Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell dodged protesters calling for the end of homeless encampment sweeps Wednesday morning as he rolled out his administration’s “activation” plan for downtown that calls for changes to zoning, more residential development, and near-term solutions like increased food, restaurant, and bar activity, expanded street uses, and more work to clean up and make the area safer.
The new “Downtown is You” campaign will include metrics and a “downtown activation plan” available to a public:
The Downtown Activation Plan (DAP) details legislative, regulatory, and programmatic efforts the City will pursue – building on previously announced actions – to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient hub for residents, workers, and visitors. The full Downtown Activation Plan encompasses three timelines: Bold Actions – initiatives that are underway or starting soon, Near-term Initiatives – efforts that will happen over the next three years, and Space Needle Thinking – visionary possibilities for the future. The Downtown Activation Plan is available to the public at DowntownIsYou.com – as well as through a public-facing dashboard to track success over time.
CHS reported here on Harrell’s call for “Space Needle Thinking” with downtown revitalization efforts that will crack down on drugs, activate streets and shuttered storefronts, and focus new development south of Pioneer Square. The administration is also working on new public drug use legislation that includes resources for treatment and diversion after a push by City Attorney Ann Davison fell short at the city council.
Harrell’s Downtown Activation Plan includes five focus areas:
Rezone Parts of Downtown
- Update zoning policies to allow for taller residential buildings along 3rd Ave from Union Street north to Stewart Street and east on Pike Street and Union Street toward 4th Avenue. This will allow for high-rise residential development with incentives for providing childcare and education facilities.
Encourage Residential Development
- Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) and the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) will continue the process of identifying potential changes to waive or modify development standards to facilitate office-to-residential conversions.
- Waive State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) requirements for all residential projects. Following up on recent State legislation, SEPA review will no longer be required on any projects in the City of Seattle that include a residential component, significantly speeding up permitting for Downtown projects.
Support More Food Businesses Downtown
- Temporarily waive fees for Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Street Use fees for temporary and year-long food trucks and carts and small-to-medium scale street and sidewalk events and activities open to the public.
Allow for Expanded Street Use Downtown
- Expand the range of street-level uses to include office, conference room, lab space, and residential building amenities, and expand allowed uses for street-level spaces and retail and recreation uses on all floors.
- Increase Floor Area Ratio levels in Belltown to increase hotel development, creating permanent jobs and providing more places for tourists and visitors to stay.
Invest in a Cleaner and Safer Downtown
- Pass supplemental budget legislation to expand Metropolitan Improvement District cleaning, safety, and hospitality services this summer and fall to support major national and international events hosted Downtown.
Learn more about the plan at downtownisyou.com.
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