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Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Newsletter

Dear friends and neighbors,

Today I delivered my 2023 State of the City address, sharing immediate and long-term priorities for Seattle's future. This included a new Downtown Activation Plan to revitalize our downtown core, the economic driver and cultural hub of our region; a public safety framework that centers a holistic approach to reducing crime and holding those who cause harm in our communities accountable; and an ambitious and achievable plan to build more affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

I delivered the speech at Seattle Center?s Fisher Pavilion under the shadow of the Space Needle. This location was intentional, to call back to the iconic World?s Fair, when City leaders and residents joined together to boldly envision what Seattle could be.

A little more than 60 years ago, our city witnessed the design and development of the Space Needle. It was completed in just one year, showcasing the incredible things Seattleites can do when we put our minds to something and act with urgency and creativity.

We now face the same task, addressing our city?s challenges with a forward-looking vision. The future of Seattle is the one that we?re building today.?The city we want to see is the city we need to work towards. If we envision it, we can realize it.??

We must embrace the boldness and innovation that our city is renowned for and turn policy into progress as we continue to build a healthy, thriving One Seattle in 2023.

Thank you,

Bruce signature

Bruce A. Harrell?
Mayor of Seattle?
Working Together to Build One Seattle?

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Read State of the City Remarks As Prepared

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Watch Recording of State of the City

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The City of the Future We're Building Today

Mayor Harrell delivers 2023 State of the City Speech at Fisher Pavilion

Mayor Harrell delivers his 2023 State of the City address at Fisher Pavilion.

Key highlights from Mayor Harrell?s 2023 State of the City address include:

  • The Downtown Activation Plan ? immediate activation strategies to make downtown safer and more welcoming, such as filling vacant storefronts and?a future Executive Order addressing fentanyl and synthetic drugs; along with long-term transformational enhancements, ranging from converting office space to housing to creating a linear arts-entertainment-culture district. ?
  • The Civilian Assisted Response and Engagement Department ? a third public safety department to work alongside Police and Fire, expanding our public safety toolkit to better meet the needs of our residents, especially those with behavioral and mental health needs.
  • Launch of Neighborhood-Focused Unified Care Team ? New UCT teams will launch next month, bringing a neighborhood-level focus to helping those experiencing homelessness connect with places to go and providing services to keep city public spaces clean.
  • Building More Housing ? To increase needed housing the City will advance a bold housing levy, permitting reforms,?the Comprehensive Plan Update, and more to build on improvements to design review; the foundation of a housing subcabinet; and a $250 million affordable housing investment in the budget ? the largest of its kind.?
  • Vision Zero Improvements ? In the coming days, Mayor Harrell and SDOT Director Spotts will share early actions addressing Vision Zero goals, along with further details of a $25 million federal grant to implement safety improvements in underserved neighborhoods.?
  • Taking Climate Action ? Bold new policies to address climate change, build climate resilience, and deliver environmental justice, including new clean buildings, tree preservation and planting,?and Seattle?s Green New Deal investments in Resilience Hubs and electric heat pump conversion.?
  • Hiring 26 Park Rangers ? a massive expansion of the program, with rangers helping improve safety in parks and serving as ambassadors and guides to residents in needs. Park Rangers will help keep parks welcoming and accessible to all, building?on the work of the Unified Care Team in reducing the number of parks and green spaces significantly impacted by encampments by 70% since 2021.
  • Rainier Playfield Ballfields Restoration ? in preparation for the All-Star Game, the Seattle Mariners are funding and partnering with the City to renovate and restore the Rainier Playfield ballfields.

Photos

Mayor Harrell delivers his State of the City address with a poster of the Space Needle from the 1962 World's Fair that reads "The City of the Future."
State of the City
Mayor Harrell delivers 2023 State of the City Address
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