Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Newsletter

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/17/2024 03:59 PM PST
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Elderly P-Patch Gardener standing in her plot with a shovel thrown over her shoulder looking cool and strong.

Our 2023 Community Impacts and Setting Our Aspirations for 2024

The City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) proudly stands as a beacon of community empowerment and positive transformation. Over the past 12 months, DON has been at the forefront of impactful initiatives, contributing significantly to the well-being of our diverse communities.  

Learn more on the Frontporch Blog.

Other City News

Mayor Harrell Seeks to Increase Needed Affordable Housing by Advancing Improved Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan - The proposed plan will include rental units, workforce housing, and homeownership opportunities, as well as permanent supportive housing for veterans and seniors who have experienced homelessness. Learn about Mayor Harrell's proposal.

Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) Opens Information Desk - SDCI has opened an information desk on the 4th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower at 700 5th Avenue. The fastest way to get help is still through our Virtual Application Services Center (ASC). The SDCI information desk hours and the Virtual ASC hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Thursday: 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Members sought for Seattle’s Design Review Boards - Mayor Harrell is looking for candidates to fill 26 upcoming openings on the City of Seattle’s Design Review Boards. Board members evaluate the design of new buildings based on citywide and neighborhood-specific design guidelines. The volunteer positions start on April 4, 2024. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on January 28, 2024. To be considered send an application, cover letter, and resume to Erika Ikstrums.

Mayor Harrell Highlights Key Priorities for Seattle - Mayor Harrell shared priorities for his administration and the people of Seattle as the Washington State Legislature begins the 2024 session. Learn more about the Mayor's priorities on his blog.

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) 2023 Projects and Improvements - Major SDOT projects move a step closer: Route 40 upgrades for 7,500+ daily riders, Ravenna area paving & safety, bridge seismic strengthening, Safe Routes to School, and more! Learn about SDOT projects on their blog.

City of Seattle Named One of Nation’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers - Seattle achieved Trailblazer status by prioritizing digital inclusion for residents through several programs and initiatives. Learn more about what makes Seattle a Digital Inclusion Trailblazer at the Seattle Tech Talk blog.

Learn More About How You Use Energy with Seattle City Light's 15-minute Usage View - You can now securely access and view your energy usage data in 15-minute increments, letting you monitor how you use your energy at the level of detail you want. Understand your energy consumption.

In the Community

Speak with Purpose Scholar Amari Gambol, 11 (Photo: Susan Fried)

PHOTO ESSAY | Seattle Celebrates the Life of MLK Jr. in 2024

Thousands of people ignored the unusually cold temperatures in Seattle to show up for the 41st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Rally and March at Garfield High School on Jan. 15. This year’s celebration of MLK Jr.’s life was dedicated to longtime supporters of the event, the International Association of Machinists District 751 and Ezell’s Famous Chicken. In addition to a jobs fair that ran from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Garfield High School commons, attendees could choose from 17 different workshops on topics ranging from reproductive justice and bystander intervention to the future of the labor movement and reparations.

Read the full article in South Seattle Emerald. 

(Photo: Speak with Purpose Scholar Amari Gambol, 11, talks about the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses at the 41st annual MLK Jr. Rally at Garfield High School. Credit: Susan Fried)

 
Two member of Seattle's CARE Team looking into the distance.

Podcast | Ride along with Seattle's new CARE response team

Seattle is now dispatching mental health crisis responders on 911 calls – and reporter Nimra Ahmad got to watch them work in real time. 

In October, the city soft-launched the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) team, made up of crisis responders who are dispatched with police as needed. This dual dispatch pilot program is one of the many ways cities are reframing the role that police play when it comes to mental health crisis response.  Listen to the podcast on Crosscut.

(Photo: CARE team community crisis responders Abdillahi Mohamed, left, and Chris Inaba are updated by SPD officers as they arrive on the scene of an incident involving a recently evicted woman. Genna Martin/Crosscut)

 

Share Your Feedback

Public Feedback Wanted on City Council Candidates - The City Council has until January 23 to appoint someone to the council seat (Position 8 At-large) Teresa Mosqueda vacated. Anticipated Special Public Meeting for Public Comment on Candidates: Monday, January 22, 2024. Learn more at the Office of the City Clerk.