Yesler Terrace, Seattle facts for kids
Yesler Terrace is a neighborhood in Seattle, Washington. It covers about 22 acres. When it was finished in 1941, it was the very first public housing community in Washington state. It was also the first public housing area in the United States where people of all races could live together. This was a big step for equality.
The area used to be known by names like Yesler Hill or Profanity Hill. Today, the Seattle Housing Authority manages Yesler Terrace. Since 2013, they have been working to update the neighborhood. They are building new homes and community spaces for people with different incomes.
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What's in a Name?
How Yesler Terrace Got Its Name
The name Yesler Terrace comes from Henry Yesler. He was a pioneer who owned a lumber mill in Seattle a long time ago.
A street called Yesler Way was originally a "skid road." This was a path where logs were slid down a hill to the mill. The southern part of the hill became known as Yesler's Hill. Some people also called it Profanity Hill. This might have been because lawyers had to climb a very steep hill to get to the old courthouse, or because of the people who lived in the area.
Where is Yesler Terrace?
Location and Features
Yesler Terrace is located on the southern part of First Hill. It is just east of downtown Seattle along Yesler Way. It sits above Interstate 5, near Pioneer Square and the International District.
Before World War II, a part of this area was called Nihonmachi, or Japantown. Many Japanese American families lived there. However, during the war, these residents were forced to leave their homes. This happened because of Executive Order 9066.
Yesler Terrace covers about 28 acres. It has 561 homes spread across 68 buildings. Many of these homes are two-story rowhouses. Unlike many public housing areas, residents at Yesler Terrace often have their own small yards.
Who Lives in Yesler Terrace?
Community Demographics
In 2005, about 1,167 people lived in Yesler Terrace. The community is very diverse. About 38% of families were Asian or Asian American. Around 40% were African or African American. About 11% were White, and 3% were Native American.
Yesler Terrace's New Look
Modernizing the Neighborhood
Yesler Terrace was the oldest public housing project in Seattle. So, in 2004, people started talking about updating it. Other older housing areas in Seattle, like Rainier Vista and NewHolly, were also being updated.
In 2006, serious planning began for the Yesler Terrace project. The goal was to turn it into a mixed-income neighborhood. This means it would have homes for people with different income levels.
The Big Redevelopment Project
The big project to rebuild Yesler Terrace started in 2013. It is expected to cost about $1.7 billion. The plans include building 5,000 new homes. These homes will be for people with various incomes. The project also includes new office spaces and shops.
The new development will have at least 561 homes for people who earn 30% or less of the average income for the area. There will also be homes for those earning 60% and 80% of the average income. The Seattle Housing Authority is working with a company called Vulcan Real Estate on this project.
The first new building, Kebero Court, opened in May 2015. Another building, Raven Terrace, opened in February 2016. This is the largest redevelopment project in Seattle's history. It is expected to take up to 20 years to finish completely.
Getting Around Yesler Terrace
The neighborhood is also served by the First Hill Streetcar. This streetcar line opened in 2016. It helps people travel easily between Yesler Terrace, Capitol Hill, and the International District.
Before construction began, some residents of Yesler Terrace organized to share their concerns. They wanted to make sure that the redevelopment plans would not reduce the number of homes available for people with the lowest incomes.
