As is the case with increased density, the POS survey shows mixed-use development to be unpopular, with 60 percent disapproving. Both Seattle s Belltown neighborhood and downtown Bellevue have recently experienced booms in mixed-housing. However, as the Housing Partnership notes, the regulatory and land use policies allowing such developments have been in place for 20 years in both locations. 6 Many Seattle area suburban cities are counting on mixed-use developments in their urban centers to meet housing goals. The examples of Seattle and Bellevue show that cities need to actively encourage mixed-use if it is to happen.
Retail is trickiest part of mixed-use development.
Cities need to assure that there will be an adequate base of customers for the retail to be successful. Vacant land comes with baggage. Vacant land may be oddly shaped or difficult to build on. It may be environmentally contaminated. Or the need to demolish or remove the remnants of previous uses may increase development costs.