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Seattle Department of Neighborhoods news and events

Landmarks Preservation Board to consider the nominations of Knights of Columbus building and the Conover House for landmark status

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exterior of Knights of Columbus building

Knights of Columbus building

exterior of Conover House

Conover House

Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board will consider the nominations of two buildings – Knights of Columbus building (700-722 E Union Street) on First Hill and the Conover House (1620 16th Avenue) on Capitol Hill – on Wednesday, March 6 at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Seattle City Hall (600 4th Avenue, Floor L2) in the Boards & Commissions Room L2-80.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and make comments regarding the nominations. Written comments are also accepted and should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board at the following mailing address by 3:00 p.m. on March 5:

Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

A copy of the Landmark Nominations will be available for public review at the Capitol Hill Branch  Library, 425 Harvard Avenue E, after February 18, and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods office in Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor (206-684-0228). The nominations are also posted on Seattle Department of Neighborhoods website under the heading of “Current Nominations.”

A landmark nomination provides a physical description of the building, object, or site, and information on its history, current and historic photos, site plans, maps, drawings, and more. To learn about the nomination and designation process, visit our webpage.

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Mayor Durkan seeks a new member for the Landmarks Preservation Board’s Structural Engineer position

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abstract drawing representing Landmarks Preservation Board and various landmarks

Mayor Jenny Durkan is seeking a new member to serve on the Landmarks Preservation Board in the Structural Engineer position. The 12-member Landmarks Preservation Board makes recommendations to Seattle City Council for landmark designation and reviews all proposed physical alterations to designated features of landmark properties.

The Board is composed of two architects; two historians; one structural engineer; one representative each from the fields of urban planning, real estate, and finance; a Get Engaged member (a position for ages 18-29); and three members at-large. All appointments are made by the Mayor and subject to City Council confirmation.

Board meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 3:30 p.m. In general, board members must commit approximately 10 hours per month to Landmarks Board business. The position is a 3-year term.

Interested applicants must be Seattle residents, and Board members serve without compensation. If interested in being considered, send a letter of interest and resume by Monday, April 8.

Please email your letter and resume to: Erin.Doherty@seattle.gov
(reference the Landmarks Preservation Board in the subject line)

Electronic submissions are preferred, if possible. To submit a paper copy, please address: Erin Doherty, Landmarks Preservation Board Coordinator, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle, WA 98124-4649. For more information, contact Erin Doherty at (206) 684-0380.

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in the city’s boards and commissions. Women, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, young persons, senior citizens, persons of color, and immigrants are encouraged to apply.

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Save Seattle from Seriously Slippery, Slushy, Sloppy Sidewalks (say that quickly 3 times)

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man shoveling snow

Photo: Dongho Chang

Seattleites, you are amazing!

Thank you for everything you’ve been doing to help your neighborhoods and your neighbors safely get through all this snow and ice. We’ve seen so many people out there lending a hand by shoveling snow, clearing drains, pushing cars, assisting neighbors in need, and so much more. ♥♥♥

Now, we’re in for another challenge. With all this snow and ice turning to slush, it is making for some seriously slippery sidewalks and pathways. This is partially what is making it difficult for Seattle Public Schools to safely reopen. And with a hard freeze expected tonight, it is essential to get as many of these pathways cleared today as possible.

The Mayor has asked City staff and neighbors to join together this afternoon to help make all sidewalks and pathways safe, so you may see City crews and neighbors out shoveling. Join them if you can!

While you’re at it, grab a photo and share it with us using #sharedshovel. We’ll feature you and your awesome neighborliness on our social media. 😊

Let’s all pitch in to make our sidewalks and pathways safe for school kids and everyone that needs to access them.

Other ways you can help keep your neighborhood safe:

  • Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is ok, especially those who may need assistance – elderly neighbors, those who are differently-abled, and families. Check on their pets as well.
  • Clear storm drains of any snow or ice.
  • Watch for downed power lines. If you see one, please keep a safe distance (at least 20 feet) and report it to (206) 684-3000. If it appears to be sparking or smoking, call 911. Learn more at: http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/whenpowerout.asp.
  • Take preventive measures to protect areas from landslides: check and maintain downspouts and drainage systems, inspect sloped areas for signs of erosion, keep fill and yard waste off slopes. Learn more at https://buildingconnections.seattle.gov/2019/02/12/reminder-are-you-prepared-for-landslides-3/.
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Help Your Neighborhood Weather the Snow

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snow covered road sign with heart drawn on it

Photo courtesy of allynfolksjr (Flickr)

Hey Neighbors!

The snow is again upon us, and it’s going to continue this week. This means we all need to help each other. Whether you live in an apartment or a home, be a great neighbor – here’s how:

  • Check on your neighbors to make sure everyone is ok, especially those who may need assistance – elderly neighbors, those who are differently-abled, and families. Check on their pets as well.
  • Help make it safer for your neighbors to get around. If you are able, treat or shovel the snow and ice from your sidewalks and paths. While you are at it, shovel your neighbor’s as well, especially those who need assistance. Then share your shovel so that others can pitch in.
  • In fact, make it a neighborhood block party – reach out to your neighbors and invite them to help. Celebrate after with cookies and cocoa!
  • And don’t forget those storm drains – please make sure they are clear of snow and ice.

Be sure to share your photos with us!

 

Thank you, Seattle, for helping your neighbors!

Because we want you to be safe, here are some winter weather tips:

  • If you can possibly avoid it, do not drive. If you must drive, please take your time, slow down, leave lots of room, and stay safe. Prepare your car with emergency supplies and chains or other traction devices. Remember bridges and raised roadways are likely to be icy, even when the roads are not.
  • Keep warm winter clothing at the ready: gloves/mittens; hats; heavy coats; sweaters; long underwear; heavy socks.
  • Have nonperishable food on hand that does not need to be heated.
  • Make sure you have adequate propane/charcoal briquettes for barbeques/camping stoves that can be used to heat food outdoors. To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, keep electric generators and barbecue grills outdoors and away from your house or apartment.
  • Keep water dripping from faucets so pipes don’t freeze.
  • If you are concerned about an individual living unsheltered, or in need, call 2-1-1 a resource line that can help connect an individual to resources. When the 2-1-1 line isn’t open, the 24-hour Crisis Line 866-427-4747 can provide information that the City has on warming shelters. If it is an emergency, contact Seattle Police by calling 9-1-1. SPD has transport vans to take people to warming centers and shelters.
  • If you see a downed power line, please keep a safe distance (at least 20 feet) and report it to (206) 684-3000. If it appears to be sparking or smoking, call 911. Thanks for your help in spreading the word. Learn more here: http://www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat/whenpowerout.asp.
  • Never use a grill, charcoal, or generator indoors, in garages, or in carports. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly.
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Hey Neighbor: Meet Genna Nashem

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The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ Hey Neighbor! series introduces you to the people behind the scenes working to build, strengthen, and engage the communities of Seattle.

Meet Genna Nashem

Genna Nashem has been with the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods since 2006. She is the Historic Preservation staff coordinator for the Pioneer Square, Fort Lawton and Harvard Belmont Historic Districts. She earned a Master’s in Planning and Historic Preservation from the University of Washington. In her free time she enjoys hiking, walking her dog Velcro, gardening and traveling to destinations of history, architecture, and culture.

Having trouble viewing the video? Watch it on our Facebook page.

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Community Involvement Commission Annual Report

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Annual Report CoverThe City of Seattle’s Community Involvement Commission (CIC) recently published their first annual report in which they highlighted commission members’ efforts to stand up the commission and get to work advising City departments and staff.

They shared this report at a successful launch event on January 22. The event was attended by City staff, as well as dozens of commissioners from other City Commissions. CIC members presented about their work and then hosted breakout discussions aimed at helping City Commissioners highlight best practices, build connections, share resources, and apply a race and social justice lens to their outreach work.

Read the full report.

 

Community Involvement Commission members

Members of the Community Involvement Commission at the January 22 event

The Community Involvement Commission advises City of Seattle departments and staff on coordinated, citywide outreach and engagement activities.

If you want to learn more about the commission or are interested in attending an upcoming meeting, go to seattle.gov/neighborhoods/community-involvement-commission.

If you have questions or would like to contact the commission, send an email to CommunityInvolvementCommission@seattle.gov.

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Help decide how to spend $2 million on park and street improvements in Seattle

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You’ve got ideas & we want to hear them!

Idea collection is officially open for the 2019 Your Voice, Your Choice (YVYC): Parks & Streets program.

From now to February 22, you can submit your project ideas online or in-person at any Seattle Public Library branch.

Project ideas can include park benches, trail improvements, flashing beacons, or curb ramps…just to name a few. Check out our list of project examples for a better understanding. The only criteria are that ideas be physical improvements for Seattle’s parks or streets, benefit the public, and cost $90,000 or less.

Once ideas are submitted, volunteers will be recruited to turn the ideas into 8 – 10 proposals per Council District. Then this summer, everyone will have the opportunity to vote for the top projects within their district.

You can learn more about the YVYC process and how to get involved on our webpage, and for questions, email amy.nguyen@seattle.gov.

illustration of light bulb

 

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Community volunteers needed to advise on zoning modification to Roosevelt High School

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Roosevelt High School

Here’s your chance to serve on an advisory committee that will recommend whether to grant a modification to a City zoning regulation affecting Roosevelt High School. The Seattle School District is requesting to provide less than required on-site parking in order to retain existing classroom portables.

The committee will convene up to three public meetings at or near Roosevelt High School over a three-month period. The committee will receive briefings from the School District and gather and evaluate public comments on the departure request. Following these meetings, the committee will make a recommendation to the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) to either grant or deny the requested modification. The committee may also recommend relevant conditions to be applied to granting the change to minimize its impact on the surrounding neighborhood. SDCI will make the final decision.

TO APPLY

Those who can apply to the committee are neighbors who live or own a business within 600’ of Roosevelt High School, residents in the surrounding neighborhood, representatives of city-wide education issues, students of Roosevelt High School, and parents of potential students. Other committee members will include a representative from the School District and City of Seattle.

To apply, send a letter of interest by Monday, February 25 that includes your address, information about yourself and your interest in serving on this committee to:

Maureen Sheehan
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649
Email: Maureen.sheehan@seattle.gov

The City of Seattle is committed to promoting diversity in its boards and committees; women, young adults, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, sexual and gender minorities, persons of color, and immigrants are highly encouraged to apply.

For more information contact Maureen Sheehan at Maureen.sheehan@seattle.gov or call 206-684-0302.

The Major Institutions and Schools Program provides an opportunity for neighbors of Seattle’s hospitals, universities, schools and colleges to be directly involved in the development plans of these institutions to ensure neighborhood concerns are considered when those plans are made. 

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Landmarks Preservation Board to consider nomination of the Turner-Koepf / Beacon Hill Garden House in Beacon Hill for landmark status

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Beacon Hill Garden House

Photo: Joe Mabel

Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board will consider nomination of the Turner-Koepf / Beacon Hill Garden House (2336 15th Avenue S) in Beacon Hill on Wednesday, February 20 at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in Seattle City Hall (600 4th Avenue, Floor L2) in the Boards & Commissions Room L2-80.

The public is invited to attend the meeting and make comments regarding the nomination. Written comments are also accepted and should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board at the following mailing address by 3:00 p.m. on February 19:

Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
PO Box 94649
Seattle, WA 98124-4649

A copy of the Landmark Nomination will be available for public review at the Beacon Hill Branch Library (684-4711) after January 30, and the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods office in Seattle City Hall, 600 4th Avenue, 4th Floor (206-684-0228). The nomination is also posted on the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods website under the heading of “Current Nominations.”

A landmark nomination provides a physical description of the building, object, or site, and information on its history, current and historic photos, site plans, maps, drawings, and more. To learn about the nomination and designation process, visit our webpage.

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Your Voice, Your Choice 2019: Submit your ideas for park and street improvements

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Your Voice, Your Choice logo

Help decide how to spend $2 million on park and street improvements in Seattle                      

Submit ideas beginning January 28 thru February 22

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is again engaging community members to democratically decide how to spend $2 million of the City’s budget on small-scale park and street improvements. This is the third year of Your Voice, Your Choice (YVYC): Parks & Streets.

Beginning January 28 to February 22, community members can submit an idea online at seattle.gov/yvyc or in-person at any Seattle Public Library branch. Projects could include park benches, trail improvements, flashing beacons, and curb ramps to name a few. The only criteria are the ideas be physical improvements for Seattle’s parks or streets, benefit the public, and cost $90,000 or less.

Learn more about what types of projects are eligible: Idea Collection Examples.

Once ideas are submitted, volunteers will be recruited to turn the ideas into 8 – 10 proposals per council district. Then this July, everyone will have the opportunity to vote for the top projects within their district.

You can learn more about the YVYC process and how to get involved on our webpage, and for questions, email amy.nguyen@seattle.gov.

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