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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Nickels Vows to Fight Efforts to Halt Job Creation in Seattle
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
4/24/2003 3:16:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Office of the Mayor (206) 684-4000
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Mayor Nickels Vows to Fight Efforts to Halt Job Creation in Seattle
Efforts to continue to create 20,000 good paying jobs
SEATTLE - Flanked by business, labor and environmental advocates, Mayor Greg Nickels today vowed to continue an effort to create 20,000 new good-paying jobs in South Lake Union, despite recent attempts to stall the plan.
"A great thing is happening in South Lake Union - the growth of an industry that cures disease and saves lives, while creating excellent jobs," said Nickels. "Yet, during the worst recession in 20 years, some members of the Seattle City Council, amazingly, seem to be saying, 'stop the recovery, we want to get off.'"
Nickels responded to a recent call by Councilmembers Richard Conlin and Nick Licata to stall development plans in South Lake Union by initiating a host of special review procedures.
"It's business as usual - process over progress," said Nickels. "The rest of the world would love to have these biotech jobs. Our region needs these jobs - the region has seen Boeing lay off thousands of workers. We hope to get those jobs back, but we must work hard to lay the foundation for the next great industries of this city. It's just common sense."
The mayor's redevelopment plan for South Lake Union would both revitalize the residential neighborhood and help build a world-class biotechnology and life sciences hub. The plan calls for creating new neighborhood amenities such as a new waterfront park, new affordable housing, a streetcar, traffic improvements and infrastructure to promote and support new jobs.
Business and environmental groups praised the mayor's plan to redevelop South Lake Union.
"South Lake Union is an excellent location for new development. We want job creation focused into Seattle's core, not in suburban sprawl," said Aaron Ostrom of 1000 Friends of Washington. "Supported by neighborhood improvements like the South Lake Union Park and the streetcar, the community can grow jobs gracefully and help the region grow intelligently and sustainably," he added.
"South Lake Union is a perfect location for creating more good-paying jobs in the biotech and life sciences sector. It's close to the University of Washington, a major research engine in the industry, and would complement strong companies already located there such as Fred Hutchinson and Seattle Biomedical Research Institute," said Judy Runstad, Board chair, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
"My goal as mayor is to create jobs," Nickels said, adding he has asked the City Council to approve four job-creation plans in Northgate, the University District, Rainier Valley and South Lake Union.
"We don't need a process to see the need to put people to work. This is precisely what city government should do - promote economic opportunity for all," he said.
Nickels called on the rest of the City Council to "step up and send a message: this city is putting people to work. We welcome new jobs. We're not going to let a no-growth mentality stop us from getting out of this recession."
For more information, visit the mayor's web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor.
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Office of the Mayor
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