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Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Newsletter
Mayor Harrell at the One Seattle Day of Service.
*Dear friends and neighbors,*
I hope your 2023 is off to a great start. Last week, I marked one year since taking office as mayor and beginning to build our shared vision for *"One Seattle"*. This anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made and chart a path forward for the year ahead, and I am pleased to share a summary [ [link removed] ] of my administration’s work over the last year.
2022 was a busy year – we brought in new directors to lead our Executive Team and departments, created new systems to address Seattle’s most challenging problems, and embraced a new spirit of collaboration and united effort to put our city on the right track.
I also got to hear directly from community members to understand their needs and priorities, joining 291 community engagement events across all 7 districts. We worked effectively with our City Council, passing 136 pieces of legislation, confirming 12 new department directors, and approving the City’s first biennial budget since the onset of the pandemic.
The accomplishments detailed in the report lay the foundation for my top priorities for the year ahead, which include ensuring long-term safety, advancing sustainable solutions to our region’s homelessness and housing crises, and continuing to support a full recovery for downtown and neighborhoods across Seattle from the impacts of the pandemic.
Our communities are seeing early results from efforts to move forward in a new direction.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done to create the systems, relationships, teams, and trust necessary to enact our*" One Seattle"* vision, but I know there is much more work to do to build the city we want to see.
I look forward to continuing to work together with elected officials, community organizations, and neighbors to build a united and thriving *"One Seattle "*in 2023.
Thank you,
Bruce signature
Bruce A. Harrell
Mayor of Seattle
*Working Together to Build **"One Seattle"*
Read the report [ [link removed] ]
Building One Seattle
Mayor Harrell helps build a tiny home at Sound Foundation NW’s Hope Factory.
Mayor Harrell helps build a tiny home at Sound Foundation NW’s Hope Factory.
Taking Urgent Action
Mayor Harrell’s first year of building *"One Seattle"* was defined by urgent action to change the status quo, improve public safety, and make sustainable progress on the region’s housing and homelessness crises. He has led with a comprehensive approach to reduce crime that involves swift emergency responses, support for victims and survivors, and preventing harm before it happens through community-based solutions. Recognizing that it is inhumane for people to live outside without access to sanitation, heat, and water, the mayor made it a priority to help bring people indoors with improved outreach and expanded shelter, as well as working to increase affordable housing access and prevent displacement.
*2022 highlights include:*
* Coordinated law enforcement efforts and community partnerships to address public safety, like Operation New Day [ [link removed] ], have led to meaningful felony arrests of offenders causing harm
* Development of the comprehensive recruitment and retention plan [ [link removed] ] and secured funding from the City Council to fund a robust marketing effort to respond to SPD’s staffing crisis and hire more officers
* Formation of the Unified Care Team [ [link removed] ], bringing together all departments working on the issue of homelessness to deliver over 1800 referrals to shelter, significantly improved access to parks and public spaces, and reduced silos within government and with the community
* Investment of nearly $250 million in affordable housing – the largest investment of its kind in City history – to address the housing crisis and root causes of homelessness
Mayor Harrell joins state and local leaders and community members to announce the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge.
Mayor Harrell joins state and local leaders and community members to announce the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge.
Back to Basics of Good Governance
When he took office last January, Mayor Harrell pledged to get back to the basics of good governance with an emphasis on delivering the essential City services that residents expect and demand. As our communities have recovered from the impacts of the pandemic, he has acted to meet the immediate needs of residents and also build long-term confidence and trust in our civic institutions. By serving the entire public and getting the basics right, Mayor Harrell believes we can set a new example for what can be achieved together.
*2022 highlights include:*
* Safely reopened the West Seattle Bridge [ [link removed] ] after over two years of a difficult closure to reconnect the West Seattle community with the rest of the city
* Advanced equitable economic recovery efforts that uplift small businesses, provides meaningful financial support [ [link removed] ] to business owners, and supports the revitalization of the downtown core through the expansion of the Seattle Restored [ [link removed] ] program to repurpose and activate vacant storefronts with retail, arts, and businesses
* A recommitment [ [link removed] ] to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options and a Vision Zero agenda to get to get people where they need to go across the city with ease, comfort, and security
* Investments in the renovation, safety, and essential maintenance [ [link removed] ] of Seattle’s nearly 500 parks, including a commitment to keep restrooms open year-round and reestablish the Parks Ranger program
Mayor Harrell joins community members and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at the One Seattle Day of Service event.
Mayor Harrell joins community members and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at the One Seattle Day of Service event.
The Seattle We Want to See
Healthy, thriving communities are at the core of Mayor Harrell’s *"One Seattle"* vision. After more than two years of pandemic uncertainty, Seattleites deserve every opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential whether that means access to a good job, education, support for their business, or City services and resources. Responding not only to the needs of today, but also looking forward – the City is taking bold steps to address climate change and centering equity by elevating efforts that advance fairness and opportunity for all.
*2022 highlights include:*
* Developed a climate justice agenda [ [link removed] ] to build resilience to events like extreme heat and smoke in the most-impacted communities, foster a just transition away from fossil fuels, and protect the city’s urban forest and tree canopies
* Steps to increase access to opportunity across all communities, including passing historic cannabis equity legislation [ [link removed] ], expanding the city’s preschool program [ [link removed] ], and increasing mental health support [ [link removed] ] for Seattle students
* Establishing new beautification efforts including a graffiti strategy [ [link removed] ] to address the surge in vandalism and tagging, increasing public art and murals around the city, and support for outdoor dining and retail opportunities [ [link removed] ]
* Organized the One Seattle Day of Service [ [link removed] ]uniting more than 4000 volunteers in shared action and service to support neighbors in need and create a cleaner, more beautiful city
What We're Hearing from Constituents
"“Thank you for so many improvements in downtown Seattle this year! I walked from Belltown to the Seattle Library today and enjoyed clean streets, holiday decorations in windows, pedestrians smiling and carrying packages, and the hardworking Downtown Ambassadors on many street corners. Thank you for a MUCH better 2022!”" – Liz B., 12/7/2022
"“I just want to take a minute to tell you how pleased I am with the progress and efforts you are making with the issues of homelessness and crime. I think progress, albeit slow, is being made. Thanks, Bruce. You are doing a fine job.” – Randy S., 12/12/2022"
"“Thank you for the efforts you are making to increase police presence in Ballard. I am raising a family here, and our children attend schools nearby. Since you have come to office, I have seen your efforts to make our community more livable. We appreciate you.” – Helene M., 12/15/2022"
"“With so many complaints about government services, I wanted to report a very positive experience with Seattle Public Utilities about a water bill that did not make sense. I received timely responses to email messages. When phone calls were needed, the phone was promptly answered by polite and helpful representatives -- no recording with menu options, just real people. My concern was addressed fully, and I wanted you to know how happy I am with the service I received.” Nancy W., 12/21/22"
*Seattle Office of the Mayor*
600 4th Avenue
4th Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
*Phone: 206-684-4000*
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