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From Surplus to Shared Space: How Neighbors Saved Fire Station 7

“Fighting the Flames of NIMBYism since 1970” Submitted by Environmental Works Seattle in the late 1960s was a city in transition. It was grappling with the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, environmental degradation, and economic instability after Boeing layoffs. Plans for new freeways threatened to fracture established neighborhoods, older buildings… [ Keep reading ]

Turn Curiosity into Civic Power: Get Up to $5,000 for Community-Led Projects 

What if understanding how city government works felt less like decoding a maze and more like unlocking a door? The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is opening that door with funding to support community-led projects that help people learn how to engage with local government and use their voice to shape… [ Keep reading ]

Notice of Election: Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board

Seattle’s Historic Preservation Program conducts its annual election for Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board members who have been nominated by the community. All residents, persons who operate businesses, and property owners in the Ballard Avenue Landmark District boundaries who have registered to vote at least fourteen (14) days prior to the election date, are eligible to vote. … [ Keep reading ]

“Best Day Ever” Neighborhood Series Kicks Off with South Park Celebration 

On Saturday, March 21, people of Seattle gathered in South Park for the first Best Day Ever event, a day of service, storytelling, shared meals, and community connection co-created by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle Chamber of Connection and local partner Cultivate South Park. Best Day Ever is a community-powered celebration designed to strengthen civic belonging while spotlighting the people,… [ Keep reading ]

For 35 Years, Neighbors Have Shaped Seattle. This Year DON Celebrates Them

For 35 years, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) has helped neighbors turn connection into action by supporting community-led projects, building local leadership, and bringing people together across the city. In 2026, DON celebrates this milestone with a year-long 35th Anniversary celebration, launching on Neighbor Day Saturday, May 2, 2026, through Neighbor Day on May 8,… [ Keep reading ]

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods hosts community office hours at The Seattle Public Library

Finding the right person to talk to in city government can be difficult. We are here to help you, and we are making it easier for you to talk to someone at the City of Seattle. In 2025 we started a pilot program that brought Seattle Department of Neighborhoods Community… [ Keep reading ]

Mayor Wilson Seeks New Member for International Special Review District Board

Mayor Katie B. Wilson seeks a new member for the International Special Review District Board (ISRD) Board and invites community members who care deeply about the Chinatown International District to come forward. Serving on the Board is a way for residents to shape decisions that affect their own neighborhoods—because this… [ Keep reading ]

You Can’t Go Home Again: The Unshakable Community of the High Point Housing Projects

By Tracey Thompson The High Point Housing Projects were built in 1942 to accommodate military personnel and workers who migrated from the South in search of better opportunities. Over time, High Point became one of Seattle’s quiet strongholds of Black life, shaped by families who arrived during the Great Migration… [ Keep reading ]

Help Shape Decisions Impacting Local Renters: Apply for the Seattle Renters’ Commission 

Most people living in Seattle are renters; and the city consistently populates the top ten list of “most expensive cities” to rent. The Seattle Renters’ Commission (SRC) was established in 2017 to represent diverse renter voices from across the city. Its purpose is to provide information, direction, and counsel to the Mayor, Seattle City Council, and City departments regarding issues and policies that affect local renters. The Seattle Renters’ Commission has… [ Keep reading ]

Your Neighborhood Has an Idea. The City Can Help Bring it to Life.

From block parties to public art, park upgrades to cultural celebrations, some of Seattle’s most beloved spaces start the same way: with neighbors who care and an idea worth building together. Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON) is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF), one of the City’s longest-running… [ Keep reading ]