To Burien City Council members and Port of Seattle officials:
The White Center Community Development Associations (WCCDA) was created out of a community desire to support neighborhood revitalization that benefits current and vulnerable residents in our neighborhood.
Our mission supports both affordable housing and economic development in our changing neighborhood and we understand how, often, there is complexities in supporting both. We have utilized the term "equitable development" or "investment, without displacement" in our efforts to build responsibly in our community.
Firstly, we know our region is in a housing crisis, and the opportunity to retain affordable housing that is decent and well managed is critical. Now is the time to secure affordable housing, not once property values soar!
White Center is already experiencing gentrification and we know our surrounding neighborhoods to our south must also prepare for such changes ahead. We urge you to reconsider the demolition of Lora Lake Apartments and work with the King County Housing Authority and partners to save the housing units.
We know Burien has designated unincorporated North Highline (which includes White Center) as a potential annexed area; therefore, we are particularly interested in the outcome of this issue.
Secondly, we hope there can be a compromise promoting the real economic development opportunities for the city of Burien. The city of Burien deserves to be the kind of sustainable city you want to be.
However, we urge you to conduct responsible redevelopment studies analyzing the retail and revenue-generating potential of this Lora Lake site, prior to demolishing housing units, and determine best public benefit and maximized efficiency.
WCCDA, through our partnership with Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA), may be able to assist the City of Burien in longer term affordable housing strategies as well; one that considers economic development and sustainability as part of the comprehensive vision.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
Aileen Balahadia
Executive Director
