The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project

What is the Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project?

The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project is a lush, undeveloped 14.3-acre plot of land (officially known as Brooks Village) just north of Grocery Outlet in Skyway off Renton Ave S and across from S116th Pl. Skyway Coalition, Homestead Community Land Trust, and Community Land Conservancy are working on an innovative community development on a section of the property.

The site allows for about 57 new homes, which will allow first-time buyers to own affordable homes that remain affordable to future owners. The surrounding green space has the potential for walking trails, urban farming to help address food insecurity, and opportunities for green job training programs. To reduce the harms of displacement, the Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project will prioritize current and former residents of Skyway who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

What Makes This Project Innovative?

Its innovative approach to integrating affordable homeownership with community green space development sets this project apart. The Homestead Community Land Trust, Skyway Coalition, and Community Land Conservancy partnership creates a unique opportunity to address sustainable homeownership and access to nature.

This project will be the largest of its kind in King County, developed and managed by community-led organizations dedicated to the well-being of Skyway's Black, Indigenous, and People of Color residents, both current and displaced. Our goals include: 

  • Promoting community land and homeownership

  • Collaborating with government and organizations

  • Implementing green building practices (such as Net Zero and Salmon Safe)

  • Reducing carbon emissions and conserving wetlands and other natural habitats

  • Addressing food insecurity through urban farming

This proposed 'Ecological Masterplanning' can serve as a model for slowing climate change and addressing its impacts through urban and suburban development. By combining green and grey infrastructure, onsite green jobs training, hyperlocal environmental stewardship, and urban farming, we plan to achieve significant and lasting social, economic, health, and environmental benefits.

What is a Community Land Trust?

A community land trust (CLT) is a nonprofit organization that holds land for community benefit. It makes homes affordable to income-qualified households and keeps them permanently affordable for future generations. The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project aims to provide affordable homeownership, promote community development, and preserve land for long-term public benefit. Community land trusts are democratically governed by people who live in the homes on land in trust.

Several years ago, community advocates and residents identified Homestead Community Land Trust as a trusted partner to develop and steward homes in Skyway. The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project offers lasting benefits, preventing displacement and enabling wealth building through ownership while providing ongoing homeowner support.

The green space

A green space is a public outdoor area. It can include areas for urban farming, nature paths, gathering spaces, water features, art, play equipment, urban forests, and so much more. This 14-acre property is a mixture of wetland and forest on the edge of the Seattle City Light power-line corridor. Approximately 11 acres of the site includes a mix of grasslands, forest, and wetlands. 

The wetlands and some buffer areas around it cannot be disturbed, but there is plenty of space for various public uses, known as "passive recreation." With the support of our Skyway neighbors, we can advocate to maximize the community benefits of this space. The southwest section of the property next to the power lines receives full sun and could become up to 3 acres of farmland. 

This project is an opportunity to advocate for training programs for local residents to be paid to care for the wetland and stream areas that can't be used for farming. These programs allow individuals to develop skills to access green jobs. Setting Skyway up for ongoing stewardship of this site will ensure that the community continues to drive the future of this green space.

The History of The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project

For decades, our community has advocated for affordable homeownership options and an accessible green space for a property officially known as Brooks Village. The community faced many barriers, making it difficult to move forward until now.

Who currently owns the land?

King County currently owns the parcel, officially known as Brooks Village. In December 2023,  Homestead CLT, in partnership with Skyway Coalition and Community Land Conservancy, was awarded the ability to directly negotiate for a land transfer to community ownership!

The Community Design Process

As an unincorporated King County area, our community must actively advocate for our needs and community vision in the absence of services and resources provided to incorporated cities. In this project, we aim to achieve affordable homeownership and equitable access to green spaces for the people of Skyway.

Our goal is to give voice to residents and create a community-driven design to increase: 

  • Affordable homeownership

  • Areas to play and gather

  • Local food access

  • Sustainable jobs and economic growth

  • Climate resilience and community health

  • Recreation and youth programming

Green Space Timeline

  • Summer/Fall 2023

    • Build connections with community and partners
    • Share information widely
    • Bring in stakeholders

  • January - May 2024

    • Impacted community gatherings
    • Present site info and constraints
    • Brainstorm visions & priorities
    • Ensure a wide reach of input

  • September 2024

    • Final community gathering
    • Share back with community

We Need Your Voice

Share what’s important to you

To design the future of the community green space surrounding the homeownership development, we need your thoughts. During the community design process, we collaborate with and advocate for community priorities to have the greatest collective impact on this one-of-a-kind development. Please take a moment to complete our quick survey.

Share Your Ideas

Do you have questions, concerns, or ideas that you want to share about the Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project?

Please reach out.

Upcoming Events

Participating in a Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project event offers an excellent opportunity to:

  • Delve into the project

  • Amplify your opinions

  • Connect with fellow community members

Your presence would be highly valued, and we look forward to seeing you at our next event.

The Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project team July 2023 including staff from Skyway Coalition, Homestead CLT, the Community Land Conservancy, Washington Farmland Trust, and Mithun. Starting top left: Sophia Toler-Smith, Katie Ruthenberg, Bennet Song, David Baker, Gurjot Kang, Debra Guenther, Eric Pravitz, Sean Watts, Hilary Aten. Starting bottom left: Hannah Wilson, Nancy Huizar, Kathleen Hosfeld

Meet the Skyway Homeownership and Green Space Project Team

Skyway Coalition - with and on behalf of the community of Skyway Greenspace Community Connectors:

Trusted Community Partners:

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Skyway Farmers Market and Bazaar