This image shows the groundbreaking for a shopping center on the east side of Rainier Ave. S. between S. Charlestown St and S. Andover St in southeast Seattle. Southeast Seattle extends east from I-5 to Lake Washington and south from I-90 to city limits. This site was owned by private developers but was supported by the city of Seattle. Mayor Norm Rice said the developers had agreed to ensure that women and nonwhite contractors were involved and that many of the construction jobs would go to residents of southeast Seattle. The city supported this project by helping acquire a federal grant to buy the land, expediting permits, and arranging a loan to fund construction.

Rainier Valley Square provided access to stores and services that Rainier Valley had previously lacked, including a grocery store and drugstore. It also created new jobs in the area. However, it brought large retail chains to the neighborhood, which threatened smaller local businesses. Leaders in the local community complained that, despite assurances from the city and the developers, Black-owned contractors received very little work on the construction. They also contended that many of the new jobs created were low paying and would not benefit residents of Rainier Valley.

Caption information source: “A Shopping Center that Spells Hope for Blighted S.E. Seattle,” by Michael Paulson, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, July 30, 1993, page C1. ; “Reviving the Valley,” by Imbert Matthee, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, June 27, 1994, page B3.

Original title - Rainier Valley groundbreaking, July 29, 1993