The Central District
By Kiyana Middleswart, Magdalene Tran, Olivia Crum, Trevor Garrood
Development and Changing Demographics
African Americans
The 1990s have seen a gradual change in the color and economic status of the area's residents. African American population is moving from Central District towards the South East. However, the white population is doubling.
Home-Ownership
One of the first causes of gentrification is the rise in property value and expensive housing, which pushed out homeowners to the southern areas of the city for more affordable living. Another cause is the disparity and drop in black household income, compared to that of white households. The home-ownership rate among blacks in the city dropped by half between 2000 and 2013
Redevelopment
In 2017, Lake Union Partners signed an agreement with land conservation group Forterra and the Africatown Community Land Trust for a joint development of the block-long site. The agreement includes affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, Black-owned businesses, and a 24-hour public space.
Culture
Food
A large majority of restaurants in the Central District serve African cuisines. A popular African cuisine is Ethiopian food, served by restaurants such as East African Imports and Restaurant and Cafe Selam. Soul Food is also a popular cuisine, served by Miss Helen’s Soul Bistro and Jacksons Catfish Corner
Art
In 2015, the Central District was the became the second official Cultural Arts district of Seattle. There are art centers such as the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, which is used as a community facility for events and community programs. There is also the Northwest African American Museum, which incorporates history, religion, art, and culture to show how these factors have influenced African Americans in the Pacific Northwest.
Music
Jazz was a popular genre of music that was played in the CD in over a dozen clubs in 1948. Many careers of notable black jazz musicians were sparked in these clubs, such as Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, and Ernestine Anderson.
Theatre
Many theatres in the Central District serve to fulfill a communal purpose. Brownbox Theatre’s mission is to break down barriers which separate the community through live theatre. Nu Black Arts West Theatre’s mission: provide opportunities to use art as a way to express, motivate, teach, and learn black culture
Statistics:
65%
White
15%
African American
10%
Asian
41%
Are Families
Economy
The central district economy primarily consists of small, locally owned businesses such as the De Charlene Beauty Shop & Boutique, the Red Apple Market, or the Cortona Cafe. Many of these businesses are owned by African American members of the community and were developed during times of racial tension. They serve as a landmark for an instance of race-related turmoil and they continue to highlight the racial struggles and divisions that exist in the Central District. Throughout the recent process of gentrification, small, minority-owned businesses have struggled due to new development, but community members have worked to incorporate the smaller businesses in their construction. Due to this capital-heavy process, minority-owned businesses are still likely to fade away, but owners are determined to continue reinventing and keep up with the new growth.
Location
Geography
The Central District of Seattle lies midway between the Central Business District and Lake Washington and is the city's oldest surviving residential area. The Central District contains the city's oldest houses in the city, most of which was built in the latter half of the nineteenth century. There is a variety of housing types such as: pioneer, Victorian, company cottage, bungalow, and low rise apartment. The area is predominantly flat with a few, gentle hills. During our visit, we were easily able to maneuver through the district without much trouble, and no hills caused any fatigue. All of the roads had bike lanes and there was ample space on sidewalks for pedestrians. Parks primarily consisted of pine trees, but deciduous trees were abundant and produced a plethora of leaves to blanket the ground. The Central district is roughly 400 feet of elevation, but slopes towards sea-level at the Eastern edge of the district, within the Madrona and Leschi neighborhoods.
Local History
Known as the Central district, or affectionately by African Americans as the Colored District. Transportation: The cable cars in 1888 were used for the steep hills, and old or new settlers began to build homes and to establish culturally rich communities in the area. Businesses: Black owned businesses flourished along East Madison during 1900's which were barber shops, restaurants, a fuel yard, drug stores and more. African Americans: In the 1960’s the Central District became the the stage for marches and riots against racial discrimination. Years places were built: Garfield High School has been in the area since 1923, the providence Hospital was built in 1911, and the Douglass Truth Public Library has been there since 1914.
Garfield High School
ABOUT US
We are freshman students at University of Washington, learning and getting to know the areas of Seattle. If you have any questions please reach out to us on the email Kiyanm@uw.edu.
CITATIONS
Kelety, Josh. “A Hub for Black Art, Business, and Community, CD Planned as Seattle Arts District.” CapitolHillSeattle, 9 Nov. 2015, www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/11/a-hub-for-black-art-business-and-community-cd-planned-as-seattle-arts-district/.
​
Engstrom, Randy. “Arts & Cultural Districts.” Seattle.gov, www.seattle.gov/arts/arts-and-cultural-districts#centralarea.
Scruggs, Gregory. “After Development Deal, Black Central District Residents Feel Ignored.” Crosscut, 5 June 2018, crosscut.com/2018/06/after-development-deal-black-central-district-residents-feel-ignored.
Henry, Mary T. “Seattle Neighborhoods: Central Area — Thumbnail History.” Seattle Neighborhoods: Central Area -- Thumbnail History, 10 Mar. 2001 www.historylink.org/File/3079.
​
​