Month: November 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/24/2015

Mayor Murray and Councilmembers introduce legislation designating Seattle P-I Globe a City landmark

SEATTLE -- Mayor Ed Murray, along with Councilmembers Tim Burgess, Jean Godden, and Sally Bagshaw, have introduced legislation to formally designate the Seattle P-I Globe a Seattle landmark. City Council’s approval of this ordinance will complete the process that began in 2012

“The P-I Globe is one of our city’s prominent icons, a visible reminder of Seattle’s history,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “With this ordinance, the P-I Globe will continue to greet Seattle visitors and residents with its familiar motto, ‘It’s in the P-I.’”  

The P-I Globe was designated a landmark by the Landmarks Preservation Board in April of 2012 when it was nominated by three City Councilmembers – Jean Godden, Tim Burgess and Sally Clark. Once it was designated, City staff worked with the Hearst Corporation, the Globe’s owner, to develop an agreement that specified the features to be preserved and clarified what changes would need review by the Landmarks Preservation Board. Once that agreement was completed in June, the legislative process could go forward.

“This legislation is a step forward in a long journey to preserve and honor a symbol of competitive journalism in Seattle,” said Councilmember Jean Godden and former reporter for the Seattle P-I. “We must continue to seek the right site for this iconic work of art.”

“Following our designation of the P-I Globe, the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board is delighted that the significant 1948 structure has become one of the city’s most visible and unique landmarks,” said Jeffrey Murdock, acting chair of the Board. “We look forward to being involved in the structure’s careful rehabilitation and eventual return to its role as a revolving, illuminated beacon for the City and the Sound.”

“I want to thank the members of the Landmarks Preservation Board for their thoughtful review, evaluation, and approval to designate the P-I Globe as a city landmark,” said Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Director Kathy Nyland. “Their expertise and careful assessment is important to the city’s Landmarks process, and the many decisions that come before them each year.”

The P-I Globe is a unique sign, designed and manufactured specifically to advertise the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. It’s been considered a Seattle icon since it was installed on the Post-Intelligencer building in 1948. The image of the Globe served as the logo for the newspaper, appearing on its masthead and on each section of the paper. The Globe was later moved to its present location on Elliott Avenue W. in 1986.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/23/2015

Council refocuses 2016 budget on urgent and immediate needs

Budget actions invest limited resources to deliver results for homeless

Seattle - Following today's final vote to approve the 2016 City Budget by a vote of 8-1 in Full Council, members issued the following statements:

Councilmember Nick Licata, chair of the Budget Committee, said, "I want to thank our central staff, analysts, attorneys, my legislative staff and others who worked tirelessly on a balancing package which met the needs of our city. I'm proud of the budget and cost-effective strategies my colleagues and I put together to ensure Seattle families, communities and the economy have what they need to thrive. I also want to highlight the innovative new Youth Participatory Budgeting program, which will allow young people to not only directly decide how to spend $700,000 in city funds; it will also help train young people in working with city departments to develop proposals, helping to give them the skills and knowledge they need to become effective community leaders," Licata added.

"This budget reflects the priorities of our city and funds many new and innovative government programs, not to mention the basics like emergency response, electricity and other utilities, and transportation. I'm particularly pleased to see new funding for gun safety, for community-based crime prevention, for small businesses and for immigrants and refugees," said Council President Tim Burgess.

"During budget, I worked to fill out Seattle's gender wage equity toolkit," said Councilmember Jean Godden. "We were able to show that this city is strongly committed to ensuring women have access to fair wages and career growth opportunities. Among the solutions: Planning for a childcare center on the city campus, doing a pilot project for a possible infants at work' policy, launching a STEM apprenticeship program for women and people of color and funds for citywide gender pay equity efforts."

"I am excited that the Council joined me in funding $1.9 million towards pre-development costs for a Southeast Economic Opportunity Center," said Councilmember Bruce A. Harrell. "This new one of a kind center will provide services supporting post-secondary education connected to job development services, multi-cultural offices, early childhood education and training, and offer our youth a pathway to economic opportunity."

"Budgets should reflect our priorities, and I am proud that this budget includes new funding for programs that will advance racial and economic equity in our city," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien. "I am especially proud that we are investing $1 million to provide ORCA cards to low-income students in Seattle Public Schools, that we are investing over in community-based efforts to help prevent youth detention so all young people have the opportunity to succeed, and that we are investing in long-term strategies to help prevent future displacement as the city continues to grow and prosper."

"My goal in this budget was to make a marked difference for people experiencing homelessness. I am proud of Council's collaboration with Mayor Murray to expand investments in prevention services, including Rapid Rehousing, and intervention services, like case management at encampments. I look forward to working with our Human Services Department as well as coordinating with King County and our human services providers to take better care of our neighbors who need us," said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw.

"The stars of this budget session were the citizens of Seattle who came to Council Chambers, who emailed, phoned and wrote informed and passionate letters on the issues," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen. "I am particularly pleased that we made major investments in human services, transportation, and parks and open space," said Councilmember Tom Rasmussen.

Councilmember John Okamoto said, "Seattle's most vulnerable communities deserve our best efforts, and this budget reflects that. It will result in better data so that we can properly serve our immigrant and refugee communities; it will get people off the streets and into housing; and it will grow the capacity of organizations that provide vital human services. I'm honored to have contributed to the process, and I leave Council on a high note."
"Council managed to pass several important amendments to the city budget that will meaningfully impact the lives of regular people in Seattle. We double funding for jobs programs like Career Bridge and pre-apprenticeship programs, and allocate money for essential tenant organizing. However, on balance the budget differs little from previous years, and fails to address the acute housing crisis, inadequate transit, and ballooning inequality and injustice permeating Seattle," said Councilmember Kshama Sawant.

A Summary of Council Changes to the Mayor's proposed 2016 budget is available ONLINE.

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