South Park

The first notice thing about this area I noticed was the traffic and having to weave through it all to get anywhere. The next thing I noticed is that the area is all the construction of condo buildings most of them started before the real estate market crashed. There is a lot of construction in various stages of development. The area also has a lot of apartments, some really nice with rec rooms and club houses and others that are just average is size, look and price. The area isn’t the nicest in Seattle, but it’s not the worst either.

The “town” part of South Park reminds me of the towns throughout Ireland; they’re colorfully painted and make the area look more like a village then a random street in Seattle, which alone gives the area a unique feel, like they aren’t about being a “Seattle” neighborhood, but just a community of their own.

Food is easy to find, but not one eatery really stood out against the rest of them. It’s a great area that is starting to flourish with its uniqueness.

A neighborhood located south of Georgetown and Boeing Field, having its share of troubles. The most recent, as of June 30th, is the closure of the South Park Bridge on the north end of 14th Avenue. Others include a history of pollution from the surrounding industrial area, high crime rates, and very low property values.

South Park encompasses an area from the 1st Avenue Bridge to the Highway 99 interchange north of 96th Street. It is bounded by Highway 509 and the Duwamish River on the west and east, respectively. Access to downtown and Sea Tac International Airport remain easy, despite the closing of the bridge.

Much potential exists here with a deeper look. Since housing prices are low, there is potential for new blood. Some signs of this are occurring, but the growth may continue to be dampened due to reduced access from the bridge and crime rates. Hispanics are definitely finding solace here, with their population even leading the number of whites.

Homes not only reduced in value because of close proximity to industry, but also from the smaller sizes of the structures and properties. Single story, cracker box type homes typically line the streets. Unattractive apartment buildings are also quite common. Since the Hispanic population is generally less educated and fill the service-related careers, South Park offers an ideal entry into Seattle home ownership. Further evidence of the Hispanic settlement are the lie in the restaurant taste along 14th Avenue.

An attractive Community Center with a couple of baseball fields is located on 8th Avenue, south of Rose Street. This is further evidence of a community in transition, seeking to find and solidify its identity.

The economic value of this area, due to multiple industries located here, is high. These companies value the access to the waterway, airport and metropolitan area. The inexpensive labor and close proximity of the Hispanics provides job security on both sides.

The neighborhood of South Park may never make it to the top of Fodor's Travel Guide, but a different potential certainly exists here. For one, shaving the housing budget and commute time could make it into the top 10 for certain singles, couples or even families. Also, a quick "back-door" commute to Sea Tac is appealing. Those who have always wanted to settle in a Latino country but also wanted the perks of American living can finally calm their mental anguish. Discovering beauty and value in South Park is in the eye of the beholder.

Located in South Seattle on the Duwamish River, South Park is one of the most undesirable areas of the city. Crime rates have historically been quite high here. Surrounded by industrial areas, both the land and the nearby river have been known for contamination. Although some first-time homebuyers find South Park to be an affordable neighborhood, it's important to realize why the area is not more desirable.

South Park has historically been connected to Georgetown, its neighbor to the north, by way of a bridge over the Duwamish River. In the end of June, 2010, the bridge closed permanently, leaving South Park cut off from the rest of the city. Many neighborhood businesses are worried about the loss of clientele in the coming months. Most residents of South Park are low-income minorities, many of whom feel that they have been forgotten by Seattle's elites.

Traffic in South Park tends to be heavy thanks to the concentration of industry and commercial areas here. Most shopping is located on 14th Avenue South, a main thoroughfare in South Park. In the past few decades, the hispanic population of South Park has soared, and this is reflected in the shops and restaurants found on 14th Avenue.

Those living in South Park find that housing is inexpensive, but the homes are simple and tend to be rather run down. Modest fixer-uppers and small brick homes certainly have a "lived-in" appearance. Although some believe the neighborhood to be up-and-coming, it is likely that with the permanent closure of the South Park bridge, the neighborhood will only continue its decline.

The neighborhood of South Park is located along the Duwamish River just north of Boulevard Park in Seattle. It was reported in the Seattle Times that this is one of the few remaining affordable neighborhoods of Seattle, Washington.

The houses are everything from small brick homes and modest fixer-uppers to turn-of-the-century and mid-century homes. New, shingled condos and some new homes are cropping up as well. Yards here are modest but diversely landscaped and planted. Some have fruit trees and closely mowed lawns; others have wild gardens and overflowing flower boxes. On a recent visit, we saw people out and about, walking down the small sidewalks in the middle of a weekday. There is a darling community center with baseball fields.

The business section is small and colorful (orange and yellow storefronts) and also on the up-and-up, with an increasing number of shops, restaurants, and services.

The neighborhood is on the upswing, and has been for some time. Anyone who loves community building need apply.