In the 1990s, many property developers around Seattle were focused on in-fill housing - building new homes on empty lots within existing neighborhoods rather than constructing entire new neighborhoods. In-fill housing lots were often smaller than others and posed challenges with parking trucks and construction equipment in an existing neighborhood, as well as high permitting costs. However, they were also cheaper to buy and already included utilities (unlike new developments). One broker said they handled at least 12 and often closer to 20 in-fill units per year.

This image shows workers pouring a driveway for a new house on Shaffer Avenue South, near Holly Park.

Caption information source: "Housing trend fills in gaps - area neighborhoods absorb new homes," by Bill Virgin, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 26, 1996, page B4.