Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle) received findings today from the City Auditor regarding the City’s decades-old Incentive Zoning program. Since 1985, Incentive Zoning in Seattle has allowed developers to gain extra floor area in exchange for providing affordable housing units or paying into a fund for affordable housing production. O’Brien requested that the...
Council Urges Congress to Approve the ‘Equality Act’ for LGBTQ Rights
Seattle City Council unanimously approved a resolution today urging Congress to introduce and adopt “The Equality Act,” which would grant equal protection to LGBTQ residents across the United States. Currently, individual states are able to deny access to housing, employment, education, public accommodations, and more because of a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression....
Councilmembers’ Statement Following Shooting of Deep Rai, Sikh Kent Resident
SEATTLE – All nine Seattle City Councilmembers issued the following statement after India-born Kent resident, Deep Rai, was attacked in his driveway in Kent on Friday, allegedly being told “go back to your own country” before being shot: “Seattle is home to thousands of South Asian community members. We began last week by condemning anti-Semitic...
Councilmembers’ Statement of Support Following Threat to Jewish Community Center
All nine Seattle City Councilmembers issued the following statement after yesterday’s bomb threat to the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island: “We are horrified by yesterday’s bomb threat against the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island and the anti-Semitic and racist graffiti found in Ballard. As leaders of Seattle and neighbors to Mercer...
Councilmembers’ Bill to Create a ‘Seattle Renters’ Commission’
Three City Council members—Tim Burgess, Lisa Herbold and Mike O’Brien—announced today they will introduce legislation creating the Seattle Renters’ Commission. The Commission is designed to give renters—approximately half of Seattle residents—a stronger voice at City Hall. If the proposed legislation is approved by the Council, the 15-person volunteer commission would address topics ranging from housing...
Councilmember O’Brien’s Statement on Youth Jail Decision
SEATTLE – Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle) issued the following statement following the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspection’s (SDCI) issuance of a land use decision relating to the King County Children and Family Justice Center: “Mounting evidence reinforces what communities of color have been telling us for years: jailing youth perpetuates a...
Councilmembers Pursue New Plan to Build Affordable Housing, Utilize Bonds
Six Councilmembers introduced a new proposal today intended to create up to 500 new units of affordable housing for Seattle residents. The housing production would be funded by newly utilizing the City’s existing bonding capacity and paid off over a 30 year term. Councilmembers Bagshaw, González, Herbold, Johnson, O’Brien, and Sawant have signed on to...
RELEASE: Council Votes to Enhance Access to Green Careers for Young People of Color
Council unanimously adopted a resolution today to support the recruitment for and development of green careers for young people of color, both in City of Seattle government and in the Seattle economy as a whole. Earlier this year the City, via the Workforce Equity Action Plan, committed to improve recruitment, support and advancement of entry-level...
Council Supports Rainier Beach Neighborhood Plan, Equitable Development Projects
Council unanimously adopted two resolutions yesterday that advance community investments and neighborhood planning in Seattle. The resolutions support community work in Rainier Beach and neighborhoods facing high risk of displacement. Resolution 31710 recognizes the Rainier Beach neighborhood community and their coordinated efforts with the City to plan for, and advance, neighborhood priorities through the completion...
Councilmember O’Brien’s Statement on the North Precinct Police Station
Councilmember Mike O’Brien (District 6, Northwest Seattle) issued the following statement following the announcement that the North Precinct Police Station project will be revisited: “This is a clear example of how community organizing can move mountains. It took the collective action of Seattle activists and members of the Black Lives Matter movement to bring the...