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Dear friends and neighbors,
The end of the year is not only a time for reflection on the past, but also for charting the course for the future. As I look back on 2023, I continue to believe that we are heading in the right direction, putting Seattle on a path towards a successful future and rebuilding trust in our local government.
This year, our City overwhelmingly supported needed investments in affordable housing and homelessness action; we launched a third public safety department to diversify emergency response options and help meet community safety needs; advanced new initiatives to revitalize Downtown and to build economic opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs across our city; passed ambitious climate policy to reduce one of our largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and create hundreds of new jobs in the green economy; and continued to deliver the essential services that residents expect and demand.
But we know that there is still more work to be done. Looking forward to 2024, my team and I will continue to be relentless in our commitment to achieving our vision of a safe, equitable, and thriving city where everyone can reach their full potential. This cannot be done alone, and I’m looking forward to working in collaboration with the incoming City Councilmembers and partners at the county, state, and federal level to advance our shared goals.
Seattle’s toughest challenges cannot be solved overnight or with short-term fixes. But over the last two years we’ve built the systems, teams, relationships, and most importantly, trust needed to make real, sustainable progress. Our One Seattle vision is an approach that seeks to drive progress through unity not division – that remains our North Star, our guiding purpose for everything that we do, and we will continue to move forward towards that goal in the year ahead.
I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy holiday season and a wonderful new year.
Thank you,
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Bruce A. Harrell
Mayor of Seattle
Working Together to Build One Seattle
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The end of 2023 included major achievements driven by Mayor Harrell and his administration to build a healthier, safer, and more equitable city for all. Some key highlights of accomplishments over the last several months include:
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Continuing Seattle’s leadership on climate action, Mayor Harrell proposed a new Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large buildings by 27% by 2050. The legislation was unanimously adopted and signed into law with a broad coalition of community leaders.
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Mayor Harrell signed the 2024 budget into law which included a record investment in affordable housing, wage increases for the human service providers caring for our most vulnerable neighbors, and support for diversified emergency response options to improve public safety.
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The Seattle Housing Levy proposed by Mayor Harrell was approved by Seattle voters. The levy will provide the largest City investment to date over the next seven years into affordable housing, including creating over 3,100 new affordable homes.
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In partnership with Tabor 100, the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business and Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics, the Liberty Project began accepting applications for its inaugural cohort. The initiative launched by Mayor Harrell aims to increase revenues for businesses owned by underrepresented communities in Seattle.
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Mayor Harrell celebrated the official launch of Seattle’s newest public safety department, the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department. The launch was a milestone to diversify Seattle’s emergency response, help people in need receive appropriate assistance, and ensure the highest priority incidents receive critical police and fire services.
Building on immediate efforts to improve safety, health, and activity Downtown, early legislative priorities for Mayor Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan were signed into law this fall, setting the foundation for a welcoming, safe, and vibrant downtown with activities and experiences that bring people together. The bills signed into law include:
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Zoning changes to support more residential development and incentives for childcare facilities so more people can afford to live downtown with nearby amenities.
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A lease agreement with Cultural Space Agency to bring five arts non-profits into the second floor of King Street Station. This new hub will anchor arts, culture, and community in the city’s core.
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Waiving citywide permitting fees for food trucks, food carts, and small-to-medium scale street and sidewalk events to attract new businesses and add new dining options for residents, workers, and visitors.
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Increasing flexibility for siting hotels in Belltown to increase foot traffic and bring more visitors Downtown.
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Expanding the City’s partnership with the Downtown Seattle Association to bring new activation activities to Bell Street Park and Pioneer Square, in addition to DSA’s existing work in Occidental Square and Westlake Park.
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 Mayor Harrell welcomed the five incoming councilmembers to City Hall to talk about shared goals and priorities for the year ahead to build a safe, equitable, and thriving city.
 Mayor Harrell joined the Consul-General of Japan in Seattle Iyori Makoto and downtown stakeholders to unveil a new commemorative plaque honoring Seattle’s ties to Japan next to eight new cherry blossom trees.
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 At Tableau’s Fremont headquarters, Mayor Harrell launched the One Seattle Data Strategy with a focus on connecting currently siloed efforts, scaling up prior successes, and empowering community to use public data.
 Mayor Harrell celebrated the opening of DESC’s new permanent supportive housing location at Burbridge Place. Thanks to this 124-unit building and the workers at DESC, people who have suffered homelessness will have a place to call home and a pathway to stability and recovery.
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 Mayor Harrell went on a Community Connection visit in Rainier Beach, one of the city’s and country’s most diverse neighborhoods to amplify Black Black Friday and meet with small business owners and neighbors.
 To celebrate Seattle Forest Week, Mayor Harrell joined volunteers to plant trees at Jefferson Park. With a new $12.9M grant from the U.S. Forest Service to support community planting efforts, the City is taking action to grow a healthy and equitable distributed tree canopy citywide.
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 Mayor Harrell joined environmental leaders to announce that the City received a $4 million grant to develop a new salvaged wood warehouse to store, organize, and distribute salvaged wood. The new warehouse is expected to process 150 tons of wood each year.
Supporting efforts to build an equitable, inclusive city, Mayor Harrell signed a new Executive Order to expand City contracting and procurement opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses. This order will drive economic empowerment and create pathways to grow generational wealth.
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“Way to go Mayor. I am hopeful for your ongoing work to return order and safety for all the citizens of Seattle. Conscientious safety protects everyone from the most vulnerable and the businesses that help our city thrive! You have a pleased citizen.” – Christian L., 10/2/23
“Today I was driving north on I-5 and noticed the team painting over graffiti. These guys are making the city look so much better. Thank you for this team and this effort. Please keep it up and give this team some recognition.” – Dylan H., 10/3/23
“I just want to thank Mayor Harrell and his staff for the excellent work you have been doing. You are succeeding every bit as much as I believed you would during these crazy times. Your compassion shows through your policies as you walk the fine line between saving our city and respecting peoples' rights. A great big thank you and keep up the great work.” – Gretchen B., 10/21/23
“Thank you for your service, Mayor Harrell. Your collaborative approach to leading Seattle is much appreciated. I’m a long-time Seattle resident, and I have faith in the great people of our city. I just wanted to let you know I understand what you are doing for our city is hard work. Thank you.” – Kevin P., 11/7/23
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