Seattle Forward

Perspective on SR520

Last week, the City Council sent a letter to the Governor and legislative leaders expressing our thoughts about the recommended replacement for SR520, the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge.  Eight Council members signed the letter; Councilmember Nick Licata did not.

In summary, the letter encourages moving forward so the replacement bridge can be completed by 2014 and suggests further design refinements for the across-the-lake bridge and the west side interchanges in Seattle.  The letter was crafted to gain the signatures of as many Council members as possible, a task ably shepherded by Council President Richard Conlin.  Here are my thoughts on the Council's design and engineering

Council Speaks on Seawall

Eight of us on the City Council signed a letter to Mayor McGinn this afternoon regarding his proposal for a special bond election in May to pay for central waterfront seawall repairs.  You can grab the letter here: Download Elliot Bay Seawall Repair Financing Plan 011910

Elliott Bay Seawall: Questions to Ponder

Mayor McGinn has proposed a quick election in May 2010 so Seattle voters can determine whether to tax themselves to rebuild the Elliott Bay Seawall along our central waterfront. (Mayor's press announcement here.) The Mayor gets credit for recognizing the danger a deteriorating seawall poses and he's right to jump-start a brisk discussion about how we should proceed to repair the seawall.  But before I can support a special taxation election, I need to get answers to the following questions (after the jump).

UW Land Use Amendment Passes Council 7-1

Consistent with the City's long-range goals for the area, the City Council voted 7-1 (CM Licata voted No; CM Harrell disqualified himself) this afternoon to approve a land use amendment that will allow construction of three medical research buildings in the South Lake Union neighborhood at Mercer Street and Dexter Avenue North.  (I blogged earlier about this topic here, a link that includes a video summary of my position.)

Today's action is another step toward creation of an Urban Center environment in South Lake Union that encourages much higher job and residential density and development of bio-tech and medical research facilities.

The public review process for these changes started last summer and was extensive, including neighborhood meetings, Council hearings, a great deal of lobbying by neighborhood and University of Washington representatives, and debate among council members.  Some argued that approving the rezone now would compromise the ongoing neighborhood planning process, but I found that the changes being sought by the UW were consistent with the existing neighborhood plan, last modified in 2007, and would advance vital medical research. 

While the ongoing neighborhood planning is important, so too is our effort to grow this area and create the overall environment that has been chosen for South Lake Union.  As former Mayor Charles Royer is purported to have said, "Seattle likes to chew but not swallow."  I think it's very OK to swallow during the meal (neighborhood planning).  I would have opposed the rezone had it been inconsistent with the existing neighborhood plan.

The final Council action lowered the maximum height limit allowed on the parcels that were rezoned to 120 feet, plus up to 15 feet for rooftop mechanical equipment, and added an open space and street-scape activation requirements.

Positive Results: Government Leadership

I took the above photo last Saturday at City Hall during Mayor McGinn's talk on "listening and action."  I've never seen City Hall so packed with people.  It was a great event; hundreds showed up to wander around to their heart's content. 

But, for me, the Mayor's speech highlighted a very important reality that we dare not overlook: current and future opportunities for our kids.  Mayor McGinn announced a special, joint outreach effort with the City Council over the next few months to listen to concerns about youth safety, education, and opportunities.  He pledged to listen to everyone, including those who sometimes aren't heard.  Former Mayor Rice will lead the effort.   The Council's Public Safety and Education Committee will be intimately involved.  This is the next logical step following on our work the past two years with violence, gangs, and school issues.  I appreciate very much the Mayor's approach and willingness to partner with the Council on this important effort.  Together, we can make things better for our youth and for our city.

I saw the evidence of the positive results we can achieve last Thursday when I participated in the graduation ceremony for 18 men and women who had just completed a special welding course through the Seattle Jobs Initiative.  It was a very meaningful time for the graduates—they ranged in age from 16 to 63—and their families and friends. 

It was especially meaningful for me because four of the graduates had been referred to the program by the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.  I met these young men and learned their stories and I was grateful that this training was available to them.  You can read my remarks here: Download SJI Talk 1-7-10

So, two very special events over the last few days that keep me encouraged and motivated.  What a privilege I have to serve our city.  Please continue to share your thoughts and ideas with me. 

Primary Committee

Yesterday, the Council finalized committee assignments for 2010-2011.  I will continue to chair the Public Safety and Education Committee.  Councilmember Bagshaw is vice-chair and Councilmember Clark is a member.  (Of course, under Council rules any council member is able to attend, participate and vote in any Council committee meeting.)

Our committee charge:  "To provide policy oversight and to deliberate and make recommendations on legislative matters relating to law enforcement, with special emphasis on programs and strategies to reduce crime, domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and youth violence; fire prevention and suppression; emergency medical services; criminal justice; and coordination with municipal, regional, state and federal agencies engaged in such matters; and relating to education activities, including strengthening City Council-School Board relations and oversight of the Families and Education Levy, with a goal of improving City schools and student success rates and reducing achievement gaps among students in schools and programs throughout the City."

My other committee assignments include: vice-chair of Built Environment (formerly the Planning, Land Use and Neighborhoods Committee); member of Transportation; member King County Regional Policy Committee; member Puget Sound Regional Council Executive Board; member Regional Law, Safety and Justice Committee; Council representative to the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Council representative on the City's Domestic Violence Prevention Council, Families and Education Levy Oversight Committee, Fire Facilities Levy Oversight Committee, Firefighters Pension Board, Jail Capacity Task Force, and the Police Pension Board.

I was honored to nominate Councilmember Richard Conlin for another two-year term as Council president yesterday.  Consecutive terms as president are rare.  The most recent was Paul Kraabel who served as Council president from 1988 to 1991.  Before that, Sam Smith served consecutive Council president terms from 1974 to 1977.  The longest serving Council president in City history was David Levine--eight terms as Council president between 1931 and 1961, many of them consecutively.  

Council President Conlin has served with distinction the past two years.  As the City faces new challenges and new opportunities it is very appropriate to have an experienced and steady hand on the tiller.