Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Newsletter

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 03/30/2023 09:53 AM PDT
An light blue and purple illustration with text that says "Neighbor Day" and "Keep Up Kindness"

Celebrate Neighbor Day by Performing and Honoring Acts of Kindness

Neighbor Day is a special day set aside to reach out to neighbors, make new friends, and express thanks to those who help make our city a great place to live. To celebrate Neighbor Day on Saturday, May 6, we invite all Seattle residents to indulge in and amplify acts of kindness in their community. Check out our blog for some ideas and inspiration and learn how you can nominate a person, business, or organization to be recognized for their acts of kindness.

Read more on the Front Porch Blog.

Other City News

Food Equity Fund Adjusts Launch Date for Second Round of Funding: The Capacity Building Grant of the Food Equity Fund launch date has changed and applications will now open on May 5, 2023. Get more information about the Capacity Building Grant and the Food Equity Fund.

Seattle Preschool Program 2023-2024 School Year Applications Now Open: Seattle’s award-winning preschool program recently expanded to 89 sites citywide including 28 dual-language classrooms. Applications for the program are available in multiple languages with in-language support. Learn more about the expansion and apply for the Seattle Preschool Program.

Open Call for Ideas: Office-To-Residential Conversion Visions for Downtown Seattle: The Seattle Office of Planning & Community Development is inviting building owner/architect teams to share innovative solutions that identify obstacles to conversion and potential policy changes. Read more about the office-to-residential conversion project and apply by April 28.

Provide Input for View Ridge Playfield Play Area: Seattle Parks and Recreation Invites the community to a public meeting, Wednesday, April 19 to provide input on play area design for the View Ridge Playfield. The project will install new play structures for children of all abilities and ages 2 to 12. Learn more about the project and get information on the community meeting.

New Rates for On-Street Paid Parking Take Effect This Week: On-street parking rate adjustments have taken place in most business districts throughout the city in response to an increase in urban economic activity. View a list of impacted locations and rate increase amounts.

Two New $2 Million Federal Grants Enhance Safety Near Light Rail in Rainier Valley: The grants, awarded via the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grant program, will help install smart-sensing infrastructure and upgrade traffic signals at rail crossings. Learn more about the grant program and additional safety measures supported by this funding.

Pilot Program Brings Curbside Electric Vehicle Charging Station to Seattle: Seattle City Light has announced the locations for 31 Level 2 Electric Vehicle charging stations throughout the city. Installation will begin in April and is anticipated to be finished by the end of summer. Check out a list of curbside Electric Vehicle charging station locations.

In The Community

Three Black women, one holding a baby, sit on a couch looking at each other with large smiles.

Grants Awarded to Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color Groups Tackling Birthing Inequities

Five Washington organizations led by and providing support to people of color were recently granted funding from the state to help address disproportionately high rates of maternal deaths among the state’s most vulnerable communities. One of the recipients, Burien-based organization BLKBRY, plans to use the funds to offer free educational classes for Black birthing people and reproductive and birth support at no cost.

Read full story in Crosscut.
A person standing high on a ladder painting a wall in a old building with arched tall ceilings and arched entryways.

Seattle’s Historic Coliseum Theater, Old Banana Republic Store to Get New Life

The Coliseum Theater, a historic landmark in Downtown Seattle, is getting a new lease on life. Built as a state-of-the-art cinema in 1916 and later home to clothing retailer Banana Republic, the vacant building will open as a temporary sprawling art space this summer featuring art installations, paintings, live music, fashion shows, parties, and more.

Read more in The Seattle Times.

Share Your Feedback

Public Feedback Wanted on Initiative Aimed at Ending Traffic-Related Fatalities: Seattle Department of Transportation has recently published a draft review of their Vision Zero initiative to better understand a recent rise in serious injuries and deaths on Seattle streets. Take a short survey to help identify opportunities to reduce traffic-related harm.

Share Your Thoughts on Side Sewer Maintenance Incentives: Seattle Public Utilities is asking for public input about maintenance incentives for side sewers to learn what options the community is most likely to use as the program is developed. Provide feedback on maintenance incentives by taking this short survey.