Contributors: Ellen Mirro, Studio TJP & Yashpriya Gupta

Melvin E. Streeter was born in Riverdale, California on the 5th of March 1931. He was a pioneering African American architect who left a lasting impact on Seattle's architectural landscape. Raised in Riverdale, Melvin attended Riverside Polytechnic High School where he played for their varsity basketball team. On the other hand, his love for architecture drew him away from the game and scholarship of basketball from University of California Los Angeles to seek a bachelor's degree in architecture at the University of Oregon. 

​

Upon graduating in 1955, Streeter fulfilled his United States Army ROTC obligation as a second lieutenant stationed at Fort Lawton in Seattle between 1955 and 1957. However, despite initial resistance within the Seattle architectural community, he eventually found himself working with architects such as Paul Hayden Kirk and Fred Bassetti. 

​

In a bold move, Melvin established his own architectural firm in 1967 called Mel Streeter Architects. In doing this he became the third African American ever to own an architectural practice in Seattle. His first project involved designing a modest addition for St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Seattle's Green Lake neighborhood. 

​

As an African American architect, Streeter had to face racial obstacles, but his career was built on the solid foundation of being resolute in overcoming racism and other barriers, made him more determined to be a mentor and a role model for young black architects. Notably, he designed educational buildings including the African American Academy, a significant project completed in September 2000 for the Seattle School District. This design featured a circular dogon containing the library. 

​

Additionally, he has undertaken many community-based projects, including a 65-unit housing project for Mount Zion Baptist Church, John Muir Elementary School, low-income elderly housing units expansion for Archdiocesan Housing Authority and Rainier Beach High School Performance Hall among many others. Furthermore, Streeter played a key role in the transformation of two synagogues into community centers. 

​

In 1968, Streeter collaborated with the Eugene based architectural firm of Wilmsen, Endicott & Unthank to design a bank building for Liberty Bank (2320 E Union Street, demolished). This institution held significant importance particularly because it was the only bank that offered mortgages to Seattle's Black community. 

​

It was in 1971 that Streeter & Associates designed the Evergreen Funeral Home (526 19th Avenue E, altered) and helped Betsiun Housing Corporation convert old apartment buildings to low-income homes for the elderly. The same year, they undertook the ambitious project of designing the Federal Aviation Administration Regional Headquarters (9010 E Marginal Way S, demolished) at Boeing Field for its unique Brutalist style. This project won them a Washington Pre-cast Industry honor award. 

​

In 1973, Streeter's firm designed a new automobile dealer showroom for Nelson Chevrolet (1521 NW 50th Street, vacant) in Ballard. They also worked on a branch office for Washington Mutual Bank (7100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, altered) and Totem Lake branch bank of the National Bank of Commerce. The same year saw him join forces with Paul Dermanis, another former Bassetti employee, forming the architectural firm of Streeter/Dermanis and Associates.  

​

This partnership significantly broadened their abilities, with the firm employing as many as 30 people at its Capitol Hill office at its peak. It allowed them to handle projects such as Wallingford Post Office, low-income senior housing for Wisteria Housing Corporation and East-Central Precinct Police Station. However, a dispute greatly delayed the latter project resulting in the renovation of Klineburger Building on Capitol Hill for the station. A notable achievement was the design of Auburn City Hall, built as a comprehensive complex housing offices, public meeting rooms, and police and fire central operations. 

​

Streeter's legacy extended to major projects such as Century Link Field where he worked with renowned architectural firms. He was selected by the Seattle Public Library to design the new Rainier Beach branch library, further extending his contributions to the community. 

​

Beyond his prolific architectural career, Streeter was a dedicated mentor and advocate for diversity within the architectural profession. He co-founded the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle Chapter's Diversity Roundtable and received a Community Service Award from AIA Seattle in 2004. 

​

Outside of architecture, Streeter was actively involved in organizations such as Tabor 100, a professional black men’s organization, The Breakfast Club of Seattle, and Kiwanis Club. He also worked on the Seattle Planning Commission for over a decade. 

​

On June 12, 2006, Melvin E. Streeter passed away at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy of architectural innovation, community service, and a commitment to nurturing the next generation of architects, particularly among minority communities. His impact on Seattle's architectural landscape and his dedication to promoting diversity in the field continue to inspire architects and aspiring professionals today. 

 

Bibliographic Reference

AIA Seattle. “Mel Streeter AIA, AIA Seattle Community Service Award 2004 March 5, 1931-June 12, 2006.” http://www.aiaseattle.org/archive_honors_communityservice_04_melstreeter.htm  Accessed December 3, 2013.

Ancestry.com. “Edward Melvin Streeter.” http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/32280883/person/18227326084?ssrc=  Accessed December 3, 2013.

Chansanchai, Athima. “Streeter, pioneering architect, dead at 75.” Seattle PI, http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Streeter-pioneering-architect-dead-at-75-1206072.php Accessed December 4, 2013.

Henry, Mary T. “Mount Zion Baptist Church (Seattle),” HistoryLink.org, January 29, 1999, http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?displaypage=output.cfm&file_id=2048 Accessed December 4, 2013.

Hinshaw, Mark. “Revitalizing Everett – Homeport, Thriving City Center Reflect Commitment To Community,” The Seattle Times, February 27, 1994, http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940227&slug=1897464  Accessed November 26, 2013, p. 2.

King, Donald. “Streeter, Mel (1931-2006).” Blackpast.org http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/streeter-mel-1931-2006 Accessed November 27, 2013.

Kliment, Stephen A. “Discovering African identity in African-American Architecture: Part II,” AIA Architect, September 7, 2007, http://info.aia.org/aiarchitect/thisweek07/0907/0907rc_face_full.cfm, accessed November 25, 2013.

Large, Jerry. “Breaking Barriers, Building Hope -- He Long Ago Proved He Could Succeed As A Black Architect; Now Seattle's Mel Streeter Is Helping Others To Do The Same.” The Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19960411&slug=2323607 April 11, 2013, accessed November 27, 2013 and December 3, 2013.

—. “Architect Mel Street ‘left a legacy of his creative genius,” The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.com/html/obituaries/2003062398_streeterobit15m.html June 15, 2006, accessed November 25, 2013, p. 1. 

Pacific Coast Architecture Database (PCAD). “Streeter/Groasht.” https://digital.lib.washington.edu/architect/partners/4547/ Accessed December 4, 2013.

Schulz, Blaine. “Dealer expands,” The Seattle Times, March 18, 1973, p. 34.

Seattle Public Library, “Building Facts: Rainier Beach Branch,” http://www.spl.org/locations/rainier-beach-branch/rbe-about-the-branch/rbe-building-facts Accessed December 3, 2013, p. 1.

 

The Seattle Times. “Central-Area Bank.” July 30, 1967, p. 96.

—. “Racquets Complex Taking Shape.” October 13, 1968, p. 127.1 

—. “For Central Area Office-Restaurant Complex to Rise.” June 4, 1969, p. 6. 

—. “No ‘Handouts’ Needed At Central Area Project.” June 14, 1969, p. 1.

—. “Plans moving ahead on expansion of Jefferson Park Recreation Center.” October 9, 1970, p. 56.

—. “Final approval given synagogue conversion.” November 12, 1970, p. 30. 

—. “Open house.” July 25, 1971, p. 45.

—. “Rehab project begins.” July 25, 1971, p. 44.

—. “F.A.A. plans $2.5 million building at Boeing Field.” June 18, 1971, p. 17.

—. “Synagogue remodeled into east-neighborhood center.” June 18, 1972, p. 14. W.D. 

—. “Work begun on new F.A.A. headquarters.” September 3, 1972, p. 34.

—. “Bank in construction.” June 3, 1973, p. 65.

—. “Bank starts building.” September 9, 1973, p. 56.

—. “Mel Streeter.” December 9, 1973, p. 47.

—. “New Bank for Beacon Hill.” October 13, 1974, p. 104

—. “Domed Stadium, F.A.A building honored by precast-concrete industry.” July 4, 1976, p. 105.

—. “$4.5 million renovation set.” July 16, 1978, p. 146.

—. “Bid-opening set for North End post office.” August 26, 1979, p. 151.

—. “Residence for elderly to be built in International District.” October 14, 1979, p. 154.

—. “Station sites have different impacts.” January 13 1980, p. 122.

—. “High Point getting new playfield, community center.” March 22, 1981, p. 128.

Streeter/Dermanis and Associates, Various reports and planning studies.

Social Security Death Index-Washington State. “Melvin Streeter.” http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/0473CA25CE185EF77768625FC9C21C9A Accessed December 4, 2013.

Thompson, Neil and Carolyn Marr. Building For Learning, Seattle Public School Histories, 1862-2000. Seattle, WA: Seattle Public Schools, 2002.

University of Oregon, “100 Stories, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, Mel Streeter, AIA,” http://aaablogs.uoregon.edu/100stories/2010/12/23/mel-streeter/, p. 1.

Wikipedia. “CenturyLink Field.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CenturyLink_Field Accessed December 4, 2013.

Woodbridge, Sally B. and Roger Montgomery. A Guide to Architecture in Washington State. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1980.

Yes, he was employed at their firms and later started his own practice.