Huge New Development for Neighborhood
In 2003, King County engaged the neighborhood in a series of meetings and workshops intended to produce a site plan for the future development of the Youth Services Center site — 8.5 acres between 14th and 12th south of Jefferson Street. The result of that effort was a draft concept plan for new housing, retail, and open space north and east of the existing Juvenile Court office building. Because the Superior Court had decided to undertake a major planning process having implications for all juvenile and family court facilities, the YSC plan was put on hold pending the completion of the Superior Court Targeted Facilities Master Plan. Now, the County has completed the Court-specific planning process resulting in a decision to replace the tower building with a building, perhaps with twice as much capacity. The County also has advertised to seek developers who might be interested in partnering with the County in developing the non-Court portions of the property with new housing and commercial space. This is a huge piece of property in a key location in the Central Area. The details of how the property is developed and who is chosen to do the development are very important.
At the July 11 SPCC meeting representatives from King County will be present to discuss this upcoming project. All who are interested in seeing more active uses and preservation and expansion of the open space at the site are encouraged to take part in this discussion.