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Strategies for

Sustainable
Development:
Realizing the North Rainier Mt. Baker Hub
Living Community Challenge

Cristina Arias, Laren Barulich, Zack Crotty, Rahul Devanarayanan, Caroline Engle, Veronica Guenther,
Carolyn Hartman, Emily Heim, Mishu Pham-Whipple, Caroline Suttie
Our Starting Point
Place Vision Framework

Mount Baker Hub, Sustainable Living Community


North Rainier Development Challenge (LCC)
Urban Village

Goal:
Identify strategies for the Mount Baker Hub to use their
LCC registration to achieve sustainable development.
Our Research

2. Area 3. Case 4. Moving


1. Context
Analysis Studies Forward

Place Property Green Buildings Recommendations


Vision Assessment Neighborhood Plan Recap
Framework SWOT Analysis Energy
Section 1: Context
Place
Vision
Framework
Place: Key Features
Community Built Environment

Friends of Ethnic/Language Auto-dominated Vacant and


Mount Baker Diversity Landscape Underutilized Lots
Town Center

Mount Baker
Hub Business
Association

Link Light Rail


Station
Vision: Planning Timeline

1990s 2010 2014 2016


Seattle North Rainier HUB Rezone LCC Registration
Comprehensive Neighborhood
Plan Update Plan
Framework: LCC
OVERVIEW
The LCC is a holistic approach to community growth that requires all project
stakeholders to consider the real life cycle impact of layout, design, construction, and
operation.

ACTIONS
Advocate
Combine Resources
Provide Methodology

PETAL CERTIFICATION
Energy
Water
Materials
What makes the Living Challenge different?

LEED Certification Living Community Challenge

Theoretical energy efficiency Continuous energy efficiency

Water efficient appliances Natural closed loop systems

No restrictions on materials used Strictly guided material use (red list)

Lacks equity frameworks Equity is non-negotiable from housing


to employment

Optional imperatives Mandatory imperatives


Section 2: Area Assessment
Property Assessment
SWOT Analysis
North Rainier/Mt. Baker Village Property
Assessment

Utilizes City of Seattles established


boundaries for the North Rainier
Urban Village / Mt. Baker Hub
Examines current Parcel
Vacancies, Development,
Zoning, and Land Value
Evaluates Displacement Risk and
Opportunity Access from the Seattle
2035 Growth & Equity Analysis
Identified 116
vacant parcels

Most groupings
along Rainier
Ave corridor,
Mixed-Use
Commercial
___________

Identified 11
approved and
8 applied
developments

Disconnect
between current
development
and available
land
Core parcels
rezoned from
Neighborhood
Commercial to
Seattle Mixed-Use

Height limits
adjusted from
65 to 85-125
____________

Massive range
of land values:
$25000 to $35m

Stark contrast /
close proximity of
residential homes
to valuable rezoned
commercial core
Upzone of Core Parcels
Extruded to rezone max height
Large development potential
Directed into commercial core
Lowes Home Improvement
Seattle 2035 Equity Analysis

Displacement Risk Index Access to Opportunity Index


SWOT Analysis: Methodology

Opportunities Threats

Strengths Weaknesses

North Rainier
City of Seattle Urban Village
and Mount
Baker Hub
SWOT Analysis: Internal
Neighborhood Fast connection Sets stage for Momentum
Cultural capital voice Blank slate to downtown Green Hub Town Center builder

Internal Strengths
Community Vacant & North Rainier
Community Light Rail 2014 HUB LCC
Members/ Underutilized Neighborhood
Organizations Station Update Plan Rezone Registration
Diversity Lots

Internal Weaknesses
More inclusive Limited capacity Slow Resources better Massive
Exist due to Catalyst slowed
outreach transformation directed towards upfront
RB* by RB*
required due to RB* RB* investments

*Redevelopment Barriers (RB): lack of 1) public infrastructure investment,


2) City interdepartmental coordination, 3) private sector partnerships.
SWOT Analysis: External
Opportunities Threats
SDOT Denis Integration with Prioritization of Competing
Accessible Hayes development City Gov. other Urban Community
Mt Baker Brown Bag agenda Villages Groups
Stakeholders

UW Urban Parks and Opportunity for Developers Concerned with


Design and Rec, Open innovation and Property cost, no
Planning Space Gap community drive Owners sanctions

Mount
Contribute Environ- Need defined
Baker
expertise, rally mental Ask
Housing
interest Orgs.
Association

Environ- City Prioritization of Gentrifica


Trends

Green Necessitates Pattern of


ment Growth, max units or -tion,
Building development Low
Conscious Housing affordability Displace
Tech. Investment
Culture Shortage agenda -ment
Area Assessment Recommendations
1. Emphasis on Inclusive Development
High Displacement Risk, High Access to Opportunity
Community Diversity
Equity LCC Petal

2. Expand Capacity via Grant


Sheer Scope of LCC
Chronic Redevelopment Barriers
Volunteer Limitations
Section 3: Case Studies
Bullitt Center SoMA Plan Seattle District Energy
Georgia Tech Non-Motorized Policy 2017
Bertschi School Connectivity Study District Energy
Green
Licensing Funding
Buildings
& Funding
Takeaways Continuous Outreach
Development Ordinance
17709
Communicating Value
Directors Code 12-2016
Building Legacy
Neighborhood Plan Takeaways
Central SoMa Plan

Safe, convenient, and Explore funding for


attractive walking/biking park programming
environment

Preserve and celebrate Make building


culture and history frontages active

Seattle Non-Motorized Connectivity Plan


Cost-effective arterial New infrastructure
crossing is coming
Energy Petal Takeaways
Take advantage of new City policies!
Building Energy Benchmarking
Building Tune-Ups
Improve UW Laundry efficiency
Build Community Solar project

(United Nations Environment Programme: District Energy)


Section 4: Moving Forward
Recommendation Recap
Recommendations
1. Draw from Case
Studies

2. Emphasize Inclusive
Development

3. Expand Capacity via


Grants
Mount Baker Hub Festival, September 2016
Questions?
Thank you for listening.
Appendix
Green Building Licensing and Funding
Bullitt Center
Central District, Seattle
Green Building and Sustainable
Development Ordinance 17709
Green Building Standards
Directors Code 12-2016
Living Building Case Studies
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, Georgia
Construction starts in 2017
Living Building Challenge Certification 3.0
The Kendeda Fund

Bertschi School
Completed in 2011
Capitol Hill, Seattle
Community Funded (fundraisers)
Included all the Petals of Living Building
Certification 2.0
Central SoMa Plan Case Study
Addresses all petals

Key takeaways for the Mt Baker Hub North Rainier neighborhood


Increase affordable housing and job space
Vacant parcels
Favor non-residential space as well
Link Light Rail provides transport to work spaces downtown
Safe, convenient, and attractive walking/biking environment
Lighting, art, and bicycle parking
Explore funding for park programming
Federal and state funding, grants, and partnerships Parklet in Hillman City
Plan to establish an eco-district
Develop a strategy for an environmentally sustainable and resilient neighborhood
Preserve and celebrate culture and history
Preserve historical buildings
Make building frontages active
Lessen parking spaces and increase public space (examples: parklet, seating)
Connectivity Take-Aways

What influences mode choice


Connectivity limitations
Planned projects
Next year
By 2035
Implications for LCC
Addresses Place and Health/ Happiness petals

Key Take-Aways
Cost-effective arterial crossing
New infrastructure is coming
Petal Certification
PLACE
Location of new development & protection fragile areas
WATER
The resource is dependent on closed loop systems to create a net zero water waste
ENERGY
Renewable, pollution-free, and economical (105%)
HEALTH & HAPPINESS
Green space, community resource sharing programs, & preserve heritage spaces
MATERIALS
Non-toxic, local, and socially conscious
EQUITY
Must be accessible regardless of age, physical abilities, or socio-economic status
BEAUTY
Pursuit of a humane environment

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