Our volunteer leadership recently determined our 2008 issue priorities:

1. Define and fund a new round of green investments.

2. More housing in Seattle, to serve a diversity of income levels, in vibrant, walkable,  environmentally sustainable neighborhoods.

3. Improve neighborhood streets and local mobility.

 Our work in 2008 will center on how we can address these priorities to ensure that Seattle residents have appealing, accessible housing options, well supported by green infrastructure including parks, open space, and urban forest, and enhanced transportation options that allow residents to reduce their dependence on single occupancy vehicles.  While these are not the only issues we will work on in 2008 (we are keeping a close eye on a number of related issues), our volunteer leadership has determined these issues are the most critical in the short term to building our vision of Seattle as livable, equitable, and environmentally sustainable.

1. Define and Fund a New Round of Green Investments.

With the coming expiration of the Pro-Parks Levy, the Seattle Great City Initiative catalyzed the creation of the Green Legacy Coalition that includes neighborhood, environmental and business leaders advocating that the 2008 levy address the critical need for green places in the neighborhoods accepting housing growth.  If you want to receive updates about the Green Legacy Coalition, please e-mail bmaryman@gmail.com  to be added to the mailing list.  And stay tuned for action alerts.  This issue should have a high profile at City Council as the Council puts together a 2008 levy, and we plan to be in the thick of it. 

2. Housing in Sustainable Neighborhoods

In 2008, there are several significant proposals that will require our focus:

Multifamily Housing --  The mayor has proposed changes to the multifamily zoning code.  We will work for changes to the code that allow for a diversity of well-designed housing that enhances neighborhoods and provides more affordable choices.  For a more in depth look at multifamily zoning see this article  by our executive director Michael McGinn in the "Housing" issue of The AIA Seattle Architect.
          South Downtown  --  A draft EIS was recently completed regarding proposed zoning changes in South Downtown.  This area includes both historic districts worthy of protection in Pioneer Square and the International District, as well as adjoining areas that can accommodate considerable housing growth in areas near transit and job centers. We will be working to ensure that proposed changes meet our rezone principles.

          South Lake Union  --    Like South Downtown, this area is centrally located, is well served by public transit, and is within walking and biking distance of the densest job center in the state.  We actively participated in a city-sponsored South Lake Union Charrette on  January 18^th and 19^th which developed alternatives for analysis in an environmental impact statement, a precursor to proposed zoning changes.  You can learn more here and here (and provide public comment here.   

         Housing Supply and Affordability -- This topic remains of great public interest, with new proposals anticipated from the Seattle Planning Commission, the Middle Income Housing Alliance and others.  Please attend our next "What it Takes" forum on Housing at the downtown Seattle Public Library on Tuesday March 18th at 5:30 pm.  The forum will be moderated by community leader and Seattle Great City Initiative Chair, Darryl Smith. Panelists will include Councilmember Sally Clark, former mayor Charlie Royer, nonprofit developer Tony To, and local property developer Maria Barrientos.  In addition to public education on these issues, Seattle Great City Initiative intends to continue pursuing the most significant recommendations to improve housing supply and affordability as a key strategy to a livable, equitable city that is environmentally sustainable. 

3.  Improve Neighborhood Streets and Local Mobility

In Seattle we are beginning a transition away from auto-dependent travel to a new model based on transit, walking and biking.  The evidence includes adoption of Complete Streets and a Bicycle Master Plan, a proposed Pedestrian Master Plan, consideration of a Surface-Transit option for the Alaska Way viaduct, and proposals for Bus Rapid Transit and new Streetcars. These proposed solutions also represent a welcome emphasis on local streets as the core of a transportation system.  We believe that with our emphasis on Seattle and its neighborhoods, we are well positioned to accelerate this trend. We see two key components:    public engagement to speed acceptance of change and oversight of implementation to ensure the city meets its stated goals.  We are pulling together a team to develop and execute a campaign to achieve our objectives.  If you want to be involved, please contact michael.mcginn@greatcity.org .

Announcements 

The Seattle Planning Commission is holding an Affordable Housing Forum Thursday, February 28, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in the Bertha Landes Room at Seattle City Hall (600 4th Avenue).  The Seattle Planning Commission will release their Affordable Housing Action Agenda, which includes nine key strategies for affordable housing in Seattle.

Seattle Great City Initiative’s Executive Director, Michael McGinn, will be moderating a Sierra Club “Cool State” Forum series examining recommendations from the Washington State Climate Advisory Team.  The next forum is Monday March 24^th from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Seattle REI. 

Sound Transit Public Opinion Survey  Here is a chance to provide your views on the next round of transportation investments.

Our Neighborhood Assistance Program is up and running.  Click here to apply.

Like what we are doing?  Donate here.

Want to volunteer?  Contact Michael McGinn or Allison Burson at info@greatcity.org.

We are in a time of tremendous change and opportunity. Thank you for joining in this movement to create a community for ourselves and future generations that meets our highest ideals.

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