[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27083-27084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-11265]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5408-N-03]


Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Yesler Terrace Redevelopment Project

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and 
Development, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) gives 
notice to the public, agencies, and Indian Tribes that the Seattle 
Housing Authority and the City of Seattle Human Services Department 
(Community Development Block Grant Administration Unit) have prepared a 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Yesler Terrace 
Redevelopment Project, located in the City of Seattle, King County, 
Washington. The project proponent is the Seattle Housing Authority 
(SHA).
    The FEIS is a joint National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 
Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) document. The proposed 
action is subject to compliance with NEPA because funds from the public 
housing programs under Title I of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
(HOPE VI, Capital Funds, Demolition/Disposition) will be used for this 
project (24 CFR 58.1(b)(6)(i)). This notice is given in accordance with 
Council on Environmental Quality regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, 
and with state and local SEPA regulations.
    The City of Seattle Human Services Department (City HSD) and SHA, 
acting jointly as lead agencies, have prepared the FEIS under the 
authority of the City HSD as the Responsible Entity for compliance with 
NEPA in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1437x and HUD regulations at 24 CFR 
58.4, and under SHA's role as SEPA lead agency.
    SEPA Compliance and Action: The FEIS satisfies requirements of SEPA 
(RCW 43.21C and WAC 197-11), which requires that all state and local 
government agencies consider the environmental impacts of projects 
before acting on those projects. Under SEPA, it is anticipated that the 
SHA Board of Commissioners will adopt a resolution approving a 
Development Plan for Yesler Terrace, and adopting the FEIS for SEPA 
purposes. Prior to Board action, the public is welcome to comment on 
the proposed project by mailing, faxing, or e-mailing comments to: 
Stephanie Van Dyke, Development Director of the Seattle Housing 
Authority, [email protected], P.O. Box 19028, Seattle, 
WA 98109-1028, (f) 206-615-3539.
    NEPA Comment Period: NEPA provides for a 30-day comment period on 
the FEIS. All interested Federal, state, and local agencies, Indian 
Tribes, groups, and the public are invited to comment on the FEIS. 
Comments relating to the FEIS will be accepted until June 9, 2011. Any 
person or agency wishing to comment on the FEIS may mail, fax, or e-
mail comments to: Kristen Larson, Project Funding and Agreements 
Coordinator, City of Seattle Human Services Department, CDBG 
Administration Unit, [email protected], P.O. Box 34215, 
Seattle, WA 98124-4215, (f) 206-621-5003.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Project Name and Description

    The FEIS analyzes the environmental impacts of the proposed phased 
redevelopment of the Yesler Terrace community to a mixed-use 
residential community on an approximately 39-acre area on the southern 
slope of First Hill in Seattle, Washington. The proposed project is 
generally bounded by Interstate 5 on the west, Alder and Fir Streets on 
the north, 14th Avenue on the east, and Main Street on the south.
    The proposed project would include development of a mix of 
affordable and market-rate housing, office and retail uses, as well as 
parks and open space, enhanced landscaping, improved streets and a 
system of pedestrian and bike improvements. All existing residential 
structures on the site would be demolished under the Proposed Action; 
other structures on the site may also be demolished. The existing 
Yesler Terrace community center would be retained. It is anticipated 
that the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace will take approximately 15 to 
20 years to complete.

[[Page 27084]]

    The proposed actions may involve the following: Comprehensive Plan 
Amendment, text amendment to the Land Use Code to allow a new zone for 
Yesler Terrace, street vacation, preliminary and final plat approval, 
adoption of a Planned Action Ordinance, Development Agreement approval, 
other construction and building permits, and other Federal, state and 
local approvals for redevelopment of the Yesler Terrace community.
    For additional background information on the project, please see 
the SHA Web site: http://www.seattlehousing.org/redevelopment/yesler-terrace/.

Alternatives

    SHA proposes to redevelop the Yesler Terrace community into a 
mixed-use, mixed income community. The FEIS evaluates the environmental 
impacts of seven alternatives, including a preferred alternative and a 
no-action alternative. The preferred alternative identified in the FEIS 
would include approximately 5,000 housing units; 900,000 square feet 
(SF) of office/hotel use; 88,000 SF of neighborhood commercial; 65,000 
SF of neighborhood services (including the existing Yesler Terrace 
Community Center); 6.5 acres of public open space; 9.4 acres of semi-
private and private open space; and 5,100 parking spaces within or 
under buildings.
    The FEIS evaluates the environmental impacts of each of the 
alternatives based on the following environmental elements: earth; air 
quality; water; plants and animals; climate change and greenhouse gas 
emissions; environmental health; noise; land use; relationship to plans 
and policies; aesthetics, light and glare, and shadows; historic 
resources; cultural resources; transportation; utilities; public 
services; socioeconomics; and environmental justice.
    The FEIS also responds to all comments received on the Draft EIS.
    To obtain a copy of the FEIS, visit http://www.seattlehousing.org/redevelopment/yesler-terrace/eis/index.html, or contact SHA or the City 
Human Services Department through the persons listed below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephanie Van Dyke, Development 
Director of the Seattle Housing Authority, 
[email protected], P.O. Box 19028, Seattle, WA 98109-
1028, (f) 206-615-3539.
    Kristen Larson, Project Funding and Agreements Coordinator, City of 
Seattle Human Services Department, CDBG Administration Unit, 
[email protected], P.O. Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215, (f) 
206-621-5003.

    Dated: May 2, 2011.
Mercedes M[aacute]rquez,
Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development.
[FR Doc. 2011-11265 Filed 5-9-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P