May Newsletter Contents:
SR 520: STATE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE ANNOUNCED
The new preferred alternative for the replacement of SR 520 Bridge is a significant improvement for transit operations and connectivity, residential neighborhoods, the Arboretum, and pedestrian and bicycle connections. Many of the recommendations made by the City Council were included in the new design and it’s time for this significant project to move forward. Read more
SR 520: FAST BUS SERVICE NOW
Light rail is a great way to provide transit service connecting dense urban communities and it might be a good addition to SR520. But 520 is a corridor with many challenges for a light rail system while rapid bus transit service provides a more flexible and effective form of high capacity transit for the project area. Bus connections in dedicated lanes will reduce automobile use -- and greenhouse gas emissions. Delaying the replacement of SR 520 would leave transit commuters stuck in traffic – it’s time to move forward. Read more
CARBON NEUTRAL SEATTLE CAMPAIGN BEGINS
The City Council’s ambition to make Seattle a Carbon Neutral city is exciting and challenging to say the least. Once again, Seattle is on the cutting edge for a City government, and for good reason. Climate change is the preeminent moral challenge of our times. Water and food supplies worldwide are threatened by changes in weather patterns and our oceans. We must rise to the challenge of creating a new framework of sustainability that will foster the growth of our green sector economy and integrate and enhance economic opportunity with a climate neutral city. Read more
FUNDING LIBRARIES FOR THE FUTURE
The City will face significant budget challenges in 2010 and in preparing the 2011-2012 budgets. Declining revenues requires 2010 budget cuts for every City Department. While I am a strong champion of our public library system, the library is only one of a number of important priorities competing for general fund revenue. The Council is working with Seattle Public Libraries to research options for a new, independent source of funding that will take library funding out of the competition for general fund revenues. Read more
AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION ORDINANCE VETOED BY MAYOR
The Council will not act to override the Mayor’s veto of the aggressive solicitation ordinance, which passed the Council by a 5-4 vote. The proposed ordinance was a modest approach to addressing a modest problem. I was disappointed in much of the tone of the public discussion and the characterizations made by some about the ordinance and its intentions. The Council is committed to addressing these problems, however a clear path forward is not currently apparent. Read more
CHIHULY AND SEATTLE CENTER REDUX
The owners of the Space Needle Corporation have proposed a new Chihuly Museum at the Seattle Center, to be located on part of the space formerly occupied by the Fun Forest. Center staff welcomed it as both a new attraction and a source of significant additional revenue. However, a number of questions have been raised about the concept, and as a result the Seattle Center has decided to go through a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Read more
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