Revitalizing Seattle's Broadway area by addressing public safety concerns, strengthening the business district, and creating redevelopment opportunities was the focus of a City-sponsored open house and public forum on May 24, 2004.

Held at Seattle Central Community College, the event explored options like providing storefront grants, improving the retail mix, and changing land use and zoning regulations. Proposed regulatory changes would:

• Reduce residential parking requirements for new construction to match anticipated demand (as indicated by the 2000 census)
• Adjust residential amenity requirements (e.g. balconies, roof-top decks, or exercise rooms)
• Address split zoning issues
• Increase height limits along Broadway from 40 feet to 65 feet

The open house featured seven presentation stations and was hosted by staff from the Department of Planning and Development, the Office of Economic Development, and the Seattle Police Department.

This strategy is the result of the City-sponsored Economic Development Study, 2000 Census data, an open space survey sent to tenants, and an open space study (electronic version coming soon).