Demonstrations in Seattle in Response to Police Brutality and Policing In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, and the deaths of countless other black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement before Mr. Floyd, demonstrations continue in Seattle and all over the nation.  The demands for change have spurred a conversation […]

West Seattle Bridge Update: May 29 Lower Bridge Maintenance Closure SDOT has announced that the lower bridge will be closed for maintenance during the evening and early morning over the next few days, in order to work on the bridge’s controls and communications systems used to operate the bridge. Here’s the schedule for closure: Friday […]

West Seattle Bridge Update, May 22 SDOT released a “Conceptual Modes of Failure” memo earlier this week, developed by SDOT’s structural engineering consultant, WSP. The memo models how the bridge could deteriorate and potentially fail, and thus helps to identify warning signs. While this study was being developed, it informed the development of the multi-agency […]

West Seattle Bridge: May 8 update Emergency Response Plan On Monday, May 4th SDOT announced an emergency response plan developed with a multi-agency task force in the event that the West Seattle Bridge becomes unstable. The plan would entail evacuation of areas near the bridge in the event it becomes necessary. SDOT says “there are […]

West Seattle Bridge Update With the length of the bridge closure uncertain, but not short, ensuring good access to fire and EMS services in West Seattle is of vital importance. My office inquired with Fire Chief Scoggins about Fire and EMS response in West Seattle during the closure of the West Seattle Bridge. Chief Scoggins […]

West Seattle Bridge Closure SDOT announced the abrupt closure of the West Seattle Bridge on Monday, March 23rd at 7 p.m., after a bridge inspection showed expanding cracks. SDOT’s notice says “complete closure is required to maintain safety as our top priority.” I received notice of this when the Mayor called me to let me […]

Coronavirus/COVID-19 For updates on the coronavirus, you can follow Public Health – Seattle & King County or sign up for AlertSeattle – the City of Seattle Government’s emergency notification system – to receive customized alerts via text, email, voice mail, or on Facebook or Twitter. More info at alert.seattle.gov. Police Staffing and Hiring Update I’ve […]

Black History Month If you haven’t already, consider taking time before this month is over to learn about the history and contributions of Black and African Americans in our country and community.  Here are some of our office’s recommendations.  What are yours? You’ve probably heard about Ta-Nehisi-Coates’ The Case for Reparations, published in The Atlantic […]

Roxhill Wetland Update The Roxhill Bog Committee has been working on this issue for many years attempting to save this important wetland. You can read a detailed timeline and history compiled by the Committee here. Roxhill bog, at the Longfellow Creek headwaters, is actually a fen, defined as “open wetland systems that generally receive some […]

New Office Phone Number With the new Council taking office, telephone numbers for City Councilmembers are being changed to align with the district they represent. Councilmember phone numbers all begin with 206-684-880; the final digit will be for their district. Since I represent District 1, the new number will be 206-684-8801. For the two Citywide […]