Didn’t Henry Yesler have a vision? Yesler Terrace stands here today because of him. It’s a place with a rich history. It began as Seattle’s first public housing development. Even more groundbreaking, it was the first racially integrated public housing in the U.S. This happened back in 1941.
Yesler Terrace sits on what was once called Yesler’s Hill or even Profanity Hill. The name “Profanity Hill” might come from frustrated folks cursing the steep climb. They struggled up here after missing the cable car. Others say it came from the uncouth inhabitants to the south.
Henry Yesler was a pioneer mill owner. Yesler Way was the skid road for logs going to his mill. Yesler Terrace is located on the southernmost part of First Hill. It’s just east of downtown Seattle. It is uphill from Pioneer Square and the International District, across Interstate 5.
Before Yesler Terrace, much of this area was Nihonmachi or Japantown. Executive Order 9066 forced residents into internment camps. Yesler Terrace covers 28 acres. It has 561 homes in 68 buildings. Many are two-story rowhouses. Residents had their own private yards, unlike most public housing.
The Yesler Hillclimb connects Yesler Terrace to the International District’s Little Saigon. It features a ramp, staircase, and mosaics. As of 2005, about 1,167 people lived here. The population was diverse. Around 38% were Asian or Asian American. 40% were African or African American. 11% were White. Just 3% were Native American.
The redevelopment of Yesler Terrace started in 2013. The plan was to create a mixed-income neighborhood. It would have multi-story buildings and community spaces. The project costs $1.7 billion. The goal was to replace the old homes with 5,000 new residential units. There would be 900,000 square feet of office space. Also planned were 153,000 square feet for retail and community use.
The new Yesler Terrace includes affordable housing. Some units are for those earning 30% of the area median income. Others are for those earning 60% or 80%. The Seattle Housing Authority partnered with private developers. Vulcan Real Estate helped build market-rate housing.
Kebero Court was the first new building. It opened in May 2015. Raven Terrace followed in February 2016. The whole project could take up to 15 years. The First Hill Streetcar started running in 2016. It connects Yesler Terrace to Capitol Hill and the International District.
Early on, Yesler Terrace residents worried about redevelopment. They didn’t want to lose units for the lowest-income residents. Yesler Terrace is served by Seattle Public Schools. These include Bailey Gatzert Elementary, Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School.
Jesse Epstein, a young attorney, was important in creating the Seattle Housing Authority. He persuaded Mayor Arthur Langlie to support housing reform. Epstein helped Seattle get federal funds for slum clearance and low-income housing. An ordinance in 1937 created a Local Advisory Housing Commission. Epstein became the chairman. The goal was to address unemployment and improve housing.
In 1938, the City Council wanted to establish a housing authority. Epstein drafted a bill allowing housing authorities in every city and county. Washington became the 34th state to pass such laws in 1939. The Seattle Housing Authority was created. Epstein was named director.
Epstein emphasized that other states were ahead of Washington. They were already using federal aid for low-income housing projects. The SHA soon received $3,000,000 from the federal government. This was for low-income public housing and slum clearance.
Yesler Terrace offers amazing views. You can see Mt. Rainier to the south. To the west, you can see Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. The developers hoped this view would give residents pride. Today, Yesler Terrace continues to evolve. It is a neighborhood with a unique past. It is a place of hope and opportunity for many.