Author Archives: CHS

Capitol Hill Community Post | Public Art in Progress for Miller Community Center

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From Miller CC Art Project

The design process is underway for a new interior artwork at the Miller Community Center. Seattle City Light, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Arts & Culture have commissioned the artwork as part of a larger project to install a power-generating solar microgrid at the Center.

Public Art in Progress for Miller Community Center

This art project aims to involve and reflect as many of Miller Community Center’s patrons as possible. Lead artist Julia Harrison invites the public to participate in the design process in these ways:
SURVEY: Visit the project webpage to respond to a short survey: http://www.juliaharrison.net/miller-community-center.html

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Council proposal would call on SPD to punish any officer who targets media at protests

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Seattle needs to sort out what crowd control tactics it will allow its police force to use and what ones like tear gas and flash bangs it will not. After many of those same tactics used on protesters were also turned on journalists, medics, and legal observers during protests across Seattle and on Capitol Hill, citywide Seattle City Council member Teresa Mosqueda wants her city to make a statement that it supports a free press and won’t put reporters, camera crews, live streamers, and bloggers in further danger with cops looking to settle a score or legal demands to turn their work into possible criminal evidence.

“Members of the press should never be seen as an extension of the police and must always be seen as separate and free from the government,” Mosqueda said in a statement on her proposed resolution that would “affirm the free press’ right to cover protests in the community.” Continue reading →

CHS Pics | ‘Divest, Reinvest’ — Umoja Parade carries King County Equity Now message across CD

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Saturday’s Umoja events in the Central District were more than a community celebration. As it pushes for gains after weeks of demonstrations, protests, and rallies following the police killing of George Floyd, King County Equity Now said 2020’s one-day version of the celebration also served as a day “to promote community healing and cultural expression” after weeks of violence and injustice.

“While COVID-19 has disrupted the usual three-day summer celebration, King County Equity Now is proud to honor the long-standing spirit and legacy of this festival with the Umoja March & Day of Unity for Black Lives,” the organization said in a statement on this year’s march and rally.

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Council will put together new Seattle COVID-19 relief bill after mayor’s veto over emergency reserve spending

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Corona on Pike

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Calling the spending plan irresponsible and saying it will drain the city’s emergency funds too quickly, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has vetoed the City Council’s big business tax spending plan including millions in immediate COVID-19 economic relief.

The council’s unanimous support for the plan including rental and food assistance, and boosts for small businesses likely means it can overcome the veto and tap the some $86 million in funds it had lined up from Seattle’s emergency reserves.

Mayor Durkan says the city might need that cash next year and beyond. Continue reading →

In summer of cancellations, Umoja Parade will cross Central District Saturday

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2020 has been a summer of cancellations. The Central District’s annual Umoja Parade can’t be stopped.

Organizers have postponed this year’s three-day Umojafest celebration but the parade and march centerpiece to the annual event will still take place starting Saturday at 1 PM at 23rd and Union:

We are proud to honor the spirit of Umoja Fest, Black Community Festival, East Madison Mardi Gras, and the current global uprising for Black lives, justice and equity.
Due to COVID19 we will not have the annual three day Umoja Fest celebration.
We will hold a Umoja Parade March & Day of Unity for Black Lives, Love, Unity, Healing & Justice on Saturday, Aug. 1st starting at 23rd & Union and going to Jimi Hendrix Park/African American Museum.
Drill & Dance Teams are encouraged to step for Black love and unity. Churches, community organizations, youth groups and businesses are invited! All African diaspora communities are invited to raise your flags in unity!

 

The march will travel down 23rd Ave to Jimi Hendrix Park for “powerful performances and speakers, children’s activities, and a variety of Black businesses.”

Wear a mask, be safe, and enjoy the celebration.

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#defundSPD: Going it alone, Sawant to unveil her proposal for immediate 50% cut to Seattle Police budget — UPDATE

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Sawant at a Juneteenth Black Lives Matter march

Seven of Seattle’s nine City Council members have pledged their support for the demands to #defundSPD part of the city’s weeks of Black Lives Matter protests community rallies.

But none have presented a specific plan for cutting SPD’s current 2020 budget while moving the funding to other departments and to fund social and community programs — until now.

Kshama Sawant, the District 3 council member representing Capitol Hill and the Central District at CIty Hall, will go it alone and unveil her unilateral proposal Thursday morning for a 50% cut to SPD.

Sawant’s office says the representative, chair of the Council’s Sustainability and Renters Rights Committee, will formally introduce new amendments at Friday’s council budget committee meeting that would cut tens of millions from SPD’s remaining 2020 budget.

“The amendments incorporate the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands that the remaining 2020 Seattle Police budget be cut by 50%, with those funds invested in Black and Brown working-class communities,” the announcement reads. Continue reading →

Weigh in on $10M in upgrades to improve Freeway Park’s connection between First Hill, Capitol Hill, and downtown

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(Image: City of Seattle)

With a new initiative underway to add new features to Cal Anderson Park recognizing the power of the occupied protest camp and Black Lives Matter movement of the summer of 2020, another central city park is also in the middle of a public design process to upgrade the important public space.

Freeway Park, a public space connection to downtown through the convention center, is lined up for $10 million in upgrades — minus some consulting and design fees — thanks to the $80 million community benefits package formed to cover the value of public right of way being dedicated to the convention center’s expansion. Continue reading →

Seattle will have boosted Seattle Transportation Benefit District sales tax on November ballot

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Seattle transit advocates breathed a sigh of relief Monday as the City Council approved a final plan for renewing a chunk of the city’s sales tax dedicated to funding for public transportation.

The Seattle Transportation Benefit District proposal will remain a six-year package and will be boosted to 0.15% as it now heads to the ballot for a decision by Seattle voters in November. Continue reading →

Quick arrest after man stabbed in Madison Valley

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Seattle Police took one person into custody after a man was stabbed in the back outside the Bailey-Boushay House care facility at E Madison and MLK early Thursday.

Seattle Fire and SPD were called to the scene around 6:15 AM to the reported stabbing by a known individual. The victim was treated at the scene outside the facility and rushed to the hospital. We don’t have further details on the victim’s condition.

Police located the suspect at his tent in a nearby park where he was taken into custody without incident.

Seattle approves plan for big business tax spending plan including COVID-19 economic relief

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The City Council passed legislation Monday that will shape how Seattle spends the money generated by its new “progressive revenue” tax on big businesses.

Monday’s votes approved $86 million in spending from Seattle’s emergency reserves on new economic relief for residents and small businesses during the COVID-19 economic crisis and signed-off on a $200 million a year plan to create new affordable housing across the city including funds specified to address displacement in the Central District.

“With a new progressive revenue and a detailed spending plan that prioritizes food security for low-income families, Green New Deal policies, small business support, and new resources for our homeless neighbors and immigrant and refugee community, we are ready to truly JumpStart Seattle’s economy by ensuring our most vulnerable residents are not left behind during this pandemic and we build a more resilient economy as we recover,” council budget chair Teresa Mosqueda said about the plan. Continue reading →