DA LI Development USA - Seattle, Washington

ACED S.

As the first luxury high-rise to be constructed in Seattle’s Chinatown International District, KODA Condominiums is expected to trigger a chain of displacement for longtime residents, small businesses, cultural institutions, and community organizations from the historically redlined neighborhood. KODA, with units priced up to $1.4M, is out of reach for the majority of current CID residents, whose median income is less than $35K. It does not provide a single unit of affordable or family-sized housing that the CID community desperately needs. Though a more inclusive, community-led planning process could greatly mitigate the damage KODA is already causing to the delicate cultural fabric of the CID, Da-Li Development has repeatedly refused to hear the solutions that neighborhood anti-displacement advocates present. Instead, Da-Li, whose chairman recently called the CID “old, dirty, and poor,” is relying on facade decor and superficial gestures - such as participating in the Pioneer Square Art Walk and sponsoring the CID Block Party - to garner public support for their soon-to-be outsized presence in historic Japantown.

This is laughably inadequate substitute for harm reduction and true investment into the cultural ecosystem of the neighborhood, KODA’s choices here are an exemplary attempt at developer-led art & culture washing.

How Can KODA Do Better?

Seattle ACED endorse the following CID Community-determined solutions to mitigate the detrimental domino effects KODA Condominiums will have in the historic neighborhood:

-Commit to meaningful and ongoing dialogue and engagement with the full spectrum of stakeholders in the CID community.

-Include homeownership opportunities & units in Koda that are truly affordable at existing CID residents' income level (below 30% Area Median Income), and large enough for families.

-Commit to commercial affordability and bringing in small, locally-owned retail or services that are culturally relevant and affordable to existing CID residents.

-Contribute to a community mitigation fund that will go directly back into the CID.

-Share the rooftop terrace and other amenities with Hirabayashi Place residents to mitigate the blockage of light and air, and to show a good faith effort to be a good neighbor to the community.

-Commit to a public and transparent community-driven art process that involves artists and members of the CID and Seattle Japanese American community, who also have decision-making authority.

-Commit funds for the art process, community expertise, and local artists.

Julie-C

It is unethical and unprincipled to try to silence the community and it’s elders who just want to help mitigate the damage your development is doing to our neighborhood. Shame on KODA and Da Li.

I will change my rating when you:

Commit to meaningful and ongoing dialogue and engagement with the full spectrum of stakeholders in the CID community.

-Include homeownership opportunities & units in Koda that are truly affordable at existing CID residents' income level (below 30% Area Median Income), and large enough for families.

-Commit to commercial affordability and bringing in small, locally-owned retail or services that are culturally relevant and affordable to existing CID residents.

-Contribute to a community mitigation fund that will go directly back into the CID.

-Share the rooftop terrace and other amenities with Hirabayashi Place residents to mitigate the blockage of light and air, and to show a good faith effort to be a good neighbor to the community.

-Commit to a public and transparent community-driven art process that involves artists and members of the CID and Seattle Japanese American community, who also have decision-making authority.

Ene A.

Wm