CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION granting conceptual approval to install, maintain, and operate a pedestrian skybridge over and across 8th Avenue, north of Cherry Street; as proposed by FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline, in the First Hill neighborhood.
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WHEREAS, FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline (“Skyline”), an organization committed to improving the lives of older adults by integrating housing and community services; and
WHEREAS, Skyline developed its original facility (“Cascade Tower”) providing 275 independent senior residential units, 105 units for residents needing assisted living, memory support, rehabilitative care, or skilled nursing, and other amenities for the residents; and
WHEREAS, Skyline developed its second facility (“Olympic Tower”) providing 77 independent senior residential units and amenities including an auditorium, fitness center, restaurant, and other services; and
WHEREAS, Skyline applied for permission to construct, maintain, and operate an above-grade private pedestrian skybridge over and across 8th Avenue, north of Cherry Street (“Pedestrian Skybridge”); and
WHEREAS, Skyline, at the request of building residents, wishes to connect Cascade Tower and Olympic Tower to support connectivity and resident safety, access to services, and support community and family activities with the Pedestrian Skybridge; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 15.64 requires public benefits to offset the impact of the Pedestrian Skybridge on the adjacent public realm and Skyline worked with the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) and the Seattle Design Commission and is proposing the following public benefits:
A. Open space improvements and activation on 8th Avenue adjacent to its building, including new plantings, furnishings, and pet relief area;
B. Integrated public art in the enhanced 8th Avenue landscape area;
C. Pedestrian improvements at 8th Avenue and Marion Street, including extending the existing curbs and curb ramps; and
D. Interpretive wayfinding signage for the Park to Park Loop project; and
WHEREAS, Skyline presented the proposal, including public benefits, to the Seattle Design Commission on May 2, 2024, and October 17, 2024, and the Seattle Design Commission recommended approval of the Pedestrian Skybridge and public benefit proposal; and
WHEREAS, Skyline is responsible for obtaining permits, installing and maintaining the public benefits, and any changes to this proposal requires SDOT review and SDOT may request the Seattle Design Commission review; and
WHEREAS, in making a recommendation, the Director of SDOT considered the plans and application materials submitted by Skyline to construct the Pedestrian Skybridge and the Seattle Design Commission’s report and recommends that conceptual approval be granted; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE, THE MAYOR CONCURRING, THAT:
Section 1. The City Council finds that the pedestrian skybridge that would run over and across 8th Avenue, north of Cherry Street (“Pedestrian Skybridge”), as proposed by FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline, is in accordance with and in the public interest.
Section 2. As conditions for obtaining permission to construct the Pedestrian Skybridge, which will be reflected in the term permit ordinance described in Section 3 of this resolution, FH, LLC d/b/a Skyline shall:
A. Provide engineering and utility plans for additional review and permitting by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), which the Director of SDOT (“Director”) will circulate to other City departments and any public and private utilities affected by the installation of the Pedestrian Skybridge;
B. Provide a surety bond, covenant agreement, and public liability insurance naming the City as an additional insured or self-insurance, as approved by the City’s Risk Manager;
C. Pay all City permit and review fees;
D. Obtain all other necessary permits;
E. Construct and maintain the following public benefits:
1. Open space improvements and activation on 8th Avenue adjacent to its building, including new plantings, furnishings, and pet relief area;
2. Integrated public art in the enhanced 8th Avenue landscape area;
3. Pedestrian improvements at 8th Avenue and Marion Street, including extending the existing curbs and curb ramps; and
4. Interpretive wayfinding signage for the Park to Park Loop project;
F. Maintain and inspect the Pedestrian Skybridge; and
G. Remove the Pedestrian Skybridge and restore the right-of-way to in as good condition for public use as existed prior to construction of the Pedestrian Skybridge and in at least as good condition in all respects as the abutting portions of the public place as required by SDOT right-of-way restoration standards upon expiration of the term permit, or at the direction of the Director or City Council in accordance with the provisions of the term permit ordinance.
Section 3. After this resolution is adopted, SDOT will present to the Council a draft term permit ordinance identifying the conditions under which permission may be granted for the use of the right-of-way for the Pedestrian Skybridge as documented in Section 2 of this resolution. Permission to use the right-of-way is subject to the Council’s decision to approve, deny, or modify the draft term permit ordinance presented by the Director.
Section 4. As recommended by the Director and the Mayor, conceptual approval for construction of the Pedestrian Skybridge is granted.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2025, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2025.
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Scheereen Dedman, City Clerk
(Seal)