South Lake Union wins Sustainable Cities Award

Vulcan was selected as one of nine global winners of the inaugural Sustainable Cities Awards for their part in the redevelopment of South Lake Union. The awards, sponsored by the Urban Land Institute and the Financial Times, were announced today in conjunction with a conference on the subject in London.

The Sustainable Cities Awards honor global examples of ongoing programs that exhibit new ideas and perspectives for best practices in sustainable land use. The nine winners – representing both the public and private sectors – were selected from a field of 86 entries submitted from 15 countries.

“Because urban, pedestrian-friendly development is a key contributor to creating livable communities and combating climate change, Vulcan is doing its part to foster a transit-oriented, mixed-use neighborhood in South Lake Union,” said Ada M. Healey, vice president of real estate at Vulcan. “We’re honored to have our work recognized as a model for others around the globe to learn and adopt sustainability best practices.”

A cornerstone of Vulcan’s South Lake Union redevelopment efforts is to foster an entire neighborhood that embraces sustainability on all fronts – from buildings and parks to public transportation and green streetscapes. Vulcan is working with the City of Seattle to create one of the first certified green neighborhoods in the nation in South Lake Union, which has been accepted into the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Neighborhood Development (ND) pilot program. The LEED ND program promotes the location and design of neighborhoods that reduce reliance on cars, provide convenient access to jobs and services by walking or public transit, and promote more efficient energy and water use.

Three out of the nine award winners were from Seattle with the Cascade Land Conservancy and Kennedy Associates also taking home a prize. Seattle itself was a finalist, credited for having the most LEED-certified buildings in the country.

Click here to hear more about the winners.

BioTour Bus Outside of Alcyone

This blue bio-diesel beast was spotted outside of Alcyone this afternoon. Not only does it run on vegetable oil, but four photovoltaic panels power onboard electronic devices such as laptops, cell phones, cameras and stereo – and what's more – the interior has bamboo hardwood flooring!

What's it doing in South Lake Union? According to their website, they just made a stop at the University of Washington yesterday and plan on being in Iowa by Wednesday, May 14.

What's BioTour all about? You may have already guessed at it, but here's the mission:

BioTour is a journey that aims to enliven the Sustainability Movement while exploring the depths of America—the people, land and cultures. BioTour addresses the vital issues of climate change, environmental degradation and peak oil while presenting pathways toward sustainability in renewable energy and active democracy.

Check out biotour.org for more information. And guess what? They have a social network just like us! Join both to win extra points.

I couldn't locate the crew for an interview, but they were likely here to check out the p-patch and SLU's other green features.

Hope you enjoyed your time here and good luck on the rest of your tour. Come back and see us soon!

News Worth Reading

Forward-thinking Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin proposes "Local Food Action Initiative" aspires to link farmers with urban consumers, promote community gardens, and limit fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. [More]

Food prices rose 4% in 2007 and are forecasted to rise 4.5% in 2008. Reasons cited for the food inflation include rising fuel prices, emerging markets in China and India, the growing demand of biofuel, acts of God, and those pesky speculators. [More]

More biofuel criticism: The hype for alternative fuels is leading to the deforestation of the Amazon, according to Time magazine, causing a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. [More]

As auto sales wane in the face of a weakening economy and soaring gas prices, sales of hybrids could increase 30% according to automotive marketing and research company, Polk. Polk credits more options in the hybrid category, especially in the luxury and SUV segments—not rising gas prices—for the increasing demand. [More]

Rent in Seattle is at an all-time high, and still has room to grow (10 - 15%). Housing slowdown could help, however, as 2008 will be the first time in four years that new supply will outpace the amount of units converted into condos. [More]

Inhabit Modular Housing in West Lake Union

Photo: Seattle P-I

DJC ($) reports that Unico Properties is planning its first actual implementation of its modular housing concept introduced last fall on top of the Rainier Square building downtown called "inhabit" (pictured above). The project is planned for 1701 Dexter Ave in West Lake Union.

The P-I ran an article back in October about the pre-fab units one Unico official called the "the iPhone equivalent for housing". The projects have several green features including eco-friendly construction materials, efficient heating and cooling systems and other energy saving features. Developer Unico is reportedly researching several other urban in-fill sites in areas such as Wallingford, Fremont, First Hill and Capitol Hill. The units will be priced at the higher end of middle market initially and may move to the low end as the novelty effect wears off.


It's definitely a creative response to the rising costs of land and construction. If Unico is willing and able to pass on some of these savings to tenants, the inhabit units would be a welcome change of pace from the luxury apartment craze (and more) in terms of affordability as well as design.

For more information see Unico's website.

Starbucks changing the way Costa Rican farmers grow coffee — and live

Photo: Erika Schultz / Seattle Times

Friend of The Southlake, Manuel Valdes, wrote a great article in the Times about Starbucks' positive impact on the Costa Rican coffee trade.

Say what you want about the national chain store's effect on the local community coffee shop, but SBUX has been a positive force for change in Costa Rica's coffee trade — impressing standards for environmentally friendly fertilizers and soil-conservation practices, and paying farmers a premium for growing quality beans.

David Smith & Co

PSBJ did a profile on local biz David Smith & Co, the perfect place to find your next one-of-a-kind-hand-carved-century-old teak gazebo (list price: $10K). And if you can't find anything you like in the 14,000 sq. ft. showroom, he might let you pick over his 17-acre estate:

About 15 miles south of his store, on Vashon Island, Smith's hidden 17-acre property seems like a step back into time. And 8,000 miles away from Indonesia, it seems halfway to Asia.

The centerpiece is an antique Indonesian house, more like a pavilion, that's completely made of hand-carved teak, and that Smith had disassembled in Indonesia and put back together near his own home. The house, originally from Kudus, a town on the Indonesian island of Java, floats in the green of a spacious lawn.

It's a feel good story—Smith employs 100 in Indonesia where he has a second home and a factory. "This is his lifestyle; this is his practice. He has a whole village in Java that he is engaged in. He has a home there. He is a community member, and a community leader," says Amy Smith, Seattle interior designer.

Absent from the story was a critique of the Indonesian teak trade, or the sustainability of promoting antique products made of rare old-growth teak. David Smith & Co.'s popular outdoor furniture is harvested sustainably, however, and the article gives the impression that he has an overall sound practice.

South Lake Union Farmers' Market

Cascade People's Center (by Cascade Playground and the community p-patch) is organizing a farmers' market! Planned to open this spring, the year-round "village" market will feature local food, art, live music and activities for the kiddies. All booth fees will go towards the Center and EcoCascade. See how you can help.

Kapow! Coffee hit with rent increase

Photo: The Seattle Times

There was a story in The Seattle Times this morning about Kapow!'s rent tripling. Apparently, the Munro Family Trust wants to milk that 200 sq. ft. storage garage for all its worth. Owner Angela Baker will have to sell more S.L.U.T. t-shirts, pull espresso shots on the Lord's day, and raise drink prices for the first time in ten years to cover the increasing costs of milk and retail space.

The area's growth is good for most, but some small businesses are obviously feeling the crunch of competition and rising property values.