Three things over the past couple of weeks have reminded me of the fragility of life. Two weeks ago, a friend, neighborhood activist, former youth soccer coach, husband and father took his own life at a seemingly desperate and hopeless...
Month: June 2011
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June 16, 2011January 6, 2023News Releases
ARCADE focuses on “The Good Life Reconsidered”
Former Seattle Planning Director Ray Gastil is enjoying life as a consultant on urban planning and, lately, as the guest editor of the latest edition of ARCADE. The quarterly magazine on design and the built environment is produced by the Northwest Architectural League with a great standing staff and a guest editor for special editions. [...]
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June 16, 2011January 6, 2023News Releases
Why Does Seattle Have a Multi Family Tax Exemption Program?
Seattle’s multi-family tax exemption (MFTE) program has come under fire recently. It has been suggested that the program subsidizes apartments that are too expensive, and that the program effectively serves as a subsidy to developers to build projects that they would have built anyway. As is often the case, the reality is more complex. The [...]
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June 16, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Burgess
Perspective on Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
There has been a bit of controversy recently about the City's Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) program, a fancy name for a stimulus program intended to spur construction of affordable, workforce housing in certain sections of Seattle. This stimulus effort is part of the City's larger efforts around affordable housing. I summarized those efforts back in 2008 in this post. So, let's...
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June 15, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw
Positive Motion: Putting us in our Places!
For decades in Seattle we have argued over road real estate. We all want our space on the road, whether we drive a truck or bus, commute by car, walk to work, or ride a bike. Sharing that space — especially when we are in a hurry — brings out our cranky side, and our [...]
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June 14, 2011January 6, 2023News Releases
Seattle Farm Bill Principles adopted by Council, to go before National League of Cities
On Monday, May 23, the City Council adopted Resolution 31296, supporting the Seattle Farm Bill Principles as policy guidance to the Federal Government in the renewal of the 2012 Farm Bill. Our goal is to have Seattle’s actions will serve as a model for other jurisdictions. On June 4, I presented the Farm Bill principles [...]
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June 14, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw
Let’s maximize the effectiveness, efficiency and value of our community centers
Last fall, City Council spent weeks trying to adopt a balanced budget that reflected our City’s values. This was no easy task as we faced millions in cuts. As you may know, I chair the Parks and Seattle Center Committee and, historically, when budget cuts are made, Parks takes a large portion of those reductions. [...]
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June 13, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw
“Best of Belltown” event tomorrow highlights future Bell Street Park & more
Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting a special event tomorrow night to highlight two big projects. Seattle Parks and Recreation is working on two projects for the Belltown community that will have a significant impact on the neighborhood: Bell Street Park and Belltown Community Center. Parks staff will provide project updates at the “Best of [...]
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June 10, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw
Playground funding opportunity needs a Seattle community partner
Earlier this week, Mayor McGinn announced the creation of an online portal that organizes citywide funding opportunities in the forms of grants and other programs that support community projects. By visiting one site, you can evaluate eligibility, timelines, workshops, and other aspects of every funding opportunity the City of Seattle provides. Opportunities outside of City [...]
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June 9, 2011January 6, 2023Councilmember Bagshaw
Share your 1962 World’s Fair Story
Piggybacking on yesterday’s plug for the upcoming Seattle Center art, culture, and design meeting, I wanted to touch on another intriguing aspect of the lead-up to The Next Fifty. Seattle Center is seeking stories related to the Century 21 Exposition, and they’re collecting them via a cool website where people can share their personal stories [...]