On December 18th, Seattle’s Office of Planning and Community Development released the draft Downtown Regional Center Plan, an area-specific component of the ongoing citywide One Seattle Comprehensive Plan update. The Downtown Plan outlines specific policies and actions designed to accommodate growth in the area over the next twenty years.
The Downtown Plan covers five distinct downtown neighborhoods: Belltown, Denny Triangle, Commercial Core, Pioneer Square, and the Chinatown-International District. Its primary focus is on expanding housing opportunities and related amenities, with less emphasis on commercial objectives. By 2044, the City aims to add 13,500 housing units to the downtown inventory and expects an increase of 60,000 jobs.
Key proposals in the draft include:
- Reexamining the Mandatory Housing Affordability program downtown
- Strengthening tenant protections
- Encouraging a diverse mix of residential unit types
- Relaxing street-level retail requirements
- Activating vacant spaces and land
- Enhancing public safety throughout the day and night
The public comment period for the draft Downtown Plan runs from January 2nd to February 2nd, and a virtual information session will be held on January 21st at 4:00 PM. Finalization of the Downtown Plan is expected at the end of 2026. Please contact Holly Golden or Layla Khademi with any questions about how the Downtown Plan may impact your project or property.