The Dearborn Street Coalition for Livable Neighborhoods (DSCLN) has a simple mission: to provide an effective voice for the community in response to the proposal to redevelop the Goodwill site at Rainier Ave and Dearborn Street in Little Saigon. We are for healthy urban neighborhoods, sustainable development, affordable housing, a vibrant local economy with locally owned businesses, transit and pedestrian priorities, family wage jobs, development that is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and neighborhoods having a voice in the development process.

We have broad community support

DSCLN represents over 40 organizations including neighborhood groups in the International and Central Districts and north Rainer Valley, and business, housing, transit, labor, social justice and sustainability interest groups. We are pro development and do not oppose the redevelopment of this site. We simply request that it be done in a manner that is respectful of the nearby small business districts and surrounding residential neighborhoods. We find the current proposal flawed in many ways and our broad community coalition has been resolute in its call for an improved proposal from the developer. Add your voice to those requesting a better project.

We seek balanced development for our community

The current proposal does not fit the scale and character of the area, does not reflect the unique cultural diversity of the surrounding urban neighborhoods, is a threat to our local shopping districts (such as Little Saigon and 23rd & Jackson), is inconsistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, and is inconsistent with our own neighborhood plans. DSCLN believes that this represents irresponsible development in our community. But we also believe that there can be a better solution for the Goodwill site than that currently proposed.

We seek a balanced mix of retail, not a big box, formula retail project with over 90% of its retail square footage dedicated to shops over 5,000 square feet. We seek a project that doesn’t require over 25,000 automobile trips per day to already congested arterials. We would like to see more housing in the project, in particular a commitment to affordable family housing which is so desperately needed in the downtown core. Above all, we seek a signed agreement with the developer that ensures a more appropriate project that provides real benefit to the community.

We believe there is a better alternative

Since the developer is moving ahead with a proposal that we cannot support, we are using the city’s land-use processes to address the concerns of the community, and to advocate for an improved project proposal. We believe there is an opportunity for a better development to emerge from this process - one that serves the needs of Goodwill, preserves the character and cultural diversity of the area, and provides for healthier local economic activity. We have a real opportunity to influence an outcome that will define the quality and livability of our neighborhoods for decades to come.

To show your support for our efforts join a growing list of neighbors, business owners, and property owners that demand a better project.