Land Development: By The Book

Who
Bank Owned Property
What
Land Conversion
Where
White Center/West Seattle
Why
Bank Owned After Foreclosure, Liquidation
Land Development

One of City Closers’ proudest moments was helping turn a distressed piece of property into the crown jewel of a neighborhood. No matter where you stand on the issue of homelessness and the drug epidemic in Seattle, there are often unavoidable realities that affect property owners, including squatters on vacant land.

One such parcel was along 107th St. SW in White Center, close to Mt. View Elementary. Previous attempts to develop the property were unsuccessful and the people using the land were resistant to move. While my zoning experts explored all available options for residential and commercial use, I personally went down to meet the distressed tenants and offer paid moving and storage services — a secure option for them to find a new, and hopefully better-suited place to live. Thankfully, they appreciated the compassion and the option, and agreed. We closed the land deal, paving the way for the city to build the beautiful White Center Library campus. Today, the property is a hub of community activity, providing education, opportunities, and services to area children, families, and a diverse group of area residents.