FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/26/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council Reviews Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Hears Recommendations
SEATTLE - City Council reviewed an affordable workforce housing report yesterday...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/24/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council to Review Affordable Workforce Housing Report, Address Increasing Rents
Seattle - City Council will review a final report regarding affordable workforce housing in Seat...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/23/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Council Adopts Mount Baker Rezone
Transit-oriented focus, community-driven plan
SEATTLE - Council approved legislation this afternoon to rezone sections of the North Rainier/Mount Baker neighborhood that surround the Mount Baker Transit Center in Southeast Seattle. The rezone, in tandem with the neighborhood plan, is intended to make walking and biking safer, as well as encourage retail success by providing space for new jobs and housing in Rainier Valley.
"This plan promotes a more walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood that connects residents to the investment we have made in light rail. I think the community's plan has the potential to make the neighborhood truly transit-oriented, all while retaining its unique neighborhood character," said Councilmember Mike O'Brien.
The City and community have been collaborating on North Rainier neighborhood planning for over 15 years. In the past five years alone, the City has conducted dozens of community meetings in the process of updating of the neighborhood plan. The plan was developed by the Seattle Department of Transportation, Office of Housing, the Department of Neighborhoods and the Department of Planning and Development, all in partnership with many people in the community.
"This has been a long and thoughtful planning process and one that does not stop here," concluded O'Brien. "Working together with the community, the City has more work to do to ensure that our vision for a more walkable, vibrant town center in that area comes to fruition."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/17/2014
Councilmember O'Brien to Cut Ribbon on Neighborhood Park and Street Fund Project
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien will join 300 6th grade students from Whitman Middle School, their parents, neighbors and members of Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, Ballard District Council and Ballard Greenways to unveil a new safer route to school.
In 2012, Sidewalks for West Crown Hill and the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association submitted a Neighborhood Park and Street Fund application to improve pedestrian safety for neighborhood students to get to school. The project was prioritized by the Ballard District Council and funds were allocated to pave a gravel pedestrian path to extend 17th Avenue NW and to physically connect NW 89th Street and NW 90th Street. (See before and after photos below for a visual.) The path improves student pedestrian safety by providing an alternative to the busy 15th Avenue NW for youth and families traveling to and from Whitman. The path also has the potential to enhance community pedestrian and bicycle access if a proposed Neighborhood Greenway is constructed on 17th Avenue NW.
WHAT:
The event will include a ribbon-cutting and naming ceremony to unveil the new and improved "Wildcat Way." Once the ribbon is cut, 300 6th graders from Whitman Middle School will then utilize the new pathway as they walk out to Golden Gardens.
WHEN:
8:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 18
WHERE:
Whitman Middle School
9201 15th Ave. NW. Seattle, WA 98117 (see map on page 3 for details)
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmember Mike O'Brien
300 6th grade Whitman students, Whitman staff, plus many parents and neighbors
Nearby business and community representatives
Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) representatives
Visual before the paving project:
Visual after the paving project:
Map of event:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/16/2014
Council Hosts Affordable Housing Listening Session to hear challenges, successes acquiring workforce housing
Seattle – City Council will host a listening session to hear resident experiences finding affordab...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/2/2014
Councilmember Sally J. Clark
Council President Tim Burgess
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Jean Godden
Councilmember Bruce Harrell
Councilmember Nick Licata
Councilmember Mike O'Brie...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/16/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Public Hearing on Micro-housing Regulations Announced
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brienwill host a Public Hearing on the proposed micro-housing regulations proposed by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability (PLUS) Committee is considering legislation to improve how micro-housing (also known as "aPodments") fits into neighborhoods and make the housing more livable for renters, while continuing to support innovation in housing design to create affordable choices.
Each member of the public will have up to two minutes to address the committee, and public comment sign-up sheets will be available at 5 p.m. The Planning, Land Use and Sustainability Committee will meet again to discuss the legislation on Tuesday, June 3 and could vote on the legislation as soon as June 17.
WHAT:
Public Hearing on proposed Micro-Housing legislation
WHEN:
5:30 p.m., Monday, May 19
WHERE:
Seattle City Hall
Council Chambers, Second floor
600 Fourth Ave, Seattle 98104
WHO:
Seattle City Councilmembers Mike O'Brien, Tim Burgess and Nick Licata
Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/9/2014
Councilmember Sally Bagshaw
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Councilmember Tom Rasmussen
Councilmembers Rasmussen, O'Brien, Bagshaw Pledge to Give Seattle Voters Chance to Save Transit Service
Seattle - Councilmembers Tom Rasmussen, Mike O'Brien and Sally Bagshaw issued the following statement today:
"Metro bus service is critical to the people of Seattle. It is necessary for those who cannot afford cars and depend on buses to get around. It is essential for our environment that people have multiple options for mobility and it is essential to reducing traffic congestion as well. Too many buses in the city are at capacity, and with ridership at an all-time high we simply cannot afford to lose bus service.
"Seattle voters deserve a chance to preserve bus service in the city and we are committed to giving them that opportunity in November. We are exploring every option available to keep the busses running in Seattle in cooperation with our colleagues on the City Council and Mayor Ed Murray. We are also committed to working with King County Metro and cities in our region to ensure that we preserve and build a strong regional transit system.
"We commend Mayor Murray for his leadership in developing a proposal, which will be released next week. We also commend Keep Seattle Moving for keeping public momentum going to ensure we do not lose the bus service we so critically need in Seattle.
"On Monday, May 19 we will have a briefing in City Council Chambers at 9:30 a.m. to learn more about the impacts of the potential loss of bus service in the City and to learn more about the Mayor's proposal. We will convene additional City Council meetings as needed throughout the summer to develop a proposal to send to the voters for the November ballot."
Editor's note: The City's deadline for submitting a ballot measure to King County Elections for the November election is August 5, 2014.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/21/2014
Councilmember Mike O'Brien
Community meeting to discuss Mount Baker Neighborhood Rezone announced
Seattle - Councilmember Mike O'Brien will host a Public Hearing on the proposed rezone in the Mount Baker/North R...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 4/29/2014
Councilmember O'Brien
Councilmember O'Brien's Statement in Support of Governor Inslee's Carbon Emissions Reduction Taskforce
SEATTLE -- Councilmember Mike O'Brien offered the following statement in response to Governor Jay Inslee's creation of a Carbon Emissions Reduction Taskforce today:
"Today, I am proud to see Governor Inslee stand with leaders from business, public health, labor and public interest organizations to move Washington forward on climate action. This is the kind of leadership that exemplifies Washington values - acting in the best interest of our economy and environment.
"The City of Seattle has prioritized climate action. We are excited to work with the state to reduce carbon pollution while fostering business solutions to the challenge we face.
"Washington State has a history of being on the cutting edge. To address the challenge of climate change, it will require all of our innovation, energy and ability. Together I know we can make positive change happen."
