Seattle Restored goes beyond pop-up activations and lease support by piloting new approaches that bring vacant spaces to life, support local entrepreneurs, and strengthen neighborhood connections. Through partnerships with local organizations, neighborhood alliances, and businesses, we develop and test new models that respond to evolving neighborhood needs while creating opportunities for lasting economic and community impact.
Reuse Commons Lake City
July 2026-Present
In partnership with Seattle REconomy, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), and the Lake City BA, Seattle Restored, a program of the Office of Economic Development (OED), has launched a Reuse Commons in Lake City. This opportunity was first introduced by Good Business Network, which helped bring together partners committed to advancing neighborhood-based circular economy solutions. The Lake City BIA also played a key advocacy role by engaging the owner of the former Aurora Rents site and elevating the community’s call for greater vibrancy in this highly visible location.
Reuse Commons Lake City is a one-year pilot designed to assess the feasibility of a shared, community-centered circular economy hub. Led by Seattle REconomy and supported by programming from SPU and the Reuse Commons Steering Committee, the project will activate the former Aurora Rents building with three to six reuse and repair small businesses and organizations offering education, retail, repair services, workshops, and shared workspace.
This pilot reflects Seattle Restored’s commitment to testing new strategies that activate vacant spaces and increase neighborhood vibrancy. By launching the Reuse Commons in Lake City, the program is transforming a long-vacant building into a community asset and demonstrating that innovation at a neighborhood scale can thrive.
The Reuse Commons Lake City also aligns with broader City goals, creating an opportunity for OED to collaborate with SPU to advance waste diversion targets and climate action plan benchmarks while responding to the need to strengthen economic outcomes and vibrancy in public spaces at the neighborhood level.
If you’d like to learn more or to get involved, visit reusecommons.org or email Gage@seattleREconomy.org.
“The Lake City Business Alliance is thrilled to see Reuse Commons active in Lake City and helping to fill a huge void in our central business district.”
– Chris Leverson, Executive Director of the Lake City Business Alliance
Shared Commercial Kitchen
July 2025-Present
Following Seattle Restored’s expansion into the Lake City neighborhood in early 2025, we acquired a pop-up space that included a working kitchen. This created an opportunity to pilot a shared kitchen program in partnership with Build Lake City Together (now the Lake City Business Alliance) to support local food entrepreneurs as they developed and grew their businesses.
Participating businesses received eight months of support, including access to a commercial kitchen space facilitated by a dedicated kitchen manager, as well as equipment to support business development, operational growth, and food production capacity.
Siembra
Participated in Seattle Restored from July 2025 through February 2026 and continues to lease the space independently.
Mama Row’s Caramel
Participated in Seattle Restored from July 2025 through February 2026, then leased the space independently through June 2026.
“Having this kitchen allows me to tap back into engaging with people while I’m also focusing on wholesale.”
– Alex Dorros, Owner of Siembra
Seattle Restored at Base Camp Studios 2
November 2024-November 2025
The Base Camp Studios 2 partnership was an initiative designed to support local artists and creative entrepreneurs to contribute to the revitalization of Downtown Seattle.
Through this partnership, Seattle Restored provided affordable studio space by subsidizing 50% of artists’ rent during their first year at Base Camp Studios 2. The initiative supported 15 artists, giving them dedicated workspace and an environment designed to help them grow their creative practices and businesses.
After completing their first year with Seattle Restored support, nine artists continued their residency by signing independent leases and remaining part of the creative community established through the program.
“Being part of such a vibrant community makes it more than just a creative space, it’s a source of inspiration and creative connections. I’m deeply grateful to Seattle Restored for providing this opportunity and supporting my artistic journey.”
– Nahom Ghirmay, Artist