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?
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?
The hallmarks of great world cities have been the same for centuries. With downtown Seattle at crossroads it’s time to revisit the elements needed to make it a desirable place to live, work and visit.
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.
As the City Council ponders where to focus its post-pandemic rebuilding efforts, it may be time for a field trip downtown.
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?
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
