Amidst the current housing crisis and potential loss of tax revenue, Seattle’s Mayor Bruce Harrell is advocating for easier conversion of commercial buildings into residential units. As part of his Downtown Activation Plan, Mayor Harrell has introduced new legislation to the City Council with the goal of removing regulatory barriers that hinder such conversions.
According to Harrell, “As Seattle continues to evolve, it is crucial that we meet the changing needs and demands of our city. This includes downtown where we aim to create a thriving workplace and vibrant community for all residents.” The proposed legislation outlines specific criteria for qualifying residential conversions while also providing exemptions from design development standards. Additionally, in an effort to increase density throughout Seattle’s neighborhoods, Mayor Harrell has recently suggested changes in land use codes.
This article was originally published on Connect CRE.
