College of Built Environments at the University of Washington.
Meet the quiet force behind Paul Allen's remaking of South Lake Union.
Monday March 2008While heading up Paul Allen's real estate division, Ada Healey is responsible for not only helping to hire architects and designers for the 1.7 million square foot South Lake Union biotech, residential mixed use development, but also for trying to accomodate the needs of both corporations and lower income residents. It is admittedly an unusual situation, particulary for someone in the real estate business. Healey is committed to considering "not just how buildings should be designed and built but how entire blocks should be reconstructed, how the streetcar will affect life, whether utilities need upgrading and what effect raised building heights will have on daily life." Concerns over the project include that not enough housing will be built for the people that work in the buildings, and that not enough of Vulcan Real Estate's apartments and condos will be large enough to accomodate families. CAUP's Brandon Born has raised this concern regarding the redevelopment of South Lake Union under the direction of Ada Healey, and adds that this issue could lead to the area becoming "an enclave of wealthy young people and double-income, no-kids couples." He adds that the lack of schools could further deter families. Despite these concerns, Born admits he respects Healey, that Vulcan appears to be doing all the right things.
For the complete story, please visit the Seattle P-I online.