is an
organized business network. This is why the developer has
offered to:
· contribute $50,000 to help form a Little Saigon Business
Improvement Area and contribute $50,000 annually to the BIA;
· help establish a Vietnamese Cultural Center ; and
· provide new landscaping throughout Little Saigon.
In May 2007, the developer held a charrette to discuss a public
art project for Little Saigon. The developer is working with
4Culture, Vietnamese-born landscape architect Andy Cao, and
artist and Little Saigon resident Daniel Mahalio.
Scroll down to read about your area of interest from the list
below.
>> Community
>> Design and Retail Development
>> Labor and Fair-wages
>> Environmental Impact
>> Traffic
>> Preserving Little Saigon
Community
Goodwill will receive a new training facility and retail store.
The facility is designed to help immigrants, the homeless and
others who have struggled with illiteracy gain a leg up in the
workforce. That provides an excellent opportunity for big
retailers to forge a relationship with Goodwill and create a
recruitment center for a population of people who would
otherwise find significant barriers to joining the workforce!
200 low-income housing units and 350 market-rate units. 50
of the low-income units are set aside for %50 median income
levels. According to HUD, an individual earning 27k annually or
two people with the combined income of 31k would quality for
the low-income housing. 50 are for 80% “work-force” median
income (40k annually), and the other 100 are for senior citizens
for 30% median income (16k). A local senior low-income
housing unit (The Leschi house) has a 65 person wait list –
senior housing is needed in our communities NOW. This
housing assures that EVERYONE has a chance to live and
thrive in our community. The developer has committed to
marketing the units to diverse communities and will mix the low-
income housing among the market-rate units so everyone is
truly incorporated.
Design & Retail Development
A condensed, urban street-scaled design which includes
pedestrian-friendly walkways, plazas, fountains, artworks and
gathering areas. The design will bring new life and continuity to
Rainer Ave. and Dearborn Street.
A variety of retail stores, restaurants and a grocery store: 50
stores are planned for the project. Two “big box” anchor stores
are included in the plan. Not all stores will be chain stores. In
fact, local mom-and-pop stores are encouraged and can
receive rent subsidies. Imagine a local restaurant like a Tutta
Bella, an independent book store or start-up organic tea shop
co-existing and benefiting from traffic drawn by larger retailers.
Labor and fair-wage issues
While we share some of the same concerns the coalition has
regarding the project, many issues voiced in the media by
coalition members been misleading, especially issues
regarding labor and poverty. Some coalition members feel the
presence of “big box” stores will spur poverty and gentrify our
neighborhood. The facts do not bear this out.
Facts about Target and Lowes, the two “big box” retailers
considered for the project.
Target is a leader in big retail for offering comprehensive
benefit packages, health care, advanced job training and career
advancement to all employees —including part-time. Target
has also won numerous awards for its visionary programs to
reduce waste and carbon emissions in their stores. They are
also philanthropic, supporting arts and cultural events in
communities they serve — so much so that Forbes named
them “Most Charitable Company”, 2005.
Lowes, the second big retailer sited is known for exceptional
401K matching plans, health and insurance benefits, and stock
options for employees — including part-time. Lowes is a
National partner of Habitat for Humanity and underwriter of
Habitat's Women Build Program.
Would these “big box” retailers really contribute to the
destitution the coalition warns us about, deny health care to its
employee’s and spur poverty in the area? We don’t think so.
Other labor issues
The developer will be using union-contract employees for the
construction and development of the site, is an equal-
opportunity employer and will seek out a diverse workforce.
Day labor station: The developers are willing to provide a day-
labor station on site if the surrounding community supports it.
Considering a home-improvement retailer, like Lowes is slated
for the project, there lies another opportunity for a community
of people to gain access to employment.
Environment Impact
Responsible construction and Environmental Impact Study
(EIS): Construction of the site will comply with the city’s new
“green factor” program which addresses water treatment
for auto run-off, energy conservation and low-impact
development. The project already has undergone intense
environmental scrutiny. The EIS has been prepared, reviewed
and finalized, with extensive community input.
Smart urban planning: To reduce suburban sprawl, Mayor Greg
Nickels announced that Seattle will need to increase its
population 60 percent by the year 2040, which will require a new
development model. Dearborn Street is a new model that is
making big retailers re-think store design on a condensed,
urban scale.
Access to 8 existing bus lines. Residents and shoppers can
opt for car-less traveling. The developer is committed to
advocating for extending the free bus zone, trolley and light rail.
Traffic
Traffic and congestion: The project will not double traffic on
Rainier and Dearborn. Using the figures in the EIS, traffic
volumes going through the intersection of Rainier and Dearborn
will increase by 17% (from 3807 vehicles to 4468). Traffic
volumes on Rainier increase by 15%, while traffic volumes on
Dearborn increase by 22%. Volumes at an often cited trouble
spot, 12th and Jackson, increase by less than 10%, and the
intersection operates at Level Of Service C, which is excellent
for the city of Seattle. Traffic volumes at Rainier and Jackson
will go up by only 6%. As part of the traffic mitigation, the
developer is improving three intersections around the
project, and adding a traffic lane on a portion of Rainier. City
engineers have reviewed and supported the EIS conclusions.
Preserving Little Saigon
Dearborn Street is near Little Saigon, a neighborhood of
Vietnamese professional offices, markets and other
businesses. Some opponents say the project will negatively
affect Little Saigon, but an economic impact study concluded
the project could improve the neighborhood’s business
climate. The study found that what Little Saigon needs is an
organized business network. This is why the developer has
offered to:
· contribute $50,000 to help form a Little Saigon Business
Improvement Area and contribute $50,000 annually to the BIA;
· help establish a Vietnamese Cultural Center ; and
· provide new landscaping throughout Little Saigon.
In May 2007, the developer held a charrette to discuss a public
art project for Little Saigon. The developer is working with
4Culture, Vietnamese-born landscape architect Andy Cao, and
artist and Little Saigon resident Daniel Mahalio.
Fuller Sears Architects Rendering Courtesy of Dearborn Street Developers.
Questions? Comments? Email info@godearbornstreet.com
Questions? Comments? Email info@godearbornstreet.com
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