Template revised September 22, 2016.
COMMISSION
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
Item No.
3c
ACTION ITEM
Date of Meeting
September 12, 2017
DATE: August 25, 2017
TO: The Port Commission and Interim Executive Director Dave Soike
FROM: Veronica M. Valdez, Commission Specialist
SUBJECT: Proposal to locate Tent City 5 on Tsubota property
Amount of this request: $0
ACTION REQUESTED
Request Commission public hearing and authorization for the Executive Director to execute a
lease agreement with the City of Seattle for a temporary sanctioned encampment for the
homeless at the Tsubota site located at 1601 15
th
Avenue West, Seattle.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, the Commission was briefed on the City of Seattle and King
County’s comprehensive approach to the region’s homelessness crisis. They highlighted the
most pressing need is property to house sanctioned homeless encampments in the region. In
November, the City’s sanctioned encampment Tent City 5 will reach its two-year limit in its
current location in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood. The City is looking for an alternative
location to relocate the encampment. Community supporters and residents of Tent City 5
requested the Port consider the Tsubota property, located at 1601 15
th
Avenue West, Seattle,
WA, as a temporary location for a sanctioned encampment. The Commission directed Port staff
to work with the City to assess the Tsubota property and determine if it can be useful in
addressing the homelessness crisis in the region.
JUSTIFICATION
As an economic development agency, the Port of Seattle is responsible for spurring our regional
economy, sustaining and creating family-wage jobs by supporting small businesses, workforce
development, tourism and leveraging real estate development to create jobs. As part of this
responsibility, the Port recognizes there are two distinct issues that our entire community is
concerned with: 1) Emergency needs of the current homeless population; and 2) Affordable
housing in our communities. The Port is interested in playing a helpful role in addressing
homelessness in our community.
The Commission heard testimony from Tent City 5 residents and supporters at its July 25, 2017,
meeting. The Commission requested a presentation from the City of Seattle and King County
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _3c___ Page 2 of 3
Meeting Date: September 12, 2017
Template revised September 22, 2016.
on homelessness issues at their August 8, 2017 public meeting. The Commission directed Port
staff to work with the City and assess if the Tsubota property can be useful to the City. The City
and the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI), who contracts with the City to manage the
sanctioned encampments, did a site visit to the Tsubota property on August 18, 2017. It was
determined that the Tsubota property meets the City’s requirements for a sanctioned
encampment.
Under RCW 53.08.080, the Port may lease its real and personal property “for such purposes and
upon such terms as the Port Commission deems proper.” in response to Tent City 5 closing in
November 2017.
DETAILS
The objective of the lease agreement is to lease the City of Seattle approximately 18,000 square
feet of vacant land to enable the City of Seattle to temporarily house a sanctioned encampment
on a portion of the Tsubota property for one year with an option to extend for one year.
According to City of Seattle Ordinance Number: 124747, a permit for a transitional
encampment interim use may be authorized for up to one year form the date of permit
issuance. A permit for a transitional encampment may be renewed one time for up to one year.
The City of Seattle intends to use the Tsubota property for up to 35 tiny structures and
additional tents to accommodate up to 80 residents and their pets, where applicable.
Schedule
Activity
Permit Issuance
October/November 2017
Move-In Date
Mid-November 2017
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
Alternative 1 – Do not authorize to execute this lease agreement with the City of Seattle
Cost Implications: Zero
Pros:
(1) No impact on the Port’s budget.
(2) No impact on staff time with respect to implementation.
Cons:
(1) Negative implication on our relationship with local government.
(2) Negative implication on our relationship with community supports of homeless
encampments.
This is not the recommended alternative.
COMMISSION AGENDA – Briefing Item No. _3c___ Page 3 of 3
Meeting Date: September 12, 2017
Template revised September 22, 2016.
Alternative 2 – Authorize to execute this lease agreement with the City of Seattle
Cost Implications: Zero
Pros:
(1) Tent City 5 residents to relocate to Tsubota property from current location before
expiration of permit for current location.
(2) Strengthens our relationship with the City of Seattle.
(3) Available space on Tsubota property to be put to temporary use.
Cons:
(1) Impact on staff time with respect to executing lease agreement.
This is the recommended alternative.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
All cost of this lease agreement will be borne by the tenant.
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING
1. Draft Lease Agreement
2. Presentation Slides
3. Map of Tsubota Property
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS
February 14, 2017 – The Commission was briefed on regional efforts to address
homelessness and winter shelter needs. Presenters included Alison Eisinger, Director of the
Coalition on Homelessness; Scott Moorhouse, Off-Site Shelter Programs Director, Salvation
Army; and Mark Ellerbrook, Manager, King County Regional Housing & Community
Development.
July 25, 2017 – Commissioners requested a briefing from the City of Seattle and King County
on their strategy to address the homelessness crisis in King County in response to testimony
received from the public on the issue of Tent City 5 reaching its two-year limit in its current
location in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood.
August 8, 2017 – The Commission was briefed on the City of Seattle and King County’s
comprehensive approach to the region’s homelessness crisis. Presenters included: Seattle
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw; Mark Putnam, Executive Director, All Home; Mark
Ellerbrook, King County, Department of Community and Human Services; George Scarola,
City of Seattle, Director of Homelessness;
