(BIZJOURNALS) – Somali-Americans (left to right) Faisal Mohamed, Muhamed Duale, and Abdirashid Hersi are business partners developing SeaTac Business Center. The former auto parts store will house a grocery and a deli and small businesses, including some that were displaced by a large development in SeaTac.
Seattle and other parts of the region are experiencing gentrification, including SeaTac, where three men are building a new enterprise that will house some of the micro and small businesses displaced by a $175 million multifamily project.
The immigrant community of SeaTac and neighboring Tukwila was jolted when the city of SeaTac decided to sell an old building, which housed an array of businesses, including ethnic grocery and clothing stores, Mexican and East African restaurants and a money transfer company.
There were protests and a coalition that included the businesses tried to buy the property at 15245 International Blvd. S., with plans to build a new international market building. But the property was sold to Spokane-based development company, the Inland Group, which is building a two-phase, mixed-use apartment project with 585 homes; more than 60% will be set aside for lower-income households.
