Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Newsletter

A Black man kneeling down in a garden bed next to colorful tulips.

Central District Native, Jerry Cole, Finds Hope in Community Building at Hawkins P-Patch   

We recently connected with Hawkins P-Patch community gardener Jerry Cole to chat about his 15 years of growing food at the P-Patch, growing up in the Central District, and his hope that community spaces like the garden can break down racial barriers and help build trust.

Read more in the Front Porch Blog.

Other City News

Join the Solid Waste Advisory Committee of Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities is recruiting community members to provide recommendations, feedback, and share community insights into programs, policies, and outreach objectives around recycling, compost, garbage, and waste prevention. Learn more about the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and apply today.

New Business Growth Program, The Liberty Project, Supports Black-Owned Businesses: A collaboration between the City of Seattle, University of Washington, Seattle University, and Tabor 100, this project focuses on increasing revenues for businesses owned by underrepresented communities in Seattle. Read more about the Liberty Project.

Renovation Work at Be’er Sheva Park on June 12: Seattle Parks and Recreation have announced the beginning of construction work which will close a large portion of the park and limit water access. Learn more about renovation efforts and projected work time.

June Marks 50th Anniversary of 1% For the Arts: Created in 1973, the City of Seattle’s Public Art Program has shaped, defined, and contributed to the character of Seattle by helping to build more than 400 permanent artworks and more than 4,000 portable artworks. See a brief history of the program and learn more about plans for the next ten years.

Check Out Summer Classes and Recreation Programs Across Seattle: Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Summer 2023 program schedules are available. Learn more about Community Center Programs, Lifelong Recreation Programs, and Specialized Programs happening this summer. View summer programs and learn more about financial aid options.

In The Community

A vintage photo of bar sign that reads "Shelley's Leg is a Gay Bar for Seattle's Gay Community and Their Guests."

Looking Back at Pioneer Square’s Queer Past

As you walk the streets of Pioneer Square this Pride Month, you may be unaware of the rich, complex, and fascinating queer history all around you — or indeed beneath the very bricks you step on. Terrilyn Johnson, the co-owner of the tour company Beneath the Streets, felt this history deserved to be showcased. This June, Beneath the Streets will re-launch the small-group queer history tours the company began last summer.

Read the full story in Real Change News.


Three people standing together in a hallway, smiling.

‘Real People Being Represented’: Seattle’s Social Housing Board is Just Getting Started

Seattle has a new public development authority, and it has a big mission: improving access to affordable housing. The authority’s board will develop, acquire, and maintain public, affordable units alongside existing housing resources in the city. The board is made up of 13 appointees, picked by several different groups throughout Seattle, including the City Council, Mayor Bruce Harrell, the nonprofit group El Centro de la Raza, and the Seattle Renters' Commission.

Hear more on KUOW.

Share Your Feedback

Provide Feedback on Transportation Needs for Small Business Workers: Seattle Department of Transportation is exploring options to reduce costs for small businesses to offer their employees free transit benefits. Small business owners, managers, and employees are invited to share information on their transit needs. Take the short survey by June 30.

Community Input Needed for 2024 Parks and Open Space Plan: Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in the development of the 2024 Parks and Open Space Plan by attending one of six in-person events at community centers around the city. Learn more about how to participate.

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.