Rooted in Yesler Terrace: A Bold Blueprint for Urban Renewal
Reimagining Yesler Terrace
Yesler Terrace is a historically significant neighborhood connecting Downtown Seattle, First Hill, Little Saigon, and Squire Park that is undergoing one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment efforts in the Pacific Northwest. As the first racially integrated public housing project in the United States, it broke new ground and set a precedent for equitable housing nationwide. Today, it stands as an example of mixed-income redevelopment in a city grappling with affordable housing challenges and income inequality. Located on a hillside between Harborview Medical Center and the heart of downtown Seattle, Yesler Terrace occupies a prime location with both medical and urban infrastructure nearby.
Yesler Terrace’s modern transformation encompasses a wide range of residential and community-focused projects. Our firm’s contributions to the redevelopment include:
A Blueprint for Community-Centered Urban Redevelopment
Yesler Terrace was first developed in the early 1940’s by the SHA. By 2006, it was evident that Yesler’s infrastructure and its more than 500 housing units needed replacement. That realization sparked a citywide conversation. SHA brought together residents, neighbors, city officials, community partners, and the broader Seattle public to help imagine Yesler Terrace’s future. Out of those conversations a shared vision for a master plan emerged to transform the community — ideally located with access to jobs, transit, and medical care — into a model for community-focused urban living.
Finalized in 2012, the redevelopment plan features a mixed-income community containing 5,000 housing units, upgraded infrastructure (including new streets and pedestrian connections), and a variety of community amenities (such as Yesler Terrace Park, Yesler Community Center, and a variety of community gardens).
Building a Walkable, Connected Neighborhood
As part of planning the neighborhood’s transformation, SHA engaged developers in conversations about how to integrate their projects into the 30-acre site, with the goal of creating a cohesive and walkable community. Dubbed the ‘Green Street Loop,’ the neighborhood’s new street network breaks up the original superblocks and hill climbs, promoting walkability and safer traffic flow.
Sidewalks, curb ramps, and transit stops associated with each project are designed to be fully accessible, reflecting a commitment to serve residents of all ages and abilities. Additional elements to encourage community engagement include reconfiguring the street grid to accommodate pedestrians and transit, and incorporating interactive elements like benches, running paths, public art, and parks that serve as gathering places. These public spaces are intentionally designed to foster informal connections and support cultural expression, making the neighborhood not just walkable, but livable and vibrant.
Our work on the ‘Green Street Loop’ served as a model for our current project, the neighboring ‘First Hill Mile,’ which is centered around Providence Swedish Medical Center. Both projects required extensive coordination and planning to integrate pedestrian-focused infrastructure into dense, evolving urban environments — ultimately prioritizing safety, accessibility, and community connection.
Purpose-Driven Design
As engineers deeply involved in this evolving neighborhood, we recognize that our work extends far beyond the site line. At Yesler Terrace, infrastructure is a vital foundation for community well-being, equity, and resilience. Our collaborations here offer a glimpse into how thoughtful engineering and design shapes not just the built environment, but the daily lives of residents.
Photography Credits:
Aerial Photography, © Patrick Bennett; Hoa Mai Gardens © William P. Wright; Batik, © Michael Walmsley Photography – Courtesy of Exxel Pacific; Raven Terrace, Courtesy of Weber Thompson