information from Community Roots Housing

Community Roots Housing, in partnership with the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA), is proposing plans for a redevelopment of four parking lots in West Seattle.

On October 21, the organizations will host a virtual community meeting to gather input on the proposal. 

The redevelopment plans would convert the four parking lots into affordable housing, including one building for senior housing, a 6,500 square-foot business incubator space, and replacement public parking. The housing would service incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. 

“At Community Roots Housing, we believe in community-led development,” said Christopher Persons, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “We are committed to listening to and responding to the needs and priorities of the West Seattle neighborhood while creating more affordable homes to combat the Seattle housing crisis.” 

Currently, the lots are owned by the West Seattle Trusteed Properties ((WSTP) and managed by WSJA under a lease with 17 years remaining. In April, Community Roots Housing submitted an offer to purchase the parking lots at the appraised value of the land. The City of Seattle Office of Housing has agreed to provide an acquisition loan to buy the property and convert the parking lots into affordable housing. WSTP, is expected to take a vote on the sale at an October 28 member meeting though in the most recent meeting minutes no vote on the proposal was included specifically for the meeting agenda. 

“Input from the community will be a guiding factor as we begin to craft the vision for the Junction parking parcels,” said Lora Radford, Executive Director of the West Seattle Junction Association. “Being within an urban village, the critical development decisions that will impact future generations of West Seattleites is here and now. The value of early community voices is important to build and sustain a downtown that will have vision, history, heart, and soul.” 

Community Roots Housing is a mission-based Public Development Authority chartered in the City of Seattle that creates affordable and workforce housing. Over the past year, Community Roots has been in community and stakeholder discussions about the property. 

“West Seattle Junction is the beating heart of the neighborhood, and we have a generational opportunity to transform and strengthen this community by welcoming new affordable housing, senior housing, expanded community space, and a small business incubator,” said city of Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold. “I’m excited to see these plans begin to take shape under the leadership of the West Seattle Junction Association and Community Roots Housing. I look forward to learning more and hearing from community members at Thursday’s open house.” 

Community Roots Housing 

Everyone has the right to a quality, affordable home. At Community Roots Housing, this truth drives our work. By embracing community-led development and engaging in deep-rooted partnerships, we’re fostering vibrant, equitable communities where everyone has access to safe, affordable, and welcoming homes. Today, with nearly 50 apartment buildings and over 2,000 residents, we continue our commitment to build community with and for people. Learn more at communityrootshousing.org 

West Seattle Junction Association 

The mission of the West Seattle Junction Association is to develop, encourage, promote, and participate in activities that enhance a healthy economic, social, and environmental climate for the West Seattle Junction community. Junction businesses, from specialty shops to small retail chains, are supported broadly by the WSJA in their outreach efforts to attract shoppers for recreational, dining and retail purposes. The WSJA was established as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Business Improvement Area in 1987 and today it serves over 225 business owners in the area. The WSJA encourages the sustainable evolution of its business-friendly environment by representing business issues and fostering connections with City officials to vet relevant issues. Learn more at wsjunction.org