Trey Lamont and Jerk Shack are coming to 23rd and Union (Image: @jerkshackseattle)

Last week, CHS reported on progress in opening Midtown Square and what role the new, for-profit developed 23rd and Union complex will play as the Central District continues to address affordability and displacement in its communities.

Below Midtown Square’s 428 market-rate and affordable apartment units, surrounding a quasi-public central plaza, and above a huge underground parking garage will be a mix of organizations and businesses the developer Lake Union Partners says will also better represent the surrounding communities than the original plans for a big chain pharmacy.

Like the efforts to bring more affordable housing to the area, community groups and leaders have called for more opportunities for BIPOC small business owners to be part of the waves of development reshaping the Central District. The recipe can be delicious. Communion, opened by veteran Soul Food chef Kristi Brown in 2020 across the street in the affordable and equitably developed Liberty Bank building, was named one of the 12 best new restaurants… in the world. Meanwhile, Black-owned food and drink has also made new homes at 23rd and Jackson.

(Image: CHS)

Here’s a look at the arts and commercial mix coming 23rd and Union:

• Arté Noir: The key street level corner space looking out onto 23rd and Union will become home to a new arts center and shop from the nonprofit focused on “Black art, artists, and culture,” that also helped the development select nine artists to create installations and giant murals that adorn the seven-story buildings that make up the complex. Plans filed with the city describe a large presence for the project in the form of a 3,200-square-foot art gallery. Lake Union says the space originally lined up to be home to a Bartell’s was divided into four commercial shops including Arté Noir plus “three other locals we are in discussions with right now.”
• What about Bartell’s? A Lake Union representative said the chain “bowed out a long time ago due to changes in leadership” and “other things that were going on internally.” Bartell’s was eventually acquired by Rite-Aid. Lake Union began negotiating with the CVS chain but the rep says the Seattle developer “decided that national stores like that are more than we are willing to deal with for now.” The change pushed Lake Union Partners to find a new solution. “Seems like it was meant to be given the art focus on the overall project,” the representative said. “We are very happy things are working out like this.”
• Jerk Shack: Trey Lamont is expanding with a second location of his Carribean restaurant set be located on the edge of the development’s internal plaza.
• So Beautiful Salon: Shavonne Bland, a Central District resident and Garfield High grad, will bring her salon to the 23rd Ave side of the project.
• Mystery restaurant: Lake Union Partners says it is in talks with a Central District “legacy” restaurant to join the food and drink mix.
• 

  (Image: @raiseddoughnutsandcakes)

  Raised Doughnuts: As CHS reported last year, Mi Kim’s artisanal doughnut shop is relocating from across the street on 23rd and moving into Midtown Square at the corner of 24th and Union.

• The Neighbor Lady: After lease issues with Uncle Ike’s, the popular neighborhood bar is relocating across the street to be part of the scene around the plaza. They should be opening sometime after the first of the year, Lake Union says.
• More: Lake Union Partners says it will also have at least three small retail spaces to fill and is talking with a mix including a shoe shop, pet supply store, and another retailer about joining the development.

(Image: @neighborladypublichouse)

HELP KEEP CHS PAYWALL-FREE
Subscribe to CHS to help us hire writers and photographers to cover the neighborhood. CHS is a pay what you can community news site with no required sign-in or paywall. To stay that way, we need you.

Become a subscriber to help us cover the neighborhood for as little as $5 a month.