High Point is a neighborhood in the Delridge district of West Seattle, Washington, USA. It is so named because it contains the highest point in Seattle; the intersection of 35th Avenue SW and SW Myrtle Street is 520 feet (160 m) above sea level. The neighborhood is located on the east side of 35th Ave SW, with approximate north and south boundaries at SW Juneau Street and SW Myrtle Street.
High Point is one of Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods, with a substantial immigrant population from Southeast Asia and East Africa.
The neighborhood was originally developed during World War II to provide government housing, and it remained a district of predominantly low-income housing through the 1990s. In 2003, the Seattle Housing Authority began work on the first phase of a six-year project to redevelop High Point into a mixed-income community. The redevelopment removed all existing housing, roads, and utilities. In their place, new roads, underground infrastructure, housing, and community facilities are being built. When complete, High Point will have approximately 1,600 housing units. About half of the new units will be low-income rentals, and the other half will be a mix of single family homes, condominiums and town homes sold at market rates to private owners. Assisted living and senior housing will also be included. A small-scale mixed-use neighborhood commercial center is also being developed.
Phase I of the redevelopment was completed in December 2007. Phase II is scheduled for completion in 2010.
The redevelopment embraced many sustainable development principles. The site and rental housing are certified at the highest BuiltGreen levels. Nearly all rental housing and homeowner units are Energy Star rated. The site features porous sidewalks and parking areas, and the only porous pavement street in Washington State. The site is situated atop a 120 acres (49 ha) engineered natural drainage system, which uses the ground to filter rainwater, instead channeling water into a traditional conveyance system.
Part of the housing program was the creation of 60 "breathe-easy" homes, which were specially designed to accommodate people suffering from asthma. Initial residents of these homes will be part of a study to determine of homes build to reduce off-gassing will mitigate asthma symptoms.
High Point hosted the Seattle Green Living Expo in September 2006. Sponsored by the City of Seattle, it attracted 18,000 visitors over two weekends. Expo visitors were offered docent-guided tours of the sustainable and Built Green features of the neighborhood and the homes.
The neighborhood redevelopment plan has been recognized with some of the most prestigious land use and development awards, among them the 2007 ULI Global Award of Excellence, the 2007 EPA National Award for Smart Growth, and the 2007 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence.