Un-Missing Link

In addition to meetings with local officials, a tour of King County Housing Authority's Greenbridge neighborhood and a ride on the new light-rail system, during his August trip to Seattle HUD Secretary Donovan visited Rainier Vista to break ground for and, effectively, re-start work on the Seattle Housing Authority's new, 83-unit Tamarack Place, a mixed-use, low-income housing complex.

The project has been "stalled" for a number of years, "hammered", said the Authority, by "unfavorable development conditions" including rising construction costs, site issues and a bond and housing tax credit market that "dried up" as a result of the economic downturn. The Recovery Act, however, provided $13.5 million for the project, the "missing link," said Executive Director Tom Tierney, that will mean "up to 350 jobs for local residents" and more "sustainable and affordable housing." "We are starting," Senator Murray said, "another chapter in the success story that is Rainier Vista."

Construction of Tamarack Place is one of the last steps in the Authority's HOPE VI revitalization of a 65-acre site that was launched in 1999. When completed, Rainier Vista will contain a wide variety of high quality housing and amenities. Phase I of the project has been strongly embraced by both new residents and those who came back to the community after redevelopment. In April 2007, Rainier Vista received an award from Seattle Metropolitan Magazine for being one of the "10 Best Places to Live in Seattle."

"The work restarting at Rainier Vista is another example of the investments we are making to build affordable housing in America, create jobs and grow local economies," said Secretary Donovan during his visit. "The Seattle Housing Authority, and this development, are a model of the effective use of Recovery Act funds, creating as many as 350 jobs for local residents while building sustainable and affordable homes and a whole new community."

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