If you haven’t followed City politics, it’s time to tune in and be counted in next Tuesday’s election. The races for Mayor, City Attorney and the two Citywide Council seats will determine how downtown recovers from the pandemic and problems that were brewing well beforehand.

Just weeks after a global warming study identified Downtown’s intense density as cause for its extreme heat status, a new land use proposal aims to make it easier to fill every small lot in Belltown by relaxing building standards.

Seattle’s drive for extreme density downtown is equaled by its commitment to battling climate change. But a new heat map co-sponsored by the City shows these goals at odds. Read On….

As Charter Amendment 29 awaits certification for the November ballot, expect more hot debate on this important but flawed legislation borne from the City’s six-year paralysis addressing the homelessness crisis. If you’re still on the fence, Belltown United recently hosted a definitive short course to inform your vote.

After flourishing for months, the tent city lining Third between Pike and Union disappeared this week. Thirty-three people accepted new shelter and the sidewalk re-appeared. As the community sighs with relief, we thank all involved in this recovery mission and ask, how to maintain it?

A proposed Belltown tower checks the box for community engagement without actually engaging the community. Let SDCI know it’s time for a do-over.

And the answer is “not” if you’re downtown—at least not easily. Seattle’s lack of public toilets is sometimes grossly evident and has a controversial past. One business owner thinks it’s time to address this public health issue head on with the help of new federal relief funds.

Confronted with civic problems great and small, it’s often hard to know where to turn for solutions. When it comes to homelessness, one mayoral candidate believes it’s because no single person or entity owns the problem. Is he right?

Belltown residents cried foul when a proposed residential development was granted extra height and floor area by pledging to meet Green Building standards, even though these incentives would block more of their daylight and views. Learn how the new Belltown Livability Coalition is fighting back.

Everyone’s got an opinion but being heard at City Council meetings isn’t easy and letters rarely receive acknowledgement. Comment policy updates and innovations would ensure more views are heard.

Compassion Seattle sounds promising – but raises a lot of questions for Belltown activist Steve Horvath. He crunched the numbers and wants to find out if the group has fully accounted for the bottom line costs to Seattle.

As Seattle’s homeless crisis enters its sixth year, civic coalition Compassion Seattle is proposing a new approach and increased accountability. The group is seeking an amendment to the City Charter that details City Hall's obligation to fund and provide for those facing chronic homelessness and take responsibility for keeping City streets and parks free of encampments. Coalition member and former Council Member Tim Burgess explains.

Seattle determined a new 54-story tower would impact its neighborhood but said an EIS prepared 18 years ago had the impacts covered. Project neighbors and King County Superior Court thought otherwise….

As the City Council ponders where to focus its post-pandemic rebuilding efforts, it may be time for a field trip downtown.

Downtown resident Leslie Buker speaks for many other Seattle residents. Will it take another tragedy to get the Mayor and Council to address rampant crime in this neighborhood?

The peaceful closure of the Denny Park homeless encampment was a small triumph in the greater effort to help thousands living in crisis on Seattle streets and parks. Many deserve credit for the success but one citizen volunteer stands out for her daily outreach and cutting through red tape.

A group of downtown residents and commercial property owners felt like collateral damage in an unbalanced plan to reimagine policing and public safety. They are temporarily hiring full time security to see if it will help their troubled street. Will this do-it-yourself crime prevention effort succeed, is it sustainable and could it become a norm?

Like other American cities, Seattle is grappling with bitter politics, protests and a pandemic-deflated economy. To that daunting list, DRA member Karen Gielen would add one more: misguided leadership.

In Seattle, access to daylight is marketed as the ultimate amenity in new luxury towers. Ironically some of these towers will block up to 100% of daylight to neighbors. Will lack of equitable planning divert this essential resource to those who pay top dollar?

Even 120 years at the southeast corner of the Pike Place Market didn’t spare the Hahn Building from the thrust of new development in 2018. That changed when neighbors got involved. DRA looks into the anatomy of a successful longshot campaign.

Funded plans to explore a “Portal Park” adjacent to the old Battery Street tunnel site were put on hold last year when Mayor Durkan decided to consider other options. After a year of inaction a dedicated group of activists is renewing its efforts to “Recharge the Battery” and give downtown residents some much needed green space. Read On

Seattle protesters aren’t the only ones feeling rage these days. After months of plywood, graffiti and ongoing violence, some weary downtown residents have lost hope and patience. One shared the message he sent recently to the Mayor and Council claiming their silence and tepid responses are part of the problem:

With 100 condos and nearly 70,000 people living downtown, one resident is crowd sourcing answers to find best practices for condo communities.