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Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Newsletter

Portrait photo of Mayor Harrell

*Dear friends and neighbors,*

October has been a month of action, progress, and community-focused initiatives across Seattle. Our efforts stand in direct contrast to those of the Trump administration. From public safety to affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and equitable access to essential services, our work continues to reflect our commitment to making Seattle a city where every resident can thrive.

Just a few hours ago, the federal court issued a preliminary injunction [ [link removed] ] blocking Trump’s threats to our federal funding over our commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ communities and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. And yesterday, I took the rare step of issuing a Limited Civil Emergency Proclamation [ [link removed] ] to provide $8 million in support for food banks as Trump and congressional republicans’ government shutdown threatens SNAP benefits. Seattle values are American values, and we will continue to relentlessly defend our people and our principles from Trump’s attacks.

I signed two Executive Orders [ [link removed] ] to safeguard Seattle communities from federal overreach and unlawful actions from the Trump administration — ensuring preparedness in the event of unilateral troop deployment and strengthening protections for immigrant and refugee residents. These measures preserve local control over law enforcement resources and propose new legislation to increase transparency and accountability, including banning face coverings by law enforcement officers and requiring visible identification while on duty. These actions make Seattle one of the first major U.S. cities to take these concrete steps to protect residents from fear, confusion, and unlawful federal interference.

I also issued an Executive Order [ [link removed] ] to ensure equitable access to grocery stores [ [link removed] ] and essential goods — a proactive approach to preventing and addressing food deserts across the city. This directive mobilizes multiple departments to identify areas at risk of losing access to healthy and affordable food, explore opportunities for public-private partnerships, propose zoning and land-use updates to encourage more grocery and pharmacy locations, and advocate for state-level changes that eliminate barriers to food access. Every Seattle neighborhood deserves convenient access to nutritious food, medicine, and other daily essentials — and we’re taking steps to make that a reality.

October once again demonstrated that progress in Seattle comes from collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to the health, safety, and opportunity of all residents. I am grateful to our City employees, partners, and community members who work alongside us to build a stronger, more resilient Seattle.

Together,



Bruce signature

 



Bruce A. Harrell

Mayor of Seattle

*"Working Together to Build One Seattle"*





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Driving Progress
Mayor Harrell speaking at press conferenceMayor Harrell signing EO with leaders behind

This month has included multiple announcements driven by Mayor Harrell and his administration to build a vibrant, inclusive, and equitable city, including:


* A monumental expansion of Seattle’s nation-leading CARE Department and diversified public safety response. Mayor Harrell’s vision will allow CARE to move from pilot to permanent, part of a tentative collective bargaining agreement [ [link removed] ] (CBA) reached with rank-and-file Seattle police officers, allowing for the expansion and direct dispatch of CARE crisis responders, improving accountability with civilian investigators, and streamlining of disciplinary process.
* New legislation [ [link removed] ] that prohibits the use of restrictive or negative covenants that block properties from being used as grocery stores or pharmacies – helping allow more stores to address food deserts.
* Taking on Trump’s federal overreach and unlawful actions via two Executive Orders [ [link removed] ] to safeguard Seattle communities. Mayor Harrell’s first Executive Order protects local communities and control over law enforcement resources in the event that federalized National Guard troops are deployed to Seattle. The second Executive Order strengthens services to immigrant and refugee communities. The mayor proposed a new ordinance [ [link removed] ]to prohibit the use of face coverings by law enforcement, and require all law enforcement officials to have visible emblems and badges that identify their agency while performing enforcement duties in Seattle, as well as an ordinance to prevent federal law enforcement from staging on or conducting immigration enforcement operations on City property.
* Focused on making the Emerald City even greener, Mayor Bruce Harrell signed a new Executive Order [ [link removed] ]to increase tree preservation [ [link removed] ] on private property and opened the City’s new tree nursery [ [link removed] ], building on efforts over the last three years to protect and grow Seattle’s urban forest and equitably distribute canopy cover throughout the city. 
* To address food deserts and ensure all residents have access to healthy, affordable groceries, Mayor Harrell issued an Executive Order [ [link removed] ]to ensure adequate access to grocery stores [ [link removed] ] in Seattle through a multipronged approach to addressing food deserts. These food deserts, which limit access to healthy affordable food or medicine, exist throughout Seattle, and many neighborhoods have only one full-service grocery store that would result in a food desert if closed.
* Mayor Bruce Harrell celebrated the two-year anniversary [ [link removed] ] of the creation of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) department, combining Seattle’s 911 Center with the new Community Crisis Responder (CCR) team.
* The City of Seattle’s Office of Housing (OH) is proud to announce investments [ [link removed] ] of over $7 million to create 51 new, permanently affordable homeownership opportunities in the Central District and South Park neighborhoods. The funding, awarded through OH’s 2025 Homeownership Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), supports two new developments that will provide pathways to homeownership for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income.
* Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes announced a significant increase in drug trafficking case prosecutions [ [link removed] ] through the first three quarters of 2025, an increase of 42% compared to the full-year 2024 total.
* In response to a potential lapse in federal funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Mayor Harrell proclaimed a limited civil emergency [ [link removed] ] to prevent local food insecurity. Beginning November 1, the City will allocate up to $4 million per month to support food banks and assistance programs until federal benefits are restored. Use this search tool [ [link removed] ]to find your nearest food banks and meal programs.

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Sports City!
Collage of sports events in October MBH

October was an energizing month for Seattle sports — not just in competition, but in community spirit. From the Mariners’ incredible postseason run to the Seahawks’ 50th anniversary celebration, the city was bursting with energy, pride, and connection through sports.

Mayor Harrell started off the month with Mariners announcer Rick Rizzs, Sports broadcaster Angie Mentink, and Seattle Sports Commission President Beth Knox at a special Mariners flag raising at City Hall [ [link removed] ], celebrating the team’s historic playoff run and proclaiming October as “Month of the Mariners.” Building on that excitement, fans came together for a community rally and march [ [link removed] ] to T-Mobile Park and proclaimed October 16 as “Humpy Day” [ [link removed] ] in honor of Humpy, the beloved underdog mascot whose victory captured the fun and heart of this unforgettable postseason.

Mayor Harrell also celebrated “Women in Sports Month [ [link removed] ],” recognizing the athletes, coaches, and leaders breaking barriers and shaping the future of sports. He joined the Seattle Sports Commission’s Women in Leadership Breakfast, celebrating the women whose achievements continue to inspire excellence both on and off the field.

To close out the month, Mayor Harrell declared October 20 as “Seahawks 50th Anniversary Day,” [ [link removed] ] marking five decades of grit, passion, and unforgettable moments that have brought generations of fans together. He presented the proclamation at a Ticketmaster Tailgate event alongside Seahawks Legend Mario Bailey — a perfect kickoff to a milestone season.

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Building One Seattle


MBH at priority hire event

Mayor Bruce Harrell joined the Department of Finance and Administrative Services, union leaders, contractors, and training and community partners today to celebrate the 10-year impact of the City’s Priority Hire program. [ [link removed] ]

Mayor's Office Purple Thursday

Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council proclaimed [ [link removed] ] October 2025 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Seattle [ [link removed] ],” and today, the Mayor’s office and City employees participated in “Purple Thursday” by wearing the color purple to raise awareness and honor survivors of domestic violence.

MBH at OSE event

Mayor Harrell joined the Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment to announce $4.68M in grants [ [link removed] ] to help 17 awardees cut emissions through upgrades and design. Thanks to Brighton Communities for hosting us!

Mayor Harrell presented the Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation at the Waterfront

Mayor Harrell presented the Indigenous Peoples Day [ [link removed] ] proclamation at the Waterfront — honoring the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous communities across Seattle and beyond.

MBH at crown hill tree nursery opening

Mayor Harrell joined community members to celebrate the opening of a new City-owned tree nursery in Crown Hill [ [link removed] ]! With space for 1,000 trees annually, this is a key milestone in building a greener, healthier, and more sustainable Seattle for generations.



MBH at OIRA Resource Fair

Mayor Harrell joined the Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, City departments, and so many incredible community partners for their first Immigrant and Refugee Resource Fair [ [link removed] ].

MBH at Familyworks event

Mayor Harrell joined FamilyWorks [ [link removed] ] for the groundbreaking of their Wallingford [ [link removed] ] Food Bank renovation! This expanded space will help ensure thousands of families have access to nutritious, culturally relevant food and vital support services.

MBH at bruce lee event

Mayor Harrell joined community members and leaders at Diamond Bay Restaurant last weekend to help bring the Bruce Lee statue [ [link removed] ] to life in Hing Hay Park — honoring a legend whose legacy continues to inspire Seattle.

Mayor Harrell joined community leaders, small business owners, and neighbors at Lanterns in the Moonlight

Mayor Harrell joined community leaders, small business owners, and neighbors at Lanterns in the Moonlight [ [link removed] ], Friends of Little Saigon’s inaugural benefit dinner celebrating the resilience and vibrancy of our Vietnamese community and supporting the Little Saigon Landmark Project.

Mayor Harrell joined the Manufacturing Maritime Industrial Association

Mayor Harrell joined the Manufacturing Maritime Industrial Association [ [link removed] ] to celebrate Seattle’s maritime, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial sectors.













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