Seattle Mayor Proposes Incentive for Office Conversions

Amid the ongoing housing crisis and the threat of loss of tax revenue, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is pushing to make it easier for property owners to convert commercial buildings for residential use. As part of his Downtown Activation Plan, Mayor Bruce Harrell has submitted new legislation to the City Council aimed at removing regulatory barriers for converting existing buildings from commercial to residential uses.

“As Seattle continues to evolve, we are committed to meeting the dynamic needs of our city, particularly in downtown,” said Harrell. “While we know there remains a need for office space, this effort will give us the flexibility to help optimize our built environment and create the downtown we want to see–a thriving workplace and vibrant community for families and residents of all backgrounds.”

The proposed legislation would establish clear guidelines for qualifications for residential conversions and provide broad exemptions from design development standards. Harrell also recently proposed land use code changes to increase density in neighborhoods throughout Seattle.

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