As our city continues to rapidly grow and develop, public spaces are becoming increasingly valuable places to pause, converse, rest and refresh. To better understand the usability and design of our public spaces, we evaluated 46 public spaces in greater Downtown this past summer. Read our findings and assessment of… [ Keep reading ]
Mayor Jenny Durkan is recruiting to fill three upcoming vacancies on the Seattle Design Commission. The open positions are: A licensed architect A transportation planner A landscape architect All positions will start their two-year terms in March 2019. Established in 1968, the Seattle Design Commission advises the Mayor, Council, and… [ Keep reading ]
Dear Neighbors, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan has introduced her 2019-2020 Proposed Budget (http://www.seattle.gov/financedepartment) in her address on September 24, including her proposed two-year budget for the Office of Planning and Community Development. In the coming year, OPCD will continue to pursue our mission to lead collaborative planning, advance equitable development,… [ Keep reading ]
By Garry Papers, OPCD As the residential population within greater downtown grows, and more workers arrive, the design and usability of the public realm around these buildings becomes ever more important. Parks, sidewalks and a variety of plazas are key for providing places for pedestrians, workers, visitors and residents to… [ Keep reading ]
We are excited to have our interns at the office and are already benefiting from their contributions! Rosa Ammon-Ciaglo is a graduate student at the UW Evans School of Public Policy. She is doing research and coordinating public engagement to help design indicators for the Equitable Development Monitoring Program. Lauren… [ Keep reading ]
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and the City of Seattle announced $5.5 million in awards through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), part of the City’s effort to support Seattle’s existing community members and businesses in high displacement risk neighborhoods. “Seattle is facing an affordability crisis, which has displaced far too many… [ Keep reading ]
Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan released the Duwamish Valley Action Plan, setting forth a series of actions and strategies to expand economic opportunity, make environment progress and increase investments in the South Park and Georgetown communities. The plan is the result of an 18-month process that engaged City staff, residents, workers,… [ Keep reading ]
We have released an initial proposal to update Incentive Zoning. This effort began in 2014 but was put on hold due to the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA). Using input received in 2014 and recent analysis, we have created an initial proposal for public discussion. We are looking for feedback on this initial proposal… [ Keep reading ]
Editor’s note: We are beginning a new monthly blog series, written by OPCD staff to highlight projects that we are excited about. This month, Nick Welch focuses on the benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units. This month, the City reached a milestone in our work to increase housing options in Seattle’s… [ Keep reading ]
The City of Seattle continues to seek public input on the environmental review of options to encourage the development of more in-law apartments and backyard cottages that would allow for more rental housing in the city’s single-family zones. The review evaluates a proposal advanced by Councilmember Mike O’Brien that aims… [ Keep reading ]
