A Seattle City Council forum will look at whether development can work for everyone.
The following announcement landed in Mossback's mailbox, and the topic is timely. Seems like a good chance to hear about issues of equity and balance in Seattle growth, many of which were debated on Crosscut last week. Which reminds me: I was caught in a traffic jam on Rainer Avenue South this weekend due to the "Little Saigon" protest against the mega-development planned for the Goodwill site off of South Dearborn Street. I hope we will be seeing more of this kind of activism around town from people who are skeptical of the value of the big-box retailers and skinny towers the market "demands." Becasue of a conflict, I won't be able to attend this event, but I'd be interested in hearing from attenedees: City of Seattle Seattle City Council For Immediate Release: April 20, 2007 Contacts: George Howland, Jr., (206) 684-8159, george.howland@seattle.gov Lisa Herbold, Aide to Council President Nick Licata (206) 684-8803 David West Director, Seattle Alliance for Good Jobs and Housing for Everyone - SAGE(206) 441-0499 What: Making Development Benefit All Families A Brown Bag Forum–open to the public When: Friday, April 27th - 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Where: Council Chambers–City Hall 2nd Floor, 600 4th Avenue - entrance at 5th Ave Who: Forum Presenters: Michael Ramos, Church Council of Greater Seattle Director of Social Justice Ministries; Leslie Moody, People for Working Families (PWF) Executive Director; John Goldstein, PWF Program Director; and Lee Strieb, Change to Win Federation Research Coordinator Sponsors: Council President Nick Licata with council members Sally Clark, Richard Conlin, David Della, Jan Drago, Jean Godden, Richard J. McIver, Tom Rasmussen, and Peter Steinbrueck Issues to be discussed: Seattle's undergoing a wave of development; city leaders and citizens are asking: can development work for individuals and families of all incomes? Recommendations will be offered by national experts towards a more livable Seattle. Development partnerships between developers, communities, and government can address possible impacts upon housing, employment, and our environment. Development partnerships can help: Increase the affordable housing supply so low-wage service and retail workers don't move further from jobs, travel long distances, and contribute to sprawl. Keep wages and benefits from slipping for lower-wage workers. Minimize new demand on taxpayer-funded health care. Improve urban livability and environmental sustainability by increasing density with community mitigation. Sandy Esene Administrative Specialist Legislative Department Tel: 206-684-8143 Fax: 206-684-8587 SandraEsene@Seattle.gov
