On October 5, we celebrated the grand opening of Africatown Plaza, a powerful new addition to Seattle’s Central District. In partnership with Africatown Community Land Trust, this development building is a demonstration of years of community-driven planning and collaboration.
Rooted in history
Seattle’s Central District has been the center of Black and African diaspora life in Seattle for over a century. However, in recent decades the once-majority Black population in the neighborhood plummeted, longstanding businesses closed, and cultural anchors were displaced. Africatown Plaza is a critical player in the placemaking renaissance happening in the historic 23rd & Union area. It aims to combat these historical inequities and fight displacement by creating 126 affordable apartments for households earning up to 60% of the area median income.
“Africatown Plaza marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to secure a place in Seattle’s future for the Black community that has called the Central District and Seattle home for over 140 years,” said K. Wyking Garrett, President and CEO of Africatown Community Land Trust. “This development not only provides affordable homes but also celebrates our culture and history, ensuring that the legacy of the Black community in this area is preserved and strengthened for future generations.”
Rooted in community
Africatown Plaza breaks away from the typical Seattle multifamily development. Its distinct design by David Baker Architects, GGLO Design, and Laurie Wilson make a statement. Every wave and curve of its facade illustrates a story of resilience, cultural preservation, and where the community is headed. Featuring family-sized apartments and local art by Moses Sun and Jasmine Brown, this project is about more than housing. It’s about rooting community.
Nearly half of participating subcontractors were owned by people of color. It exceeded the high standard set by the Liberty Bank Building, where 30% of subcontracting work was performed by WMBE partners. The project partners intentionally recruited minority-owned businesses in the design and construction work to reflect and affirm the pan-African community. The general contractor is a joint venture of Absher Construction and African American-owned M.A.D. Construction.
“Community Roots is proud to partner with ACLT to deliver Africatown Plaza to the Central District,” said Christopher Persons, CEO of Community Roots Housing. “This project offers an opportunity to expand on the success of Liberty Bank Building in countering the deplorable legacy of racist redlining practices in the neighborhood. It ensures this historic area is not just a static monument to the African American community that built it, but a place to build a thriving, dynamic future.”
Once its office space has been built out, Africatown Community Land Trust will move its organizational headquarters into the building. We’re honored to be part of this effort to build a future where affordability, culture, and history stand together.
Learn more about the development and how to apply here: www.africatownplaza.org
