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.
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.
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….
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.
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.
Don’t get us wrong, bicycling is great for the environment and personal fitness. But with curb space at a premium, does ridership merit the costs of another downtown bike lane?
Mind the gap!
With rising crime and SPD budget cuts, a new neighborhood network hopes to educate and empower city residents by helping them share crime and safety information.
Despite the pandemic, Seattle’s building boom marches on. Will it dismantle Pike Place Market’s iconic intersection? You can help!
Happy Thanksgiving Seattle! DRA is grateful for neighbors and organizations working for a better downtown. One is Andrea Suarez, founder of I Heart Downtown Seattle, a resident who believes actions speak louder than words.
Our elected city leaders are courting chaos by offering broad immunity for assaults, harassment and vandalism
Seattle’s massive budget short fall and COVID-related costs are forcing cuts to essential services affecting public health, transportation and safety.
We heard last week from downtown residents battling Seattle’s LID assessment. This week we have an update on a neighbor’s legal fight to preserve the safe and functional use of its alley.
This week, we share additional reader ideas on helping downtown build back better.
Developers are hungry for more closed-door design approvals
This week, we begin sharing reader ideas on helping downtown build back better.
The last six months have seen a lot of changes in Seattle, but even more are needed for this phoenix to rise from the ashes.
