The Seattle Housing Authority has completed Sawara, its sixth new residential building at Yesler, a neighborhood near downtown Seattle that is being redeveloped by SHA into a vibrant, new mixed-income community. The building name honors Japanese culture in the neighborhood and can refer to a cypress tree or a type of fish.
The grand opening of Sawara included food, music and tours of Sawara. Speakers at the event were SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon, SHA Board of Commissioners Chair Sally Clark, HUD Regional Administrator Andrew Lofton, HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Richard Monocchio and former SHA Deputy Executive Director Al Levine.
Special honorees included, Mitch Cheatham, Ada Healey, Kent Koth, Al Levine, Andrew Lofton, Kristin O'Donnell, Norm Rice, Diane Sugimura, Ron Sims, Tom Tierney, Stephanie Van Dyke and in memoriam, Anne Fiske Zuniga.
Sawara features 114 one, two, three and four-bedroom units of housing affordable to people with low incomes. Its sustainable design includes photovoltaic panels to provide solar power to the building and energy saving appliances and ventilation systems. Residents will have access to a secure large central courtyard and playground, adjacent pocket park, underground parking and bike storage. Some of the apartments at Sawara are specifically designed for residents with hearing or visual impairment and others are “Breathe Easy” units designed for people with asthma and other respiratory health concerns. Sawara is part of Seattle City Light’s Exemplary Buildings Program and models energy-efficient, healthy and durable housing.
