Regional Centers Planning
What is a Regional Centers Plan?
The seven designated Regional Centers identified in the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan are home to a significant share of Seattle’s residents and workers. They include: Downtown, Northgate, Uptown, South Lake Union, Capitol Hill/First Hill, University District, and Ballard.
Our process is grounded in the citywide policies established in the One Seattle Comprehensive Plan and the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) adopted Regional Centers Framework. Each of our Regional Centers Plans will be appended to the One Seattle Plan upon their adoption and be certified as some of PSRC’s “Regional Growth Centers.”
The Downtown Regional Center Plan and forthcoming Northgate Regional Center Plan lay out a shared vision for what we want the areas to become over the next 20 years. They explain the changes we need to make so the neighborhood can grow in a healthy, sustainable, and inclusive way.
These plans focus on the things people care about most in their day-to-day lives:
A long-term community vision, what we want this place to become over the next 20 years.
Climate and the environment, steps to improve air quality, reduce heat, and keep the area healthier and more resilient.
Public services, providing support so schools, parks, libraries, and other services can keep up with growth.
Transportation, safer streets, better transit, and easier ways to walk, bike, or get around without reliance on car.
A strong local economy, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for jobs and investment.
Housing options, enough homes for people at different income levels and strategies to prevent displacement.
Land use and development, where growth should go, what should be protected, and how to make the area stronger over time.
Our plans are about shaping a future that reflects the community’s values so the neighborhoods can grow in a way that feels fair, sustainable, and true to the people who live and work here.
Timeline
Planning for Downtown and Northgate regional centers began in 2022.
Plan Scoping: 2022–2023
Community Engagement: 2023–2024
Plan Development: 2024–2025
Release of the Downtown Plan: Friday, December 19, 2025
Release of the Northgate Plan: To be announced soon in 2026
Downtown Public Comment Period Ends: Monday, February 2. Visit our Downtown Regional Centers page for more information.
Anticipated adoption of Plans: Summer 2026.
AI Attribution
Some language on our Regional Centers Planning pages were generated using ChatGPT by OpenAI, in December 2025. All content was edited and fact-checked by our staff. Learn more about the City of Seattle’s AI Policy.