Seattle City Councilmembers Dan Strauss (District 6) and Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) are requesting to reschedule the Stadium District rezone legislation scheduled for a final Council vote later today. This comes after nine new amendments were released yesterday afternoon.

The Seattle City Council has been considering fiercely debated legislation proposed by Council President Sara Nelson to rezone industrial lands in SODO’s Stadium District since Jan. 15. Yesterday, less than 24 hours before the final vote, the Council received nine substantive amendments to the legislation and a new legal briefing regarding the proposal.

“This is a decision with huge implications and we cannot afford to rush it. Our colleagues have proposed some important amendments, and I am thankful for their work. These amendments deserve to be fully researched and better understood by the Council and the community before we vote on them. Rescheduling final consideration to do so poses no downside at this point. It is the right thing to do to ensure the policy we are making is thoughtful and transparent,” said Councilmember Strauss.

Rescheduling the vote will also give the Council more time to work with all stakeholders to try and find solutions that work better for everyone.

“We need to be doing this work together. The persistent missteps in this legislative process have sowed division between our regional partners who have voiced legitimate concerns. Now is the time for transparency and close collaboration; I believe there is a path to compromise. We do not have to choose between protecting union jobs at the port or creating union jobs building affordable housing. We can and should find ways to do both. With additional time, my office hopes to convene our labor partners to work on a compromise solution.” said Councilmember Rinck.

Council President Nelson’s bill, along with the nine new amendments, is currently scheduled for a vote for today’s 2 p.m. meeting of the full Council.

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