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Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Newsletter

Dear friends and neighbors,

This month, I announced the expansion of the award-winning Seattle Preschool Program, including the addition of new dual-language classrooms, and had the chance to meet some of our youngest Seattleites. Seeing their bright and smiling faces was medicine for the soul.??

Investments in the success of our youth are investments in the success of our city, and it gave me joy to know that more children will share in this great opportunity to learn, grow, and prepare for lifelong learning.?

While we must continue to ensure that every child from every neighborhood has access to high-quality education so they can build the future they deserve, we also must build a city today that they deserve to live in ? one that is safe, welcoming, affordable, where opportunities and world-class amenities are accessible to all.?

Since entering my second year in office, my staff and I have been working tirelessly to make real on our One Seattle vision. We have built the systems, teams, and trust needed to drive change, and now we are moving forward together.?

We will not be complacent in the weeks and months to come and will continue our efforts to revitalize downtown, address homelessness with urgency and compassion, provide meaningful support for our small businesses to succeed, and enhance the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.??

Thank you,?

Bruce signature

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

Mayor Harrell poses with children and teachers at La Escuelita.

A Greener Future for the Emerald City

Mayor Harrell speaks at a Seattle Parks event at Discovery Park.

From heat mitigation to improving air quality, trees provide essential benefits to our communities. Following an assessment that showed that canopy coverage has declined in Seattle over the last five years, Mayor Harrell took action to ensure Seattle keeps its standing as a true emerald and evergreen city.?

A new Executive Order issued and legislation proposed by Mayor Harrell will preserve and plant thousands of trees across Seattle. These actions are focused on meeting Seattle?s tree canopy goals and ensuring canopy coverage is equitably distributed, so historically underserved communities who are already experiencing the impacts of climate change receive the support they need. These efforts aim to balance the need for housing development and canopy coverage and better preserve trees managed by the City, including replacing City-owned trees that have to be removed at a three-to-one rate.?

Recognizing the beauty and cultural significance of cherry blossom trees to the Japanese community, Mayor Harrell also directed the City to plant 24 new cherry blossom trees downtown. These trees will be part of the Pike Pine Streetscape & Bicycle Improvements Project which broke ground in February and will make two dozen city blocks more accessible and enjoyable for residents, workers, and visitors alike.


Building Our One Seattle Team

Headshots of AP Diaz, Tanya Kim, and Derrick Wheeler-Smith

City departments need strong leadership to drive progress on the challenges facing our city, and Mayor Harrell has continued to build a team of qualified leaders who embrace our One Seattle values of partnership, innovation, and excellence. This month, Mayor Harrell officially nominated AP Diaz to serve as Superintendent of Seattle Parks, Tanya Kim to serve as Director of the Seattle Human Services Department, and Derrick Wheeler-Smith as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights.?

The City has also launched a national search for the next permanent director of the Office of Arts & Culture with Mayor Harrell convening a search committee representing a broad array of arts leaders and stakeholders to help identify candidates.?

The search process will also encourage art-goers, creatives, and residents across the city to weigh-in ? seeking insight into what community members hope the office and its next director will elevate and champion. Residents are invited to attend three community conversations and take a feedback survey to inform the search process.


Save the Date for the Day of Service

Mayor Harrell and Seahawks Pete Carroll at the One Seattle Day of Service.

This year, the One Seattle Day of Service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. The event is an invitation to every Seattle neighbor to roll up your sleeves, come together, and give back, with volunteer opportunities in each neighborhood across the city.?

If you are part of an organization that is interested in hosting or leading an event, please register here. We have several ways your organization can participate by providing volunteer opportunities within your organization, sponsorships, and/or providing volunteers the day of the event.?

If you are an individual looking to participate in an event for the Day of Service, sign up for our email list below and check back to our Day of Service website in April for more information on volunteering opportunities.?


What We?re Hearing from Constituents

?As a 20-year City resident and a 50+ year Northwest resident, I have seen many mayors come and go, but thus far I think you have done the best of any. I understand that tackling the homeless problem, handling the community policing issue, along with a ton of bread-and-butter issues has not been easy, but you are trying and are on the right track. Please know that I, along with many, many other Seattle citizens solidly support you.? - Roger W., 1/14/23?

?I want to thank you for the efforts you have been making to improve the safety and security in our city.? There has been a clear slow but steady improvement where I live in Lake City.? A neighbor and I were commenting that many issues have improved under your administration. The improvement to Lake City which has been chronically underserved for decades, is notable and deeply appreciated.? - Carol C., 1/16/23?

?I am really impressed with your execution and vision as mayor. While you have inherited a unique set of challenges, the approach you have chosen to take seems well aligned with logic and ethics. I believe that the plan that you and your team are pursuing will ultimately result in the downtown corridor returning to the once safe and economically strong Seattle we all want.? - Jason R., 2/27/23?

?Thank you for working to make Seattle safe and livable for residents and businesses alike. I see the results with my own eyes when I walk around Greenlake or downtown. There's still opportunities for improvement but things are improving.? ? Kyle L., 3/7/23?


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