Dear Roosevelt Community:  

 

The upcoming $70 million renovation of Roosevelt High School is one of the Building Excellence II projects passed by voters in February 2001. It is an important investment that ensures the School District can continue to provide the highest quality education for Seattles youth. It is also an opportunity for partnerships and renovation that is supportive of the neighborhood fabric and fulfills community goals for private redevelopment anticipated by the adopted Tomorrows Roosevelt Neighborhood Plan.  

 

The Tomorrows Roosevelt Neighborhood Plan identified many community goals, including ensuring business district vitality; preserving housing affordability; promoting redevelopment opportunities; and creating needed open space. Recognizing this, the city and the School District are working together to better understand the opportunities, leverage other potential development in the area, and ensure coordination with the Roosevelt High School renovation. We are aware of QFCs intent to either renovate their Roosevelt store or relocate within the district. Our first commitment is to develop a framework for potential future development that fits with the Roosevelt High School projects needs and supports the existing business district.  

 

We want to make sure the renovation of Roosevelt High School not only rebuilds a school, but also helps build community. We see the potential for:  

  • Good design for the renovation that fits the school into the community context.  
  • Shared parking for Roosevelt High School and other Roosevelt District uses.  
  • Affordable, workforce housing for School employees.  
  • Improved transit service with better access for pedestrians and bicyclists.  
  • Space for FlexCar, vanpool/carpool, bus layover, and other transportation improvements.  
  • Coordination with city projects and other area development.    

 

To achieve these goals, the city and the School District will be conducting a focused master planning effort in the coming months. We will ask community leaders to participate in this important strategy. Together, we can work to preserve what is important to the community and identify changes that support the communitys long-term vision for Roosevelt.  

 

Very truly yours,  

Paul Schell