Seattle has accepted a big challenge: to turn around the loss of tree cover from developing a City on this formerly forested land, and to restore and regrow as much of the urban forest as we can. Trees not only because they make the City more beautiful and our neighborhoods more livable, but also help [...]
Press Releases
The latest press releases from Seattle City Councilmembers.
Seattle’s City Archivist inducted as a Fellow of the Society of American Archivists
News Release:
Scott Cline, Seattle City Archivist, was recently inducted as a fellow of the Society of American Archivists in San Diego. Cline was one of five new Fellows named in 2012. He joins 178 Fellows of the Society of American Archivists.
Seattle City Council committee advances appointment of Kendee Yamaguchi to Ethics and Elections Commission
News Release:
he Seattle City Council Government Performance and Finance Committee voted today to appoint Kendee Yamaguchi, an experienced leader in the public and private sectors and in the community, to the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission. The Full Council will vote on her appointment after the Council’s August recess on Tuesday, September 4.
Waterfront Draft Plan Approved by Council
On Monday, August 13, the Council unanimously adopted Resolution 31399, which creates the framework for the new Seattle downtown waterfront. The resolution supports the direction developed by the citizen group that has been working for years on this project, the Central Waterfront Committee, lays out a funding plan, and delineates the timeline for the next [...]
Thank You to Seattle Voters for Approving Libraries Levy
I would like to personally thank Seattle voters for again reaffirming their commitment to libraries by overwhelmingly approving a seven-year, $122.6 million property tax levy on the August 7 ballot to support the Seattle Public Library (SPL). I initiated the two year process to prepare this proposal, and chaired the Committee of the Whole on [...]
Should the City Invest in the SODO Arena?
The City Council is considering whether it should approve public financing to support the construction of a new arena south of Safeco Field. It appears likely that constructing a new arena to bring an NBA basketball team to Seattle can be done without City participation. The land is zoned to permit its construction, and the [...]
Seattle City Council special committee supports initial Central Waterfront concept design and strategic plan
News Release:
This afternoon the Seattle City Council unanimously approved Resolution 31399 supporting the overall direction of a Central Waterfront concept design and strategic plan. This resolution also addresses a funding plan for public, private, and philanthropic sources for the Waterfront Improvement Program and states the City’s intent to form a local improvement district to help pay for the waterfront improvements. The resolution calls for partnerships with the Pike Place Market and Seattle Aquarium and supports formation of a Friends of the Seattle Waterfront non-profit organization.
City Councilmembers participate in "Night Out Against Crime"
News Release:
Seattle City Councilmembers will travel throughout Seattle on Tuesday night, spending time with neighbors across the City in an effort to heighten crime prevention/awareness and neighborhood safety. “Night Out” is a national Crime Prevention event and will take place this year on August 7, 2012. Last year, 1,327 events were registered with the Seattle Police Department. If you have never participated in “Night Out”, Councilmembers encourage you to get involved this year. The theme this year is “Together – Safer Neighborhoods.”
South Lake Union Sets the Table for Growth Management
Since the revisions to the South Lake Union Neighborhood Plan and its designation as an Urban Center, South Lake Union (SLU) has led the City in developing new jobs and housing, just as was hoped. By investing in infrastructure there, the City has successfully encouraged this development. This year, the Council will consider additional rezones [...]
Regulatory Reforms adopted for Seattle
News Releases:
Today Mayor Mike McGinn signed legislation to reform development regulations in Seattle. The changes, adopted by Seattle City Council on July 23, are intended to support jobs in the city, with many of the changes applying to areas of the city where most growth is expected, including most major urban centers and areas along light rail.
Trash talks.
It’s finally Seattle summer – yet it’s hard to focus on our brief period of blue skies when our sense of smell, not to mention our community hygiene, is challenged by piles of trash (and accompanying urban wildlife) in alleyways in Chinatown and overflowing garbage cans in West, South, and Southwest Seattle. Employees of Waste [...]
Living Building Ordinance Amendments
The Council has unanimously adopted changes to the ‘Living Building Challenge Pilot Program’ that will tighten the qualifications for participation and provide additional incentives for builders to participate in the program. We expect at least one additional building to be able to proceed into construction as a result of this change. The Living Building ordinance [...]