Old Pollution Threatens Apartment Project

By scott
(3 votes) (report abuse)
Documents
12th_Jefferson_factsheet3.pdf

The lot on the northeast corner of 12th & Jefferson has been vacant for almost 40 years. But a hundred years ago it contained a house. And in 1926 it was turned into a gas station that operated up until the 1950s.

Now that automotive history is threatening an affordable apartment project that has been planned for the corner by Capitol Hill Housing. An initial environmental evaluation verified the property's history back in January, and soil samples taken in September found "significant petroleum contamination" on the property:

  • Gasoline: 400 times the state cleanup standards
  • Benzene: 500 times the state cleanup standards
  • Xylenes: 2.5 times the state cleanup standards

The worse news? The contamination went down to the bottom of the test holes at 18 feet, while ground water runs as high as 15 feet, indicating that the contamination may have already migrated off site.

Capitol Hill Housing has received one estimate that it may take more than a million dollars to clean the site up, which would include digging a big hole and finding a remote location to store the contaminated soil. That's far more than is affordable to their budget for the project, so they're working with a variety of public agencies to find funding for the cleanup. So far, King County has come up with $215,000 from an EPA program, and more funds are being sought.

If the cleanup money isn't raised, the property will stay in the hands of its current owner: the city of Seattle. And it will likely remain a vacant brownfield for many many more years.

Previously: CD Faces Pollution from Gas Stations & Cleaners

tags: Development, Pollution, CHH, 12th & Jefferson + add tags
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location: 12th AveSeattle, Washington
posted on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 08:50 PM
last updated on Tue, Nov 10, 2009 08:51 PM
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not PC but it must be said bycynic2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Seattle U does not need 'affordable housing' put in so close to campus. 6 stories of cheap housing will be a big increase on traffic, suck up street parking, increase street crime, and generally make things more difficult for students and local residents. The Recovery Center already brings enough trouble to the area, without a housing project across the street. No sense in dragging down a neighborhood just as it starts to recover.
RE: not PC but it must be said byamysee2 months ago (2 votes) (report abuse)
Regardless of whether or not your statement is PC, cynic, it certainly isn't accurate. "Affordable housing" means apartments or homes for people who make less than 80% of the median income. 80% of median income in Seattle is just under $49,000, and I don't think people who make $49,000 are the people you're thinking of when you're thinking of the people who "increase street crime" and "drag down a neighborhood." In fact, having a 6-story building on that corner puts eyes on the street and helps prevent crime. It's vacant lots that attract crime.

Where traffic and parking are concerned, it's actually better to have affordable housing than it is to have market rate housing. People who need affordable housing are also likely not to have cars, or to have fewer per household than wealthier people. Plus, putting an affordable apartment building at 12th & Jeff puts residents within walking distance of jobs and stores, which lessens the traffic impact as well.

I really hope Capitol Hill Housing is able to raise the funds to clean up the site.

[here's where I got my income number, if anyone's interested: http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/NPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=1]
RE: not PC but it must be said bykstineback2 months ago (3 votes) (report abuse)
Hi, this is Kate from CHH, and I just wanted to let folks know that we have been working with the 12th Ave neighborhood on this project for the last year. It is a workforce housing project, which means that it will target people making btw 50 and 60 percent of area median income, about $30,000 for a single household. CHH is also partnering with Homesight to explore converting these apartments to affordable condos after 15 years, to increase home-ownership for working class people in the neighborhood, which relates directly back to one of the goals in the 12th Ave part of the Central Area Plan. This has been a dangerous vacant lot for far too long - almost all of the homeowners on Barclay Court have moved because of the crime and noise. This is a project that seeks to change the dynamic at this corner, to return it to the neighborhood and make it safe once again.
omg byyaboi2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Well numbers have nothing to do with anything whatever its i hope it looks presentable theres rather its houseing or a bisness it needs to be cleaned up. As far as crime it can happen anytime anywhere.
RE: omg byjoanna2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse)
thnx
toxic lot bylaurie2 months ago (0 votes) (report abuse) (reply)
Good - now there is no way to place more low income housing in this saturated area - just sprinkle some grass seed and call it good
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