Also in this edition: Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal



Durkan Digest Standard Header



One of my first actions as Mayor was to create the Seattle Promise program, which guarantees free college to our Seattle Public School graduates. When we started the program, there were only 100 students utilizing the 13th Year program at South Seattle College and this Fall, we now have 1,110 students from every Seattle Public School high school at all three colleges.  

Now we’re expanding the program even further to give some students up to four years free college. This week, I was proud to announce a new partnership [ [link removed] ] with the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship [ [link removed] ] (WSOS) to strengthen pathways to college and career advancement for Seattle Promise [ [link removed] ] scholars who are pursuing jobs in the trades, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and health care. 

Seattle Promise is transforming the lives of thousands of students. We are proud to be the first city in Washington State to partner with WSOS because we are committed to ensuring each and every student in our city, especially our young Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and lower income students have access to college. Our partnership with WSOS will ensure students most impacted by the pandemic have continued support at the end of the program to ensure they complete their degrees and earn great jobs in critical industries right here in our City and State. 

Seattle is the first city in Washington State to become a municipal partner for this competitive scholarship. This means that Seattle Promise scholars have access to continued financial aid and support as they successfully complete the Seattle Promise program and transition to furthering their education at another institution.   

Mayor Durkan and speakers at a press conference announcing the partnership

The City will invest up to $400,000 in WSOS through 2023, and Washington state will match the City’s investment dollar-for-dollar, which means up to 60 Seattle Promise scholars can seek four-year degrees and are eligible for up to $22,500 in financial assistance. While all students in the State of Washington are eligible to apply for the WSOS, only Promise Scholars will be eligible for funding made available through the City of Seattle’s new partnership. 

This partnership and match will pride so many more opportunities for Promise scholars. I am grateful and proud of our partners who have helped to make this happen for students who need it the most, especially state representatives including Rep. Drew Hansen, Rep. Vandana Slatter, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp and philanthropic partners like Brad Smith at Microsoft, Boeing, and the Rubens Family Foundation.

Seattle Promise is one of my proudest accomplishments as Mayor. The Seattle Promise program continues to break enrollment records as more and more students utilize the program to begin their college education. We know that funding free community college for Seattle high schoolers allows students across the city to have access to a quality higher education. Students can apply at: [link removed] [ [link removed] ] 

As always, please continue to write me at [email protected], reach out via Twitter [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work we’re doing for the people of Seattle on my blog [ [link removed] ].    

Stay safe and healthy, 

Mayor Jenny Durkan's Signature________________________________________________________________________

Seattle is Ready for Historic and Transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

Mayor Durkan and other Mayors in front of the White House

This week, Mayor Durkan joined Mayors and labor unions for the signing of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal. This historic bill will create millions of good paying jobs and make long overdue investments in transportation and infrastructure. 

Over the past two years, Seattle has faced unprecedented obstacles, many of them related to our urgent need to invest in infrastructure. The West Seattle Bridge emergency closure – a key corridor for shipping, transit and transportation – created an enormous challenge for our residents and businesses over the last 20 months. Last year, one of our piers collapsed. Just this past weekend, we saw an electrical failure on the 102-year-old University Bridge require a 2-day closure. Much of the infrastructure in our City is in urgent need of investment and requires support and partnership from every level of government.   

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan announce land swap for City Hall Park

King County and the City of Seattle have transmitted legislation to complete a land swap transaction that will transfer ownership of City Hall Park to King County in exchange for 13 county-owned properties. The swaps will allow the County to complete its downtown Civic Campus, and will further the City’s goal to expand and protect green space and public parkland particularly South Park. 

In exchange for the transfer of the 0.56-acre City Hall Park located just south of the King County Courthouse and the City’s agreement to vacate the roads surrounding the property, King County will transfer approximately 13 parcels of land totaling 1.35 acres. The new parcels include a 0.4-acre lot adjacent to the South Park Bridge and Cesar Chavez Park, as well as several smaller parcels near city parks. Many of the parcels in the transfer are located adjacent to natural areas, and their acquisition will increase green space protection and enlarge the environmental canvas for future restoration projects. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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With the Expected Approval of Pfizer and Moderna Boosters This Week, Mayor Durkan and Partners Announce COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Rainier Beach

Mayor Durkan and speakers at the Southeast Senior Center

Following the launches of the City’s South Lake Union and West Seattle clinics, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan along with Seattle Fire Department Chief Scoggins, and community partners announced the location of the City’s third vaccination clinic at SouthEast Seattle Senior Center in the Rainier Beach neighborhood, in South Seattle. Today’s announcement follows reports that the FDA, CDC and WA DOH are expected [ [link removed] ] to approve boosters for every individual 18+ who received Pfizer and Moderna at least six months ago. 

You can sign up for a booster or first or second dose appointment here: seattle.signetic.com [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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Mayor Durkan Statement on Death of Deputy Chief Jay Schreckengost

The death of Deputy Chief Jay Schreckengost is a deep loss for our department and our city.   

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Schreckengost family. Nearly 200 members of SFD have spent their mornings, weekends, and afternoons in the search effort. Volunteers, first responders, and small businesses stepped up in unimaginable ways. That’s because of who Jay was and the deep impact he had on our community. 

Read more [ [link removed] ]   
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Thank You City Employees

The past 21 month have been extremely difficult for each city employee. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic our city employees have stood up mobile vaccination units, several large city vaccination sites, got residents and our most vulnerable populations vaccinated, continued free public testing, began administering booster doses, ensured the full city workforce was vaccinated, and now – we have begun vaccinating children. Aside from the pandemic, we reacted to extreme heat, smoke, and even some extreme winter weather – including snow. City employees have continued to keep our core and essential services running. They have showed up to work to make sure the lights are on, make sure we all have clean water, make sure the trash is picked up, and to continue to deliver on public safety. 

Every time we asked employees to do the impossible, they have delivered. Thank you, city employees, for your work – especially in our darkest days.  

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Shop to the Beat

Black and white photo of the Seattle skyline

The Seattle Office of Economic Development announced a new recovery program launching this holiday season — Shop to the Beat! Shop to the Beat will match small retail businesses with local musicians to host free in-store performances to help increase foot traffic and sales for retailers as well as provide competitive pay for musicians.  


* Small retail businesses interested in hosting a free performance can submit a short Shop to the Beat Application [ [link removed] ] to share their contact information and music preferences by 12/17.  
* Local musicians interested in performing live at a small business this holiday season can register with partner Gigs4U [ [link removed] ] by 12/17. Please enter the following referral code: S2B. 

Shop to the Beat performances will begin on November 27 for Small Business Saturday and continue throughout the holiday season.  

Visit the Shop to the Beat website [ [link removed] ] for more information and to apply by 12/17! 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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ARTS at King Street Station

Photo of a piece of art form the current ARTS at King Street Station exhibit

“1619: Resistance/Resilience/Remembrance/Liberation” is on view at ARTS at King Street Station from November 16, 2021 through January 15, 2022. Created and curated by Mr. Delbert Richardson of The Unspoken Truths, this exhibit invites community to experience a chronological journey – from the beginnings of our origins in Africa, American Chattel Slavery, and the Jim Crow Era to modern-day African American originators, inventors, and innovators. 

ARTS at King Street Station is free and open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am to 6pm. In accordance with King County's vaccination verification guidance, people ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter. Masks are required, regardless of vaccination status. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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WEEKEND READ: South Seattle Emerald: Seattle Promise is Building Educational Equity

Graphic oh two graduating students

by Shouan Pan, Dr. Brent Jones, and Ana MariCauce 

In the midst of a global pandemic, the Seattle Promise program [ [link removed] ], which guarantees two years tuition-free at Seattle Colleges, is thriving. This fall, more than 1,100 students are enrolled in Seattle Promise, working toward a degree or certificate they might otherwise not be able to afford.  

Nationally, during the pandemic, nearly all community colleges saw enrollment drop. But at Seattle Colleges, the nationally recognized Seattle Promise program actually grew post-secondary enrollment because of our partnerships and targeted student services.  

When Mayor Jenny Durkan championed the expansion of the 13th Year Promise [ [link removed] ] to the Seattle Promise program nearly four years ago — in partnership with Seattle Colleges and Seattle Public Schools (SPS) — we estimated that 1 out of every 5 students would join Seattle Promise. Yet this year, 1 out of every 4 SPS high school graduates enrolled to take advantage of this opportunity. More students than ever enrolling in the Seattle Promise is a good thing. It means we’ve created a program that fills a real need, especially during the pandemic.  

Students are facing challenges with COVID-era learning, rent, child care, and in some cases, juggling multiple jobs. COVID-19 has raised new barriers for many post-secondary students, with higher impacts for students of color, students with disabilities, and students who are caregivers.  

To further educational equity, we support the proposal currently before the Seattle City Council, a three-year, nearly $11 million plan to: 


* Help students who have faced barriers during the pandemic.  
* Provide a pathway back into the program for the students shut out of the Seattle Promise due to COVID-19.  
* Expand Seattle Promise to allow additional scholarships for students seeking a four-year degree.   

Our plan has three components: First, it allows students who had to drop out during the pandemic reenter to restart the program for a certificate or degree. It is not just common sense — it’s the right thing to do. Newly released data [ [link removed] ] shows that Promise scholars of color benefit most from more time to complete their degrees — more than 20 additional scholars from the 2018 cohort finished their degree within three years. Flexible COVID-19 enrollment policies will enable more students to receive free tuition, equity scholarships, and completion supports in a third year. 

Read more [ [link removed] ] 
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